A review by nicetagg_readingslow
The Crowns of Croswald by D.E. Night

5.0

I went into this book expecting one thing but, was pleasantly surprised by what I got. The Crowns of Croswald is a middle grade book, but it is absolutely a joyful read for all ages.

The journey of magic and whimsy throughout is absolutely wonderful. I would compare this read to being a good mix of Harry Potter and Alice’s Adventures In Wonderland. I can see why some said this reads like a knock off of HP but, I would describe it more as a book beautifully inspired by other stories. And truly, is that not what all books are. An adventure that was inspired from stories we have read.

The characters in this book were wonderfully done. The growth of Ivy being one of my favorite progressions to read. Other characters of note are Fyn and Rebecca two characters I truly liked. There were also antagonists of note that added depth to the story and conflict for the protagonist Ivy as well.

Ivy is a poor maid kicked out of one world and thrust into another, only to learn she is more than she ever thought she was. There are provisions that have been set aside for her and she is then brought to magical shops and The Hall of Ivy to learn to harness her own magic. There are bullies that Ivy must face and overcome, whom want nothing more than to see her fail. Once at the magical school the story becomes more fast paced and we are moved through the school year with the impending doom of the Dark Queen and her Cloaked Brood.

In the end Ivy learns her heritage and what must be done to ensure the future of Croswald. I truly can’t wait for this story to continue and to read even more books from this author. Any reader will find themselves immersed in the story and though the inevitable comparison to HP will happen the whimsy and fantasy this story offers will easily bring the reader to love this just as much as they love the classic magic school story.

I would like to thank the publisher for reaching out to me about this book as it was a refreshing and fun story to immerse myself in.