Sorcery of Thorns by Margaret Rogerson - Restarting December 28th 2021

[As You Wish]

Chapter 3

(view spoiler)[ Ok I am all for the idea of libraries raising orphans, but this is a bit out there! Love the premise of Elisabeth and Katrien being instant besties because of booklice experiments. Kinda freaked out by these books made out of human body parts. Just guessing from the title that this Magister Thorn is going to feature broadly. Does Elisabeth have some kind of magic potential that makes the books respond to her so much? Is that what he’s sensing that makes things weird in that encounter? (hide spoiler)]

[As You Wish]

Chapter 17
(view spoiler)[ I can barely believe she ended up escaping Ashcroft like she did! And I'm glad she realized that Nathaniel is the only person who's going to help her; well, the only person in a position of power who can help her.

“I know what it feels like to have things you can’t say.”

…the way he looked at her was—was—it was like turning a corner and unexpectedly meeting her own gaze in a mirror, in the split second that her startled eyes belonged to a stranger. (hide spoiler)]

[As You Wish]

Chapter 19
(view spoiler)[ Sir Fluffington!
I lol'd so hard at this. And really, how do they not teach librarians that demons disguise themselves as cats? (hide spoiler)]

Chapter 22
(view spoiler)[ When Parsifal figures out who Elisabeth is....and decides on her own she's a spy for the Collegium. That was brilliant. I love that she doesn't take advantage of his gullibility but is actually quite kind and lets him draw his own conclusions even when it conveniently covers up her theft. (hide spoiler)]

[As You Wish]

Chapter 26

(view spoiler)[ The sorcerer's fight in the garden was epic! And so was Elisabeth's decision to help Nathaniel instead of pursue Ashcroft. I know that will make it harder to stop him, but she sees that the role of a defender is one that preserves life above all. (hide spoiler)]

Chapter 27
Best quote:
(view spoiler)[ (On helping Nathaniel summon Silas)
"She would become an outcast from the only world in which she had ever belonged. But her oaths meant nothing if they asked her to forsake people she cared about in their greatest moment of need. If that was what being a warden required of her, then she wasn't meant to become one." (hide spoiler)]

[As You Wish]

Finished
(view spoiler)[ What an ending! I love seeing Elisabeth's perception of Silas change over time....and the fact that his perception of himself and his role in the world also came back to what was good and right. <3 (hide spoiler)]

[Janine]

I'm planning to start tonight/tomorrow, going to be listening to the audiobook.

[Book_Fairy]

May I join in on the fun?

[Janine]

JBask wrote: "Chapter 3

[spoilers removed]"

(view spoiler)[Interesting ideas! I was thinking also about why keep the girl when they were usually sent to orphanages? I bet she does have some type of magical potential. (hide spoiler)]

[Book_Fairy]

JBask wrote: "Chapter 3

[spoilers removed]"

(view spoiler)[ I think that they took in orphans, because even though the director and wardens are strict and in their job they probably become unfeeling, they still have a caring nature. Well Irena and the older guy does, but not Finch, he is a total butt. Plus as Irene says, Elisabeth was in some way meant to be there.

That first scene though, with the Book of eyes, I was listening to it on audiobook, which by the way they have a great narrator for that, but I got freaked out when the Grimoire was talking to Elisabeth.

I do agree that she must have some type of magical ability or potential, she might be not even entirely human.

I kind of liked that interaction between the magister and Elisabeth. I also liked that Irene obviously saw her, but just walked away. I think in many ways Irene thought of Elisabeth as a daughter. (hide spoiler)]

[Book_Fairy]

Janine wrote: "JBask wrote: "Chapter 3

[spoilers removed]"

[spoilers removed]"

(view spoiler)[ I could tell that even from the beginning that there was a connection between the Director and Elisabeth (hide spoiler)]

[Book_Fairy]

JBask wrote: "Chapter 17
(view spoiler)[ As soon as Ashcroft was so nice to her, I knew something was up, and could tell that there was something up. I was yelling at my book, for Nathaniel to not leave her there, but obviously he didn't know.

It's funny I don't understand why, somebody was saying enemies to lovers for this book, I don't really see that. Don't get me wrong, there was nothing wrong with the book, they just seemed more like strangers to reluctant acquaintances to hopefully more later on, at least I am guessing. They are not enemies, there isn't much trust, but they both have been through some crap, so they have every right to not trust someone they barely know.

Anyways off my rant now, I am so happy that she found Nathaniel and Silas, as she knows now that she can trust them, definitely more than anyone else.

One thing I am a little confused about, and maybe this shows more of what is to come, but she had a pretty sheltered life, except for the grimoires, but otherwise pretty sheltered. So the fact that she was able to handle herself so easily with killing first the Malefict and then helped with the Fiends and finally able to get away from the butler and live on the streets basically, confused me a little. Though I was so happy when she was able to see Silas again. (hide spoiler)]

[Book_Fairy]

Chapter 17-20:
I am not sure exactly where this spoiler part is so, it's between these.
(view spoiler)[I love the fight between the Grimoires, and how Elisabeth just says, 'you deserved that,' basically to Throckmorton's Peerage when they got into a fight with Lady Primrose's Complete Handbook of Historical Parsonages and she fights back. I laughed out loud, very loudly. Honestly I just love Lady Primrose, just so much. A book guffawing, and sneering, sounds awesome to think about.

Though, even more than that, I literally did a spit take when, Elisabeth called Silas, Sir Fluffington, when he is in cat form.

I wasn't sure about this book at first, but now absolutely love it.

