This is the YA Fantasy about libraries and living, breathing books that I didn't know I needed. Fell in love within like 20 pages and then ripped through the rest. Loved the characters, loved the ending, just loved it full stop. Silas was my favorite! Highly recommend.

I hated marking this down because Margaret Rogerson is an absolute angel. But this was just boring. I have always heard it described as a love letter to libraries, and maybe it is, but it wasn't interesting enough to make me appreciate the love.

WOW I SURE DID NOT COME BACK WITH A REVIEW IN A TIMELY MANNER
The publisher let me have access to an egalley forever ago, and while I did not get to it in time, I still do probably owe them a review, technically. So. Review time, I guess.

Five stars is a little too generous, but it's my slumber party and I get to pick which books I frivolously hand out five star reviews to. It's at least a four, idk.

Ok, so before we hit the bullet points, let's go over the main cast of characters:
·Elisabeth: very tall feral librarian with a cool sword/absolute herbo*
·Nathaniel: sorcerer/bicon/well-dressed sad clown
·Silas: proud dad to two tall dumbass kids/demon that all the other demons are scared of/part-time cat
·Katrien: chaotic good evil genius/aroace queen
Does that sound good so far?? I hope so.

Ok, bullet points. In whatever order I think of them.
·Elisabeth is taller than Nathaniel. WoG puts him at 6'1" and her at 6'3" and I am LIVING. TALL LADY!!! (I will come back with a link to the tumblr post)
· The libraries are so cool. They are such a presence.
· Every time Nathaniel wasn't there I missed him. Best boy.
· I ALSO WANT A SWORD
· This is the second book I've read recently that made me think "Silas is Best Dad," which isn't a lot, but it's weird that it happened twice.
· Ok not to be reductive, but this is kinda like a spicier Howl's Moving Castle, and a less spicy Uprooted. No, I will not elaborate.**
· SPEAKING OF HMC, I saw on the author's tumblr recently that it influenced her writing in this one, and you can feel that. Very powerful HMC vibes***.
· Elisabeth: *beats the shit out of a demon with a crowbar*
Nathaniel: 😍😍😍
· Rogerson is two for two for making me think "that's Michael Sheen tho" when presented with a powerful but pasty immortal. I blame Twilight, I guess.
· Rogerson has some great things to say about the way our society just generally dismisses the value of and undermines women. Like "She now understood that the world wasn’t kind to young women, especially when they behaved in ways men didn’t like, and spoke truths that men weren’t ready to hear." Y'ALL
· Every time Nathaniel is about to start sharing a raunchy personal anecdote, Silas stops him. LET 👏 HIM 👏 SPEAK 👏
· One time someone literally (view spoiler) and that delights me
· The Gang Crashes a Tea Party (and it's comedy gold)
· There's a bit that I'm 99% sure was a Thor: Ragnarok shout out. (that or Disney owes Rogerson some money) You'll know it when you see it lol.
· Sir Fluffington, Destroyer of Worlds
· Did I get emotional about some books ""dying?"" Maybe.
· Ohhh there is some tenderness here, my friends. There is some yearning and some pining and it is very good.
· The ending still makes me go absolutely feral

This has become one of my very favorite books. It's not always great, and can get a bit slow at times, but it's a lot of fun.

I feel like there was more I wanted to say, but that's all I have at the moment. I'll come back later with some bullet points I never posted in 2019 that I have on my computer.

1/29/22 - Ok, here are some of 2019 Kristen's thoughts about it from November of that year. I agree with her:

OK SO I was really looking forward to this one and the publisher even gave me an egalley in exchange for an honest review, but it wouldn’t open on my Kindle app (it wasn’t supposed to, as it turns out, unlike a lot of other Netgalley stuff) and I never got around to downloading it on my computer, and 2019 has been A Lot (note from the future: and it was all downhill from there), and yadda yadda yadda, I missed the window. BUT! I just went ahead and bought it because it sounded so far up my alley, and I like Enchantment of Ravens. I gambled and WON, let me tell you.

This book has everything: disaster bi sorcerers, feral librarians, murderous books, carriage chases…also it gives me all those warm fuzzy feelings that you get when a book feels like it was written to specifically appeal to YOU.
I can’t really think of anything I disliked too much?? It was frustrating that it took Elizabeth as long as it did to trust Nathaniel, but she had to unlearn a lot so idk, I GUESS I’ll allow it. Other than that? Needed more Nathaniel in some parts, but that can’t be helped.

