3.5 ⭐

The Crowns of Croswald is an incredible, fantastic and beautiful book. It gives a natural vibe, that you can easily inmerse yourself in the story.

I think my 13 year old self would have loved and enjoyed it even more.

Having said that, for a middle grade book, the language it uses is a bit complex. I understand that the point of giving a book to a child is to enrich their vocabulary, but in this case, it becomes somewhat complicated if we add the complex magic system and the plot itself.

Still, the ending of the book is a complete masterpiece and it will make children want to read the next book right away. Even I'm excited to see what comes next for Ivy (and also Rebecca and Fyn 🫢)

I think it's perfect for fans of Harry Potter series.

Thanks to the author and NetGalley for allowing me to read the book in exchange of an honest review.

This book was just magical! It gave me distinct Harry Potter vibes - magical boarding school, a kid that doesn’t know they have powers, a “chosen one” kind of feel… It was nostalgic in the best way! This is a perfect book for young readers to introduce them to fantasy and get them interested in the genre.

Ivy is a 16 year old orphan working as a maid at a castle. She is run out of the only home she’s ever known and as she crosses a magical barrier, it becomes clear that she has a lot to learn about herself, her magical potential, and the world around her. She’s transported to a the Halls of Ivy, a boarding school where future scrivenists (those born with magic) and royals (who have magic through special gems in their crowns) learn to hone their magical skills.

The writing was wonderful - very descriptive, whimsical, and accessible. All important things when trying to achieve the kind of world-building needed in a book like this! I also thought the book was very witty and it had a few laugh-out-loud moments that I loved.

Overall, I really enjoyed the Crowns of Croswald. It left off in a way that makes me want to pick up the next in the series… I need to know what’s going to happen with Ivy and her friends! I’d definitely recommend this for fantasy fans, but especially for the younger fantasy readers out there.

Thank you to D.E. Night, Stories Untold Press, and NetGalley for the #gifted copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

If Harry Potter and Alice in Wonderland (the books, not the characters) had a baby, this would be it. The Crowns of Croswald was an enthralling fantasy that I am so happy to have been offered to read.

Magically written with unique characters, and an enchanting plot, I was hooked from the beginning. We follow Ivy, a young girl navigating a whole new world of magic and her adventure was definitely a fun one to follow.

While I liked this story, I feel as though I would’ve enjoyed it more if I read it in elementary school. It has been a while since I’ve read a middle grade fantasy (I’m more into YA novels) which is why my rating may be a bit biased based on reading preference although I would say that I still enjoyed this story.

I would definitely recommend it to anyone who is new to reading and fantasy (especially if they are in elementary or middle school because they would surely obsess over Ivy Lovely’s story)

Well written, and I think a middle grade kid would probably really enjoy it. For me it was too much like Harry Potter, but not quite as good. I’m sorry to say that because I think her writing style is admirable. I would be interested in potentially seeing more from this author, but this book just wasn’t for me. I am going to pass it to my 12-year-old daughter, though who I think would actually really enjoy it.

Let me begin with the fact that fantasy is not typically a genre I’m easily drawn into. I knew within two chapters that I absolutely wanted to read and review this book for Night!

Pros: It’s a bit Harry Potter reminiscent in some ways, but the plot itself is original and captivating. There’s plenty of foreshadowing, but not so obvious that it gives the plot away. Night also is a brilliant wordsmith - I cannot count how many times I giggled or smiled seeing wordplay! I also was intrigued with how well she built not only Coswald, but the characters and even inanimate objects such as quills and bottles (both are very important to the storyline).

There isn’t a detail in this book that doesn’t belong! Every last description, personification, and scene all work together as a cohesive whole! I especially love that the ending wasn’t rushed, given the enormity of building that went on for the world, characters, their interactions, and plot itself. I truly cannot wait to read the next few books in the series!

Cons: There were a few times I was slightly confused, but those moments were answered in time. I just had to exercise some patience. Otherwise, I really don’t know that there are any cons I can think of, truthfully.

