A stunning example of what fantasy should be!

Books, magic, and demons, with a strong female lead - what is not to love? While primarily marketed as YA, the book can easily be enjoyed by a more "mature" audience as well.

As an orphan, Elisabeth grew up in Summershall - one of Austermeer's Great Libraries that house magical grimoires. Elisabeth has learned much during her years at Summershall. She has learned that sorcerers are evil. She has learned that a grimoire can drive a person mad, and one that is angered or provoked can turn into a Malefict - a monster of sorts, snapping at fingers spitting ink, and even killing, depending on how powerful it is. She has learned how defend against the powers of grimoires. She hopes to become a warden some day, charged with protecting people from grimoires, and grimoires from people.

One day as the library sleeps, Elisabeth is the only witness to an act of sabotage that takes the life of her mentor, the director of Summershall, and releases a powerful grimoire. Now she is implicated in the crime, and needs to clear her name and save Austermeer from the evil that is threatening to be unleashed. Her only hope is with the sorcerer Nathanial Thorne and his demon servant who is the source of his magic.

From the very first page, I was drawn in to this story and fully immersed. Highly imaginative and original, full of enchantment, and beauty, and danger, I thoroughly enjoyed this book. . The story is intricate and engaging, but not overly complicated. A pleasure from start to finish.

This YA Fantasy is the perfect summer read for people young and old, who like a little magic in their lives.


Happy Reading,
Christine

I quite enjoyed this one! I must say, it took me a while to read it though. I found the beginning engaging, but then it dragged a bit in the middle, despite the fact that the book isn't that long. The ending made up for it though - it was one of those endings that is wonderfully bittersweet, and the final line was chill-inducing, full of mystery and hopefulness.

Elisabeth was a good main character with a lot of agency. The (unapologetically bisexual!) love interest was charming and funny and sassy, and therefore I liked him as well. The best character, however, was the demon side-kick Silas, who was complex and interesting and (in my opinion) made the story.

I really enjoyed the concept of this story - books that are "alive" and classified by danger - and I'm always up for anything demonic in nature. I wasn't a big fan of the villain, and I can't quite say why, but he just didn't feel very impressive or important to me. Again, I can't explain it exactly.

The ending, like I said, was clever. I enjoyed this more than Rogerson's first book (An Enchantment of Ravens), and would recommend it to people. For me it was a three-star read, simply because I didn't have that *drive* to keep reading it. That's just my opinion though, and I'm quite hard to please with YA books lately.

Just the other day I was pouting about YA fantasy just not hitting the mark for me in 2019. And in struts SORCERY OF THORNS just to prove me wrong. I didn't really know what to expect for this one other than it had something to do with library with a hate to love (possibly) and magic and, not having read Rogerson's first novel, didn't know how that would all translate in the writing.

Well, it translated super well.

"<I>You used a demonic incantation to pack my stockings!</I>"
"<b>You're right, that doesn't sound like something a proper evil sorcerer would do. Next time, I won't fold them.</b>"

This not-quite-medieval but not-quite-steampunk world is populated by living, magical, books and sorcery from demonic bargains. Librarians are the keepers of the books and look down upon the Magisters, the sorcerers, for their alliances with demons. So naturally this is a great set-up for an orphan, raised in the library and on her way to become a Warden, to get tripped up with a Magister.. who then trips up all her pre-conceived notions, too.

"<I>I don't mean to be forward, but is that a--</I>"
"<b>A sword hidden under my dress? Yes, it is.</b>"
"<I>I see. And how exactly is it--</I>"
"<b>I thought you didn't mean to be forward.</b>"

The banter and dynamic between the two leads was great. Even during a weird lull, where I worried my experience with this one was also going to crash and burn, I was comforted by the four and five star worthy dialogue of bickering and nicknames. It was just fabulous. What I could never have suspected, though, was how much I would love a certain demon and that my love for him would have me shedding a tear or two.

"<I>Can you go on?</I>"
"<b>Of course I can. I may be useless, but my good looks might prove critical for morale.</b>"

Honestly, the mayhem and calamity that is crashing down around their ears didn't interest me half as much as the Help Save The World Adventure Squad Trio.. but, to be fair, I did like them a lot so even half of that.. isn't bad. But I'll admit I lost a wee bit of love somewhere around the middle bit. Things went in a strange direction I didn't see coming and there was an odd interaction or two I didn't quite understand, but overwhelmingly this book was just.. unexpected. Interesting, creative, funny, clever, and fun. There's one specific thing I liked so much, and liked how it wasn't really made into A Thing, but I'm not even going to remotely hint at it so that you, too, can be pleasantly surprised about it. Instead, I'll say how much I appreciated the constant reinforcement, and reminder, of shades of grey as it applies to so many things, including people. It made for a richer story that was already pretty lush.

