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3.62 AVERAGE
3.62 AVERAGE
What do Cinderella, Harry Potter, and The Crowns of Croswald have in common? Awesome orphans, hiding away, and magic.
Yes, friendship is a theme in this book, however, it is not the first day at school gelled together, it's built like real-life friendships are made - commonalities and personality connections, turn into companionship through struggles which turns into loyalty and hardcore desire for protection.
What makes The Crowns of Croswald different than my old fairy tale favorite, and the ever-popular Harry Potter book series? Ivy Lovely is so much more endearing!! A little Scaldrony Maid who takes care of the dragons that cook the castle food (the fire squad) for the family she works for in the middle of the Slurry Fields on the far outskirts of a village that can't be found without knowing its name since this village is a secret as the author says, we will just call it "The Town”.
The cast of characters in this book are unique. I especially loved Ivy's friend Fyn. The setting, like in Harry Potter, is at a school housed in a castle -- The Halls of Ivy, some hidden spaces, which I will not disclose as it will ruin the fun of the story, and a lot of great adult mentoring and a few questionable, curiously strange professors. Ivy, like Harry, is very much a rule breaker! I mean, come on, there are mysteries to solve! That is where the similarities end. Ivy's transformation isn't guided by teachers, her history isn't given to her straight out and little does she know what her future will hold.
At the beginning of Ivy's story, Ivy is thrown out of the castle she works at because one of the dragons becomes sick and pukes all over Ivy's boss after Ivy slept in. Wondering where she will go, what she will do with her life, Ivy finds a letter and a pouch of money left for her by her friend Rimbrick, "an ancient woods dwarf" who she only sees in the late evenings. In the middle of a foggy rainy open fields, she is picked up by a carriage where she meets Woolem, a cabby, he accompanies her into the carriage where she meets Lionel Lugg a scrivenist who is the admissions officer for the Halls of Ivy.
Ivy can't believe her ears, she is to go to the Halls of Ivy as a Sqwinch and learn to be a scrivenist?! She's just a little Scaldrony Maid!
I became invested in wanting to know who Ivy was, what made her tick, and why all these weird things kept happening to her. The adventures she goes on just add to the mystery and little does Ivy know what her future holds for her.
The Crowns of Croswald is the first book in The Crowns of Croswald Series. The Author D.E. Night created a world that had me hyperventilating off the Dock of an unknown scrivenist underworld; she had me cheering for a little girl who comes into more than she bargains for, the dangers that await her are vast, powerful and yet, I truly believe she can overcome them with her sassiness, her strength and her sense of humor. I look forward to the next book in the series -- The Girl with the Whispering Shadow then on to book three The Words of the Wandering.
To be honest, I thought I was going to be disappointed in this book, with the magical world similarities to Harry Potter, I thought It would just be a shadow of that series. Yet, I truly believe that Ivy Lovely and her friends are so much more realistic, so much more endearing and so much more of a classic than Harry Potter and that is saying much since it is one of my all-time favorite series! I think I might have found my new dreamy fantasy series.
The Crowns of Croswald has the makings of a beloved fairy tale. If you love a good fantasy filled with vibrant characters and/or if your child loves mysteries and magic, this book is for you and them. It is an instant hit for me and I NEED to read the next two books to find out where Ivy goes next.
I give this book 4.5 Stars which is all due to Ivy Lovely
and her personality and great storytelling!
Thanks to D.E Night's publisher, Daniela of Stories Untold Press for reaching out to me for a review in lieu of my honest opinion. This is that opinion. Thanks to NetGalley for providing the E ARC, and especially to D.E. Night for such a fun, loving, and strong little character. She sure is one of a kind, that little Ivy Lovely.
Yes, friendship is a theme in this book, however, it is not the first day at school gelled together, it's built like real-life friendships are made - commonalities and personality connections, turn into companionship through struggles which turns into loyalty and hardcore desire for protection.
What makes The Crowns of Croswald different than my old fairy tale favorite, and the ever-popular Harry Potter book series? Ivy Lovely is so much more endearing!! A little Scaldrony Maid who takes care of the dragons that cook the castle food (the fire squad) for the family she works for in the middle of the Slurry Fields on the far outskirts of a village that can't be found without knowing its name since this village is a secret as the author says, we will just call it "The Town”.
