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margaret_k30's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.5
Graphic: Sexism, Confinement, Death, Injury/Injury detail, Forced institutionalization, Gaslighting, and Death of parent
Moderate: Vomit, Physical abuse, Murder, Self harm, Violence, Torture, Panic attacks/disorders, and Kidnapping
Minor: Classism, Gore, Grief, Blood, Body shaming, and Medical trauma
kaelynn_'s review against another edition
3.5
Minor: Self harm
nat_kiverse's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.75
Graphic: Death of parent, Misogyny, Grief, Body horror, Self harm, Violence, Injury/Injury detail, Blood, Fire/Fire injury, Panic attacks/disorders, Classism, Gaslighting, Death, Murder, Emotional abuse, and Schizophrenia/Psychosis
caelinsullivan's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.5
Graphic: Self harm and Injury/Injury detail
Minor: Forced institutionalization
wrensreadingroom's review against another edition
5.0
Moderate: Kidnapping, Misogyny, Forced institutionalization, Injury/Injury detail, Sexual harassment, Medical content, Sexism, Violence, Fire/Fire injury, Gaslighting, Gore, Grief, Police brutality, Cursing, Alcohol, Blood, Child death, Confinement, Death, Death of parent, Emotional abuse, Murder, Panic attacks/disorders, Self harm, Abandonment, and Body horror
queer_bookwyrm's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
Sorcery of Thorns is my first Margaret Rogerson book, and has been on tbr for so long I forgot what it was about and why I got it. Present me thanks past me for bringing this book home. We get big important libraries, sentient magical books with varying sassy personalities, long suffering demons, and a library heist. Not to mention our chaotically bisexual male love interest.
We follow Elisabeth Scrivener, an apprentice in The Great Library who was raised there as a baby. She hopes to become a warden (a warrior librarian) someday. She even seems to have a special relationship with the books. One night she awakens to find everyone in the library spelled asleep, and a high level grimoire turned Malefict is on the loose. Without thinking, Elisabeth grabs a sword and slays the beast, saving everyone, only to be accused of being the saboteur. Then the plot gets wild. She works together with Nathaniel Thorn, a sorcerer she met once in the Great Library, and together with the help of his demon Silas, they try to stop the saboteur from completing their end goal.
This world was so cool! I love the Great Libraries! Obviously we would all want to live there. The magic system was interesting, because it involves the forces servitude of a highborn demon in exchange for years of life. Silas kind of reminds me of a character like Spock who isn't supposed to feel or show emotion, but that eyebrow lift says it all. I actually didn't mind the romance between Elisabeth and Nathaniel. It wasn't too fast, but didn't drag it out either. I found their relationship endearing.
I also loved that Elisabeth is a tall, strong woman who isn't afraid to be all brawn (or a menace if you ask Nathaniel). It was also nice to have an MC who was pretty sheltered, and therefore isn't entrenched in the inequalities women face or the art of social graces. Really this book is about connection. Elisabeth and Nathaniel's connection, Silas and Nathaniel, and Silas and Elisabeth. Imma need some poly fanart of Elisabeth, Nathaniel, and Silas. I will definitely be reading more of this author.
Moderate: Violence and Death
Minor: Self harm
booksthatburn's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Silas is enjoyable as a character whose present form is unassuming but could absolutely fuck someone up if a different version of himself is let loose (Think Mogget from The Old Kingdom books by Garth Nix, but if he liked working).
I thought the first half was just fine (except for the worldbuilding, which was excellent) and then I loved the ending. I didn't enjoy the matrons speculating about Nathaniel's sexuality, and while the resolution of his identity came though his own telling, it felt a bit off.
The audiobook performance (particularly for Silas) perfectly fits each character and really enhanced the story. The plot noticeably had distinct stages (not in a bad way). It's a long enough book to have several points of tension and rest, with the danger escalating in a way that felt appropriate to the world and to what the characters had already faced. There were a couple of points in the latter half where things had been so dramatic that I thought maybe it was about to pull a cliffhanger, but the ending is very satisfying and comes at an appropriate point in the pacing.
I enjoyed this and am very excited for a sequel if one materializes. It's listed as a series so I'm hopeful.
Graphic: Confinement, Blood, Misogyny, and Sexism
Moderate: Fire/Fire injury, Murder, Gaslighting, Violence, Sexual content, Sexual harassment, Child abuse, Gore, Ableism, Injury/Injury detail, Self harm, Panic attacks/disorders, Forced institutionalization, and Death
Minor: Mental illness
sarah_cameron's review against another edition
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
4.0
Minor: Injury/Injury detail, Death of parent, Death, Child death, Self harm, Forced institutionalization, Gaslighting, and Misogyny
hazelsnoot's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A
4.0
Graphic: Blood and Violence
Moderate: Child death, Child abuse, Confinement, Death, Death of parent, Emotional abuse, Gore, and Grief
Minor: Child abuse, Child death, Forced institutionalization, and Self harm
caseythereader's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
- Elisabeth reminded me of Lyra from the HIS DARK MATERIALS books, not only because she was a foundling raised in an academic setting, but for her fierceness and sharp mind.
- The world isn't super fleshed out, but I thought it was a clever magic system and I loved what I did see of the wider world beyond the library.
- There's also surprise low key bisexual and ace/aro rep, which was such a treat.
- And Silas, what can I say about Silas. I loved the little demon, I did.
Moderate: Blood, Child death, Confinement, Death, Death of parent, Forced institutionalization, Gore, Grief, Kidnapping, Murder, Self harm, and Violence