Sorcery of Thorns

"FWPTJYHNTJGMLWPQYTNVLMXSKQAOLPMCBRTROPAAVNCURTEPGHGSDZMVGWRQPNCBUYUYW!!" Why, yes, that <b>IS</b> gibberish for, "WOW, THIS BOOK WAS AMAZING...EVERYTHING I EVER WANTED IN A FANTASY AND MORE!!" This story left me reeling! And I so mean that in the absolute best way possible. It's one of those that you can't put down and never want to stop reading and can't bear for it to end. Yet you HAVE to continue and you HAVE to get there because you HAVE to know why everything is happening and who is doing it. (The latter half we find out relatively early.) So yes, this mystery aspect of the story was great and suspenseful, but it's not even the best part. No, the best part was the world Rogerson created. A world of sorcery in which grimoires are sentient beings...that can turn malicious. A world in which magic is the result of a bargain between humans and demons. And that magic is deemed evil. It was refreshing to read a fantasy that wasn't filled with fairies or vampires or werewolves (or any other creatures) falling in love with a virgin human girl. No. This was a richly created story filled with breathtaking descriptions, feminist undertones, a smart, kick ass female heroine, a broody sorcerer, hidden evil, powerful demon companions, and yes, there's even some room in there for romance. Again, that was another aspect that had me cheering; the romance is there, but definitely not the focus of the story. It was a subplot, but so well done that you couldn't help but enjoy it and root for it to come to fruition. I adored Elisabeth. She was an atypical fantasy main character. More than a breath of fresh air, more like a tornadic rush of uniquity. She wasn't afraid of being different. While she did want to fit in with her world, she also wasn't embarrassed by her oddities. She was closer to a modern day girl than any other I've read in popular YA. As for the story: from the very first page, I was drawn in. Compelled. It was almost as though this book was a grimoire itself and had cast me under a spell. And since I had no real expectations, I was beyond thrilled to have discovered something so magical and wondrous. From the death of the Director to the final battle scene, it's a marvelously woven tale. It has all you could want: humor, intensity, magic-filled beings, romance, take no crap females, action...and there are hidden messages here too. Not necessarily subtle, but I was more than okay with that. This book is so well-written I could weep with joy. Nothing is drawn out. The pacing is on point. The characters are relatable, believable, REAL. I didn't feel like there were gratuitous scenes thrown in for word counts and readers' expectations. Everything felt honest and purposeful toward the story. I can't possibly put into words how utterly enthralled I was. It was killing me, because as much as I wanted to get to the truth, I also never wanted it to end. It's one of those worlds you could get lost in forever. You could read about it and its characters until the end of time and never get sick of it. This is a complete story. A standalone, which is seemingly rare in this day and age. It's also one of the few times I wish there was more to come. Even as satisfying as the ending was (and it is, believe me!), I still wanted MORE. What happens next? Where is Silas? What about Nathaniel's magic? I mean, one can draw their own conclusions, but again, I have to stress how much I adored these characters and their journey. I knew it was over, but the spoiled reader inside me wasn't ready to give them up. I can absolutely let my imagination do its thing, but would I read more of these guys? Or even a Katrien spinoff? *wink, wink* I think it's quite obvious that I loved this book. <i>Sorcery of Thorns</i> is, without a doubt, my top read of 2019...and my uncontested favorite in recent memory. An outstanding, exceptional, superior fantasy, Rogerson nailed her sophomore release. I'd rate this with infinite stars!

This book really captured my attention. I'm pretty sure I read it in one sitting. The author's take on magic within this world they've created was fascinating to me. The three main characters were intriguing, and the story overall wasn't too challenging to follow. My biggest gripe, and why I've knocked off a star, is that Elisabeth and Nathaniel act as if they're in their early to mid-20s, not their late teens. It feels like their ages were artificially reduced after the book had been completed, solely to market it to a younger audience, which threw me off several times. Aside from this strange discrepancy in their behaviour, I do recommend reading Sorcery of Thorns.

This book swept me away and kept me turning the pages from beginning to end! We follow a young woman named Elisabeth, who has been raised in a library where living books of magic called grimoires are protected and cared for, else they will mutate and transform into monsters. When this happens to a powerful grimoire at the library where Elisabeth was raised, she is blamed for the accident and has to go on the run in order to clear her name. In her desperation and despite knowing all sorcerers are evil, she has no choice but to turn to the infamous Nathaniel Thorn for help. Together with Silas – Nathaniel’s demon companion and the source of Nathaniel’s magic – they uncover a dark conspiracy that threatens their entire kingdom. Margaret Rogerson’s writing style really brought this world to life and transported me right alongside the characters, whether they were fighting monsters, sneaking into libraries, or falling in love. The characters themselves were vibrant and full of personality, particularly the main trio of Elisabeth, Nathaniel, and Silas. I loved the friendships that developed between them and how each had their own arc and integral part to play in the plot. The romance was everything I want in a YA fantasy, with plenty of tension and no spice. The magical libraries were a fun worldbuilding element, and the grimoires added a wonderful, eerie charm to the story. Altogether this book was the perfect recipe for me, and one of my favorite reads last year! I recommend Sorcery of Thorns to readers looking for a standalone YA fantasy with lush writing, dynamic characters, a vivid setting, and a dose of pulse-pounding danger. Content: Romance - kissing, make-outs Foul Language - none Violence - fantasy violence involving magical creatures; some death, blood, and descriptions of injuries

I really really love the book. It's really worth it. The female lead is really fantastic. I love her character. The plot was mind blowing.

中世の異世界Austermeerには、秘密の魔術書を収める大図書館がある。Elisabethは、生まれて間もなく、その図書館の一つSummershallに捨てられ、そこで育てられた。彼女の夢はいつか図書館の管理者になること。しかしその夢は、ある事件をきっかけに大きく崩れてゆく。魔法使いと悪魔が絡む大きな陰謀に巻き込まながら、Elisabethは、自分の力を信じ、形見として預かった剣Demonslayerで、人類滅亡の危機に立ち向かう。 ハリー・ポッターの魔法学校と魔法図書館に置き換えたといえば、それまでだが、主人公Elisabethや、魔法使いのNathaniel Thorn、そしてキュートな悪魔のSilasなど人物描写が面白い。この世界では、人間である魔法使いは、悪魔との取引によって魔法を得ている。だから、悪魔は魔法使いの召使であると同時に、取引の条件である主人（魔法使い）の命を握っている、というちょっと怖い世界。 １０段階に機密度（＝危険度）が分類された魔法の書に隠された秘密、そして数々の危機を乗り越えるElisabethの機転が、この小説の面白さだと思う。 １巻完結のようであるが、物語の最後を読むと、その続きがあってもおかしくない余韻のある終わり方なので、いずれ続編がでるかもしれない。

Loved it so much! It gave me Howel's moving castle and Harry Potter vibes. 5 🌟, wholesome characters, great humor!

I loved this book, the world building was interesting and the characters were well developed. I’d recommend the other books by this author too!

The item came in good condition with the front & back cover of the book bearing neither tears nor bends!! Pristine condition, thank you!