Review of Nevermoor: The Trials of Morrigan Crow by Jessica Townsend – ★★★★☆

Nevermoor is exactly the kind of story that reminds me why adults should dip into middle grade fiction more often. Jessica Townsend has crafted a richly imagined world full of wonder, whimsy, and just enough darkness to keep the stakes real. Morrigan Crow is a delightful protagonist—clever, sharp, and easy to root for—and the universe she’s thrown into feels both fantastical and grounded in its own logic.

I had the pleasure of listening to the audiobook, thanks to NetGalley, and it absolutely elevated the experience. The narration was outstanding—engaging, expressive, and perfectly attuned to the tone of the story. I often found myself lingering in scenes just to savor the performance.

While I’m holding back a star for some pacing issues in the middle, overall this was a joyful, immersive read that made me feel like a kid discovering magic again for the first time. I’m already looking forward to the next in the series.

Nevermoor was a great story reminiscent of a great middle grade adventure. Nevermoor follows a cursed child as she is swept into a whole new world on the eve of when she should find her death. We are then teleported into a trial adventure as she navigates finding her place in a society that is no longer afraid of her but rather encouraging her.

Additionally, the audiobook is PHENOMENAL. If you are an audiobook listener, you MUST consume this story in that format. Gemma Whelan does an amazing job bringing each character to live with unique character voices, and fantastic acting. The audiobook has additional little chimes or sound effects typically around the end of chapters but occasionally in the chapters as well. It helps add whimsical effects to the story itself.

Nevermoor is reminiscent for those who like the story telling and adventures of Harry Potter and Percy Jackson. I highly recommend!

This is such a cute middle grade book. It's gloomy and feels gothic, yet it's so hopeful. The themes of found family are done great. The characters don't behave in a way where I want to shake them for being really dumb but believable for their age.
The evil guy is properly evil and kind of obvious but it's middle grade so as someone who reads a lot of fantasy and has always read a lot of it, it's fine to know beforehand.
The narrator also did a great job.

I had heard about this book, but never got around to reading it.
The story was fun and the world was ver interesting.
If you like books about found family and magic, this is the book for you.
And I recommend the audio the narrator does a great job.

This is an excellent story about a young girl who is different, and knows that her difference results in her being considered problematic in the place where she lives.

The fact that every disaster that occurs is wrongfully blamed on Morrigan Crow - whose own politician father couldn't care less about her - really doesn't help. But perhaps there is a way out of the situation, a most unexpected way out...

This is a story worth reading, packed with humour and creativity, and featuring an irresistible protagonist.

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️💫

This was so cute, fun, mysterious, and magical. I really liked it all!

@netgalley
#netgalleyreader
#netgalleyreviewer
#netgalleyarc
#readmorebooks
#readmorebooksbywomen
#bookish
#mybookishlife
#wearebookish
#readinggoals
#readin2025

This was such a great story. Morrigan has to deal with so much at such a young age. I cannot imagine what it would feel like to have your family thinking you are a curse. The trials that she goes through in order to become part of the Wonderous Society is very interesting and shows who Morrigan is. I cannot wait to see what happens with Morrigan after she gets more training and to see if she gets into the Wonderous Society.

I had an amazing time listening to *Nevermoor: The Trials of Morrigan Crow*! The audiobook was such a treat — the narrator was fantastic and really brought the story to life with her voices. It made the magical world feel even more real. The story itself was whimsical, fast-paced, and full of charm. Morrigan’s journey through the trials to enter the Wunder Society was packed with adventure, magic, and heartwarming friendships. I loved the quirky, eccentric characters — each one felt unique and fun to follow. This is a delightful middle grade fantasy that I’d highly recommend to anyone looking for an imaginative escape.

4.5 🌟 rounded up

In Nevermoor: The Trials of Morrigan Crow, Morrigan is a girl doomed to die on her eleventh birthday because she’s believed to be cursed. Instead, she’s whisked away to the magical city of Nevermoor by the mysterious Jupiter North. There, she must compete in a series of trials to earn a place in the Wundrous Society, despite believing she has no special talent. As she faces each challenge, Morrigan begins to uncover the truth about herself and the powerful legacy she may hold.

