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Croswald #1
The Crowns of Croswald
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.
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.
320 pages, Paperback
First published July 21, 2017
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 3,016 reviews
March 24, 2018
I got this lovely little box from the author sent to my PO Box. It is lovely, although, my special newspaper was torn =(
I liked Ivy's character. She gets kicked out of the castle and ends up at a school to hone her magical skills. She has some trial and error at this school! Who doesn't?
I very much enjoyed the magic system and the characters. I think middle grade readers will enjoy this book!
Happy Reading!
Mel ♥
I liked Ivy's character. She gets kicked out of the castle and ends up at a school to hone her magical skills. She has some trial and error at this school! Who doesn't?
I very much enjoyed the magic system and the characters. I think middle grade readers will enjoy this book!
Happy Reading!
Mel ♥
May 27, 2019
I received this book for free from the publisher (Stories Untold) in exchange for an honest review.
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 also loved the illustrations at the beginning of each chapter. They were so cute and just added to the magic of the story. If only there was a map!
I have read some reviews that compared this book to Harry Potter, but since I haven’t read Harry Potter I can’t say how it compares.
The only thing I had an issue with was that it got a little confusing and convoluted towards the end. Some things weren’t totally clear, but I still managed to figure it out.
Overall, I recommend this book for young readers who love fantasy or want to get more into reading. This book has enough action, mystery, and magic to keep them entertained. Plus it’s the first book in a series!
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 also loved the illustrations at the beginning of each chapter. They were so cute and just added to the magic of the story. If only there was a map!
I have read some reviews that compared this book to Harry Potter, but since I haven’t read Harry Potter I can’t say how it compares.
The only thing I had an issue with was that it got a little confusing and convoluted towards the end. Some things weren’t totally clear, but I still managed to figure it out.
Overall, I recommend this book for young readers who love fantasy or want to get more into reading. This book has enough action, mystery, and magic to keep them entertained. Plus it’s the first book in a series!
July 3, 2017
If you are a harry potter fan, magic boarding school fan, and lost princesses who don't know they are queens then this book is the book for you. We have a lovely character named Ivy who for the first part of the book is slumming away in a kitchen and we get the pleasure of meeting the unique Scaldrons dragons who bake in their mouths. While we are meeting these we get a real glimpse in to the misery that is Ivy life and how she is thrust out into the world quite suddenly after a hiccup with one of these Scaldrons and Helga the kitchen head staff person.
Once Ivy is thrust out into the world all the exciting magic stuff begins to happen, we get to find out all about these queens and scrivenerist who all study at this magic school. Scrivenerist are the discoverers who sketch and record all that see and have photographic memory. Ivy loves to sketch and so she is happily immersed in what she loves and then the queens are who the Scrivenerist get assigned to serve once they graduate from school.
As the book progresses poor Ivy get her self in more and more trouble and you have this wonderful companion Fyn who has no problem breaking the rules but loves to remind Ivy all the time about how she should not be breaking them nor should she be attempting things that are beyond her training as she just a first year.
I was memorized throughout the whole story as each secret that is reveled is unwoven as you move through the story and the ending wow i was not expecting that. Like i said if you love harry potter this will delight you as it has some traits that are familiar but this story stands well on its own and is perfect for the age group of middle grades but as a 38 year old i was thoroughly entertained. Thanks to the publishing company for providing me with an ARC copy and the wonderful swag to go with.
Once Ivy is thrust out into the world all the exciting magic stuff begins to happen, we get to find out all about these queens and scrivenerist who all study at this magic school. Scrivenerist are the discoverers who sketch and record all that see and have photographic memory. Ivy loves to sketch and so she is happily immersed in what she loves and then the queens are who the Scrivenerist get assigned to serve once they graduate from school.
As the book progresses poor Ivy get her self in more and more trouble and you have this wonderful companion Fyn who has no problem breaking the rules but loves to remind Ivy all the time about how she should not be breaking them nor should she be attempting things that are beyond her training as she just a first year.
I was memorized throughout the whole story as each secret that is reveled is unwoven as you move through the story and the ending wow i was not expecting that. Like i said if you love harry potter this will delight you as it has some traits that are familiar but this story stands well on its own and is perfect for the age group of middle grades but as a 38 year old i was thoroughly entertained. Thanks to the publishing company for providing me with an ARC copy and the wonderful swag to go with.
June 26, 2019
Book Reviewed on www.whisperingstories.com
The first thing I thought going in to this book is how heavily influenced it is by Harry Potter. It’s still very much its own world and has its own quirks, but there’s a lot of Potter-esque things going on.
I love the world building and magic in this story, it’s fun and not something I’ve come across before – some of the students have stones with very specific magical traits that they have to learn to control, while others have powers related to artistic ability.
Ivy is a 16 year old orphan who’s found herself cast from everything she’s ever known and starting a new life that she could never have imagined (sound familiar?), and everything seems to tip in just the right direction to help her get where she needs to go.
The pacing of this book is very fast and full of action, especially once Ivy finds herself in school. She does make some friends while she’s there, but I can’t help but feel that she doesn’t treat them very well while they’re busy helping her in all her endeavours, however dangerous or badly thought out they may be. For this reason, I found it quite hard to bond with her as a character – but the world building and intrigue was enough to keep me hooked in the hope that she’ll become more likable as she matures.
The writing style is very enjoyable and I think will particularly appeal to readers who are still in high school and can identify more with the characters than I did, because I found myself hoping for chapters from the perspective of some of the teachers or side characters to give it an extra flavour.
The first thing I thought going in to this book is how heavily influenced it is by Harry Potter. It’s still very much its own world and has its own quirks, but there’s a lot of Potter-esque things going on.
I love the world building and magic in this story, it’s fun and not something I’ve come across before – some of the students have stones with very specific magical traits that they have to learn to control, while others have powers related to artistic ability.
Ivy is a 16 year old orphan who’s found herself cast from everything she’s ever known and starting a new life that she could never have imagined (sound familiar?), and everything seems to tip in just the right direction to help her get where she needs to go.
The pacing of this book is very fast and full of action, especially once Ivy finds herself in school. She does make some friends while she’s there, but I can’t help but feel that she doesn’t treat them very well while they’re busy helping her in all her endeavours, however dangerous or badly thought out they may be. For this reason, I found it quite hard to bond with her as a character – but the world building and intrigue was enough to keep me hooked in the hope that she’ll become more likable as she matures.
The writing style is very enjoyable and I think will particularly appeal to readers who are still in high school and can identify more with the characters than I did, because I found myself hoping for chapters from the perspective of some of the teachers or side characters to give it an extra flavour.
April 3, 2018
1.5/5 stars.
I received a free copy of this book from the author/publisher in exchange for an honest review.
I wanted to like this book. I heard it compared to Harry Potter and it has other great reviews on Goodreads (so keep in mind that I may just be crazy as you read this review), and of course, no one ever wants to write a bad review of a book, so I always want to like the books or ARCs I'm asked to review. I know authors have it rough sometimes, and I know if I ever get a novel I've written published (some day in a galaxy far, far away because it's not happening anytime soon), I'm going to want my early readers to love it and spread the word, which is something I keep in mind when I read books from new authors or independent publishing companies. At the same time, I can't in good faith recommend a book that I don't like to someone, and that's pretty much what happened here.
You'll see other people on here compare this book to Harry Potter, and they're quite right in saying that. This book is a lot like Harry Potter...so much so, in fact, that it pretty much follows the exact same plot as Harry Potter, only with second-rate, boring, Mary-Sue characters and none of the actual amazingness of Harry Potter. I'm pretty sure there were even bits of dialogue taken straight out of the HP series and thrown in here. I won't go over a detailed plot summary of this book, because I can guarantee you already know it. Ivy grows up without a family, sleeps in a closet, gets taken away to this magic school (but first shops in Diagon Alley! Well, not real Diagon Alley, but I can't be bothered to remember what it was called in this book), and meets all her classmates, like "Ron" (I mean, Rebecca), "Draco" (err..Damaris), and "Neville" (a kid named Woodley Butterlove, whose character isn't developed at all beyond "he loves butter." Seriously. This kid has a chance to help fight the bad guys at the end, and the only thing that motivates him is the thought of eating bread with butter. He's a disgrace to Neville Longbottom and of all the things that I didn't like about this book, that might be the biggest thing). There's a mysterious headmaster, a weird female version of Filch, and then instead of Voldemort, there's a dark queen who's basically just second rate Queen Levana from The Lunar Chronicles.
Really, there's nothing redeeming about this plot. You're better off just reading Harry Potter for the thousandth time instead of reading this book. The writing isn't very strong--I knew this was middle grade fiction going into it, so I wasn't expecting spectacular prose or anything, but it's still choppy and weak compared to other children's/middle grade fiction. I'm of the opinion that middle grade fiction can definitely still be enjoyed by adults in a lot of cases, especially when it's written well, has a strong story line, and is imaginative, original, and creative. This book, sadly, is none of those things.
