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deluna's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
hopeful
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Car accident, Panic attacks/disorders, Death of parent, Blood, and Injury/Injury detail
wrensreadingroom's review against another edition
dark
funny
mysterious
medium-paced
5.0
Content Warnings
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
renpuspita's review against another edition
challenging
lighthearted
mysterious
medium-paced
- 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
4.0
I rarely read young adult novels, mostly because the characters often irked me since I read them from my 30-ish PoV and apparently I forgot that I once was teenager myself, lol. Also, love triangle used to drive me nuts. But, I already smitten by the cover of Sorcery of Thorn, the sophomore novel by Margaret Rogerson. Plus, it's a book about books, especially library. A dream made book, for sure. However, before I read this, I read my mutual reviews and decide to lower my expectation when finally decide to read the book.
I'm glad that I end up liked it. Not a lot of course, and not too blow my socks off. Like I said, I usually avoid young adult titles because reasons I mention above. But, I find that right now I don't really mind since my reading taste always evolved. Sure that this book have a slow beginning, but honestly I enjoy read it from the start to the end. The strength of this book is its simplicity. The book set in a vaguely Britain Island setting or you can say it as alternate universe of England. It's also happen to set in 19th century although I don't feel the vibes, one of this book's weakness for sure.
The story pretty much straightforward. It's about Elizabeth Scrinever, an apprentice in the Summershall Great Library whom soon find herself become a key witness to the sabotage event in the library and must save the world from an egomaniac wizard. In this world, people live harmoniously with sorcerer. Yet, Elizabeth constantly reminded that magic is evil. Since Great Library also a home to many dark and malicious grimoires that the sorcerer or Magister used its spell. Although with the story unfold, not all grimoires are evil because some of them are harmless especially class 1 to 4. Elizabeth that act prejudiced toward sorcerer, magic and their demon cohort, in the end become entangled with one, Magister Nathaniel Thorn and his demon companion, Silas. Turn out that Nathaniel and Silas are the only people that Elizabeth can trust when everything fundamental about libraries that she knows are turn upside down.
Sorcery of Thorns are pretty much stand alone and perfect if you want to read a fantasy with romantic element without the fuss to follow so many books in one series. Yes, the story is straightforward, the world building is simple and easy to understand, the characters while seems mundane enough and maybe not that memorable, I find them to be okay. I'm surprised to see that Elizabeth didn't annoyed me and trust me, I'm easily annoyed by wishy-washy heroines especially in the young adult titles. Elizabeth sure act prejudiced at first, but I like that bit by bit she release all her prejudice and act accordingly to what her heart tell. I like that she's soft, and I realize that reading so many hard-edge heroine can be exhausting. Elizabeth have skill with sword, but often I see that she's so emphatic to people who dear for her and in this case, Nathaniel and Silas. I like her relationship with Nathaniel and Silas, how she slowly warmed toward them and didn't hesitate to save them when they are in the great peril. From all the characters, I liked Silas the most, maybe because it's nice to see the demon who believe himself devoid of emotion and compassion yet in the end he evolve to something much better. The romance between Elizabeth and Nathaniel is okay and for me, it's believable. I liked when Nathaniel admit that he falling first to Elizabeth and fall harder day by day. Also, Rogerson write him as a bi and Elizabeth is totally okay with that.
The strength of this book lay in the final act and my favorite scene is when the grimoire takes stand to the world-end problems. Rogerson write that the grimoire is not only book, but they also have a soul, they can feel despite their malicious upbringing. I also like the way Rogerson put her insight, how women's voice constantly unheard of. Some of ironic part happen when Elizabeth declared insane and hysteric because apparently she read so many novels! While this is pretty amusing, I remember that reading so many novels apparently considered as an ailment and must be treated accordingly. How rude! Some of the characters have surname with bookish content, like Elizabeth's surname (Scrivener) and her friend Katrien, her surname is Quillworthy. I guess, this book can't be more bookish with its library setting and grimoires, but seems that I'm wrong!
