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A review by ladybreww_reads
The Crowns of Croswald by D.E. Night
3.0
Review:
To start - I am in my mid-30's and tried my best to read this book through the lens of the target audience, which is middle-grade readers. The writing and general storyline were whimsical and charming. The author's descriptions created good imagery, and I could really see the characters' personalities and the scenes in vivid detail. D.E. Night has a vibrant imagination.
As for the storyline, I had a somewhat difficult time understanding the main point of the plot, but it was an enjoyable sequence of mini-adventures. As an adult reader, I generally prefer books with a more cohesive storyline and overarching theme. This book is best for readers under 14 years who have a faster-moving attention span and need frequently changing scenes and excitement. Overall, I believe this book would make a cute movie.
The main character is 16 years old, but acts much younger (around 12-13). The story would have been a little more believable if she was younger, as the way she behaved, her mannerisms, the way she spoke, and the general themes of the book seem more appropriate for a younger age. The book contained a lot of larger and more complex vocabulary than you would typically find in a middle-grade book (ethereal, pallid, ephemeral. rakishly, prodigious). For parents who are reading this book along with their children, this makes the book more interesting and gives it depth.
Synopsis:
The main character, Ivy, is brave and curious, with a good heart and sense of adventure. Ivy is a 16 year old working for Helga, a cruel woman who holds her essentially captive to do chores and work as a scaldron maid (essentially a grunt worker that cooks and takes care of magical creatures similar to dragons). The story is filled with the magical adventures of Ivy as she navigates her first year at a magical school for royals and scrivenists. Similar to Harry Potter, Ivy is snatched up when she turned 16 and brought to the magical school to learn about her abilities. During her first year, Ivy completes various "missions" during which she tries to uncover a magical secret.
To start - I am in my mid-30's and tried my best to read this book through the lens of the target audience, which is middle-grade readers. The writing and general storyline were whimsical and charming. The author's descriptions created good imagery, and I could really see the characters' personalities and the scenes in vivid detail. D.E. Night has a vibrant imagination.
As for the storyline, I had a somewhat difficult time understanding the main point of the plot, but it was an enjoyable sequence of mini-adventures. As an adult reader, I generally prefer books with a more cohesive storyline and overarching theme. This book is best for readers under 14 years who have a faster-moving attention span and need frequently changing scenes and excitement. Overall, I believe this book would make a cute movie.
The main character is 16 years old, but acts much younger (around 12-13). The story would have been a little more believable if she was younger, as the way she behaved, her mannerisms, the way she spoke, and the general themes of the book seem more appropriate for a younger age. The book contained a lot of larger and more complex vocabulary than you would typically find in a middle-grade book (ethereal, pallid, ephemeral. rakishly, prodigious). For parents who are reading this book along with their children, this makes the book more interesting and gives it depth.
Synopsis:
The main character, Ivy, is brave and curious, with a good heart and sense of adventure. Ivy is a 16 year old working for Helga, a cruel woman who holds her essentially captive to do chores and work as a scaldron maid (essentially a grunt worker that cooks and takes care of magical creatures similar to dragons). The story is filled with the magical adventures of Ivy as she navigates her first year at a magical school for royals and scrivenists. Similar to Harry Potter, Ivy is snatched up when she turned 16 and brought to the magical school to learn about her abilities. During her first year, Ivy completes various "missions" during which she tries to uncover a magical secret.