I do want to give D.E. Night props for her world-building through. I think she did have some imaginative elements in this book in terms of the magical creatures she created (like scaldrons and hairies) and the whole idea of cabbies and cabby storms was pretty neat too. There were bits of originality and imagination in this book, and I think there's potential in there for Night to write to some really cool children's or middle grade fantasy novels, but this is not that book. She'd be much better off taking those cool, original elements and saving them for a novel with just as creative of a plot and characters, rather than throwing them into a Harry Potter rip-off that she's trying to pass off as new and different.
Overall, I wouldn't recommend this book to pretty much any adults, no matter how much you like fantasy, but I could see little kids liking it. Maybe aged 7-10, if they really liked Harry Potter and want something easy to read afterwards (and though I think there's a good chance even kids will see the similarities, I find most kids I interact with aren't as picky about those kinds of things). I give this a 1.5 just because I did finish the book (no matter how much I wanted to DNF it), the second half did get just slightly more creative than the first half (it didn't follow HP plot point for plot point, though it was still similar), and because there were a few original elements in there, but really, I'd pass on this one if I were you.
I received a free copy of this book from the author/publisher in exchange for an honest review.
I wanted to like this book. I heard it compared to Harry Potter and it has other great reviews on Goodreads (so keep in mind that I may just be crazy as you read this review), and of course, no one ever wants to write a bad review of a book, so I always want to like the books or ARCs I'm asked to review. I know authors have it rough sometimes, and I know if I ever get a novel I've written published (some day in a galaxy far, far away because it's not happening anytime soon), I'm going to want my early readers to love it and spread the word, which is something I keep in mind when I read books from new authors or independent publishing companies. At the same time, I can't in good faith recommend a book that I don't like to someone, and that's pretty much what happened here.
You'll see other people on here compare this book to Harry Potter, and they're quite right in saying that. This book is a lot like Harry Potter...so much so, in fact, that it pretty much follows the exact same plot as Harry Potter, only with second-rate, boring, Mary-Sue characters and none of the actual amazingness of Harry Potter. I'm pretty sure there were even bits of dialogue taken straight out of the HP series and thrown in here. I won't go over a detailed plot summary of this book, because I can guarantee you already know it. Ivy grows up without a family, sleeps in a closet, gets taken away to this magic school (but first shops in Diagon Alley! Well, not real Diagon Alley, but I can't be bothered to remember what it was called in this book), and meets all her classmates, like "Ron" (I mean, Rebecca), "Draco" (err..Damaris), and "Neville" (a kid named Woodley Butterlove, whose character isn't developed at all beyond "he loves butter." Seriously. This kid has a chance to help fight the bad guys at the end, and the only thing that motivates him is the thought of eating bread with butter. He's a disgrace to Neville Longbottom and of all the things that I didn't like about this book, that might be the biggest thing). There's a mysterious headmaster, a weird female version of Filch, and then instead of Voldemort, there's a dark queen who's basically just second rate Queen Levana from The Lunar Chronicles.
Really, there's nothing redeeming about this plot. You're better off just reading Harry Potter for the thousandth time instead of reading this book. The writing isn't very strong--I knew this was middle grade fiction going into it, so I wasn't expecting spectacular prose or anything, but it's still choppy and weak compared to other children's/middle grade fiction. I'm of the opinion that middle grade fiction can definitely still be enjoyed by adults in a lot of cases, especially when it's written well, has a strong story line, and is imaginative, original, and creative. This book, sadly, is none of those things.
I do want to give D.E. Night props for her world-building through. I think she did have some imaginative elements in this book in terms of the magical creatures she created (like scaldrons and hairies) and the whole idea of cabbies and cabby storms was pretty neat too. There were bits of originality and imagination in this book, and I think there's potential in there for Night to write to some really cool children's or middle grade fantasy novels, but this is not that book. She'd be much better off taking those cool, original elements and saving them for a novel with just as creative of a plot and characters, rather than throwing them into a Harry Potter rip-off that she's trying to pass off as new and different.
Overall, I wouldn't recommend this book to pretty much any adults, no matter how much you like fantasy, but I could see little kids liking it. Maybe aged 7-10, if they really liked Harry Potter and want something easy to read afterwards (and though I think there's a good chance even kids will see the similarities, I find most kids I interact with aren't as picky about those kinds of things). I give this a 1.5 just because I did finish the book (no matter how much I wanted to DNF it), the second half did get just slightly more creative than the first half (it didn't follow HP plot point for plot point, though it was still similar), and because there were a few original elements in there, but really, I'd pass on this one if I were you.
March 4, 2021
Rounded up from 3.5 stars ⭐️
Initially I was a little dubious of reading this novel, mainly because the genre (Middle Grade Fantasy) really isn’t my thing. However, the premise won me over and I’m so glad I gave it a chance!
The Crowns of Croswald follows Ivy Lovely, a young maid who harnesses magic. As she leaves the slurry fields she’s grown up in she tumbles into a life she never expected. Full of mystical happenings and wonderful friends.
I really loved the world that Night created. It is similar to Harry Potter (which people are either going to love or hate). But it had some originality too which I really enjoyed (especially the porcupines!). When I was reading I could feel the magical world forming around me. I didn’t want to put the book down because I wanted to stay there!
However, the only downside for me was that I wasn’t the biggest fan of Ivy. There just wasn’t enough about her character that had me rooting for her. I could see where the book was going to take her from early on in the story and that felt a little anti-climactic for me. However, I did really enjoy Ivy’s friends (especially Rebecca and Winsome) and I can’t wait to see where Ivy’s adventure takes her next.
I’d definitely recommend this book to anyone that loves stories about magic! I’m really grateful to the author, Netgalley and the publishers, for allowing me to read this book and give my honest opinion. It was a great journey to go on!
Initially I was a little dubious of reading this novel, mainly because the genre (Middle Grade Fantasy) really isn’t my thing. However, the premise won me over and I’m so glad I gave it a chance!
The Crowns of Croswald follows Ivy Lovely, a young maid who harnesses magic. As she leaves the slurry fields she’s grown up in she tumbles into a life she never expected. Full of mystical happenings and wonderful friends.
I really loved the world that Night created. It is similar to Harry Potter (which people are either going to love or hate). But it had some originality too which I really enjoyed (especially the porcupines!). When I was reading I could feel the magical world forming around me. I didn’t want to put the book down because I wanted to stay there!
However, the only downside for me was that I wasn’t the biggest fan of Ivy. There just wasn’t enough about her character that had me rooting for her. I could see where the book was going to take her from early on in the story and that felt a little anti-climactic for me. However, I did really enjoy Ivy’s friends (especially Rebecca and Winsome) and I can’t wait to see where Ivy’s adventure takes her next.
I’d definitely recommend this book to anyone that loves stories about magic! I’m really grateful to the author, Netgalley and the publishers, for allowing me to read this book and give my honest opinion. It was a great journey to go on!
September 15, 2018
Thanks to the publisher and author for providing this book in exchange for an honest review.
Here are some of my thoughts:
• I see what the author did there with having the most mysterious character in her book, Derwin Edgar Night, having a nod at her own name, D.E. Night. Love it.
• I like diving into this new world of magic, especially a school of magic. Who can resist that?
• A surprising character for me is Rebecca. I thought she was going to be a snob when we first met her, but she turns out to be a supportive, fun friend. Her scenes with Ivy are some of my favorites. It’s funny when she complains about her controlling mother.
• Humboldt, the scaldron, is adorable.
• This is a fun children’s book. It is not really young adult (despite it being listed in the genres section on Goodreads). The girl is 16 and “coming of age," but the tone of the book and the topics addressed are definitely more that of a children’s novel.
• It starts off a little slow (especially with the scenes in the beginning describing in great detail of her school shopping experience), but the story picks up way more when Ivy begins her daily schedule at the school.
• I like that Ivy has “mentor figures” in Rimbrick and Winsome.
• Some of the imagery are quite nice.
• Fyn, the love interest, is sweet, mischievous, and helpful. I like that he and Ivy can banter back and forth and tease one another. Hopefully, in the future books, we can see him develop more as a character, but I don’t think we got much of a background on him yet.
Overall, it is a light, enjoyable children’s novel. Obviously, I am not really the target audience, but I do like to read a children’s novel every now and then because there are some fun plot and characters to discover there. I think this is a promising start for a series with magic, and I hope in the future book(s), we will see more developments in the main characters and in the plot. 3.5 stars (maybe 3 but for now 3.5 for a start)
Things that you might want to know (WARNING: Spoilers below)
Happy/satisfying ending?
Love triangle? Cheating? Angst level? Other things to note?
Tears-worthy?
Humor?
Favorite scenes?
Predictions?
What age level would be appropriate?
Here are some of my thoughts:
• I see what the author did there with having the most mysterious character in her book, Derwin Edgar Night, having a nod at her own name, D.E. Night. Love it.
• I like diving into this new world of magic, especially a school of magic. Who can resist that?
