Review – Nevermoor

Title: Nevermoor – The Trials of Morrigan Crow

Author: Jessica Townsend

Series: Nevermoor #1

Pages: 371

5 Stars

From Goodreads:

A cursed girl 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 organisation: 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.

My Thoughts:

I adored this book! The characters were amazing and the world was just so completely magical. This is a middle grade books so as an adult reader yes the story was a little predictable but I really didn’t care if I knew, due to my worldly experience, that we would have the happy ending and the intro to the big bad villain etc etc. Just because you know the contents of a box of your favourite chocolates it doesn’t make them any less delicious.

The characters are so intriguing, Morrigan’s internal monologue is fantastic, Jupiter North just reminds me of the manic excitement of the 10th Doctor from Dr who, there is a giant talking cat, as well as a plethora of colourful side characters.

The world of Nevermoor was gorgeous and immersive, it still feels like we have barely scratched the surface. An ever expanding magical hotel, with various magical contents, and residents. We get introduced to a wealth of Nevermoor, festivals and traditions that each create a little microcosm of magic within the chapters. The mysterious Wunder Society with its various trials that are not what they seem. I have to admit I  am a sucker for a magical competition and this one was certainly unique.

This was just such a colourful and creative journey. I loved it all.