Sorcery of Thorns

"This was pretty dang good for a YA novel. The premise was intriguing and I was immediately sucked in. I liked how the author didn’t word vomit all the exposition and just naturally world built as you kept reading. I can’t stand when authors use huge blocks of pages to explain something that they could just demonstrate through actions and events. This novel just made the world building seem natural. The plot of someone sabotaging the Great Libraries and Elisabeth being pulled into the fray was also very gripping, but I will admit that the plot lost steam as the book went on. As soon as Elisabeth was in Ashcroft’s manor, all the tension and suspense that had been built up diminished. It wasn’t done away with entirely but it just didn’t have the effect that the beginning was building up to. The beginning was so good and, in comparison, the rest of the big events lacked luster. That being said, where the novel really shined was the relationships between the character, especially between Elisabeth, Nathaniel and Silas. They were very 3 dimensional and every interaction between the 3 added to the character growth. Nathaniel and Elisabeth had so much great chemistry and banter right from the start that you immediately root for them and Silas was by far the most interesting character. I also loved how despite Elisabeth stereotypically being an orphan her arc was not about wondering about her parents or why they left her at the library. She embraced that element of her identity and didn’t shy away from it. It was refreshing to see. Her real arc about her naïveté from being locked away from the world transforming into a grave understanding that nothing is black and white, that even demons can have good in them, was extremely well executed. Awesome read!"

"I think this would have soared as a shorter novel. It started incredibly strong but really started to show its cracks around the halfway point. Everything was incredibly convenient, and the lack of consequences honestly made me feel a little cheated by the end of the book. Before it began to drag it really was a lovely read. The characters were loveable and the world was wonderfully whimsical."

"Magic, demons, sorcerers... it's all there. I liked the way the spellbooks actually become alive in this story. It makes the idea of a "librarian" a lot more dangerous. "

"Nice read but I prefer her other book “An Enchantment of Raven”."

"Just so much fun to read!"

"Fun Read. Good set up, characters are highly likeable. I am in love with Silas. Elisabeth and Nathaniel so cute. Cannot wait for book two. friendship goals, found Family trope. I give this a 5 star solely for the comfort and joy it brought me"

"3.5/5"

"A slower start and lacked the world building, but ultimately became a favorite. I felt all the feels while reading and continued to think about the characters many days later. A good intro to the Romantacy genre. 7/10."

"Incredible book! If you love young adult fantasy, this is a must read!"

"I liked how light it was, but still original. How she didn't need to have some wretched backstory to a main hero. Loved the demon. A very fulfilling read. Kinda reminds me of deadly education but medieval."