It’s set in a sort of steampunk-style fantasy land. It’s a book that could be read and enjoyed by 11 year olds, but it’s also a book which I enjoyed entirely as an adult, and not from the perspective of “how could this play to kids?” Yes, Morrigan is 11 when the book begins, but this doesn’t read as an MG book. I almost think the final covers for the books actually do them a disservice, because the illustrations make them appear to skew younger than they actually are. It’s a delightful book, Morrigan is a wonderful character, and the concept is magical and innocent without being too childish. Being able to retreat into this book which is warm and kind and funny was exactly what I needed to take the stress off during a very difficult period. I’d say I wish I had read it sooner, but actually it was the perfect thing to read this last week, a week which was full of anxiety and stress and heartbreak over the state of the country.
They caught me by surprise, but immediately bumped the book back up my to-read list. Earlier this year, however, I went to an event at Kenilworth Books, where I was met with the most effusive, excited, and enthusiastic recommendations for it. And it just kept slipping further down my list, and after a small flutter for the release of book 2, I didn’t really hear anything else. These were big claims, but although the chocolate umbrella was delicious I was deep in busy things – splitting my time between my internship, my paying job, and writing my dissertation. Everyone in Hachette got a copy, along with a little chocolate umbrella and a letter from the head of publishing saying that Nevermoor was going to be the next great children’s phenomenon, that it had the makings of the next Harry Potter or Chronicles of Narnia. I was given the proof of this book way back in 2017 while I was interning at Gollancz.
Mystery, magic and protection are hers – if only she can pass four impossible trials, using an exceptional talent. There she’s invited to join the Wundrous Society.
But, as the clock strikes midnight, she’s whisked away by a remarkable man called Jupiter North and taken to the secret city of Nevermoor. Morrigan Crow is cursed, destined to die on her eleventh birthday.
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