The cast of characters in this book are unique. I especially loved Ivy's friend Fyn. The setting, like in Harry Potter, is at a school housed in a castle -- The Halls of Ivy, some hidden spaces, which I will not disclose as it will ruin the fun of the story, and a lot of great adult mentoring and a few questionable, curiously strange professors. Ivy, like Harry, is very much a rule breaker! I mean, come on, there are mysteries to solve! That is where the similarities end. Ivy's transformation isn't guided by teachers, her history isn't given to her straight out and little does she know what her future will hold.
At the beginning of Ivy's story, Ivy is thrown out of the castle she works at because one of the dragons becomes sick and pukes all over Ivy's boss after Ivy slept in. Wondering where she will go, what she will do with her life, Ivy finds a letter and a pouch of money left for her by her friend Rimbrick, "an ancient woods dwarf" who she only sees in the late evenings. In the middle of a foggy rainy open fields, she is picked up by a carriage where she meets Woolem, a cabby, he accompanies her into the carriage where she meets Lionel Lugg a scrivenist who is the admissions officer for the Halls of Ivy.
Ivy can't believe her ears, she is to go to the Halls of Ivy as a Sqwinch and learn to be a scrivenist?! She's just a little Scaldrony Maid!
I became invested in wanting to know who Ivy was, what made her tick, and why all these weird things kept happening to her. The adventures she goes on just add to the mystery and little does Ivy know what her future holds for her.
The Crowns of Croswald is the first book in The Crowns of Croswald Series. The Author D.E. Night created a world that had me hyperventilating off the Dock of an unknown scrivenist underworld; she had me cheering for a little girl who comes into more than she bargains for, the dangers that await her are vast, powerful and yet, I truly believe she can overcome them with her sassiness, her strength and her sense of humor. I look forward to the next book in the series -- The Girl with the Whispering Shadow then on to book three The Words of the Wandering.
To be honest, I thought I was going to be disappointed in this book, with the magical world similarities to Harry Potter, I thought It would just be a shadow of that series. Yet, I truly believe that Ivy Lovely and her friends are so much more realistic, so much more endearing and so much more of a classic than Harry Potter and that is saying much since it is one of my all-time favorite series! I think I might have found my new dreamy fantasy series.
The Crowns of Croswald has the makings of a beloved fairy tale. If you love a good fantasy filled with vibrant characters and/or if your child loves mysteries and magic, this book is for you and them. It is an instant hit for me and I NEED to read the next two books to find out where Ivy goes next.
I give this book 4.5 Stars which is all due to Ivy Lovely
and her personality and great storytelling!
Thanks to D.E Night's publisher, Daniela of Stories Untold Press for reaching out to me for a review in lieu of my honest opinion. This is that opinion. Thanks to NetGalley for providing the E ARC, and especially to D.E. Night for such a fun, loving, and strong little character. She sure is one of a kind, that little Ivy Lovely.
What do Cinderella, Harry Potter, and The Crowns of Croswald have in common? Awesome orphans, hiding away, and magic.
Yes, friendship is a theme in this book, however, it is not the first day at school gelled together, it's built like real-life friendships are made - commonalities and personality connections, turn into companionship through struggles which turns into loyalty and hardcore desire for protection.
What makes The Crowns of Croswald different than my old fairy tale favorite, and the ever-popular Harry Potter book series? Ivy Lovely is so much more endearing!! A little Scaldrony Maid who takes care of the dragons that cook the castle food (the fire squad) for the family she works for in the middle of the Slurry Fields on the far outskirts of a village that can't be found without knowing its name since this village is a secret as the author says, we will just call it "The Town”
The cast of characters in this book are unique. I especially loved Ivy's friend Fyn. The setting, like in Harry Potter, is at a school housed in a castle -- The Halls of Ivy, some hidden spaces, which I will not disclose as it will ruin the fun of the story, and a lot of great adult mentoring and a few questionable, curiously strange professors. Ivy, like Harry, is very much a rule breaker! I mean, come on, there are mysteries to solve! That is where the similarities end. Ivy's transformation isn't guided by teachers, her history isn't given to her straight out and little does she know what her future will hold.
