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booksthatburn's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
mysterious
fast-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? Yes
5.0
MYSTERIES OF THORN MANOR finds Elisabeth and Nathaniel trapped in the manor with Silas and their new maid, Mercy, unable to leave and having difficulty figuring out what’s going wrong. Aside from getting out, the main focus is on figuring out what the dynamic will be between the four of them in one house. Silas previously has not had to abide with a human servant in his space. Nathaniel has a tendency to forget that just because something seems obvious, it is good to say things specifically. Elisabeth is worrying about everyone and trying to figure out what to do with her life now that she’s not a normal Librarian. This is the first time Mercy has had her own life outside of the asylum, and she is still terrified that Silas will eat her because he’s a demon.
As a novella following a novel, THE MYSTERIES OF THORN MANOR tells a pretty self-contained story whose significance is within the context of the first book. The specific tale is very self contained in a way that would be understandable to someone who started with this and hadn’t read anything else in the series, but most of the worldbuilding is done by reference to things explained in much more depth in the first book. It shows the next phase of what happens to Elisabeth, Nathaniel, and Silas after the first book, as well as more fully introducing Mercy who briefly appeared in SORCERY OF THORNS. It's not particularly wrapping up anything, but specifically moving a few things forward and making the new status quo clear. There’s a new storyline which wasn’t present previously, for something magical has gone awry and trapped them all in the manor. They have to solve it and get the doors unbarred before the Midwinter Ball that Nathaniel is hosting. While as of the time of this post this is the newest book in the series, it seems unlikely to be the last, with an ending that clearly telegraphs that more to come.
This is excellent as a brief story set an established world. It stokes my eagerness for a full length sequel to follow, whenever that appears. I already love Nathaniel, Elisabeth and Silas as a trio, and I like that a novella gives space to show what has changed in their dynamic since the very traumatic events at the end of the first book. It also serves to integrate Mercy into their household, keeping them from being quite so insular. As is often the case with sequels, and especially with a sequel novella, it doesn’t make sense to start here, and it would be much better to read the first book before this one. If you came across this without reading the first book and enjoyed it, definitely go back because the heart of this series is the relationships between the characters, and those are wonderfully displayed here. I like the audiobook narrator, generally, but I love their voice for Silas. It forms an excellent contrast with the others in a way that conveys his personality instantly.
I like the plot, I like the setup, and I love the characters. This is perfect for anyone who enjoys the first book and wants to spend more time with them.
As a novella following a novel, THE MYSTERIES OF THORN MANOR tells a pretty self-contained story whose significance is within the context of the first book. The specific tale is very self contained in a way that would be understandable to someone who started with this and hadn’t read anything else in the series, but most of the worldbuilding is done by reference to things explained in much more depth in the first book. It shows the next phase of what happens to Elisabeth, Nathaniel, and Silas after the first book, as well as more fully introducing Mercy who briefly appeared in SORCERY OF THORNS. It's not particularly wrapping up anything, but specifically moving a few things forward and making the new status quo clear. There’s a new storyline which wasn’t present previously, for something magical has gone awry and trapped them all in the manor. They have to solve it and get the doors unbarred before the Midwinter Ball that Nathaniel is hosting. While as of the time of this post this is the newest book in the series, it seems unlikely to be the last, with an ending that clearly telegraphs that more to come.
This is excellent as a brief story set an established world. It stokes my eagerness for a full length sequel to follow, whenever that appears. I already love Nathaniel, Elisabeth and Silas as a trio, and I like that a novella gives space to show what has changed in their dynamic since the very traumatic events at the end of the first book. It also serves to integrate Mercy into their household, keeping them from being quite so insular. As is often the case with sequels, and especially with a sequel novella, it doesn’t make sense to start here, and it would be much better to read the first book before this one. If you came across this without reading the first book and enjoyed it, definitely go back because the heart of this series is the relationships between the characters, and those are wonderfully displayed here. I like the audiobook narrator, generally, but I love their voice for Silas. It forms an excellent contrast with the others in a way that conveys his personality instantly.
