The Girl with the Whispering Shadow by D.E. Night
Publication Date: January 23, 2019 - Out Now!
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Description from NetGalley...
“Only hours after Ivy Lovely discovers that she is the fulfillment of the Moonsday promise, she is whisked away from her beloved school to Belzebuthe, a secret town for only those with magical blood.

Ivy sets out on a mission to uncover the second facet of the Kindred Stone while eluding the Dark Queen’s wrath. But even when she’s supposed to be safe, something is shadowing Ivy. She will need all her natural-born magic and more as she battles to find the rest of the Kindred Stone and return to the Halls of Ivy.

Before it’s too late...”
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Thank you to @NetGalley @storiesuntoldpress for the digital ARC in return for my honest review.
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My thoughts...
This is the second book of The Crowns of Croswald series. Categorized as middle-year, but I think with some of the existing details, it can also be categorized in the ya genre. This book picked up right where the first book ended. In this story, more of the Croswald world, history and Ivy’s destiny came together to weave a great coming of age story, and the growth of friendships. Ivy and her friends were relatable; the way they came together, their innocence, their bonds and individual magic were an interesting and fun read. The world-building and the storyline were just as good as the first book. Looking forward to the next book.

Thanks to the author, publisher, and Netgalley for letting me continue with the journey!
Absolutely loved this book, I think it's a phenomenal sequel. There were so many new things I learned about Croswald, and I was enjoying it so much!

There's many things I loved that I could comment on, but overall I can say it's the warm fuzzies that made me pick up this book all the time, the characters are actually so likeable, their relationships wholesome and to me this is one of the most important aspects of a book: do I feel like the characters are real? And I did.

The stakes have indeed got higher in this book and I was on the edge of my seat waiting how things would turn out. Ivy and Fyn are adorable, and Rebecca is such an awesome friend!
I'm also head-over-heels for all the magical creatures in here, and still, the setting of The Halls of Ivy..! I was so immersed while reading about Ivy and her friends going about their daily activities and learning new things all the time.
At the beginning, when Ivy was confined to The Town, I felt with her so much, and I realized that one of the fortes of the author is painting certain situations and feelings in a way that makes them so relatable to.. well, I think anyone! Of course, maybe not riding invisitaurs... but being left behind in a quiet town without your friends (even if it's just for your own good!).

Love this series so much, can't wait to read the next installment.

The Girl with the Whispering Shadow is the sequel to The Crowns of Croswald, a middle grade fantasy story about Ivy Lovely, a young girl who ended up in a magical school, The Halls of Ivy, a school where students learn to master their magical blood and the power of Croswald’s mysterious gems.

The ending of the first book was full of intrigue and discovery, and The Girl with The Whispering Shadow picked up where book one left off, after the chaotic Halls of Ivy’s Masquerade Ball. From chapter one, the plot was moving fast and I was immediately swept away in this magical and enchanting world. As for so many sequels, I was afraid this book would have some pace/plot issues, but it wasn’t the case at all. The pacing and intrigue of this book were way better than book one, and I didn’t get bored one second, I was just happy to be back into this world!

“You’ll only be as good as you allow yourself to be. If everyone were afraid to showcase their magical abilities, it would be one boring world, that’s for sure!”

The world-building and writing, just like book one, were really good, I was just so curious to learn more and more about this world and this new Town that we were discovering for the first time. With its never-ending night sky and colder weather, the shades growing and being more present through this book and the almost scary vibes of the shadow following Ivy, I really enjoyed the atmospheric setting of this book, and I would really recommend to read this book during the Fall season.

In this sequel, Ivy made new friends with The Quality Quills Club, a forbidden club of 9 members, all students from The Halls of Ivy, where they were dueling each other to practice and learn as much as they could about quills and scrivenists abilities. This club was really interesting and I really enjoyed these new friendships. Rebecca and Fyn were also really great and enjoyable to read, and their friendship with Ivy was just so sweet and touching.

“You can be trapped in a castle, trapped in a scaldrony. Trapped by people. But the worst is being trapped by fear.”

The only criticism I could have about this book, is that even though Ivy and some of the characters were seventeen and Fyn nineteen, I thought that they were behaving like younger teenagers than they were supposed to be. In my mind, these characters were more 14-15 years old, and that’s why I was a bit annoyed with Ivy sometimes because I wished she would ask more help to her friends for her big issues with The Dark Queen. Most of the time, she was doing things on her own when she could have told everything to her friends and have let them help her! However, it improved towards the end of the book, so that was nice to read.

Overall, I really enjoyed this sequel, and I would really recommend it to fans of Harry Potter or middle grade fantasy series in general. I will definitely read The Words of the Wandering and the rest of the series!

