This book is right up the alley of anyone who is a Harry Potter fan. Magic, a magic academy, secrets, mysterious figures... it checks all the boxes. Night does a nice job of building out a fantastical world rich with detail. While I don’t normally read fantasy, I was surprised by how quickly I was able to become invested in the story and the very relatable coming of age journey of the protagonist Ivy. While I enjoyed the read I felt that there were some parts of the story that were glossed over without much explanation and some plot points that were resolved too quickly (and easily) compared to the set up. Additionally, the references throughout the book to Ivy’s past made the end a little predictable. Overall this was an easy read with a compelling enough cliffhanger to make you want to reach for the 2nd book in the series.

There’s a lot of positives about this book: a young woman main character, expansive fantasy setting, in-depth world building, and a solid magic foundation. I really feel young children (my third graders for instance) and young families will enjoy this as a read-aloud. It feels geared towards an mature elementary reader (4/5th grade) to a younger middle school aged reader (7/8th grade). The content is extremely safe and the MC has many positive character traits (kindness, empathy, forgiveness) that any reader should emulate! I appreciate having more fantasy that appeals to slightly younger audiences that you don’t have to worry about overly dark or mature scenes popping up!

My one biggest negative was the exposition of the work. Problems were solved very quickly, and I felt it messed with the tension pacing. However, I do think that may be because I’m not necessarily the target audience for the story!

Overall, I enjoyed the characters and some of the neater fantasy elements like the spells and enchantments! And I think younger readers will love it! I highly encourage it for Family Night Read-Alouds!

I went into this book expecting one thing but, was pleasantly surprised by what I got. The Crowns of Croswald is a middle grade book, but it is absolutely a joyful read for all ages.

The journey of magic and whimsy throughout is absolutely wonderful. I would compare this read to being a good mix of Harry Potter and Alice’s Adventures In Wonderland. I can see why some said this reads like a knock off of HP but, I would describe it more as a book beautifully inspired by other stories. And truly, is that not what all books are. An adventure that was inspired from stories we have read.

The characters in this book were wonderfully done. The growth of Ivy being one of my favorite progressions to read. Other characters of note are Fyn and Rebecca two characters I truly liked. There were also antagonists of note that added depth to the story and conflict for the protagonist Ivy as well.

Ivy is a poor maid kicked out of one world and thrust into another, only to learn she is more than she ever thought she was. There are provisions that have been set aside for her and she is then brought to magical shops and The Hall of Ivy to learn to harness her own magic. There are bullies that Ivy must face and overcome, whom want nothing more than to see her fail. Once at the magical school the story becomes more fast paced and we are moved through the school year with the impending doom of the Dark Queen and her Cloaked Brood.

In the end Ivy learns her heritage and what must be done to ensure the future of Croswald. I truly can’t wait for this story to continue and to read even more books from this author. Any reader will find themselves immersed in the story and though the inevitable comparison to HP will happen the whimsy and fantasy this story offers will easily bring the reader to love this just as much as they love the classic magic school story.

I would like to thank the publisher for reaching out to me about this book as it was a refreshing and fun story to immerse myself in.

I was provided with a copy of this book by Netgalley in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.

SYNOPSIS:
Ivy Lovely is sixteen and dreads her future as a Scaldron maid. Everything changes when she is led over a magical barrier and discovers a whole new world; Croswald. Croswald is whimsical and somewhere I would love to visit- But, of course, all is not well. There is an evil queen, there are unanswered questions about Ivy's past- not to mention having to take on a new school.

MY THOUGHTS:
What I liked:
The author has created a fascinating world! I loved all of the nuanced features of the world and school, it felt like an escape. It is obvious that the features of the world around Ivy have been painstakingly thought out by the author. The depth of detail allows the reader to clearly see the world. The animals in this world were one of my favourite features of the book.

What I didn't like:
For a middle grade reading level the plot was a little tricky to follow at some points. There seemed to be a lot going on but when I reflected a lot of my questions weren't being answered?
Ivy as a character was frustrating at times, but then again, she is a sixteen year old whose life has been thrown upside down. Potentially, I can allow her to be unclear on her motives at some points in the book.
Even with the consideration of the reading level the dialogue was very exposition heavy at some points.

Readers who love magic schooling stories would love this one.

My review can also be found at instagram.com/lupislibrary

First up, I did not expect to enjoy this as much as I did! (What do they say about not judging a book by its cover??) I tend to steer away from fantasy books purely because I don't think they're my cup of tea (and also nothing can ever top Harry Potter) so when @danielastoriesuntoldpress reached out to send me a copy of this, I was skeptical. However, I promised myself I'd read it with an open mind and I was pleasantly surprised!

