An instant New York Times bestseller “A Harry Potter-esque adventure.” –Time MagazineA breathtaking, enchanting new series by debut author Jessica Townsend, about a cursed girl who escapes death and finds herself in a magical world–but is then tested beyond her wildest imaginationMorrigan Crow is cursed. Having been born on Eventide, the unluckiest day for any child to be born, she’s blamed for … Eventide, the unluckiest day for any child to be born, she’s blamed for all local misfortunes, from hailstorms to heart attacks–and, worst of all, the curse means that Morrigan is doomed to die at midnight on her eleventh birthday.
But as Morrigan awaits her fate, a strange and remarkable man named Jupiter North appears. Chased by black-smoke hounds and shadowy hunters on horseback, he whisks her away into the safety of a secret, magical city called Nevermoor.
It’s then that Morrigan discovers Jupiter has chosen her to contend for a place in the city’s most prestigious organization: the Wundrous Society. In order to join, she must compete in four difficult and dangerous trials against hundreds of other children, each boasting an extraordinary talent that sets them apart–an extraordinary talent that Morrigan insists she does not have. To stay in the safety of Nevermoor for good, Morrigan will need to find a way to pass the tests–or she’ll have to leave the city to confront her deadly fate.
Perfect for fans of the Harry Potter series and Neil Gaiman, this fast-paced plot and imaginative world has a fresh new take on magic that will appeal to a new generation of readers.
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This was such a fun read! Yes it’s a middle grade book ( Judge me!). I initially looked at it because I saw Morrigan Crow so no matter the synopsis (or reading level) I was going for it. Great world building, storyline, characters. Very much looking forward to the next one…whenever that comes out 🙁
I breezed right through this book, which is saying something as it is a bit long for the middle grade genre (approx. 450 pages). But the action kept me turning the pages as well as the mysterious goings on in Nevermoor. There is a lot in this book that is left unexplained until the very end and even then we still don’t know what’s to come. But that’s what sequels are for right? (fingers crossed!)
There were some good lessons for middle graders in this book, including lessons about bullying, having differences, and judging books by their covers, so to speak. I think kids would relate to Morrigan Crow and her friend, Hawthorne. I think they would also enjoy the idea of escaping to somewhere magical and learning that there is something special about them. I wouldn’t be surprised if this new world Jessica Townsend has created becomes the next craze in middle grade fantasy fiction. Have we finally found the next Harry Potter? Only time will tell…but I’m anxious for Morrigan’s next adventure. Until then, step boldly!
Read full review at: KaitsBookshelf.com
Nevermoor: the Trials of Morrigan Crow
A complete delight, and not even just by middle grade standards. The bare bones of the story (Morrigan Crow is cursed, until she’s swept into a new world to compete for a place in a fantastic society) is not terribly original, but it’s filled with wonderful characters and the book has real heart. It’s not some “Harry Potter but with a girl” knockoff, it’s really a fun story on its own merit.