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3.62 AVERAGE
3.62 AVERAGE
Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for providing me with an e-arc of this book. My opinions are my own.
This book didn't live up to my expectations. I was asked to read this book in exchange for a review. I hesitated for a minute because this is a middle grade book and I'm 31, but the Goodreads rating was alright and some reviews compared it to Harry Potter. I was curious and decided to read this book!
I can see where the comparison comes from... This book is about a young girl, Ivy, who doesn't know she has magic, until she is invited to attend a school of magic. There's even a list of supplies she needs to buy from a street with magical shops... I might have been able to see past this, if the writing were a little better. The plot is all over the place, there's hardly any world building and none of the characters have any depth to them. I know it's a middle grade book and I was expecting colorful, archetypical characters but instead I was just reading about a young girl running in different directions all the time.
There is yet some originality in this book - I did like the concept of the scrivenists and how there's magic in sketching. Overall though, this book didn't really wasn't for me. I won't be continuing this series.
This book didn't live up to my expectations. I was asked to read this book in exchange for a review. I hesitated for a minute because this is a middle grade book and I'm 31, but the Goodreads rating was alright and some reviews compared it to Harry Potter. I was curious and decided to read this book!
I can see where the comparison comes from... This book is about a young girl, Ivy, who doesn't know she has magic, until she is invited to attend a school of magic. There's even a list of supplies she needs to buy from a street with magical shops... I might have been able to see past this, if the writing were a little better. The plot is all over the place, there's hardly any world building and none of the characters have any depth to them. I know it's a middle grade book and I was expecting colorful, archetypical characters but instead I was just reading about a young girl running in different directions all the time.
There is yet some originality in this book - I did like the concept of the scrivenists and how there's magic in sketching. Overall though, this book didn't really wasn't for me. I won't be continuing this series.
I received a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review
I was so excited to receive this book! Middle grade fantasy? Yes, please! A lost princess, missing double moons, disappearing castles in dreams, magical beasts both familiar and brand new, a pirate in a glass bottle, magicians who turn into books when they retire, an adventurous and trouble-attracting orphan/scullery maid? All the yeses! D.E. Night has an incredible imagination and creates a very vivid new fantasy world. There is a lot to sink your teeth into! And I grew to love the main character, Ivy. She has a thirst for knowledge, a love of creatures, an openness, and sense of adventure.
While there was so much for me to be excited about and fall in love with, this book did drive me crazy sometimes. This is D.E. Night’s first book, and I think it could have benefited from a few more rewrites. The new world the author created is fascinating and rich and has a lot to capture my imagination. However, I was frequently left floundering. Sometimes there were disparate ideas or descriptions. Sometimes the transitions were too abrupt. Sometimes an anachronistic word was lazily used that pulled me from the world. There were many times where I felt the author got too attached to a certain background character or scene from world building and couldn’t bare to part with it even though it no longer fit the tone or continuity of the finished novel. I also felt that the main character should have been 12-14 not 16. Maybe she was aged to accommodate a romance? Whatever the reason, I never bought that she was 16. All of this is part of the process in writing a novel and creating a new world, but letting the reader see the process is like pulling back the curtain on Oz. The illusion is broken.
Having said all that, I do have to admit that I’m eager to read the next book in the series. The plot, mystery, world, and many of the characters pulled me in so much that I need to find out what happens!
3 1/2 stars. Rounded up because I’m excited to read more
I was so excited to receive this book! Middle grade fantasy? Yes, please! A lost princess, missing double moons, disappearing castles in dreams, magical beasts both familiar and brand new, a pirate in a glass bottle, magicians who turn into books when they retire, an adventurous and trouble-attracting orphan/scullery maid? All the yeses! D.E. Night has an incredible imagination and creates a very vivid new fantasy world. There is a lot to sink your teeth into! And I grew to love the main character, Ivy. She has a thirst for knowledge, a love of creatures, an openness, and sense of adventure.