Ok, how about some bullet points? That’s the only way I know how to review books, fam, idk what to tell you.
• Fun fact: all librarians are feral. Every single one of us is one shitty patron interaction or gnarly book away from running into the woods and never coming back.
• Nathaniel is a Disaster Bi masquerading as a Distinguished Bi and I love him. Protect Nathaniel.
• SPEAKING OF WHICH: how nice is it to have a bi main character/love interest??
• A family can be a sorcerer, his demon, and a sword-wielding librarian

And that's all she wrote. (heh)



*a lady himbo, if you will
**that's a lie, i will absolutely elaborate if you want me to
***Howl's Moving Castle IS a genre, and it's the best genre


7/16/19
This was so good, fam. Actual review to come.

Loved it! A fun, magical comfort read to take my mind off the fact that everything is on fire. And that ending! Aaaggghhh! I want a sequel as much as I want this to stay a standalone.

Maybe a follow-up novella???

3.5 stars. This one took me a bit to get into but in the end, I enjoyed it. I like that Rogerson makes what could be a series, one book.

A perfectly magical book for anyone who grew up in libraries! SORCERY OF THORNS by Margaret Rogerson was a near-perfect fantasy with exactly the right amounts of magic, romance, and danger. What I loved most, however, was the main character's journey for truth, and the ways that Rogerson depicted her coming-of-age while learning that everything she held as gospel might not be right or true. This is fantasy with a huge emotional punch, and I think it would appeal to even those who are not big on fantasy (especially if they are readers or booklovers already!). Gorgeous, gorgeous book.

I loved the magic and love of books in this novel but it fell a little flat for me. I wanted to love it so much because of the concept but it just wasn’t for me.

My little librarian heart loved this book so much. It's a fun read if you don't try to take it too seriously. I did think it had some good things to say about learning that what you've been taught isn't necessarily infallible, especially when you've been taught one thing as the "truth" with no glimpse of other views. I also enjoyed the characters and the subtle gender role reversals between Elizabeth and Nathaniel. Nathaniel is probably my favorite character because he seems very self-aware despite his fame and reputation. Also it's a standalone and that is pretty great. So, yeah, I totally recommend giving this a try.

Margaret Rogerson pens a stunning and engaging YA fantasy. There's just something about her voice and writing that works for me. Not only did I adore the main character, Elisabeth, and her arc throughout the book, but I fell in love with every character. Even the villain was brilliantly written. The world-building was also so unique and creative. I could have read paragraph after paragraph about the grimoires. The romance was equally fabulous - it was just swoony perfection and had some of the best banter I've read! Highly recommend this standalone fantasy.

A fantastical adventure for young adults!
Thanks to NetGalley, Edelweiss and Margaret McElderry Books for the opportunity to read and review Sorcery of Thorns by Margaret Rogerson!
Elisabeth is a librarian who aspires to be a warden of the library. Many books are “alive” and have to be kept safe and sometimes locked up to prevent harm. The Book of Eyes escapes and Elisabeth is locked up afterwards. She’s transported to Chancellor Ashcroft’s where she discovers that he’s the mastermind behind the Director’s death and many more atrocities. She escapes his clutches and finds refuge at the Thorn residence. Nathaniel Thorn is a young sorcerer and his servant, Silas, is a higher demon that has served the Thorn family for generations. Together, the three of them try to end the sabotage of the Great Libraries and continue to unravel the entire plan. I really want this book to be the beginning of a series instead of a stand alone book. The fun, dynamic characters and the library setting with live grimoires makes an interesting world that I don’t want to leave. 5 stars for this fantastical book!

At what point does the pursuit of progress become the justification for sheer arrogance? This theme lives as the undercurrent for Margaret Rogerson’s newest novel, Sorcery of Thorns. Elisabeth Scrivner was abandoned on the steps of one of The Great Libraries, protectors of magical artifacts and grimoires. She grew up within the walls of Summershall, surrounded by the whispers of the books and training to fight them should they transform into a Malefict – a monster of ink and leather. Her dream is to become a Warden of the library, but all of that changes when the Director is killed and she’s shipped off to the Magisterium. Elisabeth must clear her name, confront her internalized prejudices against sorcerers, and save the world while navigating the upper-class political world.

I thoroughly enjoyed this novel, finding myself in Elisabeth’s awkwardness and resilience to the crappy things that happen to her in the story. I found myself falling in love with ALL of the characters, no matter how minor. I found them all to be rather fleshed out and each one had their own distinctive voice, even if we only got a few paragraphs with them. I’ve always believed that books were magical, but Margaret Rogerson gives them breath and feelings, and reminds us that knowledge isn’t necessarily good or evil, but what matters is how it is utilized.

4.5 stars!

