Status
Available
Series
Collection
Publication
Margaret K. McElderry Books (2020), Edition: Reprint, 480 pages
Description
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. She hopes to become a warden, charged with protecting the kingdom from their power. Then an act of sabotage releases the library's most dangerous grimoire. Elisabeth's desperate intervention implicates her in the crime, and she is torn from her home to face justice in the capital. 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.… (more)
User reviews
LibraryThing member shelleyraec
“Ink and parchment flowed through her veins. The magic of the Great Libraries lived in her very bones. They were a part of her, and she a part of them.”
Raised in the Great Library of Summershall, foundling Elisabeth Scrivener has grown up with no other desire than to become a Warden in service
“For these were not ordinary books the libraries kept. They were knowledge, given life. Wisdom, given voice. They sang when starlight streamed through the library’s windows. They felt pain and suffered heartbreak. 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.”
But Elisabeth’s dream is shattered when she is accused of a deadly act of sabotage that results in the death of her mentor, the Summershall Director. Ordered to stand trial in the Capital, she is escorted by Nathaniel Thorn, a young Magister with a fearsome reputation, and his demon servant, Silas. Raised to believe the worst of sorcery, and those who wield it, Elisabeth doesn’t expect to even survive the journey, but she will face a far greater danger at her destination, where the real saboteur waits.
“She saw no way out of the trap he had built for her. Escape wasn’t an option. If she attempted to run, he would know that she suspected him, and the game would come to an end. She would lose any chance she had left to expose him, however small.”
Sorcery of Thorns is an enchanting young adult fantasy novel offering adventure, suspense, humour, and romance.
I thought Rogerson did a great job of character development.
Elisabeth quickly sheds the innocence of her sheltered background, but not her idealism. She proves to be intelligent, resourceful and courageous, and is determined to end the threat to Austemeer, no matter the cost to herself.
Nathaniel is a bit of a tortured hero, with a tragic backstory. I particularly enjoyed his sense of humour.
The romance between Elisabeth and Nathaniel is not too rushed, and I found it sweet.
Silas, with his impeccable manners and yellow eyes, almost steals the show.
I loved the world building, the settings are easily imagined, from the home of Nathaniel to the halls, and secret passages, of the Great Library. And what reader can resist the idea of a library where books grumble, and sigh, and sing, and whisper? A book provoked, becomes a Malefict, a terrifying monster that has the potential to maim and kill. Iron and salt are weapons that keep them bound.
“Knowledge always has the potential to be dangerous. It is a more powerful weapon than any sword or spell.”
I was enthralled by the Sorcery of Thorns, though near 500 pages long, I found it a quick read. Charming, exciting and entertaining, the novel is written as a stand alone, but I’d love to return to this world.
Raised in the Great Library of Summershall, foundling Elisabeth Scrivener has grown up with no other desire than to become a Warden in service
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to the Collegium, to wield an iron sword, and protect the kingdom from the powerful grimoires that line the shelves of the six Great Library’s of Austemeer. “For these were not ordinary books the libraries kept. They were knowledge, given life. Wisdom, given voice. They sang when starlight streamed through the library’s windows. They felt pain and suffered heartbreak. 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.”
But Elisabeth’s dream is shattered when she is accused of a deadly act of sabotage that results in the death of her mentor, the Summershall Director. Ordered to stand trial in the Capital, she is escorted by Nathaniel Thorn, a young Magister with a fearsome reputation, and his demon servant, Silas. Raised to believe the worst of sorcery, and those who wield it, Elisabeth doesn’t expect to even survive the journey, but she will face a far greater danger at her destination, where the real saboteur waits.
“She saw no way out of the trap he had built for her. Escape wasn’t an option. If she attempted to run, he would know that she suspected him, and the game would come to an end. She would lose any chance she had left to expose him, however small.”
Sorcery of Thorns is an enchanting young adult fantasy novel offering adventure, suspense, humour, and romance.