I received a free copy from the Stories Untold Press via Net Galley in exchange for an honest review.

The Girl in the Whispering Shadow starts right where “The Crowns of Crosswald” left off and continues to develop this magical universe. Honestly, this book was the perfect sequel. We got to know more about the scrivenists, the world and the characters (specifically Ivy). In this book we uncover more of Ivy’s past, which lets us understand her more.

Like in the first book, the author describes the setting and the characters in such a way that it’s easy to imagine and that gets you hooked. I honestly can’t wait to read the third book!

Thanks Stories Untold Press and Net Galley for introducing me to this series!

Note: All opinions are my own.

t’s hard to review each book in the series separately without giving away spoilers! Each book in the series is better than the last. Some reviews have drawn parallels to Harry Potter but I think that does this series a diservice. This series is its own unique world and can stand on its own. If you enjoy stories about discovering magical powers and find yourself wishing you could go to a magical school, you’ll really enjoy this series! .Night does a wonderful job of brining Croswald and all the characters to life! I can’t wait for the next books in the series!

This was a very enjoyable sequel. I loved the magic in this story. This world is so fun and whimsical that I can’t get enough of it. I would definitely recommend this series for young readers! I can’t wait for my kiddos to get to experience these books. This series will definitely have a place on our bookshelves!

D.E. Night’s sequel to The Crowns of Croswald doesn’t disappoint.

We return to the tale of Ivy Lovely and her friends who attend the Halls of Ivy in the hope of the Royals being Masters of their crowns and Scriveners to earn their own quill and work at the employ of their Royal household.

I really enjoyed that our initial return wasn’t at the viewpoint of Ivy but rather, two other students who, along with Ivy? Are to spend their summer holidays at the Town. Why doesn't it have a name you may ask, well that is explained in the story and the name of the Town made known.

But don't tell anyone what it is, because once a secret is no longer a secret in Croswald, things will inevitably go wrong.

After the chaos of the Halls of Ivy Masquerade Ball, you would imagine Ivy Lovely would want a quiet summer but that's not going to happen; she's a slurry girl no more and has found herself a brilliant and loyal set of friends. All of whom are quick to show her how much fun can be had as a member of the Quality Quills Club where they battle against one another with ’acquired’ quills. Each battle over the Summer a new lesson for the would-be Scrivener.

As Summer draws to an end, Ivy has barely heard from her family Scrivenist, Derwin Knight and she's facing months alone without Fyn and the other members of the QQC; all our descendent of Isabella wants is return to school but the Dark Queen’s threat has made it impossible. I loved how despite being a fantasy novel, the despondency that Ivy feels is really well written and as a reader, I wished I could reassure our protagonist that all will be well.

The possible love aspect to the story between Fyn and Ivy is sweet and quite realistic of that first flutter of affection when a teenager. It doesn't distract at all from the main storyline and instead gives the reader another side of the two to see. I couldn't help but giggle sometimes at how easily green-eyed Fyn can become when his friends flirt with Ivy; again D. E. Knight shows us a very realistic and well-written character in Fyn during those lighter moments between the two.

This story is even better than The Crowns of Croswald which I had loved. It's got everything you could want in a fantasy series, we have already met and got to know the Royals and the Scriveners who attend the Halls; but The Girl with the Whispering Shadow not only expands on what we know about familiar characters but seamlessly introduces new faces and species. I always love the creations fantasy writers come up with when creating native creatures to their lands and the author doesn't disappoint; though I really wish something would fix Ivy’s pitiful hairies for her so they would light up properly more than once every Blue Moon!

The Dark Queen is still after Ivy and will stop at nothing to get our heroine. With her not being permitted back at school and feeling forgotten by Derwin; there is no doubt that Ivy’s life will be anything but peaceful.. and Ivy is determined to do everything she can to prevent the mess that the Dark Queen brought about again!

I absolutely love this series, if you love magic; and good versus evil? Get reading the adventures of Miss Ivy Lovely.

First of all, I absolutely adored the first book in this series!

Continuing on with the mc was like revisiting an old friendship and I adored it so much!

I will be passing this book along to my own daughter!

This story is amazing and so magical, I really enjoy this second part, I always enjoy a good book with fantasy and lots of magic.

"The girl with the whispering shadow" is the sequel to "The Crowns of Croswald".
Thank you to the publisher for the review copy.
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This book begins right where the last one ended. Like its prequel,it is also a thrilling magic-filled book that is so much more than other typical middle-grade books. I think it can even be categorized as YA.
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The only issue I had was no information about the previous book was gifen,it was totally on me to remember each event and character completely. Apart from that,it was really fun.

