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A review by queer_bookwyrm
Sorcery of Thorns by Margaret Rogerson
adventurous
mysterious
tense
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
4 ⭐ CW: violence, self-harm, death
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.
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.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Violence and Death
Minor: Self harm