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A review by whimsicalwoodlandwanderer
Sorcery of Thorns by Margaret Rogerson
5.0
Full Review- as posted (thereaderofathousandstars.wordpress.com)
Sorcery of Thorns follows Elisabeth Scrivener who is an apprentice librarian in one of the six Great Libraries, which house many delightful but also dangerous grimoires.
After the library is sabotaged and she is accused, she sets herself on a mission, dragging the Magister Nathaniel Thorn and his demon Silas along with her, to discover the truth and protect the libraries and people.
... These were not ordinary books the libraries kept. They were knowledge, given life. Wisdom, given voice. They sang when the starlight streamed through the library's windows.
They felt pain and suffered heartbreak. Sometimes they were sinister, grotesque - but so was the world outside. And that made the world no less worth fighting for, because wherever there was darkness, there was also so much light.
- Sorcery of Thorns, page 442
I loved this book! LOVED IT I SAY!
I absolutely adored Margaret Rogersons' first book, An Enchantment of Ravens (Full Review!) - and was sure I would, at the very least, enjoy her second book. I mean, I was in love with this book before I ever got my hands on it. It's about Libraries and magical, low-key evil books... What's not to love?
There were so many things to love. So many. First of all, it's a Standalone Epic Fantasy. Yes please. I'll take all of those.
Second of all, the writing is gorgeous. Literally, I felt the same with her other book, it's so easy to read, in the sense that it's so whimsical you get sucked in.
And the characters! My gosh. I loved them all!
Let me introduce the main beans!
Elisabeth Scrivener
An unruly, wild librarian apprentice. The strongest of beans, whether she has a sword or an iron bar she in not at all afraid to do the smack'n'slice. Also the purest of beans, is found gazing wistfully at almost everything (this is a problem for Nathaniel darn it).
Nathaniel Thorn
A very powerful Sorcerer, who can't tie his cravat properly without offending someone. It's canon that he puts his clothes on inside out. Thankfully Silas is there to save him. He is a Dramatic Sorcerer (TM), likes to wear his extravagant emerald cloak that matches the colour of his magic. Definitely wouldn't fall in love with Elisabeth when she whacked a demon in the face - oh no.
Silas
Ancient, demon bound in servitude to House Thorn (current head Nathaniel). But he's definitely only there to devour Nathaniel's life force, which was given in exchange for his servitude. That's all. He doesn't ACTUALLY cArE about Nathanie- *fixes his clothes* *first thing he learnt was how to make tea* *learned to cook for Nathaniel, even though he can't actually eat the food himself* *breaks Nathaniel out of prison* *holds his hand during nightmares* Oh no. He doesn't care.
'Nations now lost to time once fought wars over the secret of my true name.' He sighed. 'But presently, I am inconvenienced. My day's plans didn't include traipsing down a squalid alleyway to dispatch a handful of second-rate criminals. Not in a clean suit, and certainly not in a new pair of shoes.'
-Sorcery of Thorns, page 175
Katrien Quillworthy
The bestest friend anyone could ever ask for! Is definitely the smartest bean, also a trouble making disaster bean. More or less set the ship up, by dragging Elisabeth into helping her win a bet.
'Yes Mistress Wick?' She said, with a politeness that instinctively caused Elisabeth to brace herself, as that particular tone, coming from Katrien, had once preceded a fire cracker going off in Warden Finch's face.
- Sorcery of Thorns, page 441
There are other characters I'd like to talk about, but in doing so, it gets a little spoilery. And I'm telling you now I wasn't ready for these twists. So, I won't spoil it for you!
The plot of this book was so spectacularly executed. I was excited for every direction the twists and revelations took us, the reader, in.
This book is listed as Epic Fantasy (and boy was it EPIC!), but I think anyone and everyone would enjoy this one! I especially recommend it if you love reading books that more or less revolve around books!
This book might leave you with a habit of talking to your books. (I hope its not just me??)
