“Let’s start with the basics. You, Ivy Lovely, are magic.”

Book title

The Crowns of Croswald

Author

D.E. Night

Date published

21-07-2017

Date started

30-01-2024

Date finished

30-03-2024

Page count

249

Stars

4

Summary

In this series opener, Ivy believes she is the only unmagical creature in a rich fantasy world, where gems are rife with power, quills cast spells, and dragons fill the sky. She must step into wonderland, discover her power at a magical academy, and find out who she truly is before it’s too late.

When she crosses a magical boundary, Ivy discovers a realm of enchantment and mystery. Making friends that will last a lifetime—and save her life—she steps into her own abilities and discovers more about her hidden past, her magical blood, and the power of Croswald’s mystical stones. But all is not well: a dark history and an evil Queen threaten all that is good. Will Ivy’s bravery and wit be enough?

My review

I received this book for free from the publisher (Stories Untold) in exchange for an honest review. This book breaths magic in itself. It did feel a bit young for me, but it is a true middle grade treat. I fell in love with Ivy, but maybe more so with Humboldt. I hope there is more to this creature in the next books. The fact that Ivy is a 16 year old orphan, who has always worked in the kitchen, made some of her choices childlike but they also made a lot of sense. How else is anyone going to learn how the world works? I love the character D. E. Night and the fact this book is written by D. E. Night! It’s a little nodd and I love these things. I did also like Rebecca a lot more than I originally though I would. She has her own issues but would not leave Ivy’s side throughout the story. I do hope there will be more to that. All in all a fantastic read that really can be compared to Harry Potter and Alice in Wonderland and Narnia. Those stories breathed magic too, just like Crowns of Croswald. The worldbuilding is amazing and I would love to dive into this world a bit more. Luckily I can, since there are more (3!) books to enjoy. Characters growing up and living through life with them, is one of my favorite tropes so I do want to experience that!

Quotes

“Let’s start with the basics. You, Ivy Lovely, are magic.”