Wundersmith: The Calling of Morrigan Crow
Wundersmith: The Calling of Morrigan Crow is the second installment in Jessica Townsend's Nevermoor series, a middle-grade fantasy novel targeting readers aged 8-12 years. It continues the story of Morrigan Crow, a girl who narrowly escaped a cursed fate to join the mystical Wundrous Society in the fantastical city of Nevermoor. The narrative delves deeper into Morrigan's unique and feared ability as a Wundersmith, exploring themes of belonging, prejudice, and self-acceptance. The book blends elements of a magical school story with a mystery, as people and magical creatures begin to disappear from Nevermoor, creating an atmosphere of fear and suspicion. Morrigan faces skepticism and hostility from some within the Wundrous Society due to her Wundersmith nature, while also navigating complex friendships and a new, more dangerous world. The story is rich with imaginative world-building and character development, drawing comparisons to beloved fantasy series like Harry Potter for its enchanting setting and compelling protagonist. Overall, the content is generally appropriate for its target middle-grade audience, featuring fantasy violence, some intense thematic elements, and magical practices central to the plot. It focuses on the protagonist's journey of self-discovery and finding her place in a world that often misunderstands or fears her abilities.
Concerns
Witchcraft & Occult
HighWitchcraft and occult themes are central to the world-building, as the story revolves around a magical society and characters with supernatural 'knacks.' Morrigan herself is a Wundersmith, a powerful magic-wielder, and the narrative explores both the positive and feared aspects of such abilities within a fantasy context.
1. The protagonist, Morrigan Crow, is a 'Wundersmith,' someone who can 'shape and control the fantasy energy source of wunder,' which is a rare and powerful form of magic. The entire Wundrous Society is built around individuals with 'knacks' or supernatural abilities. 2. The curriculum at the Wundrous Society includes subjects such as 'Opening a Dialogue with the Death,' which explicitly involves communication with the deceased, and 'Bomb-Defusing Basics,' implying engagement with dangerous magical practices.
Violence
MediumThe book contains instances of fantasy violence, including attacks, disappearances, and implied deaths, though generally not depicted with graphic gore. The severity is elevated by the dark implications of a black market for 'Wunimals' and the actions of an antagonist responsible for past massacres.
1. Morrigan spontaneously breathes fire, harming another student, Heloise, during an attack, resulting in Heloise being sent to the hospital. This occurs after Heloise from the Charlton Five attacks Morrigan, mistakenly believing Morrigan caused another member's disappearance. 2. The antagonist Ezra Squall is noted for the 'Courage Square Massacre' that happened a hundred years before the series, establishing a history of severe violence associated with Wundersmiths. 3. The Ghastly Market, a black market, is described as a place where 'illicit materials and Wunimals can be bought and sold,' and people go missing to be taken there, implying a sinister and dangerous fate. Characters like Hemingway Onstald and many Ghastly Market bidders are implied to have died from various disasters, and Henry Mildmay is suggested to be killed by Ezra Squall.
Scary & Intense Content
MediumThe book contains several intense and potentially frightening elements, including a protagonist who was a 'cursed child' fated to die, widespread fear and suspicion in the city, an evil antagonist, and unsettling magical occurrences. The psychological impact of an enchanting but devastating singing ability also adds to the intensity.
1. Morrigan lived a 'horrible childhood' as a 'cursed child' fated to die on her eleventh birthday, a dark and persistent threat from her past that informs her character and anxieties. 2. The city of Nevermoor, once a safe haven, becomes 'riddled with fear and suspicion' due to people going missing, creating a pervasive sense of unease and danger. The existence of the 'Ghastly Market,' a black market where people are taken, adds to the frightening atmosphere. 3. Angel Israfel possesses a voice so beautiful it makes listeners 'perfectly content,' but once it ends, they are left so 'heartbroken it feels like your life can't go on,' suggesting a powerful and potentially dangerous psychological effect. Jupiter North makes Morrigan wear earmuffs to protect her from this.
