I received this book from Netgalley and the publisher Stories untold in exchange for a free review. Thank you to both for allowing me to dive back into what made me love reading from the very beginning, Magic. It gave me the nostalgic feeling that I've been craving since I read a similar series about wizards and magic.

We have a character named Ivy that takes care of scaldrons and is ultimately content with her rather boring life, though she longs for more. She vividly remembers her dreams, has an extremely photographic memory, and she can sketch what she sees almost perfectly. She has all of the traits of Scrivenist When a scare from her smallest scaldron leads her to a cab in the sky and whisks them away to a school of magic, its everything Ivy dreamt of.

This is absolutely perfect for fans of all things magic and Harry Potter, and may even be the next biggest thing to HP!

I loved that one of the main characters also has the same initials as the author. Cute little quirk that made me loves this even more!

The slurry fields of Croswald are hiding the best kind of secret. An unknown heroine named Ivy Lovely. After being thrown out of her castle and leaving behind the only friend she’s known, Ivy finds herself ushered along to the Halls of Ivy. The Halls is a converted castle that houses a magical school for scrivenists, and is. Ivy spends the year learning, longing and landing herself in plenty of misadventures. By the time you’ve turned the last page, you’ve been granted enchantment into a wonderful new world! As a middle school teacher, I can’t wait to share this one with my middlers!

I have to admit i was a little bit scared of Reading this book . And i knew nothing about it. I liked the adventures the Main character participated in.. I liked that the heroine was a strong girl. I liked the trouble she sometimes ended up in. I liked that IT was a.magicalworld. Thank you to netgalley for letting me read this e arc in exchange for an honest review

4.5 Stars

I was a little nervous going into this read because it is considered a middle school read and I was worried about it being a little to childish but that wasn't the case. I loved this book and everything about it. Magic school, magic beasts, magic crowns, what more could you want?

The beginning was a little slow but it was necessary for the backstory and world building. I loved the classes that Ivy had to attend, each one was unique and they gave even more backstory to the magical world in a fun adventurous way. Ivy was a strong female character that liked to bend the rules, at times a little impulsive with her decision making but that is how she was described by the teachers so it worked. She knew she was different from the others and she was determined to figure out why.

The secondary characters added to a good touch to the story. Rebecca was a the friend that Ivy has always wanted and I loved seeing their friendship grow throughout. Fyn was there as a guide to Ivy, answering any questions she had. I loved the banter between the two and I cant wait to see what comes of them in the next book.

I would have liked a little more history on the Dark Queen. I don't think she was explained as much as I would have liked, it was mostly towards the end when she was "battling" with Ivy and discovering who she was. It was a little predictable just based on Ivy's differences but it didn't take anything away from the reveal for me.

There were a couple similarities to HP but I think it was unique enough to not compare the two. I couldn't get enough of the magical world D.E Night created and I look forward to reading book 2 and seeing Ivy's character develop even more.

I think this would be a fun read for any middle schooler, but also for adults who like magical worlds.