Sorcery of Thorn is one of those good young adult title I had read and I'm also glad that there's no unnecessary love triangle or a heroine with so many potential love suitor flock to her. This book is perfect to read in a cozy setting but with some internal conflict and high stakes as well. I will recommend this if you want to read a fantasy romance YA stand alone with library as its setting and characters that you will end up love.
I'm glad that I end up liked it. Not a lot of course, and not too blow my socks off. Like I said, I usually avoid young adult titles because reasons I mention above. But, I find that right now I don't really mind since my reading taste always evolved. Sure that this book have a slow beginning, but honestly I enjoy read it from the start to the end. The strength of this book is its simplicity. The book set in a vaguely Britain Island setting or you can say it as alternate universe of England. It's also happen to set in 19th century although I don't feel the vibes, one of this book's weakness for sure.
The story pretty much straightforward. It's about Elizabeth Scrinever, an apprentice in the Summershall Great Library whom soon find herself become a key witness to the sabotage event in the library and must save the world from an egomaniac wizard. In this world, people live harmoniously with sorcerer. Yet, Elizabeth constantly reminded that magic is evil. Since Great Library also a home to many dark and malicious grimoires that the sorcerer or Magister used its spell. Although with the story unfold, not all grimoires are evil because some of them are harmless especially class 1 to 4. Elizabeth that act prejudiced toward sorcerer, magic and their demon cohort, in the end become entangled with one, Magister Nathaniel Thorn and his demon companion, Silas. Turn out that Nathaniel and Silas are the only people that Elizabeth can trust when everything fundamental about libraries that she knows are turn upside down.
Sorcery of Thorns are pretty much stand alone and perfect if you want to read a fantasy with romantic element without the fuss to follow so many books in one series. Yes, the story is straightforward, the world building is simple and easy to understand, the characters while seems mundane enough and maybe not that memorable, I find them to be okay. I'm surprised to see that Elizabeth didn't annoyed me and trust me, I'm easily annoyed by wishy-washy heroines especially in the young adult titles. Elizabeth sure act prejudiced at first, but I like that bit by bit she release all her prejudice and act accordingly to what her heart tell. I like that she's soft, and I realize that reading so many hard-edge heroine can be exhausting. Elizabeth have skill with sword, but often I see that she's so emphatic to people who dear for her and in this case, Nathaniel and Silas. I like her relationship with Nathaniel and Silas, how she slowly warmed toward them and didn't hesitate to save them when they are in the great peril. From all the characters, I liked Silas the most, maybe because it's nice to see the demon who believe himself devoid of emotion and compassion yet in the end he evolve to something much better. The romance between Elizabeth and Nathaniel is okay and for me, it's believable. I liked when Nathaniel admit that he falling first to Elizabeth and fall harder day by day. Also, Rogerson write him as a bi and Elizabeth is totally okay with that.
The strength of this book lay in the final act and my favorite scene is when the grimoire takes stand to the world-end problems. Rogerson write that the grimoire is not only book, but they also have a soul, they can feel despite their malicious upbringing. I also like the way Rogerson put her insight, how women's voice constantly unheard of. Some of ironic part happen when Elizabeth declared insane and hysteric because apparently she read so many novels! While this is pretty amusing, I remember that reading so many novels apparently considered as an ailment and must be treated accordingly. How rude! Some of the characters have surname with bookish content, like Elizabeth's surname (Scrivener) and her friend Katrien, her surname is Quillworthy. I guess, this book can't be more bookish with its library setting and grimoires, but seems that I'm wrong!
