Publishers Weekly
★ 07/31/2017
First in a series, Townsend’s spellbinding debut introduces Morrigan Crow, a cursed girl from the Wintersea Republic, who brings bad luck to everyone she meets and is destined to die at midnight on her 11th birthday. The Hunt of Smoke and Shadow, a terrifying shadowy entity, is poised to kill Morrigan when a mysterious man named Jupiter North spirits her away to Nevermoor, an independent, magically warded city where the Hunt cannot travel. Jupiter belongs to the elite group called the Wundrous Society, and he wants to sponsor Morrigan’s membership. She doubts that she will pass the four entrance trials—particularly since she’ll be battling 500 singularly talented children for one of nine available spots—but she agrees to try: without Society membership, the Nevermoor police will deport Morrigan back to Wintersea, where the Hunt is waiting. Morrigan is a captivating heroine, filled with moxie and wit, whose unexpected second chance at life gives her the opportunity to discover who she truly is. Whimsical worldbuilding, humorous dialogue, and colorful supporting characters complement an adventurous, magic-filled plot that champions bravery, self-confidence, and hope. Ages 8–12. Agent: Gemma Cooper, Bent Agency. (Oct.)
From the Publisher
Praise for Nevermoor: The Trials of Morrigan Crow:
A New York Times Bestseller
An IndieBook Bestseller
#1 Kids' Indie Next Pick
Waterstones Children's Book Prize in Young Fiction Winner
Winner of the 2018 Australian Indie Book Award for Overall Book of the Year
Winner of the 2018 Australian Indie Book Award for Children's Book of the Year
Winner of the 2017 Aurealis Award for Best Children's Fiction
#1 Amazon Best Children's Book of the Year
Publishers Weekly Fall Flying Start Pick
TIME Magazine Top YA and Children's Books of the Year Pick
The Chicago Tribune Best Children's Books of the Year Pick
PDX Parent Best Books of the Year Pick
A Mighty Girl Book of the Year Pick
B&N Kids Blog Best Books of the Year Pick
Brightly Best Children's Books of the Year, According to Kids Pick
Iowa Public Radio Best Children's Books to Give Pick
South Coast Today Gift to Wrap Up for the Teen Readers in Your Life Pick
"Poignant.... A Harry Potter-esque adventure."—Time Magazine
"Imaginative."—The Washington Post
"Jessica Townsend's Nevermoor: The Trials of Morrigan Crow is more than just a spectacular debut. Exciting, charming, and wonderfully imagined, it's the sort of delightful, grand adventure destined to be many a reader's favorite book."—Trenton Lee Stewart, New York Times bestselling author of The Mysterious Benedict Society series and The Secret Keepers
* "[A] spellbinding debut...Morrigan is a captivating heroine, filled with moxie and wit.... Whimsical worldbuilding, humorous dialogue, and colorful supporting characters compliment an adventurous, magic-filled plot that champions bravery, self-confidence, and hope."—Publishers Weekly, starred review
* "Readers, like Morrigan herself, will feel at home in this evocative novel where magic and confidence go hand in hand. An excellent and exciting work."—School Library Journal, starred review
* "Readers will leap into this captivating world brimming with witty characters and unforgettable adventures. A perfect fit for fans of Harry Potter and Percy Jackson."—School Library Connection, starred review
"Townsend's debut novel is a tour de force of fantastical invention, revealing original conceits with each page-turn."—The Horn Book
"Townsend knows how to keep the pages turning in this fast-paced story."—Booklist
"The magical elements are well-written and clever...but the core of this novel lies in Morrigan's realization of her own value, of being a person worth attention and affection. A dark, mystical, and emotional look at a girl who has a complex relationship with magic in a sophisticated and lushly described world."—The Bulletin
"Exciting, whimsical, and colorful, this first book in a planned series will be a favorite with readers who love fantasy and adventure."—A Mighty Girl
"Whimsical and captivating....For fans of the Harry Potter and Divergent series."—South Coast Today
School Library Journal
★ 07/01/2017
