About the Book
-
Author:
- Margaret Rogerson
- Genres:
- Boy-Girl Romance
- Fantasy
- YA Romance
- Voices:
- Cis Girl
- Straight
- White (Non-Specified)
Cover Story: Continuation
BFF Charm: Yay
Talky Talk: A Sophomore Success
Bonus Factors: Mysterious Townhouse, Magical Libraries, Standalone
Relationship Status: MFEO
Cover Story: Continuation
It seems like the same artist was used from her first novel, as the covers bear a striking resemblance to one another. I wouldn’t say this cover is my favorite—it’s a bit generic fantasy—but there’s something quite pretty about the style that still catches my eye. Plus I do think it’s kind of fun when an author’s collection of work has a similar stylistic vibe.
The Deal:
Some may call Elisabeth a child of the library. She’s grown up in one of Austermeer’s Great Libraries, surrounded by grimoires: magical books with their own personalities and—sometimes literally—teeth. She’s quite content to live out her life dedicated to the protection of her favorite place, but that all changes one night when someone breaks in and commits treason and muuuurder. Elisabeth is implicated as a co-conspirator, which is going to put quite a damper on her becoming a warden of the library.
With her reputation and the fate of all the libraries at stake, Elisabeth is beyond desperate when she turns to the one person she shouldn’t ever speak to: a sorcerer.
BFF Charm: Yay!
Here’s a girl after all our hearts! Elisabeth knows the power of a good book, so it was obvious to me as soon as we met that we’d instantly hit it off. But as I got to know Elisabeth on a more personal level, I found even more great qualities that made her BFF material: she’s courageous, kind, non-judgmental, and thoughtful. I love that she can change her mind when she realizes she’s wrong. She’s also pretty darn good with a sword, since her dream is to be a warden (books with higher magical classifications can turn into dangerous, ink-sputtering demons bent on chaos and murder if you antagonize them the wrong way, so sword skillz are NECESSITY).
Swoonworthy Scale: 8
Nathaniel Thorn is a Magister for the Magisterium, which means he’s from a super powerful and old family that has passed down their enslaved “pet” demon for generations (which is how sorcerers in this world get their magic). Elisabeth has been taught her entire life from the head librarians that sorcerers are ruthless, power-hungry demon-lovers who will corrupt your soul, so their introduction is rather, ah, bumpy. But being from opposite sides of the track has never stopped young love before!
Talky Talk: A Sophomore Success
After Rogerson’s first book, I may have stalked her Goodreads account every other month or so waiting for a new book to be published. Sorcery of Thorns, with its fantastical library angle, appealed to me in SO many ways, and I am happy to announce that it was worth the wait. Compared to An Enchantment of Ravens, this new novel struck more of a balance between the fantasy and the romance, but the lush writing and the ability to sink right into the story were still the same. I found myself trying to prolong my read so I could stay in Elisabeth’s world just a few more minutes. If anything, I could have used more scenes with the grimoires and their unusual existence.
Bonus Factor: Mysterious Townhouse
Elisabeth finds herself staying a spell at Thorn’s home near the Royal Library, and it’s a place full of closed off rooms with abandoned magical artifacts and a single manservant, Silas, who really slays with the dry wit. Thorn’s cozy, absentminded professor-esque personal library also sounds wonderful. I wouldn’t mind spending a rainy afternoon exploring all the nooks and crannies.
Bonus Factor: Magical Libraries
In a Goodreads interview I read before the book came out, Margaret said she was heavily influenced by her love of other books about magical libraries and wanted to create her own homage to the trope. She cited Garth Nix’s great book, Lirael, as one of her influencers, which I could definitely see! I loved her unique and sometimes terrifying grimoires and the idea that the books could turn into monsters if provoked. Sentient books!
Bonus Factor: Standalone
Always need to give a shout-out to solid fantasy one-and-dones. An extended vacation is great, but sometimes a quick weekend away can be just the pick-me-up you need. Rogerson created a fantasy-scape that’s totally her own but familiar enough that you can easily get into the meat of the plot and not waste time learning complicated magical structures or too much new verbiage.
Relationship Status: MFEO
Um, did someone out there read my diary? Because you are exactly what I was looking for, Book. A mix of magic, romance, adventure, and heart. *whispers* Can I keep you?
FTC Full Disclosure: I purchased my own copy of this book. I received neither money nor peanut butter cups in exchange for this review. Sorcery of Thorns is available now.
