Nevermoor: The trials of Morrigan Crow

by Jessica Townsend

Paper Book, 2017

Description

Juvenile Fiction. Juvenile Literature. Mystery. HTML:A breathtaking, enchanting new series by debut author Jessica Townsend, about a cursed girl who escapes death and finds herself in a magical world�??but is then tested beyond her wildest imagination. Morrigan Crow is cursed. Having been born on Eventide, the unluckiest day for any child to be born, she's blamed for all local misfortunes, from hailstorms to heart attacks�??and, worst of all, the curse means that Morrigan is doomed to die at midnight on her eleventh birthday. But as Morrigan awaits her fate, a strange and remarkable man named Jupiter North appears. Chased by black-smoke hounds and shadowy hunters on horseback, he whisks her away into the safety of a secret, magical city called Nevermoor. It's then that Morrigan discovers Jupiter has chosen her to contend for a place in the city's most prestigious organization: the Wundrous Society. In order to join, she must compete in four difficult and dangerous trials against hundreds of other children, each with an extraordinary talent that sets them apart�??an extraordinary talent that Morrigan insists she does not have. To stay in the safety of Nevermoor for good, Morrigan will need to find a way to pass the tests�??or she'll have to leave the city to confront her deadly fate. Perfect for fans of the Harry Potter series and Neil Gaiman, this fast-paced plot and imaginative world has a fresh new take on magic that will appeal to a new generation of readers. "A Harry Potter-esque adventure." �?? Tim… (more)

Publication

Sydney, N.S.W. Hachette Australia, 2017.

Pages

ix; 451

User reviews

LibraryThing member BillieBook

Books are constantly being compared to Harry Potter, but rarely do they capture that same sense of charm and discovery and wonder on first reading. I'm not going to say that Nevermoor reaches quite those heights, but it comes really, really close and seemingly without trying.

Like a Dahl-ian

heroine, Morrigan Crow is unloved and unappreciated by her family because she is a supposedly "cursed" child, destined to die at midnight on Eventide and bring bad luck and misfortune to those around her until she does. Just before the moment she is supposed to die, she is swept away to Nevermoor by the mysterious Jupiter North, who has chosen her to be his candidate in the trials to choose new members of the Wundrous Society. Her adventures find her living in a hotel which adapts to its guests and mingling with a cast of delightfully eccentric characters—friends and enemies alike. Full of mischief and magic, friendship and fantasy, secrets and surprises, heroes and villains and those who may be neither or both (including a dwarf vampire vampire dwarf), this first entry in the Nevermoor saga is sure to captivate and delight readers of all ages.

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LibraryThing member humouress

(First of 2?; YA, fantasy)
library book

Morrigan Crow is a cursed child; she is on the Register of Cursed Children because she is due to die on the night of her eleventh birthday, at midnight on Eventide. Of course, as a cursed child, everyone else's misfortunes are her fault, too - like the time Pip

didn't win the spelling bee because she wished him good luck - and her family is tired of paying restitution to all the unfortunate people who cross Morrigan's path.

'A local man, Thomas Bratchett, died of a heart attack recently. He was -'

'Our gardener, I know,' Corvus interrupted. 'Terrible shame. The hydrangeas have suffered. Morrigan, what did you do to the old man?'

'Nothing.'

Corvus looked sceptical. 'Nothing? Nothing at all?'

She thought for a moment. 'I told him the flowerbeds looked nice.'

'When?'

'About a year ago.'

Corvus and the caseworker exchanged a look. The woman sighed quietly. 'His family is being extremely generous in the matter. They ask only that you pay his funeral expenses, put his grandchildren through university and make a donation to his favourite charity.'

Townsend's humour shows through here, and I like Morrigan's feisty personality and the letters she writes (but doesn't, of course, send).

Dear Mrs Malouf,
I'm sorry you don't know how to ice-skate properly.
I'm sorry you thought it was a good idea to go ice-skating even though you're a million years old and have brittle bones that could snap in a light breeze.
I'm sorry I broke your hip. I didn't mean to. I hope you are recovering quickly. Please accept my apologies and get well soon.
Yours sincerely,
Miss Morrigan Crow

However, she still goes to Bid Day where hopeful children who are turning eleven go to see if they will be offered a chance to interview for an apprenticeship; but who is going to bother offering even one bid on a child about to die who brings misfortune with her? To everyone's surprise, Morrigan beats the record and is offered four bids!

