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readabookortwo's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
4.25
I have wanted to read Sorcery of Thorns for five years since it very first came out and I am SO happy that I have finally read it. This book is filled with so much magic and warmth I have loved so much of my time reading it.
I loved Elizabeth as a main character she is absolutely so badass, I loved the way that she changed over the course of the book and realised how outdated some of the views and prejudices are, I love that she was always willing to put herself in danger to protect those she loved and just wanted to save everyone even if she died in the process. I absolutely love her so much!!
My favourite character was Nathaniel he absolutely made me giggle so much, I loved his sarcasm but also the way he cares so much. He's been through so much and you can tell how traumatised he is from those events but he never wants that to stop him, always goes along eventually with Elizabeth and her plans and I absolutely adored him. He wasn't willing to bow down to what everyone and the world wanted from him, to what they thought he should do, he carved his own path and deserves every bit of happiness.
I also, of course, loved Silas. You can tell how much he cared for these people even though he felt he shouldn't have, he wanted Nathaniel and Elizabeth to be alive and safe at all times. He absolutely made me bawl my eyes out and I loved the relationship between him and Nathaniel, the two of them truly cared so deeply foe each other and it was really beautiful.
"She looked across the shining city, ancient, impossibly vast and wondered how all that light and beauty could exist side by side with so much darkness"
As a book lover, I of course, love when I read a book that is about books. And this one was about books and I loved the element of the grimoires and how they played a role in the story. It just felt so magical and warm and I think really had an important message about how people treat each other and the things that are different.
"Sometimes they were sinister, grotesque- but so was the world outside. And that made the world no less worth fighting for because wherever there was darkness there was also so much light."
Overall, I really really enjoyed this book! I think the pacing lacked in some places but the overall plot and characters really had me falling in love with the book. I'm so, so happy that I finally read it and hope to read the novella soon!!
Graphic: Death, Panic attacks/disorders, Forced institutionalization, Blood, Kidnapping, and Death of parent
jzupp's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.5
Moderate: Confinement, Death, Mental illness, Panic attacks/disorders, Self harm, Slavery, Violence, Forced institutionalization, Kidnapping, Grief, Death of parent, Murder, and Injury/Injury detail
Minor: Child death
elskede's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.5
Graphic: Death, Misogyny, Physical abuse, Torture, Violence, Blood, Kidnapping, Stalking, Murder, Gaslighting, and Sexual harassment
fayesavanne's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
Graphic: Child death, Confinement, Death, Panic attacks/disorders, Sexism, Violence, Forced institutionalization, Blood, Kidnapping, Death of parent, and Murder
Minor: Child abuse, Vomit, and Sexual harassment
margaret_k30's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.5
Graphic: Confinement, Death, Sexism, Forced institutionalization, Death of parent, Gaslighting, and Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Panic attacks/disorders, Physical abuse, Self harm, Torture, Violence, Vomit, Kidnapping, and Murder
Minor: Body shaming, Gore, Blood, Grief, Medical trauma, and Classism
ankiaisreading's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.5
Graphic: Body horror, Confinement, Death, Gore, Panic attacks/disorders, Physical abuse, Torture, Violence, Blood, Kidnapping, Grief, Medical trauma, Death of parent, Murder, Gaslighting, War, and Injury/Injury detail
blingokitty's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.5
Moderate: Death, Emotional abuse, and Blood
Minor: Misogyny, Forced institutionalization, Kidnapping, Grief, Gaslighting, and Abandonment
erebus53's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.75
The first part of the story, that introduces us to the idea of dangerous books locked up to keep people safe felt reminiscent of Terry Pratchett's libraries in the Discworld. I had a laugh-out-loud moment when the novice is quizzed by the Director as to the first magical safety precaution one would use when handling a dangerous book and I said out loud "salt!", and the novice exclaims "salt". The way the magic works in this world is not precisely derivative, but enough like other fantasy novels (and Pagan texts) that it seems familiar to the point where at least one of the big reveals is a little predictable. I don't hate it though.
The particular bestiary of this world includes Maleficts which are malevolent monsters that are released when a book is unbound, Book-lice which are oversized arthropods that thrive in magical libraries, altered by the omnipresence of magical energies which make them resistant to magical spells, and Demons which Sorcerers contract with for use of magical powers. I really did hope it would go into the idea of indentured servitude, and power dynamics of demon slaves.. there was a whiff of the idea, but maybe it was too big for a book like this?
I think there is some criticism of this book for being "token LGBT" as one of the main characters is bisexual (and one is asexual now I think of it), but this is only mentioned in passing, and the primary relationships in the book are M/F. Personally I feel like it's respectfully done and I like that I'm feeling represented.. but it has no real queer narrative. I do think it's more important to the plot than some readers perceive. Similar things could be said for the depiction of ethnic diversity. Some characters are brown, but there is no narrative of identity, minority, or oppression, and Class is only vaguely mentioned.
As someone who is not a fan of "battles" I think the tension is held well and the boss fights (always more palatable than army engagements) are tense and exciting. Our main character is a girl who is big and strong and wields a sword.. or a crowbar if that's all she can get.
The story is really more character driven than anything, and it's got some nuance so I'll let it slide on some of the simplicity of plot. Lots of ideas to play with, and I expect it is the sort of world that fan-fiction would spring from.
Graphic: Confinement, Death, Emotional abuse, Slavery, Violence, Forced institutionalization, Xenophobia, Blood, Kidnapping, Grief, Gaslighting, Toxic friendship, and Injury/Injury detail
wrensreadingroom's review against another edition
5.0
Moderate: Body horror, Child death, Confinement, Cursing, Death, Emotional abuse, Gore, Misogyny, Panic attacks/disorders, Self harm, Sexism, Violence, Forced institutionalization, Blood, Police brutality, Medical content, Kidnapping, Grief, Death of parent, Murder, Fire/Fire injury, Gaslighting, Abandonment, Alcohol, Sexual harassment, and Injury/Injury detail
rorikae's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.75
Elizabeth Scrivener grew up in a great library, surrounded by the magic of books. Her life is turned upside down when one of the books escapes, causing chaos that she is blamed for. The one person who can help her is Nathanial Thorn, a sorcerer. But Elizabeth has been taught to never trust sorcerers. As she and Nathanial search for the truth behind the attack on the library, she begins to learn more about him as she starts to question if what she has been taught about sorcery is all wrong.
Sorcery of Thorns is the perfect blend of fantasy, romance, and fun. As someone who loves books set in libraries, the setting and main plot of the novel were perfect. Add in likable characters, a fun if not too complicated plot, and a shapeshifting demon and this adds up to a page turning romp. The audiobook is fun and I would definitely recommend it. I'll be checking out more of Rogerson's books as it's clear from Sorcery of Thorns that she has a way of creating fun and engaging fantasies.
Moderate: Death, Toxic relationship, Violence, Forced institutionalization, Kidnapping, and Gaslighting