I tried (and failed) to read this book for months. I thought I just hadn’t dedicated enough mental energy to it or generally that the problem was me. Today I realized I really just didn’t like the book. It’s SO similar to Harry Potter that it completely wrecks any shred of redeeming quality for me. So sadly, I’m DNFing it.

Honestly, I don’t feel great about that as the author and publisher sent me a copy of the book for review but this is my honest opinion 🤷🏻‍♀️

This book grabbed my attention because of the cover. Then I read what it was about and how it had the feel of Harry Potter and Alice in Wonderland.
I would probably compare it more to Ella Enchanted, Last Unicorn, meets Harry Potter.
Ivy is a normal girl who works as a maid in Plum Castle. Once she steps put of the castle grounds everything changes. She discovers she's meant to be more than just a maid. This first book is her journey though school and learning about her past.
It took me a few chapters to really get into it. I was lost with the little information on the history and backstory, but once Ivy got in the school I couldn't put it down. While there is some darkness to it, the book is fairly mild and I think perfect for middleschool/preteens.

In this immersive tale, we follow the journey of Ivy Lovely, a young girl with a mysterious past, as she discovers her own magical abilities and navigates the treacherous corridors of Halls of Ivy, a prestigious academy for those gifted in the art of magic.

Night's world-building is rich and vibrant, filled with intricate details and imaginative landscapes that come to life on the page. From the bustling streets of the city to the mystical realms beyond, each setting is meticulously crafted, drawing readers deeper into the fantastical realm of Croswald.

At its heart, "The Crowns of Croswald" is a story about identity, courage, and the power of friendship. As Ivy embarks on her quest for truth and self-discovery, she encounters a colorful cast of characters who help her along the way, from the mischievous Fyn the fairy to the enigmatic Princess Fiera.

What sets this novel apart is Night's lyrical prose and vivid imagery, which transport readers to a world brimming with magic and wonder. The plot is fast-paced and full of twists and turns, keeping readers on the edge of their seats until the very end.

This book reminded me of a series of fatansy stories I read in my childhood. The worldbuilding is amazing, the characters ande enjoyable and the plot is creative

"The Crowns of Crosswald" by D.E. Night is a delightful fantasy adventure that captivates with its whimsical charm and enchanting world. Night introduces readers to Ivy Lovely, a relatable protagonist with a strong sense of curiosity and resilience. The story unfolds in the magical realm of Crosswald, a place filled with secrets, peculiar creatures, and hidden mysteries. The author's vivid descriptions bring this fantastical setting to life, creating a vivid backdrop for the unfolding narrative.

Night creates a sense of wonder and magic, making this read engaging for both young and adult audiences. The tale balances lighthearted moments with an overarching sense of mystery, ensuring a well-rounded and immersive experience. However, the book occasionally relies on familiar fantasy tropes, and some readers may find the pacing to be a bit hurried, wishing for a more in-depth exploration of certain plot elements. While the characters are endearing, a few could benefit from further development to elevate the emotional connection.

"The Crowns of Crosswald" is a charming fantasy that captures the imagination. D.E. Night's talent for creating a whimsical world shines through, making it an enjoyable read despite minor pacing and character development considerations. Fans of magical realms and young heroines will be enchanted by Ivy Lovely's journey in Crosswald.

I did not find this title to be engaging. I think this would benefit from less "like Harry Potter" pitch sales. That being said, I'm sure there will be preteens who will enjoy this title.

2.5 stars

I was sent a digital copy of this book through the author a while ago, & I forgot to review it here. the premise of this story was interesting & I thought I was really going to like it. people compared it to Harry Potter, so I was very excited to read this. However, it felt a bit cluttered & lacked clarity in certain areas of the plot. I wish the story wasn’t so focused on Ivy & had a bit more depth. The description of the world was really cool, however, I felt lost for the most part because of how cluttered the plot was. Overall, this book just wasn’t for me. However, just because it wasn’t for me, doesn’t mean it won’t be for you.

Thank you NetGalley for sending me an ARC in exchange for an honest review

A fun and adventurous Middle grade book perfect for the small readers in your life!

If you're a fan of magical schoola, overcoming hardships, and lovely friendships than this might be something you pick up.

