Review: Sorcery of Thorns by Margaret Rogerson

Sorcery of Thorns

Margaret Rogerson

Publication Date: June 4, 2019

Hardcover, 453 pages, Margaret K. McElderry

Genres: YA, Fantasy

Goodreads

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.

As her alliance with Nathaniel grows stronger, Elisabeth starts to question everything she’s been taught—about sorcerers, about the libraries she loves, even about herself. For Elisabeth has a power she has never guessed, and a future she could never have imagined.

My Review

If you love books about books and characters similar to Cassandra Clare’s Infernal Devices trilogy, then this story is definitely for you. It has magic and demons and cats and romance. It has everything a booklover could want.

I adored Sorcery of Thorns. I actually tabbed lines (which I rarely, if ever do) because it has so many beautiful sentences and paragraphs about books. Rogerson’s quotes are great for readers. They just make reading so much more magical. The quotes combined with the Victorian-esque fantasy world really lend to the Clockwork Angel feel.

Like I mentioned, the characters of the book are super similar to Tessa and Will, not in species, but in demeanor. Elisabeth is totally Tessa Gray. She’s strong, brave, and loves reading. I very much enjoyed her. And Nathaniel is a cinnamon roll more so than Will was, but he’s still pretty similar in his tragic backstory—just no fear of ducks. Plus, Nathaniel is bi! Though we don’t really get anything more than a brief mention of it. Boo…

The only character I didn’t really care for in this story was the villain. He wasn’t super villainy. Actually, he was kind of predictable, and he needed more substance, especially towards the end. Speaking of the end, the chapters before the final chapters were somewhat hard to follow at times. Maybe it was just me, but it was difficult to picture what Elisabeth was doing when everything was going to hell. Despite this, the actual true ending hurt me. It was very dramatic, in a good way. And the books! The library! Not gonna lie, they made me cry. Books are such a generous creation.

All in all, Sorcery of Thorns destroyed me. It made me cry. It made me laugh. And it ripped me to pieces. What else should I have expected from a book about books? I loved it.

*Note: I purchased a copy of this book myself. This in no way affected my opinion/review.

Review: Diplomatic Immunity by Brodi Ashton

Diplomatic Immunity

Brodi Ashton

Publication Date: September 6, 2016

Hardcover, 368 pages, Balzer + Bray

Genres: YA, Contemporary

B&N | Book Depository | Amazon | Goodreads

Aspiring reporter Piper Baird decides to write a scathing exposé on the overprivileged students at an elite Washington, DC, school, only for her life to change when she begins to fall for the story's main subject, in this new realistic contemporary romance from Brodi Ashton, the author of the Everneath trilogy.

Raucous parties, privileged attitudes, underage drinking, and diplomatic immunity...it’s all part of student life on Embassy Row.

Piper Baird has always dreamed of becoming a journalist. So when she scores a scholarship to exclusive Chiswick Academy in Washington, DC, she knows it’s her big opportunity. Chiswick offers the country’s most competitive prize for teen journalists—the Bennington scholarship—and winning will ensure her acceptance to one of the best schools in the country.

Piper isn’t at Chiswick for two days before she witnesses the intense competition in the journalism program—and the extreme privilege of the young and wealthy elite who attend her school. And Piper knows access to these untouchable students just might give her the edge she’ll need to blow the lid off life at the school in a scathing and unforgettable exposé worthy of the Bennington.

The key to the whole story lies with Rafael Amador, the son of the Spanish ambassador—and the boy at the center of the most explosive secrets and scandals on Embassy Row. Rafael is big trouble—and when he drops into her bedroom window one night, asking for help, it’s Piper’s chance to get the full scoop. But as they spend time together, Piper discovers that despite his dark streak, Rafael is smart, kind, funny, and gorgeous—and she might have real feelings for him. How can she break the story of a lifetime if it could destroy the boy she just might love?

My Review

I haven’t read a Brodi Ashton book in soooo long. When I picked this one up, I hadn’t realized how much I missed Brodi’s writing style. Diplomatic Immunity is a charismatic and fun adventure with a relatable protagonist.

Okay, so Piper Baird isn’t the most relatable character ever. She is a little obsessed with journalism; however, her conversations had me cracking up. As someone who has my own in-my-head conversations and then forces my random thoughts on others, Piper’s voice was super relatable. Thankfully, though, Piper has much more amusing talks with more interesting people than I typically do. *cough* cute guys *cough*

Now, something I didn’t like quite as much about Piper was her decision to write the exposé in the first place. I’m not sure what she really thought would happen if it ever got released into the public. I think any reader could see this as a Mean Girls Burn Book situation.

Other than that little issue, this book was a surprise through and through. I was smiling so much throughout the entire read. It was just a fun, romantic story. Rafael was a sweet love interest, if a little troubled at times, and Piper’s friends and family were very supportive and present. I do, however, wish there was more with the family and friends towards the end. I just wanted more!

All in all, this was a great read. I flipped through it so fast and kept giggling throughout, so if you’re looking for a fun, plot-driven YA contemporary romance, I’d highly suggest Diplomatic Immunity. It’s a perfect read for fans of Kasie West or Stephanie Perkins.

*Note: I borrowed a copy of this book from my local library. This in no way affected my opinion/review.