Parents' Guide to

Sorcery of Thorns

By Michael Berry, Common Sense Media Reviewer

age 13+

Book-loving girl fights demons in captivating high fantasy.

Book Margaret Rogerson Fantasy 2019
Sorcery of Thorns Poster Image

A Lot or a Little?

What you will—and won't—find in this book.

Community Reviews

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age 14+

Based on 2 parent reviews

ThatOnePerson626
ThatOnePerson626 Parent of 14-year-old
April 30, 2023
age 11+

An easy read, and a remarkable story!

Such an amazing story! Fantasy Romance is my #1 comfort genre, and this definitely made me happy. This book gives you many opportunities to romanticize beautiful visuals in your head as you read. It might get a little gory at times, but the plot is a bit of a distractor from that. Such a good book! I recommend it 100%!

This title has:

Educational value
Great messages
Great role models
KendraBell
KendraBell Adult
January 28, 2021
age 16+

A dark and riveting page turner

As a writer, teacher and mom, I was excited to read this book, since it has been so highly reviewed. The author is an excellent writer. I was hooked from the beginning! Lots of twists and turns that keep you guessing. What hasn’t been mentioned, to take note of, is that is a dark novel. For example, many of the books in the library are made of human body parts. There are many occult references- such as the pentagram, human sacrifice, and being in debt to demons. I am not one for horror, and some scenes bothered me even though I am an adult. The lines between good and evil are blurred, which makes the story interesting, but also keeps it dark. This is why I gave it a higher age rating. The main character is relatable, clumsy, yet courageous and selfless. She has to break the rules and “bad things” like stealing for the greater good. The risks keep it intriguing! It might be an interesting conversation to have with your child about ethical dilemmas. Ex. Is it ever right to steal? How would you have responded in Elisabeth’s situation?

This title has:

Great messages
Too much violence
See all 2 parent reviews

What's the Story?

As SORCERY OF THORNS opens, Elisabeth discovers an act of sabotage in her beloved Great Library. One of the magical books has transformed into a monster, and the director of the institution has been killed. Elisabeth is accused of the crime and spirited away from the town to be held captive. Fortunately, she captures the attention of sorcerer Nathaniel and his demon man-servant Silas. Together, the three of them investigate a centuries-old conspiracy that threatens to destroy the kingdom's other Libraries and tear apart the very fabric of the universe.

Is It Any Good?

Our review:
Parents say (2 ):
Kids say (13 ):

Every complicated novel of high fantasy doesn't need to be part of a series, and this well-constructed, slyly amusing magical adventure satisfies as a stand-alone tale. The core of the narrative is the prickly relationship between Elisabeth and Nathaniel, whose antagonistic banter belies their growing attraction. It's not difficult to intuit the plot's final destination, but author Margaret Rogerson plants plenty of action-packed obstacles in the characters' paths. Elisabeth and Nathaniel are captivating main characters, but it is often Silas and other members of the supporting cast who get the best lines. Readers of high fantasy with a sense of humor will enjoy this book. They should look forward to Rogerson's next novel, whether it returns to this well-built world or not.

Talk to Your Kids About ...

  • Families can talk about how Sorcery of Thorns uses standard fantasy elements to tell a new story. Why do stories about sorcerers and demons remain popular? What's so appealing about the idea of magic?

  • Silas is a demon whom Elisabeth does not trust. How do people learn to trust each other? What kinds of behavior foster that quality?

  • Sorcery of Thorns features a character who's a corrupt leader. What causes political figures to do evil things? How can their illegal acts be exposed and made public?

Book Details

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