Praise for Wundersmith *" Townsend's sophomore endeavor once again fully immerses her readers in a world that intermixes the magic of the Emerald City with Howl's pithiness, Percy Jackson's humor, Coraline's darkness, and perhaps a dash of the depravity of Katniss' District One. Fantasy fans will not be disappointed ."—Kirkus, starred Review "Readers delighted by Nevermoor's zany absurdities and enchanting incongruities will welcome further peeks into this magical world...the high-stakes action will keep fans on the edge of their seats..."—Horn Book "An absolutely delightful fantasy novel ....[A] spiritual hybrid of Doctor Who and Harry Potter ."—Barnes & Noble Kids Blog "Townsend's skillful, suspense-filled storytelling in "Wundersmith" will keep readers entertained , as Morrigan and her eccentric classmates face a test of loyalty and bravery in what will surely be the first of many to come."—The New York Times Book Review "Jessica Townsend lives up to the promise of her marvelous debut in this second book set in the brilliantly imagined fantasy world of Nevermoor.... Morrigan is a marvelous heroine - smart, loyal, brave, conflicted, struggling to do the right thing in a world where it's not always clear what the right thing might be. Readers will savor this latest adventure and look forward to the next one ."—The Buffalo News "Townsend offers a detailed and broadly envisioned alternate world, scenes of action and suspense, and a wide array of colorful characters ; but the spotlight shines on Morrigan as she struggles with her emotions and her elusive powers."—Booklist 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 PickTIME Magazine Top YA and Children's Books of the Year PickThe Chicago Tribune Best Children's Books of the Year PickPDX 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
…Townsend's skillful, suspense-filled storytelling in Wundersmith will keep readers entertained, as Morrigan and her eccentric classmates face a test of loyalty and bravery in what will surely be the first of many to come.
The New York Times Book Review - Ruth Davis Konigsberg
★ 2018-09-30
The tests are over; now it's time to get down to business.
Morrigan Crow returns in this thrilling second installment of the Nevermoor series. Townsend picks up almost immediately where she left off and introduces readers to Morrigan's fellow scholars in Unit 919, a group of nine students who made it through the trials and tribulations of the first book. Although skin tone is not discussed, the group is implied to be ethnically diverse based on naming convention. Equally diverse are the talents, or "knacks," of these individuals, ranging from the previously introduced Cadence's mesmerism to Lambeth's "short-range orac[ular]" powers. This motley group must come together as one while learning all they can as members of the Wundrous Society. Morrigan (who presents white) is also tasked with attempting to control her Wundersmith abilities while learning about the (potentially dubious) history of past Wundersmiths. Townsend's sophomore endeavor once again fully immerses her readers in a world that intermixes the magic of the Emerald City with Howl's pithiness, Percy Jackson's humor, Coraline's darkness, and perhaps a dash of the depravity of Katniss' District One. Fantasy fans will not be disappointed. Savvy readers will appreciate how the themes of otherness, group privilege, prejudice, and activism are masterfully interwoven into the overall plot. The only sad spot in an otherwise enjoyable text is the hanging question: How long until Book 3 comes out?
A worthy title that deserves a spot on the fantasy shelves. (Fantasy. 9-12)