I adored this stand-alone, young adult fantasy from Margaret Rogerson. She's been nailing fantasy novels, and after reading this book you can't help but want to stay in the world for a little longer. Her writing is enchanting and the storyline is enthralling. I would definitely recommend this story for fantasy fans.

Elizabeth is a spunky heroine who ends up on an adventure with Nathaniel, a mysterious sorcerer (he's also bisexual!) who is intrigued by her. They work together to uncover a conspiracy on burning libraries, and work to reclaim the magical grimoires of the world. Elizabeth's beliefs that sorcerers are evil are challenged, and Nathaniel slowly opens himself up as they learn more of each other in this slow-burn romance. I can't wait to see what kind of story Rogerson brings us in her next book!

This is another book that I really missed out on. I had this Netgalley ARC months before it was released, and subsequently exploded onto the book community. I think I had been recommended this book more than any other in recent memory, and was very nervous going into this story for that very reason. So many people told me I’d love this. But what if I didn’t? And they said it would be loads better than Margaret’s first novel, An Enchantment of Ravens, but that novel absolutely stole my heart. What if Sorcery of Thorns just didn’t live up to the pressure and expectations that had been placed on it?

I picked this up as my last book in the #stayhomereadingrush and managed to read 92 pages before the clock struck midnight. I was quite enjoying what I was reading, but I had the hardest time concentrating on the words or what they meant arranged in a sentence. I managed to finish the book with a sense that I had just read something great, but I couldn’t remember most of what I had read. I knew to do this book, and myself, justice I’d have to reread it. (I don’t normally get brain fog like this, but corona had really done a number on me emotionally this week).

The reread went excellently. There were so many parts of the story that didn’t completely make sense the first go-round, that were clear as day the second time. Turns out I had ‘read’ entire pages without ingesting a single word from them. That makes it pretty hard to discern who is doing what or why it matters, in my opinion.

Our main character, Elisabeth, had grown up in a magical library. We’re a page or two in and already I’m jealous of her. The books in Elisabeth’s library were all sentient beings, with differing levels of communication and personalities. Some books would sing unsolicited, some would spit wads of ink at passersby, but all the books knew Elisabeth was special, even if she didn’t yet know it herself. I could quite possibly read a whole book just about how the books acted towards each other and other librarians, but I digress.

Then we meet Nathaniel, a sorcerer who uses a demon (Silas) as his conduit for magic. The entire world opens up for Elisabeth when she is forced to leave her library and travel with Nathaniel and Silas to the epicenter of their world.

This book had some really nice representation that I hope becomes a theme among YA books. Nathaniel describes himself as liking both when referring to his sexual orientation, as if it’s not a big deal. Because, you know, who someone likes isn’t a big deal or anyone else’s business, as Elisabeth points out to a gossip one night at a dinner party. I’m pretty sure I fist pumped the air during both of those scenes. There’s also a lot of body acceptance in this novel that I felt was refreshing. One example is Elisabeth herself, who happens to be very tall for a female, but she is never derogatory towards herself, and is never overtly made fun of for her size. Instead it is toted as an advantage during the multiple fight scenes where she kicks absolute butt.

The plot in this novel was very well crafted. While I was reading, I could clearly see all the places where the author had known the ending intimately, and then sprinkled in hints along the way. Hints that never amounted to anything in my brain, however. I was stumped until the very end, even on the second reread since I completely missed the main point the first time.

I really liked the struggles the characters faced as the plot progressed. No, I didn’t love the anxiety I had when Elisabeth or Nathaniel were close to death (MORE THAN ONCE), but I do love how it can be perceived through the reader. Elisabeth grew up in the libraries, being taught that demons and sorcery are evil and have no place near a librarian/warden. The longer Elisabeth spends time with Silas or Nathaniel, the more she begins to question the truth and virility of those sentiments. Yes, Silas has killed countless (literally) individuals, but as the story progresses we see him begin to be affected by Elisabeth, and Elisabeth be affected by him. Nathaniel struggles with his family legacy of necromancy. This is what everyone believes he was born and bred to do, and that he is inherently evil because of it. He even believes this of himself, and doesn’t allow anyone into his life due to his fear that he will be their demise.

Both Elisabeth and Nathaniel struggle to determine what is true for them. Is it the sheltered prejudice from the wardens of years past, or is it a generational curse that seems doomed to repeat itself? While these struggles are tainted with a fantastical viewpoint, they are also incredibly relatable for any reader. Both of these characters go through major transformations of mindset throughout this story, and by the end, it’s like a wight has been lifted off of them.

