Sorcery of Thorns book review

Sorcery of Thorns by Margaret Rogerson
Series: Sorcery of Thorns #1
on June 4, 2019
Pages: 456
Goodreads

All sorcerers are evil. Elisabeth has known that as long as she has known anything. Raised as a foundling in one of Austermeer’s Great Libraries, Elisabeth has grown up among the tools of sorcery—magical grimoires that whisper on shelves and rattle beneath iron chains. If provoked, they transform into grotesque monsters of ink and leather. She hopes to become a warden, charged with protecting the kingdom from their power.
Then an act of sabotage releases the library’s most dangerous grimoire. Elisabeth’s desperate intervention implicates her in the crime, and she is torn from her home to face justice in the capital. With no one to turn to but her sworn enemy, the sorcerer Nathaniel Thorn, and his mysterious demonic servant, she finds herself entangled in a centuries-old conspiracy. Not only could the Great Libraries go up in flames, but the world along with them.
As her alliance with Nathaniel grows stronger, Elisabeth starts to question everything she’s been taught—about sorcerers, about the libraries she loves, even about herself. For Elisabeth has a power she has never guessed, and a future she could never have imagined.

A book about books and libraries, Sorcery of Thorns felt like the perfect book for me to pick up and read. I think the magic system and the really thin line that the world has with the magic and whether it’s seen as a good or a bad thing. I genuinely really enjoyed the story and the characters were brilliantly done.

Plot of Sorcery of Thorns

Based in a world where magic is contained through partnerships with demons and dangerous grimoires, Elisabeth has grown up to fear sorcerers, everyone knows they are evil beings. Witnessing an act of sabotage and being placed on trial, she soon realises that her preconceived notions may not be the complete truth.

There was so much going on Sorcery of Thorns, but at no point did I feel lost or overwhelmed with information. The world building was so well done, and I really enjoyed seeing how the different classes lived. Obviously we spent a lot of time with Nathaniel and Elisabeth in the manor and seeing the world through both of their eyes was an interesting aspect of the story. The impact that the world has on each of the different characters was well thought out and really rounded out their personalities and plot points.

The mythology surrounding the libraries and the grimoires was SO fascinating. I loved the idea of these books being able to feel, and communicate. There was so much built into the story about these volumes and how they functioned within the world, it was just exceptionally well integrated and was such a great way of building the magic system.

Characters in Sorcery of Thorns

Although the story was brilliant, I think the characters in Sorcery of Thorns is where the story really shines. Elisabeth is training to be a Warden, someone who protects the library from outside and within the walls when her life is turned upside down. What I really liked was that there was no moping, she just got on with what the world had thrown at her. PLUS there wasn’t a huge amount of stupid decisions, she held her own and I never despaired for her stupidity which is rare in female protagonists. I loved seeing her interact with other people, whether that be Nathaniel or her friends back at the Library, either way there was an authenticity that I rarely see written.

Nathaniel Thorn is one of the best characters I have read in a long time for a very simple reason that he was more than just the attractive love interest. He added a depth to the story that was definitely lacking and I think his history with the magic system really drives home the issues within it and makes you see the dangers. I loved his relationship with Silas and I think the further into the book you get the more apparent the love they have for one another is. There is nothing that the other wouldn’t do for each other and I loved watching that unfold.

Who doesn’t love a grumpy side character who brings nothing but sass and realistic thought processes to the story? Silas definitely fits the bill in Sorcery of Thorns and I think that’s what makes him my favourite character, there are so many facets to his personality and layers to everything he does. I think you could study him for years and still never get to the bottom of who he is or why he does the things he does.

Bad bits

• That it’s not a series. I think there is so much potential with this world and the characters that it needs to be expanded.

Good bits

• Fantastic world building
• Plot is well paced, with a brilliant magic system.
• Lovable characters and believable villain.
• SILAS.

Who would like Sorcery of Thorns?

For me this book is perfection, so anyone looking for a fantasy standalone, something quick and easy to get back into the genre then this is the book to do that. Thinking about it, those who liked the Once Upon a Broken Heart series would probably enjoy this one, very similar rogue like vibes with Nathaniel and Jacks.

Have you read this one? What did you think? Was it a new favourite or not too bothered? Let me know!