<I>These weren't ordinary books the Great Library kept. They whispered on the shelves and shuddered beneath iron chains. Some spat ink and threw tantrums; others sang to themselves in high, clear notes on windless nights, when starlight streamed through the library's barred windows like shafts of mercury. Others still were so dangerous they had to be stored in the underground vault, packed in salt. Not all of them were her friends.</I>

I feel a little nitpicky for harkening back to this after all the nice things I've said but for all the good, there were those moments I wasn't too sold on, and definitely a few typical fantasy roadblocks as we see when the hero/heroes are trying to convince People In Charge that they are Here To Help. It isn't without some clichés or slower moments so, yeah, it's not a perfect ten. Hence the four (#math).

"<I>Tempting as the prospect is, we are not attempting world domination. It sounds fun in theory, but in reality it's a logistical nightmare.</I>"

But the moments that were good, were great. The parts that made me laugh, really tickled. And those unexpected glimpses of brilliance and emotion.. they are definitely there. I didn't always like how the perspective could be fluid but at the same time I also really loved how the narrative flowed and didn't always need us to live through the events but would still catch us up. And I love love loved the end.

"<I>I dragged you into this. You wouldn't be here it it weren't for me.</I>"
"<b>You're right. I would be alone in my study, utterly miserable, spending my final hours unaware that demons were about to overrun the world. I like this version better. The one with you in it.</b>"

SORCERY OF THORNS is definitely worth picking up. I have no idea if there's more to come and, because of the ending, I almost hope not. But I wouldn't say no to more, either.


** I received an ARC from NetGalley and the publisher (thank you!) in exchange for an honest review. **

I requested this one after I finished listening to the audiobook of An Enchantment of Ravens. Partly because I quite enjoyed Enchantment, partly because I was intrigued by the synopsis, and partly because I'm a shallow person and I thought the cover was really pretty.

I think in a lot of ways I enjoyed this one more than Enchantment, simply because I found this one funner to read. As a trope "girl moves into sorcerer's house, he complains but doesn't kick her out because he's being peer-pressured by his demon familiar" is just entertaining for me. (Howl's Moving Castle, anyone?) (Does that count as a trope? I think it should. And it should be used more because it has excellent potential.)

It took me a little while to get into this one, simply because the plot isn't quite structured in a typical way, the build is almost in fits and starts and it's almost like there are two plots layered together. One was the big, flashy plot about the risk to the world, and the second was smaller and more personal. The two threads interacted, but not so much that they ever really became one. I actually quite enjoyed this strategy, Margaret Rogerson did a pretty great job of making both plots ones that I was invested in.

Elisabeth's growth as a character was interesting in that she doesn't so much change as a person- she is, at her core, not changed from the start of the book to the end, she just... grows more into those traits. She learns more about the world, remaining true to the core of herself. She's an enjoyable character to read, and I really enjoyed her dynamics wit the other characters. She's practical and stubborn and just... aggressively believes in people until they eventually have to accept that they're worth believe in. It's kind of a superpower. She's very much a storybook character in that way, and I appreciated it. I also liked the rest of the cast, although Nathaniel took some time to grow on me. Katrien was one of my favourites, although she had a smaller role than many of the other characters.

In terms of setting... I am always a fan of a sinister library. The setting was interesting in that it was also set up as almost a character, and part of the plot. Also talking books are fun. This book played on a lot of familiar plot points and tropes (there were bits of the plot that reminded my Full Metal Alchemist, for example) but was enough of an engaging take on them that this was enjoyable, rather than tiring. I also laughed more than expected, since there are actually some funny moments in the book, despite the seriousness of what is going on during most of the book.

Overall I really enjoyed reading this one! I do like a good fantasy standalone and I do recommend picking this one up if it sounds like your kind of book!

For some reason, I have been in a fantasy mood lately.

This book is a good young adult fantasy book that is full of adventure. I struggled with it at first but after a few chapters, I started getting sucked into this book.

If you are looking for a good fantasy book then I suggest you check out this book.