• A surprising character for me is Rebecca. I thought she was going to be a snob when we first met her, but she turns out to be a supportive, fun friend. Her scenes with Ivy are some of my favorites. It’s funny when she complains about her controlling mother.
• Humboldt, the scaldron, is adorable.
• This is a fun children’s book. It is not really young adult (despite it being listed in the genres section on Goodreads). The girl is 16 and “coming of age," but the tone of the book and the topics addressed are definitely more that of a children’s novel.
• It starts off a little slow (especially with the scenes in the beginning describing in great detail of her school shopping experience), but the story picks up way more when Ivy begins her daily schedule at the school.
• I like that Ivy has “mentor figures” in Rimbrick and Winsome.
• Some of the imagery are quite nice.
• Fyn, the love interest, is sweet, mischievous, and helpful. I like that he and Ivy can banter back and forth and tease one another. Hopefully, in the future books, we can see him develop more as a character, but I don’t think we got much of a background on him yet.
Overall, it is a light, enjoyable children’s novel. Obviously, I am not really the target audience, but I do like to read a children’s novel every now and then because there are some fun plot and characters to discover there. I think this is a promising start for a series with magic, and I hope in the future book(s), we will see more developments in the main characters and in the plot. 3.5 stars (maybe 3 but for now 3.5 for a start)
Things that you might want to know (WARNING: Spoilers below)
Happy/satisfying ending?
Love triangle? Cheating? Angst level? Other things to note?
Tears-worthy?
Humor?
Favorite scenes?
Predictions?
What age level would be appropriate?
November 5, 2018
New magical and creatures!
What a perfect magical book it was. The magic in this story was good. I wanted to join in the fun and battel evil. New adventure to go on. I was happy to receive this book. this is a magicale delightful YA Fantasy. Love the hole point of female power. Love Ivy! The magic and creatures are so good! I love all the characters. Great new world to now more about. I couldn't put this down at all. I wanted now so much about everything going on. This book has everything you want in the magic works. I think this is a Harry Potter and Percy Jackson put together. It been a long time since I read a good YA Fantasy book. This best book for this year 2017 I say. If you like magic and creatures this is the book for you. I highly recommend everybody go get your copy! I can't wait for book 2! 😍😍😍😍
What a perfect magical book it was. The magic in this story was good. I wanted to join in the fun and battel evil. New adventure to go on. I was happy to receive this book. this is a magicale delightful YA Fantasy. Love the hole point of female power. Love Ivy! The magic and creatures are so good! I love all the characters. Great new world to now more about. I couldn't put this down at all. I wanted now so much about everything going on. This book has everything you want in the magic works. I think this is a Harry Potter and Percy Jackson put together. It been a long time since I read a good YA Fantasy book. This best book for this year 2017 I say. If you like magic and creatures this is the book for you. I highly recommend everybody go get your copy! I can't wait for book 2! 😍😍😍😍
April 25, 2022
I honestly love middle-grade books and I don't ever seem to have the opportunity to read them. Or to be completely honest reading more "adult" books always seems to take precedent. Children's books, especially middle-grade books are so full of magic and imagination. In a children's book, there is nothing stopping the author from being silly or creating scenarios where physics is absolutely thrown out the window with no explanation because kids don't care about physics. The Crowns of Croswald has all of what makes a middle-grade book fantastic without a care as to whether or not it makes sense, just that it's magical.
Ivy Lovely is a scaldrony maid, her job is to keep the Scaldrons the domestic dragons that do all of Castle Plum's cooking in line. Ivy has spent her whole life in Castle Plum berated by Helga the maid and forced to sleep in a tiny room, but she wants more. She dreams of going to the Halls of Ivy to learn how to become a scrivenist. Little does Ivy know that on the morning of Moonsday when everything seems to go wrong a sick little Scaldron will end up the being the catalyst to an adventure of a lifetime; one where Ivy discovers who she really is and that there are people in Croswald who will stop at nothing to keep Ivy from her destiny.
I only have one complaint about this book and that's that Ivy seems to be really adventurous and brave *most* of the time but at some of the most important times she loses her courage. Obviously, this is to create tension but it is in so much contradiction to who Ivy is in the rest of the book that it got old after a while. It's another case of the wishy-washy protagonist, she second-guesses herself just a little bit too much for my liking. That being said it wasn't enough to keep this from being a five-star book.
As I said in my opening I love children's books. There is absolutely nothing holding an author back when they write a child's book but their own imagination and Night seems to have no problems there. Fantasy books that are written for adults always seem to need an explanation of how things work or *why* it works within our own knowledge of our world. Children's book authors don't seem to have that problem because for the most part kids don't care. And if they do they can just make up their own reasons why it works that way, if no explanation is forthcoming. Night takes advantage of that and crafts a unique world with recognizable fantasy elements that are just this side of not like anything else you've read before. Dragons serve as ovens, fairy-like creatures create light, and ghosts serve up dinner.
And while yes I did have some complaints about Ivy overall I loved her character, she's so inquisitive and very set on her path, even though she knows it could get her in trouble. And since this is a story set in a school there has to be a character that is kind of the school bully, however, Night spends very little time on that character and I found that refreshing. The Bully character is there to help Ivy discover things about herself she didn't know, not to be a constant thorn and a distraction from the real story. Rebecca, Ivy's best friend, is absolutely wonderful as well. She's that perfect side character who is completely down to help Ivy no matter what crazy plot she has.
Finally, I loved that this is a story about a girl discovering herself but also staying true to herself. Ivy's character really doesn't change much in this story because there's not much that needs to change. Ivy knows she's going to get herself in trouble time and again and yet she bullheadedly keeps down her path and ends up discovering just how powerful she is and that in itself is a bit of magic.
Overall, this was a fantastic fairy tale. And yeah I feel comfortable calling it that, it hits all the right elements. I really can't wait to read the next book and find out what happens to Ivy next!
And thanks to NetGalley and Stories Untold for the eArc of this book in exchange for my review!
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Ivy Lovely is a scaldrony maid, her job is to keep the Scaldrons the domestic dragons that do all of Castle Plum's cooking in line. Ivy has spent her whole life in Castle Plum berated by Helga the maid and forced to sleep in a tiny room, but she wants more. She dreams of going to the Halls of Ivy to learn how to become a scrivenist. Little does Ivy know that on the morning of Moonsday when everything seems to go wrong a sick little Scaldron will end up the being the catalyst to an adventure of a lifetime; one where Ivy discovers who she really is and that there are people in Croswald who will stop at nothing to keep Ivy from her destiny.
I only have one complaint about this book and that's that Ivy seems to be really adventurous and brave *most* of the time but at some of the most important times she loses her courage. Obviously, this is to create tension but it is in so much contradiction to who Ivy is in the rest of the book that it got old after a while. It's another case of the wishy-washy protagonist, she second-guesses herself just a little bit too much for my liking. That being said it wasn't enough to keep this from being a five-star book.
As I said in my opening I love children's books. There is absolutely nothing holding an author back when they write a child's book but their own imagination and Night seems to have no problems there. Fantasy books that are written for adults always seem to need an explanation of how things work or *why* it works within our own knowledge of our world. Children's book authors don't seem to have that problem because for the most part kids don't care. And if they do they can just make up their own reasons why it works that way, if no explanation is forthcoming. Night takes advantage of that and crafts a unique world with recognizable fantasy elements that are just this side of not like anything else you've read before. Dragons serve as ovens, fairy-like creatures create light, and ghosts serve up dinner.
And while yes I did have some complaints about Ivy overall I loved her character, she's so inquisitive and very set on her path, even though she knows it could get her in trouble. And since this is a story set in a school there has to be a character that is kind of the school bully, however, Night spends very little time on that character and I found that refreshing. The Bully character is there to help Ivy discover things about herself she didn't know, not to be a constant thorn and a distraction from the real story. Rebecca, Ivy's best friend, is absolutely wonderful as well. She's that perfect side character who is completely down to help Ivy no matter what crazy plot she has.
Finally, I loved that this is a story about a girl discovering herself but also staying true to herself. Ivy's character really doesn't change much in this story because there's not much that needs to change. Ivy knows she's going to get herself in trouble time and again and yet she bullheadedly keeps down her path and ends up discovering just how powerful she is and that in itself is a bit of magic.
Overall, this was a fantastic fairy tale. And yeah I feel comfortable calling it that, it hits all the right elements. I really can't wait to read the next book and find out what happens to Ivy next!
And thanks to NetGalley and Stories Untold for the eArc of this book in exchange for my review!
Blog
September 21, 2021
3 stars.
There is no better parallel to draw than Harry Potter for this one. The premise is almost exactly the same. If you're a fan of Harry Potter, you might find that this magical fantasy book fits your taste.
Although, I must say the similarities sometimes were a little to close for comfort. That's all I'm going to comment on this aspect of the book.
⤷ This is a middle-grade fantasy book that has great world-building. The world is vivid & well-thought out with whimsical elements that were very creative. Definitely my favourite aspect of the book. Concepts like the Hollow Shaft & the Glanagaries were fascinating & fun. I loved the travel method of the cabbies as well. The writing was descriptive & atmospheric, although I did find it a little saturated at times due to the compact descriptions. Since this was a middle-grade book, I expected the language to be simpler but it was quite sophisticated & ornate.
