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| Picture taken from Goodreads |
Publisher: Stories Untold
ISBN13: 9780996948654
Format: Paperback/E-Book
Release Date: July 21st 2017
Links: Goodreads, Amazon.com, Indigo,
Kobo, iBooks, Nook
Twitter, Instagram, Website,
Rating: 7/10
Synopsis:
In Croswald, the only thing more powerful than dark magic is one secret...
For sixteen years Ivy Lovely has been hidden behind an enchanted boundary that separates the mundane from the magical. When Ivy crosses the border, her powers awaken. Curiosity leads her crashing through a series of adventures at the Halls of Ivy, a school where students learn to master their magical blood and the power of Croswald’s mysterious gems. When Ivy’s magic—and her life—is threatened by the Dark Queen, she scrambles to unearth her history and save Croswald before the truth is swept away forever.
Review:
**I was sent this book for free. All opinions are my own and are not influenced in anyway**
So I was sent this book earlier in the month as part of a promotional book box to celebrate the release of D.E Night's debut novel. If you would like to check out my unboxing feel free to click the link here.
I have to say I did really enjoy this book. I loved the magic and world that D.E Night has built and I look forward to reading more of the series.
However, I have to point out that quite a few elements reminded me of J.K Rowling’s Harry Potter and I have seen some other reviews mention this as well. Some examples include: a magic room to hide things (Room of Requirement), the main character being an orphan and told by a stranger that she is magic (Harry Potter) and magic maps (Marauder's Map). Everyone has to get inspiration from somewhere and there is nothing wrong with that. D.E Night really makes it into her own and I loved her personal spin on some beloved themes from other fantasy books. Though, I did feel as though the storyline was a little too fast-paced in some places and then slower in others.
Now let's talk characters. The main character is a girl called Ivy Lovely, a 16 year-old Scaldrony Maid who has a magical past. She was a really interesting character; I liked her independence, her determination to learn the truth and the curiousness she has for the world around her. I have to admit though; there were times I felt she didn't really speak her age. She was described as 16 years-old and yet there were times I felt she was talking as if she were 10 or 11. I liked the characters that Ivy became friends with- but it would have been nice to see their relationships build more. I'd also love to know more about her friends' past.
Now the world-building; this I loved. D.E Night really did well with this. I loved the creatures and magic that she created. I especially loved the introduction of the Glanagerie bottles; it was probably y favourite aspect of the whole book. The ability to travel to imaginary placed? Yes please. I did wish there was more world-building. Yes, there was some. But I would love to learn more about the world that has been created.
I liked that the author used her pseudonym author name as a major character in the book. Some may not have liked this but I actually found it rather charming. The book is 100% perfect for middle-grade readers and I really recommend it for them. It's a great series for a younger (or older) audience to delve into.
As described, this story really is perfect for fans of Harry Potter. It has every element for a great fantasy series and I really look forward to seeing where the story and world leads to for Ivy and her friends.
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