Name: Wundersmith
Rating: 4.558823529411764 (51 reviews)
ISBN: 9780316508919

Jessica Townsend

"Morrigan Crow is now a proud scholar in the elite Wundrous Society, but must prove that she belongs in the Society, while battling a new evil"--

the calling of Morrigan Crow

Wundersmith

I love LOVE Morrigan’s journey in here even more. Due to most of Jupiter’s absence in this book, I feel like this second book is trying to emphasize on how Morrigan is capable on dealing with her own shit. From how she had to struggle with her own unit, her so-called eight brothers and sisters because her presence is like a sore thumb. How she single-handedly took care of the whole black market thingy, how she stood up to her teacher... The whole book was just chaos here and there, but it was a really good chaos that I found myself going through the pages without any intention of stopping. I have to admit that I actually got teary-eyed when it comes to the last chapter (and how, so far, I have always found every Morrigan and Ezra Squall’s encounter to be fascinating). This review is ass because I couldn’t put it into words on how amazing this book is.

nindy

Ashley Wendt

Seriously!!! I’m even more smitten with Jupiter and Mog. Do you remember how you felt for Harry when he realized that Sirius was protecting him and that Sirius loved his parents and Harry had all those hopes and dreams for finally having the family he always wanted when they found each other. I feel like we get to live that out through Jupiter & Mog and I am living for it. Besides that, the world of Nevermoor is so fantastical & whimsical and there is so much mystery, so much of the story, you know the author is dropping hints for the future a la J.K. Rowling, but you are just not sure where and what and when and how they’ll show up in the future. I will be recommending this series to all my friends and their kids! It is just soooo good!!

The Calling of Morrigan Crow

mighty dragon 

Celeste Richardson

Actual rating: 4.5 stars, rounded up.

Wundersmith: The Calling of Morrigan Crow, is the second installment in the Nevermoor series, and I loved it almost as much as the first. This is a series with a wonderfully lovable and multifaceted main character, a diverse and entertaining supporting cast, a delightfully unique setting that manages to feel both inviting and dangerous, plenty of tension, and strong enough writing and pacing to carry such an original story. I’m only two books in, but I would already feel secure in saying that Nevermoor is a nearly perfect middle grade fantasy series that I would happily, and eagerly, press into the hands of any young (or young-at-heart) reader I know.

In this book, we start to plumb the secret depths of the Wundrous Society as Morrigan and the rest of Unit 919 embark on the first leg of their schooling. We get to see the relationships that develop between Morrigan and her fellow unit members and teachers, and how hard she has to work in order to win anyone over once they find out the truth of her “knack,” the talent that makes her special and worthy of membership into the Wundrous Society. This would have been a miserable first year for Morrigan if not for her best friend, Hawthorne Swift the dragon rider, and Miss Cheery, Unit 919’s Conductor, who acts as a combination of bus driver and homeroom teacher and guidance counselor. Of all the newly introduced characters, she was my favorite. Her closest competition was actually Hawthorne’s parents, who reminded me of the Weasleys from Harry Potter. They were quirky and charming and utterly delightful for the few pages in which they appeared. 

Morrigan is a strong, interesting young woman who is far edgier in appearance than she is on the inside, and I find her incredibly easy to cheer on. She has enough flaws to be believable while still being firmly planted on the side of good which, given her talents and situation, is laudable. I have loved seeing her grow and develop over the course of this book and the first, and I can’t wait to see how she changes in the rest of the series. Townsend has done a marvelous job with Morrigan’s voice, maintaining its consistency even as she grows and keeping a balance between her secret hopes and her completely understandable pessimism in light of the life she’s led thus far. 

I remain fascinated by the land of Nevermoor in general; it sounds like such a delightfully magical place, and I would place it at the very top of the list of fictional places I would love to visit. I’m also intrigued by the Wundrous Society in particular, and was excited to learn more about them in this book. Unfortunately, I felt that the Society’s decision to hold Morrigan at arm’s length in her education kept me as a reader in the dark, as well, which was frustrating. But that’s really the only complaint I have, and the only reason I deducted a half star from my rating. I was happy that we get to spend so much more time in the Hotel Deucalion, and I loved ever minute Jupiter was present. I, like Morrigan, wished I could pin him down and make him stay longer.

Wundersmith introduced some intriguing magic and compelling new characters, while never neglecting what we had already been given in the first book. This is a world that I fell in love with immediately, and that love only seems to deepen the longer I spend there.  I can’t wait to see where Townsend takes Morrigan and her Unit next, and what happens with the Deucalion and the Society and all of the wonderful characters who populate both.

Fraser Simons

Another solid entry. I think I liked this more than the first one, especially the switch into a more darker tone but I don’t know how much that translates to exceeding expectations, since the first one was all setup and I think it sort of needed to put up or shut up, for me. So I’m glad it put its best foot forward and will read the next one, rather than dip out.