While there was so much for me to be excited about and fall in love with, this book did drive me crazy sometimes. This is D.E. Night’s first book, and I think it could have benefited from a few more rewrites. The new world the author created is fascinating and rich and has a lot to capture my imagination. However, I was frequently left floundering. Sometimes there were disparate ideas or descriptions. Sometimes the transitions were too abrupt. Sometimes an anachronistic word was lazily used that pulled me from the world. There were many times where I felt the author got too attached to a certain background character or scene from world building and couldn’t bare to part with it even though it no longer fit the tone or continuity of the finished novel. I also felt that the main character should have been 12-14 not 16. Maybe she was aged to accommodate a romance? Whatever the reason, I never bought that she was 16. All of this is part of the process in writing a novel and creating a new world, but letting the reader see the process is like pulling back the curtain on Oz. The illusion is broken.
Having said all that, I do have to admit that I’m eager to read the next book in the series. The plot, mystery, world, and many of the characters pulled me in so much that I need to find out what happens!
3 1/2 stars. Rounded up because I’m excited to read more
Ivy has spent her entire life slaving away to make the royals’ meals at the House of Plum. Destiny intervenes when she is fired from her duties and a whole new world is revealed to Ivy. She makes true friends, learns about the past and most importantly, interacts with magic. The evil Queen looms in the distance and Ivy must find her courage as all that is good in Croswald is threatened.
Great read for middle grade readers! This book is adventurous, endearing and enchanting. Ivy is a strong main character, and D.E. Night does a beautiful job outlining her development. Ivy is inquisitive, smart and has a sense of humor while also going through the turbulence of her life completely changing. The world building was easy to follow and it’s easy for the reader to immerse themselves in Croswald. The other characters are also very relatable and their interactions with Ivy flow really well throughout the story.
Thank you to NetGalley and Stories Untold for the e-book copy. This copy was received in exchange for an honest review.
Great read for middle grade readers! This book is adventurous, endearing and enchanting. Ivy is a strong main character, and D.E. Night does a beautiful job outlining her development. Ivy is inquisitive, smart and has a sense of humor while also going through the turbulence of her life completely changing. The world building was easy to follow and it’s easy for the reader to immerse themselves in Croswald. The other characters are also very relatable and their interactions with Ivy flow really well throughout the story.
Thank you to NetGalley and Stories Untold for the e-book copy. This copy was received in exchange for an honest review.
Ivy has spent her entire life slaving away to make the royals’ meals at the House of Plum. Destiny intervenes when she is fired from her duties and a whole new world is revealed to Ivy. She makes true friends, learns about the past and most importantly, interacts with magic. The evil Queen looms in the distance and Ivy must find her courage as all that is good in Croswald is threatened.
Great read for middle grade readers! This book is adventurous, endearing and enchanting. Ivy is a strong main character, and D.E. Night does a beautiful job outlining her development. Ivy is inquisitive, smart and has a sense of humor while also going through the turbulence of her life completely changing. The world building was easy to follow and it’s easy for the reader to immerse themselves in Croswald. The other characters are also very relatable and their interactions with Ivy flow really well throughout the story.
Thank you to NetGalley and Stories Untold for the e-book copy. This copy was received in exchange for an honest review.
Great read for middle grade readers! This book is adventurous, endearing and enchanting. Ivy is a strong main character, and D.E. Night does a beautiful job outlining her development. Ivy is inquisitive, smart and has a sense of humor while also going through the turbulence of her life completely changing. The world building was easy to follow and it’s easy for the reader to immerse themselves in Croswald. The other characters are also very relatable and their interactions with Ivy flow really well throughout the story.
Thank you to NetGalley and Stories Untold for the e-book copy. This copy was received in exchange for an honest review.
Very similar to the kinds of books I used to read as a young teen. It is classed as YA but is definitely more on the young side even though our main character is 16. I'd recommend for kids in their early teens or adults looking for an easy relaxing read about magical schools and mysterious places. Each chapter has a lovely illustration such as my favourite for chapter fourteen. The book follows the main character Ivy Lovely who initially works as a Scaldrony maid but when she tries to help one of the unwell Scaldrons is kicked to the kirb. She then embarks on a journey within a magical school. With characters such as the dragon Humboldt, her best friend Rebecca and a friend who I'm guessing is a future love interest Fyn, she learns more about herself while dealing daring situation and her school rival Damaris and an evil queen. I also noticed the insertion of the character named “Derwin Edgar Night,” and I am curious If it purposely is similar to the authors name that we will find out in later books or is just a hidden Easter Egg. The dedication at the beginning of the book "To my husband, who has proven fairy tales aren’t only in books." Its just adorable. I love seeing dedication like this. Overall a lovely read.