I thought Rogerson did a great job of character development.
Elisabeth quickly sheds the innocence of her sheltered background, but not her idealism. She proves to be intelligent, resourceful and courageous, and is determined to end the threat to Austemeer, no matter the cost to herself.
Nathaniel is a bit of a tortured hero, with a tragic backstory. I particularly enjoyed his sense of humour.
The romance between Elisabeth and Nathaniel is not too rushed, and I found it sweet.
Silas, with his impeccable manners and yellow eyes, almost steals the show.
I loved the world building, the settings are easily imagined, from the home of Nathaniel to the halls, and secret passages, of the Great Library. And what reader can resist the idea of a library where books grumble, and sigh, and sing, and whisper? A book provoked, becomes a Malefict, a terrifying monster that has the potential to maim and kill. Iron and salt are weapons that keep them bound.
“Knowledge always has the potential to be dangerous. It is a more powerful weapon than any sword or spell.”
I was enthralled by the Sorcery of Thorns, though near 500 pages long, I found it a quick read. Charming, exciting and entertaining, the novel is written as a stand alone, but I’d love to return to this world.
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LibraryThing member KeriLynneD
I am not a huge Fantasy fan but this one did sound really good so I decided to give it a try. I enjoyed the story line and the main characters. There were a few things that I was a little confused about though. I never fully grasped the concept of how the demon taking years off his life worked. I'm
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assuming that he was supposed to die on a certain day but once he made the bargain with Silas it would still be on that day just 20 years sooner? It never really explained that or if it did I completely missed it. I think things just got a little too complicating in the end with the different grimoires and creatures, maybe I just don't have the imagination or brain to keep up with it. For the most part it was good though so four stars! I am sure most fantasy lovers would enjoy this book immensely! Show Less
LibraryThing member quondame
This did not work for me. It had a decent spine, but a sort of now stumble over this, then bump into that flow, and all the attractive bits and shards glued in from other more mature fantasies without forming any clear pattern. The use of metallics in the cover is great.
LibraryThing member thereadingrebel
My Review
All of Elisabeth’s life she has lived in one of the Great Libraries and is hoping to train to become a Warden of the Library. Elisabeth has been taught all sorcerers are evil. When she is falsely accused of a crime against the library, she is given over to the sorcerers to be punished.
I love Margaret Rogerson’s first book An Enchantment of Ravens and only had one complaint and that was the world-building wasn’t very strong. In Sorcery of Thorns, the world-building is fantastic and descriptive. I felt like I was walking in the library with Elisabeth who is the main character. I love Elisabeth so much. I really connected with her love of books and curiosity. Her strength and conviction to do what is right are inspiring. Nathaniel Thorn is one of my new book boyfriends. His wit, his sass, his heart, the love he has for his bodyguard and friend Silas, his strength in the face of loss, and his chooses all won my heart. Silas is such a great character. I can’t say more about him because of spoilers. One of my favorite parts of this book was how the books were alive and have personalities. It was also so unique how the sorcerers get their powers. The story was so captivating and I didn’t want to leave this world or the characters. I laughed, I cried, I cheered, I had ALL THE FEELS. This book is a love letter to all book lovers. This book is for everyone who found themselves in books. For everyone who thinks that a book in hand and stack of books on your nightstand is heaven. I can’t recommend this book highly enough.
Rating: 5 stars
All of Elisabeth’s life she has lived in one of the Great Libraries and is hoping to train to become a Warden of the Library. Elisabeth has been taught all sorcerers are evil. When she is falsely accused of a crime against the library, she is given over to the sorcerers to be punished.
