LitPick Review
The Crowns of Croswald is an exciting book about Ivy Lovely, a girl who has yet to discover her magic and history. Ivy has grown up taking care of the castle scaldrons, one of the lowliest jobs at The Castle Plum. Ivy has only day dreamed about magic, she has no idea she actually has magical ability until her dwarf friend, Rimbrick tells her. Even then, the events that follow leave her astounded.
She is brought to The Halls of Ivy, a school for Scrivenists (magical people) and Royals (princesses and princes). Here she meets Rebecca and Fyn who become important parts of her life in different ways. She goes through her first year learning a lot about magic but nothing about herself as it seems to be a cloudy mystery that no one can speak about. Ivy is determined to find out more about herself through forbidden means and ends up in trouble. At the end of the first year, she faces the Dark Queen, who has been the only ruler of Croswald (for as long as Ivy knows) and her Cloaked Brood. What does the Dark Queen want with Ivy, a seemingly ordinary girl? What will Ivy do with the knowledge she is given? Find out in this enchanting first book from D.E. Night!
Opinion:
Everything about this book was fantastic. I especially liked how D.E. Night developed Ivy's likeable character throughout the book, even before we really know who she is (which is revealed towards the end). There are many wonderful characters which the author does a great job introducing at just the right times in the book - leaving you wondering more about them but not able to find out more until later in the book. You are left guessing and wanting more throughout this book. By the end the plot and characters are brought together perfectly and left me anticipating more. Her language is vividly descriptive and easily read, I could not put it down! This is a female version Harry Potter for sure, yet unique in its own way! When will the next one be out?
