Sorcery of Thorns Margaret Rogerson – WISE Score & Parent Review | Screenwise

Sorcery of Thorns Margaret Rogerson

Name: Screenwise
Author: Screenwise

book2020

82%

WISE Score

4.4

Amazon

Sentient grimoires, magical libraries, and a girl who learns that maybe sorcerers aren't the real monsters after all.

Sorcery of Thorns Margaret Rogerson

book

2020

82%

WISE Score

4.4

Amazon

Sentient grimoires, magical libraries, and a girl who learns that maybe sorcerers aren't the real monsters after all.

4.4

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Screenwise Verdict

This is what good YA fantasy looks like in 2025: original worldbuilding, a heroine who grows by questioning what she's been taught, and romance that doesn't overshadow the plot. The living grimoires are genuinely creepy and cool, and Rogerson doesn't talk down to her readers.

It's not perfect—some middle sections drag, and the gore might surprise readers expecting pure fluff—but it's miles better than most YA fantasy slush. If your teen loved A Darker Shade of Magic or is aging out of middle-grade but finds adult fantasy too dense, this is the sweet spot.

The themes about prejudice and propaganda are timely without being heavy-handed. And honestly? Any book that makes libraries feel dangerous and exciting deserves points for effort.

Age Fit

Best for ages 13-17, though mature 12-year-olds who love fantasy will devour it. The romance is clean, the themes are age-appropriate, and the violence is fantasy-level (monsters, not people). Adults who love YA fantasy will enjoy it too—it's well-written enough to not feel like homework.

WISE Breakdown

Wholesome

Models strong character growth as Elisabeth questions her biases and learns to see beyond what she's been taught. The romance is age-appropriate and develops naturally alongside themes of trust and cooperation. Some violence and monster battles keep it from being fully gentle, but the emotional core is healthy—friendship, sacrifice, and choosing to do the right thing even when it's hard.

Imaginative

Grimoires that transform into ink-and-leather monsters, magical libraries that are characters themselves, and a world where sorcery comes with real consequences—this is genuinely original YA fantasy. The concept of sentient books that whisper and rattle beneath chains is delightfully weird and specific. It invites readers to reimagine libraries as dangerous, living places rather than retreading Hogwarts or generic magic schools.

Safe

Multiple reviews note it 'might get a little gory at times' with monster battles and some violence, though nothing graphic or traumatic. Rated Reads flags 'a few uses of mild language.' The romance is clean and appropriate. No sexual content, no disturbing themes that would blindside a reader. It's a solid YA fantasy with some action intensity but no major trigger warnings—appropriate for ages 13+ per parent reviews.

Enriching

Tackles prejudice and questioning authority in thoughtful ways—Elisabeth has to unlearn propaganda about sorcerers being inherently evil. Themes of choice, sacrifice, and the power of knowledge run throughout. It's not didactic, but readers will think about how we demonize others and the importance of forming your own judgments. Plus it makes libraries exciting, which is a win for literacy.

Parent Info

✓

Why It Might Be Great

Genuinely original premise—books as dangerous, living creatures is delightfully weird and makes libraries feel thrilling instead of dusty
Elisabeth's character arc about unlearning prejudice and questioning authority is thoughtful without being preachy
The romance develops slowly and feels earned, not instalove nonsense
Perfect for kids burned out on generic magic school stories who want something fresh but still comforting
Makes reading and libraries look cool, which is always a parenting win

⚠

What to Watch For

Some monster battles get gory—ink and leather creatures aren't cuddly, and there's violence when grimoires transform
Pacing is slower in places; this is a character-driven story, not nonstop action
Best for confident readers who can handle 450+ pages and some complex worldbuilding

Conversation Starters

"Elisabeth was taught that all sorcerers are evil. Have you ever believed something about a group of people and then learned it wasn't true?"
"The grimoires are dangerous but also valuable—how do you decide when something risky is worth keeping around?"
"Nathaniel is supposed to be the enemy but becomes Elisabeth's ally. When have you had to work with someone you didn't expect to like?"
"What would a library full of living, dangerous books actually be like? Which book would you most want to see come alive?"

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