Review: Sorcery of Thorns by Margaret Rogerson

Sorcery of Thorns

by Margaret Rogerson

June 4, 2019
464 pages

Goodreads      Indigo

Goodreads Summary:
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.

Review

A new book has been added to my list of top favourite reads this year! I enjoyed Sorcery of Thorns even more than I did An Enchantment of Ravens. There was just something about this story that pushed it beyond for me.

Sorcery of Thorns was atmospheric and mesmerizing. I was wholly bewitched by the world. It's a little frightening but also absolutely fascinating. The Great Libraries sound magnificent while the grimoires they house seem scary yet spunky. Each possessed unique characteristics and were very animated. They were spooky and fun to experience.

Putting aside my ravings from above I think Sorcery of Thorns could be a shorter book. Some details just felt very heavy and bogged down the pages. I found myself zoning out to multiple parts and had to mentally shake myself to get back into the main story.

I loved Elisabeth and her persistence. Life threats and the certainty of danger couldn't stop her from doing what she knew was right in her heart. She was no damsel in distress either. Even though she does get saved a few times, Elisabeth was fully capable of getting herself out of tough spots. As an unstoppable force of good, her backstory was most wonderful.

Nathaniel and his wry sense of humour stole my heart. Getting to know him as a sorcerer was exciting but his history was heartbreaking to learn. He and his demon servant, Silas, had such depth and despite their outward appearances, were the shining stars in Sorcery of Thorns. The two were so much more than master and servant- their friendship/bond was really beautiful.

Romance lovers rejoice because a relationship does develop between Elisabeth and Nathaniel. It was slow burning but full of humour, intensity and swoons. There was also a bit of a hate-to-love vibe that made their romance seem somewhat forbidden ;)

Sorcery of Thorns is a book that went beyond my expectations. It's magical, refreshing, romantic and definitely a treasure of a book!

 

*I received an Advance Reading Copy of this book from the publisher in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own and not affected in any way. Any quotes included in my review were taken from the ARC I received.