Sorcery of Thorn is one of those good young adult title I had read and I'm also glad that there's no unnecessary love triangle or a heroine with so many potential love suitor flock to her. This book is perfect to read in a cozy setting but with some internal conflict and high stakes as well. I will recommend this if you want to read a fantasy romance YA stand alone with library as its setting and characters that you will end up love.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Blood, Forced institutionalization, and Violence
Moderate: Death of parent, Injury/Injury detail, Panic attacks/disorders, and Misogyny
val_theburrowofstories's review against another edition
adventurous
mysterious
slow-paced
- 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
3.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Blood, Violence, and Forced institutionalization
Moderate: Death of parent and Child death
cosmicnova's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
inspiring
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
this book is one of my favorite fantasy reads ever. everything about it was incredible. silas 🫶🏼
Content Warnings
Moderate: Blood and Murder
haexelhasel's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.0
Content Warnings
Moderate: Sexual violence, Forced institutionalization, Gaslighting, Violence, and Misogyny
Minor: Blood and Grief
readbyella_'s review against another edition
adventurous
medium-paced
- 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
4.75
Content Warnings
Graphic: Violence, Blood, and Death
Moderate: Death of parent
Minor: Panic attacks/disorders and Child death
katievallin's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
mysterious
sad
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
2.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Gaslighting, Medical trauma, Death, Grief, Injury/Injury detail, Death of parent, Forced institutionalization, Misogyny, and Blood
Minor: Sexual content
twistykris's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
mysterious
medium-paced
- 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
This was a good read! Not my favorite YA novel, and certainly not my favorite YA fantasy novel, BUT is was fun nonetheless. I enjoyed many of the characters (Silas the demon is my favorite), the setting and magic system is creative and immersive, but I felt like the main antagonist/ villain was.. meh?
Predictable reveal that lead to some things that felt unrealistic (and not in a magical-world way, more of a rich-people-getting-away-with-things-because-of-fame-and-power-and-money way..Maybe it's the cynic in me, but I found it quite strange that these rich, powerful people were so willing to turn against another rich, powerful person.. I had thought there would be some sort of coverup, that these people were also in on this plot, etc ).
The climax dragged on way too long, and overall some of the pacing was slow. Also, some things are revealed about Elisabeth that just felt.. silly? She's the "chosen one" but it's not fully fleshed-out and feels haphazard in a way.
And a critique with the characters: I liked Nathaniel (I do love a grumpy character that starts as an enemy that develops into more) but I felt like his relationship with Elisabeth was a little shallow? I appreciate how it isn't front-and-center, but I wish we got more of their developing feelings for each other.
But Silas is 10/10 snarky and an absolute icon and I adore him. He really brought this book up a star-rating tbh.
I felt like this book could have been like, 50 pages shorter or split into two books, but at this point it's a potential standalone (a .5 coming out this year I guess?) and I'm okay with that. Though if a second one were to come out that revolves around my demon man Silas, I am all in.
Predictable reveal that lead to some things that felt unrealistic (and not in a magical-world way, more of a rich-people-getting-away-with-things-because-of-fame-and-power-and-money way..
The climax dragged on way too long, and overall some of the pacing was slow. Also, some things are revealed about Elisabeth that just felt.. silly? She's the "chosen one" but it's not fully fleshed-out and feels haphazard in a way.
And a critique with the characters: I liked Nathaniel (I do love a grumpy character that starts as an enemy that develops into more) but I felt like his relationship with Elisabeth was a little shallow? I appreciate how it isn't front-and-center, but I wish we got more of their developing feelings for each other.
But Silas is 10/10 snarky and an absolute icon and I adore him. He really brought this book up a star-rating tbh.
I felt like this book could have been like, 50 pages shorter or split into two books, but at this point it's a potential standalone (a .5 coming out this year I guess?) and I'm okay with that. Though if a second one were to come out that revolves around my demon man Silas, I am all in.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Blood, and Violence
Moderate: Misogyny, Forced institutionalization, Death of parent, and Panic attacks/disorders
Minor: Child death
kimmag92's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
mysterious
sad
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
Rogerson’s writing is excellent and she immediately drew me in. Elisabeth, Nathaniel, and Silas were all wonderfully written. At times I felt like the plot was moving at breakneck speed and really wanted it to slow down and spend more time on events and explaining them. I would have preferred this story be in two parts. Overall, Sorcery of Thorns gave Hogwarts vibes which felt really comforting.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Blood and Injury/Injury detail