Silverborn by Jessica Townsend
Silverborn - The Mystery of Morrigan Crow
by Jessica Townsend
Middle Grade | Fantasy
627 Pages
Released June 2025
Nevermoor Series #4
Rating: ★★★★★
Goodreads
Content Warnings
I have been w a i t i n g for this book for ages (what, nearly 5 years now?) and I’m so, so happy to announce it was worth every second! That said, this is the fourth book in the Nevermoor series, so this review may contain spoilers if you haven’t read the first three.
This is the fourth book in a series, so I highly recommend starting with the first:
Morrigan Crow is cursed. Having been born on the unluckiest day, she is doomed to die at midnight on her eleventh birthday. But when a mysterious man named Jupiter North appears and whisks her away from her untimely death, Morrigan is thrust into a magical new world. No longer seen as cursed, she is entered into a competition for a prestigious spot as part of the Wundrous Society, the same organization that Jupiter belongs to. But to gain entry, Morrigan must pass several trials.
I adored this book from start to finish. It felt absolutely amazing slipping back into the world of Nevermoor after such a long time away. I was a bit nervous going into this book as I’d heard it’s a bit of a departure from the previous ones. Generally, the last few books centered more around the Wondrous Society, a sort of take on a magical school setting, whereas this one didn’t really have any “academic” vibes. Instead, it was more strongly focused on character relationships, personal growth and a suspenseful murder mystery at the center of it all.
Despite the lack of school-setting, Townsend expands upon Nevermoor’s enchanting world building in this book. I loved getting to know more about Nevermoor and its different parts (although I did desperately miss the lack of the Deucalion and Fenestra!). I understand why Townsend took this approach, though. The characters are growing up after all, and as such, there is an increased desire for independence, self-discovery and building relationships.
Speaking of, I really enjoy how Townsend approaches Morrigan’s complex relationships in this book, the struggle with her secret mentorship as well as the unexpected newfound family. I admit, the new family dynamics felt a bit…odd but I chose not to let it detract from the story. I also enjoyed the underlying mystery throughout this book that helped drive the plot along.
Overall, I had a great time. While it’s not like previous books in the series, it did feel like a natural progression to Morrigan’s storyline. And while I can’t quite tell the end-goal of this series yet, I’m definitely enjoying the ride. If you’ve been a fan of the Nevermoor series, I highly recommend continuing on. Or, if you’re looking for a wonderfully immersive and magical middle-grade series to dive into (and don’t mind that the series is still ongoing), check out Nevermoor!