This one just didn't work for me, I had no interest in the characters or story line so dnf'd at 60%. Not sure if I would try the author again.

This middle grade/YA fantasy is perfect for fans of this genre. It has an interesting storyline, decently developed characters and has enough twists and turns to keep readers engaged. Thanks to netgalley and the publisher for giving me the chance to read and review this book.

This novel surprised me with its pretty complex and unique magic system, interesting characters and a fast paced plot. I really enjoyed the themes explored within this and liked the magic system a lot, as well as the messages that are put across to younger readers.

I will say that considering that this is aimed at younger readers, the magic was kind of complex and there were a lot of new names and phrases for things within this world that would perhaps confuse younger readers, as sometimes they weren’t fully explained.

This was a quick and fun read, but just didn’t totally grip me the way that I was expecting it to. Definitely pick it up if you’re after a fun and easy fantasy book.

I know this is coming late but when I joined Netgalley, I read the books I requested but forgot to give the feedback. A few months ago, I was checking the books I had to read to see the deadlines and saw there was quite a few books I read and didn't review. So I went on Goodreads (where I'm active) to gather my thoughts on the book from when I read it to give the review here. Still I didn't review all the late books at the time cause I had a lot to read.
Now as I was doing the same again, gathering the deadlines of quite a few new books I have to read, I remembered I have a few more of the backlist ones that I read and didn't review. So I'm really sorry this is coming so late. But gathering my thoughts from it on Goodreads, here's my review...
This book was pure magic, which I LOVE! The author did such an amazing job developing and creating the magical world of Croswald. I was so hooked from the beginning.
I must say this book reminded me a lot of Harry Potter. The plot is unraveled like a puzzle that Ivy keeps on assembling through her findings, the world building is wonderfully detailed, from the magical creatures to the school subjects, and the story is so well paced.
This book was very magical, whimsical and just completely took me out of my world, which is what I need from reading 😊

The Crowns of Croswald 📱2⭐️

This is a magical fantasy book aimed at readers aged 9-12. The language was easy to understand and the chapters are a good length for the target age range.

I can't write a review of this without first acknowledging how heavily influenced it is by Harry Potter. Ivy (the main character) is a mistreated orphan who didn't know she had magical powers. She is invited to join a magical school where she will learn to be a scrivener (a sort of magical scribe/ artist). There are ghosts in the dining hall, moving paintings, prophecies and a Dark Queen with an army of cloaked followers trying to kill Ivy.

The magical world of Croswald was interesting and immersive. I could really imagine the town and the castle the author was describing. However, some of the character descriptions felt borderline fatphobic. The "bad" or "lazy" characters are described as being fat, the "good" characters are "trim" e.g. Helga and Butterlove. The book has since been revised (in the 2023 edition) so hopefully the descriptions have been improved.

I didn't like the main character Ivy, she was rude and her speech wasn't completely believable for a teenager. The character Rebecca added a welcome friend for Ivy which made the story more fun.

This book had a slow start with lots of world building. This was enjoyable but again, the HP similarities were too much for me. The story started to pick-up around 50% in but as all of the action happened in the last 20%, it felt rushed and became confusing. It is clear that the book is intended to be part of a series. There was a small romance storyline in the last 2 chapters that I'm guessing will be continued in future books.

Even though it was enjoyable to read about the magical realm the author had created, unfortunately, I wouldn't recommend this book or read any others in the series.

This ebook that was sent to me in exchange for an honest review.
This was magical, enchanting, intriguing and full of adventure! I really loved following Ivy's story and this is a wonderful introduction into her world. A world which is fantastic and that I wish to read more of.
Indeed I can't wait to read the following books ! Books 2 and 3 are already out 😍

Aujourd'hui je partage mon avis sur un service presse.
Cette lecture était magique, enchanteresse, intrigante and pleine d'aventures ! J'ai vraiment beaucoup aimé suivre l'histoire d'Ivy et ce livre était une belle introduction à son monde. Un monde qui est fantastique et dont j'espère lire plus à son sujet.
J'ai hâte de lire la suite! Le 2ème et 3ème livres sont déjà sortis 😍

The book was confusing for me. I was not able to finish reading it. DNF. Earlier I was not giving the feedback but my ratio got down so it’s best if I send a review in.

