#Elisabeth and Nathaniel from sorcery of thorns too

[sweetreveriee]

scary guys who are fucking simps for their scary girls >>>>

[rosiethorns88]

A new Bonus Sketch-a-Wish voted on by my wonderful Patreons for 2024! Featuring Nathaniel and Elisabeth fending off demons, a harrowing scene from Sorcery of Thorns by Margaret Rogerson!

This has been such a frequently requested scene for the longest time, too right, as it's such memorable moment where the guy falls in love at first fight.  Prints available in bio link!

[moss-reads]

Sorcery of Thorns by Margaret Rogerson

Rating: 4.5 ⭐️

"Sorcery of Thorns is a fantasy standalone about Elisabeth, an orphan who was raised in a library that mistrusts sorcerers, and houses magical grimoires that sometimes turn into horrific monsters, but when she is accused of a crime she didnt commit, she must turn to her enemy, a sorcerer named Nathanial Thorn and his strange servant, in order for them to save the great libraries and the world with them" (paraphrased description from the back of the book)

This has been on my tbr since about maybe march of last year when i got back into reading, and picked it up as a birthday present for myself and i think it lived up to the hype!

I found the characters compelling and fully realized, and i loved that it was a high fantasy plot With a romance but wasnt purely a romance and isnt part of a 5 book series i have to devote too much of my time to,and i can see myself coming back to it again later for a reread

I saw a few booktubers i like on youtube recommend it and give it 5 stars, but for me since i was unable to finish it until i downloaded the audiobook, and i wasnt fully invested until almost 20 chapters in, it sits pretty well at 4.5

Also as far as the audiobook goes, Emily Ellet is a FANTASTIC narrator and really brings Rogerson's writing to life and it overall felt cozy at times

Overall i really enjoyed this, and i'm interested in reading more from Margaret Rogerson's catalog! I'm definitely going to pick up the sequel novel as soon as i can

spoilery thoughts under the cut!

I will say that i didnt feel much interested in the story until chapter 20 even with the action and the plot brewing, cause thats when Elisabeth stepped into a library again and also around the same time Nathaniel's manor because the descriptions the author writes are just so incredibly magical and feel like you're in the story, and i loved when it became a mini heist moment, and i am glad that they did introduce the big bad early on so that we could sit with the rest of the world and characters more!

The romance also could have been fleshed out a bit more, it was a bit insta-lovey and i felt more drawn to the character of Silas more than anything so it fell to the side for me, and i think the end was the only thing that made me wish it was maybe a duology cause i wanted more of him! I also loved that Elisabeth was smart yet didnt have all the answers, but wasnt so clueless that every plot point you predict she just absolutely doesnt see coming, which i think was refreshing for stories like this

I did find the explanation of her powers and how she was basically a human booklouse a bit brushed over and confusing, but again its a standalone and i'm glad they addressed it at all

I do think the same about it being confusing or not fully explained can be said for some other elements though i do stand by that the characters were very realized! The pacing also could be a bit too fast or too slow at times, but it definitely didnt make it less enjoyable once i was more invested in the story!

tldr: i love this story about a librarian and a sorcerer and their emotional support demon saving the world

[clem4tish3ll]

So!!!! The voice of an angel whispered in my ear and I came with this idea: characters from sorcery of thorns on the universe of Paranormal Order

First of all, what's Paranormal Order? to those who don't know, it's a rpg created by cellbit (a famous brazilian streamer), with 4 principal seasons (iniciação, o segredo na floresta, desconjuração e calamidade) and 2 spin-offs (o segredo na ilha e sinais do outro lado), about agents from a secret organization that fights with the paranormal that leaked from the Other Side. With being an agent, you can choose to be a specialist, a combatent/fighter (i don't know the official translation) or an occultist, and later, your own element (blood, death, knowledge and energy/chaos)

With the basics of the basics explained, I'll show my opinion (that is probably unique since the brazilian fandom of sorcery of thorns is composed by 5 people)

Elisabeth – I can see her either as a combatent/fighter or as a specialist. Fighter because she's really good when fighting with demonslayer, or fighting in general, and specialist 'cause she's very smart; her element, however, is really clear to me: knowledge

Nathaniel – he's clearly an occultist, because he's a sorcerer in the book, but his element is unclear: death, because that's the kind of magic his family "owns" and is associated with or blood 'cause he's flirty and all that stuff. Even chaos is considered as an option since he gets caught up in the most random problems. If he's chaos, there would be a cute detail that Elisabeth, being of knowledge, would be his weakness, since "the lull of knowledge surpasses the anarchy of energy", if I remember correctly

Silas – I guess his case is the same as Elisabeth in class, since he fits both fighter and specialist, even though I prefer him as a fighter, since if he teamed up with Elisabeth and Nathaniel, each would be a different class, and depending, different element too; his element would be death or even blood, but I guess death suits him more. If he's blood, he would be Nathaniel weakness (i won't remember the phrase for it, sorry), but if he's death and Nathaniel blood, it would be the other way around. But if Silas is death and Nathaniel chaos, I guess it would be the same if they're death and blood

Lorelei – blood occultist, without hesitation

Ashcroft – knowledge occultist, without hesitation pt. 2

Katrien – energy specialist, without hesitation pt. 3

That's what I can offer for today, bye bye and kisses 😚😚

[ilwinsgarden]

I recently finished reading Sorcery of Thorns (by Margaret Rogerson, @marrogerson) and it just wouldn't leave me alone until I tried to draw some fanart too. It's a particular scene from the book when Nathaniel and Elisabeth are attacked by imps (if that's the name in english, I read the book in czech) in Brassbridge. For some reason I've thought it was a good idea although I'm bad at drawing dramatic scenes or magic or light, not mentioning background. Or clothes. (yes I tried to stick with fashion for the claimed in the book, but... me and cdrawing clothes, we're not friends... *shrugs*) Ahem. And it looks stupid and as if Nathaniel was just standing there, but it was said there when he started casting the spell, he closed his eyes and just looked calm and concentrated but it probably just turned out looking silly next to tenacius looking Elisabeth. Well... I tried, really. Despite all flaws though I think it somehow is still much better than the dull looking portrait of Scarlet Benoit (Scarlet). (Coloured with Derwent Inktense. Pose ref for Elisabeth by @jookpubstock  (yes, ended up rather different from the original action pose as usual lol) )

[everythinginbooks]

Book recommendations; Young Adult fantasy pt. 1/?

