Author Biography

Jessica Townsend lives on the Sunshine Coast in Queensland. Her pet fascinations include public transport, ancient cities, hotels, opera singers, Halloween, secret societies and gigantic cats - all of which have weaselled their way into Nevermoor: The Trials of Morrigan Crow, her award-winning first novel released in 2017. This record-breaking and New York Times bestselling series continues with Wundersmith: The Calling of Morrigan Crow, released in 2018, and Hollowpox: The Hunt for Morrigan Crow, released in 2020. Nevermoor: The Trials of Morrigan Crow was the biggest-selling Australian children's debut since records began. It has won the 2018 ABIA for Book of the Year, Book of the Year for Younger Readers and Matt Richell Award for New Writer of the Year; the 2018 Indie Book Awards Book of the Year and Children's Category; the 2017 Aurealis Award for Best Children's Fiction; the 2018 Waterstones Children's Book Prize for Younger Fiction and was named a CBCA Notable book.

Review

Enter the world of Nevermoor and its fantastical inhabitants, and be utterly enchanted. - Courier-MailThere is more extraordinary world-building, as well as tough ethical decisions, in Wundersmith, Jessica Townsend's superlative follow-up to the unmissable Nevermoor. - The GuardianTownsend's sophomore endeavor once again fully immerses her readers in a world that intermixes the magic of the Emerald City with Howl's pithiness, Percy Jackson's humor, Coraline's darkness, and perhaps a dash of the depravity of Katniss' District One. Fantasy fans will not be disappointed. Savvy readers will appreciate how the themes of otherness, group privilege, prejudice, and activism are masterfully interwoven into the overall plot. The only sad spot in an otherwise enjoyable text is the hanging question: How long until Book 3 comes out? A worthy title that deserves a spot on the fantasy shelves. - Kirkus

Long Description

Return to the magical world of Nevermoor! Morrigan Crow's perilous adventures continue in the most anticipated sequel of the year, a treat for all fans of magic and Wunder. Morrigan Crow has escaped her deadly fate and found a new home in the fantastical city of Nevermoor. She has also discovered that she has a strange and magical ability. But will her unique talent be a blessing or another curse?Now that Morrigan and her best friend Hawthorne are proud scholars in the elite Wundrous Society, she is sure that she's found a place to belong at last, but life is far from perfect. Can Morrigan prove that she deserves to be in the Society - or will an unexpected new enemy ruin her new life? Praise for Nevermoor: The Trials of Morrigan Crow : Winner Dymocks Book of the Year 2018 Winner QBD Children's Book of the Year 2018 Winner Book of the Year, Australian Book Industry Awards 2018 Winner Book of the Year for Younger Children, Australian Book IndustryAwards 2018 Winner The Matt Richell Award for New Writer of the Year, AustralianBook Industry Awards 2018 Winner Book of the Year, Indie Book Awards 2018 Winner Children's Category, Indie Book Awards 2018 Winner Nielsen Booksellers' Choice Award, Australian Booksellers Association Awards 2018 Winner Best Children's Fiction, Aurealis Awards 2017 Winner Younger Fiction, Waterstones Children's Book Prize (UK) 2018 Winner Elementary/Middle Grade Speculative Fiction, Cybils Award 2018 Shortlisted The Readings Children's Book Prize 2018A CBCA Notable book Voted #1 in the Dymocks Kids' Top 51'Unexpected, exciting and funny. Like Alice in Wonderland , Harry Potter and Doctor Who swirled up together.' - Judith Rossell, ABIA Award-winning author of Withering-by-Sea 'Exciting, charming, and wonderfully imagined, it's the sort of delightful, grand adventure destined to be many a reader's favourite book.' - Trenton Lee Stewart, New York Times bestselling author of The Mysterious Benedict Society series and The Secret Keepers 'It really is brilliant, with an engaging plot, plenty of twists, memorable characters and a marvellous sense of humour. Pick it up and the hours disappear, just like magic.' - Daily Telegraph 'An exciting and charming middle-grade read that will hook readers aged 10 and up with intricate imaginative detail and its sheer energy ... a compulsively readable romp that fans of 'Harry Potter', Terry Pratchett or Studio Ghibli will gobble up.' - Books and Publishing

Review Quote

Enter the world of Nevermoor and its fantastical inhabitants, and be utterly enchanted. - Courier-MailThere is more extraordinary world-building, as well as tough ethical decisions, in Wundersmith , Jessica Townsend's superlative follow-up to the unmissable Nevermoor . - The GuardianTownsend's sophomore endeavor once again fully immerses her readers in a world that intermixes the magic of the Emerald City with Howl's pithiness, Percy Jackson's humor, Coraline's darkness, and perhaps a dash of the depravity of Katniss' District One. Fantasy fans will not be disappointed. Savvy readers will appreciate how the themes of otherness, group privilege, prejudice, and activism are masterfully interwoven into the overall plot. The only sad spot in an otherwise enjoyable text is the hanging question: How long until Book 3 comes out? A worthy title that deserves a spot on the fantasy shelves. - Kirkus

Details