Gr 5 Up—Morrigan Crow is cursed and doomed to die on her 11th birthday on Eventide night. She is blamed for every bit of bad luck and misfortune that plagues the residents of the town of Jackalfax in the Wintersea Republic. When Eventide arrives early, ushering in a new Age across the realm, Morrigan is faced with the prospect of her premature death—until a strange man named Jupiter North arrives. Together the two escape the Hunt of Smoke and Shadow and come to the Free State city of Nevermoor. Miraculously alive and possibly no longer cursed, Morrigan can make a fresh start. With Jupiter's help, she has the chance to compete in a series of trials for a place in Nevermoor's most revered group: the Wundrous Society. If she succeeds, she'll also earn her place in Nevermoor and finally have a home and a caring family. Despite Jupiter's assurances, Morrigan dreads the final Show Trial, where the remaining competitors will have to demonstrate their astounding talents—something Morrigan is quite certain she doesn't possess. Morrigan will have to step boldly and learn to trust her new friends if she hopes to pass the trials and join the Wundrous Society. Townsend's debut fantasy revolves around Morrigan's struggle to find her place and discover her own worth, all while she completes magical tasks and investigates the strange world of Nevermoor. This dynamic title is filled with intricate world-building that brings the renowned figure of Jupiter North and the rest of Nevermoor to life. Set over the course of Morrigan's year of trials, this entertaining and fast-paced story is filled with astonishing details, such as the Hotel Deucalion, where Morrigan's room changes to suit her mood; the Wundrous Society grounds, which turn the weather up a notch; and even a giant talking "Magnificat" named Fenestra. VERDICT Readers, like Morrigan herself, will feel at home in this evocative novel where magic and confidence go hand in hand. An excellent and exciting work.—Emma Carbone, Brooklyn Public Library
OCTOBER 2017 - AudioFile
Narrator Gemma Whelan provides listeners with an immersive experience of the wondrous world of Nevermoor. She ably presents the funny and enticing tale of a “cursed” girl who avoids meeting her doom by escaping to a world where she encounters strange and miraculous people, creatures, and events. But the threat of a dire destiny still looms. Whelan’s clear English accent is perfect for the otherworldly nature of both worlds, Jackalfax and Nevermoor, as well as the characters. Younger characters’ voices have not yet dropped, and each voice has a unique characteristic, such as Noelle’s prideful, sarcastic, and slightly nasal tones or Fenestra the Magnificat’s confident boredom. Listeners will be left eagerly awaiting the next installment. E.J.F. Winner of AudioFile Earphones Award © AudioFile 2017, Portland, Maine
Kirkus Reviews
2017-07-02
Readers will feel as though Harry Potter is meeting Alice in Wonderland in this first of a new series.Morrigan Crow, a pale, white child, was born cursed. She's the town scapegoat, blamed for everything bad that happens in Jackalfax. All cursed children are expected to live for 12 years, and as Morrigan is about to turn 11, she has one year until she dies on Eventide, when the old Age gives way to the new. Unfortunately, experts have incorrectly predicted the length of this Age, and Morrigan will die in just a few days. With not even a year's worth of a future, things look bleak, but then the letter arrives. It's an invitation to compete for a coveted spot in the prestigious Wundrous Society. On the day she's to die, Morrigan's new patron, white, freckled, and very gingery Jupiter North, whisks her away to Nevermoor, where the competition takes place. Successful completion of the four trials of the competition will earn Morrigan lifelong Society membership, giving her what she's always wanted: to belong. If she fails she must go home, where the Hunt of Smoke and Shadow (the death of all cursed children) will kill her. Several important secondary characters have brown or dark skin, including Jupiter's nephew, Jack. The geography, politics, and magic of Morrigan's world are created with care, and Morrigan is a brave free-thinker readers will look forward to meeting again. Not genre-shattering but a solid read for genre fans. (Fantasy. 8-13)