So you're looking for new YA fantasy books to read, or you want to begin reading YA fantasy and don't know where to start. Don't worry you're in good hands. Below are a few books (and series) that I greatly recommend, I hope these will intruige you!

As always check trigger warnings and goodreads for more information.

Sorcery of Thorns by Margaret Rogerson (2019)

Following Elisabeth Scrivener, we are introduced to a magical world with sorcerers, demons and enchanted books. Elisabeth has known her entire life that sorcerers are evil, but when she is accused of releasing a dangerous grimoire, she must turn to the sorcerer Nathaniel Thorn to prove her innocence, and ends up entangled in a conspiracy of old.

This one is, in my opinion, a read to tackle when you want something fun and light hearted (although I did get emotional near the end). It's fast paced, the magic system isn't too complicated to understand, and the cover is absolutely gorgeous. The characters will forever have a special place in my heart, especially Nathaniel, who I related to all throughout the book.

The Circle by Mats Strandberg and Sara Elfgren (2011)

Taking a dive towards the gritty side of urban fantasy, this book is sure to keep you awake into the late hours. This book follows a group of Swedish teenagers with newly gained magical powers as they learn they are The Chosen Ones. They aren't what you would consider friends, and the animosity in the group is intense, but to save the world they have to put their differences aside and work together.

I admit, this book sounds cliché and tame in my little blurb, but it's diffucult to read from the start, with violence and darker themes being in focus in most of the book. I personally loved it due to how insane the plot gets and how the characters act like real people I've met. It also gives an insight to an aspect in Scandinavian teen culture, which by being of that area myself can admit is quite similar to my own experiences, though not quite as gory. The soft magic system is really interesting, and I absolutely adore the characters.

This book is succeeded by Fire (2012) and The Key (2013).

Trigger warnings include depictions of suicide, self-harm, eating disorders and pedophilia.

The Girl Who Fell Beneath The Sea by Axie Oh (2022)

Inspired by The Tale of Shim Cheong and Spirited Away, this book combines traditional with fantastical, leaving us with a wonderous outcome. When Mina offers herself up as the sea god's bride instead of her brother Joon's beloved, Shim Cheong, she is swept away to the spirit world, where she sets it in her sights to wake up the sea god so the storms that ravage the land may be stopped.

This book found me at a time where I really needed it, and now it's my turn to help it find someone else. The colour and love that shine from this book is something that I didn't know you could feel so clearly. All characters are extremely lovable, and the writing will make you emotional more than once. It reads like a ghibli movie, which makes me want to petition the studio to turn this masterpiece of a book into a masterpiece of a movie.

Cinder by Marissa Meyer (2012)

Inspired by Cinderella, this book follows the cyborg Cinder on a sci-fi retelling of the brothers Grimm fairy tale. When she becomes entangled with the handsome prince Kai (and an entire intergalactic political mess featuring the Lunar queen Levana), Cinder must find answers in her past to save the future.

I absolutely LOVE the Lunar Chronicles; the writing is easy to get lost in (I finished Cinder in three or four hours), the world building is incredibly intruiging and the characters were easy to love. Personally, I was motivated to finish even faster by Levana's chapters, because they honestly gave me the biggest ick I've ever experienced by a book villain. Good job Marissa Meyer, I salute you for being able to write a sympathetic villain that I absolutely detest.

This book is succeeded by Scarlett (2013), Cress (2014) and Winter (2015).

Those are the recomendations! I hope you may find a world you fall in love with through my recommendations. I find that fantasy is one of the most enjoyable genres of literature, and so I was compelled to make this list.

Happy reading!

-Cami

[mainesbooks]

Sorcery of Thorns by Margaret Rogerson

Rating: 4/5

The story follows the main character, Elisabeth in her adventure to save the world. The world has books called grimoires that are alive. They have magic. They all have different characteristics and danger levels. The stronger ones can be used by sorcerers to cast spells.

Silas is a flipping precious little demon. I love him haha. Okay, let's talk about the book. I think there was a general good progression of character for both Elisabeth and Nathaniel. The only thing is that it was a bit too shallow. You can tell there was a direction they wanted the characters to move towards. I felt that Nathaniel's progression was too big of a jump. From someone untrusting to suddenly putting all his trust into this woman he just met. It wasn't that it was bad, the jump was just too sudden.

I felt a connection to Silas more than any character because he actually had quite a compelling development. There wasn't a lot of focus on him but he somehow still stole my attention. Elisabeth was a good character. She was naive but had enough of an open mind to other possibilities.

The general start of the story had a good kick-off. I felt like they had a good rhythm. The whole story was a little bit rushed, could have been a bit slower. There was this section around the middle that fell a bit out. The ending sort of revived itself and rounded off the story nicely.

"What is the point of life if you don't believe in anything?"

