The Crowns of Croswald, by D.E. Night

Kirkus Review

A young royal heir embarks on a quest to defeat an evil queen and unite a fractured kingdom in this fourth YA fantasy series installment.

Gravely injured, 18-year-old Ivy Lovely lies hidden in the halls of her former school. She was saved thanks to the brave sacrifice of her friend Rimbrick and the protection of a dragon that was believed to be long extinct. However, Ivy is still marked for death by the Dark Queen—a malignant creature who has terrorized Croswald for 200 years. With every passing day, the Queen’s power grows, and the corrupted Bitter Forest where her castle stands (known to most as Norchburry Wood) threatens to envelop all who call Croswald home. Ivy, as the true heir to the Crown of Croswald, is the only one who can stop the Queen’s onslaught, but she can’t overcome her evil alone. Armed with a map and a set of clues that Rimbrick left her and supported by her handsome companion, Fyn, Ivy’s journey will bring her face to face with fear itself. But with the help of her friends, she hopes to find the courage to take a stand and offer healing instead of vengeance. This is a work that’s replete with beautiful imagery and pulse- pounding adventure. However, it’s more than just a fun work of fantasy, as Night also offers a story that will hold special resonance for young audiences as they watch Ivy, an unassuming and often frightened hero, grow into a strong woman. The story makes clear that the character’s ultimate triumph stems not from her denial of her fear but from her willingness to embrace and manage it. Ivy is appealing in her determination to make her own path and defy social expectations, and the novel highlights the positive outcomes that can happen when pursuing one’s dreams.

An engaging work of fantasy fiction with plenty of heart and heroism.

Foreword Reviews

The potent fantasy novel The War of the Woods traces a future queen’s adventures, revealing secrets about who she is and what she can do.

D. E. Night’s magic-filled fantasy novel The War of the Woods questions whether friendship or fear is stronger.

Ivy, a former scullery maid, has been revealed to be royalty. Though she’s positioned to be the future queen, that role is now held and abused by the Dark Queen. And Ivy’s friendship with Fyn has grown toward romantic interest. In their old school, the Halls of Ivy, they are separated from their friends; they mourn the death of Rimbrick, whose part of the Kindred Stone, a powerful magical talisman that he protected and saved for Ivy, they now possess.

In this fourth series title, catching up to the action takes time. But after a slow start to establish background, the power of the Dark Queen encroaches on the school. Fyn and Ivy take to the dwarf tunnels, after which the book moves with speed. The action escalates and attacks ensue. The duo is guided by Rimbrick’s map, a verse, and an admonition to find Dwarflin. In Dwarflin, they are to make contact with mysterious Abister, a being whom neither Ivy nor Fyn understand.

The details built into the book’s world include creatures like giant squids, bogdogs, and golden dragons. Each has its own style, varying from Gothic darkness to shining power. Dragon scales can be used to call on some creatures for help, and there are boxes that transport magical mail and supplies. Meanwhile, royals are assigned scrivenists who use magical quills to write down histories and cast spells. Each detail adds to a sense of the vastness of Croswald.

Ivy faces challenges both physical and emotional on her quest. Her fears for herself, her friends, and over her own ability to perform the duties asked of her are moving. She also faces uncertainty about her relationship with Fyn, increasing her sense of duress. Fyn is a strong sense of support; his banter with Ivy is endearing, as is the fact that he is willing to follow her lead. The Dark Queen’s power—and her complete willingness to abuse it—makes her a daunting foe, but as her past reveals itself, she comes to seem a complex villain—both frightening and knowable—prior to the book’s final showdown.

The potent fantasy novel The War of the Woods traces a future queen’s adventures, revealing secrets about who she is and what she can do.

The Children’s Book Review

Reminiscent of J.R.R. Tolkien’s stories, The Crowns of Croswald is a thrilling four-book series. In this last installment, Ivy Lovely will face her biggest battle yet. A map, a dragon, a crown, a stone, forged friendships, a growing dark power, and a love that cannot be, will keep readers captivated to the very last page.