At the beginning of Ivy's story, Ivy is thrown out of the castle she works at because one of the dragons becomes sick and pukes all over Ivy's boss after Ivy slept in. Wondering where she will go, what she will do with her life, Ivy finds a letter and a pouch of money left for her by her friend Rimbrick, "an ancient woods dwarf" who she only sees in the late evenings. In the middle of a foggy rainy open fields, she is picked up by a carriage where she meets Woolem, a cabby, he accompanies her into the carriage where she meets Lionel Lugg a scrivenist who is the admissions officer for the Halls of Ivy.
Ivy can't believe her ears, she is to go to the Halls of Ivy as a Sqwinch and learn to be a scrivenist?! She's just a little Scaldrony Maid!
I became invested in wanting to know who Ivy was, what made her tick, and why all these weird things kept happening to her. The adventures she goes on just add to the mystery and little does Ivy know what her future holds for her.
The Crowns of Croswald is the first book in The Crowns of Croswald Series. The Author D.E. Night created a world that had me hyperventilating off the Dock of an unknown scrivenist underworld; she had me cheering for a little girl who comes into more than she bargains for, the dangers that await her are vast, powerful and yet, I truly believe she can overcome them with her sassiness, her strength and her sense of humor. I look forward to the next book in the series -- The Girl with the Whispering Shadow then on to book three The Words of the Wandering.
To be honest, I thought I was going to be disappointed in this book, with the magical world similarities to Harry Potter, I thought It would just be a shadow of that series. Yet, I truly believe that Ivy Lovely and her friends are so much more realistic, so much more endearing and so much more of a classic than Harry Potter and that is saying much since it is one of my all-time favorite series! I think I might have found my new dreamy fantasy series.
The Crowns of Croswald has the makings of a beloved fairy tale. If you love a good fantasy filled with vibrant characters and/or if your child loves mysteries and magic, this book is for you and them. It is an instant hit for me and I NEED to read the next two books to find out where Ivy goes next.
I give this book 4.5 Stars which is all due to Ivy Lovely and her personality and great storytelling!
Thanks to D.E Night's publisher, Daniela of Stories Untold Press for reaching out to me for a review in lieu of my honest opinion. This is that opinion. Thanks to NetGalley for providing the E ARC, and especially to D.E. Night for such a fun, loving, and strong little character. She sure is one of a kind, that little Ivy Lovely.
Yes, friendship is a theme in this book, however, it is not the first day at school gelled together, it's built like real-life friendships are made - commonalities and personality connections, turn into companionship through struggles which turns into loyalty and hardcore desire for protection.
What makes The Crowns of Croswald different than my old fairy tale favorite, and the ever-popular Harry Potter book series? Ivy Lovely is so much more endearing!! A little Scaldrony Maid who takes care of the dragons that cook the castle food (the fire squad) for the family she works for in the middle of the Slurry Fields on the far outskirts of a village that can't be found without knowing its name since this village is a secret as the author says, we will just call it "The Town”
The cast of characters in this book are unique. I especially loved Ivy's friend Fyn. The setting, like in Harry Potter, is at a school housed in a castle -- The Halls of Ivy, some hidden spaces, which I will not disclose as it will ruin the fun of the story, and a lot of great adult mentoring and a few questionable, curiously strange professors. Ivy, like Harry, is very much a rule breaker! I mean, come on, there are mysteries to solve! That is where the similarities end. Ivy's transformation isn't guided by teachers, her history isn't given to her straight out and little does she know what her future will hold.
At the beginning of Ivy's story, Ivy is thrown out of the castle she works at because one of the dragons becomes sick and pukes all over Ivy's boss after Ivy slept in. Wondering where she will go, what she will do with her life, Ivy finds a letter and a pouch of money left for her by her friend Rimbrick, "an ancient woods dwarf" who she only sees in the late evenings. In the middle of a foggy rainy open fields, she is picked up by a carriage where she meets Woolem, a cabby, he accompanies her into the carriage where she meets Lionel Lugg a scrivenist who is the admissions officer for the Halls of Ivy.
