Review
This was an interesting story. Some aspects of Ivy’s story (especially towards the end) were a hair predictable, but not to the level where it would ruin the story. Fans of Middle Grade and the Harry Potter series would really enjoy this one. Harry Potter fans especially will notice some tropes and plot details that are similar to Harry’s story, although this one still stands on its own.

The characters in the book were not fleshed out too much, but they were still likable. Ivy was a fun MC to follow, as the reader learns about the world with her. Fortunately, since this appears to be the first book in a series, I think a trilogy, but don’t quote me on that, there is plenty of time for the characters to be explored more and for arches to grow. The magic system in the books is extremely creative. I love that we’re following two different magic systems that interact and play off each other. I can’t wait to see how this is explored in future books.

The plot was an interesting pace. I honestly did not realize that an entire school year had passed when reading the book, but the pace of the story didn’t feel too slow or too rushed. That being said, there was a lot of exposition thrown at the reader in the last chapter, setting up for the sequels. It will be interesting to see where the plot goes in the future books. I’ll definitely be looking forward to them and continuing on with this series.

Final Thoughts
This was a solid Middle Grade, fantasy book. The story had an intriguing enough premise to keep readers excited while still leaving plenty of story for future books. Fans of Middle-Grade fantasy will enjoy this one. Also not related to the review at all, but the PR* packaging for this book was super cute!

A very magical read with every turn of the page!

This story follows a girl, named Ivy Lovely, who comes out from her unfortunate life as a scaldron maid (a maid that tends to mini dragons who in turn is used as an oven to bake goodies) entering into a school of magic to become a scrivenist (protector of royal families with their expert practice of magic and writing their adventures in a journal) with no knowledge of the power that runs in her blood.

This book reminds me a lot of Harry Potter as royals wield their magic through precious stones while scrivenists with their quills. This story also contains various magical creatures that I think Hagrid would adore too!

What I love about this book was the magical plot. The mystery and adventures were all so thrilling and I found myself longing to know what will happen next. The characters were also very vibrant and full of energy. The writing was easy to read and very suitable for middle grade readers (everyone should know that it's my fav genre by now). I also thought that the setting was very unique - in a town with no name so that it remains hidden.

The only part that took me aback was the abrupt and brief entry of the Dark Queen. I guess that keeps the story mysterious and I can't wait to learn more in the sequel.

Disclaimer: I received a complimentary copy of this book from D.E. Night through NetGalley. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

This was such a endearing and entertaining read.
The world of Croswald is a fantastic one, full of color and enchanting creatures. It’s fun to read about young mages again, here called scriveners since their magic is done using a magic quill who channel the users magic power, or are of royal blood accessing magic through gem stones filled with specific powers.
The magic is however threatened by the loss of the line of queens and the new Dark Queen who rules Croswald.
The main character is a mysterious young girl called Ivy whose power will call her to where she belongs.
There is definitely a similar feeling to the Harry Potter books although the characters are young adults, and the world is all a magic one.
It’s a bit predictable and I’d have loved more exploration of the main characters character and emotional world. Nevertheless, the writing is flawless and the descriptions of the amazing quirkiness and fantasy of the land, and adventures is awesome, transporting you totally to a colourful and magical world
I definitely recommend it to anyone who loves Harry Potter and enchanted worlds.

You can also see my review here - https://www.instagram.com/p/B-w-PNggcpQ/?igshid=1e8mhuo4q2f57

I immediately fell in love with the whimsical and imaginative world of Croswald and all the creatures who reside within.

The main character, Ivy, has been hidden from magic for 16 years. Once she enters the magical world, readers get to experience twists and turns as secrets are revealed and magic unfolds. This book has many Harry Potter similarities, but is also a fantastically unique spin on a magical world. I absolutely LOVE the idea of the Scrivenists - people who posses magic and use magical quills to harness their powers.

I read this book with my kids (ages 5, 10 and 12) and they all loved it. We are ready to order the next book and learn what happens to the wonderful characters of Croswald. I have already recommended it to every family member and friend who loved HP and needs a new magical series to immerse themselves into!

Thank you NetGalley, Stories Untold, and D.E. Night for a copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.