Another fast paced magical adventure filled with excitement and fun!

This sequel answered questions and left others still open, I desperately need to get my hands on the next installment of Ivy's story.

This book was just as wonderful as the first and I once more fell into the world of Croswald, onto this time the stakes were a little higher as The Dark Queen was a much more visible threat!

I cannot wait to see where Ivy's story goes next.

After the events of the Ball at the end of book 1, Ivy finds herself on the hunt for an address she was told to go to, but not how to get there. Once she arrives, she meets a group of friends who introduce her to a new game that could up her magical skills. It’s not all fun though, because Ivy is pursuing the pieces of a magical stone she needs to keep from the Dark Queen, and something shadowy seems to be stalking Ivy in return.
I must admit I did have trouble remembering the exact events and character names from the first book, as I read it so long ago! So, I was playing catch up for a while as the story just barreled on, with no real memory joggers in the first chapters. Once I got my head around the characters again, the story proceeded in the same whimsical, magical way of the first book. I know I mentioned in my review of the first book that these books have a very Harry Potter feel to them and that is still the case. There are SO many similarities, but that doesn’t mean I’m not recommending them, that means I’m saying ‘if you loved Harry Potter and are looking for something similar, this will fit the bill’. The characters are a lot of fun and I love the magical feel of the whole setting.
I felt like this book was a little faster paced than the first one, there were several little mysteries going on, that intertwined at the end. I really enjoyed the new creatures we were introduced to this time too! The friendships were a wonderful theme in this instalment of the story and having the characters spend time out of the Halls, and in the town of Belzebuhe, kept the setting from going stale.

Overall I’d recommend picking this magical series up and I’m looking forward to reading the next book!

I received a copy of The Girl with the Whispering Shadow from Stories Untold Press via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.

D.E. Night created something fun and magical in The Crowns of Croswald. The Girl with the Whispering Shadow is a fantastic sequel that adds to that magic.

While this book does feel a bit different, it is still just as enchanting as the first.
The world building is expanded and readers get a deeper peek into the world of scrivenists. And as with the first book, I never quite knew what to expect and was excited to see what new creature, spell, or potion was waiting to be discovered on the next page. (There are times when I suspect D.E. Night’s imagination is in fact limitless.)

It is an absolute delight to follow Ivy’s story and uncover more of the secrets of her past and Croswald.

D.E. Night’s writing is still just as vivid and it’s hard not to imagine yourself alongside Ivy and her friends. Another aspect that made me enjoy this sequel even more was that D.E. Night gives you the information you need when you need it without completely retelling you what happened in the first book. This is something people who don’t reread, marathon read series, and/or read series as they are released can truly appreciate. (I know I did.)

I did have some issues with the pacing and occasionally got lost in the world building, but I was still able to enjoy the story. I actually think I enjoyed this one more than the first and am excited to see what happens next in Ivy’s story.

So, if you’re looking for a magical escape I recommend checking out this series! The third installment, The Words of the Wandering is available now too.

Thank you so much Stories Untold Press and NetGalley for the review copy!

This is the 2nd book in the series and takes us back to the magical land of Croswald and the Halls of Ivy. Things are still rough since what happened at the masquerade ball and protecting Ivy is of utmost importance now. As the only home she has ever known has been deemed unsafe, she is sent to the place where it is impossible for any outsider to step it.
If I didn’t adore this world already in book 1, I do now! This one was much more intense and more plot oriented, sort of like every piece coming closer to each other to form a whole. This book had so much more depth and soul, unlike the last one which was more about world building and Ivy finding her place.
The title for this one was very intriguing to me and when I fully grasped the meaning of it, it blew me away! The real intents of the Dark Queen became much clearer in this book and so the plot picked up quickly.
I loved Ivy in book 1 but this one had so many other characters taking the light as well, especially Fyn and Rebecca. I loved both of them and I hope to see them taking charge in the upcoming books.
I loved this one and I recommend it to people new to reading and the ones who like Middle Grade/YA fantasy.
I received an ARC for this book in exchange of an honest review.

Thank you to the author and publisher who allowed me to read this novel early!

Summary: Only hours after Ivy Lovely discovers that she is the fulfillment of the Moonsday promise, she is whisked away from her beloved school to Belzebuthe, a secret town for only those with magical blood.

Ivy sets out on a mission to uncover the second facet of the Kindred Stone while eluding the Dark Queen’s wrath. But even when she’s supposed to be safe, something is shadowing Ivy. She will need all her natural-born magic and more as she battles to find the rest of the Kindred Stone and return to the Halls of Ivy.

Before it’s too late...

