Nevermoor: The Trials of Morrigan Crow by Jessica Townsend
Lothian, 2017. ISBN 9780734418074
(Age: 8-13+) Highly recommended. Nevermoor will be compared
to Harry Potter. There is an unloved child with unknown
powers, a journey to a parallel world with new friends and bullies
as well as an eccentric but kind mentor. The front cover even states
that "Readers will feel as though Harry Potter is meeting Alice in
Wonderland" (Kirkus).
Indeed, there are many similarities but Nevermoor and its
main character, Morrigan Crow are able to stand apart and be enjoyed
in their own right.
Morrigan Crow is a deemed cursed child, someone who only brings bad
luck to all around her and will die on her 11th birthday at midnight
on Eventide. Her family are cold and uncaring but she stays stoic
and greets each negative incident with an almost detached humour.
On the depressing night of her ordained death, Morrigan is rescued
from the evil "Hunt of Smoke and Shadow", by her unflappable and
charming mentor Jupiter North of the Wundrous Society.
She journeys to Nevermoor and lives in the fantastical Deucalion
Hotel owned by North and it is here Morrigan meets a variety of
interesting characters such as Fenestra the giant Magnificat and
Frank, a vampire dwarf - or is it a dwarf vampire.
Morrigan begins a friendship with Hawthorne, who is her greatest
support during the series of trials she must pass in order to remain
in Nevermoor. She is competing against hundreds of other children
who will all display their particular talents. The problem is
Morrigan has no idea of her own gift.
This is Jessica Townsend's first book (and obviously a first in a
series) but at the Frankfurt Book Fair she received requests for
publication from at least eight major publishing houses.
There is so much to recommend this book, the combination of magic
and humour, the wonderful activities of Nevermoor such as the
delightful Christmas celebrations and the unique, amazing rooms at
the Deucalion. The characters and scenes are vivid and very
theatrical. Morrigan herself is a wonderful heroine, steadfast and
brave while making witty comments about the goings on around her.
To the fans of Harry who mourn the end of the "Hogwarts" world", I
invite you to join Morrigan in Nevermoor. I believe you will not be
disappointed.
I highly recommend this book to anyone 8 to 13 + years old.
A small trailer
for the book is available.
Jane Moore