Conclusion: If whimsy, original, similar to Harry Potter, and magical are your things… this is a book you need to try out. I feel it’s not a story that’s been said before, so open the cover for yourself and see if you agree!

This book is the biggest crossover I have seen of the Harry Potter world and magic, Fae/faeries, and a small sprinkle of sleeping beauty/repunzel - and I LIKED IT. I was a total Potterhead growing up and reading this book threw me right back into that world. The world building was great and I actually really enjoyed . The Idea behind the girl being locked away or hidden until she discovers or her powers come out is a common idea but it was utilized really well in this book. The second book is out already and I imagine I will have to make room in my schedule to read it!

I actually read this twice, thinking I'd only read part of it the first time, and it was still as charming as the first time, with absolutely beautiful illustrations throughout.

The Crowns of Croswald follows Ivy, originally a Scaldrony maid, but whilst trying to help one of the Scaldrons, Humboldt, a small dragon that is basically an oven with wings, who unfortunately has a bad case of Flem Flue, she is thrown out of her home, and left to make her own way in a world she's never stepped too far foot into. She is immediately picked up by a Scrivenist, who takes her to Croswald, to enrol as a Sqwinchy ( trainee scrivenist) at the Halls of Ivy, in the biggest adventure yet, but as she navigates her new position and the wonders of Croswald, even more adventure and mysteries begin to unravel themselves, with Ivy at the thick of it, with her dreams constantly plagued with a castle and a trapped Scrivenist, she's determined to get to the bottom of it.

This was such an immersive, and descriptive story that really pulls you in to the world alongside Ivy. Ivy's spirit was intoxicating, she doesn't shy away from any dangers or consequences, she's really adventurous and warm hearted, not unlike many YA protagonists. I loved seeing her shine, and her self-esteem and confidence within herself grow as the story progresses. The more people she encounters the more she questions everything she knows or thinks she knows and you're right alongside her the whole time. It's very cleverly written and does have a similar feel to other magical YA novels but it has it's own unique twist that really keeps you engaged, and is chock-a-block full of twists and turns, and questions that keep you guessing throughout, whilst you become attached to some truly warm and incredible characters. (I'm also an absolute sucker for drawn out love stories, and this is no disappointment).

With a lot of loose ends to be tied up and maybe more questions when finishing this book than starting it, it really sets you up for the next instalment in the series, and I'm so excited to see what Ivy gets up to next and what adventures await her.

Ivy, a nobody girl who works in the kitchen, is the focus of the narrative. Ivy soon learns of the Halls of Ivy, a magic academy where she must enroll in order to receive training as a scrivenist. Ivy discovers mysteries and wonders at the school after being taken there and they forever alter her life.

I'll start with the aspects of the plot that I didn't particularly enjoy. It was challenging to follow the plot in some instances because there was so much going on. I had to go back a few of times because I couldn't keep up and keep track of everything that was happening with so many distinct storylines being told at once.

Also Ivy was not always the nicest to her friends, (I adore Rebecca, she’s my favorite) even though they were willing and ready to help her on her adventure. I feel Ivy’s personality was a bit bland at times and that made it difficult to really connect with her.

Now for the good stuff!! If you're a Harry Potter fan, or a fan of magic in general, you'll be delighted. The magic and world building is phenomenal and you have a lot of great characters outside of the main character Ivy. It's very fun and entertaining and I love that some students have more artistic skills while others have magic stones that they have to learn to master.

Like any book it has its flaws but all in all I highly recommend this book and would 10/10 read it again.



All in all this is worth reading and I would definitely recommend it.

I struggled with this book initially which I why I can't give it 5 stars. It took me a while to get into and I don't know if it was a world building issue or not.

However that could just be mirroring our main character as she is thrown into an unexpected world, so we are almost learning as she is.

But once I had a grasp of the world and the terms, I loved it and if I wasn't sleeping I was reading this book.

The book follows a young girl called Ivy Lovely, an orphan, who spends her days as a maid. One day after an unfortunate incident in the kitchen, she leaves and on doing so sets herself on the road to many adventures and revelations.

