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sarahsbooklife's review against another edition
- 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? Yes
5.0
It's such a good book.
It has magical books, sorcery, demons and a girl that wields a sword. For me that's a perfect mix of things I love to see in a story. Oh, and with a sprinkling of romance on top.
Great book. Highly recommend.
Graphic: Death, Violence, Blood, and Death of parent
Moderate: Injury/Injury detail
Minor: Confinement, Panic attacks/disorders, Forced institutionalization, and Grief
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
mayas'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
4.25
And the characters were really cool and I enjoyed there interactions, personalities, and banter. I would have loved to explore more about Katrien and even Silas.
I found the ending a little confusing. I didn’t really understand what specifically Silas did/how he did it. And there were some things I questioned regarding the last act and stuff. I also took a little longer getting through the last 10-20% but I don’t think that really was the book - maybe just personal circumstances.
And because of this little loss in momentum, I struggle to rate this book. But it’s more than 5 stars. But less than 4.5. When I was reading it (in the momentum bit), I remember thinking it was 4.3. So i suppose 4.25 will be fine :)
Graphic: Violence, Blood, Death of parent, and Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Misogyny, Panic attacks/disorders, Sexism, Forced institutionalization, Grief, and Fire/Fire injury
Minor: War
erebus53's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.75
The first part of the story, that introduces us to the idea of dangerous books locked up to keep people safe felt reminiscent of Terry Pratchett's libraries in the Discworld. I had a laugh-out-loud moment when the novice is quizzed by the Director as to the first magical safety precaution one would use when handling a dangerous book and I said out loud "salt!", and the novice exclaims "salt". The way the magic works in this world is not precisely derivative, but enough like other fantasy novels (and Pagan texts) that it seems familiar to the point where at least one of the big reveals is a little predictable. I don't hate it though.
The particular bestiary of this world includes Maleficts which are malevolent monsters that are released when a book is unbound, Book-lice which are oversized arthropods that thrive in magical libraries, altered by the omnipresence of magical energies which make them resistant to magical spells, and Demons which Sorcerers contract with for use of magical powers. I really did hope it would go into the idea of indentured servitude, and power dynamics of demon slaves.. there was a whiff of the idea, but maybe it was too big for a book like this?
I think there is some criticism of this book for being "token LGBT" as one of the main characters is bisexual (and one is asexual now I think of it), but this is only mentioned in passing, and the primary relationships in the book are M/F. Personally I feel like it's respectfully done and I like that I'm feeling represented.. but it has no real queer narrative. I do think it's more important to the plot than some readers perceive. Similar things could be said for the depiction of ethnic diversity. Some characters are brown, but there is no narrative of identity, minority, or oppression, and Class is only vaguely mentioned.
As someone who is not a fan of "battles" I think the tension is held well and the boss fights (always more palatable than army engagements) are tense and exciting. Our main character is a girl who is big and strong and wields a sword.. or a crowbar if that's all she can get.
The story is really more character driven than anything, and it's got some nuance so I'll let it slide on some of the simplicity of plot. Lots of ideas to play with, and I expect it is the sort of world that fan-fiction would spring from.
Graphic: Confinement, Death, Emotional abuse, Slavery, Violence, Forced institutionalization, Xenophobia, Blood, Kidnapping, Grief, Gaslighting, Toxic friendship, and Injury/Injury detail
kayceeisbookish's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.0
Minor: Death, Forced institutionalization, Blood, Grief, Death of parent, Gaslighting, Alcohol, and Injury/Injury detail
deluna'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? No
4.5
Graphic: Panic attacks/disorders, Blood, Car accident, Death of parent, and Injury/Injury detail
wrensreadingroom's review against another edition
5.0
Moderate: Body horror, Child death, Confinement, Cursing, Death, Emotional abuse, Gore, Misogyny, Panic attacks/disorders, Self harm, Sexism, Violence, Forced institutionalization, Blood, Police brutality, Medical content, Kidnapping, Grief, Death of parent, Murder, Fire/Fire injury, Gaslighting, Abandonment, Alcohol, Sexual harassment, and Injury/Injury detail
renpuspita'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
4.0
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.
Graphic: Violence, Forced institutionalization, and Blood
Moderate: Misogyny, Panic attacks/disorders, Death of parent, and Injury/Injury detail
sophiesmallhands's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Graphic: Forced institutionalization
Moderate: Death, Gore, Sexism, Violence, Murder, and Injury/Injury detail
Minor: Child death, Panic attacks/disorders, and Death of parent
katievallin'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? No
2.0
Graphic: Death, Misogyny, Forced institutionalization, Blood, Grief, Medical trauma, Death of parent, Gaslighting, and Injury/Injury detail
Minor: Sexual content