Jupiter North (who reminds me of a sort of Santa Claus - large and jolly) finds a loophole in Morrigan's curse and whisks her away to the safety of the Free State of Nevermoor in the teeth of the Hunt of Smoke and Shadow which comes for her. There he installs her in his Hotel Deucalion with its wonderful residents like Frank the overly dramatic ~~dwarf vampire~~

'Only dwarf vampire in Nevermoor, you know' ... 'Not very popular in the dwarf community or the vampire community, sadly, mostly on account of -'

'Vampire dwarf,' Frank corrected him from the other side of the room. 'There is a difference, you know. You might think about getting some sensitivity training if you're going to run a hotel.'

'- mostly on account of his moodiness, I expect. Imagine being too moody for other vampires.'

and enters her in the trials for the Wundrous Society which only takes in nine candidates every year. Morrigan absolutely has to be one of those nine so she can stay in Nevermoor and avoid her fate at the hands of the Hunt. But she doesn't know what her talent is, which she has to demonstrate at the Show Trial to be able to get in. Jupiter assures her she has one ... but somehow seems to keep avoiding telling her what it is.

Fun. Also funny in places. I can see Townsend's Australian roots occasionally; for instance in 'Nunya', the name of the town that Morrigan claims to be from.

4.5 stars

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LibraryThing member electrascaife

Morrigan Crow doesn't have long to live, because she's one of the Cursed Children, who are born on Eventide, cause all sorts of mishaps while alive, and always die young. But then again, maybe not. Things seem not to go according to the plans of fate once Jupiter North gets involved, and he takes

an interest in Morrigan, rescues and takes her to his hotel/home in a city full of magic (Nevermoor), and enters her in the trials to become an apprentice to The Wundrous Society. Her life becomes full of magic, and danger, and all sorts of doubt: what if people here find out that she's one of the Cursed Children? What will happen when they find out that she doesn't even have a Knack (which all who go through the trials must have)? And who is the monstrous Wundersmith of whom everyone in Nevermoor seems to be terrified? North is all sorts of things, but full of answers isn't one of them.

This one was fabulous. Such amazing world-building, with characters who are just as fantastic, and edge-of-seat plot twists for good measure. I can't wait for the next one!

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LibraryThing member atreic

Impulse buy at a bookshop, which I devoured in a very enjoyable couple of hours, as a break from heavy grown up sci-fi. It is definitely trying to be in the Harry Potter space, where a girl escapes from her horrible family and is told she's a candidate for a Special Magical Society, but only if she

can pass Trials for which she feels underprepared. Good characters, good plot, am looking forwards to the rest of the series when it's written, but the novel is reasonably stand alone.

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LibraryThing member karenvg3

A fun adventure that has me wondering where it will go next. It was a quick read with some enjoyable characters. It did leave me thinking it was so very similar to Harry Potter in many ways. 3.5-4 🌟

LibraryThing member muddyboy

As a young adult novel (series) I am pretty excited about this one. It is one of the most imaginative books of this genre I have read in quite a while. On the night Morrigan is scheduled to to die (at 13) she is transported to the magical world of Nevermoor. Here, she and others her age have

mentors and are involved in a competition to become members of a something called the Wundrous Society. There are four trials they have to complete. This is the closest book I have read that I think might gather the excitement of Harry Potter. Young readers should embrace this series.

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LibraryThing member DebbieMcCauley

First in the Nevermoor series. Born on Eventide, the unluckiest day for any child to be born, Morrigan Crow is told she is cursed and blamed for every unfortunate event in the area which her father has to pay compensation for. The only certainty in life is her future death at midnight on her 12th

birthday. But the experts have miscalculated and on her 11th birthday the Hunt of Smoke and Shadow arrive, but an eccentrically dressed man named Jupiter whisks her away. They arrive in the magical city of Nevermoor where Morrigan must compete for a place in the Wundrous Society or be banished to her fate. There are four trials against hundreds of other entrants for a total of 10 places in the Society. The other competitors have amazing talents, but Morrigan has yet to discover her own. A nice story, with a touch of humour and much magic, about a child trying to find where they belong in the world.

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LibraryThing member TheWasp

Although a children's book, i found Nevermoor a very enjoyable tale. There were clear discriptions for all the characters and interesting and imaginative storyline. This book will be enjoyed by readers of any age who like fantasy.

LibraryThing member ReneePaule

This is a such a wonderful story full of great original characters and adventures. Great for those who love to lose themselves in a fantasy world. I listened to the audiobook beautifully read by the very talanted Gemma Whelan. A well earned 5 stars!

LibraryThing member ChelleBearss

I love when I'm listening to a book and it inspires me to find things to clean so that I have an excuse to listen, and I don't even like cleaning!

LibraryThing member PlanCultivateCreate

Engrossing story, full of magic and intrigue. Can't wait for the sequel!

LibraryThing member Perednia

Derivative of both Harry Potter and Willy Wonka.