Morrigan Crow's adventures in the magical world of Nevermoor continue . . . a treat for all fans of magic and 'wunder'. A stunningly designed package - with silver foil, hidden artwork under the jacket and beautifully designed interiors. 'An extraordinary story full of magics great and small' Kiran Millwood Hargrave, author of THE GIRL OF INK AND STARS Imagination, discovery and friendship await Morrigan Crow when she escapes her deadly curse and joins the Wundrous Society. It promises her protection and belonging for life - but then Morrigan doesn't receive the welcome she hoped for... Morrigan is a much-feared Wundersmith. So, instead of the Society helping Morrigan to embrace her power, she is only taught that all Wundersmiths are evil and she must suppress her mysterious ability at all costs. To make things worse, Nevermoor is quickly turning from a place of safety into one of danger. Society members are going missing, someone is blackmailing Morrigan's new friends, turning them against her. And Ezra Squall, the evillest man who ever lived, is determined to lure Morrigan from the Society by promising to reveal the true nature of the Wunder that calls to her, which is becoming ever harder to resist... Has Morrigan's dream of escaping her cursed life ended before it truly began? Perfect for fans of the Harry Potter series and His Dark Materials, this series takes readers into an extraordinary world, setting hope and imagination alive. NEVERMOOR - WINNER OF THE WATERSTONES CHILDREN'S BOOK PRIZE 2018 YOUNGER FICTION CATEGORY AND RED MAGAZINE'S BIG BOOK 'BEST CHILDREN'S BOOK (7-12)' AWARD "Extraordinary world-building" Guardian "Masterful storytelling, twisty plotting, a thrilling magical world and universally importsnt themes ... idefal reading for anyone who loves Harry Potter" Booktrust "This has light and dark, twists, inventiveness and big themes of prejudice and resistance" The Sunday Times "The perfect series for young Harry Potter fans" Irish Independent "Townsend is a brilliantly suspenseful storyteller who never lets the pace slacken" The Daily Telegraph

Liz Carpenter

No sophomore slump here, thank goodness. A bit darker than the first book, but overall just so much fun. Also, can we have more Catriona Swift, please? She brings to mind a slightly demented Molly Weasley, and I love her.

And again, the audiobook narrator is *brilliant*.

Brittney Wilson

Just as comforting as the first but I still think the first book is better *3.5*

Morrigan Crow and her best friend Hawthorne Swift are now proud scholars in the elite Wundrous Society, but life is far from perfect. Does Morrigan have what it takes to prove that she belongs in the Society?

The Wundersmith

Sarah P Gilman

A completely fun and addictive fantasy romp... Reminiscent of Diana Wynne Jones in her prime.

Luna

this was SO much better than the first book. also i would die for hawthorne. that’s all

Jordan Robinson

If you haven't read these books, wow, you need to start ASAP. They're so light and fun and cute and magical. Ugh I love them so much. Now I'm sad I have to wait to read the next one. ;(

Renee Delcourt

I can't wait for my son to read this one. I think he will absolutely love it. 

Me though. I think I find myself massively annoyed with all the adults in this series... Which is kind of the point. It's from the POV of a girl whose been neglected and has felt unloved and she's continued to be treated with mistrust and contempt. It does make me so very upset to see her treated like she has been, but as an adult I kind of get stuck in the mindset of why the hell hasn't an adult stepped in! I know. I know! Then there would be no book because this would mostly be resolved in a different way. Also in a lot of ways I understand why they aren't stepping in. I get there is fear surrounding Morrigan being a Wundersmith. I understand that Jupiter is around much due to his work so he doesn't know that these things are happening. I understand that Morrigan has been alienated within her school. 

I think anyone who can get out of this mind set will really really love this series. whether you are young or old. This book is very fantastical and will provide anyone with a mesmerizing escape.

Elodia

** spoiler alert **
           Amazing sequel. Loved the characters and their development. At times I hated the adults because of how they treated Morrigan, but I feel like that really helped with Morrigan’s growth. Excited to see where this series goes!

Alex Goldstein

This is probably the best book I have read in 2019 yet!! I know it is early in the year and there will be plenty of books to read, but I absolutely love this series and the world that Jessica Townsend creates. The second book in the series really took a different turn then Nevermoor that I really appreciated and brought the whole city in the book to a whole other level. Every time I pick up one of Jessica's books I can not put it down till I have completely finished it! I can't wait for the third book to come out (If there is a third book) so that I can learn more about Nevermoor and Morrigan's new found powers and abilities as a Wundersmith!!

Dessa

Ini Davies

NEVERMOOR - WINNER OF THE WATERSTONES CHILDREN'S BOOK PRIZE 2018 YOUNGER FICTION CATEGORY Return to the magical world of Nevermoor, where Morrigan Crow's adventures continue. 'An extraordinary story full of magics great and small' Kiran Millwood Hargrave, author of THE GIRL OF INK AND STARS Morrigan may have defeated her deadly curse, passed the dangerous trials and joined the mystical Wundrous Society, but her journey into Nevermoor and all its secrets has only just begun. And it's important to remember that not all magic is used for good . . . Perfect for fans of the Harry Potter series and His Dark Materials, this series takes readers into an extraordinary world, setting hope and imagination alive. "Extraordinary world-building" Guardian "Masterful storytelling, twisty plotting, a thrilling magical world and universally importsnt themes ... idefal reading for anyone who loves Harry Potter" Booktrust "This has light and dark, twists, inventiveness and big themes of prejudice and resistance" The Sunday Times "The perfect series for young Harry Potter fans" Irish Independent "Townsend is a brilliantly suspenseful storyteller who never lets the pace slacken" The Daily Telegraph

Wundersmith the calling of Morrigan Crow

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