Theme: A magical, insanely creative YA fantasy centered around a wondrous chain of libraries that secure deadly grimoires and equally dangerous secrets. There is also an interesting historical twist that sets the story in a parallel universe of our own.

Warnings: gore and violence, harsh themes including PTSD, depression, anxiety and grieving, talk of torture and forced captivity, suggestive sexual assault. Other than the violent battle scenes, I found these themes were mostly mentioned or suggested and not necessarily subjecting you to read them (as it is a YA fantasy).

"Night fell as death rode into the Great Library of Summershall. It arrived within a carriage."

Elisabeth is an orphan who was raised between the magical shelves of Summershall's Great Library, living each day surrounded by talking books and fatal Wardens sworn to keep the high-class grimoires secured in their iron chains. Elisabeth knows all there is to know about becoming a Warden- it's all she's wanted for as long as she can remember. Rule #1: Never provoke a grimoire unless you feel like battling their monstrous forms. Rule #2: Don't listen to everything you hear in the Great Library; grimoires are manipulative beings. Most importantly: Sorcerers, and their magical influence, are evil and not to be associated with.

Nathaniel Thorn is a powerful sorcerer from a family filled with old magic and tragedies. When he walks into the Great Library of Summershall one day, the last thing he expects is an apprentice trying to flatten him with a bookshelf. But he's become irrevocably interested in Elisabeth, and his interest is piqued when he finds her standing trial as a prime suspect in sabotaging her Library.

Elisabeth is innocent, but even the powerful Thorn name cannot protect her from the powerful sorcerers who believe she is guilty. No one will believe there is a conspiracy older than the Libraries itself at play, sucking Elizabeth and Nathaniel spiraling into a circle of untold mysteries and deadly lies.

"Magic, she thought. That is what magic looks like. And then, before she could stop herself, It's beautiful."

What starts as an innocent, magical tale of Elisabeth's life at the Library, quickly turns into a multi-layered story of dark secrets and betrayal. I loved this story so much for it's ability to grow as our character is faced with adult problems, and for it's equally character and world driven plot. Elisabeth has always been unique, independent and strong-willed, but we see her transform from a curious child to a young heroine over the course of her story line. She was always in control of her fate and used her knowledge to choose her own path, even though others tried to pressure her.

"I grew up in a Great Library. You may scoff at books, but you have never seen a real book in your entire life, and you should count yourself lucky, because you wouldn't survive a moment alone with one."

The world she is thrown into after her sheltered childhood at the library is not kind to women (or people who are different), and reflects our own history of discrimination, manipulation and violence towards them. While Elisabeth has the brains and compassion to do what she knows is right, everything in her world is leading her into obstacle after obstacle. As a tall, average-looking young woman fighting against the powers-at-be, with no magic and no family name and no connections, reading her failures is like a punch in the gut to my emotions since I know there is so much truth to her story. But her successes taste so sweet, it lets us celebrate everything she's overcome instead of focusing on the flaws.

"Damn you", he said. "You unmanageable, contrary creature. You have made me believe in something at last. It feels as wretched as I imagined."

Mixing the historical fiction with the fantastical world created by the author reminds me of Harry Potter- if HP was a girl who was trained his whole life to work in the Hogwarts Library. It is so rare to find a YA fantasy this real, with so many parallels to our problems, with fear and anger and heart-pounding emotion. It was gripping, action filled, and unbelievably immersive. Every question has an answer by the end of the book, the characters are full of dark pasts and spunk, and the writing was so mesmerizing I had chills by the end. The romance is slow and honest, there are hilarious moments and touching moments and moments that make you wish it was all real.

"A whisper ran through the hedge. Then the branches retreated, creating a path to the front door. One gargoyle sank down, and then another, lowering their heads like retainers welcoming the return of their queen."

I know I love a lot of books, but this one deserves every star and every compliment. I really hope there are more novels in this world!

"She wasn't a wielder of chains; she was breaker of them. She was the library's will made flesh."

**Thank you NetGalley and Simon & Schuster fro providing me an advanced reader's copy in exchange for an honest review.

Reasons to check this book out:
- The story takes place in a Victorian-age society with just the right touch of fantasy. There’s magic, demons, secret plots, ancient artifacts.
- The setting of reminded me of the library at Hogwarts, where the books have their own distinct personalities (but amped up) and are “alive” in a sense
- As well, Elisabeth, Nathaniel, and Silas remind me a lot of Tessa, Will, and Jem from The Infernal Devices series (Shadowhunters), and honestly, they make the perfect trio. But even though the book draws inspiration from these two fandoms,
- All the characters are super likable and well developed, and I like how there’s also not a lot of overwhelming elements that some fantasy books tend to have (ie. too many characters, strange names, etc).
- The writing itself is flawless, which is to be expected from Margaret Rogerson, and while reading, I could feel myself seamlessly becoming a part of the scenes taking place (a very good thing!)
- Also, if that’s not enough, the cover art is ABSOLUTELY GORGEOUS!!