- Sorcery of Thorns

[a-duck-with-a-book]

REVIEW // Sorcery of Thorns by Margaret Rogerson

★★☆☆☆

"For these were not ordinary books the libraries kept. They were knowledge, given life. Wisdom, given voice. They sang when starlight streamed through the library’s windows. They felt pain and suffered heartbreak. Sometimes they were sinister, grotesque—but so was the world outside. And that made the world no less worth fighting for, because wherever there was darkness, there was also so much light."

I really enjoyed Rogerson's fluffy romance in An Enchantment of Ravens, so I thought I would give this other fantasy stand-alone of hers a shot. All in all, I just could not bring myself to care for the protagonist and the romance. I think I had so much fun with An Enchantment of Ravens because both Rook and Isobel were so likable individually, their banter was funny, and the romance was the central focus of the story. I'll be the first to admit there was really nothing in the way of world-building or lore in that story, but it never took itself too seriously or tried to be some sort of fantasy epic, and the author achieved what she had set out to do. Sorcery of Thorns lacks that charismatic energy that carried its sister novel. The prose is way to descriptive at times, to the point where it made me roll my eyes. Elisabeth is the embodiment of the Mary Sue trope-she is disheveled and homely, but still beautiful. She is naive and clumsy, but immediately masters the sword and manages to unravel a massive conspiracy that no one else saw coming. She makes the capital's notorious rake fall in love with her within days of meeting her.

// image: official cover art by Charlie Bowater //

Everything that happens in this story is so infuriatingly convenient. Of course, a lot of stories, especially in fantasy, require a certain amount of suspension of disbelief, but this book really took that notion too far. Elisabeth manages to evade death at every turn, mostly by fainting or pretending to faint. The story also seems to skirt around consequences constantly, letting heavily injured characters heal quickly for the sake of the plot. When (SPOILER) Silas was defeated, I legitimately thought that Rogerson would take the story in a completely different direction, forcing Thorn to continue with no sorcery. What would this mean for his relationship with Elisabeth, seeing as she held such a strong prejudice against sorcerers? What about his self-worth? As someone who comes from a long line of sorcerers and has been one since he was 12, this was bound to affect how he viewed his purpose in society. We also read shortly before that the Thorn line holds crucial power for the safety of the kingdom-what would happen now that it was gone? How would they approach the world-ending threat without Thorn's sorcery?

But no. Silas is simply immediately summoned again and we are right back where we started. No harm, no foul.

Speaking of coincidences, are you seriously trying to tell me that no one, in the span of centuries, noticed that the libraries were arranged in a PENTAGON? The same shape used to SUMMON DEMONS?? Do they not have maps? Or basic critical thinking skills? (SPOILER END)

Overall, I was incredibly disappointed in this book, especially since Rogerson had provided such a fun read in her debut novel. Here's hoping Vespertine is more to my liking!

Characters:

Elisabeth Scrivener - raised in one of the Great Libraries, dreams of becoming a warden Nathaniel Thorn - sorcerer and necromancer, bound to Silas, Silas/Silariathas - demon, bound to Thorn, served his ancestors before him, Chancellor Ashcroft - head of the Magisterum, (view spoiler) Katrien Quillworthy - close childhood friend of Elisabeth's, chaotic scientist Aldous Prendergast - disgraced friend of Cornelius Ashcroft, (view spoiler) Cornelius Ashcroft - ancestor of Chancellor Ashcroft

[sobstoriesandshitposts]

2019 has already ended but here’s a list (+ my unasked for opinions) of all the books I’ve read in 2019 in chronological order, Part 2.

((Disclaimer: this is a shitpost for myself and highly overrun by my emotions — I shall not be held accountable if my opinion is taken seriously. And I know it’s 2020 already, but procrastination is prevalent.))

By the way, here’s part 1, if you’d like.

8. The Dragon Republic

Rin was an absolute mess the entire book and god knows how frustrated I got with the dumb decisions™ she made every step of the way. But the poor girl was going through some shit and she picked it all up at the end, so I’m ready for the third installment, and to finally, see the end of the poppy war. Also, THE THIRD BOOK HAS BEEN NAMED “THE BURNING GOD” and I stan. But generally, book 2 wasn’t very memorable to me, and I don’t remember it very well anymore so it was eh.

Characters: 3/5

Plot: 3.5/5

General feel things factor: 3.5/5

9. An Ember in the Ashes

God, I WAS SO DISAPPOINTED BY THIS BOOK. I almost hate it. I might actually. It’s definitely the book I dislike most of 2019. Ok listen, I’m pretty sure I dislike it because I hadn’t been in the right mindset to read it, and it just ended up not being the kind of book I was looking for in terms of plot and mood. Maybe it was intentional, but everything ended up being really dreary and boring and so underwhelming to me. I didn’t feel anything for the story nor for the characters (whose names I no longer remember). I mostly wanted to follow the first girl’s story rather than the other two characters (even though honestly, I didn’t care for what was happening to her either) so I ended up skimming half of the book and then forcing myself to finish the rest of it. Why didn’t I just DNF it? I don’t know too. I was probably going through some kinda mood.

Characters: 1/5

Plot: 1.5/5

General feel things factor: 1/5

10. To Kill a Kingdom

NOW. I’ve seen some reviews on this, and boy, were they mixed — but let’s ignore them, because here is my significant opinion: it was cute. I think tkak is just a simple, short fantasy-romance that got out a cute couple and was done with it. I loved Lira’s character, idk there was just something about her dryness (hah, even though she’s a siren-) that I really enjoyed. Although I have to say, the main guy character had been rather bland, and I don’t remember his name anymore. But anyway, I liked the first-meeting-girl-slaps-boy-scene. I liked the pirates. I liked the romance. I liked the straight-forwardness. I liked the happy ending. (And after AEITA, this was exactly what I needed.) So 10 points to Alexandra Christo.

