Animalia

by Shauna C. Murphy

On an icy peninsula in Norway, there is a school where select students from around the world are trained in specific disciplines and taught the secrets of the Victorian-era world. The school's programs For animalists. For pharmacists. For warriors. For inventors. For artists.
Thirteen-year-old Sunday Gråe wants to follow in her late father's footsteps and study Animalia - the way of working with animals' unique abilities that is taught only at the prestigious and secretive Svalbard School. Sunday's dreams come true when she is admitted, but the school is more dangerous than she the Animalia students are mysteriously going missing - and she could be next. What's worse, Sunday still blames herself for her father's death years ago, and her inability to forgive herself prevents her from using her Animalia insight to find the culprit. Sunday dodges peril alongside her sprightly friend Ori as the Animalia students are plucked off, one by one. When Ori is taken, only Sunday remains. Desperate to save Ori and find the other missing students, Sunday carefully investigates the locations where the students have been snatched. The dean of Animalia suspects someone within the school of foul play. But the clues Sunday finds in the wake of the missing students start to point, strangely, to her own twisted past and her father's death. Working with the new dean, Sunday must learn to forgive herself, use her new gifts of discernment, and boldly confront the suspects to stop the true culprit - before it's too late.

Genres: Fantasy

338 pages, Paperback

Published November 11, 2023

About the author

Shauna C. Murphy spent her school years in the city, surrounded by theatre. She spent her summers in the country, exploring the outdoors, and developed a love for nature, hidden wonders, and stories that encourage hope.

Reviews

[Girl-Bibliobibuli]

A Delightful Read!

Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

"Animalia" by Shauna C. Murphy is a mesmerizing journey into a world where secrets and abilities intertwine with the enigmatic beauty of the Victorian era. This five-star novel invites readers to explore the Svalbard School, a place where students from across the globe are trained in various disciplines, each shrouded in its own mysteries.

Thirteen-year-old Sunday Gråe, a character you'll instantly root for, dreams of following in her late father's footsteps by studying Animalia—a unique discipline focused on harnessing the special abilities of animals. Her admission to the prestigious and secretive Svalbard School marks the beginning of her adventure, but it's also the start of something far more perilous.

As students mysteriously disappear, Sunday finds herself thrust into a dangerous puzzle. Her struggle to forgive herself for her father's tragic death becomes a central theme, hindering her use of Animalia's powers to uncover the truth behind the vanishing students. With her spirited friend Ori by her side, Sunday embarks on a quest to save her missing peers.

The novel brilliantly weaves an intricate plot filled with tension and suspense, and as Sunday investigates the locations of the abductions, the dark secrets of her own past and her father's demise come to the forefront. The narrative takes unexpected twists, leading to a thrilling climax.

"Animalia" is not just a gripping mystery but a tale of self-discovery and forgiveness. The characters are well-developed and relatable, and readers will be drawn into their struggles and triumphs. The author's skill in crafting this story and its emotional depth is truly commendable.

Shauna C. Murphy has delivered a work that seamlessly combines the allure of historical fiction with the intrigue of a compelling mystery, making it a must-read for young adult and mystery enthusiasts alike. "Animalia" is a captivating and imaginative journey that will keep you on the edge of your seat until the very end.

[Sarah]

4⭐️

TW: death of parent, use of drugs

First of all, thank you NetGalley for the ARC

“Animalia” is a middle grade/YA book with fantasy and mystery elements. Set in the Victorian-era world, the story takes place at Svalbard School, a prestigious school situated on a peninsula in Norway.

I really enjoyed this book! I liked the setting as well as the characters; Sunday was a great protagonist and I loved the concept of Animalia and their strong bonds with animals. This was surely the most interesting aspect for me.

Unfortunately, I found the mystery a bit predictable, but I didn’t ruin the read for me.

I’m very curious about what could happen given the ending, and I will surely read the sequel if the author decides to continue this series.