Ivy can't believe her ears, she is to go to the Halls of Ivy as a Sqwinch and learn to be a scrivenist?! She's just a little Scaldrony Maid!
I became invested in wanting to know who Ivy was, what made her tick, and why all these weird things kept happening to her. The adventures she goes on just add to the mystery and little does Ivy know what her future holds for her.
The Crowns of Croswald is the first book in The Crowns of Croswald Series. The Author D.E. Night created a world that had me hyperventilating off the Dock of an unknown scrivenist underworld; she had me cheering for a little girl who comes into more than she bargains for, the dangers that await her are vast, powerful and yet, I truly believe she can overcome them with her sassiness, her strength and her sense of humor. I look forward to the next book in the series -- The Girl with the Whispering Shadow then on to book three The Words of the Wandering.
To be honest, I thought I was going to be disappointed in this book, with the magical world similarities to Harry Potter, I thought It would just be a shadow of that series. Yet, I truly believe that Ivy Lovely and her friends are so much more realistic, so much more endearing and so much more of a classic than Harry Potter and that is saying much since it is one of my all-time favorite series! I think I might have found my new dreamy fantasy series.
The Crowns of Croswald has the makings of a beloved fairy tale. If you love a good fantasy filled with vibrant characters and/or if your child loves mysteries and magic, this book is for you and them. It is an instant hit for me and I NEED to read the next two books to find out where Ivy goes next.
I give this book 4.5 Stars which is all due to Ivy Lovely and her personality and great storytelling!
Thanks to D.E Night's publisher, Daniela of Stories Untold Press for reaching out to me for a review in lieu of my honest opinion. This is that opinion. Thanks to NetGalley for providing the E ARC, and especially to D.E. Night for such a fun, loving, and strong little character. She sure is one of a kind, that little Ivy Lovely.
*3.5 rounded up to a 4
I kind of feel like I just read a Disney Channel original movie… It had such a nostalgic and vibrant feeling, but with a trace of campy bad acting, they can be easily forgiven if you decide to just enjoy yourself.
If you think that doesn’t sound delightful, you obviously haven’t been blessed with early classic Disney originals.
But I digress. The Crowns of Crawswald starts with your classic orphan girl turned maid, being charming and wistful, wanting more but asking for nothing. Then, BAM. She’s magic and it’s off to be trained at one of those fancy magical schools. Cue the evil witch and off we go! Was it fairly predictable? Yes. Was it entertaining? Very! A bit cheesy? You kind of come to a children’s middle grade for a bit of silliness and I think this book does it well. It was...comforting? I admit it, though I had a few moments of cringe, via dialogue or character portrayals (Lovebutter managed to somehow be both over the top and a bit flat for me), I was smitten and enjoyed myself.
There were several world-building aspects right off the bat that made this feel vivid and imaginative for me. The magical flora and fauna really stood out as being unique and different. Starting immediately with descriptions such as “ purple sea of slurry blossoms” instantly tantalized me into this world.
This is a fun and easy page-turner that I think almost all would enjoy if they are going into a book to be charmed and comforted.
Also, in looking at other reviews, I might just be the first to say....this didn’t really remind me of Harry Potter? Like I know they both have magical orphans but I felt like that’s kind of where it stops. The magic is very different, focusing on art and writing, and magic also isn’t a secret, like scene one our MC is using a dragon to cook. Let’s not let JKR have a monopoly on magic or magical places of learning, because while I felt this to be a pretty standard middle grade, I didn’t find it to be a rip off another. Just in the same genre of interest.
Thank you to NetGalley and Stories Untold Press for reaching out to me to receive an honest review.
I kind of feel like I just read a Disney Channel original movie… It had such a nostalgic and vibrant feeling, but with a trace of campy bad acting, they can be easily forgiven if you decide to just enjoy yourself.
If you think that doesn’t sound delightful, you obviously haven’t been blessed with early classic Disney originals.
