Sorcery of Thorns by Margaret Rogerson

Sorcery of Thorns

by Margaret Rogerson

A New York Times bestseller!

“A bewitching gem...I absolutely loved every moment of this story.” —Stephanie Garber, #1 New York Times bestselling author of the Caraval series
“If you loved the Hogwarts Library…you’ll be right at home at Summershall.” —Katherine Arden, New York Times bestselling author of The Bear and the Nightingale

From the New York Times bestselling author of An Enchantment of Ravens comes an “enthralling adventure” (Kirkus Reviews, starred review) about an apprentice at a magical library who must battle a powerful sorcerer to save her kingdom.

All sorcerers are evil. Elisabeth has known that as long as she has known anything. Raised as a foundling in one of Austermeer’s Great Libraries, Elisabeth has grown up among the tools of sorcery—magical grimoires that whisper on shelves and rattle beneath iron chains. If provoked, they transform into grotesque monsters of ink and leather.

Then an act of sabotage releases the library’s most dangerous grimoire, and Elisabeth is implicated in the crime. With no one to turn to but her sworn enemy, the sorcerer Nathaniel Thorn, and his mysterious demonic servant, she finds herself entangled in a centuries-old conspiracy. Not only could the Great Libraries go up in flames, but the world along with them.

As her alliance with Nathaniel grows stronger, Elisabeth starts to question everything she’s been taught—about sorcerers, about the libraries she loves, even about herself. For Elisabeth has a power she has never guessed, and a future she could never have imagined.

Reviewed by thepunktheory on

5 of 5 stars

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Full review on my blog!

I'll keep it short: I loved it. Well, I'm not 100% sure about the end but otherwise, it is a wonderful book.
There's humor, there's tragedy, there are plot twists, libraries, talking books, and magic. What else could you want?
Margaret Rogerson's world is enchanting and different than what I've encountered to far. I wish I could jump right in!
Once I got started, it was almost impossible to put the book down. I read most of it in one sitting and I desperately needed to know how this story would end.
The characters are amazing and I most definitely want to be friends with them. We have the main character Elisabeth who cares for books just as much as I do (and who is clumsy just like I am) and isn't afraid to face a challenge.
Another one of my favorite characters is Nathaniel. His dry humor just takes the cake and made me laugh out loud so many times.
And then there's Silas... I can't say much about him without spoilers but he is certainly fascinating!
Furthermore, I appreciate that although Rogerson included romance in this novel is takes a backseat. I mean, there are more important things going on and the characters clearly see that the same way.
If I am honest, I didn't know what the book would be about before I picked it up. I looked at the cover, was enchanted and dived right in. So I am glad the plot was down my alley!

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Reading updates

  • Started reading
  • 18 September, 2019: Finished reading
  • 18 September, 2019: Reviewed