Common Sense Media Review
By Mary Eisenhart
,
based on child development research. How do we rate?
New relatives and murder in brilliant magical-teen sequel.
Parents Need to Know
Why Age 9+?
Any Positive Content?
Where to Read
What's the Story?
SILVERBORN, THE MYSTERY OF MORRIGAN CROW finds the title character in the magical city of Nevermoor being a teenager, which her guardian, Jupiter, doesn't exactly want to deal with. Meanwhile, she's keeping a big secret from him about honing her Wunder skills with a hated but complicated villain. Also, she's getting a big surprise: a whole new family. Her mom died when she was born, and Morrigan never knew anything about her—but it turns out that not only did she come from a Nevermoor family, but they're fabulously wealthy and anxious to form a relationship with their newfound magical relative. Especially since her aunt, who was close to her late mother, is about to get married to a champion dragon rider. But when the groom turns up murdered right after the wedding, things get complicated. Practically everybody has secrets, it turns out, and some of them could cause a lot of trouble. Between ghosts, monsters, and a murderer on the loose, Morrigan and her friends have a lot to deal with.
Is It Any Good?
Jessica Townsend delivers a brilliantly imagined, richly realized, very relatable installment in her magical middle grade saga, with a tale of newfound relatives, fabulous wealth, and lots or secrets. Silverborn: The Mystery of Morrigan Crow, finds the title character coping with ghosts, monsters, ethical dilemmas, and alluring luxe lifestyles—and also murder, as the superstar dragon racer who's just married her aunt is found stabbed to death. Morrigan and her pals have a lot to deal with, and following along as they and their loved ones rise to the challenge is thought-provoking, heartstring-tugging, and a lot of fun.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about stories of kids with unusual powers in magical academies, like Silverborn: The Mystery of Morrigan Crow. Why do you think this is such a popular theme? Are there any other series like this that you like? What do you like about them?
Have you ever believed someone was your real friend and found they just wanted something from you, or maybe talked bad about you behind your back? How did it feel? What did you do?
For Morrigan, just because people are relatives that doesn't make them family. What makes people family to you? How do you look out for them?
Talk about how empathy shows up in this story. Does it help to have empathy for others? How so?
Book Details
- Author :
- Genre : Fantasy
- Topics : Fantasy ( Magic ) , Adventures , Friendship
- Character Strengths : Communication , Curiosity , Empathy , Gratitude , Self-control , Teamwork
- Book type : Fiction
- Publisher : Little, Brown Books for Young Readers
- Publication date : June 24, 2025
- Publisher's recommended age(s) : 8 - 12
- Number of pages : 592
- Available on : Audiobook (unabridged), Hardback, Apple Books, Kindle
- Last updated : September 18, 2025
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