Nevermoor: The Trials of Morrigan Crow

Starred review from July 31, 2017
First in a series, Townsend’s spellbinding debut introduces Morrigan Crow, a cursed girl from the Wintersea Republic, who brings bad luck to everyone she meets and is destined to die at midnight on her 11th birthday. The Hunt of Smoke and Shadow, a terrifying shadowy entity, is poised to kill Morrigan when a mysterious man named Jupiter North spirits her away to Nevermoor, an independent, magically warded city where the Hunt cannot travel. Jupiter belongs to the elite group called the Wundrous Society, and he wants to sponsor Morrigan’s membership. She doubts that she will pass the four entrance trials—particularly since she’ll be battling 500 singularly talented children for one of nine available spots—but she agrees to try: without Society membership, the Nevermoor police will deport Morrigan back to Wintersea, where the Hunt is waiting. Morrigan is a captivating heroine, filled with moxie and wit, whose unexpected second chance at life gives her the opportunity to discover who she truly is. Whimsical worldbuilding, humorous dialogue, and colorful supporting characters complement an adventurous, magic-filled plot that champions bravery, self-confidence, and hope. Ages 8–12. Agent: Gemma Cooper, Bent Agency.

July 15, 2017
Readers will feel as though Harry Potter is meeting Alice in Wonderland in this first of a new series.Morrigan Crow, a pale, white child, was born cursed. She's the town scapegoat, blamed for everything bad that happens in Jackalfax. All cursed children are expected to live for 12 years, and as Morrigan is about to turn 11, she has one year until she dies on Eventide, when the old Age gives way to the new. Unfortunately, experts have incorrectly predicted the length of this Age, and Morrigan will die in just a few days. With not even a year's worth of a future, things look bleak, but then the letter arrives. It's an invitation to compete for a coveted spot in the prestigious Wundrous Society. On the day she's to die, Morrigan's new patron, white, freckled, and very gingery Jupiter North, whisks her away to Nevermoor, where the competition takes place. Successful completion of the four trials of the competition will earn Morrigan lifelong Society membership, giving her what she's always wanted: to belong. If she fails she must go home, where the Hunt of Smoke and Shadow (the death of all cursed children) will kill her. Several important secondary characters have brown or dark skin, including Jupiter's nephew, Jack. The geography, politics, and magic of Morrigan's world are created with care, and Morrigan is a brave free-thinker readers will look forward to meeting again. Not genre-shattering but a solid read for genre fans. (Fantasy. 8-13)

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Starred review from July 1, 2017

Gr 5 Up-Morrigan Crow is cursed and doomed to die on her 11th birthday on Eventide night. She is blamed for every bit of bad luck and misfortune that plagues the residents of the town of Jackalfax in the Wintersea Republic. When Eventide arrives early, ushering in a new Age across the realm, Morrigan is faced with the prospect of her premature death-until a strange man named Jupiter North arrives. Together the two escape the Hunt of Smoke and Shadow and come to the Free State city of Nevermoor. Miraculously alive and possibly no longer cursed, Morrigan can make a fresh start. With Jupiter's help, she has the chance to compete in a series of trials for a place in Nevermoor's most revered group: the Wundrous Society. If she succeeds, she'll also earn her place in Nevermoor and finally have a home and a caring family. Despite Jupiter's assurances, Morrigan dreads the final Show Trial, where the remaining competitors will have to demonstrate their astounding talents-something Morrigan is quite certain she doesn't possess. Morrigan will have to step boldly and learn to trust her new friends if she hopes to pass the trials and join the Wundrous Society. Townsend's debut fantasy revolves around Morrigan's struggle to find her place and discover her own worth, all while she completes magical tasks and investigates the strange world of Nevermoor. This dynamic title is filled with intricate world-building that brings the renowned figure of Jupiter North and the rest of Nevermoor to life. Set over the course of Morrigan's year of trials, this entertaining and fast-paced story is filled with astonishing details, such as the Hotel Deucalion, where Morrigan's room changes to suit her mood; the Wundrous Society grounds, which turn the weather up a notch; and even a giant talking "Magnificat" named Fenestra. VERDICT Readers, like Morrigan herself, will feel at home in this evocative novel where magic and confidence go hand in hand. An excellent and exciting work.-Emma Carbone, Brooklyn Public Library

Copyright 2017 School Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

callie_b - 11-year-old Morrigan Crow has always been blamed for everything. Since she was born on an Eventide, the beginning of a new age in her town Jackalfax, she is cursed to die on midnight the next Eventide, along with all the other kids that were unluckily born on that day as well, which makes her a bad-luck charm throughout her town. But when Eventide unexpectedly occurs early, Morrigan receives a mysterious letter from a man called Jupiter North, asking her to become his apprentice. It's an amazing opportunity, and even though it's almost midnight, she signs it, as all her hope is not yet lost. Suddenly, a strange man appears in her room, and with a narrow escape from midnight that Eventide, they crash through the massive clock tower of the town and are transported into seemingly into another world, a magical place called Nevermoor, thus cheating her death! The man, as Morrigan finds out, is the one and only Jupiter North! He brings her to his grand hotel and he tells her that he is entering her into a series of trials determining if she can get into the prestigious Wundrous Society, something Morrigan soon desperately wants to become part of, so she can finally be part of a family. She will have to compete against 500 other kids who are also competing for the few spots available, and if she can make it past the first few trials, she will have to present her special "knack" to the judges. But Morrigan has no clue what her special talent is, or how she'll figure it out! This question presses her as she is tested through every twist and turn of the Trials. Will Morrigan ever figure out her knack and become part of the Wondrous Society? Or will she have to be taken back to Jackalfax and face a terrible fate? I ABSOLUTELY LOVE THIS BOOK! No joke, this is literally one of my favorite books OF. ALL. TIME!! If it was possible to give this book 10 stars, I would!! The plot is gripping and magical. I loved the action and suspense of the Trials, and one of my favorite parts is Christmas-- it is so so good! I cannot wait until the next book comes out! Jessica Townsend is a fantastic author and I love how she shaped the characters throughout the book. I really enjoyed this book, and I highly recommend this book to any fantasy-loving person, and everybody else as well! :)

August 1, 2017
Grades 4-6 The future looks bleak for 11-year-old Morrigan, who's famously destined to die on Eventide. It's surprising then that she receives an invitation to become a candidate for the Wundrous Society. Jupiter North, a mysterious, magical man, transports her to Nevermoor, the fantastic city where she will compete with other candidates for an extraordinary education and lifelong society membership. Though Jupiter introduces Morrigan to new creatures, technologies, and experiences in Nevermoor, he adroitly dodges her questions about the ghostly Hunt that chases her, the competition that awaits her, and why he chose to sponsor her for the Wundrous Society. An Australian writer, Townsend knows how to keep the pages turning in this fast-paced story, even while introducing plenty of characters and plot elements to be developed in future volumes. Putting aside similarities to the Harry Potter books, and there are many, this novel sets up the framework for a projected series while combining elements of inventive fantasy, high-voltage adventure, and cryptic mystery in one appealing package.(Reprinted with permission of Booklist, copyright 2017, American Library Association.)