School Library Journal Starred Review

Gr 5 Up-orrigan Crow is cursed and doomed to die on her 11th birthday on Eventide night. She is blamed for every bit of bad luck and misfortune that plagues the residents of the town of Jackalfax in the Wintersea Republic. When Eventide arrives early, ushering in a new Age across the realm, Morrigan is faced with the prospect of her premature deathuntil a strange man named Jupiter North arrives. Together the two escape the Hunt of Smoke and Shadow and come to the Free State city of Nevermoor. Miraculously alive and possibly no longer cursed, Morrigan can make a fresh start. With Jupiter's help, she has the chance to compete in a series of trials for a place in Nevermoor's most revered group: the Wundrous Society. If she succeeds, she'll also earn her place in Nevermoor and finally have a home and a caring family. Despite Jupiter's assurances, Morrigan dreads the final Show Trial, where the remaining competitors will have to demonstrate their astounding talentssomething Morrigan is quite certain she doesn't possess. Morrigan will have to step boldly and learn to trust her new friends if she hopes to pass the trials and join the Wundrous Society. Townsend's debut fantasy revolves around Morrigan's struggle to find her place and discover her own worth, all while she completes magical tasks and investigates the strange world of Nevermoor. This dynamic title is filled with intricate world-building that brings the renowned figure of Jupiter North and the rest of Nevermoor to life. Set over the course of Morrigan's year of trials, this entertaining and fast-paced story is filled with astonishing details, such as the Hotel Deucalion, where Morrigan's room changes to suit her mood; the Wundrous Society grounds, which turn the weather up a notch; and even a giant talking "Magnificat" named Fenestra. VERDICT Readers, like Morrigan herself, will feel at home in this evocative novel where magic and confidence go hand in hand. An excellent and exciting work.Emma Carbone, Brooklyn Public Library

ALA Booklist

The future looks bleak for 11-year-old Morrigan, who's famously destined to die on Eventide. It's surprising then that she receives an invitation to become a candidate for the Wundrous Society. Jupiter North, a mysterious, magical man, transports her to Nevermoor, the fantastic city where she will compete with other candidates for an extraordinary education and lifelong society membership. Though Jupiter introduces Morrigan to new creatures, technologies, and experiences in Nevermoor, he adroitly dodges her questions about the ghostly Hunt that chases her, the competition that awaits her, and why he chose to sponsor her for the Wundrous Society. An Australian writer, Townsend knows how to keep the pages turning in this fast-paced story, even while introducing plenty of characters and plot elements to be developed in future volumes. Putting aside similarities to the Harry Potter books, and there are many, this novel sets up the framework for a projected series while combining elements of inventive fantasy, high-voltage adventure, and cryptic mystery in one appealing package.

Horn Book

Cursed

Kirkus Reviews

Readers will feel as though Harry Potter is meeting Alice in Wonderland in this first of a new series.Morrigan Crow, a pale, white child, was born cursed. She's the town scapegoat, blamed for everything bad that happens in Jackalfax. All cursed children are expected to live for 12 years, and as Morrigan is about to turn 11, she has one year until she dies on Eventide, when the old Age gives way to the new. Unfortunately, experts have incorrectly predicted the length of this Age, and Morrigan will die in just a few days. With not even a year's worth of a future, things look bleak, but then the letter arrives. It's an invitation to compete for a coveted spot in the prestigious Wundrous Society. On the day she's to die, Morrigan's new patron, white, freckled, and very gingery Jupiter North, whisks her away to Nevermoor, where the competition takes place. Successful completion of the four trials of the competition will earn Morrigan lifelong Society membership, giving her what she's always wanted: to belong. If she fails she must go home, where the Hunt of Smoke and Shadow (the death of all cursed children) will kill her. Several important secondary characters have brown or dark skin, including Jupiter's nephew, Jack. The geography, politics, and magic of Morrigan's world are created with care, and Morrigan is a brave free-thinker readers will look forward to meeting again. Not genre-shattering but a solid read for genre fans. (Fantasy. 8-13)

Publishers Weekly (Fri Oct 06 00:00:00 CDT 2023)

First in a series, Townsend-s spellbinding debut introduces Morrigan Crow, a cursed girl from the Wintersea Republic, who brings bad luck to everyone she meets and is destined to die at midnight on her 11th birthday. The Hunt of Smoke and Shadow, a terrifying shadowy entity, is poised to kill Morrigan when a mysterious man named Jupiter North spirits her away to Nevermoor, an independent, magically warded city where the Hunt cannot travel. Jupiter belongs to the elite group called the Wundrous Society, and he wants to sponsor Morrigan-s membership. She doubts that she will pass the four entrance trials-particularly since she-ll be battling 500 singularly talented children for one of nine available spots-but she agrees to try: without Society membership, the Nevermoor police will deport Morrigan back to Wintersea, where the Hunt is waiting. Morrigan is a captivating heroine, filled with moxie and wit, whose unexpected second chance at life gives her the opportunity to discover who she truly is. Whimsical worldbuilding, humorous dialogue, and colorful supporting characters complement an adventurous, magic-filled plot that champions bravery, self-confidence, and hope. Ages 8-12. Agent: Gemma Cooper, Bent Agency. (Oct.)