But I digress. The Crowns of Crawswald starts with your classic orphan girl turned maid, being charming and wistful, wanting more but asking for nothing. Then, BAM. She’s magic and it’s off to be trained at one of those fancy magical schools. Cue the evil witch and off we go! Was it fairly predictable? Yes. Was it entertaining? Very! A bit cheesy? You kind of come to a children’s middle grade for a bit of silliness and I think this book does it well. It was...comforting? I admit it, though I had a few moments of cringe, via dialogue or character portrayals (Lovebutter managed to somehow be both over the top and a bit flat for me), I was smitten and enjoyed myself.
There were several world-building aspects right off the bat that made this feel vivid and imaginative for me. The magical flora and fauna really stood out as being unique and different. Starting immediately with descriptions such as “ purple sea of slurry blossoms” instantly tantalized me into this world.
This is a fun and easy page-turner that I think almost all would enjoy if they are going into a book to be charmed and comforted.
Also, in looking at other reviews, I might just be the first to say....this didn’t really remind me of Harry Potter? Like I know they both have magical orphans but I felt like that’s kind of where it stops. The magic is very different, focusing on art and writing, and magic also isn’t a secret, like scene one our MC is using a dragon to cook. Let’s not let JKR have a monopoly on magic or magical places of learning, because while I felt this to be a pretty standard middle grade, I didn’t find it to be a rip off another. Just in the same genre of interest.
Thank you to NetGalley and Stories Untold Press for reaching out to me to receive an honest review.
Wow I LOVED this book! A lot of people are comparing it to Harry Potter and while I agree that the premise is similar- a young girl discovers she has magical abilities and goes to a school for magic, let me tell you this book is entirely unique! The world that D.E. Night has created is whimsical, captivating, and honestly I couldn’t put it down!
This may be a middle grade novel but it can be enjoyed by people of all ages. There is almost a 10 year age gap between myself and the main character Ivy but she is still so relatable and lovable. She is strong willed, fierce, and fearless beyond her years and I admire her for that! She doesn’t let the rules and restrictions placed on her stop her from uncovering the mysteries of Croswald! She knows there are injustices being committed and she won’t stop until she’s done everything in her power to discover them.
I also adored the secondary characters, especially her friends Fynn and Rebecca! They followed Ivy on all of her wild adventures with reckless abandon and only questioned her a little ;). I love the budding romance and how her friendship with Rebecca breaks the barrier of class separation.
I know there are many novels out there with magical components but I haven’t read any quite like this. The atmosphere at the Halls of Ivy introduces new concepts such as magic wielding stones, scrivenists, glanagerie bottles, the hollow shaft, and tons of fun magical creatures. The new concepts were all so unique and fascinating!
What’s a good story without a villain? The Dark Queen and her Cloaked Brood are mysterious to not only the readers, but all the individuals in Croswald. I can’t wait to uncover more about her in future books!
The ending had some big reveals that leave readers so eager for the next installment! I would recommend this book to readers of all ages!
This may be a middle grade novel but it can be enjoyed by people of all ages. There is almost a 10 year age gap between myself and the main character Ivy but she is still so relatable and lovable. She is strong willed, fierce, and fearless beyond her years and I admire her for that! She doesn’t let the rules and restrictions placed on her stop her from uncovering the mysteries of Croswald! She knows there are injustices being committed and she won’t stop until she’s done everything in her power to discover them.
I also adored the secondary characters, especially her friends Fynn and Rebecca! They followed Ivy on all of her wild adventures with reckless abandon and only questioned her a little ;). I love the budding romance and how her friendship with Rebecca breaks the barrier of class separation.
I know there are many novels out there with magical components but I haven’t read any quite like this. The atmosphere at the Halls of Ivy introduces new concepts such as magic wielding stones, scrivenists, glanagerie bottles, the hollow shaft, and tons of fun magical creatures. The new concepts were all so unique and fascinating!
What’s a good story without a villain? The Dark Queen and her Cloaked Brood are mysterious to not only the readers, but all the individuals in Croswald. I can’t wait to uncover more about her in future books!
The ending had some big reveals that leave readers so eager for the next installment! I would recommend this book to readers of all ages!
This was my first ever Netgalley book so I wanted to love it, but it fell short for me for several reasons.
It didn't feel quite finished to me, and it was very heavily influenced by Harry Potter - in itself not a bad thing, but I would have liked to see Night's interesting concept become its own thing a little more. It's so similar it's hard not to compare it.