Characters: 3.5/5

Plot: 3.5/5

General feel things factor: 3.5/5

11. An Enchantment of Ravens

SO. DAMN. ADORABLE. Some people hate enchantment, some people don’t. I personally absolutely loved it. I found Isobel and Rook so cute together, and everything was just really soft and fluffy. Like tkak, it’s just a short and sweet romance, but it leans more towards the fairytale vibes — and I was vibing. I found both the main characters so whimsical and dramatic and ridiculous and they were just so ENJOYABLE to read about. The plot was simple and to the point and it didn’t meander when it didn’t have to — so I don’t care what anyone has to say, an enchantment of ravens is probably one of my favorite reads in 2019 and I adore it. (And the line “Now stop making me feel things.” is just iconic to me. I mean, please, Rook.)

Characters: 4.5/5

Plot: 4/5

General feel things factor: 4.5/5

12. Graceling

Alright, so this is the book I ended on before I stopped reading, aka stopped ignoring the reality of my exams, to start studying for my exams. I found Po and Katsa cute together and I enjoyed their dynamics, but they got a little boring towards the end. I think their relationship got too mature and serious for me (or maybe exams looming over my head just made me really depressed) so they lost the childish charm about them that had drawn me in in the first place. But that doesn’t change the fact that Katsa is an absolute badass, that the entire scene in the courtyard where they fought is iconic, and that the truth behind Po’s sight at the end made me cry. Wasn’t my favourite, but graceling was enjoyable, which was exactly what I needed to feel satisfied to end on, and not too drawn into a world that I needed another one to replace it after it ended. Thank you Graceling, for saving whatever had been left of my grades.

Characters: 2.5/5

Plot: 3/5

General feel things factor: 3/5

13. The Cruel Prince (& The Wicked King & The Queen Of Nothing)

This is definitely my favourite book (and series) of 2019 and I was ruined by it. I actually had to reread the cruel prince, because the first time I did, I didn’t enjoy it and that didn’t sit right with me — I mean, come on, Holly Black is my queen and there’s no way I’d dislike a 4.2 star book of hers. And boy, was that one of the best decisions I’ve made in 2019. I was so immersed in Jude’s world and everything she was about to face; I rooted for her the whole way. I loved her character so, so much (for once, we get an mc that is actually smart). I loved Cardan so, so much. Honestly, I truly liked all of the characters. And Jurdan? I live for that sh*t. I was completely floored by this trilogy and I. Still. Want. More. (+ The quotes from this series??? Just freaking iconic.)

Characters: 5/5

Plot: 5/5

General feel things factor: 5/5

14. Sorcery of Thorns

Ah, yes, another one of the books I was disappointed by. After An Enchantment of Ravens, I had been so excited to read the second work of Margaret Rogerson, but it wasn’t what I thought it’d be. I really enjoyed it at first, but around the half way point I started to get bored and almost DNFed it. And yes, I am aware that Sorcery is meant to be an epic fantasy and is different from Enchantment, but I just thought that the characters would still have that whimsical, ridiculous flair that had been done so well in Enchantment — but the character building here kind of just fell flat for me. Although there were moments I did enjoy reading about Elisabeth and Nathaniel, I just didn’t really see the chemistry between them and I couldn’t appreciate their interactions and banter much. I felt like Silas was just a cookie-cutter “cold on the outside but warm on the inside” character as well. Okay, I’m being extra harsh on this book because of my crushing disappointment from great expectations, but actually, Sorcery had been a pretty good read that started off well. Although the middle got a little dry, i think it picked itself up again at the end and I felt compelled to finish it. Plus, Silas’ moment made me tear up even when I hadn’t expected myself to, so, that’s always a bonus.

Characters: 3/5

Plot: 3/5

General feel things factor: 3/5

15. The Gentleman’s Guide to Vice and Virtue

So whimsical. So funny. So light-hearted — yet it had the surprise punch-you-in-the-gut feels. I spent a good deal of time laughing over Henry’s antics (when he ran naked around Versailles???? Oh my god, what are you doing, Henry?) and his efforts at trying to be a decent human-being. It was honestly, a very heart-felt and romantic story, which really has me torn up because how does Mackenzi Lee weave in so many heavy, important themes like abuse, trauma, racial and sexual discrimination and mental illness, and still make it such a light-hearted story — that was done well? (And lets not forget how she’s also managed to include some serious Fullmetal Alchemist vibes in there complete with murders and violins and pirates. Geez.) She’s a genius that’s how. The number of times I’ve almost cried, but was saved by Henry’s comments is just- ugh. If there’s any book I’d recommend just for being a damn good book, it’d be this one because, wow, was it good.

Characters: 4.5/5

Plot: 4/5

General feel things factor: 4.5/5

16. Carry On

We have now reached my final book of 2019: it was an absolute delight and one of my favourites. I just loved the characters, like they were so enjoyable to read about. I mean, I felt like Simon had a stick up his ass for a good portion of the beginning, but he softened up later on and my god, Baz. I loved his character so much. And the pining? HELL YES. And then, of course, his refusal to admit that he was pining to anyone else but himself. Simon and Baz were just extremely shippable, and I was ready to gobble up whatever I could of their romance. So fluffy, so ridiculous. Rainbow Rowell also made good use of the switching POVs. I normally dislike it when author’s switch the perspectives because it tells a side of the story that I really don’t care for (ahem, an ember in the ashes...) but Rowell did it so damn well. Even Agatha’s pov was enjoyable. She provided a different perspective on things compared to the other characters and I actually really liked her “I don’t want to have anything to do with this bullshit” take on things. It was fresh, and funny, even if she was being an ass half the time. So, Carry On? It’s a yes from me.

