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

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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.

Jessica Townsend’s writing is nothing short of enchanting, a whirlwind of imagination and intricate world-building that makes me wonder how I went so long without it. I’m disappointed in myself for not discovering this series sooner, though there’s something soulfully satisfying about having the first four books ready to binge (Yes, I’ve got Silverborn on its way!). The concept is incredibly compelling and fruitful, making me optimistic that there will be plenty more books to come in the series, and Townsend’s writing ensures every page is doused in literary magic. Immersive, and brimming with the kind of charm, it makes Nevermoor feel like an instant classic.
 
Within this world, Jessica has assembled a delightfully mismatched yet perfectly complementary cast. Morrigan, Jupiter, Hawthorne, Fen, and Cadence each bring something unique to the table, whether it’s Jupiter’s eccentricities or Fen’s sharp-witted sass. Their dynamic makes every interaction radiate off the page, but Cadence’s relationship with Morrigan is a source of particular intrigue for me. She’s prickly and incredibly unpredictable (arguably the most unpredictable character I’ve read all year), yet her growing bond with Morrigan adds an extra layer of complexity that I can’t wait to see develop further.
 
Then there’s Ezra Squall, a villain who sends shivers down your spine in the most unnerving way. He’s not the run of the mill antagonist. He’s charming, charismatic, and, dare I say, almost likable (at least until he does something entirely evil). That makes him all the more terrifying. There’s something incredibly unsettling about a villain who could, under different circumstances, be someone’s greatest ally. His promised lessons for Morrigan in the later books have hooked me in and I can’t wait to see how Townsend weaves that complexity into future books.
 
Finally, I have to sing the praises of Gemma Whelan’s narration, which transforms an already brilliant story into an auditory masterpiece. Her characterisation adds so much dimension to these beloved figures. Her delivery is emotional, gripping, and just the right balance of whimsical and heartfelt. She’s the kind of narrator who could read a phone book and somehow make it captivating (though I doubt kids would use that as a reference these days). Simply put, she elevates Nevermoor to another level for audiobook listeners. If you haven’t experienced the magic of her narration yet, do yourself a favour, get it ordered and get your headphones in.
 
Nevermoor: The Trials of Morrigan Crow sets a wond- - sorry, I typed it wrong – Wundrously high standard for this series and, given that two of my most trusted bookstagrammers recommended and praised the series to me, I can be assured this continues throughout the Nevermoor series. This is one to buy and read ASAP so you can get out and buy the fourth book in the series this week! The only way to get up to speed is to… START NOW!

The Nevermoor book is so charming, and even more so because of the narration of the audiobook. I've since gone on to listen to every other book in the series (and eagrly await the newest release!) and have to confirm that the audiobook is the way to go every time. The narration and sound effects really bring the story to life and highlight the magic and wonder every step of the way.

I’m several years late to the party but lucky for me, it’s still going strong. I absolutely adored Morrigan. The writing was rich and evocative, the characters expertly drawn. What a ride! I did not see the twists coming and can’t wait to read the next installment(s).
The narration was perfection. Such a delight.

Thank you to NetGalley and Hachette Audio for the audiobook ARC in exchange for an honest review.

I’ve owned the hardcover & Audible book for a while so when I saw this on NetGalley I thought, what better way to get myself to read the story. None!

I loved it! I burned through it in a day. Morrigan Crow has been labeled a cursed child who will die on her 12th birthday. On her 11th birthday death comes for her but Captain Jupiter North rescues her.

To stay & join an exclusive membership she has to be one of nine winners of a competition including hundreds.

Morrigan growing up in a family where she feels invisible & treated as the cursed child who was responsible for everything that goes wrong is just looking for a place to belong. Here is the story of her leaving one family and finding another.

It’s a little scary/dark but a fabulous story & great audio. Thank you NetGalley & @HachetteAudio for prompting me to bump this story up my TBR!

Fantastic story! Recommend!!

With the upcoming release of Silverborn, I have been dying to reread the Nevermoor series. After listening to Nevermoor: The Trials of Morrigan Crow for a second time, I am ecstatic to say that it was SO much better than I remembered! I loved it the first time, but I had forgotten how funny it was. Truly the best middle grade series I have read since Harry Potter, and the audiobook is a MUST. Gemma Whelan is one of the best narrators I have listened to, and I loved the different voices she does for the characters.

I received an audio version from Hachette Audio | Little, Brown Young Readers via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

Morrigan Crow is cursed because she was born on even tide and all the children who are born on even tide die at the age of 12. So she and her family are waiting for her to die. Nobody loves her because she is cursed. Everybody blames her when anything goes wrong. She gets rescued on even tide by a person named Jupiter from a different world and now she has to go through trials to get accepted in wunderous society to stay in that world otherwise she would be deported back where death is waiting for her.
We get to see how Morrigan is living in the beginning which validates her desperation of getting accepted in wunderous society.
The trials are set in different seasons so you can read it in any season. We meet other candidates, Morrigan also makes a friend and he is such a fun side kick. The trials were entertaining. The magical system is vague and its intriguing. I guessed the small mystery of wundersmith. But there were still some other revelations which shocked me.
I'm super invested in the story and excited to read the next book.

This is probably my second favorite middle grade series of all time (cough cough after Harry Potter of course)
Love seeing Morrigan crow overcome her sad start at life and ultimately find a group of people she can call family and friends.
I truly believe this is a series that is going to be just as popular as Harry Potter one day and im so glad I was about be here for the start of it. Love getting to see Morrigan grow each book and over come new challenges. Cannot wait to see where Jessica Townsend takes this and book four is coming out soon!
A must read and this audio book was AMAZING!!

I love this series and it's even more amazing in audiobook. A great middle grade fantasy that can appeal to middle grade age range and up.