⤷ Our protagonist, Ivy Lovely was quite lovely indeed. Ivy is someone who is brave & adventurous. I quite liked her as she was courageous & never backed down from trying to uncover the truth, although often endangering Rebecca & Fyn on the way. I wished the book wasn't so heavily centred around Ivy alone to the point where even her partners-in-crime felt very much felt like plot-devices. It would've been better if Rebecca & Fyn were developed a lot more.
⤷ The plot of the book may have been the biggest hurdle for me.While it was original & had a lot of promise, the plot turned out to be a little chunky. While I understood the gist of it, there wasn't enough being revealed for me to hold on to. Half-way through the book & I was still clueless as to where the story was headed. I appreciated the action but they all felt very much like isolated incidents / events that I couldn't tie into the main plot. The people of Croswald were also supposedly under an evil rule, but other than not being able to practice magic outside the school & the loss of double moons, there wasn't much to indicate that the people were not happy & so the ending fell a little flat.
Overall, I still think this was an enjoyable & magical read & some of it shortcomings could be attributed to the fact that it's a first book in a series. I think any middle-grader would easily have a blast with this book!
Thank you to Untold Stories publishing for approaching me & offering me a free e-copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. All thoughts are genuine & entirely my own.
"Let's start with the basics. You, Ivy Lovely, are magic."
There is no better parallel to draw than Harry Potter for this one. The premise is almost exactly the same. If you're a fan of Harry Potter, you might find that this magical fantasy book fits your taste.
Although, I must say the similarities sometimes were a little to close for comfort. That's all I'm going to comment on this aspect of the book.
⤷ This is a middle-grade fantasy book that has great world-building. The world is vivid & well-thought out with whimsical elements that were very creative. Definitely my favourite aspect of the book. Concepts like the Hollow Shaft & the Glanagaries were fascinating & fun. I loved the travel method of the cabbies as well. The writing was descriptive & atmospheric, although I did find it a little saturated at times due to the compact descriptions. Since this was a middle-grade book, I expected the language to be simpler but it was quite sophisticated & ornate.
⤷ Our protagonist, Ivy Lovely was quite lovely indeed. Ivy is someone who is brave & adventurous. I quite liked her as she was courageous & never backed down from trying to uncover the truth, although often endangering Rebecca & Fyn on the way. I wished the book wasn't so heavily centred around Ivy alone to the point where even her partners-in-crime felt very much felt like plot-devices. It would've been better if Rebecca & Fyn were developed a lot more.
⤷ The plot of the book may have been the biggest hurdle for me.While it was original & had a lot of promise, the plot turned out to be a little chunky. While I understood the gist of it, there wasn't enough being revealed for me to hold on to. Half-way through the book & I was still clueless as to where the story was headed. I appreciated the action but they all felt very much like isolated incidents / events that I couldn't tie into the main plot. The people of Croswald were also supposedly under an evil rule, but other than not being able to practice magic outside the school & the loss of double moons, there wasn't much to indicate that the people were not happy & so the ending fell a little flat.
Overall, I still think this was an enjoyable & magical read & some of it shortcomings could be attributed to the fact that it's a first book in a series. I think any middle-grader would easily have a blast with this book!
Thank you to Untold Stories publishing for approaching me & offering me a free e-copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. All thoughts are genuine & entirely my own.
June 10, 2017
5 magical stars!
This is a delightful YA fantasy story involving a young lady with magical abilities and a magic school where she finds herself belonging. This book feels reminiscent of Harry Potter, in all the right ways.
Young Ivy Lovely, care-taker of scaldrons (cute dragons that provide fire for cooking food for a castle) is content enough with her lot in life, though she secretly wishes for more. She shows talent for remembering her dreams, a photographic memory, and being able to perfectly sketch what she sees; all of these traits of magic-wielders called Scrivenists. When a series of events leads her and the smallest scaldron in her care to a cab floating in the sky and whisks them away to magic school, it’s more than Ivy could have ever dreamt of.
Perfect for fans of ‘Harry Potter’!
I voluntarily read a Review Copy of this book. All opinions stated are solely my own and no one else’s.
‘The Crowns of Croswald’ will be available on June 22, 2017.
This is a delightful YA fantasy story involving a young lady with magical abilities and a magic school where she finds herself belonging. This book feels reminiscent of Harry Potter, in all the right ways.
Young Ivy Lovely, care-taker of scaldrons (cute dragons that provide fire for cooking food for a castle) is content enough with her lot in life, though she secretly wishes for more. She shows talent for remembering her dreams, a photographic memory, and being able to perfectly sketch what she sees; all of these traits of magic-wielders called Scrivenists. When a series of events leads her and the smallest scaldron in her care to a cab floating in the sky and whisks them away to magic school, it’s more than Ivy could have ever dreamt of.
Perfect for fans of ‘Harry Potter’!
I voluntarily read a Review Copy of this book. All opinions stated are solely my own and no one else’s.
‘The Crowns of Croswald’ will be available on June 22, 2017.
June 7, 2017
This book, although set in a very interesting world, with a unique magical system centered around quills and inks, doesn't get my full love.
Why you say, when I've been dying to read this book since the first time I saw it?
Well, let's just say that I feel the author has this strange aversion against food??
I mean, Ivy's first day at school she skipped lunch (and breakfast, I'm pretty sure, since she said that lunch was the first time she saw the dining hall). Then, the second day, she also skipped lunch. The next day, her room was "attacked" by some princess with tons and tons of pies. And instead of getting some yummy pie in her tummy, Ivy was "humiliated" by a falling tower of pie (and she hated it, oh so embarrassed and all. If it was me I would EAT those PIES!!!). Poor pies 😣😤😢
I really, really want to concentrate on the story, really, but all this weird events surrounding food and meals just make me feel, wtf??? This is irrationally unrealistic. Ivy was a kitchen maid that didn't get to eat all the delicious delicacies she made. So why oh why didn't she feel a slightest desire for food?? I cannot.
Full review to come.
Thanks for netgalley and Stories Untold for providing me this book in exchange for an honest review.
Why you say, when I've been dying to read this book since the first time I saw it?
Well, let's just say that I feel the author has this strange aversion against food??
I mean, Ivy's first day at school she skipped lunch (and breakfast, I'm pretty sure, since she said that lunch was the first time she saw the dining hall). Then, the second day, she also skipped lunch. The next day, her room was "attacked" by some princess with tons and tons of pies. And instead of getting some yummy pie in her tummy, Ivy was "humiliated" by a falling tower of pie (and she hated it, oh so embarrassed and all. If it was me I would EAT those PIES!!!). Poor pies 😣😤😢
I really, really want to concentrate on the story, really, but all this weird events surrounding food and meals just make me feel, wtf??? This is irrationally unrealistic. Ivy was a kitchen maid that didn't get to eat all the delicious delicacies she made. So why oh why didn't she feel a slightest desire for food?? I cannot.
Full review to come.
Thanks for netgalley and Stories Untold for providing me this book in exchange for an honest review.
September 21, 2018
2.5 stars
I have been anticipating this novel for quite some time. I have been wanting to get my hands on it for SO long thatwhen I was approached by the publisher to review a copy, I was ecstatic.
I have difficulty reviewing this novel because my opinion continues to ebb and flow. This story is magical and whimsical in every sense. Whether it be the writing, the characters, the settings, the world, or the general aesthetic of the cover/chapter illustrations, everything surrounding this novel is enchanting and magical. Everything is pure fantasy to the extreme and I loved that. In fact, I couldn't help but think of the Harry Potter series when I was reading this novel due to the eclectic names of magical creatures and general items found in this particular world.
However, the downside that I felt with this novel was that it felt 'cluttered'. What I mean by that is that there was so much going on within the story that it was hard to keep track of everything that was going on. Hard to keep track and hard to differentiate different storylines that were going on.
Due to that difficulty, I don't necessarily feel this is "juvenile fiction". Based on my experience as an adult having difficulty following and understanding the story, I could see how this could be difficult for a younger age to read. Also, the characters and their personalities do come across as more mature than the typical characters set in a juvenile fiction.
I think the writing and attention to detail combined with the author's creativity makes it evident how magical this book is, however; I just needed more clarity in the story. With that being said, the ending left off intriguing enough that I would be interested in reading the sequel to see where the story goes from here.
***Thank you to Stories Untold Press for sending me a copy of this novel in exchange for an honest review***
I have been anticipating this novel for quite some time. I have been wanting to get my hands on it for SO long thatwhen I was approached by the publisher to review a copy, I was ecstatic.
I have difficulty reviewing this novel because my opinion continues to ebb and flow. This story is magical and whimsical in every sense. Whether it be the writing, the characters, the settings, the world, or the general aesthetic of the cover/chapter illustrations, everything surrounding this novel is enchanting and magical. Everything is pure fantasy to the extreme and I loved that. In fact, I couldn't help but think of the Harry Potter series when I was reading this novel due to the eclectic names of magical creatures and general items found in this particular world.
