The Trials of Morrigan Crow Review

**Thank you to Hachette Children's Books (Australia) and NetGalley for sending me an ARC of this book in return for an honest review. 5 glorious stars!!! I honestly wish I could give this book more stars. It has got to be one of the best I have read so far. Where do I even start? I found it utterly and deliciously whimsical. The worldbuilding was phenomenal. The descriptions and imagery used were visually breathtaking. I was swooped up into the story from page one. Jessica Townsend is a genius when it comes to writing. Her writing style is effortless and engaging. Her use of prose weaves a beautiful tale. I was just spellbound. I found myself wanted to read more and more. It's really hard to describe. The MC Morrigan Crow is a delightful protagonist. I found her instantly likeable. She is adventurous, honest and unique. Reading the story from her perspective was really captivating. I could feel her emotions vividly. I got caught up in her world - her ordeals, her trials. Every part of the story felt immersive which was a pleasure. Even the minor characters were ridiculously enjoyable - Mr. Jupiter to the Magnificat, Fenestra. For a Middle Grade book, I was taken by surprise as to how much I liked it. I also liked how the book encompassed all of these magical creatures and I enjoyed the history of Nevermoor. Not once did I come across any info-dumping. Any relevant details were related through the characters' dialogues which added an even richer experience for the reader. The book is also very atmospheric. When you read through the trials, you are swept up in Morrigan's journey. You can feel the spookiness or the enchantment of this imaginary world that Jessica has created. The story is interwoven with many elements that make it engaging for the reader. We come across secrets, betrayal, action, humor and more. But at the heart of the story, the book is about friendship, family, and belonging. I think that's what made this book so endearing for me. Morrigan is clearly an underdog and you can't help rooting for her. I guess deep down everyone has that kind of longing. The reveals and plot devices were expertly done. As I said earlier, the author is a wonderful storyteller. I cannot emphasize how much I love this book. I just need the sequel like RIGHT NOW. I would thoroughly recommend reading this one if you love all things utterly silly and fantastical. :)

#middlegrade #fantasy #whimsical #adventure #magic #JessicaTownsend