A cursed girl escapes death and is taken to Nevermoor, where she must pass trials to stay.

The first half was whimsical and engaging, with vivid world building and fun characters. But as the story progressed, it started to drag. While the story has charm and creativity, it would’ve been much stronger if it were about 100 pages shorter.

Thank you to Jessica Townsend, Hachette Audio and NetGalley for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

I haven't felt this much magic and whimsey from a story since I was a child reading Harry Potter. Having never heard of this series before I am so glad I stumbled upon it here on Netgalley, it is a true hidden gem. To my happy surprise the 4th book in the series came out yesterday so I will be devouring the rest of this series imminently! I love the elaborate and detailed world this author created. Each character is full of life and the narrator does such an extraordinary job of immersing the audience into the world of Nevermoor. I truly haven't experienced a story of this caliber in a long long time. Morrigan Crow is a delightful main character who takes us on an incredible and action-packed journey in just the first book.

This is a good middle grade fantasy story. I enjoyed the premise and the unique characters. We all feel a bit different sometimes, but how terrible would it be for your own family to treat you as a pariah? But what a joy to be rescued from that and introduced to a whole new world where you fit right in!

The audiobook narration is pretty good.

Many thanks to NetGalley and Hatchett Audio for the opportunity to read and review this book prior to publication.

I listened to 'Nevermoor: The Trials of Morrigan Crow' as an audiobook after enjoying reading the book a few years ago. I loved the story even more the second time! The audiobook version is phenomenal, with Gemma Whelan transforming into distinct characters during dialogue. I felt instantly transported to Morrigan's world.

Even though this is a middle grade story, I would recommend it to anyone looking for a magical and whimsical adventure. There are magical trials and a talking cat, as well as some interesting social commentary. With multifaceted characterisation and fantastic world building, there is a lot to love.

Thank you NetGalley for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

TL;DR: What an absolute delight. This has all the fun and whimsy of a solid middle grade humor with the suspense and mystery of an adult fantasy.

Is this a bit predictable? Absolutely - I saw a few of the twists coming a mile away. But it also had me wanting to teach it, because it did such a lovely job with foreshadowing and suspense.

Are the characters lovable? So so lovable. In fact, there was one major twist with a character I didn't see coming at ALL and I'm so excited to read the next book!

Is the story interesting? So much so. If you're longing to go back to that first time you read Harry Potter, this is great way to do so. It's well written, well paced, and the humor had me snickering a few times out loud.

The audiobook is great for this, too. The narrator is well spoken and does a great job with different voices, making the story even better.

I loved the story and the chatacters.The narration was beautifully done.
I knew the story but I felt like I was visiting for the first time.

Charming and whimsical, this was an entertaining read from start to finish.

The politics and social commentary was so interesting to see in a middle grade novel and the trials gave me some major hunger games X goblet of fire vibes which I really enjoyed. The world building was vivid and exciting and the characters were intriguing and really fun to follow.

I'm definitely looking forward to continuing with this series and jumping back into it whenever I need some light, fun, magical relief.

I loved the narrator. The story was easy to follow and very cute. It gave Harry Potter vibes. After finishing I immediately bought the kindle for my daughter to read.

New favorite middle grade series?

This book took me straight back to a middle grader fantasy/magic reading kid again. It was giving me the feels I had when reading Harry Potter or A Series of Unfortunate Events. It was silly and brilliant and hilarious. It was also dark but light, happy but sad, and I can admit that the twisty twist got me. The trials seemed a little rushed, but this is a story for a younger audience so that makes sense. I really enjoyed the variety of challenges the kids had to face.

I got the audiobook version of this and Gemma Whelan is an incredible narrator. She made all the characters come to life. I was pulled right into Nevermoor with them. I want to live in the Hotel Deucalion - I would be so excited to wake up every day and see how my room has changed.

As soon as I finished this, my fingers ran to my library app to see if the audiobook was available for the next book in this series.

Thank you to NetGalley and Hachette Audio for this amazing audiobook experience!

Having read the book, Nevermoor: The Trials of morrigan Crow, I knew what I was in for. I truly enjoy the series. However I never listened to the audiobook until it was presented to me. I received the audiobook as a digital review from Netgalley and in return am leaving my honest opinion of it. As stated, I am familiar with the great book series as well as the narrator, Gemma Whelan, but only knowing her for her acting skills on screen. I knew just from her acting reputoire that I was in for a treat. I was not wrong.

The audio version of Nevermoor was absolutely spectacular! It brought new life to the fantastical and magical world Jessica Townsend has created for the reader. Gemma Whelan brings bright life to each and every whimsy character she narrates and she leaves nothing to the imagination. She could read the dictionary and it would be entertaining, she is just that good.

I cannot recommend enough for readers (young and young at heart) to add this audiobook to their collection. Whether you are new to the series or want to re-read for a whole new experience, do it! You will not be disappointed, I promise!

I know this book came out several years ago and definitely has Harry Potter vibes - but if you love a Hero’s Journey- this is for you! I loved Morrigan and Jupiter. You just become so invested in the characters.

