The Crowns of Crowswald
by D.E. Night
๐๐๐๐ง๐ ๐๐ง๐ ๐๐๐ซ๐ ๐ ๐๐ฎ ๐๐ก๐๐ข๐๐ฃ๐ฉ๐จ ๐๐ฃ ๐ฎ๐ค๐ช๐ง ๐๐ค๐ช๐ง๐ฃ๐๐ฎ ๐ค๐ ๐๐๐จ๐๐ค๐ซ๐๐ง๐ฎ,
๐ฉ๐๐ ๐๐ค๐ข๐ฅ๐ค๐ฃ๐๐ฃ๐ฉ๐จ ๐ค๐ ๐ข๐ฎ ๐ก๐๐จ๐จ๐ค๐ฃ๐จ: ๐ฎ๐ค๐ช๐ง ๐ข๐๐จ๐ฉ๐๐ง๐ฎ, ๐ฎ๐ค๐ช๐ง ๐๐ฅ๐ฅ๐ก๐๐๐๐ฉ๐๐ค๐ฃ, ๐ฎ๐ค๐ช๐ง ๐๐๐๐ฉ๐จ, ๐ฎ๐ค๐ช๐ง ๐๐ฃ๐ฉ๐๐ก๐ก๐๐๐ฉ,
๐๐ฃ๐ ๐๐๐ฃ๐๐ก๐ก๐ฎ, ๐๐๐๐ ๐ค๐ ๐ฎ๐ค๐ช๐ง ๐๐ฃ๐๐๐ซ๐๐๐ช๐๐ก ๐๐๐ฅ๐๐๐๐ก๐๐ฉ๐๐๐จ!
SYNOPSIS
Managing fire-breathing dragons beneath the kitchens as a scaldrony maid, 16-year-old Ivy Lovely is just an ordinary orphan girl, until a turn of events sends her across the slurry fields beyond the castleโa border that severs the mundane world from the magical.
In the blink of an eye, Ivy is whisked to a prestigious magic academy, where she learns to harness her extraordinary magic & struggles to uncover hidden secrets to her ancestral legacy.
As a vicious source of evil creeps upon the academy threatening to overthrow her new life, Ivy must summon the power & courage within to protect the magical world she has grown to love like home.
REVIEW
Though it initially seemed a bit similar to Harry Potterโwith the sudden magic academy admission & character background of IvyโI fell in love with the otherwise unique magic system, whimsical creatures & relatable characters.
The plot was well-layered with suspense & action, fine paced overall & slightly accelerated near the end. I wouldโve liked more thorough world-building & explanation of the history, but as itโs the first book in a series, I highly anticipate the sequels (book 2 & 3 available!) to provide more insight.
I loved the strength & independence of our main girl in her ability to face every situation & the determination to discover the truth despite various barriers. The inner struggles she faced were highly relatable, as she gradually found to courage to follow her heart, and discover her truth. I am looking forward to continuous growth in the heroine of our story throughout the series!
On the other hand, Rebecca & Fyn also played major roles with their faith & support in Ivy. I loved their simple friendship & mutual connection, as they constantly stood up for each other & despite the obvious dangers, never wavered. I hope we get more of this trio in the next books.
As a middle grade fiction-fantasy, the author has done a great job with the overall storytelling. I couldnโt stop myself from poring over the pages late into the night (someone get me some hairies for reading!) deeply intrigued by the magic system, wondering what may happen next & yearning to explore more of the whimsical world. If youโre looking for a magical adventure with a light touch of mystery & a whole lot of fun, this is definitely your book.