I like the plot, I like the setup, and I love the characters. This is perfect for anyone who enjoys the first book and wants to spend more time with them.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Grief
Minor: Blood, Death, Child death, Sexual content, Self harm, Alcohol, Fire/Fire injury, and Death of parent
betweentheshelves's review against another edition
funny
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
I loved this little jump back into this world! It reads a bit like a cozy fantasy, and honestly kind of makes me want to jump back into Socerery of Thorns again. It's been awhile, and I remember absolutely loving it! The characters were great, the world building is well done, what more could you ask for in a fantasy.
Elisbeth and Nathaniel are just so great together, and getting more stories featuring them is so fun. I'm here for authors writing novella spinoffs from their original series. They're just fun additions for beloved characters.
Elisbeth and Nathaniel are just so great together, and getting more stories featuring them is so fun. I'm here for authors writing novella spinoffs from their original series. They're just fun additions for beloved characters.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Violence, Blood, and Self harm
Moderate: Alcohol, Ableism, and Child death
Minor: Death, Murder, and Death of parent
readingwithkaitlyn's review
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.0
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for an eARC in exchange for an honest review!
I was very excited to step back into this world with these characters. There's a fondness I have for them with Elisabeth being a tall protagonist and Nathaniel being bisexual. Their personality dynamics were also a favorite of mine, and this novella really focuses in on that. It's less plot heavy and more so delving into their lives following the events of Sorcery of Thorns. The continuation of their story was something I did enjoy.
Although it is focused on Nathaniel, Elisabeth, and Silas, and it does have elements of that, I feel like the growing relationship between Elisabeth and Silas outshone Nathaniel and Elisabeth's. Anyone going into this with a fondness for Silas will probably be pleasantly surprised. For myself, I was hoping for more between Nathaniel and Elisabeth. It did impact my rating because there is a lot of story there between Elisabeth and Nathaniel but it felt lackluster in comparison. I was just wanting a little more. Something with more depth. I feel like if what the focus of this novella started sooner rather than halfway through it could have left more room for that to develop.
I also didn't rate as high because I was surprised by an ableist comment. I thought it would have great representation with Nathaniel having to use a cane to walk, until Silas eventually makes a comment about not being an "invalid." It's just a bit insensitive which took me out of the story for a bit. One thing this author can do is write beautifully, so surely there was another way for Silas to express how he is capable of doing work.
As a whole, the follow up into their lives is interesting and I think it will be perfect for fans who will obviously want more after Sorcery of Thorns.
I was very excited to step back into this world with these characters. There's a fondness I have for them with Elisabeth being a tall protagonist and Nathaniel being bisexual. Their personality dynamics were also a favorite of mine, and this novella really focuses in on that. It's less plot heavy and more so delving into their lives following the events of Sorcery of Thorns. The continuation of their story was something I did enjoy.
Although it is focused on Nathaniel, Elisabeth, and Silas, and it does have elements of that, I feel like the growing relationship between Elisabeth and Silas outshone Nathaniel and Elisabeth's. Anyone going into this with a fondness for Silas will probably be pleasantly surprised. For myself, I was hoping for more between Nathaniel and Elisabeth. It did impact my rating because there is a lot of story there between Elisabeth and Nathaniel but it felt lackluster in comparison. I was just wanting a little more. Something with more depth. I feel like if what the focus of this novella started sooner rather than halfway through it could have left more room for that to develop.
I also didn't rate as high because I was surprised by an ableist comment. I thought it would have great representation with Nathaniel having to use a cane to walk, until Silas eventually makes a comment about not being an "invalid." It's just a bit insensitive which took me out of the story for a bit. One thing this author can do is write beautifully, so surely there was another way for Silas to express how he is capable of doing work.
As a whole, the follow up into their lives is interesting and I think it will be perfect for fans who will obviously want more after Sorcery of Thorns.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Blood, Injury/Injury detail, and Self harm
Moderate: Alcohol and Ableism
Minor: Murder, Child death, Cannibalism, Death, and Death of parent
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