The Trials of Morrigan Crow (Nevermoor, #1) by Jessica Townsend

Synopsis (via Goodreads): 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. 

“Ginger was an understatement, Morrigan thought, trying to hide her astonishment as the hat came off. Ginger of the Year or King Ginger or Big Gingery President of the Ginger Foundation for the Incurably Ginger would have been more accurate. His mane of bright copper waves could probably have won awards.” 

It has been ages since I read a middle grade book! I entered a giveaway on a whim and won! I'm so happy it happened, or I probably wouldn't have known about this book. The Trials of Morrigan Crow was an adorable and suspenseful story about a child trying to find her place in the world.

Morrigan grew up thinking she was cursed. Anything that went wrong in her town was blamed on her because she was born on Eventide. Did you smash your thumb on a hammer? You should blame the eleven-year old girl that wasn't anywhere near you, and her father will likely compensate you for the trouble. The townspeople pissed me off, but her family was worse (like, let me seethe over this for a few minutes because how dare you treat your child that way). I was so happy when Jupiter came into her life. 

I'll admit... the beginning of the book was a little weird for me, and it took me a few chapters to really get into it. I understand that the author created an entirely new world, so it takes time to adjust to the way things work. It was brilliant after that! If you decide to read this, make sure you give it a couple of chapters to get going.

I love trying to figure a story out, and this one kept me on my toes! I didn't know what was going on until the very end when everyone else found out, too. It was insanity. There's always something going on, so the story never lags. It just keeps adding details that make you crazy trying to piece them together. I read this aloud to my son at night and would catch myself mentally reading ahead of what I was verbally saying. It's like my brain wanted to speed up to see what would happen next, but my mouth was too slow.

I don't know how much of this my son actually heard or retained, but I look forward to reading it to him again in the future. He's four, so this might also be a little over his head, but the point is to put him to sleep, so... That's why I like for them to be books I enjoy, too!

The Trials of Morrigan Crow was a delightful read with a fantastical setting, amazing characters, and a story that left me wanting more. I would definitely love to stay in the Hotel Deucalion one day!

I'm looking for new MG books to read to my son! Let me know if you have any good recommendations.