However I found the pacing to be inconsistent and the world building needed more fleshing out.

Overall a fun middle grade!

*I was offered a free copy of this book in return for an honest review.

2.5/5 stars

The Crowns of Croswald is the first book in a middle grade fantasy series, following the adventures of orphaned Ivy Lovely as she finds herself whisked away to a school of magic. By the end, she discovers her life was far more mysterious than she ever considered.

While the writing was technically good, and while there were a few unique, intriguing concepts, the execution was lacking for me.

Crowns of Croswald suffers from flat characters, less than ideal pacing/transitons, and stilted, unnatural dialogue that makes it very difficult to connect with the characters. (I also thought the main character was younger than her stated age of 16–I thought she was only 12.)

Clearly inspired by Harry Potter, Croswald doesn’t grace us with that same sense of magical wonder and friendship that HP did when it was first published. While I’m not the target audience, middle grade readers still deserve dynamic plots and characters; unfortunately, Crowns of Croswald falls short in my eyes.

I do thank the publisher for the chance to get to read this story. It’s clear a lot of heart and time went into it. I just wish the pacing and dialogue had been a larger focus in the editing process.

This book was a lovely surprise for me. I really enjoyed it very much and it made me want to read more, so I am definitely going to check the next book in the series! I like that the writing style has a nice flow and its easy to get into. If you like Harry Potter, I recommend checking this book out and also if you enjoy fairytales and of course magic.

What a fun and unique twist on the inclusion of faeries. I requested this on a whim, and I am so glad that I did.

DNF. I was interested in the premise, it sounded fun! However, I just could not get into the story at this time. I hope to try again in the future, because the potential is there.

This was a fun and intriguing young fantasy story about royals and magic! It definitely gave Harry Potter vibes which was amazing to be thrown back in to a magical world of children going to a school for people with extra abilities and the trouble they get into. Written for 9-13 year olds, but I’m 37 and really enjoyed the world of Croswald. Left on a cliffhanger so I immediately ran to google where I could get the next in the series!!

If you’re looking for your next YA Fantasy please check this out! I don’t think you’ll be disappointed!

Did not finish. Could not get into the story. It had potential and seemed like it would be fun, but the writing was not for me.

I really enjoyed this one! The magical world was well developed - I enjoyed the twist on the different kinds of magic. It was very creative - gave me Harry Potter vibes. I am eager to get my hands on the rest of the series to see what new adventures Ivy embarks on. Also I’d like be a scrivenist now

This book was a lovely surprise for me. I really enjoyed it very much and it made me want to read more, so I am definitely going to check the next books in the series.

The writing style was nice and the flow of the book is great. It was not a "hard" read, which made me even happier. I love the world creation and the magic in it. I adore that it is more like a fairytale story, which makes it even better for me to be able to read and actually enjoy in between reading other "harder" books.

I agree with other reviewers mentioning that it gives you Harry Potter vibes and it is one more reason that I adored it.

The only issue that I had was that it was a bit hard to go "in it" at the beginning, but that was more of a me issue, as I started reading it after I had just finished a "hard" book that I didn't really enjoy. But I am super happy that The Crowns of Croswald made me overcome it so fast and actually enchanted me in the best way.

I definitely recommend this book to everyone who loves fairytales and magic. 💖

ARC
I received this as an arc in return for a review. I really enjoyed the crowns of croswald. Ivy reminds me of Mildred hubble in the worst witch and hermione granger in Harry Potter. It's about a girl called ivy that starts off a orphan that's a scaldron maid then gets stepped up in scrivenists world and magic and full of adventure and wonder and challenges, she very determined to find out everything.

This one wasn’t really for me personally, it was written more of middle schoolers. If I were to read it when I was that age I would’ve loved it! A great mixture of Harry Potter and fantasy. The plot was easy to follow and I would recommend it for someone who likes middle school level books. The writing style wasn’t for me personally.

Such a cute story. It felt almost like my childhood fairytale books. It really took me back. I’d recommend it to younger audiences. It was a fun and innocent read.

I really enjoyed this book. Thank you so much to the author for gifting me this book and for being patient with my review!
I think that is would be a great bed time read for kids!