I was lucky to receive a copy of this book free from the publisher via NetGalley but all thoughts and opinions are my own
I was lucky to receive a copy of this book free from the publisher via NetGalley but all thoughts and opinions are my own
I was given the great opportunity to read this book in return for an honest review.
Ivy Lovely discovers that she truly belongs in this magical world and not the life of a scaldrony maid. In this world she finds great friends and discovers what she is truly capable of. Yet there is more going on and a mystery and darkness that threatens this new world she has come to be apart of.
The Crowns of Croswald is a great story of of self discovery, magic and mystery. A story that brought me back to my youth and fantasies of magic. This was a wonderful start to an amazing adventure and I can’t wait to continue the journey.
Ivy Lovely discovers that she truly belongs in this magical world and not the life of a scaldrony maid. In this world she finds great friends and discovers what she is truly capable of. Yet there is more going on and a mystery and darkness that threatens this new world she has come to be apart of.
The Crowns of Croswald is a great story of of self discovery, magic and mystery. A story that brought me back to my youth and fantasies of magic. This was a wonderful start to an amazing adventure and I can’t wait to continue the journey.
Short Description
A middle grade fantasy book about a young girl whose history is as mysterious as her powers. She starts her schooling on a magical school where she trains to become a fully pledged scrivenist a quill-wielding person assigned to be of assistance to the royal families.
The copy I read was an ARC given to me by Stories Untold Press (the book's publisher). Im really grateful for the copy and I'm thankful for the author D.E. Night as well.
Things I liked
I am so in love with the world building. The writer really took her time explaining everything so vividly. And I loved how she explains in a very enjoyable way and not in a very info-dumpy kind of way which is what most fantasy writers do. The world is so easy to fall in love with and I really enjoyed my time
Things I disliked:
-A lot of the story is very similar to Harry Potter. The mc was an orphan who got in a magical school and discovered a lot of magical stuff tho ultimately I did not mind since I like being taken into these magical worlds. The second half of the book kind of diverges from the HP series as well.
-Another thing I did not liked that much were that some of the other characters are not that fleshed out. However since this is just book one in a series, I am hoping more about the other characters in the other books.
Favorite Scene
My favorite scenes were the ones between Fyn and Ivy especially the one where he asked her to be his partner for the ball. I really enjoyed all the tenderness. Gave me butterflies in my stomach
Would I recommend?
Since I knew this was a middle grade fantasy going in, I tried to view this through a middle grader's eye. I think a lot of young readers would enjoy it especially those who has a penchant for magic.
#books #bookrecs #CrownsOfCroswald #DENight #Croswald #magic #fantasy #middlegrade
A middle grade fantasy book about a young girl whose history is as mysterious as her powers. She starts her schooling on a magical school where she trains to become a fully pledged scrivenist a quill-wielding person assigned to be of assistance to the royal families.
The copy I read was an ARC given to me by Stories Untold Press (the book's publisher). Im really grateful for the copy and I'm thankful for the author D.E. Night as well.
Things I liked
I am so in love with the world building. The writer really took her time explaining everything so vividly. And I loved how she explains in a very enjoyable way and not in a very info-dumpy kind of way which is what most fantasy writers do. The world is so easy to fall in love with and I really enjoyed my time
Things I disliked:
-A lot of the story is very similar to Harry Potter. The mc was an orphan who got in a magical school and discovered a lot of magical stuff tho ultimately I did not mind since I like being taken into these magical worlds. The second half of the book kind of diverges from the HP series as well.
-Another thing I did not liked that much were that some of the other characters are not that fleshed out. However since this is just book one in a series, I am hoping more about the other characters in the other books.
Favorite Scene
My favorite scenes were the ones between Fyn and Ivy especially the one where he asked her to be his partner for the ball. I really enjoyed all the tenderness. Gave me butterflies in my stomach
Would I recommend?
Since I knew this was a middle grade fantasy going in, I tried to view this through a middle grader's eye. I think a lot of young readers would enjoy it especially those who has a penchant for magic.
