The Crowns of Croswald by D.E. Night

Hello Fellow Bookworms,

Today I have a fantasy novel review for you! When I received the book in the mail, I was very excited! The author, D.E. Night, has a beautiful website to showcase her book, The Crowns of Croswald, with an equally intriguing story blurb. The book reminded me very much of Harry Potter, with some elements of Alice in Wonderland and Cinderella thrown in. If you are a fan of any of these stories, The Crowns of Croswald is definitely for you! Take a look at the book trailer here.

(c) Stories Untold Press, D.E. Night

We begin with a character named Derwin Edgar Night (Get it? D.E. Night?), who is a scrivenist - a type of person who has magic and writes down every discovery he or she discovers. This could be something new, history in the making, sketching, etc. A scrivenist is paired with a person of royal status, as the two are the only types of humans to hold magic, whether it be internally (scrivenists) or via crown stones (royals) - sorry for you muggles out there! Derwin is about to go meet his royal counterpart, when chaos unfolds and the readers are then thrown to the beginning of the main plot and character, of Ivy Lovely. Ivy Lovely works as a scaldrony maid, a type of maid who works with scaldrons, or dragons who bake food/desserts in their mouths for humans to then eat. We learn that Ivy has only one friend, a dwarf  named Rimbrick, and loves to daydream, sketch, and read. She longs to leave her life of being a maid and go with her friend Rimbrick back to his homeland that is filled with magic. Little does she know, her wish comes true when she is fired from her position, finds out that she herself has magic within her, and her friend Rimbrick is nowhere to be found! He provides her with instructions and money to start a journey out of her old life and into her new, and it is then that she is visited by a cab that brings her to a school where she can learn her full potential - a school for scrivenists! Here, she begins to become more of herself, growing, learning, and figuring out what lies ahead for herself. While she has a knack for trouble, she is even better at making good friends and finding new discoveries and adventures.

The book is recommended for ages 8 - 12, though I would go older than that and say it is more of a young adult book. The world building took a bit of time to become accustomed to, as I quite felt like Alice in a world I knew nothing about (similar to Ivy!). The language is a bit difficult for younger readers, as there were a few words even I had to look up as they are not common language. Even so, Ms. Night has a way with words that wraps you up into a new world of fantasy adventure that captures you! I really enjoyed the story and honestly did not put the book down until I was finished! There's magic, mystery, (a little) love, friendship, dragons, libraries, and a good ending to make way for part two. 

The Crowns of Croswald is a whimsical fantasy that will be sure to sweep you off your feet. I am going to go on a bookstore search this weekend and pick up myself a copy of the sequel, The Girl with the Whispering Shadow!

Until next time!

(c) D.E. Night

About the author, D.E. Night (visit her website here and her blog here)

D.E.  Night is compelled to write and discover the world of Croswald, much like any scrivenist! The magic of imagination propels her to sit down at her desk and write everyday. She loves dreaming up whimsical creatures and steampunk machines, but hates outlines. Currently at work on the third book in the Crowns of Croswald Series, Night recharges by taking trips to Disney World, taking long baths, and spending time with her family and friends. Fans can connect with D.E. Night on Instagram, Twitter, or Facebook.

Storm Raven by K Hansen

Yo-ho-ho, how is it already the end of July? I love summer, but it calls for some exciting reads. I have been in a pirate mood lately (anyone for sailing?), so please read on for my latest book review.

Storm Raven by K. Hansen is a thrilling, action-packed pirate adventure! A mix of Pirates of the Caribbean, Les Miserables, and a bit of one of my favorite pirates series growing up, Bloody Jack! Storm Raven holds its own and will become a series to watch progress.

Neredya is most at home on a ship at sea. A young captain of the ship the Storm Raven, she her days stealing from the rich, only fighting if necessary. Unfortunately, Neredya bites off more than she can chew with one heist and ends up captured by the government, torn away from her crew, to navigate to the Shattered Sea. Her crew, on the other hand, gets sent to the mines, where they will toil away for the rest of their days. Here, the story splits between Neredya and her first mate Brynja, who seems a little more than bitter at not having the title "Captain." Neredya promises to save her crew, no matter what, and undergoes unexpected changes in doing so. Without spoiling the book, we are left at the end of a beginning of a war in which Neredya and her crew want to not be a part of, but in order to save the innocent people of their land and to escape Commander Erhan's constant following and promises to defeat them (Javert complex, anyone?), they may just have to battle it out in the upcoming sequel! 

Storm Raven was not what I expected. Once started, it grips you until the very end. The characters focus on two strong women, who can hold their own, no matter the circumstance. I was curious if there was going to be any romance, but there was none in this book. Only adventure, piracy, and a bit of the supernatural, which makes Storm Raven a really fun read. The level of detail and descriptions really add to the scenes. Add a bit of the Pirates of the Caribbean score and the beach, and you will feel right at home. I highly recommend reading this first book in the series--I know I cannot wait to read what happens next. I guess it is a pirate's life for me!

Photo: Emily Conroy At Love & Cupcakes LLC

About the Author (from his website):
K Hanson is the author of The Azrael Initiative, a thriller, and Storm Raven, a fantasy novel. He’s currently working on the second books for both series.

K lives in Sioux Falls, South Dakota, where he works as a software developer. In his spare time, when he isn’t writing, he enjoys reading, working out, playing video games, and spending time with his wonderful fiancee, Bobbi.

Some of his favorite authors are Tom Clancy, George R. R. Martin, and Sarah Maas.