Nevermoor: The Trials of Morrigan Crow
| Industry | Publishing |
|---|---|
| Headquarters | United States |
| Products | Books |
Nevermoor: The Trials of Morrigan Crow is a novel authored by Jessica Townsend and published by Little, Brown and Company. It debuted in Australia on October 10, 2017, followed by its release in the United States on October 31, 2017. The narrative centers around Morrigan Crow, a young girl doomed to perish due to her birth on an ill-fated day. This book is the first in a series of four and is also available as an audiobook narrated by Gemma Whelan for English-speaking audiences. The 461-page volume contains a removed scene titled Holt, Holt & Davie.
Setting
The plot predominantly unfolds in Jackalfax, Morrigan’s place of origin, and the magical city of Nevermoor, inhabited by extraordinary beings. Nevermoor is divided into 27 boroughs, commonly grouped into quadrants, a fact children learn early. Its inhabitants include humans known as "unnimals" and wunimals—beings that are hybrids between humans and animals—further categorized as major or minor wunimals.
Characters
- Morrigan Odelle Crow: Marked by a curse that condemns her to die on Eventide because she was born on that day in Jackalfax. She is rescued by Jupiter North and brought to Nevermoor to compete in the Wundrous Society trials. Morrigan is ultimately revealed to be a Wundersmith—a rare magician capable of manipulating Wunder—making her an exceptional contender.
- Jupiter North: A whimsical yet mysterious figure who saves Morrigan and enters her into the competition for the Wundrous Society. He owns the Hotel Deucalion and possesses the Witness knack, which allows him to perceive truth and past events through objects.
- Hawthorne Swift: A friend of Morrigan’s and fellow competitor who becomes a member of the Wundrous Society. His knack involves dragon riding, and he is known for his playful mischief.
- Jack Arjuna Korrapati: Jupiter’s half-blind nephew who initially mistrusts Morrigan but later discloses his own Witness ability.
- Inspector Flintlock: An official intent on deporting Morrigan until Cadence Blackburn’s mesmerism dispels his doubts.
- Ezra Squall / Mr. Jones: A notorious Wundersmith exiled after orchestrating a massacre one hundred years earlier. He communicates without physical form via the Gossamer and disguises himself as Mr. Jones to approach Morrigan.
- Fenestra: A colossal talking cat (Magnificat) who manages housekeeping at Hotel Deucalion and serves as Morrigan’s mount during the Chase Trial.
- Noelle Devereaux: A rival contestant with a singing knack who fails to gain entry into the Wundrous Society.
- Cadence Blackburn: A mesmerist who repeatedly intervenes in Morrigan’s life, aiding her during trials. Morrigan is uniquely immune to her memory-altering abilities, which leads to their friendship.
- Corvus Crow: Morrigan’s father, who harbors resentment toward her because of her curse and perceives her as a political threat.
Plot
Morrigan Crow was born eleven years ago on Eventide, a day considered cursed in Jackalfax, where she is blamed for various misfortunes. Destined to die on the upcoming Eventide, she remains indifferent when no masters select her as an apprentice. However, this year Eventide arrives prematurely, signaling that her death is imminent. On Eventide night, Jupiter North rescues her from the Hunt of Smoke and Shadow—agents targeting cursed children—and transports her to Nevermoor, a magical city unknown to her.
At Jupiter’s Hotel Deucalion, Morrigan encounters staff including concierge Kedgeree Burns and Fenestra, a giant talking cat overseeing housekeeping. Dame Chanda Kali, a hotel resident and member of the Wundrous Society, explains that joining requires possessing a "knack," a unique magical ability—Kali’s being control over animals through song. Morrigan worries because she has yet to discover any knack.
Jupiter informs Morrigan about four trials she must pass to join the Wundrous Society: the Book Trial, Chase Trial, Fright Trial, and Show Trial. Despite her concerns about lacking a knack, Jupiter encourages her and reveals his own knack called "The Witness," which uncovers hidden truths. They travel to the Wundrous Society campus aboard the Brolly Rail—a continuous train requiring riders to leap aboard while it moves.
During the Book Trial, Morrigan performs well initially but barely passes the history section. As she prepares for the Chase Trial, hotel staff assist in selecting an appropriate mount for the race. She befriends fellow competitor Hawthorne Swift, known for his dragon-riding knack but clashes with Noelle Devereaux, who mocks her.
The Chase Trial consists of racing across town on non-flying creatures while hitting targets; only 150 targets exist for 300 participants. Five golden targets provide invitations to a council dinner offering advantages. Riding Fenestra, Morrigan aims for one golden target but stops to rescue Cadence Blackburn, who wins it instead. Morrigan advances due to technicalities.
Following the Fright Trial, Morrigan prepares for the Show Trial. Hawthorne, Noelle, and Cadence secure top positions; although still without a knack herself, Morrigan gains acceptance after Jupiter intervenes. Upon returning home, she is abducted by Ezra Squall—the Wundersmith responsible for devastation in Nevermoor a century earlier—who reveals that all children born on Eventide in Jackalfax are Wundersmiths like Morrigan and that he employed the Hunt of Smoke and Shadow to eliminate them.
Reviews
The book has garnered positive feedback, particularly on Goodreads, where readers often describe the narrative style as reminiscent of Harry Potter and enchantingly magical. Comparable commendations are found on Common Sense Media. The Guardian praised it as "a magical debut," emphasizing Townsend’s imaginative world-building that includes the fantastical Hotel Deucalion, enormous Magnifi-cats, and the Wunderground transport system inspired by the London Tube. The Terror of Knowing awarded it a perfect five-star rating, highlighting Morrigan Crow as "an exceptional protagonist ... both strong and sarcastic, with moments of playful silliness." A review from Publishers Weekly characterized Morrigan as a "compelling heroine, brimming with spirit and humor," whose renewed life journey leads to self-discovery. Meanwhile, A Cat, a Book, and a Cup of Tea rated the novel four out of five stars, noting that although the story touches on darker family themes, it maintains an overall whimsical and lighthearted tone.
Awards
This title earned the Book of the Year Award at the Australian Book Industry Awards. Additionally, it secured the Premier's Award for best overall published work alongside the Children's Award at the Adelaide Festival Awards for Literature.
Film
In November 2016, plans for a film adaptation of Nevermoor: The Trials of Morrigan Crow were revealed, with Drew Goddard attached to write and produce under 20th Century Fox by October 2017. By April 2022, Paramount Pictures had acquired the rights and was developing the project as a musical. Goddard continues his involvement as both writer and producer, while Michael Gracey—director of The Greatest Showman—is set to direct and compose original music for the film.
Audiobook
An audiobook edition narrated by actress Gemma Whelan was produced and made available in 2017.
Sequels
The Nevermoor series continued with its second volume, Wundersmith: The Calling of Morrigan Crow, released on November 13, 2018 (with earlier publication on October 30, 2018 in Australia and the United Kingdom). The third installment, Hollowpox: The Hunt for Morrigan Crow, was published on October 27, 2020. A fourth book has been announced, and author Jessica Townsend has revealed plans for five more novels beyond that point, indicating a long-term vision for expanding the Nevermoor universe.