Characters: 4/5

Plot: 3/5

General feel things factor: 4/5

And finally, my 3 DNFs, in which I will rant about them just a little:

1) Wicked Fox

Didn’t like the writing style. Normally I don’t notice writing styles much because I’m just not that good with the technicalities, but Wicked Fox’s bothered me and I just couldn’t enjoy it. Also, I wasn’t in the mood to be patient, so I just decided to drop it.

2) Serpent & Dove

I actually really liked the beginning, but I think I wasn’t in the right headspace and I started to get bored by it, so I stopped reading. I’ll probably pick it up again in the future when I’m in the mood for it though :)

3) Throne or Glass

My god. I picked this up purely as tribute for Feysand — which, I guiltily admit, I really enjoyed — but- I- I couldn’t get past the first five chapters of tog. Putting aside the writing style (Why! Are! There! So! Many! Exclamation! Marks!), I didn’t feel anything for any of the characters, and any of the scenes. I don’t know what it is, but everything just felt so disconnected from me, and I had an inkling that I wasn’t going to care about what happened to the mc, or what happened with her and the other two (who I presume are) love interests because even on first impression, and a little past that, both seemed so bland to me. Sigh.

That’s it for the list; if you’re still here, good on you.

[bookaddict24-7]

REVIEW: Sorcery of Thorns by Margaret Rogerson!

My Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️/5

Age Recommendation: 15+

Genres: Fantasy, Romance

Release Date: June 4th, 2019

Add this book to your TBR on Goodreads here.

You can read my other reviews here, here, here and here.

This review may contain unintended spoilers.

This is a review for an ARC edition that I received as an Indigo Employee.

___

I was a big fan of Margaret Rogerson’s novel An Enchantment of Ravens, so I was really excited when I heard about Sorcery of Thorns. While the storyline is entertaining and gave me vague Beauty & the Beast vibes, I did find that it was slightly overwhelming. Being a standalone novel, I think too much was happening in too short of a time span. 

Elisabeth, a foundling of one of the great libraries (places where books made of magic reside), has been dreaming of becoming a library Warden for most of her life. She was raised on the belief that all magic and those who wield it are evil. And when a dangerous book from her library becomes a living monster, her fears of magic appear to be warranted. But what happens when Elisabeth is taken out of her library bubble and is thrown into the world of magicians and someone’s dark desire for more power? Elisabeth must survive all of the dangers thrown her way in order to save the world from the darkest of powers.

Sorcery of Thorns immediately reminds me of Uprooted by Naomi Novik because of how the main character is taken from one place and is forced to survive in another place with a mysterious magician. But whereas Uprooted did a pretty good job of spacing out events and giving them time to come to their natural conclusions, I found that Sorcery of Thorns was the complete opposite. Sure, this made it feel like there was always something constantly happening in the book, but it was, at times, very disorienting. 

I will admit that though Sorcery of Thorns had a slow beginning, it quickly picks up its pace. And while I’m mentioning the overwhelming factor of the plot, I think a lot of people will like it because there is never a dull moment. Elisabeth goes from one problem or situation, and immediately jumps into another one. If she were a real person, I would put a hand on her shoulder and tell her to breathe. 

I think the overwhelming nature of this book comes as a result of this being a standalone BUT (and let me emphasize this) I really appreciate that this is a standalone. We so rarely get standalones in YA fantasy that despite this being imperfect, it offers other authors the idea that standalones in this genre are a possibility. 

Despite my issues with the plot and the pacing, I really enjoyed some of the characters. Elisabeth was a bit of a cliched protagonist, but my favourites are definitely Nathaniel and Silas. When I first met Nathaniel in the book, I would have definitely said that he was my favourite, then Silas came in and added a whole new level to the book. He was snarky, and both surprisingly sweet and dangerous. His character added a relief to the story that I didn’t know I needed until he appeared. 

One word that comes to mind now as I write this review is “dramatic”. This book was dramatic--from the villain, to the events that take place, to the crap that Elisabeth has to go through in the male-dominated world (which I wouldn’t discredit as something that could have happened to women in the less-magical real past). 

And going off that point, I did enjoy Elisabeth’s constant demands to be treated equally when compared to men. The theme of sexism is definitely prevalent in Elisabeth’s world and I thought it was a surprising (and powerful) addition to the story. 

Finally, Elisabeth’s relationship with Nathaniel gave me strong Beauty & the Beast vibe because of how secretive he is about his life and choices AND because of something that Elisabeth finds in his mansion. I won’t mention what it is, but it really helped set that retelling vibe for me. 

Overall, I’d recommend this book for those who like standalone fantasies that have protagonists who are constantly in the middle of some action. Though it wasn’t particularly my ideal pacing, this story rarely had a dull moment. While this wasn’t my favourite book, it was still entertaining and I think that Fantasy fans will definitely enjoy it. 

Happy reading!

