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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Nevermoor: the Trials of Morrigan Crow is the first book that made me feel like I did when reading Harry Potter for the first time. Inventive, magical, and hilarious! My kids have enjoyed the audiobook played on repeat. We’ve gobbled up the sequel, Wundersmith and can’t wait for the third book, Hollowpox: the Hunt for Morrigan Crow.
This was my favorite book of 2018. I cannot wait to read the second book soon!
As someone who works with kids, I can’t tell you how happy I am when a middle-grade book comes along that isn’t afraid to be fantastical, yet serious. So much of what is written anymore for children is simple and silly, but the first book in the Nevermoor series is neither of those. Morrigan Crow is a sympathetic character who, while plagued with the threat of imminent death throughout the course of the book, chooses to still enjoy and learn about her new home. The more “fantasy” type characters, such as Fenestra the Magnificant, are somehow realistic. If my cats could talk, I now know what they would be like. Of course, as in any book with a “chosen one” vibe going on, there is an adult mentor character who knows all the answers, but refuses to share them. I don’t understand this trope, and find it frustrating in the extreme, but it didn’t taint my appreciation for the book. I look forward to reading the rest of the series.
Reread August 2021 – my daughter and I loved this for a reread. It was such a fun, magical adventure, where a girl who has always felt less than finds out she’s secretly special. The descriptions of knacks seemed very fun and interesting.
4.5 This was really fun. I can see the Harry Potter comparisons, for me it’s kind of HP meets Furthermore.
this book is really pleasing, I definitely recommend to any middle schoolers out there like myself.
This is an incredible book, especially for teenagers, or kids 10 and more. It’s got magic, societies, and a cursed person. You’ll have to read it to find out more, but I personally enjoyed this book very much.
Morrigan Crow is cursed. Because she was born on Eventide, which occurs every eleven years, she’s blamed for broken bones, lost spelling bees, and almost every other misfortune in her dismal little town. Even worse, she’s doomed to die on the next Eventide.
Yet, when the ominous day arrives, a daring rescuer helps her escape to a magical city that judges her by who she is and what she can do, not when she was born. There’s only one catch. To stay safe in her new life, she needs to prove she’s worth it. Can she?
The opening scene intrigued me, but it was Morrigan herself who kept me reading. Snarky and brave despite her miserable life and unloving father, she never gives up, even when facing imminent death in her hometown. Later, in her magical new home, she stumbles and makes mistakes. Still, she stays true to her personality and recovers because of her own determination, good-heartedness, and willingness to change her mind.
I appreciated that Morrigan’s life was more than just crisis after crisis. Things don’t always go how she wants, she’s tested in ways she never expected, but she has triumphs, like making her first friend ever, along with the difficulties. I loved watching her blossom in her adopted world.
The book’s humor was subtle, often snarky, and the author sustained it throughout—a difficult trick to pull off!
You can read my entire review at my blog: https://mwritingsmall.com/nevermoor-mg-book-review/
Book 4 towards my goal of 240! 3.5/5 stars for this Middle Grade Adventure story! Loved each of the characters, really enjoyed the story. Just felt a bit long at times. I’ll definitely be continuing the series! Love the cover, narration wasn’t my favorite, but still enjoyable!
I loved this adventure that reminded me of Harry Potter and also S. J. Howland’s Haven series. There is a level of whimsy in the world-building that was great fun. Morrigan is a cursed child without a real family, but discovers she may be more than she thought. Isn’t that every misfit’s dream? So far, I have loved the whole series!
As someone who grew up reading fantasy written for kids or otherwise, I still like a good kids fantasy novel every so often. Nevermoor is another take on the magical school genre which is lots of fun. Morrigan is a great heroine and the world is really well done. I’m just about to read the third book in the series.
Wow. saying im addicted to this series is an understatement. Remember when you were a kid and discovered C.S. lewis or the hobbit or Willy Wonka or “The Witches”? if you’re a book nerd you spend years chasing that rush. Not to say you don’t fall in love with books along the way. You find other amazing worlds that cage your attention. But that rush of wanting to visit those worlds, even without a story to go along with it, that’s the tricky bit to hunt down. This is one of those books. Nevermind the crazy story, or the fact you have no idea what wondrous sights will show up next, you will want to just be in Nevermoor. The engaging plot and eccentric character are a bonus.
What a weird world Townsend has built for us to enjoy. Talk about whimsy! My absolute never favorite book.
Overall, it was enjoyable, but I don’t have any intention of continuing on in the series. I’m a sucker for a gloomy, dark witted main character which was the main reason why I bothered to finish the novel at all. The story reminded me a lot of the Harry Potter series, just with less world-building.
For my full review, please visit: http://www.krwardbookreview.com/
A-M-A-Z-I-N-G
LOL
Middle-grade fantasy in a whimsical world (Harry Potter meets Alice in Wonderland ). Morrigan must face some difficult and dangerous trials to be chosen by the Wunder Society, save the face of her patron Jupiter North and stay safe from the terrifying hunting pack of smoke and shadow.
There’re definite hints of Douglas Adams’ humour in this great introduction to Morrigan Crow and Nevermoor. Magic, mistrust and nonsense are definitely at the front of Jessica Townsend’s mind when she writes and this is worth the investment on so many levels, for adults and children alike.
Morrigan Crow believes she is cursed. Her awful family reminds her of this constantly, and everyone in her dreary town is afraid of her. So Morrigan isn’t expecting anyone to take her on as an apprentice and is amazed when Jupiter North of the Wundrous Society tells her she has been chosen to become a member. The Wundrous Society is a mysterious and exclusive magical group, and Jupiter whisks her away to Nevermoor, the most amazing and wonderful city Morrigan has ever seen. She now has a home in Jupiter’s Hotel Deucalion, new friends, and new problems. For everyone at the Wundrous Society School has a magical talent, and Morrigan has none.
This young adult novel is along the lines of Harry Potter and other Schools of Magic stories, but has its own voice. Young readers will identify with Morrigan’s struggles to fit in and find her true self. Older readers, like me, will enjoy the highly imaginative world of Nevermoor, the charming characters, and fast-paced plot.
Think of a mixture of Charlie and the Chocolate Factory and Harry Potter! Very fun read!
Wow, Nevermoor really got me. A tragic young heroine thinks she’s marked for death, but instead finds herself literally in another world — one of magic and mystery. What’s really going on is left murky for a long time, to Morrigan’s frustration, but she gets just enough hints to keep going. And so do we readers! This is a compelling read, especially appealing for girls because of the strong female protagonist. Upper Elementary and Middle School readers at my library are eating this up. We can’t wait for the next book!
I absolutely loved Nevermoor. Te world, the character, the plot. The whole darn thing!