I absolutely adored this book. From the first page it had me enthralled with it’s gripping plot. Morrigan is a brilliant character that you love to follow and I can’t wait to find out what happens next

Not my usual read but wanted to try it for future years for my grandchildren. The ebook from NetGalley had some serious formatting issues which detracted from the reading but I persevered. The underlying story shows potential in that it provides the background for future adventures. There was some interesting wordplay in names that caused amusement and clear imagery.

4.5 Stars.

Nevermoor: The Trials of Morrigan Crow by Jessica Townsend is just wonderful! It's full of charm, and is just completely magical! I really enjoyed it!

Morrigan as a character is pretty awesome. She believes she is the cause for all the misfortune experienced by the people around her because of her curse, because that's what everyone else believes, and they treat her accordingly. She's not really loved by her family. The opposite to what you expect from fantasy, Morrigan is special, but in a bad way. She's not a hero, she's not the chosen one, she's a girl just trying hard not to cause bad things happening to others. Then she is whisked away to Nevermoor, is told it's all rubbish, she isn't cursed (though she doesn't believe it), and is treated like any other person. Not special at all. She doesn't even have a knack - a special talent that is to be shared in the last of four trials to get into the Wundrous Society, the Show Trial. Although not having a knack is a worry, she revels in how wonderfully normal she is in Nevermoor, and how people like her, are nice to her, and want to be her friend. And Morrigan shows spunk, without being reckless; she's not a frightened little mouse, and she will stand up for herself. She's just great!

However, it's her patron Jupiter North who I loved! Oh, how I adore him! He reminded me very strongly of Doctor Who - not any Doctor in particular, just a possible future regeneration. He's quirky, eccentric, and such an oddball. But also intelligent and wise and very caring. He owns a hotel, the Deucalion, that has magical bedrooms that transform to suit who sleeps in them, and other fantastical rooms that just put me in mind of the Tardis. I have to say I really wish we saw more of him, but he is a very busy Wundrous Society member, and has things to do. I also loved Head of Housekeeping, Fenestra the Magnificat - a giant talking cat who is always in a bad mood, Frank, the vampire dwarf, who is always just a little mischievous, and Dame Chanda, another member of the Wundrous Society, an operatic singer who attracts woodland animals, beautiful and classy and glamourous (who reminded me a lot of Nana from Sing). Nevermoor is full of such fantastic characters, and I loved getting to know them all.

The trials, though, weren't as big a deal as I expected them to be. They weren't quite as "difficult and dangerous" as I was expecting. Although Morrigan herself got worked up about them, they felt quite tame. This is a children's book, though, and I'm sure to younger readers, the trials will leave them sitting on the edge of their seat. But as the trials are in the title of the book, I expected them to last a hell of a lot longer than they did. They were over pretty quickly, and, for me, felt anti-climatic. I just expected more, especially when Morrigan will be kicked out if she doesn't pass them. But I also expected them to be more of an event, whereas they felt like just another chapter. As I've said, the book is full of charm, and I did enjoy reading it, but having finished it, I also think it was a little slow. There are lots of chapters where nothing much of any import to the overall plot happens. Of course, something is always happening, something delightful and captivating, but more often than not, not anything that makes a difference to the story - it's just life in Nevermoor, life at the Deucalion. But as I enjoyed it all, I don't know if it's really a bad thing. It will all definitely wow the younger readers.

The link made to the Harry Potter series is apt but also unfair, I think. I can understand why the link was made, there is something familiar about Nevermoor, and it's quite easy to see the parallels - a miserable child who is treated badly by their family, who is whisked away by a strange man to a magical place where they are accepted - but I do think making the link between any book and Harry Potter can create certain expectations that the reader shouldn't have. Harry Potter is huge, after all, and I think putting that pressure on an author is really unfair. Despite the few similarities, Nevermoor isn't Harry Potter, the story is completely different - Nevermoor is its own story, and one that should stand on its own merits. And it's completely enchanting.

Nevermoor definitely feels like a children's book, but that's not to say it doesn't have crossover appeal. Adults who enjoy reading beautiful and charming children's books will enjoy Nevermoor, too, but it's not a book that feels like it's for all ages. The writing is completely captivating, and I can imagine it being a great book for parents to read to their child; the child being awed by the magical things that are happening, the adult being drawn in by the writing and the wit, and just how lovely it is.

A really enjoyable read, and I'm really looking forward to seeing where the story goes in book two!

Thank you to Orion Children's Books for the bookseller's reading copy.

Thanks Netgalley and the Publisher. How I loved this book and all the characters in it. Can't wait for the next installment

My egalley of this had some serious formatting issues - I couldn't get past the first chapter. Hey ho, I'll keep an eye out for it at the library, because I'm still interested

I got this to read with my children. And we all loved it! This is a magical story about a magical (and cursed) girl. It's one of those books which so beautifully creates another world that you get lost in it. There are going to be the obvious comparisons with Harry Potter but this is a beautiful novel in its own right. As soon as my nine year old finished it he asked for book 2. He, like me, will have to wait. Can't recommend this book enough.