[James Brooks]

3.75 ⭐️

This was a very solid debut novel perfect for fans of Harry Potter and Wednesday (TV Show).

A refreshing take on the fantastical school, mixed in with some mystery and historical elements makes this book very fun and engaging. Perfect for children and teenagers alike, it follows Sunday as she enters the Svalbard school for talented people.

I did really like Sunday as a main character, her internal monologue was very fun especially because her ‘dual identity’ makes her a very interest character. Although that is something I wish the author explored a little more.

The setting was also great, I personally think we should have more books with a Scandinavian setting as it’s so atmospheric and fun to read about. The Victorian aspect was also something else I liked as it allowed for the sprinkling of some history within the story. However, I often forgot it was taking place in the Victorian era and wish that was used more throughout the story.

The mystery in general was exciting but, sadly, predictable for me. I guessed most of it while reading and wasn’t surprised when it was revealed, however, there was a small plot twist at the end that somewhat made up for it.

I think this would be a really fun series if the author decides to continue with it and would recommend giving it a try!

[Katie]

Awful, terrible, idk how people have been rating this so high 😭 The main character is SO all over the place, either the best person ever who looks down on everyone or the worst person ever who doesn't deserve friends. Either way I'm on team she shouldn't have any friends. I get she has "two brains" or whatever the heck the world is going with for Animalia but it's not well done and only the most annoying thing ever. Other characters are ALSO all over the place so it's not her exclusively. Suspicious of everyone until suddenly not and the suspicious again but not of some people now except of course the actual person who she should have been suspicious about????

The writing is not good, the world building is interesting but wasted. I had to speed read and skim most of the back half just to get the answers I wanted (and I STILL was paused on this for like a month) and it sure sounds like this is being set up for a whole series?? No thank you.

Also I think the cover is AI which is a big no from me, how do I know you didn't also use AI for writing it?

Please heed my warnings. And I promise I like middle grade usually I'm a Warrior Cats OG and I love magic schools and magic systems, I'm not just some middle grade fiction hater.

[Lauren Dunkley]

Thankyou to Netgalley for an Arc of this book in exchange for a review! As a debut novel I thought this was super impressive I really liked the concept of this book which centred around our main character Sunday who finds herself being enrolled into a prestigious school which centres around individuals that have connections with animals. I found Sunday to be a really likeable character as well as the other side characters who had to learn and grow and I thought the setting was really immersive and you really feel like you’re a part of the story, overall 3.5 stars for me🤩⭐️

[Lauren Bruce]

Thank you to NetGalley for the arc of this book in exchange for an honest review.

I've always really liked the premise of the MC enrolling in a prestigious school with magical elements. Plus, it gave off a YA dark academia vibe that I thought was interesting. This book sounded even more exciting in that there were animals involved. And I really did enjoy the parts focusing on the Animalia elements like their classes and school work and the Animalia compound.

However, besides those things, I didn't really love it. I think a lot of my problems with this book were because of the "voice" of the main character. I don't really like the main characters that think they're better/different/better because they aren't like everyone else, etc. I understand an author wanting to make the mc unique but it felt too juvenile. I also think a lot of the story happened through Sunday telling us what was happening instead of the author showing us, especially her feelings. There was so much internal strife that was just the main character saying what she thought out loud. I also didn't like any of the characters... I didn't care much for any of the interactions between them. There were some attempts at banter that I didn't hate. But, it wasn't great either. I think this book wanted to attempt a found family trope but it just didn't work.

Overall, I do think I would have enjoyed this book more when I was 13 and I did take into account that this was a debut book. I would try more by this author, but just could not connect with this book, unfortunately...