There were a few developmental things I struggled with. For example,
One thing I need in any book is a main character I can root for, and I didn't care for Ivy. She Where's your sense of adventure, Ivy? Where's your curiosity? It was there for some things, but those usually got her 'friends' into trouble, and that she didn't care or even consider their opinion made her more unlikable to me. Ivy wants and Ivy takes, no matter the consequences for anyone else.
The one thing I found intriguing was the magic system. The idea that Scrivenists turn into books themselves when they die and go to a massive archive instead of a graveyard sounds so tempting to me XD
Overall, I think this could be a great book for younger readers - I could see it as someone's introduction to epic fantasy - but I'm afraid I'm a bit too picky for it.
It didn't feel quite finished to me, and it was very heavily influenced by Harry Potter - in itself not a bad thing, but I would have liked to see Night's interesting concept become its own thing a little more. It's so similar it's hard not to compare it.
There were a few developmental things I struggled with. For example,
Spoiler
there are some creatures that are so rare they haven't even been named, but instead of trying to learn more about them or save the species, a professor (I think - could be a shop owner from the nearby town) sells them, which probably pushes them closer to extinctionOne thing I need in any book is a main character I can root for, and I didn't care for Ivy. She
Spoiler
grew up dreaming of magic and wishing her life was more exciting, then she gets whisked away to a school where she'll learn magic and she's kinda underwhelmed by the whole thing. She settled in too easily, and she's weirdly picky with some things like the food the ghost chefs make, which made her read oddly snobbish to me. Like she's been locked up as a kitchen slave all her life, and now that she's entered a world full of magic it's not good enough for her.The one thing I found intriguing was the magic system. The idea that Scrivenists turn into books themselves when they die and go to a massive archive instead of a graveyard sounds so tempting to me XD
Overall, I think this could be a great book for younger readers - I could see it as someone's introduction to epic fantasy - but I'm afraid I'm a bit too picky for it.
Not my cup of tea
**I received a free copy of this book from the publisher in exchange for an honest review.**
⭐️2.75/5 stars
Thank you NetGalley, Stories Untold, and D.E. Night for the opportunity.
I want to start off with middle-grade books aren’t really my thing but as a homeschool mama I thought it would make a great addition to our read-aloud books. Unfortunately, I found that this went completely over my daughters head with certain words and scenes that far surpassed what I would consider middle grade.
She is also reading Harry Potter and she felt like it was another version of that book - I can’t say that I don’t feel the same.
Overall, I couldn’t get into this book at all. There were many areas in the book that either weren’t explained at all, were overly descript, or large info dumps - this took me out of the world she was creating. I had to DNF this one and I absolutely hate doing that but rather than forcing myself to read it and give a fully lackluster review, it was for the best.
I think this would be a great read for those that enjoy middle grade and YA but it just wasn’t my cup of tea.
**I received a free copy of this book from the publisher in exchange for an honest review.**
⭐️2.75/5 stars
Thank you NetGalley, Stories Untold, and D.E. Night for the opportunity.
I want to start off with middle-grade books aren’t really my thing but as a homeschool mama I thought it would make a great addition to our read-aloud books. Unfortunately, I found that this went completely over my daughters head with certain words and scenes that far surpassed what I would consider middle grade.
She is also reading Harry Potter and she felt like it was another version of that book - I can’t say that I don’t feel the same.
Overall, I couldn’t get into this book at all. There were many areas in the book that either weren’t explained at all, were overly descript, or large info dumps - this took me out of the world she was creating. I had to DNF this one and I absolutely hate doing that but rather than forcing myself to read it and give a fully lackluster review, it was for the best.
I think this would be a great read for those that enjoy middle grade and YA but it just wasn’t my cup of tea.
This book was just magical! It gave me distinct Harry Potter vibes - magical boarding school, a kid that doesn’t know they have powers, a “chosen one” kind of feel… It was nostalgic in the best way! This is a perfect book for young readers to introduce them to fantasy and get them interested in the genre.