Well, it took me 20 days to finish this book. Usually, it only takes me a week to read a book of similar size. There were many times I wanted to put it down but then something semi-interesting would happen and I would keep on. By 70% I was done but hey, I’ve come this far-right??
Maybe it was because I was in a bit of a book slump from my last two lackluster books but I REALLY struggled with this book.
I think there is a very fine line a book that is inspired by a beloved series and a copycat. For me, this book toed the line and occasionally stepped over. Let me give you a few examples.
The Crowns of Croswald Is a story about a girl who lives as a servant in a house where she is hungry and mistreated, she lives in a cellar with no windows. One day she believes herself to be unremarkable UNTILL one day she finds out she had magic in her blood! WOO HOO! She is sent to a magical school where she meets a boy and a girl who become her best friend. There is even a girl who seems to be cruel to her for no apparent reason besides that she was once a servant. Does this sound familiar?
Here is an excerpt from 43%
Since she had been at the halls, the setting of her recurring dream with the mysterious man had changed. Her nightly adventure narrowed to a single unfamiliar door. The only Clear detail of the entry was a lock the size of a clobber coffee mug. In the dream, Ivy knew that she needed to see what was in the room behind the door, but she had no way of getting in. She stood before the door feeling stumped and powerless. Then, as soon as she recognized that it was a dream, the door disappeared as if it were never there. The dreamscape went blank and Ivy woke in a state of confusion.”
This is a 97%
“Your magic, it comes from your mother. But your smile and your eyes favor your father,” Derwin said softly.
This was said to Ivy right after she sees a picture of her parents for the first time in her life.
My husband loves to play Devil’s advocate and asked If there is a difference between a fairy tale retelling where the events are the same and the story is the same but still it’s not the same. And books such as this. Is it just because Harry Potter is relatively newer than Cinderella that the likenesses bothered me? I’m not exactly sure what the difference for me is. But parts of this book just felt like the opposite of Potter was used without a personal unique spin...The girls were made boys, the boys made girls.. Dark Lord, Evil queen. And passages like the above that almost seem idea for idea.
Now that I’ve unloaded (some of) my grievances. There was enough originality in this book to keep me hanging on to get to the ending. But there were other flaws that make reading hard for me.
For one the book opened in a flashback. I was completely lost. It talked about scrivenistist. I actually googled this word because I felt like I should know what they are. There wasn’t really an explanation. Google didn’t have any info for me.. But I figured out they are a kind of scholarly wizard.
Then we find out that when Ivy was an infant after her parents were killed in an attack by the evil queen her “guardian” sent her to the Slurry Fields so the evil queen couldn’t find her and kill her. (See the parallel again?) Anywho, I digress... I never actually figured out what the slurry field is... A castle... In a lavender field… I’m not sure what about it kept the queen from sensing her magic. Was there some kind of barrier and if so why was it there?
There there are Hairies. I’m not sure what that is either. I know they are some kind creature, people carry them around in lanterns for light. They have hair that glows. Aside from there I never got a picture for what exactly they are.
Overall these were the things that make this book unenjoyable for me. There was a lot of potential with the stories premise and there was some very nice writing.
Thank you to NetGalley and Stories Untold for the opportunity to read this book in exchange for an honest review.

I can't tell too much without spoilers.
Ivy is a sympathetic and courageous girl, which I really liked.
I liked the whole idea with the crowns and the skills and the implementation was great.
I really liked the book. I love fantasy and this book was just magical. The setting is great and all fantasy fans should read it.
The book is ideal for anyone who likes to read English.

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for providing me with an e-arc of this book. My opinions are my own.

This book didn't live up to my expectations. I was asked to read this book in exchange for a review. I hesitated for a minute because this is a middle grade book and I'm 31, but the Goodreads rating was alright and some reviews compared it to Harry Potter. I was curious and decided to read this book!

I can see where the comparison comes from... This book is about a young girl, Ivy, who doesn't know she has magic, until she is invited to attend a school of magic. There's even a list of supplies she needs to buy from a street with magical shops... I might have been able to see past this, if the writing were a little better. The plot is all over the place, there's hardly any world building and none of the characters have any depth to them. I know it's a middle grade book and I was expecting colorful, archetypical characters but instead I was just reading about a young girl running in different directions all the time.

There is yet some originality in this book - I did like the concept of the scrivenists and how there's magic in sketching. Overall though, this book didn't really wasn't for me. I won't be continuing this series.

I like to think of myself as an imaginative person but there wasn’t enough exposition for me to understand the fantasy setting, or the terms that the narrator and characters were using. I had to read things a few times and flip to the earlier pages to try to figure out a term. I was lost early on, and then quickly lost interest

This book didn't really capture my attention - I was excited to get into a new fantasy series, but this really wasn't my thing. I don't think I'll be continuing with the series.

I don't often read YA fantasy anymore, so when I was asked by the publisher to review this book I was a little hesitant. But The Crowns of Croswald was actually pretty good, definitely one of the better books in its genre I have read in a while.
Especially if you liked Harry Potter then this will be your kind of book! It has the same type of world building, a magical boarding school, and lots of adventure. It reminded me a lot of the kind of books I used to read as a kid and I think it would be perfect for the slightly younger YA or Middle Grade audience (at 24 I think I may be a bit too old to still identify with the characters).

The Crowns of Croswald by D.E. Night is a fantasy novel steeped in magic.

Ivy Lovely lives in a castle, but it isn’t as grand an experience as you might think. She actually spends most of her time in the dreary depths of an ex-dungeon. It is here that she has the gruelling job of overseeing the scaldron dragons and making sure they don’t ruin the food they are suppose to be cooking.

Ivy wishes her life was different, but her only friend insists that she is safest exactly where she is – although things are about to change and she needs to be ready for it.

When Ivy suddenly finds herself fired from her position, with nowhere to go, she is shocked to have a rather surprising opportunity dumped at her feet. Whisked away in a frightfully unsafe looking vehicle that is towed along by the most unusual flying creature she has ever encountered, Ivy’s life is about to become unrecognisable.

