Hollowpox

See my reviews for Nevermoor and Wundersmith

Hollowpox. The Hunt for Morrigan Crow
Nevermoor Book Three
Written by Jessica Townsend
Middle Grade, Adventure, Magic, Australian
Published September 29th 2020
518 Pages
Thank you to Hachette Australia
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★★★★★

Strange things are happening in Nevermoor...


Morrigan Crow and her friends have survived their first year as proud scholars of the elite Wundrous Society, helped bring down the nefarious Ghastly Market, and proven themselves loyal to Unit 919. Now Morrigan faces a new, exciting challenge. To master the mysterious Wretched Arts of the Accomplished Wundersmith, and control the power that threatens to consume her.


But a strange and frightening illness has taken hold of Nevermoor, turning infected Wunimals into mindless, vicious unnimals on the hunt. As victims of the Hollowpox multiply, panic spreads. And with the city she loves in a state of fear, Morrigan quickly realises it's up to her to find a cure for the Hollowpox, even if it will put her and everyone in Nevermoor, in more danger than she ever imagined.

A pandemic is sweeping the streets of Nevermoor metropolis, infecting Wunimals and carrying the illness amongst the community. Wunimals losing their inhibitions and humanity. The Wunderous Society is determined to manufacture a cure as the community falls into disarray, Nevermoorians protesting the removal of Wunimals. Morrigan Crow has returned to the Wunderous Society, beginning her education as a Wundersmith in an underground facility. Stepping through moments preserved by the historical society, Morrigan can observe lessons from centuries past amongst long deceased Wundersmiths and a young, spirited Ezra Squall. 


Morrigan is beginning to master her abilities, attempting to find a balance between friendship and her education as she is consumed by the Wundersmith archives, yearning for knowledge. Since The infamous Ezra Squall was banished from Nevermoor, Wundersmiths have been feared and revered but the survival of the Wunimals community rests upon the shoulders of thirteen year old Morrigan Crow as Nevermoor learns a Wundersmith now walks amongst them. 


Morrigan Crow is a delightful young lady, rescued from the Wintersea Republic where our young heroine was mistreated and brought illegally to Nevermoor by Juniper North, an eccentric hotel entrepreneur. The Hotel Deucalion is magnificent with an eclectic assortment of employees who manage the hotel and care for Morrigan whilst Juniper is absent on official and often secretive Wunderous Society business, including the capture of infectious Wunimals. Fenestra the Magnificat is irritable, sarcastic and fabulous, soprano Dame Chanda Kali is delightful and friends Hawthorne and Cadence are wonderfully supportive, Hawthorne provides endless entertainment and light hearted moments throughout the series. 


One of the most striking aspects of Hollowpox, The Hunt for Morrigan Crow is the relevance of the storyline during the pandemic. How society has fractured and through ignorance, communities have become segregated and isolated. Children will recognise the similarities between our current pandemic and Nevermoor, encouraging discussion and understanding. The Nevermoor series is absolutely wunderous, a fantastical, breathtaking adventure that transcends middle grade literature. Atmospheric and categorically enchanting.

9 comments

  1. That cover is SO cool!!! and it sounds like a great adventure.

    Karen @ For What It's Worth

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    1. It's absolutely brilliant Karen, an incredible series!

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  2. That cover is very cool. This is the first book I've seen in this age group that deals with a pandemic - but was it written during Covid? I'd be curious to find out the timing!

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    1. It was supposed to have been originally released a few months prior I believe but I can't imagine having been able to write, edit and publish a book of this calibre so quickly and professionally all within the same year, I'm curious too though! Such a wonderful read for middle grade readers, the parallels were startling!

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  3. The first thing that caught my attention was that they were experiencing a pandemic in this magic world. It's interesting to think the author most likely wrote this prior to our pandemic. Glad to hear this series is maintaining a high level of excellence.

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    1. Most excellent! I love middle grade adventure and this series is absolutely lovely and so utterly charming. It has captured the attention of not only children but middle grade readers in general and so beautifully written. Couldn't recommend it more highly!

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  4. I just got the first book, Nevermoor, the other day, and I can't wait to read it! I am intending to buddy read it at the end fo Dec / start of January with a friend. I think it's interesting how it echoes the pandemic that we are experiencing at the current times as well... I wonder how a child would react to the story reading it now! Great review x

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    1. The parallels are striking and I think that recognition will immerse both children and adult readers. It was quite eerie. Ohh you'll absolutely love the series Olivia, it's beautifully written and such a delightful adventure!

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  5. YES x 10000000000000000000000000! I am obsessed with this series! I started reading it with my son, and we both love it. We actually started reading Hollowpox this week - so good. I really love how complex and relatable the characters are (for me and my son).

    Lindsi @ Do You Dog-ear? 💬

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