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To clear her name she might have to trust one of the sorcerers but can she trust someone who she has been told is evil to help her?I love Margaret Rogerson’s first book An Enchantment of Ravens and only had one complaint and that was the world-building wasn’t very strong. In Sorcery of Thorns, the world-building is fantastic and descriptive. I felt like I was walking in the library with Elisabeth who is the main character. I love Elisabeth so much. I really connected with her love of books and curiosity. Her strength and conviction to do what is right are inspiring. Nathaniel Thorn is one of my new book boyfriends. His wit, his sass, his heart, the love he has for his bodyguard and friend Silas, his strength in the face of loss, and his chooses all won my heart. Silas is such a great character. I can’t say more about him because of spoilers. One of my favorite parts of this book was how the books were alive and have personalities. It was also so unique how the sorcerers get their powers. The story was so captivating and I didn’t want to leave this world or the characters. I laughed, I cried, I cheered, I had ALL THE FEELS. This book is a love letter to all book lovers. This book is for everyone who found themselves in books. For everyone who thinks that a book in hand and stack of books on your nightstand is heaven. I can’t recommend this book highly enough.
Rating: 5 stars
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LibraryThing member bookwren
A fun fantasy read with strong female characters, library settings, and a light romance.
LibraryThing member acargile
Sorcery of Thorns, a fantasy, is a 2020 Lone Star novel.
Raised in one of the Great Libraries, Elisabeth feels a kinship with the books of the libraries. These are not ordinary books. They can be dangerous. They can speak; they can move; they can turn into creatures that attack. Because Elisabeth
Most of the novel takes place in the capital where Elisabeth mostly stays with Nathaniel Thorn. She met him once, so they have a passing acquaintance. Many women desire to date and marry Nathaniel, but he shows no interest. His demon, Silas, takes care of him and keeps his secrets. Elisabeth gives little choice to him that she stay with him. She isn't safe, for someone keeps trying to harm her and Nathaniel and Silas keep saving her. Something sinister is going on. Each library has been attacked and books have been stolen. Elisabeth wants to know what is going on.
I loved this novel. I never could imagine the evil books becoming ink and leather monsters (need more imagination), but I liked the idea. The demon Silas was an interesting character. Can a demon ever have any goodness? If so, he wouldn't be a demon. He steals years for himself. He represents evil. Elisabeth stands up to Nathaniel and makes him do more than he would have done. He feels he doesn't deserve love, but Elisabeth shows him that she possesses the strength to handle the darkness that haunts him.
I also love that this novel ends--it's a standalone. They discover who the "bad" guy is and in the midst of the investigation, you experience great characters in a fantastic world. It's a great escape!
Raised in one of the Great Libraries, Elisabeth feels a kinship with the books of the libraries. These are not ordinary books. They can be dangerous. They can speak; they can move; they can turn into creatures that attack. Because Elisabeth
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was raised in the library, the books treat her as a friend. She plans on becoming a warden in the libraries until her Director is killed. Elisabeth seems guilty, so she is transported to the capital to face justice. Most of the novel takes place in the capital where Elisabeth mostly stays with Nathaniel Thorn. She met him once, so they have a passing acquaintance. Many women desire to date and marry Nathaniel, but he shows no interest. His demon, Silas, takes care of him and keeps his secrets. Elisabeth gives little choice to him that she stay with him. She isn't safe, for someone keeps trying to harm her and Nathaniel and Silas keep saving her. Something sinister is going on. Each library has been attacked and books have been stolen. Elisabeth wants to know what is going on.
I loved this novel. I never could imagine the evil books becoming ink and leather monsters (need more imagination), but I liked the idea. The demon Silas was an interesting character. Can a demon ever have any goodness? If so, he wouldn't be a demon. He steals years for himself. He represents evil. Elisabeth stands up to Nathaniel and makes him do more than he would have done. He feels he doesn't deserve love, but Elisabeth shows him that she possesses the strength to handle the darkness that haunts him.
I also love that this novel ends--it's a standalone. They discover who the "bad" guy is and in the midst of the investigation, you experience great characters in a fantastic world. It's a great escape!
