This book was very cute! It's definitely more middle-grade than YA but the story was fun and had a lot of twists and turns to keep you engaged. The world building was great and created a whimsical world for you to imagine! I liked the creativity and the very enthusiastic characters. I would highly recommend this book for any young kids!

**2.5 stars**

This middle grade fantasy follows Ivy Lovely on a Harry Potter type journey as she goes from maidenly rags to adventurous, powerful magic student in a castle where she is called to study.

I didn’t love this, but to be 100% fair, I didn’t think I was going to. I didn’t care for Harry Potter because a child learning magic and for several hundred pages and then miraculously defeating evil with no skill at the very end is simply not entertaining for me. This story in particular was difficult for me to get through because I could not keep track of all of the fantastical names that were given to both commonplace and magical objects.

I don’t think this would be the worst story for a middle schooler who really enjoyed Harry Potter and wanted something similar, especially for a girl who wanted to better connect to the main character, but I was just not the correct audience.

As someone who grew up reading Harry Potter, this book made me feel nostalgic. It was such a fun read, worldbuilding was unique, and those characters had my heart from the very beginning (especially Ivy<3).
I would recommend it to anyone who is in a need of cozy and whimsical story.✨

This book. What a surprise!
I was sent a copy of this book through Netgalley to review, and it sounded right up my alley. I love a good, magical middle grade novel. When I began reading this book, I wasn't digging the writing style. I was thinking...I'm not sure this author got the editing that she deserved. Some of the phrasing was strange to me, and certain lines didn't flow well for me. But! (and there IS a "but") The writing got better as I continued reading, and I fell in love with Ivy and this story. The writing wasn't perfect, but this was such a creative and wonderful story, and I thoroughly enjoyed it. I thought the magic was really unique and interesting. It was such a surprise! I loved discovering the magic of this world alongside Ivy, and I DEFINITELY want to read the other books in this series. If you decide to pick up this book, be patient. It's fast paced, so you won't need to wait long. The beginning wasn't perfect, in my opinion, and when I discovered that the majority of the story took place at a magical school, I thought it would be unoriginal. But I was so wrong. It's a really fun and unique story, and I would definitely recommend it.

This book was incredible! I loved every minutes of it and I can't wait to get my hands on the rest of the series. I gave me Harry Potter vibes but with awesome girl power and amazing world building. I would totally read this out loud to 2nd grade and up but it would also make a good independent middle grade fantasy read. I love the characters. They are so interactive. Ivy, the main character, really shows her strengths and weaknesses and I think that is essential for children to see. I love the ideas in the book on how the world is made. It makes it super engaging. The ending was intense. I love the battle of good versus evil. You can't go wrong with a story like this one!

I really enjoyed reading this book. The atmosphere of the book and world building is just amazing. I cannot wait to read more by this Author. While reading the book you will enter the world of magic and so much more. Lyrical writing that will make you fall in love with the book even more. Thank you so much Netgalley for the copy!

This was good! It read a bit younger than I would have expected. I went in thinking it would be more YA but it felt more like Middle Grade. Nothing wrong with it, it's just not what I typically read. I enjoyed the magical nostalgia and think younger readers would have a great time with it.

D.E. Night has put together a beautiful world for us to fall in love with. The world building was fantastic, and very creative. My children and I enjoyed this magical story together, and we truly loved getting to follow along with Ivy Lovely on her adventures, where we got to experience the magical creatures and watch as she discovers the magic that has been hidden inside of her.

This was such a fun read and I am definitely moving on to the rest of the series! The world building was beautiful, the characters were easy to love, and the magic was just chefs kiss!

**I received an ARC of this fantastic read in exchange for an honest review. Thank you to NetGalley and to Stories Untold for reaching out and offering this fun opportunity! I thoroughly enjoyed the experience!

I was so honored when @storiesuntoldpress reached out about passing along an ARC of an exciting middle grade fantasy 🪄 Crowns of Croswald was truly a joy to read!

Ivy Lovely is an orphan who spends her days as a castle servant. In her very limited free time, she sketches the scene that appears in her dreams each night - the interior of a foreign castle and the face of a man she does not recognize. When Ivy escapes the slurry fields surrounding the castle, her life takes a sudden and unexpected turn. She is invited to attend a prestigious boarding school where students learn to hone their magic - which comes as quite a shock, as Ivy has never thought herself to wield magical powers of any kind. During her time at school, Ivy is finally able to piece together the puzzle that is her life, discovering that her destiny is far more important and dangerous than she ever dared imagine.

A lovely, fantastical middle grade read! ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

@author.denight

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I unfortunately didn't have the time to get to reading it before it archived! Though I will pick it up in the future.
So please disregard the low rating as Netgalley forces me to put one down with my review.

I was told "its full of magic and adventure!" And "readers have described it as Alice in Wonderland meets Harry Potter!"

And you know what..... it checks out!

We've got hidden powers, magic school, prejudice, social class, fate and prophecy, coming of age, mystery, adventure, magical critters and friendship.

We have a kooky, magical world, and a creative magic system, glorious descriptions and wonderful characters. It also touches on some heavy topics in a very age appropriate sort of way.

It was a lovely read, I thoroughly enjoyed it and I WILL be reading the rest of the series to find out what happens to my new book besties!

