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A review by kierscrivener
Nevermoor: The Trials of Morrigan Crow [Large Print] by Jessica Townsend
5.0
I am not a generous rater but this novel was an immediate favourite. The worldbuilding was incredible and loving, weaving Victorian and modern technology mixed with fantasy and absurdism. It has a beautiful mythology and taking it in a new fashion and way, from the colours of Christmas to umbrella trains that do not stop at stations.
It is intelligently written with a high amount of satire and sarcasm that I adore. I love that it makes all the magical things bureaucratic and intermingle fantasy with everyday activities, that also allow us to have a clues that unravel the mystery of the nature of Morrigan Crow. I have often said that I wished novels would dive into the how magical worlds would actually run when the world wasn't ending and my prayers have been answered. Even though it is full of mystery and wonder, it also allows us to see how Nevermoor as a society actually operates. We get to see beautiful friendships develop naturally over the course of a year rather than in a handful of days and it was refreshing.
I love Jupiter as a character, he is a wacky turn at the mentor figure and I think his gift is amazing. My main complaint was him not explaining things to Morrigan, but in the end he was partly justified. At least more so than most cases, but still she would have been safer.
I also really liked all the secondary characters, that most have been fleshed out even the passing one though a few fell too smoothly in stereotypes for my liking.
I adored both Jack and Hawthorne as well. I simply adore Hawthorne and Jack I cannot wait to know more especially considering the reveals at the end.
Townsend even discussed the idea of xenophobia and immigration, by calling them 'illegals' and I could hear the things that are actually spoke today.
“Illegals are a plague, and it’s my solemn duty to guard the borders of Nevermoor and protect its true citizens from Republic scum trying to weasel their way into the Free State."
Jupiter turned serious. “A noble and valiant cause, I’m sure,” he said quietly. “Protecting the Free State from those most in need of its help.” (p 175)
There is so much more I could speak of from dragons, burning paper, that her father was named Corvus and her grandmother looked like a bird of prey, and the dark beauty of the series, that their is a dwarf vampire and that the idea of family and friendship was to be sought after and cherished was beautiful for Morrigan.
I adored the ending, I loved that it was a mystery that gave us plenty of clues and worked beautifully and masterfully together. I cannot wait until I read the next book.
Other Quotes (Spoilers)
“[Wundersmith] was a man who became a monster, lass, that’s
what he did,” said Kedgeree. “A monster who made monsters of his own, who was so
brilliant – so talented and twisted – that he decided to play God. He built a great army
of fearsome creatures with which he planned to conquer Nevermoor, to enslave the
people of our city.” “Why?” Kedgeree blinked. “For power, I suppose. He sought to own
the city, and by owning the city to own the entire realm.” (p 270)
‘Even greater than that. Wundersmiths were wishgranters and
protectors. They used their powers to bring good things to the world. Wundersmith
doesn’t mean monster or murderer – Squall made it mean those things. He did
something unforgivable. He betrayed his people and his city. Abused his power.
He made Wundersmith a dark and terrible word, but it wasn’t always. You can
change its meaning again, Mog.’ (p 440)
"Highly illegal, please pretend you didn't see it." (the epitome of Jupiter)
and the beautiful ending "funny thing, she had these things already." I loved that we saw her find her family and friends and I cannot wait for the events to unfold.
It is intelligently written with a high amount of satire and sarcasm that I adore. I love that it makes all the magical things bureaucratic and intermingle fantasy with everyday activities, that also allow us to have a clues that unravel the mystery of the nature of Morrigan Crow. I have often said that I wished novels would dive into the how magical worlds would actually run when the world wasn't ending and my prayers have been answered. Even though it is full of mystery and wonder, it also allows us to see how Nevermoor as a society actually operates. We get to see beautiful friendships develop naturally over the course of a year rather than in a handful of days and it was refreshing.
I love Jupiter as a character, he is a wacky turn at the mentor figure and I think his gift is amazing. My main complaint was him not explaining things to Morrigan, but in the end he was partly justified. At least more so than most cases, but still she would have been safer.
I also really liked all the secondary characters, that most have been fleshed out even the passing one though a few fell too smoothly in stereotypes for my liking.
I adored both Jack and Hawthorne as well. I simply adore Hawthorne and Jack I cannot wait to know more especially considering the reveals at the end.
Townsend even discussed the idea of xenophobia and immigration, by calling them 'illegals' and I could hear the things that are actually spoke today.
“Illegals are a plague, and it’s my solemn duty to guard the borders of Nevermoor and protect its true citizens from Republic scum trying to weasel their way into the Free State."
Jupiter turned serious. “A noble and valiant cause, I’m sure,” he said quietly. “Protecting the Free State from those most in need of its help.” (p 175)
There is so much more I could speak of from dragons, burning paper, that her father was named Corvus and her grandmother looked like a bird of prey, and the dark beauty of the series, that their is a dwarf vampire and that the idea of family and friendship was to be sought after and cherished was beautiful for Morrigan.
I adored the ending, I loved that it was a mystery that gave us plenty of clues and worked beautifully and masterfully together. I cannot wait until I read the next book.
Other Quotes (Spoilers)
“[Wundersmith] was a man who became a monster, lass, that’s
what he did,” said Kedgeree. “A monster who made monsters of his own, who was so
brilliant – so talented and twisted – that he decided to play God. He built a great army
of fearsome creatures with which he planned to conquer Nevermoor, to enslave the
people of our city.” “Why?” Kedgeree blinked. “For power, I suppose. He sought to own
the city, and by owning the city to own the entire realm.” (p 270)
‘Even greater than that. Wundersmiths were wishgranters and
protectors. They used their powers to bring good things to the world. Wundersmith
doesn’t mean monster or murderer – Squall made it mean those things. He did
something unforgivable. He betrayed his people and his city. Abused his power.
He made Wundersmith a dark and terrible word, but it wasn’t always. You can
change its meaning again, Mog.’ (p 440)
"Highly illegal, please pretend you didn't see it." (the epitome of Jupiter)
and the beautiful ending "funny thing, she had these things already." I loved that we saw her find her family and friends and I cannot wait for the events to unfold.