Wundersmith: The Calling of Morrigan Crow
Here's what we found in Wundersmith: The Calling of Morrigan Crow. Every family is different — get a report that reflects yours.
Screen for YOUR familyParent's Guide to 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.
Things to Consider
Witchcraft & Occult
Witchcraft 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.
Would these 1 concern matter to your family?
Get a report based on your values — not generic ratings.
Additional Context
Best For Ages
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.
Good to Know
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.
What are you reading next?
Screen any title in seconds — even ones no one else has reviewed.
No credit card required — join hundreds of families