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3.62 AVERAGE
3.62 AVERAGE
I typically love fantasy, but I gave it a 2/5 rating because it was very hard to follow at times, too descriptive, or not descriptive enough. I think that some of it could be a little advanced for the average middle schooler, I had a hard time staying engaged with the story through most of it.
I received this book for free in exchange for an honest review.
This book was so very cute! I haven't read a middle grade book in quite some time and this was such a lovely read. Middle school me definitely would've devoured this book in a day or two. I loved Ivy's character and the plot was very well done with little easter eggs leading you toward the conclusion the whole way through. I think that D.E. Night did a wonderful job with this book and I would definitely recommend it to middle grade readers!
This book was so very cute! I haven't read a middle grade book in quite some time and this was such a lovely read. Middle school me definitely would've devoured this book in a day or two. I loved Ivy's character and the plot was very well done with little easter eggs leading you toward the conclusion the whole way through. I think that D.E. Night did a wonderful job with this book and I would definitely recommend it to middle grade readers!
I was a bit hesitant to pick up this book. I know that books compared to another popular wizarding world can be quite a letdown if not done properly. The comparisons are definitely there. I was worried that this series wouldn’t be able to stand on its own. However, as the storyline matured, I was impressed by the originality that was injected into the narrative, especially by the end. This is the first book in a four-part series. I’m excited to pick up the next book to see how this story and its characters will progress.
lighthearted
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
I was sent this book to review by @author.denight and I honestly really enjoyed it. I don’t read a lot of middle grade books, but sometimes it’s nice to take a step back from those complex and intense adult fantasy worlds to just enjoy the magic of it all.
Croswald is a quirky world with magic held within stones for the royals and the blood of the scrivenists who serve them, making discoveries and recording them with their magic quills. There’s also plenty of fun creatures like the scaldrons and hairies. It sort of reminded me of The Princess Bride with all of the weird names. I could definitely see this being a great bedtime story!
The majority of the book was about Ivy learning more about magic and herself with little bumps in her path along the way, but it did culminate in a much larger finale than I was expecting, sort of like the first Harry Potter book.
Overall, I’d definitely recommend this book for any middle schoolers in your life, or if you’re just looking for a break after a more intense read, because it’s loads of fun!
Thank you to Stories Untold and NetGalley for providing this book for free in exchange for an honest review.
My rating: 4/5 stars
I'm really intrigued to read this because.. BOARDING SCHOOL (it's my current obsession to read anything boarding school-related) but also.. MAGIC and CASTLE and PRINCESSES?
I've seen a lot of people compare this to Harry Potter, and I've read them since I was a kid I kinda agree with the first part of the book. But for me, I think The Crowns of Croswald have its own magical system.
What I like about this book:
- The world-building is fun and I've never read or found any book like this before (Scrivenists with magical quills, Castle and Queens, princess and princes, and magical boarding school together).
- The characters (mainly Rebecca.. sorry Ivy). Rebecca is funny and supportive to Ivy and I just really like her character. Fyn has a sweet, protective, and mischievous personality especially towards Ivy, and it turns out I like him too.
For Ivy, well she's great. She's curious, adventurous, and quite rebellious too. But um, I want to see more of her character development in the next book.
- I like how the author put her own name as a mysterious character in the book.
Wait... I think I like Ivy mainly because of this particular scene:
Ah yes, that 1 sentence, and that 1 word is so relatable to me as a student...
What I don't really like about this book:
- NO MAPS :(( this made me really sad, I really wished there was a map, so the reader can have a picture of how the world looks like.
- I wish I could see more of Humboldt...
Yeah, I don't know what else I don't like about this book honestly.. But the no maps is such a bummer...
In general, it's an enjoyable read. It started out really slow, but from the middle to the last chapters the pace picking up perfectly. For me, I think this book is more appropriate for middle grades. Okay that's it for me, now I'm craving a pie..
My rating: 4/5 stars
I'm really intrigued to read this because.. BOARDING SCHOOL (it's my current obsession to read anything boarding school-related) but also.. MAGIC and CASTLE and PRINCESSES?
I've seen a lot of people compare this to Harry Potter, and I've read them since I was a kid I kinda agree with the first part of the book. But for me, I think The Crowns of Croswald have its own magical system.
What I like about this book:
- The world-building is fun and I've never read or found any book like this before (Scrivenists with magical quills, Castle and Queens, princess and princes, and magical boarding school together).
- The characters (mainly Rebecca.. sorry Ivy). Rebecca is funny and supportive to Ivy and I just really like her character. Fyn has a sweet, protective, and mischievous personality especially towards Ivy, and it turns out I like him too.
For Ivy, well she's great. She's curious, adventurous, and quite rebellious too. But um, I want to see more of her character development in the next book.
- I like how the author put her own name as a mysterious character in the book.
Wait... I think I like Ivy mainly because of this particular scene:
"I don't feel like doing much today, and probably not tomorrow, either. A few absences never hurt anyone. I feel like I need a break."
"A break from what?"
"Life."
Ah yes, that 1 sentence, and that 1 word is so relatable to me as a student...
What I don't really like about this book:
- NO MAPS :(( this made me really sad, I really wished there was a map, so the reader can have a picture of how the world looks like.
- I wish I could see more of Humboldt...
Yeah, I don't know what else I don't like about this book honestly.. But the no maps is such a bummer...
In general, it's an enjoyable read. It started out really slow, but from the middle to the last chapters the pace picking up perfectly. For me, I think this book is more appropriate for middle grades. Okay that's it for me, now I'm craving a pie..
Ivy Lovely didn't expect her life to turn from being a maid from the slurry to a student at the Halls of Ivy to become a scrivenist, people who have magical blood that serves the Royals.
As her journey goes she grows more curious about her new world, but her vivid dreams leave her bothered about a certain room, and the secrets that lie within it.
This book is very detailed with a little explanation; it is complicated to understand at the first half, but as you go on with the story you won't be able to put it down (Once I hit the 50% mark I finished the book in a few hours
As her journey goes she grows more curious about her new world, but her vivid dreams leave her bothered about a certain room, and the secrets that lie within it.
This book is very detailed with a little explanation; it is complicated to understand at the first half, but as you go on with the story you won't be able to put it down (Once I hit the 50% mark I finished the book in a few hours
adventurous
lighthearted
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
adventurous
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
N/A
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
N/A
adventurous
funny
hopeful
inspiring
mysterious
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
Thank you to @netgalley , @author.denight and @storiesuntold for the #gifted e-copy of THE CROWNS OF CROSWALD!
It took me a few chapters to get into the world-building of Croswald but once the story got moving and Ivy reached school, I couldn’t get enough! I loved the magical creatures that are included throughout the book and the budding romance between Ivy and Fyn.
Even though there is the danger of the Dark Queen looming over the story, it still was a joyful read and I’m looking forward to reading the sequel soon. I would definitely recommend this one to lovers of middle-grade and YA fantasy!
The Crowns of Croswald is available now!
It took me a few chapters to get into the world-building of Croswald but once the story got moving and Ivy reached school, I couldn’t get enough! I loved the magical creatures that are included throughout the book and the budding romance between Ivy and Fyn.
Even though there is the danger of the Dark Queen looming over the story, it still was a joyful read and I’m looking forward to reading the sequel soon. I would definitely recommend this one to lovers of middle-grade and YA fantasy!
The Crowns of Croswald is available now!