On that fated morning, when Ivy Lovely drags her feet down the stairs to feed the castle scaldrons, she has no idea what awaits her. Forced to leave the Castle Plum for protecting Humboldt, a sick scaldron, kind and brave Ivy Lovely scurries across the slurry fields and into the wide world with Humboldt in tow. Armed only with her meager belongings along with a bag of money and three books left to her by her dear friend and dwarf, Rimbrick, Ivy had no idea what adventures awaited her. After exiting the slurry fields, she sees a rapidly approaching storm, which turns out to be a cabby drawn by a rather persnickety beast named Parsley headed to the famous Halls of Ivy, where those with magic in their blood, and royals whom they will serve, live and study. Thrust into that world of sqwinches and royals, chased by an army of scrivenist's quills, and perplexed by a castle and a man that continue to disappear, Ivy struggles to make sense of her new life and her newfound magic powers. Growing up tucked away from the outside world, Ivy Lovely has a lot to learn when hustled into the Halls of Ivy, but she is a quick study, and with the help of a few friends, Ivy might just be able to find the answers that she seeks.

A little bit of magic, a lot of adventure, and a whole bunch of beautiful hopes and dreams make up this thoroughly enchanting tale. What an imaginative and fun book!! I highly recommend it! The world that D.E. Night has invited her readers to enter is intriguing with interesting new creatures, like scaldrons and hairies, and an army of lovable, and not-so-lovable, characters. I can hardly wait to know what happens to Ivy next - I'm definitely excited to read the next installment in this enthralling tale!!

I absolutely love this story!! Highly recommend for middle grade readers.

This book was provided free of charge through NetGalley from JKS Communications Stories Untold Press. All opinions above are my own.

I was extremely honoured when the publisher of this book reached out and asked if I would like to read and review this story. Although it wasn’t exactly my type of book, that does not mean to say that it is not worth the read. It had some intriguing characters and a cool magical system in it, perhaps more ideal for a younger audience than myself.

I read this book last month and there's only one thing I have to say: "I LOVE IT"

Writing style 10/10
Story 9.5/10
Characters 9/10
Cover 10/10

⭐⭐⭐⭐💫/5

This is about the journey of Ivy Lovely discovering who she really is. Living in a world of enchantment and mystery she has to battle evil. This is a fast-paced book. It is a perfect magical book. It wasn't boring at any point. This was a fun roller coaster ride for me. It is very entertaining and is somewhat similar to Harry Potter maybe because both are set in magical schools. But apart from that, the story is unique in its way.

And yes, I love FYN!!!

This is just the first book of a series and I can't wait to read the other books.

If you loved the Harry Potter series, this is for you.

Thank you to Netgalley and the author for this book in exchange for an honest review.

I really enjoyed this book; the world-building was creative and immersive, the characters felt vibrant and multidimensional, and the plot was not only compelling but also easy to follow. The writing style was impressive, elevating the story even further.

This is perfect for Harry Potter fans who are looking to follow a female main character in a world of magic!

Couldn't finish.
The story sounded amazing, but it just wasn't written well.
The writing style was all over the place and not well paced.

I went into this book blind, not really knowing what it was about apart from it being a middle grade and based around magic. I felt like this book started very quickly to the point i didnt really understand what was happening untill we got further into the book. Even though this made it hard to want to pick up for the first 50% i then got more invested and enjoyed the story. It was quite fast paced and always something happening after the half way mark and alot of characters to keep up with. I liked our main character and how she handled what was happening well though i think my favourite character was Rebecca. i thought she was very unique and i like the powers that she had. The love interest fyn was very sweet and i liked the banter that he and Ivy had. This book does remind me a bit of Harry potter which i enjoyed but also has its own unique twist.

I feel if i was younger i would have enjoyed it more then i did now which shows in my rating. I gave this book 3 stars. I will read the next book as im interested in where it will go and if the love story goes further.

I don't really think this book is for me. I was not really able to get into it. There wasn't anything that was glaringly wrong with it. I was just having trouble connecting with it.

✨The Crowns of Croswald✨

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️/5

I was blessed with this e-book and voluntarily and happily give my review which has no bearing on the gift.