I have to admit, the first half of the book I didn't enjoy as much, I kept drawing comparisons to HP- Ivy not knowing she had magical powers, being in the 'slurries' (where there's no magic) as a maid, and being sought out by the admissions to the school of magic. I felt all my pre-judgments were correct, and I didn't have much hope for the book. However, once Ivy gets to the school and the story begins to unfold, I didn't see any similarities to HP and found I was enjoying the book a lot! I'd say it does take a while to get into (especially if you're a skeptic like me), and I'd definitely say if you're at the age of reading Harry Potter for the first time you'll probably love this- whereas for me (who has read HP a billion times over and watched the movies a billion times over) and I'm a bit older now (21 this year) I'd say I'm just at the cusp of being too old for this. However, I'm happy I was wrong and this was indeed a magical escape from reality!

This is the first book in a 3 part series, so if you pick this up and enjoy it you can look forward to reading the other 2 books. For any fantasy fans out there, or for anyone that enjoyed Harry Potter and is looking for a magical escape, then I'd recommend this to you!

Thank you to @danielastoriesuntoldpress from @storiesuntoldpress and to @netgalleyfor sending me this in exchange for an honest review.

I love middle grade stories, there is just something so pure about them when romance isn’t tangling everything up. When I read what this was about it gave me Harry Potter and Nevermoor vibes and I got excited, when I started reading I was completely sucked in and immersed in this world with Ivy as she discovers magic and is whisked away to a magical school for children like her.

The way this world is described, the school, the country, the little town, the whimsical creatures, it was so perfect! I felt like I was rereading a childhood favorite, it’s so familiar but not enough that you aren’t still guessing. I crave stories like this with strong friendships and a journey of discovery of ones true self. I can’t wait to continue this series! Book four will be released this year so I have to catch up quickly!

Unfortunately I didn’t get on with this book but, I think that was due to the fact it is a middle grade. I was hoping to love this but, something about it just wasn’t for me. I’m sure if you are the intended age range or live reading middle grades, this may be the one for you.

First off I would love to take this opportunity to thank the publisher and Stories untold press for an opportunity to read and review this book.

Fantasy books would not be my "go-to" read in general, however, I have read a few in the past and I have enjoyed them. When I saw this book was being compared to Harry Potter, I jumped at the opportunity to read and review it. Unfortunately, it did not work out for me.

I found myself skimming some parts of the book because the pace, in my opinion, was a little too slow. I also, couldn't really connect with the characters and I found there wasn't much character development. It just didn't work for me.
I found myself getting confused at times and having to go back and reread paragraphs to try and grasp what was going on.
After a while, I had to admit defeat and admit this book wasn't for me. I am luckily, in the small minority so I will say this review, has more to do with the reviewer than the book itself. I hate writing 1 Stars reviews and I hope this review comes across as helpful instead of hurtful.
I will, I would like to say the author has an amazing sense of creativity and imagination. The descriptions throughout were captivating and the creatures were beautiful.

Overall, this book wasn't for me, however a lot of people seem to enjoy it so give it a go if you enjoy fantasy books.

This book was so magical and definitely something I would have loved reading as a kid! (For any of you fellow Harry Potter fans out there, you would also love this!)

I loved how whimsical and imaginative it was, it was full of action and of course magic! The characters are all unique, and the writing style and descriptions of the world were incredible.

I would definitely categorize it as a YA read, and think younger reads would connect more with Ivy! So, as mentioned above if you are a YA reader or love Harry Potter, I would definitely recommend!

Thank you to NetGalley for a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review!

A captivating and fun fantasy that takes us on an adventure to Croswald and the Halls of Ivy, a magical boarding school. Our main character Ivy Lovely ends up at the prestigious school after 16 years of being a Scaldron maid at the Castle of Plum, just outside of the magical boundary. Ivy is a likeable, strong-willed heroine who likes getting herself in to trouble (all for the common good!) Throughout the book she discovers friendship, romance and the power of her own magic. This is a book full of adventure and surprises.

I enjoyed the pace, the action started pretty quickly and kept me engaged throughout. I got Harry Potter vibes and similarities but the story was still unique and magic in it’s own way. The magical system is very creative and full of interesting details.

I adored the characters, especially Ivy and her friend and roommate Rebecca. But more so, the scenery and the magical creatures were captivating. I felt like I was in Croswald with the characters and totally enjoyed getting lost in Ivy’s world.

The books is for YA/Middle School age but as an adult I enjoyed it nonetheless. This is the first in a four book series that I’m so glad to have discovered, and I loved that the ending left me wanting more. Now I can’t wait to continue the series.

Thank you to Stories Untold Press and NetGalley for providing an e-copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

I received this book from the publisher in exchange for an honest review. Thank you so much to the author, publisher, and Net Galley!!

