A review by usakoing
The Crowns of Croswald by D.E. Night

2.0

I’ve been given access to read this in exchange for a honest review. This book had great potential with the steampunk mentioning, but I don’t think I’d exactly call it a middle grade. An orphan being degraded for being an orphan, as well as being chased with a cast iron skillet in hand with the intent of hurting said child, and then threatening to execute an animal..aren’t things I’d say are intended for children 8-12. Though, it does have similarities to Barbie Princess Charm School. Or at least to me it does. Girls servicing, two orphans dropped off somewhere, having to uncover the truth about their identities, entering a school to uncover secrets..16/17..you get my drift. But it’s also relatable with Harry Potter..dropped off somewhere with people who hate them, orphaned, cupboard living, magical school to learn about their magic, having to uncover the secrets of a villain of their story, and meeting characters that become apart of their main gang. Too many similarities, and it’s made it hard to finish the book. A child might not see these things, but as adults, a lot probably can.