Nevermoor: The Trials of Morrigan Crow by Jessica Townsend is a book that takes the reader to a new world full of magic and mystery. The story is slightly slow at the beginning, but it doesn't make the book boring. In the story, Morrigan has had her fate predetermined from her birthday due to a curse that states she'll die when the next Eventide arrives. When the day of her death comes, Morrigan finds out that not everything is as it seems and embarks on a wild adventure with her mentor, Jupiter North. The world-building in Nevermoor is very well-crafted; you learn about it slowly as Morrigan herself does. The characters are engaging and make you care about them. Many funny moments bring some lightness to the story. Townsend guides the reader on a rollercoaster of events full of magic and enchanting characters. The narrator makes the story even more engaging. The voices are amazing and fit each character perfectly well. The audiobook production is remarkable. There are no weird, silent moments, the chapter transitions are smooth and clean. There are music transitions in important moments that enhance the listening experience; they have the right tone to complement what is happening in the story. I loved this audiobook, and I'm looking forward to listening to the rest of the series.

The narrator did an AMAZING job with this book. I need to get my hands on the next ones in the series. This book resparked my love for middlegrade books. I am so glad I read it, it was so whimsical and just perfect.

I can’t wait to add this book to my classroom library! My students are going to love it. Morrigan is a quirky young girl who has always believed she was cursed and would not live past her 11th birthday. That is until she meets the even more quirky but mysterious Jupiter North. He takes her on a grand adventure to Nevermoor. To remain there, she must compete in a number of trials set by the Wondrous Society. The world and character building are so well written that you quickly get sucked into the story rooting for Morrigan. I truly think that my class will want to see just how crazy Nevermoor can get. The audiobook narration just pushed it more over the top. I can not recommend this book enough!

This is so cute. Very first book of Harry Potter coded. Whimsical and magical. Highly entertaining. The narration was really good. Could really get into the story

The most interesting thing about Jessica Townsend’s Nevermoor: The Trials of Morrison Crow for me was my own general feeling that it had an incredibly beautiful and strong start and an exceedingly strong and beautiful ending.

I could honestly take or leave the middle.

It took me a while to finish this one because I spent so much of my time with it just waiting to feel as interested as I had at the beginning. And I’d look at the book on my reading list, in my books…and just feel thoroughly unmotivated to pick it back up again. And it wasn’t until I was nearing the very end that I truly started to get back into the story, to feel excited about the characters and what they were facing—because my goodness, through all that tediousness, we got some great foreshadowing.

So, I kind of leave this story feeling like it’s one I would love to recommend to families, to students, and to read to my kids. I just mildly dread having to slog through the middle again. Though, hopefully, I will feel less meh about it on a reread.

The message, by the way, and the resolution—my word, just -chef’s kiss- superb.

Oh, and if you find yourself interested in the audiobook, I can say that the musicality involved was a lot of fun. Gemma Wheelan was a pretty phenomenal narrator overall.

I chose this book purely based on the beautiful cover. I am so glad I did because this book was fabulous. The production quality on this audiobook is fantastic, There’s a short piece of music between each chapter that fits so perfectly with what’s going on in the story. The narrator is wonderful to listen to and her voices of other characters is well done.
Morrigan’s story seems so hopeless at the beginning but then her adventure takes off when she joins Jupiter. The characters are varied and interesting. I loved the continuous attempts by Jupiter to shorten Morrigan into a nickname throughout the story. I was so sad when it was over but I can get the other books to continue.

Thanks to NetGalley and Hachette Audio for a copy of this marvellous audio book.

*Nevermoor: The Trials of Morrigan Crow* is an utterly enchanting romp through a vividly imagined world that feels at once fresh and timeless. Jessica Townsend introduces readers to Morrigan, a delightfully sharp and unlucky heroine whose journey from cursed outcast to potential member of the Wundrous Society is filled with charm, heart, and magic. The story bursts with whimsy and suspense, and Gemma Whelan’s narration brings it all to life with captivating warmth and energy. With its dazzling trials, eccentric mentor Jupiter North, and the mysterious city of Nevermoor, this is a magical coming-of-age tale that will thrill fans of *Harry Potter* and *The Phantom Tollbooth* alike. A must-listen for readers young and old who believe in the wonder of the impossible.

I want to start off with how much I enjoyed the narrator, Gemma Whelan. She added so much to this book. She did a great job with the voices.

Morrigan Crow was a cursed child. She was born on Eventide, the unluckiest day. She was blamed for all unfortunate circumstances. Morrigan has no friends, and everyone is afraid to be around her. Her life takes a turn for the better when she attends bid day. Someone actually wants to mentor her. Unfortunately, she is cursed and will day by her 11th birthday.

In comes the most magical person she has ever met Jupiter North. He wants her to come with him and to contend for a place in the city Nevermoor. The cast of characters you will meet will make you laugh, shake your head and get made at mean girls. I listened to this book with my girls, and they enjoyed it.

This audiobook was so delightful. This is the perfect listen for kids—parents and kids can listen to this during car rides. Highly recommended.