The Trials of Morrigan Crow

Nevermoor: The Trials of Morrigan Crow is a 2017 middle-grade fantasy novel written by Jessica Townsend and published by Little, Brown and Company. The first entry in the Nevermoor series, the novel covers the unlucky Morrigan’s first year in the titular land of Nevermoor, as she seeks membership in the Wundrous Society. The novel explores belonging, friendship, and worthiness.

This guide references the 2017 hardcover edition of the text.

Plot Summary

Morrigan Crow’s destiny is to die on her 12th birthday at midnight—the same night as Eventide—because she is considered a cursed child who brings misfortune to the town of Jackalfax. In reality, her “curse” is Wundersmith potential. She spends the first hours of her day listening to a case worker detail incidents that her neighbors blame her for. Morrigan’s father, politician Corvus Crow, sends her away until lunch—where his assistants remind him that Bid Day (when educational institutions choose students to sponsor) is coming, and people expect him to give a speech. She asks if she can attend Bid Day, and though Corvus initially refuses, his assistants convince him that it would help him politically. He agrees so long as she causes no accidents. However, Morrigan receives four bids. City officials find out two of the bids were hoaxes, and Corvus drags her away before she can “embarrass” him.

The first genuine bid comes from Mr. Jones, the assistant of Ezra Squall, owner of Squall Industries—the primary creator of Wunder (an energy source) in the Republic (Morrigan’s original home). The other genuine bid comes from Jupiter North, who offers Morrigan entry to the Wundrous Trials for potential membership in the Wundrous Society (an elite magical school). Morrigan signs a contract with the Wundrous Society, but expects nothing from it. That night, Jupiter arrives at her house and whisks her away to the Free State, while the Hunt of Smoke and Shadow (an Ezra Squall creation) chases them through the city. Once they are safely in the Free State, passing through border control with false papers, Jupiter takes Morrigan to his hotel, Hotel Deucalion, where she will live for the moment. The hotel staff and guests celebrate Morningtide, the first day of a new age, by stepping off the upper balcony of Hotel Deucalion. Jupiter gifts Morrigan a brolly umbrella (a standard mode of transportation).

Morrigan’s first duty as a Wundrous Society candidate is to attend the Wundrous Welcome, a dinner where candidates and sponsors get the chance to evaluate other candidates. Dame Chanda, a resident, helps Morrigan dress for the event, and Jupiter escorts her to dinner. There, Morrigan sees Mr. Jones again, and meets fellow candidates Noelle, Cadence Blackburn, and Hawthorne Swift. Noelle and Cadence immediately dislike Morrigan, but Hawthorne befriends her and they dump frogs off a balcony in the middle of the party.

Morrigan passes the Book Trial by admitting to the Council of Elders that she wants to join the Wundrous Society to belong and be remembered. While exploring Hotel Deucalion with Hawthorne and Jack, Jupiter’s nephew, she discovers the Room of Shadows, where shadows come alive. One shadow escapes the room, and the three search for it because Jack plays up its danger. While searching, Morrigan sees Mr. Jones in the forbidden South Wing. 

The Chase Trial requires Morrigan to ride a steed. Fenestra (or Fen), the Magnificat who heads housekeeping, allows Morrigan to ride her during the trial. The goal is to hit any target: If a candidate hits a gold target, they receive entrance to a special dinner with the Elders. Fen takes Morrigan to the town center, where the Elders placed most of the gold targets. They charge a target when candidate Cadence falls off her steed close to a stampede. Morrigan instructs Fen to save Cadence, but when the pair rescue her and hit a gold target, the gold dust covers Cadence instead. To bar Morrigan from elimination, Cadence convinces the officials that one candidate’s legal unicorn is an illegal pegasus.

The Fright Trial occurs on Hallowmas during the Black Parade. Morrigan and Hawthorne separate themselves from Fen and hear a woman pleading for help in the sewer. Morrigan climbs down while Hawthorne waits above: At the bottom, the seven witches of Coven Thirteen wait for Morrigan, and give her directions for the Fright Trial. She faces a horde of zombies that chase her and Hawthorne. They make their way through the trial and find a four-way path: Hawthorne climbs an apple tree, while Morrigan dives into a lake. She faces the Hunt of Smoke and Shadow for her final challenge and must climb a lamppost to remain in the light. She escapes and passes the trial.

Christmas comes, and Nevermoor celebrates with an annual battle between Old Saint Nick and the Yule Queen. On Christmas Eve, the two spirits battle to determine who has the more splendid magic: If Saint Nick wins, he will leave presents in people’s stockings, and if the Yule Queen wins, she will cover the land with snow. As per tradition, the two declare a truce at the end of the magical battle, and everyone celebrates Christmas with presents and snow. When Morrigan believes she needs to leave Nevermoor and return to Crow Manor, Jupiter takes her to the Gossamer Line, where she can see Crow Manor by allowing her spirit to travel. Her family has moved on: There are new children in the house, and her father forbids anyone from speaking about Morrigan. The only family member who sees her is her grandmother, who chastises Jupiter for bringing Morrigan to see the painful sight. After the visit, Morrigan chooses to stay for the Show Trial, the final trial for entry into the Wundrous Society.

The Show Trial is an opportunity for candidates to display their knacks (unique skills). Cadence is a Mesmerist (who makes people forget her), with a projected film revealing her past manipulations. When Morrigan’s turn arrives, Jupiter guides her onto the arena floor, approaches the Elders, and places his forehead on theirs. Morrigan’s name appears at the top of the candidate list, the crowd expresses outrage, and the Elders demand that Jupiter present a mysterious safeguard pact (signed by nine people) or else Morrigan will be disqualified. He agrees because he only needs one more signature.

As Morrigan returns to Hotel Deucalion, the Hunt of Smoke and Shadow kidnaps and takes her to the Gossamer Line, where she finds Mr. Jones, who turns out to be Ezra Squall. He forces her onto a train and shows off his powers as a Wundersmith, threatening her family’s life. She refuses and uses her own Wundersmith powers to dispel the Hunt. Squall tells Morrigan that she’ll come to him for her next lesson and laughs when she refuses. She returns to Hotel Deucalion, where Jupiter clarifies past secrets. He apologizes and promises honesty in the future. Morrigan receives a gold “W” pin as a new member of the Wundrous Society, and she and Jupiter prepare for Squall’s return.