It’s Friday afternoon and Fraterfest 2021 is about to start here in our house. Yea! Yes, I know I am actually a real scaridy cat when it comes to spooky reads, but I will be okay if I can snuggle with my Mommy for the first one or two reads. After that, I will go and hide under the covers and leave my Mommy all alone for her scary reads.
Our first pick for this year’s readathon, is a book my Mommy bought for the kids at school and it doesn’t seem scary at all. Just enough “hoo hoo” vibes to qualify for Fraterfest.
The Trials of Morrigan Crow by Jessica Townsend Series: Nevermoor #1
on October 31st 2017
Genres: Fantasy, Middle Grade
Pages: 465
Format: Paperback
Source: VCS
Buy on Amazon
Goodreads
A cursed girl escapes death and finds herself in a magical world - but is then tested beyond her wildest imagination
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.
Of course we can’t start our weekend before we haven’t popped in with a few friends to share our weekend reads.
For our first stop, we will pay a visit to Gilion over at Rose City Reader to share our Book Beginnings. Every Friday you can link up and share the first sentence of your current read (or the one you plan to devour over the weekend), as well as your initial thoughts and impressions. Hashtags are the one thing I do know on social media, so simply #bookbeginnings so we can find each other. The trials of Morrigan Crow opens with the most beautiful graphics (we will share it on Instagram later today) and the following lines:
The journalists arrived before the coffin did. They gathered at the gate overnight and by dawn they were a crowd. By nine o’clock they were a swarm.
It was near midday before Corvus Crow made the long walk from his front door to the tall iron rails keeping them at bay.
We have a coffin, we have tall iron rails, I think we have a good opening book for Fraterfest here!
We have literally just opened this book for the very first time, so we have no clue what is happening on page 56. We’ll just take a random pick to share with Freda over at Freda’s Voice who hosts the Friday 56. Don’t show up empty handed though!
- Grab a book (Yes, any book. But it might get you to your other Friday activities a bit quicker if you just grab the book you are currently reading)
- Turn to page 56 or 56% on your e-reader
- Find a sentence or two (your other Friday activities might determine this)
- Post it!
- Remember to post your link on Freda’s Voice and to visit the other guys in the linky.
- And last but not least, don’t forget to list the title of the book and the author as well.
“Wait! What about them?”, she said, looking back towards the Crows. They were still gathered around the curtain on the floor, oblivious to the sound and sight of a hundred ghostly hunters barreling towards the house.
“They’ll be fine. The Hunt can’t touch them. I promise. ” Jupiter pulled her onward. “It’s you they’re hunting, Morrigan. You want to help your family? You need to get yourself far, far away from this house.”
Ooooe, I really want to know more now! Just before we go and get comfy on the couch, let’s just quickly hop in with Billy for the Book Blogger Hop.
The Book Blogger’s hop’s purpose is to give bloggers a chance to follow other blogs, learn about new books, befriend other bloggers, and receive new followers to your own blog. Every week, there will be a prompt featuring a book related question. It’s hosted by Ramblings of a Coffee Addicted Writer and I guess he hops around like a bunny due to all the caffeine. Hence his name.
Today’s question: Mary Shelly’s Frankenstein vs Bram Stoker’s Dracula. Which Classic story is the scariest?
Definitely Count Dracula. My Mommy somehow never really considered Frankenstein as a scary read. It has always felt like a science project to her. The old gothic castle and the legends surrounding the Count, of course also helps to make the hair on my back stand on end.
What are you reading this weekend? Anything scary? Let us know if you are also taking part in Fraterfest!
The Cat Vampire is super awesome!!! And I have high hopes that you’ll love Nevermoor too.
Hi Lex! I also love that vampire kitty! I just hope Elza will never get that fat!!
I always mean to do Fraterfest, but then I forget about it. Oi!
I tend to forget all the readathons and everything if it’s not right under my nose! But I love Fraterfest and tries to take part. How much I actually get done is a completely different story though!
Love that you enjoy scary reads. I give them a go from time to time but I’m really loving how everyone’s getting in the spirit. theres a new feeling in the air.
Hi Trin! I actually only read scary reads during Halloween and if the occasional one crosses my path. And I’m very picky on what I read. Don’t mind things that go bump in the night, as long as they don’t go bump in my head.
Yes! There is a definite Halloween feel in the air!
That’s a cute cover!!!
Hi Cindy! It’s a terribly cute book too!
Thanks for stopping by, hope you are having a good weekend.
I have never read either of the books. If I would choose though I would go with Dracula. I don’t really read any scary books but I do like to watch scary movies.
Hi Jamie! I’m the opposite! I would rather read a scary book than watch a scary movie. Both Frankenstein and Dracula are classics, it’s sometimes easier to listen to them as audiobooks.
Hope you are having a good weekend!
Cute cover!
Hi Catherine! It is a gorgeous cover and the whole book has these beautiful illustrations scattered throughout.
Thanks for stopping by!
Looks like such a fun read! Happy weekend!
Thanks Freda!
I don’t read a lot of middle grade, but I really like the premise and the quotes, especially the first one. I might just have to give it a try. Hope you enjoy it!
I don’t read a lot of middle grade either, mostly only what I pick up from the kids at school. But yes! Nevermoor is delightful and I will definitely recommend it.
This looks good and perfect for October!
I’ve read Home Before Dark today and just started with Nevermoor again. Such a delightful read!
I like the quotes. Have a great weekend!
Thanks Breana! So far it is a great weekend. Hope you are having fun too!
This looks like a really fun spooky themed book for young readers. Although as an adult, I’ve often found that books intended for young audiences are very entertaining!
Hi Kym! I could agree more. I am a primary school librarian and try to read as many of the books for the kids as I can (I should try harder!). Yes! I sometimes believe I actually enjoy it more than the students.
I have this book on my TBR list. It sounds so good! And I’d pick Dracula, too. I used to reread that book every year, but haven’t in a while due to time. Hope you have a great weekend! 🙂
I’ve only read Dracula twice, but will probably read it again somewhere!
Nevermoor has also been on my TBR for the longest time. Glad I finally get to it. And it’s a lot of fun to read!
Nevermoor sounds lovely, great quotes! I seem to be the only one that is Team Frankenstein this week, but I’ll gladly bear that cross. I do agree that Dracula has all the right elements for a scary read. I hope you have a lovely weekend 🙂
Juli @ A Universe in WordsJuli @ A Universe in Words
I did like your reason for being Team Frankenstein this week, it only needs one strong voice to throw the vote. ?
I’ve started with Nevermoor and it really is a fun read.
Sounds so good! Thanks for sharing, and enjoy.
It’s the perfect light enough, spooky enough, read for this time of the year.
Thanks for stopping by!
Excellent first choice! Happy reading!
Thanks Kimberly! I’ve started with it and it is so much fun.