Thoughts:
This book is a feel-good read, the type of book where you can expect a pleasant ending where everything works out nicely. However, I personally would’ve liked a bit more unpredictability and bigger, more dramatic plot twists. I guess I just like the kind of book that always keeps you hanging on the edge of your seat, unable to predict what will happen next (think Six of crows, Nevernight, etc). Some events were predictable for me, simply because I've read books that have had similar elements. Although I definitely did enjoy reading the book, a part of me was hoping for that element of surprise and suspense that wasn't quite there, which is why I couldn’t give it a full 5 stars.

If you're looking for a feel-good story with  romance, likable characters, and a happy ending, this book is for you. Perfect for fans of Harry Potter and the Infernal Devices

I finished this book with a sense that it was pretty good. I did not think it was the book of the year, I felt the story to be somewhat a bit incomplete… some parts of it were a bit confusing… and I did not get why the author kept them in the book… but overall, it was okay

It's official: Margaret Rogerson is a magical story-telling wizard. I fell hard for her debut novel, and the result was no different on her second book. While not as beautifully written as An Enchantment of Ravens, Sorcery of Thorns more than makes up for it by being so. much. fun.

From the get-go, this book about magical libraries and sorcerers and demons pulled me in deep. It honestly felt like coming home, and it took until I had nearly finished the book to figure out why. It reminds me of Cassandra Clare's Shadowhunter series The Infernal Devices. Guys, that series is my absolute favourite of hers, and everything I loved from it was here! Sorcerers instead of Shadowhunters, magical libraries instead of the Institute; a wonderful, kick-ass heroine, a cheeky love interest, and a sullen but loveable companion. I felt the same sense of wonder and comfort reading those books as I did SoT, and despite all the similarities this story stood impossibly well on its own. There is literally no higher praise I can give it than that.

I really enjoyed the world Rogerson created here. Demons and sorcerers work hand-in-hand, serving each other in life, and death, and each with their own forte. Libraries are focal aspects of the kingdom, with apprentices training how to handle the books they house. I cannot tell you how much I loved the grimoires and how Elisabeth saw them. There is such a Beauty and the Beast vibe, with the grimoires having their own personalities and fighting back. This one needs to be paid a compliment at least once a day or else it will never open. That one wants your face so it can sew it in as a new page. They scuttle along the floor or flap their pages to fly, they sing and snore and sneeze and whisper in your ear. Small descriptions made in passing that breathe such life into this story. And the inevitable message behind a love for those books and what it means to read and absorb their knowledge is sweet and oh so true.

Elisabeth is another main character from Rogerson that I relate to with all my heart. Her love of the grimoires and the Great Libraries, her literal home, was what made her shine. The respect she shows the books and how their influence made her who she is today was spot-on and heartfelt. Elisabeth is a tall, sword-wielding girl who can't keep herself out of trouble, whether she tries or not. She is a menace through and through, and I melted each time Nathaniel called her that. Yes you knew I'd be getting to the love interest at some point. I have to say I really like the romances Rogerson writes. Unlike AEoR, this is not insta-love, but it is no less adorable and worth rooting for. I have a sweet spot for snarky boys with ghosts in their past, and Nathaniel was no exception.

A final note: Rogerson gets the best titles and covers. An Enchantment of Ravens. Sorcery of Thorns. What's next!? Tell me, tell me! And she also gets Charlie Bowater art, and that in itself is a point of jealousy for me. I can't get enough of her artwork.

I don't think I've ever read a high-fantasy book through in my life... and let me say I am very glad this is the first one did.
The characters were real; they had faults and virtues, made mistakes but worked to correct them. Margaret Rogerson was not afraid to really get into the nitty-gritty aspects of her character's lives.
Great imagery, by the way. Descriptions weren't dragged out to the point of not making any sense.
Scary monsters, demons and people...
I'm having a hard time putting my feelings about this book into words at the moment, but it is definitely a new favourite of mine!