One of things I love most about this world is the fact that wands are not the instrument through which magic is used, oh no, it's Quills.

Yes, Quills

And I think all of us here know how truly magical writing implements are.

Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley who gave me this ARC. Sadly, I am going to have to DNF this book. I really gave it a shot but I have aged out of this genre and find it hard to read down. I do however have nieces and nephews this would be perfect for. From what I read, this author has been building out a heck of a world for middle schoolers and I hope they enjoy it.

Rating: 3.5 stars
I haven't read a fantasy novel in quite a while, but when @storiesuntoldpress asked me if I wanted to read this in exchange for my honest review, I was intrigued by the synopsis.

Ivy Lovely is 16 when she is invited to attend a prestigious magic school that she has only dreamed of attending. She has no idea who she is, who her family is, or what magic she is capable of if any.

For me, the beginning started kind of slow, but it was necessary to build the foundation for the plot and all the characters you meet along the way. I’m really glad I kept reading because some of the action scenes (particularly in the end) are really exciting and suspenseful!

This is book one in a four-part series, and part one does end with a cliffhanger!

There are so many elements to this book including magic, adventure, friendship, and sprinkled with a bit of romance. One of my favorite things about this book was the dedication: “To my husband who has proven fairy tales aren’t only in the books”. I mean, how sweet is that?!

I would highly recommend it to fans of Harry Potter or any stories based on a magic boarding school.
Thank you so much to Stories Untold Press and D.E. Night for a copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.

Travel to a magical land and follow the story of Ivy Lovely. She works as a maid in a castle but gets kicked out by Helga as breakfast prepping goes wrong. Now she has nowhere to go. Her friend Rimbrick is gone and all she has left is a note and some coins. She decides to cross over the magical boundary where she meets Humboldt. He gives her a letter that will change her life forever. She has been accepted to The Halls of Ivy a school of magic. Follow Ivy on a journey to discover the magic within in her. Get ready to meet characters you’re going to fall in love with in this wonderful story.

A middle grade fantasy read heavily influenced by the Harry Potter series. In fact, this will read as female led Harry Potter fan fiction for some readers. The plot is fun and fast moving, but things aren't as well-developed as I would have liked. There is a lot left unexplained and quite a bit of "coincidence" happenings in the plot. The basis for the novel is interesting and it will likely be a good read for the younger middle grade set if they have not prior been introduced to the Harry Potter world, but adult readers will likely find it lacking. Not a bad read by any means, just not enough creative exploration and thoroughness for me to be hooked.

I unfortunately had to DNF this. The descriptions are incredibly repetitive. It doesn’t flow the way I was hoping it would. I guess middle grade isn’t for me, as I also found it to be a bit cringey at times.

I tried to read this book several times but I just couldn't get into it. The world building confused me a bit, and I was instantly reminded of (and constantly drawing comparisons) to Harry Potter. Having read the Harry Potter series, I couldn't help but wonder if this was just a remake of the novels, but it was a lot more difficult to get into.

The Crowns of Croswald is the first book in a new series by D.E. Night. It has an interesting storyline that is both magical and mysterious yet it also includes some history and a bit of romance. It explores the relationship between family, friendship, and love, and the plot moves along at a fast pace and weaves together several plot lines from different times and places into one story that will keep you wanting more!

As with many other fantasy books, it takes a little time in the beginning to fully understand the world-building and the characters, but once you get through that, you are immersed in a beautiful, somewhat whimsical world.

I must also say that the illustrations at the beginning of each chapter were beautiful and added a special touch to the story.

I enjoyed reading it and would recommend it to anyone who enjoys middle grade adventure stories.

Wow! How come I have never heard about this series before? This was a magical adventure, reminding me of the good old days when I emerged into the Harry Potter world. Gosh, do I feel old now. Even though it has one too many similarities to HP, a new world was created that bursts with magic. And you won’t believe it, to make use of this magic, you need to read books on end and use a magical quill. Do I need to say more, my dear bibliophile friends?


