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A review by maddiemoiselle
Sorcery of Thorns by Margaret Rogerson
4.0
I am a bit disappointed this wasn’t a five star read for me. At times, it really felt like it would be! I thoroughly enjoyed the setting and the magic of this world. The grimoires were fascinating and the characters, at times, really worked for me.
For instance, Elisabeth was a competent and fun main character. I loved her background and how she is a “true child of the library”. I loved her innocence and how her viewpoint of the world and magic shifted over the course of the book. I kept expecting her to become a sorcerer, but I am glad that she didn’t. It would have been very generic and predictable. I am still not certain how she is such a master swordsman—and at times it was a bit bland that she is another FMC that’s a badass with a sword. I mean, even if she practiced as an apprentice she NEVER had to wield a sword in a true fight before the attack on Summershall. So why can she kick trash? And don’t tell me it is because she is stronger than a normal human. Strength does not equate skill.
Moving on, Nathaniel had SO much potential. At times, he reminded me of Will Herondale. He was funny and broody and tortured. What didn’t work for me is how he is barely featured throughout the middle of the book. I felt their romance was transitioning well in the beginning, I could see the vision and I was PUMPED to get there. Then after Silas saves her, he wants to kick her out?? While she is literally on death’s doorstep. And it turns out his “reasoning” is because he gets nightmares sometimes lol. That was a fail for me. And then he’s kind of missing from the story for a while, until he finally decides to help Elisabeth defeat Ashcroft. It isn’t long after this that Elisabeth and Nathaniel are basically already in love. The buildup to that moment failed for me pretty epically. This would’ve been better served as a duology, where the author could’ve taken her time and added more moments between Elisabeth and Nathaniel. It would’ve strengthened their relationship arc. In romance, the build up is everything and if it doesn’t proceed appropriately it kind of ruins it for me.
Silas was definitely my favorite character from the book. I think he was by far the most nuanced and interesting. I love how demons are explained as self-serving, cold creatures who only accept deals to feed on the souls of humans. This was also one of my favorite concepts from the book (the whole idea that magic comes from this bond). So, I loved seeing Silas fight against his true nature. He cares for Nathaniel like a father cares for a son, while still craving his soul. It was fascinating and I would love to someday read a spin-off of Silas and WHY he is the way he is. I wish there had been more information in the book—why is Silas different from other demons?
Which leads me to the ending…. WHY??? Seriously, why??? This is one of the worst endings I’ve read in a while. It literally just ends, after all of that buildup. And, yes, I know there is an epilogue but that is more of a bandaid to provide closure instead of an actual meaningful ending. Again, this book should’ve been a duology and the first book should’ve ended after the battle at the ball. Silas should’ve sacrificed himself and then they could’ve resummoned him and then it should’ve ended. And then the next book should’ve focused on Nathaniel and Elisabeth’s relationship and building up to a better ending. Cuz this one sucked booty. I also don’t buy that Silas would be kind and loving in his true form (he freaking kisses Nathaniel’s hand??), and this felt like a disservice to his character. I wanted to see him eat a few human souls and THEN decide to help. Begrudgingly.
I think there were a ton of things about Sorcery of Thorns that I really loved, but it fell short in a lot of ways. I still did enjoy it and will recommend it to others, but I am bummed that this is somewhat of a standalone and that all that build up was for such a disappointing ending.
For instance, Elisabeth was a competent and fun main character. I loved her background and how she is a “true child of the library”. I loved her innocence and how her viewpoint of the world and magic shifted over the course of the book. I kept expecting her to become a sorcerer, but I am glad that she didn’t. It would have been very generic and predictable. I am still not certain how she is such a master swordsman—and at times it was a bit bland that she is another FMC that’s a badass with a sword. I mean, even if she practiced as an apprentice she NEVER had to wield a sword in a true fight before the attack on Summershall. So why can she kick trash? And don’t tell me it is because she is stronger than a normal human. Strength does not equate skill.
Moving on, Nathaniel had SO much potential. At times, he reminded me of Will Herondale. He was funny and broody and tortured. What didn’t work for me is how he is barely featured throughout the middle of the book. I felt their romance was transitioning well in the beginning, I could see the vision and I was PUMPED to get there. Then after Silas saves her, he wants to kick her out?? While she is literally on death’s doorstep. And it turns out his “reasoning” is because he gets nightmares sometimes lol. That was a fail for me. And then he’s kind of missing from the story for a while, until he finally decides to help Elisabeth defeat Ashcroft. It isn’t long after this that Elisabeth and Nathaniel are basically already in love. The buildup to that moment failed for me pretty epically. This would’ve been better served as a duology, where the author could’ve taken her time and added more moments between Elisabeth and Nathaniel. It would’ve strengthened their relationship arc. In romance, the build up is everything and if it doesn’t proceed appropriately it kind of ruins it for me.
Silas was definitely my favorite character from the book. I think he was by far the most nuanced and interesting. I love how demons are explained as self-serving, cold creatures who only accept deals to feed on the souls of humans. This was also one of my favorite concepts from the book (the whole idea that magic comes from this bond). So, I loved seeing Silas fight against his true nature. He cares for Nathaniel like a father cares for a son, while still craving his soul. It was fascinating and I would love to someday read a spin-off of Silas and WHY he is the way he is. I wish there had been more information in the book—why is Silas different from other demons?
Which leads me to the ending…. WHY??? Seriously, why??? This is one of the worst endings I’ve read in a while. It literally just ends, after all of that buildup. And, yes, I know there is an epilogue but that is more of a bandaid to provide closure instead of an actual meaningful ending. Again, this book should’ve been a duology and the first book should’ve ended after the battle at the ball. Silas should’ve sacrificed himself and then they could’ve resummoned him and then it should’ve ended. And then the next book should’ve focused on Nathaniel and Elisabeth’s relationship and building up to a better ending. Cuz this one sucked booty. I also don’t buy that Silas would be kind and loving in his true form (he freaking kisses Nathaniel’s hand??), and this felt like a disservice to his character. I wanted to see him eat a few human souls and THEN decide to help. Begrudgingly.
I think there were a ton of things about Sorcery of Thorns that I really loved, but it fell short in a lot of ways. I still did enjoy it and will recommend it to others, but I am bummed that this is somewhat of a standalone and that all that build up was for such a disappointing ending.