Sorcery of Thorns - Margaret Rogerson

"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."

I enjoyed this book. It was a fun and aesthetically unique fantasy romp. The characters, while not unique in their archetypes, where funny, relatable and loveable. Rogerson's dialogue between protagonists is witty and suitably banter-y. Nathaniel Thorn was easily my favourite character being wonderfully sarcastic and also bisexual. Yay representation! Rogerson's writing is also brilliant. Her rendering of scenes left me breathless with detailed images in my mind that I would want to paint if I had any artistic skill. Small interactions deepen characterisation and there are many imminently quotable passages, with much of Silas's dialogue being truly terrifying.  

Plot wise, it was predictable, which is not exactly a bad thing and there were enough plot twists to keep me engaged. The concept of this book was astonishing, the world building was interesting and truly the selling point. The atmosphere of the Libraries, the steampunk world, the statues coming to life, ladies with swords down their dress, demon footmen. Just impeccable. All of it was just excellent. 

However what let me down was that some plot elements just weren't explained, or explained really really badly. I mean the reason that the books listen to Elisabeth, the big reveal...is because she grew up in a Library. That's it. All the previously murderous books suddenly treating her like she is a beloved niece...is because she grew up in a Library...I am sorry but what! That is such a boring and lazy reason and it really felt like Rogerson didn't really know what to say. 

I appreciated the unique concept and world that she tried to convey. I was aware of her intentions and inspiration with the whimsical world building, snarky love interest, secretly soft demon, etc. Unfortunately there was no romantic chemistry between the couple at all, (they felt like siblings to me), and the villain is one-dimensional and moustache-twirling. There are definite merits to this book and I appreciate the effort to create a unique type of fantasy story, and while it wont win any awards, it was fun and enjoyable. 

Age Rating 14+ Nothing untoward. Some low level fantasy violence and kissing.