However, the downside that I felt with this novel was that it felt 'cluttered'. What I mean by that is that there was so much going on within the story that it was hard to keep track of everything that was going on. Hard to keep track and hard to differentiate different storylines that were going on.
Due to that difficulty, I don't necessarily feel this is "juvenile fiction". Based on my experience as an adult having difficulty following and understanding the story, I could see how this could be difficult for a younger age to read. Also, the characters and their personalities do come across as more mature than the typical characters set in a juvenile fiction.
I think the writing and attention to detail combined with the author's creativity makes it evident how magical this book is, however; I just needed more clarity in the story. With that being said, the ending left off intriguing enough that I would be interested in reading the sequel to see where the story goes from here.
***Thank you to Stories Untold Press for sending me a copy of this novel in exchange for an honest review***
May 25, 2017
Where to start with this review. that is the true question. I guess I should tell you a bit about the book, that way you can see why I was so excited to read and review it.
In Croswald, the only thing more powerful than dark magic is one secret...
For sixteen years Ivy Lovely has been hidden behind an enchanted boundary that separates the mundane from the magical. When Ivy crosses the border, her powers awaken. Curiosity leads her crashing through a series of adventures at the Halls of Ivy, a school where students learn to master their magical blood and the power of Croswald’s mysterious gems. When Ivy’s magic—and her life—is threatened by the Dark Queen, she scrambles to unearth her history and save Croswald before the truth is swept away forever
Now for those of you who have heard about this book, it is very entertaining. I have also heard it be described as a Harry Potter, Cinderella; like a story. And where I do see elements of that in this book. In my option, it was very much so different and its own book. Yes, there is a boarding school that Ivy goes too, that sounds like what happened to Harry, but like I said there are similarities but this book holds it own.
Now that we have gotten that out of the way I really want to talk about this book. The world and the Magic system are very interesting to me as a reader. The world was set back in what I would call a more so medieval setting, where there are castles and dragons and so on. But it wasn't so that we in the modern time could not relate. Ivy was a character who had a lot of spunk to her as well as a heart.
I don't want to go into to much detail at this moment cause this book does not come out till July 21st, but if you like ya fantasy this is a book for you. And it's going to feel like home because the story and the characters are so inviting. But also you will be intrigued by the magic system and the plot that you won't even realize that you are getting close to the end of the book. I know for myself I can't wait for the next installment of this series, I adore Ivy and all the characters and can't wait to learn more about them.
So here are some links you can check out to go get yourself a pre-order of this book. And if you have read it and agree with me Comment below.
Barnes and Nobles
Amazon
Oh now before I wrap up here, I need to say a special thank you to D. E. Night for being kind enough to send me a copy of her book early. It has made my month of May a good one, I love the characters and I can't wait to see what you have in store for us next.
As well as now I am going to go and try and make a Glanagerie bottle for myself cause those are amazing!
Till next time at the Nook!
E
In Croswald, the only thing more powerful than dark magic is one secret...
For sixteen years Ivy Lovely has been hidden behind an enchanted boundary that separates the mundane from the magical. When Ivy crosses the border, her powers awaken. Curiosity leads her crashing through a series of adventures at the Halls of Ivy, a school where students learn to master their magical blood and the power of Croswald’s mysterious gems. When Ivy’s magic—and her life—is threatened by the Dark Queen, she scrambles to unearth her history and save Croswald before the truth is swept away forever
Now for those of you who have heard about this book, it is very entertaining. I have also heard it be described as a Harry Potter, Cinderella; like a story. And where I do see elements of that in this book. In my option, it was very much so different and its own book. Yes, there is a boarding school that Ivy goes too, that sounds like what happened to Harry, but like I said there are similarities but this book holds it own.
Now that we have gotten that out of the way I really want to talk about this book. The world and the Magic system are very interesting to me as a reader. The world was set back in what I would call a more so medieval setting, where there are castles and dragons and so on. But it wasn't so that we in the modern time could not relate. Ivy was a character who had a lot of spunk to her as well as a heart.
I don't want to go into to much detail at this moment cause this book does not come out till July 21st, but if you like ya fantasy this is a book for you. And it's going to feel like home because the story and the characters are so inviting. But also you will be intrigued by the magic system and the plot that you won't even realize that you are getting close to the end of the book. I know for myself I can't wait for the next installment of this series, I adore Ivy and all the characters and can't wait to learn more about them.
So here are some links you can check out to go get yourself a pre-order of this book. And if you have read it and agree with me Comment below.
Barnes and Nobles
Amazon
Oh now before I wrap up here, I need to say a special thank you to D. E. Night for being kind enough to send me a copy of her book early. It has made my month of May a good one, I love the characters and I can't wait to see what you have in store for us next.
As well as now I am going to go and try and make a Glanagerie bottle for myself cause those are amazing!
Till next time at the Nook!
E
June 9, 2019
Very cute book! I loved the world of Croswald and Ivy. I wish I had more info about everything though. The school, the Selector, The Dark Queen, the magic... all of it.
Looking forward to reading the next one!
Looking forward to reading the next one!
September 15, 2017
I received a free paperback ARC from JKS Communications - Literary Publicity regarding author D.E. Night's debut novel.
For her entire life, Ivy has lived behind a boundary that separates the mundane world from the magical. It's hidden her effectively up until she crosses that border and her magical powers awaken. She ends up becoming a student at the Halls of Ivy, a school for those who need to master their magic as well as to learn how to use Croswald's gems. After an attack, Ivy quickly has to uncover the mysteries of her past to save herself and Croswald before history is swept away.
The Crowns of Croswald by D.E. Night is the first in a brand new Middle Grade fantasy series that has been compared to some of my all time favorites like Harry Potter and Percy Jackson, along with a dash of Disney's Cinderella. Our sixteen year-old MC, Ivy has lived a life of drudgery as a scaldrony maid at a castle. She only has one real friend who watches out for her, but despite everything she's still brave and curious about the world around her (or at least as much as she can afford to be). Alongside Ivy, I loved seeing the new-to-her magical world come to life as she is invited to attend a school where the students learn their innate magical abilities - and realize just how vital she is to the past and future of the kingdom. While I loved getting to know Ivy, I also found myself interested in the magic of the scrivenists that revolves around quills, ink, and storytelling.
As much as I enjoyed these elements of this story, I did have a few issues with the novel including characterization, world-building, and pacing. As for characterization, I have to mention Ivy's age - we're told over and over again that Ivy is sixteen years old, but on the page she doesn't really sound or feel like a sixteen year old at all. Maybe it's the middle grade classification of the story, but to me (if we weren't told her age so often) would have guessed that she was only eleven or twelve years old - like Harry or Percy are at the beginning of their stories. The world-building that we get is good, but overall it feels a little lackluster as I felt a touch out of the loop when it comes down to some details of the magic system and the background of the kingdom. Finally, I do want to mention the pacing as it does jump around a fair bit from slow with very little actually happening to rushing by. On a similar note, some of the transitions between chapters or sections are a bit jarring.
Overall, The Crowns of Croswald by D.E. Night is a decent debut that is quite addicting and adventurous. While it does have a few small issues, it's still a fun read with a magic system that will definitely appeal to book lovers. If you like Harry Potter, Percy Jackson, Cinderella, and perhaps even Tangled, you may enjoy jumping into the world of Croswald.
Thanks again to JKS Publications and D.E. Night!
For her entire life, Ivy has lived behind a boundary that separates the mundane world from the magical. It's hidden her effectively up until she crosses that border and her magical powers awaken. She ends up becoming a student at the Halls of Ivy, a school for those who need to master their magic as well as to learn how to use Croswald's gems. After an attack, Ivy quickly has to uncover the mysteries of her past to save herself and Croswald before history is swept away.
The Crowns of Croswald by D.E. Night is the first in a brand new Middle Grade fantasy series that has been compared to some of my all time favorites like Harry Potter and Percy Jackson, along with a dash of Disney's Cinderella. Our sixteen year-old MC, Ivy has lived a life of drudgery as a scaldrony maid at a castle. She only has one real friend who watches out for her, but despite everything she's still brave and curious about the world around her (or at least as much as she can afford to be). Alongside Ivy, I loved seeing the new-to-her magical world come to life as she is invited to attend a school where the students learn their innate magical abilities - and realize just how vital she is to the past and future of the kingdom. While I loved getting to know Ivy, I also found myself interested in the magic of the scrivenists that revolves around quills, ink, and storytelling.
As much as I enjoyed these elements of this story, I did have a few issues with the novel including characterization, world-building, and pacing. As for characterization, I have to mention Ivy's age - we're told over and over again that Ivy is sixteen years old, but on the page she doesn't really sound or feel like a sixteen year old at all. Maybe it's the middle grade classification of the story, but to me (if we weren't told her age so often) would have guessed that she was only eleven or twelve years old - like Harry or Percy are at the beginning of their stories. The world-building that we get is good, but overall it feels a little lackluster as I felt a touch out of the loop when it comes down to some details of the magic system and the background of the kingdom. Finally, I do want to mention the pacing as it does jump around a fair bit from slow with very little actually happening to rushing by. On a similar note, some of the transitions between chapters or sections are a bit jarring.