Oh and I love the cool mirror thing, especially since she can talk to people through it as well. (hide spoiler)]

[Book_Fairy]

JBask wrote: "Chapter 26

[spoilers removed]

Chapter 27
Best quote:
(view spoiler)[ I completely agree with all of that, Elisabeth some real love and caring for Nathaniel, and there was some great character development and growth in the scene, taking down the beliefs that were told to her at such an early age. (hide spoiler)]

[Book_Fairy]

Chapter 30-The End:
(view spoiler)[First off dude I knew it was a pentagram, I was yelling at Elisabeth at that moment.

The battle was so powerful and amazing, I honestly can't believe how somebody could so greatly show love, care, trust, but also amazing selflessness as well. They were so amazing, and that ending with Silas, just wow!! I just am so amazed by all of that. Oh and also bawling like nobody's business. (hide spoiler)]

[Janine]

Chapter 6: (view spoiler)[I'm loving the banter between Nathaniel and the apprentice, the snark and wit are my favorite parts so far. Also, I'm liking, but not loving the book so far, and I wonder if part of it is due to the hype this book has gotten on the internet, thinking I need to fall in love with it. (hide spoiler)]

[Janine]

Chapter 12: (view spoiler)[So Silas is the demon. Interesting bit of magic system here. And Nathaniel is still my favorite character. (hide spoiler)]

[Janine]

Chapter 23: (view spoiler)[I want more Nathaniel, but it seems like they are breaking up! Though it was interesting with the soul in the book and then it going wild. Wonder what the big plan is. (hide spoiler)]

[Janine]

Chapter 28: (view spoiler)[Seems like Silas has "blue and orange morality" and isn't fully understandable to humans. My favorite part of this book is the interactions between Elizabeth, Nathaniel and Silas. (hide spoiler)]

[Janine]

Finished: (view spoiler)[That was a good story and while I'm not 'OMG BEST BOOK EVER', I can see why many love it so much. My favorite parts were Elizabeth and Nathaniel and Silas interactions. It's a shame Silas went away for good at the end, but he saved everyone in doing so. Great ending. (hide spoiler)]

[Maddie]

I'll be starting this in a few days! Finishing up Whispering Door first and then jumping into Cerulean and then this!

[Janine]

JBask wrote: "Finished [spoilers removed]"
Book_Fairy wrote: "Chapter 30-The End: [spoilers removed]"

(view spoiler)[I liked the ending and it was really interesting how Silas went out. The trio now turns into a duo. (hide spoiler)]

[Maddie]

I'm reading this tomorrow!

[Maddie]

So many updates yay!

[Maddie]

Starting now!

[Maddie]

Book_Fairy wrote: "JBask wrote: "Chapter 3

[spoilers removed]"

I think that they took in orphans, because even though the director and wardens are strict and in their job they probably become unfeeling, they still..."

Yes! I'm doing the audio alongside my physical and I agree! Also why is it that men in YA always have black hair -_- I almost hardly ever see black hair in real life actually!

[Maddie]

Janine wrote: "Chapter 6: [spoilers removed]"

I'm the opposite haha I'm already back in love with it. I gave it 5 stars, one of my top 5 of 2020.

[Maddie]

There are the odd sentences of this audio that have a different quality, it's a little annoying

[Maddie]

Time for a gripe in general. Why does it matter whether people's family/friends are 'beautiful'? Eg seeing a portrait of someone's dead parents and calling them beautiful. What's how they got to look do with anything?

[Janine]

Maddie wrote: "There are the odd sentences of this audio that have a different quality, it's a little annoying"

Yeah, that was weird, glad I'm not the only one to catch it.

Maddie wrote: "Time for a gripe in general. Why does it matter whether people's family/friends are 'beautiful'? Eg seeing a portrait of someone's dead parents and calling them beautiful. What's how they got to lo..."

I don't get it. Guess it's a way to connect attraction to the love interest?

[Maddie]

Like what if they were ugly, it doesn't change the fact that they were the parents... It's so sad, who cares what they looked like

[Maddie]

Janine wrote: "Chapter 12: [spoilers removed]"

I loved this development! So interesting!

[Maddie]

Chapter 14 (view spoiler)[Oh wow this is a change! Her memories are gone?

Oh it didn't work haha (hide spoiler)]

[Maddie]

JBask wrote: "Chapter 17
I can barely believe she ended up escaping Ashcroft like she did! And I'm glad she realized that Nathaniel is the only person who's going to help her; well, the only person in a positio..."

I loved that scene in C17! THE ANGST BEGINS! I wonder why (view spoiler)[she's immune as well! (hide spoiler)]

[Maddie]

Book_Fairy wrote: "JBask wrote: "Chapter 17
As soon as Ashcroft was so nice to her, I knew something was up, and could tell that there was something up. I was yelling at my book, for Nathaniel to not leave her there..."

True! I mean she knows nothing about society or how to act around people!

I love the description of the relationship too, I agree!

[Maddie]

JBask wrote: "Chapter 19
Sir Fluffington!
I lol'd so hard at this. And really, how do they not teach librarians that demons disguise themselves as cats?

Chapter 22
[spoilers removed]"

C19: OMG so true! You think they'd be aware!

[Maddie]

Book_Fairy wrote: "Chapter 17-20:
(view spoiler)[I am not sure exactly where this spoiler part is so, it's between these.
I love the fight between the Grimoires, and how Elisabeth just says, 'you deserved that,' basically to Throck..." (hide spoiler)]

I haven't gotten to the fight yet! And I've read Chapter 23 already. Maybe I missed a whole big bit?

[Maddie]

Janine wrote: "Chapter 23: [spoilers removed]"

Uh oh I read this a chapter too early.. Oops! Spoilers!