Disrespect & Rebellion
MediumMorrigan displays some rebellious tendencies and experiences disrespect from others. She is prone to ignoring warnings, and her new classmates and teachers exhibit prejudice against her due to her Wundersmith nature, undermining the promised sense of belonging.
1. Morrigan is described as 'a little bit prone to throwing herself into situations she has been warned about,' exemplified when she 'continues through the Devil's Court Tricksy Lane despite the effects of the Court' after being cautioned. 2. Despite being accepted into the Wundrous Society, Morrigan faces 'a lot of prejudice from her new instructors and classmates who know her identity as a Wundersmith' and are taught that 'all Wundersmiths are evil.' Her unit members are also blackmailed, turning some 'against her,' straining their loyalty.
LGBTQ & Gender Identity
LowNo explicit LGBTQ+ characters or themes were identified within the provided search results or general content summaries. The narrative focuses on platonic friendships and the protagonist's personal journey of identity within a magical society, rather than romantic or gender identity exploration. Searches explicitly for LGBTQ content yielded no relevant results for the book or author regarding these themes.
Searches for 'Wundersmith: The Calling of Morrigan Crow' combined with terms like lgbtq, gay, lesbian, transgender, queer representation, and LGBTQ characters, as well as searches for the author 'Jessica Townsend lgbtq,' did not return any information indicating LGBTQ+ representation or themes within the book.
Romance and Sexual Content
LowRomance and sexual content are absent from the narrative. The focus remains squarely on platonic friendships, mentorship, and Morrigan's personal journey. The book is consistently marketed and reviewed as middle-grade fiction, which typically avoids such themes.
1. Reviews frequently highlight the importance of friendship, particularly Morrigan's 'growing friendship' with Hawthorne Swift and Cadence Blackburn, as central to the story. 2. The overarching themes revolve around belonging, identity, and magical adventure, with no explicit or implied romantic entanglements for the main protagonist or other characters.
Profanity
LowNo instances of profanity or strong language were noted in the available content summaries, reviews, or character dialogue examples. The book's middle-grade target audience suggests a general avoidance of explicit language.
1. Reviews and plot descriptions do not mention the use of swear words or offensive language. 2. Dialogue excerpts provided within summaries and fan wikis are consistently free of profanity, maintaining a tone suitable for younger readers.
Substance Use
LowThere is no mention of substance use, such as alcohol, drugs, or smoking, in the summaries, reviews, or detailed plot descriptions. The content is suitable for a middle-grade audience that typically does not feature such elements.
1. No characters are depicted consuming alcohol, using drugs, or smoking. 2. The various plot summaries and character descriptions focus on magical abilities, interpersonal relationships, and adventure, without any reference to substance use.
Anti-Christian Themes
LowThe book does not contain explicit anti-Christian themes. Its magical system and world-building are entirely fictional, focusing on 'Wunder,' 'knacks,' and a 'Wundrous Society.' While there are references to a fantastical 'Angel Israfel' and a class called 'Opening a Dialogue with the Death,' these are presented within the context of the book's unique magical lore and not as commentary or opposition to Christian beliefs.
1. The magic system centers around 'Wunder' and 'knacks,' which are fictional supernatural abilities integral to the Nevermoor world. There is no intersection or conflict with real-world religious doctrines. 2. Characters and events, such as the 'Angel Israfel' and the Wundrous Society's curriculum including 'Opening a Dialogue with the Death,' are elements of the fantasy setting and do not depict or advocate against Christian religious practices or beliefs.
Other Notes
Target Demographic
Ages 8-12 years. This recommendation is based on common categorization by publishers and review sites as a 'Middle Grade' fantasy novel, and the complexity of its themes, magical world, and instances of peril and emotional intensity.
Additional Notes
The Nevermoor series, including 'Wundersmith: The Calling of Morrigan Crow,' is generally praised for its imaginative world-building, strong protagonist, and themes of self-discovery and friendship. While it contains some darker elements and suspenseful moments, these are typically handled in a manner appropriate for its middle-grade audience. Parents should be aware of the fantasy violence and intense situations, as well as the pervasive theme of magic.
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