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LibraryThing member jmoncton
There's something about these YA fantasy novels. The covers completely captivate me and fill me with expectations that I will be taken away from my drab mortal world with the depressing news cycle and pending elections. And this story did succeed ... at times. The world building was excellent with
Overall, this was enjoyable -- more of a 3.5 experience for me. The characters were wonderful and I was almost hoping that this would become a series because I definitely became attached to them. Would love a book about Silas!
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stories of magical books and a protagonist who is a librarian in training. But the second half of the book felt repetitious with what should have been epic scenes but felt a little like the same battle, just in a different library. Overall, this was enjoyable -- more of a 3.5 experience for me. The characters were wonderful and I was almost hoping that this would become a series because I definitely became attached to them. Would love a book about Silas!
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LibraryThing member Narilka
A book about libraries that house magical grimoires that have a tendency to turn into demonic beasts and the librarians who care for them? Sign me up!! Sorcery of Thorns by Margaret Rogerson is a fun YA adventure story where an apprentice librarian faces down a threat to the Great Libraries.
Found
The story is told entirely from Elisabeth's point of view. She is a likeable heroine who stumbles a bit in the beginning and grows into to being fairly capable with the help of her friends. Having grown up in the Library she's rather naive and has been taught to be prejudiced against sorcery and, by extension, sorcerers. Naturally this sets up the relationship with Nathanial to be in the vein of Beauty and the Beast as they learn about each other and Elisabeth realizes just how wrong many of the things she was taught are. On the flip side, Nathaniel is And yes there is a romance, though it is a very slow burn sub-plot.
Easily my favorite thing about the book is the world. I absolutely love the idea of libraries as dangerous places that house living books. Each book had its own personality and is rated on a scale for how dangerous the spells are it contains. What else is interesting is that the sorcery in the world isn't natural, as in a person isn't born with it. It is granted by summoning and making a deal with a demon, typically at a fairly high cost. The demon then remains as a servant to the sorcerer, though don't let that fool you. Each demon will turn on their master given the opportunity.
Which brings us to Nathanial and his demon Silas. Nathaniel is an incredibly talented sorcerer from a very old family of necromancers. He serves as a fun foil to Elisabeth and I enjoyed their bantering dialog. That said, Silas completely stole the show for me. Talk about an interesting character! Morally ambiguous and doesn't pretend to be anything other than he is. He constantly warns Elisabeth about his nature, which she continuously chose to ignore, though in the end he seemingly performs a selfless act. I think I could use a whole story with Silas as the main character.
It took about half the book before I was fully hooked. Then it was a rush to the end to see how everything would turn out. Even though there are many common YA fantasy tropes, I quite enjoyed it. It's a standalone novel with an easy hook should the author wish to write more in this world some day.
Found
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as an orphan, Elisabeth Scriviner has lived her whole life in the Great Library of Summershall. Currently an apprentice librarian Elisabeth dreams of becoming a Warden, a type of librarian trained to battle grimoires that have turned into Maleficts and protect the kingdom against sorcery. An act of sabotage releases the Library's most dangerous grimoire. Finding the library's Director dead and the Malefict heading to a nearby village, Elisabeth tracks down and faces the monster. Yet her one act of bravery ends up implicating her in the crime instead of bringing her praise. Suddenly Elisabeth finds herself in the middle of a centuries-old conspiracy and her only ally is... the sorcerer Nathaniel Thorn.The story is told entirely from Elisabeth's point of view. She is a likeable heroine who stumbles a bit in the beginning and grows into to being fairly capable with the help of her friends. Having grown up in the Library she's rather naive and has been taught to be prejudiced against sorcery and, by extension, sorcerers. Naturally this sets up the relationship with Nathanial to be in the vein of Beauty and the Beast as they learn about each other and Elisabeth realizes just how wrong many of the things she was taught are. On the flip side, Nathaniel is And yes there is a romance, though it is a very slow burn sub-plot.
