Nevermoor: The Trials of Morrigan Crow
by Jessica Townsend
Interest age: 10+
Reading age: 10+
Published by Orion Children's Books, 2017
About this book
Born on Eventide, Morrigan Crow is a 'cursed child', blamed for every misfortune and destined to die on her eleventh birthday. But just before midnight strikes, the mysterious Jupiter North appears, offering Morrigan another choice: journey with him to Nevermore. In this magical world, she moves into Jupiter's awesome, ever-changing hotel and enters the trials for membership of the Wundrous Society, which promises friendship, family and an escape from her fate. But the four trials are anything but simple – especially the last one, which requires a special ability Morrigan is sure she doesn't have...
This fabulous new fantasy introduces a vivid and varied magical world, a heroine to truly champion, and a host of characters to become best friends with. Essences of Harry Potter and Lemony Snicket infuse the writing, but this is a story that stands on its own two feet, perfectly balancing the light and dark. Across a year, Morrigan rides a rollercoaster adventure discovering 'wundrous' new things, but underlying it lies the shadowy mystery of the feared and revered Wundersmith. Who exactly is he?
Morrigan is very real, with dreams and anxieties readers can relate to, while the pacey and suspenseful plot keeps the pages turning.
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