I really enjoyed this book. Thank you so much to the author for gifting me this book and for being patient with my review!
I think that is would be a great bed time read for kids!

This book needs more depth. Unfortunately not much more to say for it. I felt like it required more charcater driven charcaters. That lacked which pushed me away from

This was a great start to the Croswald series, it had a great overall fantasy element to it and worked with the story being told. I enjoyed the world that was created and the characters themselves. It had a great story and I wanted to read more in this series.

Thanks to the publisher and the author for providing me a free copy in exchange for an honest review.

This middle grade adventure features Ivy Lovely, a girl who has spent her whole life thinking she is ordinary and wishing to become something more. She often has strange dreams and one day she gets taken to a magic school and finds out there may be more to those dreams than she initially thought.

The world in this story is full of whimsy and magic. It has fun creatures we already know, like dragons, but it also innovates on the world building by not making exactly the same old thing. The dragons are scaldrons and they are used in kitchens in order to make food. Then there's hairies, fairy-like creatures who give off light. This world is very imaginative and I had a good time being immersed in it. The magic system is also very interesting because it's related to quills and inks. It was very unique and cool to learn about.

Despite all these good elements, I didn't quite click with the book as much as I wanted to. I felt like there was something missing. For one, the characters are 16, but they sound younger. This makes sense, since it's a middle grade book, but I think maybe it would have made more sense to lower their age a little.

The characters could have used a little more depth because by the end I didn't feel nearly as attached or invested as I would have liked.

The writing wasn't bad, but it could be improved in certain aspects. I think working on descriptions and the way settings are shown could really improve the atmosphere of the story, which is already one of the strongest points of this book. With a little work, there's potential for it to be elevated to another level.

In terms of the plot, I feel like it lacked slow moments. There was always something going on and while that's not necessarily a bad thing, I feel like having some room to breathe would help the reader better digest the plot and register what is going on.

I'd recommend this book if you're looking for something to scratch the itch of magical schools and whimsical worlds.

Ivy Lovely is a scaldrony maid living a dull and tedious existence among the slurry fields of Castle Plum. Hidden away as a baby in the most unmagical of places, Ivy believes herself to be an orphan, knowing nothing of her former life. Until the day a large, flying creature unexpectedly shows up to transport her from her life of drudgery to an incredible magical school, and she discovers not only her magical bloodline, but a whole fantasy world she had only dreamed of. Except now that she's no longer hidden behind all that magic-dampening slurry, the spells that had previously kept her hidden have begun to unravel. Will Ivy be able to crush the curse before it crushes her and all she holds dear?

This was an enchanting read, reminiscent of Harry Potter with a magical school, and quite suitable for both young readers and adults alike. However, that's where the (story) similarities end. The Crowns of Croswald contains it's own unique story quite distinct from Harry or similar books. Ivy is a kickass MC—spunky, inquisitive, and full of adventure. Her escapades captivated me and took me places beyond my imagination. The world building was phenomenal with a richly drawn world and fun, lovable characters. So well written, it's hard to believe this was D.E. Knight's first book. I'm very much looking forward to reading the remaining books in this 4 part series.

<i>Thanks to NetGalley and Stories Untold Press for providing me with a copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.</i>

This is well written and adventurous, but it was a little more slow in the worldbuilding and plot development. This would be a great book for readers who enjoy long series and want to invest time into their build up!

I’m so glad I was able to read this as I do not usually read fantasy novels but this has definitely opened my mind to reading more. The story follows Ivy lovely and her discovery of her family, magic and the school where she learns it. There is a lot of mysteries to the book and a lot of creativity from the author. Ive seen a lot of reviews mentioning the parallels to Harry Potter which I noticed myself, however, whenever there’s a story about magic and a school for magic our minds automatically connect it to Harry Potter whether or not they are same. Although the novel is magical, it definitely takes a different approach. Royalty, mysterious creatures, a room of forgetting, and a dark queen wanting to destroy the true queens line. Not only the writing is very colourful and creative so is the art work for the book. This is the first book of a series and it has definitely made me want to read more about Ivy and the mysteries surrounding her family and magic.

🌟📚✨ **Book Review: The Crowns of Croswald by D.E. Night** ✨📚🌟

Hello, fellow Booklovers of Magical Wonders! 🌈

I just had to share my latest magical adventure with you all! 🧙‍♀️ A massive thank you to @Zackstoiresuntold for the ARC via NetGalley! I was whisked away into the enchanting world of Croswald, and oh, what an adventure it was! ✨

In this captivating series opener, we meet Ivy Lovely, a young girl who believes she's entirely ordinary in a world brimming with magic and mystery. Imagine her surprise when she discovers a hidden realm beyond a magical boundary, filled with dragons, mystical stones, and the most wonderful friends. Together, they unravel age-old secrets, confront evil, and embark on a journey that will keep you on the edge of your seat! 🐉🔮

Ivy is a heroine after my own heart – fearless, curious, and oh-so-relatable. The world-building by D.E. Night is beyond imaginative; gems with power, quills casting spells, and creatures that will steal your heart. The language is so descriptive, I felt like I was right there with Ivy, discovering the wonders of Croswald. 📚✨

