A breathtaking, enchanting new series by debut Australian author Jessica Townsend, about a cursed girl who escapes death and finds herself in a magical world - but is then tested beyond her wildest imagination.

Morrigan Crow is cursed. Born on an unlucky day, she is blamed for all local misfortunes, from hailstorms to heart attacks - and, worst of all, the curse means that Morrigan is doomed to die at midnight on Eventide. But as Morrigan awaits her fate, a strange and remarkable man named Jupiter North appears. Chased by black-smoke hounds and shadowy hunters on horseback, he whisks her away into the safety of a secret, magical city called Nevermoor.

It's there that Morrigan discovers Jupiter has chosen her to contend for a place in the city's most prestigious organisation: the Wundrous Society. In order to join, she must compete in four difficult and dangerous trials against hundreds of other children, each boasting an extraordinary talent that sets them apart. Except for Morrigan, who doesn't seem to have any special talent at all.

To stay in the safety of Nevermoor for good, Morrigan will need to find a way to pass the tests - or she'll have to leave the city to confront her deadly fate.

Listening Length

11 hours and 1 minute
Author

Jessica Townsend
Narrator

Gemma Whelan
Audible release date

10 October 2017
Language

English
Publisher

Hachette Australia Audio
ASIN

B074HHJMYH
Version

Unabridged
Program Type

Audiobook
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Product details

Listening Length	11 hours and 1 minute
Author	Jessica Townsend
Narrator	Gemma Whelan
Audible.com.au Release Date	10 October 2017
Publisher	Hachette Australia Audio
Program Type	Audiobook
Version	Unabridged
Language	English
ASIN	B074HHJMYH
Best Sellers Rank	1,592 in Audible Books & Originals (See Top 100 in Audible Books & Originals) 18 in Action & Adventure for Children (Audible Books & Originals) 30 in Science Fiction & Fantasy for Children (Audible Books & Originals) 39 in Fantasy Adventure for Young Adults

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4 star		15%
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Top reviews from Australia

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Solid story that will keep your kids reading well after lights out.

Reviewed in Australia on 11 November 2021

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The Trials of Morrigan Crow came out several years ago. I remember the publicity campaign, and I bought a copy of the book on release day. It then sat on my Kindle because I'm one of those who only start a series when it's finished. At least I thought this finished. I see there's a 4th book on the way, but I digress.

The Trials of Morrigan Crow came in a tidal wave of publicity and praise I honestly can't remember seeing for a book before. Harry Potter comes to mind, but that was different. That was a phenomenon. This was the 1st in a series by a relatively unknown - at the time - Australian writer. So, when I recently decided to read only middle-grade books until the new year, it was apparent I'd go for this one first.

And, well. It was okay.

It's a fun story about a little girl told from birth that she's a curse on those around her and that she's destined to die at midnight on Eventide, an event that occurs once every 12 years. As Eventide rolls around and Morrigan crow is having her last meal with her family, a mad ginger-haired traveller appears in the dining room and whisks Morrigan away from certain death and into the wonderful, magical world of Nevermoor.

It's here she discovers she's being put up as his candidate for a Wunderous school called the Wunderous Society, where only the best and brightest and most talented are accepted each year. The rest of the book details Morrigan's journey through 4 trials designed to test her to the limits. Along the way, we meet a humongous cat named Fen, a vampire dwarf who likes to hang out in the smoke room, a dragon-riding boy with a sense of the absurd and a hotel that grows around its inhabitants' dreams and desires.

The pieces are all there, but as I read the book, I found it was a little bit flat. I'm not sure why? One of the characters - Jupiter North - who rescues Morrigan from death annoyed me. He had the same frantic energy as Matthew Smith's Doctor Who ( who, funnily enough, also annoyed me). I also would have liked to see more development of the Morrigan character. She starts off the book worrying about dying and continues worrying about being a failure, but she does nothing to help herself. She depends on those around her to think for her, and I prefer a character who thinks for themselves. I'm hoping that growth and development will occur in the next book.

All-in-all I can see why it's a successful novel, and I can see why people like it. I'm yet to be convinced it was as deserving of all the hype that was poured on it, but that in itself could be why I was left a little underwhelmed. When every man, woman, child and their dog is raving about how amazing it is, your expectation is you're about to read to the best book in existence. And while it was a good, easy to read story with lots of fun and adventure, it wasn't the greatest book ever written.