Overall, The Crowns of Croswald by D.E. Night is a decent debut that is quite addicting and adventurous. While it does have a few small issues, it's still a fun read with a magic system that will definitely appeal to book lovers. If you like Harry Potter, Percy Jackson, Cinderella, and perhaps even Tangled, you may enjoy jumping into the world of Croswald.
Thanks again to JKS Publications and D.E. Night!
March 25, 2018
My first review didn't post, so here is a new one.
I was given a copy of this book by the author for an honest review.
This was a beautifully written coming of age story that blew me away. It was about a young woman who thought she had no place in her world. But events happened to change all of that. She gets put into situations she never thought possible. And through these situations she gains courage and the will to fight for what she believes in.
I would like to say more, but I don't want to spoil the story.
As soon as you have the chance find this story and read it. And then share it with you friends. We all need a little magic in our lives.
I was given a copy of this book by the author for an honest review.
This was a beautifully written coming of age story that blew me away. It was about a young woman who thought she had no place in her world. But events happened to change all of that. She gets put into situations she never thought possible. And through these situations she gains courage and the will to fight for what she believes in.
I would like to say more, but I don't want to spoil the story.
As soon as you have the chance find this story and read it. And then share it with you friends. We all need a little magic in our lives.
December 12, 2017
DNF @ 170 pages
Thank you to the publisher and author for sending me a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
I just can’t get into it. More on that later. The narrative idea is interesting but the writing style is difficult to fall in love with for me.
Thank you to the publisher and author for sending me a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
I just can’t get into it. More on that later. The narrative idea is interesting but the writing style is difficult to fall in love with for me.
January 7, 2023
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?
I absolutely LOVED this book and couldn’t get enough. I am so happy that it is part of a series and I already have the next book lined up to read.
Filled with magic, mystery and tension this book was jam packed from start to finish and I could hardly put it down. Ivy is a fantastic female protagonist that I know young readers will relate to and love. I was buzzing to see if she succeeded in her endeavours and was laughing and crying with her through every obstacle she had to pass.
D. E. Night has definitely created a world and series that I cannot wait to return to. Roll on book two!
I absolutely LOVED this book and couldn’t get enough. I am so happy that it is part of a series and I already have the next book lined up to read.
Filled with magic, mystery and tension this book was jam packed from start to finish and I could hardly put it down. Ivy is a fantastic female protagonist that I know young readers will relate to and love. I was buzzing to see if she succeeded in her endeavours and was laughing and crying with her through every obstacle she had to pass.
D. E. Night has definitely created a world and series that I cannot wait to return to. Roll on book two!
Want to read
September 16, 2017When I review this book, I shall do it with honesty. I received an advance reader copy in exchange for a fair review. Thank you!
Down edit:
I WON A GOODREADS'S GIVEAWAY!
MY FIRST GOODREADS'S GIVEAWAY WON!
*tears of joy*
I AM IN BOOKLANDIA! <333
Thank you author, publisher, mailing company=UPS, and the unicorn luck that helped me win. (Because I don't know how else I won). ;w;
SO JOY, MUCH LOVE.
My email said the book would arrive in 4-6 weeks! (Aka July 28th as the 4th week and August 14th being the 6th). x3
Down edit:
I WON A GOODREADS'S GIVEAWAY!
MY FIRST GOODREADS'S GIVEAWAY WON!
*tears of joy*
Thank you author, publisher, mailing company=UPS, and the unicorn luck that helped me win.
SO JOY, MUCH LOVE.
My email said the book would arrive in 4-6 weeks! (Aka July 28th as the 4th week and August 14th being the 6th). x3
July 8, 2017
*Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for an e-ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review*
3.5 Stars! This was quite a fun adventure! I keep seeing it being compared with Harry Potter and I definitely see why, it was Harry Potter meets Disney's "Tangled"!
I loved the world the author created with the unique magic of the "scriveners" and the "crowns", all the interesting creatures and the strange characters. I loved Ivy, the main character, but she came across like a middle grade character to me and the whole story felt a like it should have been middle grade, which is actually what I was expecting and would have loved! I also wanted a little more detail about the world and the magic systems, and thought that there was too much of daily school life in the middle of the book that fell a little flat, the exciting part of the plot didn't start going forward until a bit over 50% through the book.
Overall though, this book was a very fun and fresh fantasy story for readers who can't get enough of magic! And hairies (AKA fairies)!
3.5 Stars! This was quite a fun adventure! I keep seeing it being compared with Harry Potter and I definitely see why, it was Harry Potter meets Disney's "Tangled"!
I loved the world the author created with the unique magic of the "scriveners" and the "crowns", all the interesting creatures and the strange characters. I loved Ivy, the main character, but she came across like a middle grade character to me and the whole story felt a like it should have been middle grade, which is actually what I was expecting and would have loved! I also wanted a little more detail about the world and the magic systems, and thought that there was too much of daily school life in the middle of the book that fell a little flat, the exciting part of the plot didn't start going forward until a bit over 50% through the book.
Overall though, this book was a very fun and fresh fantasy story for readers who can't get enough of magic! And hairies (AKA fairies)!
December 14, 2020
2.5★s
Ivy Lovely was a lowly kitchen girl, never allowed to do anything more – until the day she was banished from all she’d known and was taken to Croswald and the school which would teach her about her magic; how her powers worked and her mastering of all she was meant to do. Ivy was sixteen years of age. She was uncertain, immediately embarrassed and humiliated – although the nice teacher chastised the class – and wasn’t sure where anything was. And although she was aware she would learn, it was a hard beginning for Ivy.
The Crowns of Croswald is the 1st in The Crowns of Croswald series by D.E. Night, and the first thing I thought was extremely strange was the calling of a character by the author’s name! I couldn’t get into this book – I enjoy fantasy/paranormal and yes, magic – but this one quite obviously wasn’t for me. I liked Ivy’s character as well as Rimbrick but felt sad that I didn’t enjoy it.
With thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for my digital copy to read in exchange for an honest review.
Ivy Lovely was a lowly kitchen girl, never allowed to do anything more – until the day she was banished from all she’d known and was taken to Croswald and the school which would teach her about her magic; how her powers worked and her mastering of all she was meant to do. Ivy was sixteen years of age. She was uncertain, immediately embarrassed and humiliated – although the nice teacher chastised the class – and wasn’t sure where anything was. And although she was aware she would learn, it was a hard beginning for Ivy.
The Crowns of Croswald is the 1st in The Crowns of Croswald series by D.E. Night, and the first thing I thought was extremely strange was the calling of a character by the author’s name! I couldn’t get into this book – I enjoy fantasy/paranormal and yes, magic – but this one quite obviously wasn’t for me. I liked Ivy’s character as well as Rimbrick but felt sad that I didn’t enjoy it.
With thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for my digital copy to read in exchange for an honest review.
July 15, 2017
I'm really glad I agreed to receive a copy of this book to review!
I absolutely loved the world created in this book. The magic and the way magic is used is totally unique. I loved the idea of a school of magic (it really did have some HP vibes) and I loved the characters! Ivy kinda reminded me of a mix between Hermione and Luna which made her totally awesome in my opinion.
It was an action packed, fun filled story and I definitely recommend giving it a read!
I absolutely loved the world created in this book. The magic and the way magic is used is totally unique. I loved the idea of a school of magic (it really did have some HP vibes) and I loved the characters! Ivy kinda reminded me of a mix between Hermione and Luna which made her totally awesome in my opinion.
It was an action packed, fun filled story and I definitely recommend giving it a read!
July 27, 2021
This is a fantastic magical adventure with well developed characters and great world-building. Fans of Harry Potter will love this one.
I received a free copy of this book via Netgalley. My review is voluntary and my opinions are my own.
I received a free copy of this book via Netgalley. My review is voluntary and my opinions are my own.
September 29, 2020
Super cute middle-grade fantasy about a young girl who gets carted away to a magical school. The writing style was whimsical, and everything about the world was so cute and sweet. Definitely recommend if you have tiny book lovers who love stories about magic!
Want to read
February 1, 2021Pre-reading thoughts: (17/01/2021)
I'm not sure if this book is good but I am 100% certain it has the most beautiful cover and so do the other books in the series. The posters are beautiful too. I need to love this book so I can feel even more love for the posters! Such pretty art😍
I'm not sure if this book is good but I am 100% certain it has the most beautiful cover and so do the other books in the series. The posters are beautiful too. I need to love this book so I can feel even more love for the posters! Such pretty art😍
May 2, 2019
Thank you to Stories Untold for sending me a copy of this book to review. I really appreciate the thoughtfulness!