My thoughts: I really enjoyed the sequel to this novel! Ivy is such a strong character and I found myself eager to read more about her journey. The author built a fascinating world. Looking forward to reading more from her !

I was not ready for the first book to end when it did and I was super eager to start reading "The Girl with the Whispering Shadow".
As said before fantasy is a new genre for me and I use a longer time getting into these type of stories, but as I read on, I slowly disappear into this new world filled with magic and quills and mystery.
The best thing with reading is all those images in your mind. It's like a movie is playing in your head while reading the story.
This book begins where the first book ends. It tells what's next in store for Ivy after the school year ends. At first I felt like there was something missing, but as I read along I couldn't help liking this story. I felt the story slowed down a little towards the middle of the book but towards the end I couldn't put this book down.
I'm beyond ready for the third book now. I need to know what's going to happen with Ivy and her friends, and not to forget the Dark Queen.

This is the second book of the series that I reviewed not long ago.

I really loved the first book so I was a both excited and nervous about the second one not living up to the first. Fear not! Whilst the first book gives us the background, sets scenes and brings us the first drama, the second introduces more characters, and develops relationships, as well as ramps up the whole story.

Friendships are formed and strengthened, and I fell in love with “The Town”....I want to live there...and of course, the Dark Queen shows up again...

Really enjoyed the second book, one more to go...!!.

My thanks to Netgalley and Stories Untold for the copy in exchange for an honest review

The Girl with the Whispering Shadow (2019)

Disclaimer: I got a digital copy from the publisher through NetGalley in exchange of an honest review on all my bookish platforms.

The story continues hours after the end of the first book with students from the Halls of Ivy leaving the school for their summer break. With Ivy reuniting with her family's Scrivenist, Derwin Edgar Night, she was instructed to not come back to school for it is too dangerous for her, and find the remaining pieces of the Kindred Stone. Derwin believes the second piece of the stone is located at the Town, which is also the safest place for Ivy to be at.

Ivy discovered new things during her stay at Belzebuthe, the secret town where Scrivenist are free to use their magic without the fear of the Dark Queen. She spends her whole summer and half of the school year in Belzebuthe wherein she met new and interesting characters, joined a club called Quality Quills Clubs (QQC), learned of a new game called Quogo and having a never ending encounter with danger.


BELZEBUTHE - Reading about the Town was a magical experience, the way it was described makes me want to find a cabby and head there myself. And the stars! Don't get me started on how beautiful the stars are and I love how the people from Town can fish for the stars and grant wishes. This is the place to be when you want to learn about magic. AND I LOVE THE QUOGO GAMES.

I was so into the world of Croswald that I immediately requested for the second book. Even if this is categorized as Middle Grade book, I believe this book is open for all ages. It is an easy to read book, narrated in third person and with illustrations on the first page of every chapter. From the story line to the concept, it is absolutely incredible.

P.S. I am obsessed with the color of their uniforms just because I love every hues of violet and purples.

The Girl with the Whispering Shadow was unfortunately a disappointment. The world is somewhat interesting, but the characters and plot did little to expand and improve upon the already shack groundwork that was laid in the previous entry.

I have received a digital copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. All thoughts and opinions are mine.

Actual rating: 4.5

This review can be found on goodreads

-Synopsis-
The Girl with the Whispering Shadow was a great sequel to The crowns of croswald.
This book grabbed my attention firmly. I liked this books so much that I finished it during one sitting. I need to mention how I now want a Special Moonsday Milkshake they were described so good I need one asap! I loved going back to Ivy’s world and seeing her adventures.

-Setting-
This world is probably one of my favorites. I enjoyed learning more about Croswald during this book. I liked how croswald was developed. I hope in the next book we get to learn even more about this world!

-Writing-
The writing in this book was pretty good. The book had a pretty fast pace for me but that was fine. I liked discovering the game “Quogo” it was a great experience. All the characters were written beautifully. The magic was explained good and I understood everything. I do wish there were more class scenes in this book, I particularly enjoyed those. The book started where it left off and ended nicely.

-Characters-
One of my favorite parts of this book/series was the friendships and characters. It was so wholesome and sweet. Ivy’s relationship with Fyn and Rebecca developed greatly and I adored it. I feel as though Ivy could have had more character development. Her character was basically the same as the first book, which was okay but I wish there was more personality. Ivy is also a good role model for young children. She is a likable protagonist, she is brave and takes on challenges, people of all ages can love her, etc.

-Conclusion-
This was a nice sequel to the first book. I preferred this to the first. I would for sure recommend this book/series to anyone. There is magic, adventure, great characters in this book. If you are looking for any of that and much more definitely think about reading this series.