This book was such a fun, whimsical middle grade page turner read. I honestly couldn’t put this book down. If you love books with adventure, magic, magical creatures, and mystery this is definitely a book for you. The world building was great and with a unique magic system.

This book did give me Harry Potter vibes, but still at the same time was so different, unique and wonderful! I can’t wait to devour the rest of the series and find out what happens next for Ivy Lovely.

This charming and magical read follows Ivy Lovely from her post as a kitchen maid (taking care of the dragons who cook the food) to the magical school, Halls of Ivy, where she will learn to assist royal magical families. It took me about a third of the book before I was truly invested, but once I was in, I was really in! Ivy makes a couple of good friends that she adventures with, in order to satisfy her unending curiosity. Much to the chagrin of her professors and head of school, this requires a fair amount of rule-breaking. She attracts the attention of an enemy, who by the end of the book, almost wrecks the whole school! The ending was a nice little twist (bringing back the first character from the first chapter, finally!), but the cliffhanger was even more “cliffhangery” than usual, to the point of feeling quite abrupt.

Similar to Harry Potter, it seems to follow a school year’s worth of adventures, includes magical creatures and potions and names for things we non-magical folk have never heard of, and also has a focus on the themes of friendship and making things right. I was a little confused how Ivy seemed to me more like a 12 year old than the 16 year old she’s written to be, but maybe that’s just to make her more relatable to the middle grade readers for whom the author is writing.

All in all, I’m glad I pushed through the first few chapters to learn to love Ivy and her friends, and see her save the school. Now when will we get to see what becomes of Ivy next?!

☆☆/5 This book was definitely not for me. It was a combination of Alice in Wonderland and Harry Potter. It felt a little bit rushed and the writing style is similar to Sherlock Holmes books. I loved the plot and the characters which reminded me of Alice in wonderland (not my favorite ). The magical air surrounding everything with mystery need some work but it could be just me. I usually give a book a second chance but this was definitely not for me so I will not be coming back to this series sorry it didn't pull enough to keep me going

The Crowns of Croswald was the first Middle-Grade Fantasy book I have read in a while, and I loved it. It was such a beautifully written coming-of-age story.

After leaving the place she grew up in, with a scauldron (dragon) in hand, Ivy attends a boarding school to learn how to control her powers. This boarding school is called the Halls of Ivy, which led me to believe something else was astray. The Halls of Ivy is a school for royals and scrivenists learning about their magic and how to work together. I loved the world that the author has created as it felt refreshing in terms of magical boarding schools! In the beginning, I was thinking it felt very similar to Harry Potter, but it quickly becomes its own tale.

‘To not let fear stop you from doing what you want most.’

Ivy attends this school but unexplainable things keep happening to her, with the help of her new friends, she starts investigating the situation. In one of her first lessons, something goes wrong and soon Ivy is the only one to remember what happened. I don’t want to spoil anything else in this book as it is such a fun read. Ivy meets various characters who all play a part in her experience at the school. My favourites were Rebecca and Fyn. Rebecca is a very likeable character and she has been sent to the school as a royal to learn about her power that is gifted to her through her crown. However, she decides to rebel against her mother’s wishes and train to become a scrivenist instead. Fyn is already a student at the school and seems drawn to Ivy. I loved their little friendship/relationship thing that was going on, and knew that it would have been something I would have adored if I was reading this at 12!

‘For years I have waited! But you’re finally home!’

Despite being a Middle-Grade book, The Crowns of Croswald transcends ages and I believe that those that love Harry Potter would devour this. It was a timeless read filled with adventure, friendship and learning about yourself.

Book Review - The Crowns of Croswald

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 lifetime 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?

This is a middle grade book that had me hooked from the beginning. With beautiful illustrations at the beginning of each chapter and wonderful world building I was transported to another land. I haven’t read a middle grade book for a long time and I forgot how delightful it is to really imagine all the fantastic descriptions of shops and streets and the amazing magic school. The book is well written, flows well, and builds the story in great detail. I loved the characters who I felt were my friends by the end of the book. It did remind me a lot of the Harry Potter books as similarly to those books the author has developed a whimsical world and an adventure that I believe is set to be spread over 4 books. Well worth a read and a lovely one to read with children.

Thank you to @netgalley and @storiesuntold for my ebook copy
4⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

A magical wonderland full of mystery and royalty and friendship! Ivy Lovely's story is wonderful in every way and she has the most magical friends and history! When she first gets to go to Ivy School, that moment reminded me a lot of Harry Potter, when he first got to Hogwarts.
I loved every bit of this book and can't wait to read the rest! Hopefully, will learn more about Fyn's story, he's such an amazing character and so intriguing! Highly recommend!

