Sorcery of Thorns
By Michael Berry,
Common Sense Media Reviewer
Common Sense Media Reviewers
Book-loving girl fights demons in captivating high fantasy.
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What you will—and won't—find in this book.
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Based on 2 parent reviews
An easy read, and a remarkable story!
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A dark and riveting page turner
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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?
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
- Author: Margaret Rogerson
- Genre: Fantasy
- Topics: Magic and Fantasy , Adventures , Great Girl Role Models
- Book type: Fiction
- Publisher: McElderry Books
- Publication date: June 4, 2019
- Number of pages: 456
- Available on: Nook, Audiobook (unabridged), Hardback, iBooks, Kindle
- Last updated: June 28, 2019
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