My Rating!
(5/5 stars/splats/ these ^) I would give it more if I could...
Sorcery of Thorns follows Elisabeth Scrivener who is an apprentice librarian in one of the six Great Libraries, which house many delightful but also dangerous grimoires.
After the library is sabotaged and she is accused, she sets herself on a mission, dragging the Magister Nathaniel Thorn and his demon Silas along with her, to discover the truth and protect the libraries and people.
... These were not ordinary books the libraries kept. They were knowledge, given life. Wisdom, given voice. They sang when the starlight streamed through the library's windows.
They felt pain and suffered heartbreak. Sometimes they were sinister, grotesque - but so was the world outside. And that made the world no less worth fighting for, because wherever there was darkness, there was also so much light.
- Sorcery of Thorns, page 442
I loved this book! LOVED IT I SAY!
I absolutely adored Margaret Rogersons' first book, An Enchantment of Ravens (Full Review!) - and was sure I would, at the very least, enjoy her second book. I mean, I was in love with this book before I ever got my hands on it. It's about Libraries and magical, low-key evil books... What's not to love?
There were so many things to love. So many. First of all, it's a Standalone Epic Fantasy. Yes please. I'll take all of those.
Second of all, the writing is gorgeous. Literally, I felt the same with her other book, it's so easy to read, in the sense that it's so whimsical you get sucked in.
And the characters! My gosh. I loved them all!
Let me introduce the main beans!
Elisabeth Scrivener
An unruly, wild librarian apprentice. The strongest of beans, whether she has a sword or an iron bar she in not at all afraid to do the smack'n'slice. Also the purest of beans, is found gazing wistfully at almost everything (this is a problem for Nathaniel darn it).
Nathaniel Thorn
A very powerful Sorcerer, who can't tie his cravat properly without offending someone. It's canon that he puts his clothes on inside out. Thankfully Silas is there to save him. He is a Dramatic Sorcerer (TM), likes to wear his extravagant emerald cloak that matches the colour of his magic. Definitely wouldn't fall in love with Elisabeth when she whacked a demon in the face - oh no.
Silas
Ancient, demon bound in servitude to House Thorn (current head Nathaniel). But he's definitely only there to devour Nathaniel's life force, which was given in exchange for his servitude. That's all. He doesn't ACTUALLY cArE about Nathanie- *fixes his clothes* *first thing he learnt was how to make tea* *learned to cook for Nathaniel, even though he can't actually eat the food himself* *breaks Nathaniel out of prison* *holds his hand during nightmares* Oh no. He doesn't care.
'Nations now lost to time once fought wars over the secret of my true name.' He sighed. 'But presently, I am inconvenienced. My day's plans didn't include traipsing down a squalid alleyway to dispatch a handful of second-rate criminals. Not in a clean suit, and certainly not in a new pair of shoes.'
-Sorcery of Thorns, page 175
Katrien Quillworthy
The bestest friend anyone could ever ask for! Is definitely the smartest bean, also a trouble making disaster bean. More or less set the ship up, by dragging Elisabeth into helping her win a bet.
'Yes Mistress Wick?' She said, with a politeness that instinctively caused Elisabeth to brace herself, as that particular tone, coming from Katrien, had once preceded a fire cracker going off in Warden Finch's face.
- Sorcery of Thorns, page 441
There are other characters I'd like to talk about, but in doing so, it gets a little spoilery. And I'm telling you now I wasn't ready for these twists. So, I won't spoil it for you!
The plot of this book was so spectacularly executed. I was excited for every direction the twists and revelations took us, the reader, in.
This book is listed as Epic Fantasy (and boy was it EPIC!), but I think anyone and everyone would enjoy this one! I especially recommend it if you love reading books that more or less revolve around books!
This book might leave you with a habit of talking to your books. (I hope its not just me??)
My Rating!
(5/5 stars/splats/ these ^) I would give it more if I could...