Enrolled in a special school to train as a Scrivenist, it seems like Ivy’s wildest dreams are starting to come true. Things are never as simple as they seem though, and Ivy is about to discover that she has an even bigger role to play in what is yet to come.

Marketed as middle grade, I believe there are many other readers that would also be enchanted by the magic between these pages.

The story explodes into chaotic activity as it nears its final pages and the ending is very abrupt, but it has left me curious to discover where Ivy’s next adventure takes her.

3.5/5 🌟

A heartfelt thank you to Stories Untold, NetGalley and D.E. Night for the opportunity to enjoy Ivy's story in exchange for an impartial review.

I grew up reading Harry Potter so I was so excited to give this one a try and I am NOT disappointed.
There used to be an interactive game in Myrtle Beach called MagiQuest and this book made me feel like I was back there playing it again. 🔮
Magic, spells, dragons, first crushes, and pie. What more could you want in a book?
This book reminds me of why I love to read.. you can let your imagination run free.
Ivy’s character is the perfect representation of never stop believing your dreams can come true.
And I’m ordering book #2 ASAP.

Thank you Netgalley and Stories Untold for this free copy in return for my honest review.

DNF @ 43%

When the publisher approached me to review this book I was so excited! From the synopsis it sounded right up my alley because lots of reviews said it was similar to Harry Potter and that sold me. Unfortunately, this was just a disappointment and I couldn't continue to read it. I couldn't connect with the characters and the plot was way to close to Harry Potter.

Another reason I couldn't get into it was the pacing was too slow for me and there also wasn't any kind of backstory for Ivy. She works in a castle, gets kicked out, and then she's off to school. I also found the plot messy and confusing, the over description of some areas caused me to get lost. Also there are a lot of made up words, which is cool, but also led to me being confused part of the time.

I personally think if Harry Potter wasn't one of my favorite series and I had never read it I might of enjoyed this a bit more. I do think it is perfectly suited for middle schoolers, I just don't feel like I was the right person to read it.

This is perfect for those who love a middle grade fantasy. While the first half of the book is slower paced than the remaining half, that's to be expected as the characters are introduced and the world is built. This is highly reminiscent of Harry Potter and while I thought I would enjoy that factor, it bugged me more than made me fall in love with it...simply because it's TOO much like Harry Potter so (in my eyes at least) it's not very original.

The MC is also supposed to be 16 but her mannerisms and thoughts are those of someone younger, which does fit I suppose, since this is a middle grade book, but if her age wasn't stated I would have figured she was a lot younger. Overall it's a fun & magical journey, but I am not interested in continuing the series. However, I would recommend for those who aren't huge Harry Potter fans as you may really enjoy it.

I appreciate receiving this E-Book from the publisher and NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. All opinions expressed herein are mine and mine alone.

I would like to thank the publishers and Netgalley for sending my a copy of this e-book in exchange for an honest review.

The Crowns of Crosswald by D.E.Night follows Ivy Lovely, a 16 year old orphan that grows up as a maid then discovers she has magical ability and gets an invitation to the ‘Halls of Ivy’ to learn how to become a Scrivenist. Ivy is a very curious character that has a sense of adventure and this book follows her adventures in the halls of Ivy as she discovers her magic, makes new friends and learns the history of her past.

I found this quite difficult to get into at first. It is very reminiscent of Harry Potter which I found difficult to get past during the first half of the book. D.E.Night has some excellent ideas with regards to magic and world building. In particular I enjoyed the different magical creatures and the way in which the crowns and scrivenists worked. I felt it had a lot of potential and would have been better served embracing it’s own originality. Ivy as a character, I felt was difficult to identify with, she was quite adventurous but also naieve and did not always treat others well. She also felt younger than 16 years old. The lore seemed interesting and I would have liked to read into more depth about that which the author may explore in later books.

This book is aimed at middle grade and I think most children would enjoy it. It was whimsical and full of action with a good pace. Overall this book had great potential and I look forward to seeing how the author develops in the future.

A lovely and quick-paced fantasy-world with themes of heritage and light vs. dark.

This was a very quick read and very entertaining even for me as an adult reader. A good chunk of the format is clearly very inspired by the Harry Potter series, but there are also some very fresh and unique elements as well and, of course, a scrappy girl as the protagonist.

I did find some of the dialogue a bit young for my taste - but this is a middle grade series! Some of the exposition and timing felt rushed; the middle of the book had a bit of a quick fast-forward quality to it. However, the backstory and bit of mystery was nicely done. It wasn't blatantly obvious or easy to figure out, so I enjoyed trying to puzzle through Ivy's true story and what may have happened.

