Nevermoor by Jessica Townsend

Title: Nevermoor
Author: Jessica Townsend
Page Count: 461
Rating: A
Format Read: Paperback
Genre: Middle Grade Fantasy
Keywords: Magic, Acceptance, Competition
Kid Appropriate: Absolutely 

Synopsis from Goodreads:

A cursed girl escapes death and finds herself in a magical world - but is then tested beyond her wildest imagination

Morrigan Crow is cursed. Having been born on Eventide, the unluckiest day for any child to be born, she's 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 her eleventh birthday.

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 then that Morrigan discovers Jupiter has chosen her to contend for a place in the city's most prestigious organization: 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 - an extraordinary talent that Morrigan insists she does not have. 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.

My Review:

First, even though nearly every review compares this magical middle grade novel to Harry Potter there are few similarities between the two fictional worlds. The magic systems are completely different and the seriousness of the worlds are drastically different. What I saw as their main similarities are that the characters are similar in age and there is a world filled with magic removed from the average world. Do not go in expecting something identical in scope and system to Harry Potter. 

This is a silly, middle grade book that is so much fun to dive into. At over 400 pages this may be a bit intimidating for reluctant readers but if they can get past its daunting size they are sure to find a warm and engaging story about family and friendship mixed with adventure and mystery.

Morrigan is quirky and her surrounding cast of characters are diverse enough that most readers will easily find a personality to connect with. My personal favorite is the grumpy, over-sized cat residing in the hotel. 

If you are looking for a fast read that isn't draining as an adult then I highly recommend this fun, sweet, and humorous novel. It is also perfect for younger readers, even those that may otherwise be reluctant when it comes to literature.

Check out my video review here.

Heirs of Grace by Tim Pratt

Title: Heirs of Grace
Author: Tim Pratt
Page Count: 286
Rating: B
Format Read: Kindle and Audiobook
Genre: Urban Fantasy
Keywords: Magic, Siblings, Inheritance
Kid Appropriate: No

Synopsis from Goodreads:

Recent art school graduate Bekah thought she'd hit the jackpot: an unknown relative died, and she inherited a small fortune and a huge house in the mountains of North Carolina.

Trey Howard, the lawyer who handled the estate, is a handsome man in his twenties and they hit it off right away-and soon become more than friends. Bekah expected a pleasant year to get her head together and have a romantic fling. Problem is, the house is full of junk...and siblings she didn't know she had are willing to kill her for it.

More important, the junk in her new house is magical, she's surrounded by monsters, and her life seems to be in mortal peril every time she ventures into a new room. As Bekah discovers more about her mysterious benefactor and the magical world he inhabited, she's realizes that as tough and resourceful as she is, she might just be in over her head...

Heirs of Grace is a tale of family and magic, action and wonder, blending the strong heroine, cheeky humor, and dark fantasy that have become the hallmarks of Tim Pratt's writing.

My Review:

As I mentioned in my Friday Reads post from September 21st, this book gave me vague Dead Until Dark by Charlaine Harris vibes (if that book sounds familiar it's the first in the Sookie Stackhouse series that HBO's True Blood is based on).

The storyline was a little all over the place with outlandish circumstances and unrealistic situations occurring every couple of pages, but if you go in knowing that this is not necessarily a book to be taken seriously and are simply looking for a fun, light read this book could be perfect for you.