Reading this book made me think of all the books on my shelves. If they could talk or move, what would they say? Are they sad that some of them have been sitting, covered in a light layer of dust, for years without being read? My little librarian heart can’t think about it too long or I’ll get too sad. I can see why people prefer Sorcery of Thorns over An Enchantment of Ravens. The stories are completely different in so many ways. Both stories have a huge space in my heart: Sorcery of Thorns was so well put together and developed, while An Enchantment of Ravens was so raw and beautiful. I struggle to pick a favorite, so I won’t. I’ll just recommend them both.

"Sorcery of Thrones" is a YA fantasy that is an ode to the book girls of the world. In a fantasy world of yore, our heroine has grown up in one of the great libraries, studying to become a library apprentice (and ultimate leader). This isn't just Dewey Decimal System mastery--the books here are magical, alive (grimoires), and they range from neutral to downright malevolent. It is the library's job to keep their world safe from the forces of uncontrolled magic--and so of course, things go awry, and Elisabeth's training will be tested.

The book jacket will start off by telling you about another feature of Elisabeth's world--that sorcerers are viewed as evil, and Elisabeth will have to work with one. That's true (and the sorcerer is a fun character), but the real story here is about the magic of books, and the joy we find within them.

Margaret Rogerson’s sophomore novel, Sorcery of Thorns, reads like a love letter to libraries, books, and readers. The orphaned protagonist, Elisabeth Scrivener, was raised in one of the Great Libraries to become a warden, a protector of the library’s grimoires. When Elisabeth is accused of a murder she didn’t commit, she has to leave her home in the Great Library and make an unlikely alliance with a sorcerer named Nathaniel. While she attempts to clear her name, she uncovers danger, conspiracies, and an evil she never expected.

Mixing high fantasy, romance, and gothic elements, Sorcery of Thorns is an engaging story that presents a fascinating world, a breathtaking plot, and deep themes on morality and family. Our panel also enjoyed the representation of bisexuality in a fantasy setting, the lore of the demons, and the quick pace.

Samantha Randolph, YA Books Central

I really enjoyed this title, it was fast-paced and characters are likable. I wish we would have learned more about Elisabeth's special circumstances and the magic behind it. I loved the witty banter between Elisabeth and Nathaniel, but my favorite character was Silas! I'm super bummed we won't learn more about him as this is a stand-alone. Actual rating 3.5

This is one of the best books I've read this year. I was in a bit of a slump where what I was reading, for the most part was good, but not what I wanted - a roaring fantasy with characters I wanted to fall in love with and go visit.

That's exactly what this was. Nathaniel, Elisabeth, and Silas are the best. Even the secondary characters are well done. There's so much in this book that it's hard to believe it isn't a complete series instead of a standalone book.

I need someone who has read this to have spoiler-y conversations with me. I need fandom items for this book. I need to hug Silas and Nathaniel and Elisabeth, and probably in that order.

I'm so glad I finally got to read this book. I'll be reading it again soon.

This was delightful. I can't remember the last time I had so much fun with a book! I fell into it immediately; it possesses that elusive and cozy familiarity that some books just do, and I couldn't put it down. I loved the characters and their friendships and even the romance! This read very much like Classic Fantasy with a Victorian Twist, and it was an absolute joy to read.

I LOVED THIS BOOK. I'm sad I did not have time to give this book a review before its publication date, but after finally having time to read it, holy cow. All the vibes of Harry Potter's Monsters Book of Monsters. So good.

From page 1, I was completely hooked into the story. I mean, realistically, I was hooked from the synopsis. You had me at magic library. I loved the idea of having magic books (grimoires), and a elite group of librarians who are sworn to protect them. Seriously, just a fantastic idea for a story.

I will admit, that the entire time I read this book, I pictured both Nathaniel and Silas as Ciel and Sebastian from Kuroshitsuji (Black Butler) [Sebastian = Nathaniel, Silas = Ciel]. And it definitely worked for me, I mean, they're both demon butlers essentially 😭

However, the entire last half of the story completely sucked me in. I stayed up extremely late one night in order to finish reading it, and I just really loved all of the characters and the twists and turns that the plot took. I never really knew how it would end until it did, which was a perfect way to end it if you ask me. If you enjoy just a really fun fantasy that has bad-ass demon servants, magic libraries with crazy living books (think of the books in Harry potter, the one's with teeth!), and swoony romance, then please do yourself a favor and purchase this book from your local indie or add to your TBR! Teacher friends, this is definitely one you'll want on your classroom bookshelves!

I cannot wait to see what Rogerson will bring to the table for her next book as she has just become an auto-buy author (Joining Victoria Schwab, Kristen Ciccarelli, and Tricia Levenseller among many others!), I'm sure whatever it is will be just as fantastic!

Thanks again to Simon and Schuster & Netgalley for the review copy in exchange for my honesty!