I loved this. I'm glad I ignored the fact that it said children's fiction when I requested it. It's definitely aimed at middle grade+ but adults can enjoy it as well. Morrigan is an easy character to empathize with, and I enjoyed hearing about the trials. I'm also a big fan of Fen the Magnificat, because who doesn't love giant, magical cats? I'm looking forward to the next books in the series.

The narration of the audiobook is excellent. Sure, a couple of the character voices were a little grating, but I thought Gemma Whelan did a great job nonetheless. Her accents and voices, along with the musical chapter interludes really add to the whimsy of the book.

Recommended for fans of HP and other fans of fantasy books with found family elements.

Thank you to NetGalley & Hachette Audio for the ALC.

This is my second time I experience Nevermoor: The Trials of Morrigan Crow by Jessica Townsend. The first time I read it 5 years ago with my daughter, and this second time on my own. I am confident that this book will become and endure as classic fantasy applicable for all ages.

The narration by Gemma Whelan was exquisitely done. She does a great job of providing unique voices for all characters, and keeping the reader immersed in the story. I highly recommend this audiobook.

Thank you to Hachette Audio | Little, Brown Young Readers for allowing me to listen to the ALC. All opinions are my own.

Rating: 5 Stars
Pub Date: Oct 17 2025

#HachetteAudio
#LittleBrownYoungReaders
#NevermooreTheTrialsofMorriganCrow
#JessicaTownsend
#GemmaWheland
#Fantasy
#MiddleSchool
#yarisbooknook
#netgalley

This is my second read of this book and I'm upping it from 4 to 5 stars. I really have no idea why I didn't give it 5 stars before!

This book is solidly Middle Grade and so well written. There is magic and adventure. Perfect for readers of all ages. I did not continue the series last time but I will this time. I cannot wait to find out more about Morrigan and the Wundrous Society.

I loved this book, it was fun and had interesting characters. How it takes a child/person to gain trust in others and how one can feel accepted was fenomenal.

I didn't think I could love this book more and then I got a copy of the audiobook through NetGalley (thank you!). The narrator for the book is awesome and really helped enhance the story. Love her voices, especially Finestra who has always been my favorite! If you are going to do a reread (or even a 1st read) in anticipation of the 4th book in June, do yourself a favor and listen to the audiobook. Highly recommend!

The land of Nevermoor is endlessly magical and a middle grade story that draws you into a world of characters that delight and captivate.

Nevermoor is for you...
* If you are looking for an alternative to she who shall not be named. This book gives the same heartwarming magic system vibes paired with beautiful writing
*if you like cats that can talk
* an underdog story

For fans of...
* B.B. Alston
* Madeline L'Engle

This was absolutely charming. Somewhere between The Lives of Christopher Chant and Harry Potter. Morrigan Crow is a cursed child - she was born at midnight on Eventide and so now, bad luck happens all around her. She certainly gets blamed for anything that goes wrong. As a child listed on the Cursed Child register, her prospects are not great. She is afterall destined to die on her 11th birthday, so what's the point in investing in her? Except that isn't how her 11th birthday goes adown at all...

This is definitely one for the underdogs and outsiders. Full of magic, adventure and friendship as Morrigan undergoes trails to enter the Wunder Society, this was fun and fast paced. Highly recommend.

I love the Nevermoor series, but it had been a while since I'd read the first book, and I had also never heard the audiobook, so I was really excited to check this one out. The narrator absolutely brought the story to life and I had such a blast with this one. Townsend's imagination is truly remarkable and a joy to get to explore. I also love getting to know Morrigan and Jupiter and every other character that pops up--each one is incredibly well-developed and brings so much personality and excitement or intrigue to the story. The world-building is also incredibly magical and hints at a well-developed world with rich background and so much more to explore--it's exactly the type of magical story that anyone can easily fall in love with, child and adult alike. As I mentioned, Gemma Whelan is an excellent narrator and I think I enjoyed this story even more following along with her narration. Her voices and emotive elements fit well and it was a great match. Overall, you really can't go wrong with Nevermoor--just get ready for an amazing journey!

Gemma Whelan does a fantastic job narrating this book! Her various accents are distinct and each character comes to life as a result.
The musical interludes at the beginning and between chapters set a great tone for each section
I listened in tandem to the US edition of the physical copy and noticed there are some differences but it didn't bother me. I was able to listen comfortably at 1.5 speed.
I highly recommend this audiobook!!!