LibraryThing member foggidawn

Morrigan Crow is cursed. She’s always known it, just as she’s always known that she, like all of the other cursed children born on the last Eventide of the previous Age, will die on the final Eventide of this Age. But, when Eventide arrives, Morrigan is swept away by the charismatic Jupiter

North, to be a candidate for entrance into the Wundrous Society. Only nine places are available, so the 500+ candidates must face four trials. There’s one big problem: the fourth trial requires each candidate to display a knack — something good, and interesting, and useful. Morrigan doesn’t have one. Jupiter says he will take care of it, but how can he? And of course, those first three trials won’t exactly be a walk in the park...

I knew I would like this book. Other readers whose opinions I trust recommended it to me. Reviews and summaries and blurbs all appealed to me. I carried it with me on at least two vacations, but never started it. Had it been overhyped? Would it prove a disappointment?

Reader, it did not disappoint. I loved it: the whole mad, creative world of Nevermoor and the Hotel Deucalion in particular, prickly Morrigan and her happy-go-lucky pal Hawthorne, the trials, the plot twists, the hilariously funny lines throw in here and there — oh, just everything! It’s not entirely like Harry Potter, but I would recommend this to readers who enjoy Harry Potter — and I know that’s a dangerous comparison to make. You may have noticed that I don’t make it often.

Also? Jupiter North. He’s infuriating. I think I love him.

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LibraryThing member RealLifeReading

Nevermoor was just such a fun read! It’s a middle grade fantasy book filled with a hint of danger and darkness (Morrigan Crow is a Cursed Child, blamed for all local misfortunes, and doomed to die at midnight on her 11th birthday), plenty of charm (the hotel she lives in!) and humour (a

Magnificat - a giant talking cat - does the housekeeping). Also there are trials to get into the prestigious Wondrous Society and even after I’ve finished the book I still haven’t quite the faintest idea what the society is about, but I’d love to join it any day (where’s my invitation?)

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LibraryThing member Kathl33n

I'm comparing it to absolutely nothing and I found it absolutely delightful.

LibraryThing member Auntie-Nanuuq

#111

Well I'm not really sure about this book. The reviews I read gave it high marks but it fell well below my expectations.

Morrigan Crow is a "cursed" child, one of the few that will die on their 11th birthday of Eventide Night; but something happens instead. Morrigan is taken out in public w/ her

father to a student bidding day, where sponsors are able to bid on the further education of a child they'd like to be their apprentice.

Morrigan receives 4 bids, even though she has been removed from school & hidden away. Before she can sign the bidding contract the bidder disappears and Morrigan is back home for her birthday & last meal. As usual her family treats her abominably, especially her step-mother who announces she is pregnant with a child to replace Morrigan, Morrigan's grandmother defends Morrigan for a change and as it starts to turn into a problem, there is a knock on the door....

In comes Jupiter North, who had also sent a bid to Morrigan (which she signed & burned) and he has now come to collect Morrigan. Jupiter gives instructions to the family for the funeral and takes Morrigan away to Nevermoore.

In Nevermoor, there are many other special children, all who will compete to join the Wunderous Society of Nevermoor, but first they must compete in a series of trials designed to reveal each entrant's true self & potential.

Does this seem like too much? It rather was.... Too many people compare this favorably to Harry Potter, but seriously there are better Fantasy books to read.

Morrigan: I really didn't warm to her as I found her low-self esteem from being subjugated and treated badly by family & community (many of who lied about her) depressing. She didn't trust her strength, she tended to be a bit slow on the uptake, and, well, I just can't quite put my finger on it.

With the exception of Morrigan's best friend, Hawthorn, an 11 year-old Dragon Rider; I sadly found that I didn't really like any of the other characters as they were not particularly nice people. In fact, too many we downright rude & nasty-mean!

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LibraryThing member Ayanami_Faerudo

*It's wundrous.

*Really, how would anyone say no to a new room with no fuss because it hasn't been lived in yet; but over the days you stay there, it (a bit sentient) changes until it's right for you.

*I want to live in the Hotel Deucalion.

LibraryThing member krau0098

This is the first book in the Nevermoor series. I had heard great things about this book and was very excited to read it. This ended up being very Harry Potterish and was sometimes a bit too silly and over the top for me. However. it was also very magical and I really enjoyed the beginning of the

book.

Morrigan is a cursed child, shunned by her family and doomed to die on midnight of the next Eventide (her eleventh birthday). However during bid-day she unexpectedly recieves a number of bids (offers of apprenticeship) from various patrons despite her impending death. Thinking they are jokes she ignores them until Jupiter North from the Wundrous Society shows up and sweeps her away to Nevermoor to become his apprentice. Morrigan must compete with hundreds of other Nevermoor children to get a place in the prestigious Wundrous Society...or return to her death.

