Hey all, Dani here.
Welcome back to yet another review for Middle Grade March. I do believe that today’s review is the last one of my backlog (for Middle Grade reads, anyway). Starting next week I’ll be reviewing books that I’ve read so far this month, which might actually mean a few bonus posts. But don’t hold me to that, because life is about to get extremely hectic as we begin our two week moving process.
Anyway, let’s just go ahead and jump into the review.
Summary
A 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 imagination.
Morrigan Crow is cursed. Having been born on 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.
My Thoughts
Rating: 5 stars
I originally received an ARC of this book during BookExpo in 2017, fully meaning to read it before it was released in October. That ended up not happening, but I did finally pick this book up in January and read it during Books & Munches January Jam Jar Readathon…and I am now mad at myself for not reading it sooner (I’m also reading the sequel now, so clearly I enjoyed this book).
From the beginning you feel bad for Morrigan Crow. She is blamed for so much just because of when she was born. And everyone blames her anytime something goes wrong in town. From blaming her for bad weather because she commented about how lovely the day was, or being blamed for another child losing at a spelling bee because she wished him luck. She just has a rather lonely and unfortunate childhood.
That all changes (sort-of) when she is whisked off to Nevermoor, where she escapes the curse saying she’ll die at midnight on her eleventh birthday. But it is also where she has to figure her way through these trials so she can join the Wundrous Society and stay in this wondrous place where she has begun to find a home.
I loved all the time in Nevermoor, especially the awesome and whimsical hotel where Jupiter and Morrigan live. It was just such a fun and magical read, and I bet that the sequel will give me even more Harry Potter vibes because it is supposed to take place in a school.
Seriously, I thought this book was such a lovely and fun reading experience. I read this book so quickly, and I’m sort of sad about that, but I still definitely enjoyed the time. I’m hoping that this will be a good sized series, because I am definitely smitten with this awesome Middle Grade series.
Where to Buy
You can pick up this book from Amazon, Barnes & Noble, Books-a-million, Book Depository, or your local independent bookstore.
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