I received this ARC in exchange for my honest review.

I loved everything about this book! It kept me hooked from the beginning

I received a complimentary copy of this book from Stories Untold through NetGalley. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own. Thanks to NetGalley and Stories for providing me the opportunity to review.

The book follows sixteen year old Ivy a girl who has been hidden behind an enchanted boundary away from magic until one day she crosses over and her powers are awakened. Leading her on a striking path, and ending up a student at Halls of Ivy a school for those who need to master their magic. After events unfold, Ivy has to delve into the mysteries of her past in order to save herself and Croswald before history is swept away.

This book was so magical! It reminded me a lot of different fantasy books I read as a kid so it felt very nostalgic to me.

The whole story was very whimsy and imaginative, perfect for young middle grade readers. It was so creative. I loved learning about the school, the creatures, and just the world of Croswald in general. The world building was fantastic. You get pulled into a mystical adventure right from the beginning.

The Crowns of Croswald! Wow what a fun book, and book two is already out! If you loved Harry Potter trust me you’re gonna love this series. First the world building, the world building in this series is incredible. It's all very well thought out and the nature of magic and the history of it in this book is such a cool interesting take on all things magic. Ivy lovely as a character is a perfect middle grade character, she’s fun, she’s brave, even a bit naive but that’s okay because she’s so young but you can already tell she’s gonna be a kick ass adult.

Not to mention what dragged me to this book is how freaking beautiful it is! I’m absolutely in love with the cover and the inside too everything about this book feels very well put together and concrete. D.E. Night is a freaking incredible author and she loves her followers just as much as her book, she’s super interactive on social media and honestly super nice.

I don’t want to spoil much about this book but it has a lot of adventure and running and Ivy being thrown into the world of croswald feels like you’re being flung in there with her. I’m supper excited to read book two but this one is definitely a 5 star book to me!

Disclaimer: This book was sent to me by the author in exchange for an honest review. But that doesn’t affect my opinion and thoughts about this book.

This book follows the journey of a girl who has a power that that she didn’t know about. It started off with her in the slurry, where Ivy grow up. But one day she received a letter, inviting her to study at a very famous school, the Halls of Ivy. And her journey begins there!

In all honesty, I was having a hard time in reading the first few chapters of the book. I was having troubles with the world building. But don’t get me wrong, it is beautifully written, I just find it difficult because I’m such a noob when it comes to Fantasy books. I really struggle with world building. I honestly have reread the first few chapters to get it all.

The characters in this book reminds me so much of Harry Potter. It’s great and it motivated me to read this book more. And I enjoyed it! I also like the fact that despite it being similar to a very famous franchise, it has so much unique things in it! (We’ll discuss that in the spoilers section of this post).

I like the idea of the Forgotten Room. It still confuse me how it works but knowing the everything that is thrown into the room, everyone would surprisingly forget that specific thing. It’s a mystery for me, to be honest. I like it though. I really do.

I love the ending but at the same time, wished that I have the second book already! Like NOW! I wanna see how things would turn out in the next book. I wanna see Ivy develop and fulfill her destiny.

Full review: https://wandersbetweenpagess.wordpress.com/2018/01/24/book-review-the-crowns-of-croswald-by-d-e-night/

So beautifully magical! This book reminded me a little of sleeping beauty - princess hidden away for many years not knowing her true destiny to hide from a ruthless dark queen. But the princess has magic and goes to a magic school! Which reminded me a lot of Harry Potter. But it had its own twist which was lovely. I loved the descriptions of the country, the town, the school, the lake, the creatures of this world - but I wish there was more! This book has definitely left me wanting more more more. More of everything I’ve just explained. To be honest, I’d be happy just reading about the world itself, the creatures, the scenery, the hairies. Love the hairies (fairies whose hair lights up to create lanterns). But the story was good. It was beautiful!

A young girl discovers she has magic after she is banished from her home. She is whisked away to a school to help her master her magic. The dark queen has taken an interest in her, and she must figure out her past so she may have a future.

This story is a mix between Harry Potter and Fablehaven. I loved it. The story is different enough to not be considered a Harry Potter copy but familiar enough to love it immediately. I look forward to more in this series!