A lot of this book reminded me heavily of Harry Potter. The cursed child, Jupiter as her knowledgeable mentor, the evil villain, etc. It is a bit more over the top and at times approaches pure silliness. There were parts that made me roll my eyes at the craziness.

I really enjoyed the beginning of the book, but didn’t enjoy the story as much after we get to Nevermoor. I never engaged with the characters or the world and thought things were described in a way that was hard to picture and confusing.

However, the above being said….this is a very magical story full of silly magical wonder that kids may relate to better than I did.

Overall this was a good book, very magical and full of action. However, I thought it was over-the-top silly at times and had trouble engaging in the story. I think this is a book kids will enjoy more than adults and don’t plan on continuing the series.

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LibraryThing member jmoncton

Remember that feeling you had when you finished the first book of a great fantasy series? Harry Potter? The Narnia series? That's how I felt when I read this book. Such a creative world with very interesting characters. Can't wait to see where this series takes us!

LibraryThing member liz.mabry

Stellar. Can't wait for the next one!

LibraryThing member acargile

This supernatural, fantastical adventure is a 2019 Lone Star selection.

Morrigan was born on Eventide, which means that she is as unlucky as you can get. Everything is blamed on her. If someone trips, she is blamed even if she wasn’t in the vicinity. If someone has a heart attack, it’s her

fault. She even has to write apology letters. The worst part is that all Eventide children die at midnight on their 11th birthday. Unlike Morrigan, some children can look forward to Bid Day when kids who have finished some of their schooling receive their educational bid. When asked if all kids get a bid, Morrigan is told, “Heavens, no! If everyone were educated, where would servants come from?” As you can see, this society is far from ideal or one in which you would want to live.

Morrigan’s life changes drastically. She is allowed to attend Bid Day with her father. Breaking all records, there are several bids for Morrigan. Everyone is quite angry. She was born on Eventide. Who is rigging the bid? No one would want her! To make matters worse, the year changes earlier than expected and Morrigan will now die tonight. What? Life isn’t fair. Suddenly, Jupiter North, one of the people who bid on Morrigan, shows up as do black-smoke hounds and shadowy hunters on horseback. Her horrible family (don’t get me started) can’t even see what’s going on. Morrigan enters a different world where she must compete in four different trials--that Jupiter doesn’t seem to want to explain. If she passes them, she’ll be admitted into the Wundrous Society. These trials are almost impossible to prepare for and she’s up against stiff competition. There are also secrets--secrets about Morrigan that Jupiter won’t tell her. What’s truly going on?

This novel is cute and is great for people who like fun fantasy. It’s perfectly middle school appropriate.

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LibraryThing member MandaTheStrange

To be honest, this book did take me a little while to get into. I think it's mostly because YA is just not my cup of tea right now. However, once I was able to be completely immersed in the wonderful realm of Nevermoor, I truly enjoyed it.
For me, I felt the author 'borrowed' a lot of elements from

other popular children's stories so it was difficult for me to see past this. Once I realised that the author had cleverly made these elements her own, I was then only able to truly enjoy the story. I loved Jupiter and Fen, amazing characters who kept me reading until the very end.
Definitely worth a read and I'll be eagerly awaiting the next installment!

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LibraryThing member DaffiMere

I thought that I had at least another chapter or two to go, or at least an epilogue. But it turned out to be the acknowledgement section. The tears started to come out when I realised that I finished the book.

I want back into the wunder (look of longing with the reaching out with a hand to get

back into it).

I wanted to join in a few of the activities, whether it watching the centaur roller derby, floating down several stories with an umbrella or simply ride in a mechanical spider.

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LibraryThing member StephMWard

Believe the hype. This is a brilliant middle grade book! Highly recommended.

LibraryThing member MickyFine

Morrigan Crow was born cursed. Everything that goes wrong in her town is blamed on her and she is fated to die young. However, just after her eleventh birthday she encounters Jupitor North who brings her to the secret and magical city of Nevermoor where he sponsors her for membership in the

Wundrous Society. In order to gain membership, Morrigan must pass through several trials over the course of a year in order to prove her worthiness.

Comparisons to Harry Potter are inevitable with this book and Morrigan Crow stands her ground well. She's a charming character with several rough edges that make her feel real, the characters that surround her are delightful (I may have a bit of a crush on Jupiter North), and the magical world of Nevermoor is well-designed. I loved the Hotel Deucalion and I like to imagine what kind of room it would craft for me. Townsend also adds a healthy dose of humour to her well-paced narrative and the pages fly by. My only quibble is that Morrigan feels older than eleven in her internal thoughts and her emotional reactions, although a case could be made that her upbringing has made her more emotionally mature than one might expect at eleven. That small issue aside, I utterly enjoyed every second of this novel and eagerly look forward to picking up the next book in the series.

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