Publisher: Stories Untold
Format: Paperback
Number of pages: 324
Published: May 13th, 2022
Source: Purchased
Opening Lines: "A frigid wind whipped her hair, and Ivy cried out, burying her face into the warm, rough cloth that she gripped in her hands. Then she fell into the darkness again."
The War of Woods begins shortly after the events in The Words of the Wandering. Ivy awakens to find herself in Winsome's laboratory within the Halls of Ivy, her beloved school. Groggy but happy to be alive and reunited with her dear Humboldt and Fyn. As Ivy begins to recover, she also learns that they've been trapped within the castle, which is slowly being engulfed by an ivy winding items around the walls of the castle. (This initial part, really reminded me of The Castle Behind Thorns by Merrie Haskell). Searching for a means of escape, Ivy comes across a map with a message from Rimbrick alluding that she will find the answers she seeks in Dwarflin. Could this map help them find an entrance into the secret dwarf tunnels and the last piece of the Kindered Stone? Can they even convince the dwarfs to help them if they make it there?
The War of Woods is the fourth and final book in The Crowns of Croswald series and what a wonderful ride it has been. Truthfully, I'm rather sad to have reached the final book. It's always a bittersweet moment to reach the end of a series that you've so enjoyed. I highly recommend starting with the first book to really grasp the plot and characters. Here's the links to my reviews of the first two books in the series, The Crowns of Croswald and The Girl With the Whispering Shadow.
So, what have I loved and will miss about these books? The magic for sure, I haven't quite read anything like it, well not since Harry Potter. But I've enjoyed how unique it feels. I've loved how Ivy is a Scrivenists and that her magic is within her blood. How she uses quills, ink and parchment to record images, or events. Even drawing from these to wield her magic. How she didn't grow up with this knowledge but is learning as she goes. I've also loved the magical world that Night has created. The fantastical creatures, the Dark Queen, the friendships and all her lush writing. The way her words flow together, creating these thrilling images. Such a creative series and characters that will stick with me for a very long time.
I hope you'll check all the other Marvelous Middle-Grade Monday posts at Greg Pattridge’s blog HERE.
this sounds like a well-written book and series. Thanks for the review.
ReplyDeletethis sounds liek a fun series, I must check it out! Thanks for sharing!!
ReplyDeleteYou're making me want to start the series. Glad you enjoyed the last book in the series so much.
ReplyDeleteI haven't read this series, but now I want to. Sounds like a delicious adventure.
ReplyDeleteI don't read much fantasy, but I have a lot of people in my family who will love this series. Thanks for telling me about it.
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