Sorcery of Thorns

by Margaret Rogerson

[nightingalereads]

**spoiler-free**

3.75 stars

I took some extra time writing this review because, honestly, I haven't figured out my full feelings on Sorcery of Thorns. This story is brimming with a dark magical atmosphere and complex witty characters. I reveled in the concept of a library where books come alive. On paper, this story has everything I love - charming sorcerers, magic books, sword-wielding library girls, and polite (but tricksy!) demons. As much as I enjoyed Sorcery of Thorns, though, issues with the plot kept me from loving it wholeheartedly.

As mentioned, my main issue was with the plot itself. This standalone fantasy is pretty chunky and I found it hard to push through at times. There were multiple chapters where the narrative felt muddled and stagnated - not in a "slow-paced" plot kind of way, but in a purposeless way. While reading, there were many scenes where I wondered, vaguely befuddled, why I felt so uninvested in what was happening. These moments of unwelcome detachment included action sequences as well as more introspective scenes.

Make no mistake, Sorcery of Thorns is a worthwhile read that still entertains - it's quirky, fun, and pretty dark at times. Margaret Rogerson is a tremendous author who has a very enchanting way with words. She makes you feel almost as if you're being charmed simply by reading them. I only wish the plot itself had kept me as engaged in the world. While I won't soon forget Elisabeth, Nathaniel, and Silas, I do prefer Sorcery's quieter older sibling, An Enchantment of Ravens.