A solid 3.5 stars from me.

2 people found this helpful

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Erin Philip

Wundrously Awesome!

Reviewed in Australia on 25 April 2020

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The Nevermoor series is a HUGE hit at my school right now, ever since it came out. At first when I was told about it,
I was more than a little sceptical, thinking it was impossible to beat the novelty and absolute superiority of Harry Potter and the Selection Series, as well as the Red Queen series by Victoria Avesbury, but congrats, Jessica Townsend, you've done the impossible, and you're officially in my top 5 favourite books. I ADORED this novel and recommend it to everyone who enjoys fantasy. This is a book for ages 8+. Hope you love it!
-Erin Philip

3 people found this helpful

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MR R S BROOKES

An unexpected gem

Reviewed in Australia on 18 January 2018

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I read this to our 10 year old daughter and it was entertaining and enjoyable for both of us. The characters have a bit more depth to them than some children's books and the story does not completely revolve around good versus evil. I think the comparisons to Harry Potter are pretty superficial, if I wrote more I would be giving spoilers so I will stop. Anyway, if you are looking for a good book to read to a kid I thoroughly recommend this.

One person found this helpful

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Jody Ellis

A PAGE GRIPPING STORY!

Reviewed in Australia on 8 August 2020

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Wow!!!! i can't wait to read the next book 'Hollowpox'! When Morrigan Crow met Jupiter North i didnt put the book down untill i realised it was 12:17! MIDNIGHT!

One person found this helpful

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blair evans

FANTASTIC READ.

Reviewed in Australia on 9 April 2021

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I haven't read a book for years, but my son had to read this book for school. So I thought I would get a copy to keep an eye on him. I found myself drawn into the world with Morrigan. I could not put it down.
I am 47 years old and I loved it so very much.
I have ordered the next two books.

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Rebecca

Wunderful!

Reviewed in Australia on 25 January 2019

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This book was so well written!! The characters practically sprang to life from the pages. It was a lot funny, a little sad and full of adventure. I can’t wait to read the next one. This was a fun and easy read. Recommend it for any age.

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Oz Pom

More please!

Reviewed in Australia on 2 January 2021

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What a brilliant first novel by this up and coming Australian writer. Morrigan Crow is a great character. Should be a great series.

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Lea

Captivating Escapism

Reviewed in Australia on 7 November 2017

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After hearing an author interview on local radio I was keen to read this novel that was being touted as the next Harry Potter. If you loved HP, you will love this. I couldn’t wait to get home from work each day to keep reading! Great characters and very well written. I can’t wait for more.

2 people found this helpful

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Top reviews from other countries

Arkham Reviews

Creative and filled with Wunder

Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 20 March 2018

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Despite being a middle grade novel, the plot of this book is surprisingly dark. It opens on the funeral of young girl and features some scenes that young or sensitive readers may find scary. You have been warned.

The Trials of Morrigan Crow is a really creative novel. It reads a bit like a cross between Harry Potter, Roald Dahl and The Chronicles of Narnia, focusing on a young girl with a curse as she is charged with passing four trials in order to gain the protection of an elite society. Every chapter of the story was an utter treat to read, introducing creative new concepts and colourful characters. The story still introduced the City of Nevermoor quite nicely, making clear that it was a place where anything could happen.

The plot of the story flows really well. Its opening chapter really draws the reader in, making them curious about the fate that will soon befall Morrigan. The chapters that follow really help to build a mystery, forcing the reader to keep reading to discover who Ezra Squall is, if Morrigan will pass the trials and what her knack is.

There were only a few areas where I felt that the world building could be improved a tad. There were a couple of core concepts in the world - namely Morrigan's curse and the nature of Wunder - that weren't really explained in the story. While you do learn a little more about both of these as the story progresses, I still felt that there were a lot of blanks in my understanding about them. Hopefully, this will be resolved by subsequent novels. The story also ended on a bit of a cliffhanger. While this stage of Morrigan's journey is wrapped up, there are many threads left hanging following the twist ending.

Yet the novel's strongest aspect was its characters. I really liked Morrigan. Although her childhood as been miserable, her hope, sense of wonder and kindness always shine through. Although she is often afraid, she proves to be brave in even situations where she is powerless and willing to put herself in danger to help others.