I'm gonna give this 5 stars for being the perfectly charming escape from reality that coaxed me out of my reading

I tried (and failed) to read this book for months. I thought I just hadn’t dedicated enough mental energy to it or generally that the problem was me. Today I realized I really just didn’t like the book. It’s SO similar to Harry Potter that it completely wrecks any shred of redeeming quality for me. So sadly, I’m DNFing it.

Honestly, I don’t feel great about that as the author and publisher sent me a copy of the book for review but this is my honest opinion 🤷🏻‍♀️

This book grabbed my attention because of the cover. Then I read what it was about and how it had the feel of Harry Potter and Alice in Wonderland.
I would probably compare it more to Ella Enchanted, Last Unicorn, meets Harry Potter.
Ivy is a normal girl who works as a maid in Plum Castle. Once she steps put of the castle grounds everything changes. She discovers she's meant to be more than just a maid. This first book is her journey though school and learning about her past.
It took me a few chapters to really get into it. I was lost with the little information on the history and backstory, but once Ivy got in the school I couldn't put it down. While there is some darkness to it, the book is fairly mild and I think perfect for middleschool/preteens.

In this immersive tale, we follow the journey of Ivy Lovely, a young girl with a mysterious past, as she discovers her own magical abilities and navigates the treacherous corridors of Halls of Ivy, a prestigious academy for those gifted in the art of magic.

Night's world-building is rich and vibrant, filled with intricate details and imaginative landscapes that come to life on the page. From the bustling streets of the city to the mystical realms beyond, each setting is meticulously crafted, drawing readers deeper into the fantastical realm of Croswald.

At its heart, "The Crowns of Croswald" is a story about identity, courage, and the power of friendship. As Ivy embarks on her quest for truth and self-discovery, she encounters a colorful cast of characters who help her along the way, from the mischievous Fyn the fairy to the enigmatic Princess Fiera.

What sets this novel apart is Night's lyrical prose and vivid imagery, which transport readers to a world brimming with magic and wonder. The plot is fast-paced and full of twists and turns, keeping readers on the edge of their seats until the very end.

This book reminded me of a series of fatansy stories I read in my childhood. The worldbuilding is amazing, the characters ande enjoyable and the plot is creative

"The Crowns of Crosswald" by D.E. Night is a delightful fantasy adventure that captivates with its whimsical charm and enchanting world. Night introduces readers to Ivy Lovely, a relatable protagonist with a strong sense of curiosity and resilience. The story unfolds in the magical realm of Crosswald, a place filled with secrets, peculiar creatures, and hidden mysteries. The author's vivid descriptions bring this fantastical setting to life, creating a vivid backdrop for the unfolding narrative.

Night creates a sense of wonder and magic, making this read engaging for both young and adult audiences. The tale balances lighthearted moments with an overarching sense of mystery, ensuring a well-rounded and immersive experience. However, the book occasionally relies on familiar fantasy tropes, and some readers may find the pacing to be a bit hurried, wishing for a more in-depth exploration of certain plot elements. While the characters are endearing, a few could benefit from further development to elevate the emotional connection.

"The Crowns of Crosswald" is a charming fantasy that captures the imagination. D.E. Night's talent for creating a whimsical world shines through, making it an enjoyable read despite minor pacing and character development considerations. Fans of magical realms and young heroines will be enchanted by Ivy Lovely's journey in Crosswald.

I did not find this title to be engaging. I think this would benefit from less "like Harry Potter" pitch sales. That being said, I'm sure there will be preteens who will enjoy this title.

2.5 stars

I was sent a digital copy of this book through the author a while ago, & I forgot to review it here. the premise of this story was interesting & I thought I was really going to like it. people compared it to Harry Potter, so I was very excited to read this. However, it felt a bit cluttered & lacked clarity in certain areas of the plot. I wish the story wasn’t so focused on Ivy & had a bit more depth. The description of the world was really cool, however, I felt lost for the most part because of how cluttered the plot was. Overall, this book just wasn’t for me. However, just because it wasn’t for me, doesn’t mean it won’t be for you.

Thank you NetGalley for sending me an ARC in exchange for an honest review

A fun and adventurous Middle grade book perfect for the small readers in your life!

If you're a fan of magical schoola, overcoming hardships, and lovely friendships than this might be something you pick up.

However I found the pacing to be inconsistent and the world building needed more fleshing out.

Overall a fun middle grade!

*I was offered a free copy of this book in return for an honest review.

2.5/5 stars

The Crowns of Croswald is the first book in a middle grade fantasy series, following the adventures of orphaned Ivy Lovely as she finds herself whisked away to a school of magic. By the end, she discovers her life was far more mysterious than she ever considered.

While the writing was technically good, and while there were a few unique, intriguing concepts, the execution was lacking for me.

Crowns of Croswald suffers from flat characters, less than ideal pacing/transitons, and stilted, unnatural dialogue that makes it very difficult to connect with the characters. (I also thought the main character was younger than her stated age of 16–I thought she was only 12.)

Clearly inspired by Harry Potter, Croswald doesn’t grace us with that same sense of magical wonder and friendship that HP did when it was first published. While I’m not the target audience, middle grade readers still deserve dynamic plots and characters; unfortunately, Crowns of Croswald falls short in my eyes.

I do thank the publisher for the chance to get to read this story. It’s clear a lot of heart and time went into it. I just wish the pacing and dialogue had been a larger focus in the editing process.