Thank you to Stories Untold Press and NetGalley for providing me with a copy of this novel in exchange for an honest review.
All quotes are taken from The Crowns of Croswald by D. E. Night.
// Content warning: mentions of death, violence //
// Quick Statistics //
Overall: 4/5 Stars
Plot: 4/5 Stars
Setting: 3.5/5 Stars
Characters: 5/5 Stars
Writing: 3/5 Stars
Memorability: 3/5 Stars
// Quick Review //
Think Harry Potter but with a female main character and a mixture of many different tales from that of Percy Jackson and the Olympians to the Tales of Pixiehollow.
The Crowns of Croswald is a nostalgic yet new spin on magic, mysteries, and chosen-ones.
Trust the magic in you and know I will forever be in the shadow of its light.
// Other Information //
Publisher: Stories Untold Press
Page Count: 249 pages
Release Date: July 21, 2017
Series: The Crowns of Croswald #1
Genre: Fiction, Middle grade, Children’s, Young adult, Adventure, Fantasy, Magic, Mystery
// Book Description (via Goodreads) //
This is a page-turning fantasy in the tradition of fairy tales, whimsical worlds, and coming-of-age stories.
The Crowns of Croswald invites young readers to explore themes of stepping into their own magic, discovering their true selves, and battling evil head-on. Hailed by Kirkus Reviews as “an action-packed treat […] with a relatable heroine facing challenges in a vivid world of magic and mystery,” and called a new classic by readers, The Crowns of Croswald series is a magical romp through a fully formed universe with dragons, magical quills, potions, and mythical creatures.
Ivy Lovely is 16 and she has no idea who she is—or what her powers could be. When she crosses a magical boundary, she discovers a whole new world of enchantment and mystery. Making friends that will last a lifetime—and save her life—she steps into her own abilities and discovers more about her hidden past, magical blood, and the power of Croswald’s mystical stones. But all is not well: a dark history and an evil Queen threatens all that is good. Will Ivy’s bravery and wit be enough?
Curious and whimsical, both shy and brave, Ivy is a hero that connects with readers of all ages. For those who wished that Narnia, Harry Potter, and Alice in Wonderland could go on forever, Croswald opens a whole new world of magic. Recommended as a read-aloud for families and a first middle-grade fantasy read, The Crowns of Croswald is a four-part series that will carry readers to a whimsical world that they won’t want to leave.
// Characters //
The Crowns of Croswald boasts a moderately sized cast of characters, most of which I liked.
The main character, Ivy Lovely, is a girl whose life is less than fortunate. Living as a scaldrony maid for Castle Plum, Ivy is unable to do what she loves most, draw and read. Ivy dreams of attending the Halls of Ivy, a school where royals learn to control the magic stones in their crowns and where sqwinches practice to receive quills as scrivenists. I found Ivy to be a very powerful and unique main character.
One of my favorite characters was Humboldt, the dragon (mini-one, I believe) that Ivy is forced to take with her when she is fired from Castle Plum. Adorable and always there for Ivy, Humboldt is just one example of the fantastic creatures that The Crowns of Croswald exhibits. If I had to choose a creature from the novel as a pet, I would most definitely choose a dragon.
You are she, the one all of Croswald has been searching for. Waiting for, whether they knew it or not.
// Writing and Setting //
A large issue that I had with the novel is that while it’s content is most definitely juvenile/middle grade, the information and writing is more young adult. As an older reader, it was difficult for me to keep track of information and storylines at some points, so I can only imagine how frustrating that would be for younger readers.
Nevertheless, I did love how D. E. Night brought their novel to life; it was vibrant, magical, and thrilling.
I admired how much homage The Crowns of Croswald seems to pay to Harry Potter. For example; a magical boarding school; the main characters don’t realize yet that they’re the chosen one; an evil magic being. All of these aspects were things that the series had in common with Harry Potter. I loved the nostalgia this novel gave me, but only to a point. About halfway through the novel, there were a lot of similarities between the two series, and I began to see the novel as a Harry Potter fanfiction type novel. This eventually changed for me, but I can only imagine that this might be off-putting for many.
Still, I did love the magic and world that Night created, no matter how similar it might be to Harry Potter.
// Plot //
I thought that the mystery aspect of this novel was perfectly executed. As Ivy attempts to navigate her newfound life, she stumbles upon various fishy things that the school’s headmaster (the Selector) attempts to hide. Odd occurrences change Ivy’s outlook on the Halls of Ivy and cause her to investigate.
The one criticism that I have of the plot is that it was very slow moving for me in the beginning. Some of the most perilous and dramatic scenes occur in the last few chapters of the novel, while the rest is primarily buildup and backstory. It’s just a personal preference of mine, and I know not everyone will agree, but I generally like novels that have an equal spread of action, mystery, etc. over the entire story.
You’re alive… You are Croswald’s only hope. This is your destiny.
// Overall Review //
The Crowns of Croswald is perfect for tweens who love Harry Potter, Percy Jackson and the Olympians, and Tales of Pixiehollow. I adored the nostalgia and magical feeling of finding a world to escape in. This novel brought me back to my childhood and my discovery of my love of reading.
What magical creature would you keep as a pet?
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Maya's Reviews 