A review by casualskimreader
Sorcery of Thorns by Margaret Rogerson

adventurous mysterious reflective 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? It's complicated

4.0

Structure of the book:
- 453 pages
- Chapters are numbered and the average chapter is around 18-20 pages.
- It is written in the third person and it follows the thoughts of the female protagonist Elisabeth. 
- Medium paced
- The structure of this book is accessible and tension builds in a manner that is satisfying.

The battles where Elisabeth and Nathaniel fight the demons, as well as other battles, build-up to the final battle. </spolier> The tension mounts and feels tangible. 

Things I liked about this book:

- It is an excellent and well set out fantasy novel. The world-building is excellent as we understand the social environment around the main characters, the geographic layout of their world as well as social and hierarchal systems. Nathaniel, Elisabeth, and Silas have something different to the table in terms of information.

Elisabeth is able to explain how the libraries work, the warden system, and explains how and why the grimoires are dangerous and protected. Nathaniel has knowledge of the social world as well as the workings of magic and history that he can explain to Elisabeth. Finally, Silas provides information about demons and other aspects of demonic magic and demonic hierarchy.

This allows the characters to learn from each other and get information without too much info-dumping.

- Due to the way the book is set out and its use of language, it is an accessible fantasy novel. It is the perfect book to introduce yourself to reading fantasy without feeling fatigued. It is a book that can be read in a day but also can be read over time without forgetting too much information. 

- The Maps are practical. It is readable and adds to world-building.

- Compared to other YA novels, this novel allows for grey areas. These grey areas link with the character's core belief systems and their motivations in the story.

For Elisabeth, it is established that she is trying to find a place for herself in the world. Her personal journey plays off this internal struggle. Elisabeth struggles to comprehend her relationship with the Warden as well as the libraries and has conflicting emotions about whether or not she should become an apprentice after performing demonic rituals. This is great as it highlights the complexity of Elisabeth navigating what she has been taught to believe and what she has learned about the world. She has also learned that the libraries are a part of her and carry out important work. However, she learns that the libraries and the belief system she grew up with were built on a grand evil scheme. She is the embodiment of the magic found in the libraries but she is more than that. She is still finding her place but now understands that she plays a greater role than just being another guardian of the libraries. This affects Elisabeth and puts her into a position in which she needs to reevaluate her life and figure out her own path that aligns with her morals and knowledge. By the end of the book, Elisabeth has yet to come to a decision about her life. This normalizes that making life-changing decisions and assessing your core belief system takes time. It is established early on in the book that Nathaniel needs to find something to believe in as well as avoid the destiny of his ancestors. Throughout the book, we learn that Nathaniel has avoided continuing his family's name as well as practicing magic that is more for entertainment rather than war. It is revealed that Nathaniel is afraid of practicing dark magic in fear of hurting those he loves (that's why Silas is the only one he keeps around) and turning into his mad ancestors. He also believes that the magic of his ancestor's work can corrupt him. But working with Elisabeth and using his magic to save the world from demonic power and war proves to him that there are things worth fighting for. He also eventually resists the power of his ancestors and this shows that he is more than who he or others think of him. He is someone worth believing in and it is worth it to fight for something even if you can lose it. At the end of the story, we see Nathaniel attempt to adjust to a world without Silas as well as mourn. But, he's still adjusting. Not everything has happy endings and it is not clear if Nathaniel has decided that there is something to fight for and believe in.

- The characters have great chemistry with each other.

Elisabeth and Nathaniel have tension between each other but balance each other out in a way that does not feel forced. They are allowed to exist as complex individuals but it is stressed that they work better as a team. Nathaniel's sarcastic and charming nature is contrasted with Elisabeth's quiet and curious nature. She does not pick up on social signals as well as Nathaniel but can pick up environmental clues and it is the opposite for Nathaniel. Nathaniel and Silas actually feel like friends and it contrasts the dynamics we see between other sorcerers and their demons. Silas loves Nathaniel and treats him like a son but understands his demonic nature. It is also clearly explained why Silas and Nathaniel have a different bond and it is due to guilt and history. He even warns Elisabeth not to trust him when she befriends him. Silas feels like a character that is fully fleshed out even though he is so different to Elisabeth and Nathaniel in nature and purpose.

- The Epilogue leaves some loose ends that allow for new possibilities.

Elisabeth's story is not over and she is still learning. Nathaniel needs to learn how to navigate living without Silas and he now has something to believe in. Both Elisabeth and Nathaniel are still in a grey area in terms of what they want to do with their lives as well as in the process of deconstructing their beliefs and dealing with the aftermath of the final battle.  Is Silas really gone?

This is definitely a book I would recommend to friends that are familiar and unfamiliar with the fantasy genre and I may reread it again.