I wish I had better things to say about this book. I really do. I wanted to like it, as there were aspects of it that had so much potential, but I cannot in good conscious give anything other than my honest opinion.
I’d like to preface this review by saying that I hesitate to criticize books based on their similarity to other books. After all, everything is similar to something. All authors draw inspiration from the stories they read, and there is nothing truly new under the sun. That being said, however, there’s a world of difference between having a similar plot archetype, and essentially ripping off another story—mechanics and all.
To put it concisely, this book felt like a discount Harry Potter. Not because the character attends a magical school (as I said, similar archetypes are not something to criticize in my book), but because the author employed many of the exact same plot devices as JK Rowling. (Examples include the protagonist, Ivy, living in a cupboard for her entire childhood, outside the world of magic, being discovered by a person from the magical world—who of course, was searching for her and tells her, in essence, “Yer a wizard!”—and even receiving a letter of acceptance to the school.)
After receiving her magical letter, Ivy then proceeds to attend a school which also has many eerie similarities to Hogwarts, in that it is a castle filled with paintings that move, ghosts in the dining room, and of course, the students aren’t allowed to perform underage magic.
I could go on regarding the borrowed plot devices, but a short list of other Harry Potter features that make an appearance in this book are: Tom Riddle’s diary, Diagon Alley, Hedwig, caring for magical creatures as a form of detention (speaking of magical creatures, Newt’s there, too), a Forbidden Forest surrounding the school, protagonist cursed from birth, using basically polyjuice potion to sneak about—and you get the idea.
There were even bits of dialogue that seemed to have been inserted almost directly out of Harry Potter. A couple of examples include, “I can’t even imagine what you are thinking, but I can tell you, whatever it is, it’s a bad idea. I couldn’t possibly! I could be expelled!” and “Your magic, it comes from your mother. But your eyes and smile favor your father.” (And yes, this is said by a character who is, in essence, Sirius Black.)
Aside from the rather blatant similarities to Harry Potter, the writing was nothing special. I found it a bit of a chore to read, as it was nearly all telling and little to no showing. The characters were flat, and Ivy was—to be frank—a complete Mary-Sue. I never worried for her or connected with her. Even for the more relaxed standards of middle grade fiction, I didn’t feel this book measured up to others in the genre. (Also, the characters are in their mid-teens, but they sound like twelve-year-olds. Poorly-written twelve-year-olds at that. The dialogue was quite stilted and even cringeworthy in some areas.)
Plot-wise, everything was so incredibly convenient. This goes a little in hand with Ivy being a Mary Sue, but the characters never had to really work for anything, nor were they presented with anything too challenging. Either, they were just somehow powerful enough and skilled enough to get out of it handily, or something would show up and Deus-ex-Machina them out of there. The book also suffered from pacing issues, seeming just to kind of skip all over.
Now, I do want to be fair, and I don’t want this to be an entirely negative review, because there were things about this story that I thought had potential. First off, scrivenry. What an interesting magical concept! Despite the similarity of quills to wands, I was very intrigued by the idea, and was hoping to see it better executed. (Unfortunately, we saw very little actual scrivenry in the book.)
Second, the world had some fun quirks (despite feeling a bit convoluted). I liked seeing the creatures like the scaldrons and the hairies. Some of the magic was rather aesthetically pleasing as well, and very creative.
I really do wish I had more positive things to say about this book. It had some lovely, unique concepts that could have been explored in such a fascinating way, were it not for the bog-down of Harry Potter mechanics. I do hope the series improves from here, but I can’t say I will be continuing to read.
I wish I had better things to say about this book. I really do. I wanted to like it, as there were aspects of it that had so much potential, but I cannot in good conscious give anything other than my honest opinion.
I’d like to preface this review by saying that I hesitate to criticize books based on their similarity to other books. After all, everything is similar to something. All authors draw inspiration from the stories they read, and there is nothing truly new under the sun. That being said, however, there’s a world of difference between having a similar plot archetype, and essentially ripping off another story—mechanics and all.
To put it concisely, this book felt like a discount Harry Potter. Not because the character attends a magical school (as I said, similar archetypes are not something to criticize in my book), but because the author employed many of the exact same plot devices as JK Rowling. (Examples include the protagonist, Ivy, living in a cupboard for her entire childhood, outside the world of magic, being discovered by a person from the magical world—who of course, was searching for her and tells her, in essence, “Yer a wizard!”—and even receiving a letter of acceptance to the school.)
After receiving her magical letter, Ivy then proceeds to attend a school which also has many eerie similarities to Hogwarts, in that it is a castle filled with paintings that move, ghosts in the dining room, and of course, the students aren’t allowed to perform underage magic.
I could go on regarding the borrowed plot devices, but a short list of other Harry Potter features that make an appearance in this book are: Tom Riddle’s diary, Diagon Alley, Hedwig, caring for magical creatures as a form of detention (speaking of magical creatures, Newt’s there, too), a Forbidden Forest surrounding the school, protagonist cursed from birth, using basically polyjuice potion to sneak about—and you get the idea.
There were even bits of dialogue that seemed to have been inserted almost directly out of Harry Potter. A couple of examples include, “I can’t even imagine what you are thinking, but I can tell you, whatever it is, it’s a bad idea. I couldn’t possibly! I could be expelled!” and “Your magic, it comes from your mother. But your eyes and smile favor your father.” (And yes, this is said by a character who is, in essence, Sirius Black.)
Aside from the rather blatant similarities to Harry Potter, the writing was nothing special. I found it a bit of a chore to read, as it was nearly all telling and little to no showing. The characters were flat, and Ivy was—to be frank—a complete Mary-Sue. I never worried for her or connected with her. Even for the more relaxed standards of middle grade fiction, I didn’t feel this book measured up to others in the genre. (Also, the characters are in their mid-teens, but they sound like twelve-year-olds. Poorly-written twelve-year-olds at that. The dialogue was quite stilted and even cringeworthy in some areas.)
Plot-wise, everything was so incredibly convenient. This goes a little in hand with Ivy being a Mary Sue, but the characters never had to really work for anything, nor were they presented with anything too challenging. Either, they were just somehow powerful enough and skilled enough to get out of it handily, or something would show up and Deus-ex-Machina them out of there. The book also suffered from pacing issues, seeming just to kind of skip all over.
Now, I do want to be fair, and I don’t want this to be an entirely negative review, because there were things about this story that I thought had potential. First off, scrivenry. What an interesting magical concept! Despite the similarity of quills to wands, I was very intrigued by the idea, and was hoping to see it better executed. (Unfortunately, we saw very little actual scrivenry in the book.)
Second, the world had some fun quirks (despite feeling a bit convoluted). I liked seeing the creatures like the scaldrons and the hairies. Some of the magic was rather aesthetically pleasing as well, and very creative.
I really do wish I had more positive things to say about this book. It had some lovely, unique concepts that could have been explored in such a fascinating way, were it not for the bog-down of Harry Potter mechanics. I do hope the series improves from here, but I can’t say I will be continuing to read.
April 7, 2016
Disclaimer: I was fortunate enough to receive an advance copy of this marvelous book from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
My reviews are always honest, because there truly isn’t a point in lying to yourself and others. Not all readers share the same interests and likes. So what I might like you might not, however, there is always and very thin line between bashing and giving constructive criticism. That’s the line where I stand.
The Crowns of Crosswalk is a delightful book. The book follows Ivy Lovely, a young lady who was born with magical powers. Since a very young age her mother has told her to keep her magic hidden and so she has for a very long time. However, in her sixteen birthday everything changes. Now Ivy’s past and her family’s past comes together to help Ivy find out who she really is and what her purpose is. She will now venture out of her safe little home on Old Still Lane where she will sneak into a very prestigious school named The Halls of Ivy. This school isn’t your average school, oh no no no. The Halls of Ivy is where princes and princesses attend to learn to control and improve their magic. Ivy intends to sneak into The Halls of Ivy in pursue of answers, but soon she finds she has more questions than answers. As Ivy discovers answers to some of these questions she will find out that the future of Croswald is on her hands.
I just want to apologize for that summary! For some reason writing a summary about a book without giving spoilers has become increasingly hard for this specific book!
Enough rambling!
The book was lovely, yes, lovely. Although quite lengthy, it was an enjoyable read. I personally loved it, but even with all the love I have for it I admit there are some problems. The books isn’t very well paced. I understand what the author was trying to do by writing the book in such a descriptive manner. The world building was enchanting and the story telling was exquisitely whimsical. To the point that I wanted to burst in tears, because I love whimsical tales and it was too much for my heart. I love books that remind me of my childhood and how amazing it is to be submerged into a totally different world. This book did just that for the first 200 pages but after I hit a path (of like 100 pages) in which I thought that as much as I enjoyed reading about Old Still Lane and its citizens, the book didn’t truly needed it. I enjoyed it, but I can understand how other people might not be able to get through that patch. Some people will get bored. I didn’t but I know some people might.
There were some parts in this book that needed to be left out. They didn’t do much to advance the plot. They did build a wonderful world. I truly enjoyed learning about Croswald and its people.