Just like Enchantment of Ravens, Margaret has done it again and created yet another beautiful, vibrant and interesting world with lovable and understandable characters. Her prose and story-telling skills are amazing and I look forward to every one of her books. She describes things and places just enough so that I can easily imagine every scene with some creative freedom, really allowing for this reading experience to be unique. Everyone will read this book a little different creating their own memories with it just as I did.

The story revolves around Elisabeth Scrivener, who for once in my YA reading career, is taller than basically everyone, (tall girls represent!) including the ever so charming Nathaniel Thorn.
Elisabeth’s duty to her heart and unrelenting will to fight for what she loves is honestly a breath of fresh air. I could always count on her doing what was right which was actually really nice (even though I found the beginning of her journey with Nathaniel was a little too over-the-top “must save the world and cannot trust anyone” but she grows out of it eventually).
Though her relationship with Nathaniel at the beginning is rocky (with some really hilarious misunderstandings and miscommunication - because why would you trust a beautiful man with magic that could kill you right?), I am a sucker for hate-to-love relationships and this did not disappoint.

Basically Elisabeth is an apprentice librarian, but this library is special because the grimoires are alive with magic, each with different personalities. And Elisabeth grew up alongside these books which is kinda like her superpower — ... meaning the more books I surround myself with the stronger I’ll be right?

The book in general was fast-paced which I’m always thankful for, but it really picked up for me about 1/3 through and from then on I was hooked.

Also that ending was so wholesome, and cute, and gratifying so I thank you Margaret Roberson for another job well done. I can’t wait to pick up a finished copy when it comes out in a month.

I’d like to thank NetGalley and Simon & Schuster for this ARC!

Sorcery of Thorns is a whimsical story about finding yourself and fighting for the truth.

Elisabeth is an apprentice of the Great Libraries. She was taken in as a young baby when she was abandoned on the steps of the Great Library. Elisabeth is kind of an outcast; people find her weird and different. She has one good friend, Katrien, who is also her partner in crime. They get into mischief together and they’re a fun duo. Elisabeth has one goal: to become a warden to protect the Libraries and the innocent people from the dangerous grimoires.

The Great Libraries hold magical books called grimoires. They are rated by how dangerous they are from Class 1 – 10. All apprentices and people of the Great Libraries frown upon sorcery, it is evil and should not be used for any reason. Sorcerer’s are evil, no good comes from them. Grimoires were made by sorcerers to preform magic, and magic hasn't helped anyone. It’s evil, it’s bad, and that’s a fact. At least according to the Libraries. And who is Elisabeth to question the establishment that has raised her, protected her, and fed her? But when a grimoire gets out and turns into a Malefict, Elisabeth has only one thing to do: Kill it before it kills innocents, like a warden would do. Instead of being praised, she becomes the prime suspect for the devastation that the Malefict caused.

In comes Magister Nathaniel Thorn. Dashing and eligible, but cold, dismissive, and a sorcerer. The definition of evil. And Elisabeth is stuck with him and his demonic servant while he transports her to her trial. But when they get attacked, Elisabeth and Nathaniel must work together to get to the bottom of it. How do you work with someone who you've spent your entire life hating and fearing? But Nathaniel isn't as he seems, there is more to him than the disturbing history of his family.

Elisabeth starts to question what she’s been taught. She’s starting to realise she’s different, with a strong power inside of her. She starts making her own decisions and coming up with her own opinions on the world. But to do so, she must go against everything she’s believed in.

This story is full of fun, magic, suspense, murder, ancient conspiracies, friendship, and love. It’s good for all ages, but there is some violence and kissing. It’s not over the top, and I enjoyed it. It was fast paced and exciting once Nathaniel and Elisabeth teamed up. I wish there was more. It took me a little to ground myself in the world, it was a bit slow. But when I got into it, I craved more. I can’t believe it’s really over. Not with that ending. I hope there’s more to this world, because it was beautiful and magical. The growth of all three characters unfolded beautifully, and I NEED MORE.

I hope you like this book as much as I did. It’s heartwarming and romantic. Exhilarating and intense. It’s everything you’d want in a story of magic and books. Read it and tell me otherwise.

Rogerson’s prose is once again lush and descriptive.

I can’t even say that this was a straight up “fantasy” book. It was so much more than that.

It was a mystery/thriller/heist/epic plot story set in a fantasy world. And it was so exciting.

More than anything it was a story about watching the character Elisabeth grow. One of the best character development stories I’ve ever read.