Easily my favorite thing about the book is the world. I absolutely love the idea of libraries as dangerous places that house living books. Each book had its own personality and is rated on a scale for how dangerous the spells are it contains. What else is interesting is that the sorcery in the world isn't natural, as in a person isn't born with it. It is granted by summoning and making a deal with a demon, typically at a fairly high cost. The demon then remains as a servant to the sorcerer, though don't let that fool you. Each demon will turn on their master given the opportunity.
Which brings us to Nathanial and his demon Silas. Nathaniel is an incredibly talented sorcerer from a very old family of necromancers. He serves as a fun foil to Elisabeth and I enjoyed their bantering dialog. That said, Silas completely stole the show for me. Talk about an interesting character! Morally ambiguous and doesn't pretend to be anything other than he is. He constantly warns Elisabeth about his nature, which she continuously chose to ignore, though in the end he seemingly performs a selfless act. I think I could use a whole story with Silas as the main character.
It took about half the book before I was fully hooked. Then it was a rush to the end to see how everything would turn out. Even though there are many common YA fantasy tropes, I quite enjoyed it. It's a standalone novel with an easy hook should the author wish to write more in this world some day.
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LibraryThing member Herenya
There are things I liked about this. Much of the story takes place in libraries, and Elisabeth has a special connection to them (The whole idea of growing up in a library is appealing). I enjoyed Elisabeth’s interactions with the other characters -- or, more accurately, their interactions with
But the pacing was odd, some of the worldbuilding could have been explored more satisfactorily, and I was largely indifferent to the action sequences.
I don’t know if this is due to weaknesses in the narrative or just my personal tastes; I suspect it’s a bit of both.
“Wait a moment. I’ve thought of something.”
“Tempting as the prospect is,” Nathaniel said, “we are not attempting world domination. It sounds fun in theory, but in reality it’s a logistical nightmare. All those assassinations and so forth.” At her blank look, he explained, “Silas used to tell me bedtime stories.”
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her.But the pacing was odd, some of the worldbuilding could have been explored more satisfactorily, and I was largely indifferent to the action sequences.
I don’t know if this is due to weaknesses in the narrative or just my personal tastes; I suspect it’s a bit of both.
“Wait a moment. I’ve thought of something.”
“Tempting as the prospect is,” Nathaniel said, “we are not attempting world domination. It sounds fun in theory, but in reality it’s a logistical nightmare. All those assassinations and so forth.” At her blank look, he explained, “Silas used to tell me bedtime stories.”
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LibraryThing member foggidawn
Elisabeth grew up in one of the Great Libraries, and her dream has always been to become a librarian, caretaker to the grimoires, dangerous, sentient books of magic. When mysterious events occur, she finds herself caught up in and falsely accused of a plot that could bring to an end the Great
I was bound to enjoy this library-centric fantasy. It’s a stand-alone, which is also a point in its favor. My listening experience of the audiobook was broken up because I didn’t get it finished before it went back, and then I had to wait a few weeks to get it again. So, I’m not sure I’m a good judge of the pacing in this case. I will say that I’m not sure what I think of the ending. I like it, but I’m not sure I approve of it. (If you’ve read the book, I’d be glad to discuss what I mean by that!) Recommended for readers of YA fantasy.
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Libraries, and the larger world as well. She also finds herself in the company of the sorcerer Nathaniel Thorn, whom she doesn’t trust... at least, at first...I was bound to enjoy this library-centric fantasy. It’s a stand-alone, which is also a point in its favor. My listening experience of the audiobook was broken up because I didn’t get it finished before it went back, and then I had to wait a few weeks to get it again. So, I’m not sure I’m a good judge of the pacing in this case. I will say that I’m not sure what I think of the ending. I like it, but I’m not sure I approve of it. (If you’ve read the book, I’d be glad to discuss what I mean by that!) Recommended for readers of YA fantasy.