After the dramatic cliffhanger ending of The Words of the Wandering, Ivy is slowly recovering from her injuries under the careful watch of her closest confidant, Fyn. Trapped inside the Halls of their abandoned school, their love for one another is growing, while outside a war is brewing. The Queen’s constant search for all the pieces of The Kindred Stone and her desire to access its power is as strong as ever.

With the help of a map left behind by Rimbrick—Ivy’s deceased dwarf friend for whom she is grieving—Ivy and Fyn realize that they must break free and find their way through the Dwarf Tunnels if they are to prevent The Queen from destroying their world, along with everyone in it. Excitement and suspense build with D.E. Night’s energetic and perfectly timed pacing of repeated bouts of rest and danger for the characters. This consistent tempo leads the characters to a final calm before the great storm—an action-filled war in which the outcome looks grim.

Gentle, humorous banter between Fyn and Ivy peppers the text, building the readers’ understanding of how deep their connection is to one another while also helping to lighten the ominous scenes in which they often find themselves. Elements of mystery captivate readers, too: Why is Fyn holding back from loving Ivy the way readers know that he wants to? And how is Fyn’s dad, who disappeared long ago, connected to current events?

Two themes course through this epic ending to a truly enjoyable fantasy series—helping others can be a powerful gift and we all have magic within us if we trust in ourselves. The Crowns of Croswald is a perfect series for tweens and teens.

Midwest Book Review

The War of the Woods is the fourth book in The Crowns of Croswald young adult fantasy series, and will be especially appreciated by prior fans of Ivy Lovely's adventures.

Her search for the Kindred Stone, the final piece of the puzzle she's tried to put together in the previous books, leads her towards the Dark Queen and new struggles as she faces evil and the changing friendship with Fyn, who supported her prior encounters.

The strong fantasy elements Night built in previous books are still present and are expanded upon in The War of the Woods, where Ivy faces her final battle and questions how she can help the world if she can't even succeed in helping one individual.

Ivy's friends also return and come to her rescue in a big way—but not before everything they've built and believe in is threatened.

As in the other books in The Crowns of Croswald series, Night cultivates action-packed adventure, interpersonal interactions, and a host of fantasy elements, from dwarfs to evil queens.

Night also refines Ivy's ability to absorb life lessons and insights as she confronts her deepest fears and strengths: "Pure fear cannot touch or own pure magic."

As a dark army rises and a vortex of magical spells emerges on both sides, young adults are treated to vivid battle scenes, changing relationships, and a final goal which is rocked by internal and external struggles.

The characters developed in the previous books grow into their full-faceted abilities in a manner that is sometimes familiar and yet often surprising, as main characters and new personalities rise to the occasion.

Ivy steps into a revised role that, in many ways, was meant to be: "Just because something always has been, doesn't mean it should be."

These characters combine with a vivid quest adventure through fantasy realms to create a delightful conclusion to a series especially recommended for prior fans and library collections seeing interest in The Crowns of Croswald books.

Book IV

The War of the Woods

Ivy battles her way to the Dark Queen, but she may be too little too late…

With her third year of school interrupted and canceled, Ivy Lovely is trapped inside the Halls with the growing sensation that she must break free. Through an elaborate network of dwarf tunnels that no human has ever walked, she hopes to find the mythical Dwarflin and regain the final segment of the Kindred Stone. But at every turn, the evil and peril grow. The nature of her friendship with Fyn shifts with sudden news and Ivy doesn’t know if she has what it takes to defeat the Queen in her forest stronghold.

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WHERE TO GET THE BOOK

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Reviews

“
This is a work that’s replete with beautiful imagery and pulse- pounding adventure.
”

Kirkus Reviews

“
Night cultivates action-packed adventure, interpersonal interactions, and a host of fantasy elements, from dwarfs to evil queens.
”

Midwest Book Review

“
Excitement and suspense build with D.E. Night’s energetic and perfectly timed pacing of repeated bouts of rest and danger for the characters.
”

The Children's Book Review

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Kirkus Review

Foreword Reviews

The Children’s Book Review

Midwest Book Review

Kirkus Reviews

Midwest Book Review

The Children's Book Review

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