It was a very different story than An Enchantment of Ravens was. In both tone and plot. Not in a bad way at all of course. It was thrilling to see Rogerson write two entirely different books.

Somebody better make a summoning circle, because I am deceased.

THIS BOOK. The WORLDBUILDING. The CHARACTERS. The INTRIGUE. The PROSE. That LAST LINE????

SORCERY is a novel written for book lovers, where Great Libraries are home to an incredible variety of sentient grimoires. Librarians in Austermeer have swords, and apprentices are accosted by ink-spitting, opera-belting, face-stealing books with the ability to shift into monsters. It's also a world populated by sorcerers, demons, stone armies, and enough glamour to fill the most magical of fairylands. Rogerson has SUCH a way with words; I haven't read ENCHANTMENT OF RAVENS, but after this gem, I might have to. The pace never falters, each setting more vivid than the last, and the relationships between the characters are p e r f e c t. Silas/Nathaniel is now one of my all-time favourite YA relationships, and a real highlight of the novel. I think because platonic relationships often are portrayed as less intense/important, but these guys....*clutches heart*.

I can't do it justice in a review, but trust me, you won't be disappointed by this. In case you didn't hear me the first time, SENTIENT BOOKS. Need I say more? 5/5

I loved this. I loved this so much. I had previously read An Enchantment of Ravens and enjoyed that greatly, but this book was so much more. A book about sorcery, libraries and magical books. Did I mention magical books? This book is a fantasy and book-lover’s dream. It at once had mystery, fantasy, a lovely romance and just the right amount of suspense. Also Silas. He was amazing. Such a well done character. All the characters were well done, but he truly stood out and was extremely well written I enjoyed this book so much. I am definitely going to buy myself a copy when it is released. I would also buy this for friends as a gift ’cause I feel like anyone that loves books and magic would adore this book as much as I did.

Thoroughly enjoyed this book from beginning to end! The world itself was captivating, and the characters draw you in from the beginning. Pacing was phenomenal throughout, the perfect mix of calmer scenes to allow relationships to grow and the plot points to come together and intense scenes that leave you on the edge of your seat. I am now a huge fan of Margaret Rogerson and can't wait to read her other novel, and will definitely be eagerly awaiting any future novels set in this world, or any other she creates. Would definitely recommend this book for fans of Cassandra Clare, Libba Bray, and Laini Taylor.

Most things I have to say about this book are incomprehensible by normal language standards as I can't find words to describe how much I have loved it.

World building was interesting and well-done without being too wordy. The prose style was descriptive without being too much. Characters were dynamic and well-rounded and the relationship was built on trust and naturally progressed versus instant-love.

Overall, this is a phenomenon book about demon-slaying librarians, magical grimoires and morally-questionable demons.

Thank you to Simon & Schuster and Netgalley for a copy!

This was absolutely incredible! Just like Rogerson's first book, this book was magical, whimsical, romantic and perfectly paced. Everything from the library, to the protagonist, to the conflicts, was well done and had me hooked. The cover is also beyond perfect. I will be recommending this to all of my friends, as I know so many of them loved An Enchantment of Ravens, and for me, this one was even better. You can tell the author's writing improved, and her style is the same but more sophisticated. Overall, I loved it and can't wait to buy the physical copy!

Thank you to the publisher, via NetGalley, for providing me with an e-arc for review. This has in no way influenced my opinion.

Elisabeth was abandoned as a baby and raised at one of the country's Great Libraries. She meets Sorcerer Nathaniel Thorn when he comes to the library to meet with the Director of the Library. Following the escape of a grimoire and Elisabeth's role in the destruction of the grimoire, she is sent to meet with the Chancellor and the story unfolds from there.

This is a difficult book to rate, because I'm forced to damn it with faint praise. I read this book in a single day and the writing style is enjoyable; however, it was rife with tropes, clunky foreshadowing, and poorly fleshed out characters (Elisabeth's friend Katrien would be the most glaring example). I think Sorcery of Thorns is a perfectly adequate Teen book, but I found the story to be lacking in enough substance to transcend the YA genre.

I found that I had about the same reactions to this one as I did with Margaret Rogerson's first book. I loved the world, the characters, the action and the plot. Any other time the combination of elements that were in this story would have made me love it so much, but unfortunately, there was just something in the way of making me enjoy it so much more and I can't really put my finger on it besides thinking maybe its the writing style? I do however recommend it to others if you like action packed standalone fantasies!