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LibraryThing member infjsarah
This was a light quick read but I think I need to stop reading YA - it's just not giving me the satisfactory involvement that I want. I loved the background to this story - it's inventive and interesting. I also like the characters although Nathaniel was a bit wishy washy to me. But something about
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the plot and pacing just didn't work for me. I enjoyed but wanted more. Show Less
LibraryThing member m_mozeleski
I really liked this story. I loved Elisabeth, and I loved the ending. Every girl sure does dream of beating up demons with an iron bat at some point... haha.
But it just didn't hit that 5th star for me somehow.
A solid book, a self-contained book (and maybe that has something to do with it--I'm in
Highly recommend still.
But it just didn't hit that 5th star for me somehow.
A solid book, a self-contained book (and maybe that has something to do with it--I'm in
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the middle of a very long series that is fabulous, so, y'know.).Highly recommend still.
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LibraryThing member thinktink93
"She was beginning to understand that evil wasn't so simple a concept as she had once imagined."
What a good book.
I now want to live in a world with grimoires, sorcery and-maybe notdemons and evil sorcerers trying to take over the world - but everything else this book has to offer (especially my
What a good book.
I now want to live in a world with grimoires, sorcery and-maybe not
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precious baby Silas, who must be protected at all costs). Show Less
LibraryThing member fionaanne
The world-building is quite impressive but the pacing really ruined it for me. I spent the last hundred-plus pages wondering why it wasn't over already.
LibraryThing member krau0098
Series Info/Source: This is a stand alone book. I got an eBook of this from my library to read.
Thoughts: Although there were a lot of concepts I really loved here, I had trouble getting into this book. Part of this could have been my fault. I started reading this on vacation and this wasn’t the
The story follows Elisabeth who was raised in one of the Great Libraries as an apprentice. The apprentice’s main job is to keep the grimoires happy; they contain great knowledge but have a tendency to turn into literal monsters and destroy things if they aren’t tended correctly. Then Elisabeth stumbles upon the body of the Director of her library who has been murdered, ends up slaying a grimore monster, and ends up blamed for the whole fiasco. Her only hope is the rather troubled Nathaniel Thorn, a sorcerer of great power, who has large problems of his own. The plot they unravel is bigger than either of them could have imagined.
I loved the idea of grimoires being living beings and enjoyed all the magic around demon summoning here. Elisabeth and Nathaniel were both amazing characters and I loved watching them get to know each other and grow in their powers and confidence. There is a sweet romance here and quite a bit of action as well. All in all it was a wonderful read and had some very creative fantasy ideas in it.
As mentioned above I just had a lot of trouble getting into the story initially. I kept putting it down after reading a chapter and wandering away to do something else. I also thought some of the side characters were a bit weak (aside from Silas who was just as amazing as Elisabeth and Nathaniel to read about).
My Summary (4/5): Overall this was a fantastic fantasy read. There are some unique ideas in here and I loved the idea of grimoires that are alive and the blend of sorcery/demonology going on here. This was a bit slow to start but ended up being a solid and engaging fantasy. I continue to really look forward to Rogerson’s future books. I enjoyed this book just as much as “An Enchantment of Ravens” and am eager to see what fantasy worlds she introduces us to in the future.
Thoughts: Although there were a lot of concepts I really loved here, I had trouble getting into this book. Part of this could have been my fault. I started reading this on vacation and this wasn’t the
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best pick for a light, beach type of read. This requires a bit of concentration to put together the world and what is happening here.The story follows Elisabeth who was raised in one of the Great Libraries as an apprentice. The apprentice’s main job is to keep the grimoires happy; they contain great knowledge but have a tendency to turn into literal monsters and destroy things if they aren’t tended correctly. Then Elisabeth stumbles upon the body of the Director of her library who has been murdered, ends up slaying a grimore monster, and ends up blamed for the whole fiasco. Her only hope is the rather troubled Nathaniel Thorn, a sorcerer of great power, who has large problems of his own. The plot they unravel is bigger than either of them could have imagined.
I loved the idea of grimoires being living beings and enjoyed all the magic around demon summoning here. Elisabeth and Nathaniel were both amazing characters and I loved watching them get to know each other and grow in their powers and confidence. There is a sweet romance here and quite a bit of action as well. All in all it was a wonderful read and had some very creative fantasy ideas in it.
