Mini Review – Nevermoor: The trials of Morrigan Crow

From Goodreads: 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.

This was a re-read for me as part of Middle Grade Marvels’s Book of the Month in June. I had completely forgot how amazingly descriptive this book was. It has such a wide and fabulously detailed world. I loved all the different elements! from exploring the Hotel, with magical bedrooms that adapt to you, the smoking parlour that wafts emotion filled smoke, or the somewhat morose party planner, to the enigmatic Wonder society and its strange and wonderful trials.

Morrigan as a character is great, she is sassy and in charge and I love that. I adore Jupiter North, to me he is a combination of David Tennant’s Dr Who and Willy Wonka. Though I will say I did get frustrated with Jupiter as he does withhold a lot from Morrigan which could have resoplved a lot! Also The Wondersmith is just a great ominous presence! It will be really interesting to see how that plays out.

This book is just filled with fun, danger, adventure and mischief. its one of those books you can re-read and re-read as you will pick up on a new detail or fun little element each time. There are so many moments that make you smile. I loved the second book too and will be hoping to do a re-read before Hollopox releases.