Book Review: Sorcery of Thorns by Margaret Rogerson

Sorcery of Thorns by Margaret Rogerson (June 4, 2019)
Length: 456 pages
Publisher: Margaret K. McElderry Books
Source: I read an e-ARC and then bought a copy!
Purchase: Barnes & Noble | Amazon | The Book Depository
My Rating:

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.

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My Review

Sorcery of Thorns in Three Words: Fierce. Magical. Captivating.

One thing I can say with 100% certainty about this novel, it is never dull. Non-stop action, a slow-burn enemy-to-more romance, secrets, sorcery, and living books, make for one heck of a roller coaster of a ride.

Sit back and get ready for me to throw as much praise as possible toward the awesomeness that is Sorcery of Thorns. Elisabeth is officially going on my list of top favorite main characters of all time. She loves books, is loyal to her friends, fights for what she believes in, admits when she is wrong, can kick-ass with a sword, and is an overall great person. I wanted to do nothing but cheer her on, and want her to be my friend.

What about her love interest? Nathaniel Thorn is the sexy damaged mysterious guy I love to read about. Elisabeth was raised to hate sorcerers. Nathaniel Thorn is most definitely a sorcerer. Their romance is a perfectly rendered version of a slow-burn hate-to-love romance trope. Although, I could have used a few more steamy kissing scenes. ;)

There are a handful of other very important and interesting characters that readers will be excited to meet as well. Nathaniel's Demon/Servant is complex and memorable while Elisabeth's best friend is charming and adorable. I met characters I hated and characters I loved, and I enjoyed meeting every single one.

Margaret Rogerson builds such a fantastic world that I had no trouble being transported from the real world into hers. She manages to bring to life such a variety magical grimoires (some talk, some bite, some create illusions, all can turn into monsters when provoked) all with unique personalities. She describes the libraries and the large mansions with spellbinding language. Whenever magic is used, I could easily envision what was being described. I wish I lived in this kingdom of magical libraries.

Last but not least, let's talk about plot. I couldn't have asked for a more fun fast-moving plot than what Sorcery of Thorns has to offer. There is never a dull moment as readers meet numerous magical books, monsters ready to devour/destroy anything in their paths, and an unknown person causing chaos and harm at each of the Great Libraries. Elisabeth and Nathaniel's journey is never boring, filled with numerous intense fighting scenes, and other surprises while they try to uncover the mystery of who is behind the various attacks at the Great Libraries.

The Bottom Line: I devoured Sorcery of Thorns and already want to read it again. Fans of the author's first book, An Enchantment of Ravens, will surely enjoy reading her new fantasy story as well. Don't miss this magical gem!