#mysteries of thorn manor

[marrogerson]

On the darkest day of the year, I bring you a winter’s tale! This short story is set between Sorcery of Thorns and Mysteries of Thorn Manor, told from Silas’s perspective about a week after his return. It will be posted online in five installments, with a chapter per day leading up to Christmas.

I borrowed the idea of using AO3 as a platform from the magnificent @what-eats-owls, who paved the way with her collection of Little Thieves short stories, The Fallow Year. The Fallow Year is bookmarked on my AO3 page for anyone who hasn’t checked it out yet, which I highly recommend.

Please note, since I don’t want to disappoint anyone, this story is Silas-focused and doesn’t feature on-page appearances by Elisabeth and Nathaniel, though they’re often in his thoughts. I can’t wait for you to meet the glamorous dressmaker Lady Tremayne, who sprang to life in my imagination as I was writing Mysteries of Thorn Manor and hasn’t left me since.

An additional thank you to @glitterghost whose last minute AO3 invite allowed me to share this with you all in time for the holidays.

[deceitfulapple-eatingscoundrel]

Visit emmagilletteart for some fun dialogue between the 3 during the portrait sitting.

[thewiddershinsme]

Finished Sorcery of Thorns by Margaret Rogerson! Full spoilers below:

-I knew I was going to like this book by the end of the first chapter. It’s basically as though the author knew my favorite part of Lirael (in fact my favorite part of the Abhorsen series) was the Library, and decided to write a book just on that. Perfect, it’s just what I wanted.

-Nathaniel is hilarious, I was kinda rolling my eyes that Elisabeth was not picking up that he was teasing her, and had to chalk it up to her growing up as a feral librarian.

-Elisabeth being tall and super strong due to spending her formative years with magic books and dust was such a fun reveal. I had started to notice that she seemed to be a good deal more physically durable than everyone else, but it was so subtle I was thinking it was an author oversite.

-as soon as Ashcroft was introduced, he just screamed “Here is the villain! Right here!”

-Ashcroft’s great-great-grandfather must’ve been inspired by Fullmetal Alchemist Brotherhood to design the country around the BIG END OF THE WORLD PLAN

-Elisabeth was a great character. Logical steps in her problem solving (if sometimes a bit more idealistic than should be which again fits her solitary circumstances growing up); eager to swing a crowbar or sword at any foe; suspicious of magic (at first) but still practical enough to use the tools she has available; direct in her interactions; and not whiny at all. That’s pretty big actually, there could’ve been so much drama and angst with her falling in love with Nathaniel and having torn loyalties between her place with the Library and her potentially being forever banned for becoming involved with a sorcerer. Instead, their relationship was refreshingly easy: she spent time with him, fell in love, and simply accepted that fact without bemoaning the possible costs. As she said, “they suit each other” (which is one of my favorite romantic tropes, two people who just quietly became accustomed to the other and now are inseparable). Once Nathaniel became dear to her, that was that, and there was no internal monologue doubting her choice or wishing she had fallen in love with someone else or any relationship drama which was refreshing. And of course, it was obvious Nathaniel had fallen for her from almost the get-go.

-Silas was the best character. Loved every interaction he had with Elisabeth and Nathaniel. And I adored the Epilogue (that is how books should end, not suddenly after the action stops but with breathing room to show how everyone ends up). And the final summoning? I was just grinning realizing that it worked

-I enjoyed this book more than Enchantment of Ravens, mostly cause magical Libraries are right up my alley, and I felt more satisfied with this ending than with Enchantment of Ravens’ ending. It’s a great standalone that doesn’t need another book, but am still slightly disappointed that there isn’t a whole series about Elisabeth and Nathaniel and Silas and this entire very cool world.

-there is the sequel novella I’m reading next (Mysteries of Thorn Manor) which I know I’m gonna enjoy

[todaysanother]

[the-knights-who-say-book]

silas is like. as an immortal demon the number of years i have seen and masters i have outlived weighs on me until it feels like i am sinking in quicksand, to be buried alive in the inescapable onslaught of time. and worst of all i will live to see the rise of fast fashion

[satrnstarz]

margaret rogerson could write a thousand novellas about the sorcery of thorns characters just living their lives and having random adventures and i would read all of them

[ugly-lizard-crab-thing]

I am obsessed with the MoTM Silas epilogue. Like. What Was That. He happily thinks about how he created problems on purpose (the main plot of this book!!) to get the two teenagers he takes care of to progress their relationship. Literally a kid making his dolls kiss. He thinks about planning their wedding in the same breath with reminiscing about how he kidnapped tortured and murdered a man!! And then he summons the fucking void garbage disposal to shred a a dress he thinks is ugly. The garbage disposal tells him all the other demons want to kill him and his response is "lol". The most character ever

[lily-from-fire]

"It was no use listening to demons, Elisabeth told herself. They were liars. Deceivers. Untrustworthy to the core. Except when they weren't."

- Sorcery of Thorns by Margaret Rogerson

[deathsweetblossoms]

She would battle villains, demons, monsters to keep him safe. If she could, she would even battle his memories.

Mysteries of Thorn Manor

(2023 favorite reads)

[alystar00]

Elisabeth and Nathaniel: *screaming*

Silas: Mistress! What's wrong?!

Nathaniel: WHY ARE YOU ONLY ASKING ELISABETH?! WE'RE BOTH SCREAMING!

Silas: Because the mistress doesn't scream unless it's an emergency. You scream whenever you have the chance.

[marrogerson]

The final chapter is now live! I've so enjoyed going on this journey with you, and I hope this story has helped brighten your holidays even just a little. Merry Christmas if you celebrate, and my warmest wishes to all.

[theravenflawed]

nathaniel thorn and cardan greenbriar really said "wow, a girl who wakes up and chooses violence <33"

[booktineus]

[haveyoureadthisfantasybook2]

vote yes if you have finished the entire book. vote no if you have not finished the entire book.

(faq · submit a book)

[todaysanother]

[detectivefable]

just finished mysteries of thorn manor and I’m now bringing back the dank memes (Non meme Art is Charlie Bowater)