[theliteraryflower]

A Sorcery of thrones

By Margaret Rogerson

Rate: 5/5

Synopsis:

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:

Let me start by saying: I am disappointed that this isn't a series (I know that its rare to have a stan alone ya fantasy but damn this book needs it). I have checked and don't see anything about a sequel (if I am wrong please correct me). So, yes we can say I am sad about that. This was an amazing fantasy novel that any book worm would love. Elizabeth is an orphan who is an apprentice in one of the great libraries of her country. These libraries are the homes of powerful books that have the power to destroy her world. So guess what happens. Her library is attacked and her mentor is killed. She, of course, gets blamed and now has to prove ber innocence with the help of a scorcerer, that she doesn't trust but is intrigued by (which is to be expected), and his demon. Nathaniel Thorn is another whole thing. I was tired of the whole arrogant, nice guy trope but I have to admit it works on him. That and his casual suggestion that he is bi to his love interest. It remains me of what someone described the Vampire Lestat as. This tormented yet with a sense of humor. That's another thing i loved about this book. The characters and the world were so well written that it honestly broke my heart that this isnt part of a series. Even characters that were there for short scenes left a last impression. I was so inlove with the story that I got my hands on an audiobook, so that I could have time for the book. Plus the audiobook made me fall in love with the demon Silas. And that's all I will say about him because it's and experience. I enjoyed this book so much that I am glad that I chose to continue with owlcrate. So far their choices are on point and I can't wait to see what else they introduce me too. This book had a good romance, twist after twist and most importantly a cliff hanger ending that satisfies.

[thereadingchallengechallenge]

Review: Sorcery of Thorns by Margaret Rogerson Rating: 5/5

“You unmanageable, contrary creature. You have made me believe in something at last. It feels as wretched as I imagined.”

Elisabeth Scrivener was raised in a library, surrounded by magical books called grimoires and determined to become a warden like Director Irena. But when the library is attacked by a Malefict, a grimoire turned evil, Elisabeth is thrown into the depths of a conspiracy centuries in the making. Now under the care of a sorcerer, Magister Nathaniel Thorn, she must find a way to prove her innocence and find out what's happening to her beloved books before it's too late.

Now, I had my suspicions from the very first time I read the synopsis that this was going to be awesome but I never would've imagined it would be this awesome. Margaret Rogerson has delivered another exquisite standalone fantasy with excellent world-building, delightful characters and a sweet romance full of snark and tenderness. Everything felt so fresh and original and there's so much incidental diversity and I'm just in love with this book. I don't often have physical reactions to books but I've been laughing and crying and gasping over the pages of this one and I'm going to miss that level of enjoyment so much.

The biggest obstacle standalone fantasy novels have is making the world make sense but Rogerson has done that masterfully. Austermeer is an almost Victorian-era society with lots of social rules and unusual approaches to medicine. We have demons and occultism that are not unlike what can be found in your average episode of Supernatural. These touches make it so easy to imagine the bones of the world before delving into the uniqueness of the magic surrounding the libraries and grimoires. This book oozes magic and I absolutely loved the entire vibe around the sorcery. The plot was a little convoluted in places though things pick up the further you read.

But like Rogerson's first book, An Enchantment of Ravens, the shining light lies with the wonderful characters. Elisabeth is the quintessential bookworm but imbued with super-strength and near-invincibility thanks to her upbringing in the library. Nathaniel is the goofiest bisexual sorcerer I've ever encountered and I love him. He's so extra and irreverent but I do wish his bisexuality had been explored a little more - it's just a throwaway line but I feel like there was room to expand on it more.

And then there's Silas. Oh, dear Silas, I love you the most. One of my favourite character dynamics is when there's a supreme immortal being bound to servitude so he just jokes his way through the story. But Silas is more than just a punchline in livery - he's the glue that keeps Elisabeth and Nathaniel together. They're honestly such good OT3 material and I wish we were getting more of their adventures. Silas was the character I cried over the most which definitely elevates him to my ultimate favourite.

Another wonderful novel from the queen of the YA fantasy standalone. If you need a funny fantasy hit, check out Margaret Rogerson.

[grumpyslav]

Sorcery of Thorns ★★★★☆

Finally, a 2019 YA fantasy I actually liked. 

For some crappy reason, the cover (and title?) are reminiscent of SJM, and this is a disservice to this book. Seriously. This is a fun, magical read that is not perfect but is still enjoyable enough to forget its faults. 

Important: This is a standalone YA fantasy. It is also long enough to cover its themes and plot properly (most of the time), so it’s good. 

Magic system: In the world of SoT, books are alive. Well, not all books: grimoires are alive and believed to be dangerous. The MC, Elisabeth, works as an apprentice in a library that hosts and chains dangerous grimoires. Magic is still useful but considered dangerous: in order for a sorcerer to perform magic, they have to summon a demon from another dimension. A demon will serve a magician but, of course, there is a price to pay. (And, obviously, sorcerers often need grimoires to perform certain spells, so this is why grimoires are not destroyed.) This system is effective enough to keep the story going. Certain aspects are unpolished but it generally works, so it’s ok. 

Plot: Elisabeth is an orphan working as an apprentice in a magic library that stores grimoires. She is taught that magic is dangerous; she wants to prove herself as a future warden in the library. Then a dangerous book is released and library director is killed. Elisabeth is accused of these crimes and needs to be taken to the capital for a trial. Who escorts her there? A handsome young sorcerer Nathaniel and his demon servant, Sila. This is where the plot kicks in, and it is not as predictable as it sounds based on the blurb (except the romance. That one is as predictable as it gets.)

Characters: Elisabeth is a solid protagonist. She fights for what she wants and is proactive. She is realistic in her efforts and likable enough. Unfortunately, her arc is weakened by her special snowflake abilities. It is not as annoying as these get but it does make many plot points veeeery convenient. It is one of the weakest aspects of the story. Not enough to ruin the book but a definitive minus.