Cute, whimsical, and fun. This is a magical story (series) that really puts you in the mind of the Harry Potter series, just on a lighter note. Lots of enjoyable, unforgettable characters that many middle schoolers will love. This is book 1 of a 4 book series, book 4 hasn’t been released yet.

Thanks to @netgalley @danielastoriesuntoldpress and @author.denight for providing a copy of this book in exchange for my honest opinion.

Fast read and kept me intrigued throughout the book. The characters were very interesting. I finished the book quickly.

ivy Lovely is a 16 year old put upon kitchen maid in a castle hidden behind a magic suppressing barrier. When she loses her place she ventures past the barrier with a kitchen Dragon in tow and suddenly finds herself in the midst of an adventure. Before she knows it she is at the Halls of Ivy, a school where the students learn to use their magical powers and Ivy finds she has an enemy in the Dark Queen.

Ivy is a strong character that I think will appeal to readers. As she seeks the answers to the mysteries that surround her, all sorts of adventures befall her. A delightful story of friendship and magic, with a budding romance thrown in, this is an excellent start to a fantasy series for readers aged 9 to 13. I enjoyed reading it and will be introducing my 10 year old granddaughter to the world of Croswald.

Many thanks to NetGalley, Stories Untold and the author for a copy in exchange for my honest review.

FIRST IMPRESSION:

I was approached by the publisher to review this book and I jumped at the chance since I have been in dire need of some fun middle-grade fantasy to lighten up my reading mood. The blurb certainly promised magic and adventure, and reviews likened it to the Harry Potter series, so I was excited to get started!

THE STORY:

'The Crowns of Croswald' follows sixteen-year-old Ivy Lovely who gets kicked out of her scaldron maid duties (read the book to find out!) straight into a magical boarding school. The odd thing is that Ivy was never supposed to attend any school of magic and now strange happenings are cropping up all around her. The first book in the series follows Ivy's first year at the prestigious Halls of Ivy, navigating magic, friendships, young love and the terrifying clutches of the Dark Queen.

THE CHARACTERS:

Ivy Lovely is a great main character because her inquisitiveness and bravery served well to keep me entertained as well as intrigued by everything that was happening to her. There are moments when I thought she was a tad bit too reckless but then I reminded myself that she is sixteen and fighting to learn more about her own heritage.

The supporting characters were great fun as well! I cannot stop talking about how much I need a Rebecca right now! She is such a well-written best friend and kept the humour going! Ivy befriends Fyn and there is this budding love between them, but, honestly, I was more invested in all the friendships!

THE PLOT:

Anyone who compared this to Harry Potter was absolutely right because the plots are pretty much similar. I was hoping there would be more twists and turns along the way, but the plot twists were predictable and the plotline was cliché.

Night still managed to keep up an impressive air of magic and mystery throughout the book, so I was not bored at all. There were bits of the story that did feel a bit rushed, especially past the halfway point, which was a shame because I was really interested in reading about her everyday magical school life!

THE WORLD-BUILDING:

The imaginative world-building was the real star of this story and I was left wanting to learn more about this crazy cool universe that D.E. Night has created. I was pleasantly surprised that the world-building was completely different to the Harry Potter universe, keeping to its own rules and magical people!

The Halls of Ivy itself were so interesting to me! The classes were such fun to read about and the shenanigans that kept happening were just laugh-out-funny at times. Night really captured the magical boarding school mood for this series, so I was really disappointed when the plot sort of rushed at the halfway point.

The magic system was an interesting twist on the traditional witchy concepts. There were two systems of Royals and Scrivenists. The Royals depended on the gems on their crowns for their powers while the Scrivenists depended on their quills. This is the nitty-gritty of it, so it's a lot more complicated and Night does a wonderful job of expanding on her magic system.

Since the reader didn't get to see much of this new world beyond the Halls of Ivy, I feel like there's so much potential for the next three books.

THE THEMES:

'The Crowns of Croswald' explored the themes of friendship, school life, courage, and self-discovery commonly seen in many middle-grade books. I loved the good ol' "gang of friends embarking on an adventure to fight evil" theme of the book because it was done in a fun and whimsical manner.

Though the characters in the book are a bit old for a middle-grade audience (usually this is aimed at readers aged eight to twelve), the tone of the book was lighthearted and fun. So, yes I think this book does qualify as middle grade.

Though there are bad guys and Ivy is fighting against a Dark Queen, the darkest theme explored here was bullying. There is a caste system within this magical universe and Ivy, being an ex-maid, faces negative attentions from some of her snobby classmates.

FINAL VERDICT:

'The Crowns of Croswald' is an action-packed middle-grade fantasy that kept me entertained and amused throughout. However, I was not a fan of the predictable plot. I also would have preferred a bit more world-building in the latter half of the book. However, this was still a fun read and I would recommend it to anyone who loves magical boarding schools, Harry Potter and magical creatures!