Ivy is a 16 year old orphan working as a maid at a castle. She is run out of the only home she’s ever known and as she crosses a magical barrier, it becomes clear that she has a lot to learn about herself, her magical potential, and the world around her. She’s transported to a the Halls of Ivy, a boarding school where future scrivenists (those born with magic) and royals (who have magic through special gems in their crowns) learn to hone their magical skills.
The writing was wonderful - very descriptive, whimsical, and accessible. All very important things when trying to achieve the kind of world-building needed in a book like this! I also thought the book was very witty and it had a few laugh-out-loud moments that I loved.
Overall, I really enjoyed the Crowns of Croswald. It left off in a way that makes me want to pick up the next in the series… I need to know what’s going to happen with Ivy and her friends! I’d definitely recommend this for fantasy fans, but especially for the younger fantasy readers out there.
Thank you to D.E. Night, Stories Untold Press, and NetGalley for the gifted copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
Ivy is a 16 year old orphan working as a maid at a castle. She is run out of the only home she’s ever known and as she crosses a magical barrier, it becomes clear that she has a lot to learn about herself, her magical potential, and the world around her. She’s transported to a the Halls of Ivy, a boarding school where future scrivenists (those born with magic) and royals (who have magic through special gems in their crowns) learn to hone their magical skills.
The writing was wonderful - very descriptive, whimsical, and accessible. All very important things when trying to achieve the kind of world-building needed in a book like this! I also thought the book was very witty and it had a few laugh-out-loud moments that I loved.
Overall, I really enjoyed the Crowns of Croswald. It left off in a way that makes me want to pick up the next in the series… I need to know what’s going to happen with Ivy and her friends! I’d definitely recommend this for fantasy fans, but especially for the younger fantasy readers out there.
Thank you to D.E. Night, Stories Untold Press, and NetGalley for the gifted copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
An Exciting Start
I am a big fan of fantasy and all the fun it brings and This story did not disappoint. I love the idea of waking up with magic and going on an adventure. So I highly recommend joining Ivy as she starts off to find out who she is. I can't wait to dive into book 2.
I am a big fan of fantasy and all the fun it brings and This story did not disappoint. I love the idea of waking up with magic and going on an adventure. So I highly recommend joining Ivy as she starts off to find out who she is. I can't wait to dive into book 2.
A charming and beautiful read !
I was sent this book for review but this has not affected my opinion of this book
A delightful and seemless mix of ‘Fanstastic Beasts...’ and ‘Alice in Wonderful’ with a dash of (bear with me) X- men ! I found this book a delight to read, fresh and fun, I devoured it in two days :)
The writing is clean, the plot original and the characters charming and easy to like. The mystery throughout the book is tied up nicely while just enough of a cliffhanger for me to be looking forward to reading more about Ivy and her adventures !
A definite must read for middle grade age and adults too !
I was sent this book for review but this has not affected my opinion of this book
A delightful and seemless mix of ‘Fanstastic Beasts...’ and ‘Alice in Wonderful’ with a dash of (bear with me) X- men ! I found this book a delight to read, fresh and fun, I devoured it in two days :)
The writing is clean, the plot original and the characters charming and easy to like. The mystery throughout the book is tied up nicely while just enough of a cliffhanger for me to be looking forward to reading more about Ivy and her adventures !
A definite must read for middle grade age and adults too !
I received this book in exchange for an honest review.
I want to start off by saying that if you like middle grade books that are a little bit Harry Potter and a little Alice and Wonderland, this book is for you! It follows the journey of Ivy Loverly, a young girl who gets into a magic school (very similar to Harry Potter). And you see her slowly learn about herself and grow into who she is. The world building is beautiful and definitely made you feel like you were there. This book was definitely made for a younger crowd and it was a bit too much like Harry Potter in certain parts for me. But if you like middle grade books with great world building and magic, give this book a try!
I want to start off by saying that if you like middle grade books that are a little bit Harry Potter and a little Alice and Wonderland, this book is for you! It follows the journey of Ivy Loverly, a young girl who gets into a magic school (very similar to Harry Potter). And you see her slowly learn about herself and grow into who she is. The world building is beautiful and definitely made you feel like you were there. This book was definitely made for a younger crowd and it was a bit too much like Harry Potter in certain parts for me. But if you like middle grade books with great world building and magic, give this book a try!