#books #bookrecs #CrownsOfCroswald #DENight #Croswald #magic #fantasy #middlegrade
I received this book for free in exchanged for an honest review.
The Crowns of Croswald is the first in a fantasy series by D.E. Night . Following Ivy and her journey of self discovery and magic. This was such a fun and delightful read. If you love awesome female characters and magical schools then you will love this book.
And that ending! can't wait to pick up book two!
The Crowns of Croswald is the first in a fantasy series by D.E. Night . Following Ivy and her journey of self discovery and magic. This was such a fun and delightful read. If you love awesome female characters and magical schools then you will love this book.
And that ending! can't wait to pick up book two!
Thank you to NetGalley and Stories Untold for a gifted eARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.
For kids too young for the avada kedavra curse, this is a great introduction to the world of magic. There are nods to Harry Potter everywhere, and I enjoyed those little Easter eggs. The writing is simple and the story is easy to follow.
Ivy has her ups and downs, where she can be a bit annoying, but she means well and just wants to know what’s going on, which is fair. Her curiosity is burning and it really drives this story. I liked Ivy’s friends, Fyn and Rebecca, but do wish that we had learned more about them and got to know them better. Ivy seems annoyed by them more often than anything, so I don’t think we really get to see their personalities as much as I would have liked. I loved Winsome and do wish we got to spend a bit more time getting to know him as well. I found Derwin Edgar Night (same initials as the author, which I thought was fun!) the most interesting character in the story and can’t wait to finally learn more about him in the next books!
Towards the end, I couldn’t put the book down, I just needed to know what was happening! I had an idea of what it may be, but wasn’t sure how all of it fit together. The ending was full of excitement and action, and gave us a brief overview of Ivy’s history. There were definitely things I questioned, but they seem to be things that could be answered in the next book
For kids too young for the avada kedavra curse, this is a great introduction to the world of magic. There are nods to Harry Potter everywhere, and I enjoyed those little Easter eggs. The writing is simple and the story is easy to follow.
Ivy has her ups and downs, where she can be a bit annoying, but she means well and just wants to know what’s going on, which is fair. Her curiosity is burning and it really drives this story. I liked Ivy’s friends, Fyn and Rebecca, but do wish that we had learned more about them and got to know them better. Ivy seems annoyed by them more often than anything, so I don’t think we really get to see their personalities as much as I would have liked. I loved Winsome and do wish we got to spend a bit more time getting to know him as well. I found Derwin Edgar Night (same initials as the author, which I thought was fun!) the most interesting character in the story and can’t wait to finally learn more about him in the next books!
Towards the end, I couldn’t put the book down, I just needed to know what was happening! I had an idea of what it may be, but wasn’t sure how all of it fit together. The ending was full of excitement and action, and gave us a brief overview of Ivy’s history. There were definitely things I questioned, but they seem to be things that could be answered in the next book
Note: I received a digital copy of this book from the publisher and NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
The Crowns of Croswald is a middlegrade fantasy that sends readers on a fun and whimsical ride. What really sets The Crowns of Croswald appart is the world building. Night has created a unique world rich with magic and oddities that will have readers intrigued. I loved the creativity of the magic system, from the different creatures to the glanageries.
While the prologue drew me into the mystery from the very first line, I found the rest of book less gripping. At times, the writing felt stilted and awkward, particularly in dialogue. This may have been emphasized by the fact that the main character is supposed to be 16, but often acts and speaks as though she is much younger. That being said, this is a middlegrade novel and I think it would have been appropriate for Ivy to have been aged down.
Overall, this book was an enjoyable read and I would recommend it to younger audiences.
The Crowns of Croswald is a middlegrade fantasy that sends readers on a fun and whimsical ride. What really sets The Crowns of Croswald appart is the world building. Night has created a unique world rich with magic and oddities that will have readers intrigued. I loved the creativity of the magic system, from the different creatures to the glanageries.
While the prologue drew me into the mystery from the very first line, I found the rest of book less gripping. At times, the writing felt stilted and awkward, particularly in dialogue. This may have been emphasized by the fact that the main character is supposed to be 16, but often acts and speaks as though she is much younger. That being said, this is a middlegrade novel and I think it would have been appropriate for Ivy to have been aged down.
Overall, this book was an enjoyable read and I would recommend it to younger audiences.