Nathaniel: A love interest with a sad backstory. He starts alright but he develops a case of typical YA hero snark midway, and it’s not pretty. As snarky YA love interests go, he is not the worst. He is not abusive, there is no angst - he doesn’t show up that much for first half of the book and he is not mean. So yes, he is okay enough. There is nothing horribly wrong with him that makes you want to throw the book on the wall or weep in utter horror of damaging tropes. Nathaniel’s problem is that he’s a solid character but a stereotypical love interest. He is more derivative than annoying. YMMV on how bad this is.

Sila: Nathaniel’s demon servant. One of the most interesting characters in the book. The good news is that he is not made to be a sexy demon character. For most part, he feels dangerous and not human. I admit, I would prefer certain choices re: this character to be different but what we get is ok and it serves the narrative. 

The villain: Stereotypical in every sense of the word. It doesn’t ruin the book once you realize you should see this person as a function of the plot more than a character. Still, one of the weakest aspects of the book. 

Ending: A satisfying one. Not a major twist (nor a minor one - there is a bit of possible violation to the established magical system) but it works. 

Representation: Women in positions of power. MC is a unusually tall girl (and it gets commented as a bad thing, so it’s not “too pretty it’s a curse!” situation, I promise.) A POC best friend, who is also aro/ace. Male MC (love interest) is bi. Generally speaking, these things are just mentioned in passing. Your mileage may vary whether this counts as a good representation or not. 

Verdict:  ★★★★/ ★★★★★ 

Flip review: So yes, I liked this one for the most part but honestly... Do we need yet another snarky love interest with a tragic backstory? Sure, he wasn’t as annoying (or as a jerk) as a standard offering, but still. I am tired of those dudes. Another issue is that some key points could have been introduced/highlighted/foreshadowed better for full impact. It is all logical but once you look back, you could see that those could have been established better. There is a bit of a HP vibe in some of the story’s magic, (nothing wrong about that - it doesn’t seem derivative), but it does make you remember how HP used foreshadowing. (Look, HP books are far from perfect but this is one aspect that worked, most of the time.) Also, Elisabeth’s special snowflakeness in Sorcery of Thorns is... Eh, it could be worse, I guess. It makes sense in the context, and it sure helps that it is a type of specialness that other people could have (she is special by accident), but still... So much of her abilities (to call them that way) come from her specialness and not her efforts. A lot of plot depends on her specialness and happens by a chance, and it’s not something I liked. Still, the book is enjoyable; I could forget about these problems (yes, even a stereotypical perfect guy) but I can see how these issues could diminish reading enjoyment for some people. 

[sixcrowsbooks]

Margaret Rogerson appreciation post

Sooo, let's highlight Margaret Rogerson today, huh? So far, she's written two books: An Enchantment of Ravens and Sorcery of Thorns. I'm basically going to give a rundown on why y'all need to read both of them, like, yesterday.

An Enchantment of Ravens

Goodreads

Barnes and Noble

IndieBound

Amazon

Rogerson's debut, An Enchantment of Ravens is definitely that book to read if you need an atmospheric fall novel. The settings throughout the book are just so real and very pretty. I constantly found myself being astounded by how the details flowed --- I'm sure with anything else, I would've been bored out of my mind with how much there was, but I found myself marvelling at the beauty (and non-beauty, in some cases) of everything. I really think that is the novel's strongest point.

Not that the story is bad! I found myself intrigued, especially about 3/4 of the way through, because I had absolutely no idea what was going to happen next. Who knows, maybe I'm just easy to please, but I enjoyed each of the plot developments and twists as they played out.

And the characters... Isobel, the protagonist, is a human girl who paints portraits of the fair folk, who would start to turn to dust if they attempted any sort of human Craft. I loved her as a protagonist --- she was witty and fun but still acted like a teenager. She made mistakes and was vulnerable, and I love when protagonists aren’t perfect! Her interactions with Rook --- the autumn prince she was assigned to create a portrait for --- were absolutely wonderful, too. Their relationship seems instalove-y at first, but there’s a really nice spin to it that I thought was great.

But yeah, if you’re into atmospheric, whimsical reads, get this on your TBR, buy it from your local bookstore, check it out from the library. Whatever you gotta do. Because this was a magical book that definitely satiated my need for a fall asthetic.

Sorcery of Thorns

Goodreads

Barnes and Noble

IndieBound

Amazon

I didn’t think this book was going to go as hard as it did...but here we are! Honestly, the strongest thing about Sorcery of Thorns is the fact that it’s a novel about being in love with books and books having a life of their own (literally and figuratively).

The protagonist, Elisabeth, grows up in a Great Library, where a great many grimoire call their home. And she absolutely loves these grimoires, even if some of them seem dangerous. The love for books is seeping from the pages as you read through this whole book, and it is so refreshing to see.

And ahhh, the dynamics of the characters! The relationships between Elisabeth and her friend; Elisabeth and Nathaniel; Nathaniel and Elias; Elisabeth and Elias; and Elisabeth, Nathaniel, and Elias were??? Amazing?? The banter was funny, the care was obvious (even when they didn’t want it to be), and the love made me smile.

Also~ Nathaniel’s bi as hell, and I love it. Like, on-page bi. Says he’s down to mingle with anyone. He is the bi disaster we all need, and I love him.

Similar to An Enchantment of Ravens, I am a bit heartbroken that Sorcery of Thorns is a standalone... I wish it was a duology!

Sooo, yeah, please go buy this book, or get it from your library or friend, or whatever because!! You won’t want to miss it.

And that’s it for this here Margaret Rogerson appreciation post. Please give her books (and her!) some love! They really, really deserve it.

[chapters-of-mylife]

Sorcery of Thorns by Margaret Rogerson {Book Review}

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GENRES:- Fantasy, Young Adult

RATING:- ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

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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. (FROM GOODREADS)

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Five awesome stars for this awesome book!!

and here are the reasons!!

