Parents' Guide to

Wundersmith: The Calling of Morrigan Crow: Nevermoor, Book 2

By Jan Carr, Common Sense Media Reviewer

age 9+

Charming fantasy of misfit girl casts a magical spell.

Book Jessica Townsend Fantasy 2018
Wundersmith: The Calling of Morrigan Crow: Nevermoor, Book 2 Poster Image

A Lot or a Little?

What you will—and won't—find in this book.

Community Reviews

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age 10+

Based on 2 parent reviews

Princess Consuela B.
Princess Consuela B. Parent of 14-year-old
February 24, 2019
age 10+

Delightful story about girl that doesn't fit in

It is a very well written, magical story about a misfit girl. It starts off quite slow in the beginning, but once you get farther into the story, you can't turn the pages fast enough. I rated it 10+ because of some of the (fairly mild) violence. It has a creepy character names Ezra Squall that sometimes hurts other characters, and a scary market filled with organs and bones of (imaginary) animals. It has no sex, and some drinking and smoking happens very infrequently at social events. It is very well written, with many positive role models, messages, and is educational because it tells you the definitions of words in a way that fits very beautifully in with the text.

This title has:

Educational value
Great messages
Great role models
Anthony M.
Anthony M. Parent of 11-year-old
December 22, 2018
age 10+

Wundrous!

This is a really good book with a good bit of warm humour and some very loveable characters. I’d say it’s up among the likes of the Harry Potter books. This book also has some morals about being who you are and belonging.

This title has:

Educational value
Great messages
Great role models
See all 2 parent reviews

What's the Story?

In WUNDERSMITH: THE CALLING OF MORRIGAN CROW, Morrigan has been admitted to the elite Wundrous Society, and starts school with the other inductees. But because the Elders know she's a rare "Wundersmith," they view her as dangerous, and restrict her education. While the others in her unit are off learning thrilling subjects like dragon riding, Morrigan's stuck with a tedious professor and author of a dusty history of Wundersmiths, who drills her on their evil ways. Morrigan is demoralized, and some of the students shun her. The plot thickens when Morrigan begins to develop her Wundersmith magic and to experience powers that feel confusing but thrilling. But who's trying to blackmail her Unit and expose her Wundersmith identity? Who's abducting people and "unimals" to sell at the Ghastly Market? Can Morrigan learn to harness her power? And if she does, can she choose to use it for good, or are Wundersmiths inherently evil?

Is It Any Good?

Our review:
Parents say (2 ):
Kids say (12 ):

Move over, Harry Potter. Morrigan Crow's come to town, and she and her Wundrous world cast an irresistible magical spell. Wundersmith: The Calling of Morrigan Crow has it all: a well-defined and enchanting fantasy world, page-turning suspense, hairpin story turns, a strong female lead, real emotional resonance, and fresh humor complete with quick, quippy dialogue. And to top it all off, it's gorgeously written.

Author Townsend never overwhelms the story with too many fantastic details, ensuring that the reader doesn't have to slog through a bog of invented lore. The fantasy that's included is choice -- for instance, a map class featuring a dollhouse-like facsimile of the city that comes to life, and a secret portal that delivers the students to their own train station and Hometrain to school. This sequel brings back many of the characters readers will remember from the first book but also introduces some fun new ones, particularly teachers, since the kids are now in school. Who wouldn't want to curl up with this book and get lost in its world?

Talk to Your Kids About ...

  • Families can talk about the magical world in Wundersmith: The Calling of Morrigan Crow. How is it similar to other magical worlds in other books you've read? How is it different? What are your favorite elements?

  • Do you ever feel different or excluded? Does your envy ever feel like Morrigan's, "a hungry wolf she couldn't control ... howling, deep in her heart?" What helps you when you feel this way?

  • Why do you think the author makes Morrigan's powers arise unexpectedly when she's angry? When you're angry, do you ever feel that your anger has a frightening power, or life of its own?

Book Details

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