Morrigan Crow is determined, daring and ready for a new challenge: to step into her destiny as a Wundersmith, master the mysterious Wretched Arts, and control the power that threatens to consume her. She and her friends are proud to be in their second year of attendance at the magical Wundrous Society, and together they can face anything.

But a strange illness has taken hold of Nevermoor, turning its peaceable Wunimals into mindless, vicious unnimals on the hunt. As victims of the Hollowpox multiply, panic spreads. And with the city she loves in a state of fear, Morrigan quickly realises it is up to her to find a cure for the Hollowpox, even if it will put her – and the rest of Nevermoor – in more danger than ever before …

I have waited so long to read this as the other books in the series I have, are in paperback and I couldn’t break the chain with a hardback. I did need to immerse myself back into the story as it has been quite a while since I read the previous book.

I have likened this to Harry Potter before but I now see something else. It’s more compelling and there is a deeper sense of character development.

I was surprised by this book, not just in the way it was structured and the way the plot moved, but in the character development of Squall. As a character I find him fascinating but it’s more than that. I’ve seen a trend in the last few years of making the antagonist into a completely irredeemable character (e.g., Shadow & Bone Trilogy). However, this seems to have opened up a ‘normalisation’ to character traits and behaviours that are not normal – harassment, rape, and racism being examples.

I thought I had the measure of Squall in the previous book but here I can see more clearly the uncharted scope of his character. As the series continues I look forward to more surprises from him.

Morrigan Crow is an interesting character – even if the pronunciation of her name changes with ever page! (Blame dyslexia!) It’s difficult to set up a main character who is set apart from others and required to shine with little knowledge. Add in the fact that she’s only thirteen and it makes you wonder what’s in store as the series continues.

I wish I was so put together at age thirteen!

This book offered a more vulnerable insight into Morrigan’s character, showing her emotional capabilities were as large as everyone else’s. I thought she showed great passion and dedication.

I can only speculate on what awaits the character. Yet, my passion for the series has grown stronger with the completion of reading this. I’m invested in more!

There wasn’t much focus on external characters and while I understand why that was done, it was still jarring to say the least. Books 1 & 2 feature the other members of 919 heavily and I began seeing them as a unit. So, it was a little disappointing not to see that utilised here.

However, I coincide that the growth of Morrigan Crow was needed more in this book.

I give this book: 🌟 🌟 🌟 🌟 🌟