I found Nevermoor: The Trails of Morrigan Crow utterly engaging. I'm hoping the author continues on that track in future books as the characters age instead of making romantic relationships a focal point of future stories.

I really enjoyed the friendships in the story and how easy it was to enjoy the adventure of the story and the world the author created without the distraction of romantic relationships, love triangles, or major relationship drama between characters. There is zero other romance and there is no other physical affection in the stories what-so-ever, which makes the kiss on the mouth between the two women feel out of place. And, a man and a woman who work at the hotel who supposedly fancy each other but are too embarrassed or shy to tell each other so they don't have a romantic relationship because of it. The only other implications of romantic relationships in all 3 books are a character who the book jokes about that goes on dates each night of the week with a different man on each night. It is quite out of place because there aren't really any other romantic relationships in the stories.

Parents should be aware that near the end of book 3 (Hollowpox: The Hunt for Morrigan Crow) the author throws in a Woman on Woman kiss on the mouth when a relationship between two of the characters who seemed like great old college buddies turns into a romantic relationship. But Townsend also delivers convincing emotional moments with wit, not syrup, including the reassuring message that life brings unexpected adventures, and this book very happily counts as one of them.īooks 1 & 2 of Nevermoor are wonderful stories which are set in a fun and interesting world that the author creates. The stakes are high - she narrowly escapes death - and the action's swift-paced. Morrigan battles self-doubt but is plucky and resourceful. While this treads familiar territory (think Harry Potter, the Percy Jackson series, and The Mysterious Benedict Society), Townsend confidently claims it as her own with this strong, highly imaginative debut. Morrigan Crow is an outcast, plucked from the petty, provincial family that scapegoats her, and delivered to a magical realm where she competes for a highly contested slot at an elite school and society. Parents need to know that Nevermoor: The Trials of Morrigan Crow is the masterful first volume in a fantasy series by Australian newcomer Jessica Townsend.

Mentions of adults drinking recreationally scattered throughout story: hotel offers a happy hour, has a champagne fountain at a celebration, adults drink peach sangria, brandy, and eggnog.ĭid you know you can flag iffy content? Adjust limits for Drinking, Drugs & Smoking in your kid's entertainment guide.

The nevermoor series books