Due to unforseen circumstances and family tragedy, I was not able to fulfill my commitment to read this in the requested time frame. I will not be publishing a review.

Thank you to the author and Netgalley for the opportunity.

When I heard this book was compared to Harry Potter I thought it would be very up my street. However I was a little disappointed. Some of the names were very far-fetched and a bit too try hard. Also I found the last 25% the book more thrilling than the first 75%

[ The Crowns of Croswald ] ★★★★☆

This book is a delightful and enchanting tale that transports readers into a magical world filled with mystery, adventure, and a touch of whimsy. The story follows Ivy Lovely, a determined and endearing young heroine, as she discovers her true identity and navigates the fantastical realm of Croswald.

Night's world-building is truly captivating, with intricate details and imaginative elements that bring Croswald to life. The magical school setting, with its unique classes and mystical creatures, adds a charming layer to the story, reminiscent of beloved fantasy classics yet infused with its own originality.

The plot is well-paced, weaving together themes of self-discovery, friendship, and bravery. Ivy's journey is both relatable and inspiring, as she grows from a humble maid into a figure of significant importance in the magical world. The narrative is filled with unexpected twists and turns that keep the reader eagerly turning pages.

Character development is another strong aspect of this book. Ivy is a lovable protagonist whose courage and curiosity make her easy to root for. The supporting cast, including quirky teachers and loyal friends, enriches the story and adds depth to the magical community of Croswald.

However, the novel does have a few minor drawbacks. Some plot points feel a bit predictable, and certain aspects of the magical system could benefit from further elaboration. Additionally, the dialogue occasionally feels stilted, though it does not significantly detract from the overall enjoyment of the book.

Overall, "The Crowns of Croswald" is a thoroughly enjoyable read that will appeal to fantasy lovers of all ages. D.E. Night has crafted a whimsical and engaging tale that promises to captivate readers and leave them eagerly anticipating the next installment in the series. Despite a few minor flaws, the book's charm, creativity, and heart make it a standout addition to the fantasy genre.

The Crowns of Croswald is compared to Narnia, Harry Potter, and Alice In Wonderland.

When I started reading the book I got Harry Potter and Studio Ghibli vibes with the main character having low self esteem and will eventually build their self esteem as the story goes on.

The main character Ivy is very relatable to the middle grade audience. Ivy's journey is to find where she belongs.

The descriptions of the story being told reminded me being thirteen again reading Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone. Having to ask my mom how to pronounce all the character's as well as magical creatures.

This book put a smile to my face. Thank you for contacting me and letting me review the book.

This was a fun YA story with magic and schools! I really enjoyed the writing and even though it is aimed at a younger age range as an adult I still really understood the characters and driving forces behind them.

Would recommend!!

The Crowns of Croswald" by D.E. Night

⭐⭐⭐⭐

"The Crowns of Croswald" is a magical journey that captivated my imagination from the very first page. D.E. Night weaves a whimsical tale filled with enchanting characters and a richly detailed world that I couldn't help but get lost in. The storyline is both charming and adventurous, making it a delightful read for fantasy lovers.

A special shoutout to the author for making an effort to connect with me on Instagram; I appreciated that personal touch immensely! It added an extra layer of magic to the reading experience. 🌟📚✨

The Crowns of Croswald by D.E. Night is a perfect fit for young adult readers who crave a thrilling adventure filled with magic, mystery, and self-discovery, as they follow Ivy's journey through the enchanted halls of a magical school, where she uncovers her hidden powers and battles to save the mystical world of Croswald.

this was such a fun fantasy!!! not too complex and easy for your brain to follow, would recommend this if you’re in a slump - it helped get me out of one!

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. If I had read this as a kid, I know I would have loved it.
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.

I just finished The Crowns of Croswald, the first book in a middle-grade fantasy series by author @author.denight
Middle-grade readers of Harry Potter or Simon Snow may enjoy entering this magical world. Ivy’s struggles to fit in her new world are very relatable. Personally, the magical world in this book wasn’t built out enough to make me want to come back to it, but younger readers may find it intriguing. The ending of this book gave me hope that the world would be built out a little more and some questions may be answered as the series goes on.

This is very similar to Harry Potter in that there’s a surprise invitation to a magical school, lots of cosy descriptions of food and the story is set over a whole school year. I found it difficult to get a feel of the passing of a whole year though - there is little to no description of seasons or any celebrations to mark the different points of the year.
Good world building. Nice realisation of the School’s town - a bit steam-punk in feel.
It is very obvious who Ivy is and what her destiny will be, which does rather dampen down the mystery. At the end there is a massive information dump, with lots of telling with no showing.
All in all, this is perfectly charming and more suited to younger readers (think Philosopher’s Stone, rather than Deathly Hallows).