The Crowns of Croswald is an adorably clever upper middle grade novel that is fast-paced, witty, and wholesome. It is full of unique ideas, found family, hilarious dialogue, and a sweet budding romance.

Ivy is an orphan and a kitchen maid who finds herself at a school of magic seeking answers to unbidden dreams and strange magic happenings. She is a kind hearted, thoughtful, 16 year old who finds out she is something more! Her friends, Rebecca and Fyn (who I LOVE and want to see more of), join her on her adventures of discovering the long lost and forgotten Wandering Family.

Night did such a whimsical job with her magic system, world building, and characters. I honestly loved every side character that entered the pages, even if it was just once. They typically made me laugh. It all very much reminded me of a less dark Harry Potter if it were a female lead, but all in its own unique way.

I am most definitely interested in reading the sequel. This book is one that I find perfect for my shelves where I know my kiddos can reach. I found nothing negative within its cover.

This book was not for me. I could not get
Into it. I did not finish it. I think it was more of a me problem than a book problem. Wrong timing for the book.

An enchanting fantasy novel that deserves recognition for its imaginative world-building and delightful storytelling. While it took me a bit longer to finish and connect with the story, this may simply be a matter of personal taste, and there are several commendable aspects worth highlighting.

D.E. Night has crafted a vivid and magical universe that will captivate any fantasy lover. The protagonist, Ivy, is a relatable and endearing character whose journey is filled with intrigue and adventure. The detailed descriptions and whimsical elements of Croswald bring the story to life, making it a captivating read.

One of the book’s strengths lies in its exceptional world-building. Night’s descriptive prowess paints a rich picture of the magical realm, complete with unique creatures, artifacts, and settings. The magical school environment is particularly charming, adding depth and interest to the narrative.

Though I found it took some time to fully immerse myself in the plot and characters, I can see how *The Crowns of Croswald* would be a hit for younger readers or those who enjoy intricately detailed fantasy worlds. It’s a promising beginning to what appears to be an engaging series.

In conclusion, The Crowns of Croswald is a delightful read for fans of magic, mystery, and adventure. While it may not have been a perfect fit for me, I appreciate the creativity and effort that D.E. Night has put into crafting this whimsical tale.

Book review - no spoilers.
The Crowns of Croswald by D.E.Night
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For sixteen years, Ivy Lovely, an orphan, has grown up as a maid. She lives in the middle of a slurry field. One day as she crosses over the border of the slurry field, her magic, long hidden, is rediscovered. As a result, she is sent to school, the mysterious Hall of Ivy, to become a Scrivenist.
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Scrivenists, magical humans, protect and guide the royals they live with. They also track history and make new discoveries. The royals, who they protect, have magical crowns given to them.
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As Ivy settled into her new school, something about it seems very familiar to her. Who is the man she sees in her dreams? Why is the Dark Queen, who usually hides away, being seen near the school?
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First of all, I want to thank @danielastoriesuntoldpress and @netgalley for my copy of this ebook. I have been asked for my honest opinion, so here goes!
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I believe this book is aimed at 8-12 year olds. For me, as a 30 year old (shush don’t tell everyone), I felt this was definitely for a younger audience. As an avid reader of fantasy, I do have high expectations. Unfortunately, this one fell short.
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The first third of the book was like a ‘data dump’, with a lot of information to absorb. This meant it took a while for me to really get into the story.
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Once it got going, the story was fun, with a fair bit of action, and some interesting characters. I thought it was fun, that a character was called Derwin Edgar Night, aka the authors initials and surname!
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Ivy as a main character was likeable, but I would like to see a bit more depth to her character, but as this is the first book in a series, there is room for development. I did love Rebecca and Winsome and would’ve loved to see more of them!
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Overall, there were some promising ideas, and nostalgia due to similarities to Harry Potter (when you read this you’ll notice a lot). If I was younger I would probably like it more.
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Favourite Quote
“One thing I learned in school, which I will pass onto you, is not let fear stop you from doing what you want most”.
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Rating ⭐️⭐️.5/5

Due to unforseen circumstances and family tragedy, I was not able to fulfill my commitment to read this in the requested time frame. I will not be publishing a review.

Thank you to the author and Netgalley for the opportunity.