BOOK REVIEW: Nevermoor – The Trials of Morrigan Crow

Well, this book was a whirlwind. I can’t wait for this to finally be published so that I can share my LOVE and ADORATION of this book with everyone!! I was lucky enough to get an advanced reading copy from the publisher, and I’m so grateful!

Morrigan Crow is a cursed child. Town crops are a mess this year? Blame Morrigan Crow. Pouring with rain on a day forecast to be sunny? Morrigan Crow is to blame. Being a cursed child also comes with another gloomy outcome – Morrigan is to die at midnight on her eleventh birthday. The very thought terrifies her. As Morrigan comes to terms with this end to her short life, a mysterious man by the name of Jupiter North appears, promising to rescue her from this awful place and take her to the safety of the secret, magical city known as Nevermoor. Once there, Morrigan discovers that Jupiter has chosen her to take part in a series of trials in order to be in with a chance to join the city’s most prestigious organisation: the Wundrous Society. In order to pass these trials, Morrigan must fend off the competition of hundreds of other children, and learn exactly what her hidden talent is. That is if she has one…

The Trials of Morrigan Crow is a masterpiece, and is easily one of the best books I’ve read to date. Packed to the brim with magic, the world of Nevermoor is genius and of so imaginative. Hotel Deucalion is a brilliant setting, and reminded me very much of the Room of Requirement in Harry Potter. Theres everything in this book, from magnificats to witches, and much more in between. Jessica Townsend has done a brilliant job of making these places and worlds burst off of the page.

The cast of characters within the book are so varied, it’s hard not to love them all! Morrigan herself reminds me very much of a blend between Violet Baudelaire with her determination, and Wednesday Addams with the fact that she wears all black and most people are creeped out by her. Jupiter was every bit the charmer and I did fall in love with him (despite how annoying he seemed to Morrigan!). We follow Morrigan as she finds friends, makes enemies, endures the trials, and begins to discover this unusual place known as Nevermoor. The Book Trial has to be my favourite of the four (and I won’t spoil it because it is so clever), and with each page, you just want what is best for Morrigan; for her to be happy.

I’ve seen people compare this to many different books, Harry Potter and Alice in Wonderland being the ones I’ve seen the most. Personally, I also got a Series of Unfortunate Events feel, with the mystery surrounding Morrigan’s curse, her gloominess at the beginning of the book, and also with the wanting to belong. Morrigan wants to be happy and have people who love her. After the hand she’s dealt at the start of the book, I’d say she’s definitely deserving of it.

Final thought: Step boldly into this brilliant tale! 5/5