If you adore a strong, independent female lead, a realm brimming with creativity, and a cast of characters that leap off the page, then this gem is for you and your young readers! 🌟

I couldn't help but be reminded of the magical comfort of 'Harry Potter,' with a unique twist that made the experience entirely fresh and exciting. It's like rediscovering the joy of magic all over again! 🎩🔮

This book was published on 17th July 2017, but let me tell you, it's a pure gem that has stood the test of time! 💎 And guess what? I can't wait to read the next one – "The Girl with the Whispering Shadow"! 📖✨

So, fellow bookworms, if you're seeking an enchanting read for the whole family, or if you know a young reader between 8-13 who craves adventure, mysteries, and magic, do yourselves a favor and dive into the enchanting world of Croswald. You won't want to leave! 📖✨

Happy reading, magical souls! 🌟✨

Warmest bookish hugs,
Mysterious Shy 📚💖

A fun magical adventure, with great inter personal relationships, which are very well drawn. It didn’t inspire me to read the series but it was a neat fun time that I was happy reading while it lasted!

This is a fun middle grade/young adult read! Very Harry Potter-esque but with its own spin on things. I'm excited to pass this on to my daughter to read. She'll love it!

Did not finish The Crowns of Croswald by DE Night.

Unfortunately the first few chapters did not pique my interest.

This was a fun magical MG read that I think could easily be a replacement suggestion for the boy wizard series (you know the one). Following Ivy as she discovered her powers at a magical academy is very reminiscent of said series, but felt both new and nostalgic. I think the author did a great job of not only creating an immersive fantasy world, and school, but also creating incredibly loveable characters. Looking forward to the rest of the series and adding this to my list of magical middle grade book/series recs.

This was a very interesting book. It wasn't something I would pick up as I am not a fantasy reader. But someone reached out to me and asked if I wanted to read it so I did. To be honest, it just wasn't for me. Nothing wrong with the book, however it just wasn't for me.

I will be coming back to this book in the later time as for now it was unfortunately a dnf. I was not in the mood for the genre.

First of all a big thank you to Netgalley, the author and the publishers for sending me a copy of this book to read and review.

This is a really quick, easy and magical read. This was such an enjoyable read and I’m glad that I finally got to it. The covers on these books are beautiful. I loved the magical world and can’t wait to try the second book.

I absolutely loved the friendships in this one. Mainly between Ivy and Rebecca and Ivy and Fyn. Humboldt is also the he cutest!

What a fun magical middle grade read! I loved following Ivy as she discovered and learned about her powers at a magical academy. The author did a great job creating the fantasy world and school and I immediately fell in love with this book. I cannot wait to read more books from this series! Middle-graders will love this one!

This book is perfect for Harry Potter fans! There is magic, adventure and an evil queen. I loved the story! It's faced paced and quite interesting with quirky characters! The world building is so well done. My personal favourite is the library and the forgotten room in the halls of ivy! I loved the friendship between Ivy and Rebecca. I also need to mention Ivy's pet the cutest Scaldron Humboldt! The synopsis says it's for middle schoolers but I feel some words might be difficult to read. Overall an amazing read!

What a delightfully enchanting tome! Its pages wove a tapestry of nostalgia, transporting me back to the cherished fantasies of my youthful days. If this gem had graced my hands during childhood, I am certain it would have ignited a fervent love within me.

The narrative itself danced with whimsy and unfurled a realm of boundless imagination, a perfect tableau for the eager minds of middle-grade readers. The tapestry of creativity was intricately woven, unveiling the enigmatic school, captivating creatures, and the kaleidoscope of Croswald's universe. The foundation upon which this world stood was nothing short of wondrous.

Yet, as the final chapters unfolded, a gentle haze of complexity wafted in, a touch bewildering and labyrinthine. Though some threads remained a tad elusive, I managed to untangle the narrative's enigma, emerging with a triumphant sense of understanding.

In sum, this opus earns my enthusiastic endorsement for fledgling readers drawn to the allure of fantasy's embrace or those yearning to embark on literary journeys anew. Within its covers reside a harmonious symphony of action, enigma, and sorcery, poised to captivate and amuse. And what's more, it serves as the opening chapter of an unfolding saga!

ARC received for honest review.

I am just not the right reader for this book. Fantasy is not a genre I normally gravitate towards and for me as a reader, it took a long time to get into the world of the story. I have seen this compared to Harry Potter and while I understand the comparison, I was immediately immersed in that world where this one for some reason, I just couldn't get into.

If you are a fantasy reader, I think this will be a wonderful book for you as it was well-written and very magical. This is perfect for any middle grader who is interested in the fantasy genre and would be a great book to read aloud as a family.

This is just a case of the wrong book for the wrong person - but could absolutely be the right book for the right person!

The Crowns of Croswald by D.E. Night - 4/5
Middle Grade - Sci Fi & Fantasy

When Ivy crosses an enchanted boundary between the mundane and the magical her powers are awaken throwing her into a world where she is learning and growing to keep herself prepared for those who threaten her.
This was a great story, it gives off Harry Potter vibes, young child hidden away to be kept safe until one day they face what is out there in the world. The cover of this story is captivating, and I loved the easiness of the read. This is a book that was well put together, and I can't wait to see what happens in book two.

Thank you NetGalley and Stories Untold for the eARC.