As mentioned above I just had a lot of trouble getting into the story initially. I kept putting it down after reading a chapter and wandering away to do something else. I also thought some of the side characters were a bit weak (aside from Silas who was just as amazing as Elisabeth and Nathaniel to read about).
My Summary (4/5): Overall this was a fantastic fantasy read. There are some unique ideas in here and I loved the idea of grimoires that are alive and the blend of sorcery/demonology going on here. This was a bit slow to start but ended up being a solid and engaging fantasy. I continue to really look forward to Rogerson’s future books. I enjoyed this book just as much as “An Enchantment of Ravens” and am eager to see what fantasy worlds she introduces us to in the future.
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LibraryThing member MickyFine
Elisabeth Scrivener is an apprentice warden at the Great Library of Summershall, where her task is to keep an eye on the grimoires that repose there and keep them from running rampant. But when the Library is attacked and Elisabeth is the sole witness, she must travel to the capital to give her
A really solid YA fantasy that has a very fun magical library at its heart (so, of course, I'm here for it). While the plot is a tad predictable, the world Rogerson has created is so enjoyable that I didn't mind. Elisabeth and Nathaniel are enjoyable characters to hang out with and watching them interact with magical books and wield magic is a delight. As a plus, this is a YA fantasy that isn't part of a trilogy. A solid one and done that entertained this reader. Recommended if like me you're a sucker for any book with heavy amounts of library content.
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testimony. There, with the aid of the sorcerer Nathaniel Thorn, she will uncover a plot that threatens the entire kingdom of Austermeer that no one may be able to conquer.A really solid YA fantasy that has a very fun magical library at its heart (so, of course, I'm here for it). While the plot is a tad predictable, the world Rogerson has created is so enjoyable that I didn't mind. Elisabeth and Nathaniel are enjoyable characters to hang out with and watching them interact with magical books and wield magic is a delight. As a plus, this is a YA fantasy that isn't part of a trilogy. A solid one and done that entertained this reader. Recommended if like me you're a sucker for any book with heavy amounts of library content.
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LibraryThing member richardderus
The Publisher Says: 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
Then an act of sabotage releases the library’s most dangerous grimoire. Elisabeth’s desperate intervention implicates her in the crime, and she is torn from her home to face justice in the capital. 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.
I CHECKED THIS BOOK OUT OF THE LIBRARY. USE THOSE LIBRARIES, THEY NEED US!
My Review: I was absolutely ready, in my loving fandom for [[Genevieve Cogman]]'s Invisible Library series, to gobble this book down with ecstatic slurps and croons of rapture. I was given so much good stuff about books, the love thereof:
It was always wise to be polite to books, whether or not they could hear you.
–and–
Books, too, had hearts, though they were not the same as people's, and a book's heart could be broken: she had seen it happen before. Grimoires that refused to open, their voices gone silent, or whose ink faded and bled across the pages like tears.
–and–
“You like this place?"
"Of course I do. It has books in it.”
–and–
"I knew you talked to books. I didn't realize they listened."
I was so on board! And then! Then!
“I like girls too, Scrivener.” Amusement danced in Nathaniel’s eyes. “I like both. If you’re going to fantasize about my love life, I insist you do so accurately.”
–and–
Nathaniel nodded. “If you can believe it, I used to fancy him. Then he went and grew that mustache. Or he murdered a gerbil and attached it to his face. For the life of me, I can't tell which.”
Unremarkably, given the necromantic nature of the being speaking, Elisabeth Scrivener is presented with casual, unrepentant male bisexuality. This being a creature rarer than a toothy hen, I was ever so ready to love this book. That it is from a professèdly wicked male being...well.