- amazing story with amazing writing and an even more amazing world building!! 

the world-building in this book guys are so amazing!! I really felt like I’ve been living inside the book!! it was so magical!! 

oh and the amazing part of this world is that we have a winner in it!! 

we book lovers when someone tells us to imagine our dream library the first picture that came to mind is Belle’s library from Beauty and the Beast (at least this happens to me), well because of this book I have a brand new favorite library now and it’s every freaking great library in this book!! and why is that, that's because  THE BOOKS IN THOSE LIBRARY TALK, SCREAM, SING, AND INTERACT with people !! it was so amazing!! I admit that I kept looking to my bookshelves and saying why don’t you do this too?!! to the horrors of my family!!

- the characters!!

Elisabeth was an amazing and lovely character!! with her strong character and will, her love of the grimoires, and her believing in the good of people and in things!! but that and her living her whole life in the library and you can say that she was isolated from the outside world didn’t turn her into a stuped character!! she was smart and strong-minded and amazing!!

Nathaniel!! I fell in love with Nathaniel in the first moment he appeared, it was really obvious he was the type of character I’ll love!! and I wasn’t mistaken!! 

He was funny and sarcastic and so over himself in a good and funny way!! I don’t think there was a moment he was in it I didn’t laugh!! 

His banter with Elisabeth and even with Silas was so hilarious!! No wonder FAIRYLOOT when they did the theme for this book they named it BROODY BANTER!! The theme is perfect for the book!! (I got the book in FAIRYLOOT June 2019 box)

Then there is Silas!!  Silas was an intriguing character!! with his stoic face, cool demeanor, and his disapproving stare at everything!! who says funny characters need to talk or they need to be loud t obe funny!! there were many parts when I laughed out loud just because of Silas disapproving stare!!

This book was perfect!! it had everything I love in books!! it was fast-paced (and if there were moments when it was not it was worth it because there were funny and sarcastic parts), great story, amazing writing, and world-building, and last but not least amazing characters!!

[themoonlightarchive]

Hi y’all! I know I haven’t been very active lately but I feel like I have a really good excuse. My mental health has not been very good for several months and it took a while to get back into therapy. I’m so excited to have the energy to blog again. In the hopes that it’ll keep me motivated, I’m starting another weekly post. Tuesdays are now for me to discuss books I’ve recently added to my tbr pile!

White Stag (Kara Barbieri) goodreads | book depository

goodreads synopsis: “As the last child in a family of daughters, seventeen-year-old Janneke was raised to be the male heir. While her sisters were becoming wives and mothers, she was taught to hunt, track, and fight. On the day her village was burned to the ground, Janneke—as the only survivor—was taken captive by the malicious Lydian and eventually sent to work for his nephew Soren. Janneke’s survival in the court of merciless monsters has come at the cost of her connection to the human world. And when the Goblin King’s death ignites an ancient hunt for the next king, Soren senses an opportunity for her to finally fully accept the ways of the brutal Permafrost. But every action he takes to bring her deeper into his world only shows him that a little humanity isn’t bad—especially when it comes to those you care about. Through every battle they survive, Janneke’s loyalty to Soren deepens. After dangerous truths are revealed, Janneke must choose between holding on or letting go of her last connections to a world she no longer belongs to. She must make the right choice to save the only thing keeping both worlds from crumbling. ”

Sorcery of Thorns (Margaret Rogerson) goodreads | book depository

goodreads synopsis: “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.”

Descendant of the Crane (Joan He) goodreads | book depository

goodreads synopsis: “Princess Hesina of Yan has always been eager to shirk the responsibilities of the crown, dreaming of an unremarkable life. But when her beloved father is found dead, she’s thrust into power, suddenly the queen of a surprisingly unstable kingdom. What’s more, Hesina believes that her father was murdered—and that the killer is someone close to her. Hesina’s court is packed full of dissemblers and deceivers eager to use the king’s death for political gain, each as plausibly guilty as the next. Her advisers would like her to blame the neighboring kingdom of Kendi’a, whose ruler has been mustering for war. Determined to find her father’s actual killer, Hesina does something desperate: she enlists the aid of a soothsayer—a treasonous act, punishable by death, since magic was outlawed centuries ago. Using the information provided by the sooth, and uncertain if she can trust her family, Hesina turns to Akira—a brilliant investigator who’s also a convicted criminal with secrets of his own. With the future of Yan at stake, can Hesina find justice for her father? Or will the cost be too high?”

Kingdom Cold (Brittni Chenelle) goodreads

goodreads synopsis: “Attempted murder, that's how sixteen-year-old Princess Charlotte's engagement starts. It seems like the only thing she has in common with Prince Young of Vires is their mutual discontent. When her kingdom's attacked, Charlotte's parents renegotiate her hand in marriage to a handsome stranger with a sinister plan. With the people Charlotte loves dying around her, and her kingdom's future at stake, the only person she can turn to is the prince she betrayed. But, should she save her kingdom or her heart? One must fall.”

Stalking Jack the Ripper (Joan He) goodreads | book depository

goodreads synopsis: “Seventeen-year-old Audrey Rose Wadsworth was born a lord's daughter, with a life of wealth and privilege stretched out before her. But between the social teas and silk dress fittings, she leads a forbidden secret life. Against her stern father's wishes and society's expectations, Audrey often slips away to her uncle's laboratory to study the gruesome practice of forensic medicine. When her work on a string of savagely killed corpses drags Audrey into the investigation of a serial murderer, her search for answers brings her close to her own sheltered world.”

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I am super pumped to read all of these books! Are any of them on your tbr list? What have you recently added?