Thanks to Netgalley for giving me the chance to listen to this one in exchange for my honest thoughts.

I've been wanting to read this for quite some time, so I was excited to see the audiobook on NetGalley!

The story is fun, compelling, and I know if I had read it as a teen, I'd be entirely obsessed.

The audio narration brought whimsy and masterful storytelling to this book and I absolutely loved it!

Nevermoor: The Trials of Morrigan Crow is a remarkable Middle-Grade fantasy that blends high-stakes adventure with rich world-building and unforgettable characters. The story follows Morrigan Crow, a girl born on Eventide, a night believed to bring misfortune, marking her as cursed. Blamed for every mishap in her town of Jackalfax and fated to die on her twelfth birthday, Morrigan's future looks bleak. But when Eventide arrives a year early, and death looms on her eleventh birthday, she is rescued in the nick of time by the mysterious Jupiter North.

Swept away to the magical city of Nevermoor, Morrigan finds sanctuary in the whimsical Deucalion Hotel and begins training for entrance into the prestigious Wundrous Society. Along the way, she encounters a vibrant and eccentric cast of characters, each adding depth and charm to this imaginative world.

The audiobook, narrated by Gemma Whelan, is an absolute standout. Her performance brings Townsend’s characters vividly to life with a remarkable range of voices and expressions. From the exuberant Jupiter North to the more reserved Morrigan, every voice is distinct and carefully crafted. One of the true highlights is Whelan’s portrayal of Fenestra, the hotel’s head of housekeeping—a formidable and drawling Magnificat (yes, a giant talking cat). Whelan captures Fenestra’s dry wit and grandeur with humour and warmth, adding even more texture to an already magical tale.

Perfect for fans of Harry Potter and The Mysterious Benedict Society, Nevermoor is the beginning of a series that promises wonder, resilience, and plenty of charm. Whether you’re reading it for the first time or listening in audiobook format, it’s a story that’s sure to delight readers young and old alike.

Book Review: Nevermoor: The Trials of Morrigan Crow (Audiobook Edition)

Few audiobooks manage to transcend the boundary between storytelling and performance art, but *Nevermoor: The Trials of Morrigan Crow* achieves this rare feat with exceptional finesse. In what is undoubtedly one of the most impressive audiobooks I have encountered, the narration transforms the already enchanting narrative into a vivid, cinematic experience. The narrator’s talent is nothing short of extraordinary—not merely for her impeccable intonation or her ability to shift between accents and characters with precision, but for her unmistakable skill as a voice actor. She does not simply read the story; she inhabits it, embodying each character with emotional depth and theatrical prowess. The use of subtle sound effects and tonal variations further elevates the experience, resulting in an immersive production that sets a new standard in audiobook narration.

Beyond the stunning auditory experience, *Nevermoor* delivers a story that is both emotionally resonant and imaginatively rich. The protagonist, Morrigan Crow, is introduced as a cursed child—unwanted, unloved, and marked by a sense of perpetual abandonment. Her yearning for connection, friendship, and belonging resonates on a deeply human level. For many listeners, including myself, Morrigan’s isolation and internal struggles are not merely fantastical elements, but profound metaphors for real emotional experiences. While her circumstances are heightened through the lens of fantasy, the core of her pain—being misunderstood, excluded, and desperately wishing to be seen—is strikingly relatable. Personally, her story awakened echoes of my own childhood, reminding me of the silent longing for friendship and acceptance that often accompanies the formative years.

The world-building in *Nevermoor* is equally commendable. The magic system is refreshingly original, and the universe Jessica Townsend constructs is as whimsical as it is compelling. There is a distinctive charm and inventiveness in every detail, from the setting to the peculiar trials Morrigan must endure. Yet, what truly sets the book apart is how this magical framework is used to explore themes of identity, resilience, and the courage to defy the expectations imposed upon us.

In sum, *Nevermoor* is not merely a well-written story—it is a powerful emotional journey, made unforgettable through one of the finest audiobook narrations I have ever had the pleasure of experiencing. For listeners seeking a blend of poignant storytelling, imaginative world-building, and top-tier vocal performance, this audiobook stands as a benchmark. I would recommend it without hesitation to both young and adult audiences alike, particularly those who appreciate not only fantasy but the cathartic beauty of stories that reflect our deepest emotional truths.