That's sort of where I got myself into the downs. The fact is that it's a YA novel and I'm extra-sensitive to the YA Twee Syndrome. Banter is fun, I like banter, but there's got to be something substantial in the soufflé to make it fix its claws in me. And that is where I just wasn't getting the underpinnings I needed for my edifice of pleasure. I'm sure as sure can be that a bookish young person wouldn't have my sliding-closer-to-seventy-daily old man's sense of wanting something more. The story rests on good foundation: Enemies to lovers, accepting Otherness in self and companions, defending Right and Truth against prejudice and ignorance. It just does as little with them as is practicable.
Fine for YA and not enough for old-man me.
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provoked, they transform into grotesque monsters of ink and leather. She hopes to become a warden, charged with protecting the kingdom from their power.Then an act of sabotage releases the library’s most dangerous grimoire. Elisabeth’s desperate intervention implicates her in the crime, and she is torn from her home to face justice in the capital. 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.
I CHECKED THIS BOOK OUT OF THE LIBRARY. USE THOSE LIBRARIES, THEY NEED US!
My Review: I was absolutely ready, in my loving fandom for [[Genevieve Cogman]]'s Invisible Library series, to gobble this book down with ecstatic slurps and croons of rapture. I was given so much good stuff about books, the love thereof:
It was always wise to be polite to books, whether or not they could hear you.
–and–
Books, too, had hearts, though they were not the same as people's, and a book's heart could be broken: she had seen it happen before. Grimoires that refused to open, their voices gone silent, or whose ink faded and bled across the pages like tears.
–and–
“You like this place?"
"Of course I do. It has books in it.”
–and–
"I knew you talked to books. I didn't realize they listened."
I was so on board! And then! Then!
“I like girls too, Scrivener.” Amusement danced in Nathaniel’s eyes. “I like both. If you’re going to fantasize about my love life, I insist you do so accurately.”
–and–
Nathaniel nodded. “If you can believe it, I used to fancy him. Then he went and grew that mustache. Or he murdered a gerbil and attached it to his face. For the life of me, I can't tell which.”
Unremarkably, given the necromantic nature of the being speaking, Elisabeth Scrivener is presented with casual, unrepentant male bisexuality. This being a creature rarer than a toothy hen, I was ever so ready to love this book. That it is from a professèdly wicked male being...well.
That's sort of where I got myself into the downs. The fact is that it's a YA novel and I'm extra-sensitive to the YA Twee Syndrome. Banter is fun, I like banter, but there's got to be something substantial in the soufflé to make it fix its claws in me. And that is where I just wasn't getting the underpinnings I needed for my edifice of pleasure. I'm sure as sure can be that a bookish young person wouldn't have my sliding-closer-to-seventy-daily old man's sense of wanting something more. The story rests on good foundation: Enemies to lovers, accepting Otherness in self and companions, defending Right and Truth against prejudice and ignorance. It just does as little with them as is practicable.
Fine for YA and not enough for old-man me.
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LibraryThing member bookwyrmm
Very unique and very engaging, just had a few spots where it felt like something was not fully explained for the reader.
LibraryThing member spiritedstardust
I loved this. And the ending has me hoping sooooo bad. I need Nathaniel at his full strength again
LibraryThing member Kiaya40
This is one of my most favorite books now! How come more people haven’t heard of or read this?! Everyone needs to read/ listen to this - I LOVE it! I hope there’s more of this.
Awards
Pacific Northwest Library Association Young Reader's Choice Award (Nominee — Intermediate — 2022)
Lincoln Award: Illinois Teen Readers' Choice Award (Nominee — 2022)
Louisiana Young Readers' Choice Award (Nominee — 2022)
Volunteer State Book Award (Nominee — High School — 2021)
Best Fiction for Young Adults (Selection — 2020)
Tome Society It List (2022)
New York Public Library Best Books: For Teens (Top Ten — 2019)
Texas Lone Star Reading List (2020)
Language
Original language
English
Original publication date
2019-06-04
Physical description
8.25 inches
ISBN
1481497626 / 9781481497626