I guess a little more information is always helpful, so here it goes.

The Crowns of Croswald’s protagonist is Ivy - an orphan serving royals as a scaldrony maid. You are asking, what on earth is that? Well, she takes care of fire-breathing dragons, of course! But this isn’t all. One day she discovers that she was born with magic - a sqwinch - and gets to study at the Halls of Ivy to become a powerful, magic scrivenist. Yes, those book-reading, quill-wielding “magicians” that help make the world a better place.


But, of course, what would a good story be without a villain? In this context, it is the Dark Queen - the all-powerful, mysterious, feared by all woman - who took over the throne after the beloved Princess Isabella, and true heir to the throne, vanished.


Now Ivy must work through many obstacles to find out about her past. And above that, she must stay away from the Dark Queen because - for some reason - the latter is very interested in killing Ivy.


There isn’t much character development in the story, and the relationship between Ivy and her “friends” is pretty flat, but that only costs my review 1 star because I still really enjoyed this book.

This is the first book in the series of The Crowns of Croswald, and I can’t wait to see what awaits Ivy next.

This book is a great fantasy world novel for a middle school read. It reminded me a lot of Harry Potter in terms of a young adult fiction fantasy world where the magic kids go to a magic school. As an adult, I found certain parts of the story slow or over simplified/cliché. The world building was solid in some parts, and weak in others. The book really picked up the last 40% but the first 60% was a struggle to want to get back into the story. Looking back, I think my middle school self would have really enjoyed the story, world, and characters. Ivy was a protagonist I could see my twelve year old self really identifying with and enjoying. I am considering reading her D.E.’s second book in the series because this one ended on quite the cliffhanger!

Disclaimer *I received a copy of this book through NetGalley to leave an honest review*

The Crowns of Croswald is the beginning to a magical, action filled, adventure story focusing on Ivy Lovely - a scullery maid who has a lot to discover about herself. The book is directed towards younger readers, specifically middle grade but also appeals to readers of any age.

When I first started to read this book it was hard for me not to draw parallels to the Harry Potter series. A protagonist that starts off in a not so nice living situation, who is unaware of who they are or what magical powers they possess. They then get taken to a school to learn about magic. While I mention there are comparisons, Crowns of Croswalds is its own story and one that teaches its readers themes of figuring out their identity and always standing up to face evil.

I would recommend this series to young readers, however for myself as I am in my twenties I found the book a bit difficult to read and keep engaged. I would have loved to seen a bit more depth with characters and chapters written from other perspectives. I did love however the illustrations at the beginning of each chapter as well as how confident Ivy grows throughout the book.

If you have a younger reader you know that loves anything magical and whimsical, Crowns of Croswald is a book you should consider reading to them or gift to them.

This was a fun young coming of age fantasy story. There’s a magic school, a main character with a mysterious background and a cursed royal family.

The main character is 16, so perhaps this is a very young YA, but it read more like an older middle grade story. From what I understand there are to be 4 installments in the series. I tried to look around a bit but I’m not really sure where to place it. Perhaps book one is much younger YA but it grows into more classic YA as the series continues.

In this first installment, Ivy Lovely is suddenly saved from her not-so-great life as a maid and, at great surprise to her, is sent to magic school, in a castle! In this world there are scrivinists and royals, each with a different role to play in the magical society. The royals have the magical aptitude while the Scrinivists do the “heavy-lifting” aka learning spells and studying histories. The story feels heavily influenced from other magic school type stories and some descriptions and phrasing felt a bit forced/predictable. My main criticism is how the plus-sized/fat characters were described.

The magical creatures and magic system in the world were quite fun to read about. Learning about how Ivy worked with dragons definitely started the story on an interesting note for me. Even so, the beginning was a bit slow to get into the story, and then the last 70% went by pretty quickly. Magic school adventures are generally quite fun.

I haven’t decided yet if I’ll continue the series, but if you’re looking for a nice younger YA magical school story, this could be a fun one for you!