The Trials of Morrigan Crow

• Author: Jessica Townsend
• Genre: MG Fantasy
• Publication Date: December 1, 2017
• Publisher: Hachette Audio
• Series: Nevermoor #1

CONTENT WARNING: bullying

A breathtaking, enchanting new series by debut author Jessica Townsend, about a cursed girl who escapes death and finds herself in a magical world–but is then tested beyond her wildest imagination. Morrigan Crow is cursed. Having been born on Eventide, the unluckiest day for any child to be born, she’s blamed for all local misfortunes, from hailstorms to heart attacks–and, worst of all, the curse means that Morrigan is doomed to die at midnight on her eleventh birthday.But as Morrigan awaits her fate, a strange and remarkable man named Jupiter North appears. Chased by black-smoke hounds and shadowy hunters on horseback, he whisks her away into the safety of a secret, magical city called Nevermoor. It’s then that Morrigan discovers Jupiter has chosen her to contend for a place in the city’s most prestigious organization: the Wundrous Society. In order to join, she must compete in four difficult and dangerous trials against hundreds of other children, each boasting an extraordinary talent that sets them apart–an extraordinary talent that Morrigan insists she does not have. To stay in the safety of Nevermoor for good, Morrigan will need to find a way to pass the tests–or she’ll have to leave the city to confront her deadly fate. Perfect for fans of the Harry Potter series and Neil Gaiman, this fast-paced plot and imaginative world has a fresh new take on magic that will appeal to a new generation of readers.

I’ve heard so many people raving about this series, and unfortunately, my library doesn’t have a copy in stock. So rather than waiting for a copy to arrive, I found an audiobook version and checked it out. And WHOOOOO BOY, am I glad that I did. Because the audiobook version is AMAAAAAZING. 

Gemma Whelan did such an awesome job with this book, and has quickly vaulted to the top of my favorite audiobook narrators list. While the story was great, her narration made it way more fun. Whelan had hilarious voices for various characters, using an array of accents, tones of voice, and various quirks making it easy to identify who was speaking at all times. I was never confused.

The story takes place in a fascinating world full of magic and wonder. I quickly got wrapped up in the world of Morrigan Crow, and couldn’t wait to see what was going to happen next on her journey. And what a journey it was! It’s a chosen one story, but with a twist. And I thoroughly enjoyed that I wasn’t quite sure what was going to happen — whether Morrigan was actually a chosen one and whether she was going to do the right thing. I also loved Morrigan’s journey to discovering a real family, after realizing that she could actually have a family. Even after having grown up in a family that she didn’t quite fit into, and never really felt at home in. 

The characters are incredible. Morrigan is smart and has a great, understated sense of humor, making it easy to love her. I enjoyed seeing the people around her as well, and getting to know them — Jupiter and the quirky cast of characters surrounding him, and Hawthorne, as well as the people that she doesn’t exactly get along with — Noelle and Cadence and Jack. 

Honestly? This is probably one of the most fun and wondrous reads that I’ve read in a really long time, and I can’t wait to start the next one in the series! Audiobook, of course. And I’ll be shouting about this to basically everyone that I know, since it’s a great fit for most ages — from kids to adults.

People who have sat around with me while I’m reading, especially when there’s a surprising reveal, a shocking plot twist, or an unexpected event often look up in alarm when I gasp audibly. The gasp factor is directly related to the number of times I audibly gasp during a reading, and there isn’t an upper limit.

Gasp Factor: 8