It’s no secret that I love Margaret Rogerson’s books. A few years ago I read her debut book which was so fantastic and the moment I heard she was writing a new fantasy, I wanted it. And so here is my review of her second, utterly fabulous book Sorcery of Thorns.

Completely different from the world of Whimsy, the world of Austmeer, Summershall (lovely name reminds me of Anne of Green Gables) and the Great Libraries, Margaret spins a much darker realm. Here, books are revered and guarded. Literature in the wrong hands can be dangerous and the love for books and reading thrives in Austmeer. The world-building is intricate and complex. It’s too dark for me to be able to describe it as rich, but it reminded me a bit of a fantasy version of England, where demons can crop up amidst the rainy weather and beneath the gargoyles that guard the Great Libraries.

Margaret has a new take on books. I think it was an intriguing one at that. People who read and work with books always seem to be underestimated. Reading is a primary skill so those who choose it as a profession in any way are often underestimated in my opinion. Margaret in writing this book demonstrates how wrong that is. People who read are the keepers of large strongholds of knowledge. We archive histories and stories and all the knowledge that lies within. It was so lovely to see this come forth and in such a unique manner! Grimoires that contain such hefty amounts of knowledge can turn into maleficts that can destroy you with a single swipe. Demons and sorcerers and librarians are all a part of this complex tale that at its heart is about the love of reading.

I really liked Elisabeth as a character. She was driven by her passion for the grimoires and the magic system developed around her and Nathaniel is well thought out and woven in well with the plot. Nathaniel himself comes across as the handsome nerd with plenty of secrets, so he was definitely a swoon-worthy character especially with his dark looks and sarcasm. The romance takes a backseat in this novel. It’s there, and there are some very sweet moments but the majority of the book’s focus is on the thickening plot and on the world-building. Given how well done both of these were, the small romance for me wasn’t a problem. I am a reader who prefers romance in the book but everything is so well plotted and interwoven that the subtlety of the romance didn’t bother me in the least. The villain was chilling and maniacal in a sense and I couldn’t help but hate him.

But of all the characters, my favourite was Silas. He was so complex and intriguing and despite being a demon, he was so compassionate. His entire demeanour and attitude were so cool and collected and charming while being caring and for me, he ended up being the true hero of the book. He didn’t have to behave the way he did with Nathaniel, and yet he treats him more as a son than a master. A morally grey character who could lean either towards heroism or villainy and chooses heroism. It’s a lovely addition to the book.

The language is truly immersive. You escape into the library of Summershall and travel through to Brassbridge where the city is a vicious place to be unless you can make it. The libraries loom over you as grimoires whisper secrets in your ear. Her writing is gorgeous. She doesn’t describe colour and nature as vividly as she does in Enchantments but rather sets the scene for a more academic world, where cities reign over the world. It shows the enormous range she possesses and the more she writes the more money I will probably end up spending.

Five fantastic stars for a book that above all else holds libraries and books in high esteem.