Beyond Morrigan, the novel boasts a wide array of memorable characters. My favourite was Jupiter North, who behaves a bit like a male Mary Poppins, but Hawthorne the Dragon Rider is also a charming character who forms a cheery counterpoint to the often anxious Morrigan. I'm really curious to see how these characters develop in future volumes, as I feel that Jupiter in particular has a lot of room for development.

All in all, this book was great. It's creative, fast-paced and has a brilliant cast of characters. I really can't wait to read more.

18 people found this helpful

Kelly H

Great book and I’m 37!

Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 17 June 2018

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I’m 37 and I bought this for my god-daughter but decided to have a read first. Bloody brilliant! I grew up on Enid Blyton, loved Harry Potter. And I see this somewhere between both. Some of the nicer characters remind me a bit of the Magic Faraway tree but in a more grown up way and no way near as babyish. The not so nice characters have a sinister feel about them akin to the baddies in HP. A great story that I feel will develop into something a bit more philosophical as the main character mature’s (which may just be something adults will pick up on). Great reading for kids and adults alike. Something for everyone.

14 people found this helpful

Miss Cleveland

A sublime fantasy with a huge heart.

Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 25 February 2018

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Born on Eventide, Morrigan Crow is a cursed child. Everything that goes wrong in Jackalfax can be traced back to her. She is feared by the townsfolk, and despised by her family. And, destiny dictates she will die on her 11th birthday.

However, the mysterious Julian North interrupts her final meal to introduce himself as her patron, and with Death on her heels, she is spirited away to Nevermoor to begin her trials for the Wundrous Society. Trials for children with unique and extraordinary talents. But Morrigan doesn’t have one, other than cheating death.

To stay in Nevermoor, she needs to complete her trials and win her place in The Wundrous Society. If she doesn’t, her destiny may just have been delayed…

Morrigan is self-doubting, determined and daring. Julian North is confident, caring and charismatic. With an abundance of enigmatic characters, both loveable and loathsome, and the wonderously whimsical and inventive settings, Nevermoor is a place that once you enter, you will never want to leave.

The Trials of Morrigan Crow is a sublime fantasy with a huge heart that left me dreaming of a life in The Deucalion Hotel and yearning for a Brolly Rail to transport me to school.

I will be breaking my strict “no buying hardbacks for my bookshelf” rule for this book (I have a child who needs food, or so he tells me). There is no way I can wait for the paperback to share it at school. I need to be surrounded by people who’ve ventured to Nevermoor so we can talk bedrooms, smoke and shadows…

It’s gone straight into my top 9 reads for 2017!

6 people found this helpful

chsg_lrc

If you liked reading Harry Potter then I am sure you’ll enjoy ...

Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 6 May 2018

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Such a fab read! If you liked reading Harry Potter then I am sure you’ll enjoy Morrigan Crow. I don’t want to compare them as Morrigan has her own story to follow. A quirky, determined , slightly headstrong girl who has been told she is cursed. Everything that happens is her fault. The ageing gardener dies-Morrigan fault, change in the weather- Morrigans fault, everything- Morrigans fault! At least she won’t be blamed for everything forever, she will die on her 11th Birthday, all cursed children do. Her father and stepmother do not seem to sad about this, the embarrassment and cost Morrigan brings to the family will stop soon. On Morrigan 11th Birthday a gangly ginger man, Jupiter North appears and just as quickly steals her away, running from the jaws of death and takes her to a secret city called Nevermoor. Over the year Morrigan finds friends and people she can call family while learning about herself while competing in 4 incredibly hard trials.

I can’t wait for the next instalment

5 people found this helpful

Average

Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 6 August 2018

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Majority of the book is so slow, I didn’t find myself gripped to the story at all and I kept putting down for a while. Middle grade is usually a genre that I find fun and gripping and an easy read, I usually fly through it. I found the last 70-80 pages were the best part of the entire novel, the story picked up and was actually interesting for a bit.

The writing style is just meh? Nothing particularly great about it, the story itself was pretty flat and wasn’t very unique or creative. I don’t understand the praise surrounding this book at all…
The ending/ final trial was a complete cop-out, in my opinion. Left me pretty damn disappointed. The ‘plot twists’ were just meh, nothing shocking.

The world itself was the most interesting part, in my opinion, Nevermoor seems like such a weird and wonderful place. I am interested in knowing more about it so I really hope the next book has more worldbuilding.

2 people found this helpful

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Nevermoor: The Trials of Morrigan Crow: Nevermoor, Book 1 Audible Audiobook – Unabridged

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