My 10 yr old daughter thought this book waa magical ans loved the characters

Nevermoor: The Trials of Morrigan Crow by Jessica Townsend


What a jacket synopsis! Intrigued? You should be. Now this is one of the first books that's been compared to Harry Potter that I feel lives up to the expectations. I loved it.

And just pause again to look at this stunning hardback - as gorgeous naked as with the dust jacket.

Now I received a review copy through Netgalley but I was enjoying it so much and I spotted the beauty that was this edition, and I knew I would regret not owning it, so I bought it and switched to reading from real paper.

Now. Because of the comparisons to Harry Potter there will inevitably be some comparisons made but in my view they are all positive.

Child gets whisked away to a wonderous world from a not particularly pleasant life. Check. Although, unlike the muggle world the world that Morrigan leaves is just as intriguing as the world she moves to. Cursed Children? The Hunt of Smoke and Shadow?

Genial magical man to guide our young protégée. Harry had Dumbledore. Mog, as he decides to call her despite her protestations, has Jupiter North. Is he as conflicted as Dumbledore, only time will tell.

Fierce friendships and fantastical foes. One main friend Hawthorne and some allies who may or may not become closer as the series progresses.

He who must not be named. The Wundersmith has a whole creepy parade float dedicated to him. Take that Voldemort.

The Hotel Deucalion becomes Mog's Hogwarts with fun rooms to discover. Far too much smoking and lots of whacky residents to engage with.

And what are the trials of which the title speaks? Think of it as the Triwizard Tournament with a Talent Show at the end. All to get INTO the Wundrous society. If she doesn't the Hunt may come for her yet.

This is a brilliant book full of magical world building, very very colourful characters and a form of transportation previously popularised in Mary Poppins, The Life and Death Brigade (Gilmore Girls) and Practical Magic. Move over broomsticks umbrellas are making a comeback.

Joking aside Harry Potter will Always remain in my heart (I know you see what I did there). But there is room in readers hearts for plenty of books. This one is going to snuggle alongside it. The one thing this book did that the Philosopher's Stone didn't was grab me from the first sentence. It took the introduction of the Wizarding World to draw me in. Once I was there I loved it. I loved this from : 'The journalists arrived before the coffin did.'

So as Jupiter North does I invite you to Step Boldy into Nevermoor.

This new book is a great read, perfect for young and older adults alike. We follow the new life of a child who has been spared in many ways, yet still deserves a new chance in life. The fantasy adventure that follows is both exciting and riveting - you want to see what happens next, so it really is a page turner! Highly recommended.

Couldn't review this as my copy on Kindle was just too difficult to read. I wanted my 10 year old daughter to read and review this but she gave up too. The font size and spacing jumped from being normal to extremely large with proof version running though it at random intervals. I am sure the book is actually good but just couldn't read the format.

More Hunger Games than Harry Potter the section at the start owes a lot to the "reaping" in the Hunger Games. That said it is engaging and the cursed Child herself is a good character. The father is really quite hideous - even if a parent was being pragmatic about the Eventide and was trying to hide his pain he would not act this way - poor girl ! Quite scary for the age group I imagine.

Thank you NetGalley- a winner, for sure.
Our introduction to Morrigan is a wonderfully whimsical experience. I totally fell in love with her and her adventure. I’ve already bought my own hardback copy and have passed it on to several family members.

A wonderful start to what I'm sure will be a hugely popular series. It reminded me of the Charlie Bone series by Jenny Nimmo, which I also loved. Filled with larger than life characters, magic and mystery, it will appeal to many. Central character Morrigan Crow is astounded to be chosen for a prestigious society, having always been known as a Cursed Child. She must prove her bravery, intelligence and skill in order to succeed. Smart, funny and hugely entertaining, this is ultimately a story of friendship and belonging. I can't wait for the next installment.

Love, love, love! I want to give this book 6 out of 5 stars, but sadly not possible. Inspired by a Harry Potter, the steampunk genre, His dark materials and perhaps a sprinkling of Garth Nix’ The keys to the kingdom. What’s not to like? I didn’t want to start another series, but it would have been my loss (and a big loss) if I hadn’t read this book. I can’t wait for the next one!

A really interesting read, set in a world filled with awe and magic. Reminds me slightly of Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire, slightly, but where every child has a different ability, which can be anything! A funny and somewhat, nail-biting read.

Nevermoor: The Trials of Morrigan Crow’s fast paced action scenes are a delight to read, and will have many young readers hooked on the fate of Morrigan as she navigates this strange land, with its strange rules and customs. - www.mybookcorner.co.uk

Step boldly into a fantastical world of Nevermoor for The Trials of Morrigan Crow, the debut middle grade novel by Jessica Townsend. Full of gothic delights, Wundrous imagination, and sensationally surreal friends and foes, Nevermoor is a book full to the cauldron brim with brilliance. Part gothic family drama, part magical second chance at finding a home in friendship, all original adventure.

