This is solid middle-grade fantasy that doesn't pull punches—the stakes are real, the themes are weighty, and the scary parts are actually scary. Jessica Townsend clearly wrote this as COVID hit, and the pandemic-illness plot feels both prescient and purposeful.

The Nevermoor series has earned its Harry Potter comparisons with rich world-building and a magical school setting, but Morrigan's journey is distinctly her own. This third book goes darker, tackling prejudice and fear-based discrimination as the city turns on Wunimal citizens during the outbreak. It's the kind of fantasy that trusts kids to handle complex themes.

Some readers found the pacing uneven and the plot meandering compared to earlier books, but the 4.8 Amazon rating suggests most fans are still deeply invested. If your kid loved the first two books, they'll want to see what happens next—just know this one's going to give them some genuine chills along with the magic.