Aside of the pacing. I’m not sure if this is a young adult book or a middle grade book. It seems to be in the middle. I don’t truly care for its label though. Readers of any age can read this book and they will enjoy it.
To address similarities between Harry Potter and this book, there isn’t any. Two different worlds. The presence of magic doesn’t make a book “Harry Potter like”. For some reason this books reminds me of Shrek 3 when Shrek goes to find Arthur . . . it's like slightly medieval, and magical at the same time. I don't know though, those are just the vibes I get and hey, it works!
I loved this book and I was sad to end it. I am ordering a copy for my shelf because I loved it that much. I think people should read it, because it has that magic that I chase in books. The author is a natural story teller. I hope that she expands this world even more. I know this book was more of an introduction to the world and its characters. So I cannot wait for the next book.
Pick it up, give it a try! Share it with your grandmother and your siblings and everyone else. It doesn’t matter the age, they will enjoy it. Hopefully for the next book the author will get better at pacing her book. That’s all I have to say regarding this book and its flaws. Even with this flaw, I personally cannot bring myself to take away a star because I just LOVED IT. Go in adventure with Ivy, it will take years off your face and warm your heart like no fireplace.
My reviews are always honest, because there truly isn’t a point in lying to yourself and others. Not all readers share the same interests and likes. So what I might like you might not, however, there is always and very thin line between bashing and giving constructive criticism. That’s the line where I stand.
The Crowns of Crosswalk is a delightful book. The book follows Ivy Lovely, a young lady who was born with magical powers. Since a very young age her mother has told her to keep her magic hidden and so she has for a very long time. However, in her sixteen birthday everything changes. Now Ivy’s past and her family’s past comes together to help Ivy find out who she really is and what her purpose is. She will now venture out of her safe little home on Old Still Lane where she will sneak into a very prestigious school named The Halls of Ivy. This school isn’t your average school, oh no no no. The Halls of Ivy is where princes and princesses attend to learn to control and improve their magic. Ivy intends to sneak into The Halls of Ivy in pursue of answers, but soon she finds she has more questions than answers. As Ivy discovers answers to some of these questions she will find out that the future of Croswald is on her hands.
I just want to apologize for that summary! For some reason writing a summary about a book without giving spoilers has become increasingly hard for this specific book!
Enough rambling!
The book was lovely, yes, lovely. Although quite lengthy, it was an enjoyable read. I personally loved it, but even with all the love I have for it I admit there are some problems. The books isn’t very well paced. I understand what the author was trying to do by writing the book in such a descriptive manner. The world building was enchanting and the story telling was exquisitely whimsical. To the point that I wanted to burst in tears, because I love whimsical tales and it was too much for my heart. I love books that remind me of my childhood and how amazing it is to be submerged into a totally different world. This book did just that for the first 200 pages but after I hit a path (of like 100 pages) in which I thought that as much as I enjoyed reading about Old Still Lane and its citizens, the book didn’t truly needed it. I enjoyed it, but I can understand how other people might not be able to get through that patch. Some people will get bored. I didn’t but I know some people might.
There were some parts in this book that needed to be left out. They didn’t do much to advance the plot. They did build a wonderful world. I truly enjoyed learning about Croswald and its people.
Aside of the pacing. I’m not sure if this is a young adult book or a middle grade book. It seems to be in the middle. I don’t truly care for its label though. Readers of any age can read this book and they will enjoy it.
To address similarities between Harry Potter and this book, there isn’t any. Two different worlds. The presence of magic doesn’t make a book “Harry Potter like”. For some reason this books reminds me of Shrek 3 when Shrek goes to find Arthur . . . it's like slightly medieval, and magical at the same time. I don't know though, those are just the vibes I get and hey, it works!
I loved this book and I was sad to end it. I am ordering a copy for my shelf because I loved it that much. I think people should read it, because it has that magic that I chase in books. The author is a natural story teller. I hope that she expands this world even more. I know this book was more of an introduction to the world and its characters. So I cannot wait for the next book.
Pick it up, give it a try! Share it with your grandmother and your siblings and everyone else. It doesn’t matter the age, they will enjoy it. Hopefully for the next book the author will get better at pacing her book. That’s all I have to say regarding this book and its flaws. Even with this flaw, I personally cannot bring myself to take away a star because I just LOVED IT. Go in adventure with Ivy, it will take years off your face and warm your heart like no fireplace.
September 29, 2018
4.3/5 ~ Thank You so much to author D.E. Night and Stories Untold Press for giving me a free copy of this book with the magical box!
This book is so magical!! Yesterday I read 200 pages without even realizing because it sucks you completely into that world.
It’s set in a magical school and you know how much I already enjoy those books. Let’s add a good story, a badass villain and very detailed descriptions of the school days and classes and I’m sold 😜
This book is so magical!! Yesterday I read 200 pages without even realizing because it sucks you completely into that world.
It’s set in a magical school and you know how much I already enjoy those books. Let’s add a good story, a badass villain and very detailed descriptions of the school days and classes and I’m sold 😜
April 25, 2018
Actual rating 3.5 stars.
Thank you to the author, D.E. Night for sending me this book in exchange for an honest review.
Ivy Lovely is a sixteen year old kitchen maid who doesn't expect to do much else with her life, and certainly doesn't expect to ever be able to attend the Halls of Ivy, a magical school for royals and those born with magical blood. However, when she is kicked out of her job and home, she crosses a magical boundary that sees her whisked off to the school after all. Once she arrives, strange things start to happen around her and she starts to suspect the halls are hiding secrets that are connected to her in some way. She sets out to discover what's really going on, who the mysterious man she keeps dreaming about is and why she seems to be able to perform magic she shouldn't be able to.
I really enjoyed the way D.E Night writes. The description of places and scenes was wonderful. It was easy to be swept away by the magic. Scenes such as this:
"The sweet smell was magnified at the entrance to the Lolly Room, whose doors were open wide. Ivy stood at the doors draped in black velvet taking it all in. The floor was an elaborate pattern of small gold-and-white squares and the walls were vertically striped black-and-white: the overall effect was quite dizzying. The ceiling was a mosaic of large, overlapping parasols intertwined with strings of round lights that gave off a warm glow. As she watched, several of the glittering umbrellas let down bubbles from their tips, which floated down towards the diners"
had me captivated and feeling like I was right there in the room. The story was fairly fast paced and although there weren't too many characters we got to know well, the ones we did were quite well fleshed out. I loved the suspense towards the end of the book and am looking forward to reading the next one.
The only issues I really had with the book were: Ivy's age. Ivy is 16 but she reads like she's about 10 or 11. If a main character is 16 I expect the book to be a YA book in all honesty, but this definitely felt like a middle grade book. It was reminiscent of Harry Potter's first time at school, and therein was my second issue - it was a little too reminiscent of Harry Potter. Although the story was different, the similarities were such that I could not help making constant comparisons, which took away a bit of the originality of the story for me.
I would definitely recommend The Crowns of Crosswald as a middle grade fantasy though and hope to see the second book out soon.
Thank you to the author, D.E. Night for sending me this book in exchange for an honest review.
Ivy Lovely is a sixteen year old kitchen maid who doesn't expect to do much else with her life, and certainly doesn't expect to ever be able to attend the Halls of Ivy, a magical school for royals and those born with magical blood. However, when she is kicked out of her job and home, she crosses a magical boundary that sees her whisked off to the school after all. Once she arrives, strange things start to happen around her and she starts to suspect the halls are hiding secrets that are connected to her in some way. She sets out to discover what's really going on, who the mysterious man she keeps dreaming about is and why she seems to be able to perform magic she shouldn't be able to.
I really enjoyed the way D.E Night writes. The description of places and scenes was wonderful. It was easy to be swept away by the magic. Scenes such as this:
"The sweet smell was magnified at the entrance to the Lolly Room, whose doors were open wide. Ivy stood at the doors draped in black velvet taking it all in. The floor was an elaborate pattern of small gold-and-white squares and the walls were vertically striped black-and-white: the overall effect was quite dizzying. The ceiling was a mosaic of large, overlapping parasols intertwined with strings of round lights that gave off a warm glow. As she watched, several of the glittering umbrellas let down bubbles from their tips, which floated down towards the diners"
had me captivated and feeling like I was right there in the room. The story was fairly fast paced and although there weren't too many characters we got to know well, the ones we did were quite well fleshed out. I loved the suspense towards the end of the book and am looking forward to reading the next one.
The only issues I really had with the book were: Ivy's age. Ivy is 16 but she reads like she's about 10 or 11. If a main character is 16 I expect the book to be a YA book in all honesty, but this definitely felt like a middle grade book. It was reminiscent of Harry Potter's first time at school, and therein was my second issue - it was a little too reminiscent of Harry Potter. Although the story was different, the similarities were such that I could not help making constant comparisons, which took away a bit of the originality of the story for me.
I would definitely recommend The Crowns of Crosswald as a middle grade fantasy though and hope to see the second book out soon.
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