In "The Crowns of Croswald," D.E. Night tells a tale of magic, adventure, and self-discovery. This book is perfect for fans of fairy-tale-type writing and the magical boarding school trope. Set in the enchanting world of Croswald, this book follows 16-year-old Ivy Lovely, whose life takes an unexpected turn when she discovers her true heritage.

I enjoyed the magic system. Magical stones are nothing new, but I loved the idea of magical quills instead of wands. What a unique twist on "wizards." From the very first page, Night captivates readers with vivid descriptions and intricate world-building. I loved Ivy's determination and courage. Her biggest quest is to discover her identity and uncover just who she keeps seeing in her dreams and visions. The answer will explain who she is and who she must become.

I did feel the plot jumped around a bit. One whole school year went by really fast without much to represent the passage of time. Certain character traits and plot points seemed thrown in at the last second, like Ivy's fear of heights. I felt like big events happened without as much buildup as there should be. Additionally, some of the dialogue fell a bit flat to me, or was used to "tell" the plot too much rather than "show" it. The friendship between Rebecca, Ivy, and Fyn didn't seem to come together naturally enough.

The tone of the writing voice was really well done, especially at the beginning. It had that fairy tale, magic feel to it that makes me nostalgic for stories of my childhood. Overall, I think the story is a delightful read for all ages, especially middle grade readers. I look forward to reading the next installment and discovering more about Ivy's destiny.

Thank you netgalley and the publisher for providing me with this review copy. I don't usually DNF books but unfortunately I just couldn't get into this one at all.

Thank you Netgalley and Stories Untold Press for gifting me a copy of this book for my honest review.
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Crowns Of Coswald by D.E. Night is a coming of age story about a girl named Ivy. Ivy, who believes she is the only non-magical being in a fantastical world, must unlock her own powers and uncover her true identity before it's too late. As she explores a realm of enchantment and makes lifelong friends, she uncovers her magical heritage and the power of Croswald's mystical stones. However, an evil Queen poses a threat. Will Ivy's courage and intelligence prevail?
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I rate this book at least 4 stars. It is definitely worth a read if you're a fan of Harry Potter, Narnia, or Percy Jackson as a kid. It's very adventurous, fun, and has a good mystery to it. I really enjoyed Ivy's character and the friends/enemies she made along the way. At first when I began reading it, I couldn't help think of other young fantasy stories but once you get into the world, you quickly forget about them and only focus on Ivy's world. Definitely check this one out!

A school for children with magical powers. A girl who has been hidden behind a boundary between ordinary and magic. Ivy, the girl, is learning to master her magic but her life is threatened by the Dark Queen. For young and older fans of Harry Potter. A delightful story. Love the magical creatures! Their descriptions are powerful. I would love to read the rest of the series. Thanks #Netgalley and #Storiesuntold for the eARC in exchange for a honest review. All opinions are mine.

The Crowns of Croswald is a very creative story. The plot and characters were brough to life with the way they were described. I had a joy reading this.

Loved it! This book is full of magic and adventure and I was hooked. A must for Harry Potter and ACOTAR fans.

Unfortunately, as hard as I tried, I just could not get into this book. Perhaps I'll give it another try at a later date!

The publisher (Untold Stories) reached out to me offering the book for free in exchange for a honest review.

This fantasy middle grade novel is perfect for anyone who loved Harry Potter. Readers will enter a world of magic and meet a protagonist they’re sure to love: Ivy.

Ivy is living among all sorts of magical creatures, and much like Harry Potter, she is shockingly sent off to a school to learn more about how to practice this magic. While Ivy is uncertain about why, it soon becomes clear that there is something different about her, and it might be in a good way!

While the world building was well done it not a bit too similar to Harry Potter, the plot was a bit slow moving and didn’t really build until more than half way through. It was quite enthralling for a good bit, and then it seemed like information was left out. This information was clarified later, so it all came together to set itself up nicely for the next book.

Overall, this would be a good fit for a fantasy loving middle grade readers.

Ivy Lovely has been hidden for sixteen years behind a boundary that was an enchantment so when Ivy crosses the boundary to go the school Halls Of Ivy her magical powers are awakened. Before long the Dark Queen threatens Ivy’s life and she has to save herself and Croswald.

This is very reminiscent of Harry Potter which isn’t a terrible thing because it will be enjoyed by the same demographic. There are some cute sounding creatures and it’s a good book. I will be honest though I really felt that it is more for the younger end of the age range that it is aimed for. Overall a good book.