Overall, would be a great, quick and imaginative read for middle grade readers!

This is a fantastic fantasy! I loved the magic and creatures in this story. I highly recommend this middle grade book.

The Crowns of Croswald tells the story of Ivy Lovely, who quickly finds out she is much more than just a scaldrony maid. This book is filled with new friendships, magic, adventure and a life changing family secret. D.E. Night does an extraordinary job writing and giving descriptions of people and places.
I do wish the book had a part in it that shows how to pronounce some words.

I highly recommend this book for families looking for a magical adventure.

Thank you to the author and publicist for giving me the opportunity to read and review this book.

CROWNS OF CROSWALD
Ivy, a curious orphan girl serving in a castle as a maid is suddenly going to school for the prestigious royals and talented scrivenists. And as soon as she starts, she realizes the magic powers hidden deep with her, so astoundingly powerful that she’s said to be literally magic herself. Strange things start happening to her. Gloomy dreams have plagued her as long as she can remember, of a mysterious castle and suddenly she’s there going to said school, much to her surprise. At school, she finally gets the schooling for scrivenists like she’s always dreamed of, and along the way she goes on thrilling adventure with her friends, breaks the rules and is always constantly too curious for her own good
Reading this gave me such a nostalgic feeling of being a kid again and coming across a wonderful book with a world written so vividly with a myriad of strange magic and mythical creatures, you felt you were almost a part of it, experiencing it all. I loved the school setting with tittering professors, forgotten rooms, wonderful friends and the typical snobby, utterly spoiled, and narcissistic nemesis.
The world of Croswald has an amazing magic system where spells are performed with quills and magic is passed on through magical crowns, and one thing I absolutely loved was the whole idea of The Hallow Shaft where scrivenists content with their life and all they have achieved are able to pass on, by having their entire life, successes and soul printed into books. Like a library of past lives. Their life achievement available for observing. And the scrivenists themselves dictate it all to you (if they’re in the mood that is). So fascinating
There was so many adorable scenes between her and Fyn and I am absolutely rooting for them. Her friendship with Rebecca was everything and Ivy being best buddies with a little dragon. So cute.
Throughout the book is the slow unravelling of the plot, of a mystery man that the world seems to have forgotten about except her, repeatedly being shown in her unusual dreams, and she’s determined to solve the case of the missing scrivenist. There’s the forshadowing of the evil magic of the Dark Queen, whom no one has ever seen, but live in fear of.
The reveal at the ending, when Ivy discovers who she really is, is fabulous and really sets the story moving into the next book where hopefully we’ll be met with more action, magic and learning more about Ivy’s family, and the Wandering Curse set upon them.
I would absolutely recommend this to anyone, middle grader or not, who loves reading about schools, long lost royalty and exciting magic. If youre a HP fan, you might just like this better.

[[RECEIVED FROM THE PUBLISHER IN EXCHANGE OF AN HONEST REVIEW]]

🌟 Book review 🌟⁠
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♥️ I liked:⁠
⚗️ The Magic system. Croswald is a world made of Scrivenerist and Royals. The first are magic-wielders who sketch everything they see thanks to their photographic memory. When they graduate, they are assigned to a Royal who owns a crown with a magic gem. At the Halls of Ivy, they learn how to handle their magic powers. Head of this world is the Dark Queen.⁠
🏮 The creatures. Scaldrons are cute dragons that provide the fire for cooking. Hairies sit in lanterns to light up the magicians' way. Porcupels are porcupines for practice quills. How amazing is this?⁠
👧 The characters. Ivy is amazing: full of life and expectations, she doesn't want to be a maid forever and often dreams about the Halls of Ivy. She is also brave and curious, you know she'll soon get in trouble at school! Rebecca is a Royal, Ivy's roommate and best friend. You would think she is a bit snob, but, getting to know her, you'll find out that she is loyal and full of love.⁠
✍️ The style. The book is easy to read. The beginning is a bit slow, but when Ivy arrives at school, the pacing becomes very fast and full of action.⁠
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🤔 I wasn't so sure about:⁠
👦 Fyn. He's Ivy's companion, he's always looking after her and following her everywhere to avoid her being in trouble. The only thing I didn't understand is how he is always very conveniently in the right place at the right moment.⁠
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⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ 5/5
You may think this is another Harry Potter, well, I promise you, it's not true! This is a very original and brilliantly put together book, the story is amazing and it's so easy to read that I finished it in only 3 days. If you love fantasy, you have to give it a try! ⁠