At the heart of the book is the character of cursed Morrigan Crow, a mix of Wednesday Addams, Coraline and Hermione and her own uniquely cursed Crowness. Her corvan black eyes, perma-scowl add to her general air of misfortune. Born on unlucky Eventide, Morrigan is blamed for all the town’s bad luck, and doomed to die at midnight on her eleventh birthday.

Her mysterious benefactor, Jupiter North, is a delightful combination of the best characteristics of Willy Wonka, Professor Lupin and Newt Scamander. Flamboyantly dapper, with a great flash of red hair, he arrives to whisk Morrigan away from her loathsome family. Chased by black-smoke hounds to the secret, magical city called Nevermoor, Morrigan discovers Jupiter has chosen her to contend for a place in the city's most prestigious organisation: the Wundrous Society.

Morrigan has her own hurdles to overcome and tasks to endure. In order to join the Wundrous society, she must compete in four trials, pitting herself against hundreds of other children. Move aside Triwizard Tournament, with so many competitors desperate for a chance at recognition, glory and an education, this is seriously cutthroat. If that weren’t bad enough, each child boasts an extraordinary talent that sets them apart - an extraordinary talent that Morrigan insists she does not have.

Morrigan’s gift of observation is her true skill, she has a wonderful habit of noticing things even the all seeing Jupiter has overlooked. She’s a whip smart protagonist with a kind heart and a shrewd intellect.

Townsend gives Morrigan a fine cast of friends whose personas are all equally engaging. Her mischievous best friend and fellow troublemaker, Hawthorne, the dragon rider. Their steadfast friendship as two oddballs is where you can really feel the sense of family, friendship and belonging that Morrigan so craves. They thoroughly enjoy each others company, as we do theirs. Alongside Hawthorne are the inhabitants of the hotel Deaucalion, including fearsomely loyal Fenestra, the giant cat and housekeeper.

Townsend’s writing style is playful and engaging, full of brilliantly whacky flights of fancy such as transforming buildings that slowly reinvent themselves to fit the personality of their inhabitant, a transport system that would make Mary Poppins proud, and a landscape peppered with startlingly contrasting ideas that make Nevermoor all the more magical.

The adventures are just beginning for Morrigan Crow, with old secrets, new revelations and a small dose of destiny, there’s plenty of room for further adventures from Crow and her companions. The mystery at the heart of the book is a tied into identity and self-belief. Nevermoor is perfect for fans of the Harry Potter series, Artemis Fowl and His Dark Materials, this series takes readers into an extraordinary world, setting hope and imagination alive.

A fantastic start to what promises to be an amazing series, I'm really excited for this. Wonderful characters, especially the protagonist Morrigan Crow - she has a real depth and believability. I love the strangeness of the world that she is introduced to, and the Deucelion sounds like somewhere I'd love to explore.
A story of magical wonder, friendship and integrity - a definite recommendation.

Sorry, no review. Did not finish, managed 35% but didn't feel invested in Morrigan and felt structure and characters too similar to Harry Potter and the pace was slow.
I'm sure younger readers will enjoy it though,

This is a brilliantly imaginative fantasy.

Morrigan Crow is “Cursed”. She is due to die at midnight on her 11th birthday. Although she is not loved by her family and hated by the community she lives in (for being the cause of everything that goes wrong) she doesn’t want to die.

Enter the erratic, eccentric but magical Jupiter North (think Howl from Howl’s Moving Castle) who whisks her off from the jaws of creepy shadow hounds into the world of Nevermoor.

Jupiter North believes that Morrigan has a “knack” or talent that will enable her to join the mysterious and powerful Wundrous Society but first she must go through 4 trials. The trouble is that Morrigan has no idea what her knack is... and there are stranger powers at work….


Goth- like Morrigan is a character that you can believe in. She is constantly doubting herself and wondering if she has any courage. Does she learn about friendship and belonging by the end of the story?

My favourite trial was the- Book trial / exam - read it for yourself as you’ll think of this scene in every exam you ever take afterwards.

I liked the Deucalion Hotel in which Morrigan’s bed changed shape every night. It has memorable residents like the Magnifi Cat Fenestra ( if you are an adult reading this think of Master and Margarita) and Jupiter North who insists on calling Morrigan Mog and never answers her questions.

The author creates an inventive world. I loved the way of travelling round by Brolly Rail.

If you enjoyed Harry Potter, the Uncommoners by Jennifer Bell, Goth Girl or Charlie Bone, this is the book for you. It was much hyped as creating a bidding war at the Frankfurt Book Fair but it deserves the hype.

Engaging and entertaining.