[Irene]

Thirteen year old Sunday Gråe lives in the North of Norway with her mum, who runs a small struggling candle shop. Their lives were disrupted by the loss of Sunday's father under gruesome and mysterious circumstances when Sunday was younger, and this is something that both Sunday and her mum have struggled to come to terms with ever since.
Sunday is different from her peers, in that she prefers the company of animals to people, and her startling ability to relate to animals, including wild ones, is something that she has inherited from her father. He was an alumnus of Animalia, one of the houses of the prestigious and harshly selective Svalbard School, and being admitted to the programme is all Sunday has wanted for as long as she can remember. As expected, when the auditions come along, Sunday is accepted and she sets off to join Svalbard with her little friend Grom the newt. But as soon as she arrives, Sunday discovers that the school harbours some sinister secrets, and a darkness that calls to the shrouded part of her which has laid dormant since the death of her father, and which is stirred by her sense of guilt over the event, threatening to take over. In Svalbard, Sunday will find an invaluable tool for self discovery, allowing her insight into to solve the mystery surrounding the loss of her father, and absolution from the sense of guilt that has held a firm grip on her ever since that fateful day- provided she trusts the right people, and that this is the path her internal battle allows her to walk.

💭 Animalia is a highly enjoyable new teen/ tween/ younger YA dark academia fantasy mystery and although I have seen a few reviews drawing parallels with several well known series that feature residential schools, I didn't feel like the similarities were that glaringly obvious, which as far as I'm concerned is a good thing.

Two things made me drop everything to read this. The first one was the setting being in Norway. Let's face it, aside from Jo Nesbø (or Ibsen, obviously), there isn't exactly a whole sub-genre dedicated to my country of origin, which I found really exciting.
Also, as a lifelong animal lover, the story's premise being based on a fantastic academic setting centred around the study and conservation of animals was not something I could pass on.

Reading a fantasy book that is set in a familiar place is a bit of a double edged sword. On one hand the familiarity is what attracts me to those books in the first place, but on the other, going in with a mental image of the place in question can create some confusion in cases where the story's backdrop deviates too much from the real world version. I found that in this book, the latter scenario applied to some extent, and once again I felt that some deeper research and detail around world building could have eased the confusion.
The story is told in present tense from Sunday, the 13- year old FMC’s PoV and as we all know, the emotions of 13 year olds can be a rollercoaster. This also applies to interpersonal relationships and I think partly due to this, there is a constant feeling of uncertainty around the people surrounding Sunday and her trust in those characters seems to shift very quickly, which left me feeling unsettled and uncertain about most people most of the time, but I also felt that this might have been the point. It’s been a LONG time since I was that age, but I suppose the expectation from readers is that just being a girl that age should be sufficient reason. I personally didn’t mind taking this at face value, but some additional depth would have given Sunday’s judgement greater weight.
Where this book excelled for me was in the originality of the story, the setting, particularly the vivid descriptions of environments such as the dean and professors’ offices and the Animalia compound, interactions between characters and their growth arcs. In fact, feelings and emotions are what drives quite a good percentage of the story, whilst giving the characters a well rounded context which made them interesting, created connection and kept me invested.

Overall, I really enjoyed this story and I will definitely buy a copy for my children, who I'm sure will love it. Animalia is a celebration of our connection to animals and the power of nature, with a really thrilling and satisfying mystery that hinges on choices we have to make in order to grow into adulthood.

I am grateful to the Author and Netgalley for allowing me to read an ARC of this lovely book in exchange for an honest and unbiased review, which I feel deserves a solid 3.5 stars.

[R.J.]

"Life is dangerous. Embrace it — if you don't, you won't live."

I am very careful about comparing books to bestsellers and classics, because that can create unfair expectations for debut books. However, Animalia is very much meant for the audience that loves Harry Potter and prestigious types of magic schools. There are so many similarities between Animalia and Harry Potter, in fact, that I had a difficult time *not* comparing them, because the similarities truly aren't subtle. So if you've read Harry Potter, it's almost a given that you'll compare the two. However, it's not, by any means, a "copy" of Harry Potter.

That being said, I loved the framework of Animalia, and the characters were so special. It's a nail-biting story that keeps you flipping the pages late into the night, and it's perfect for winter time reading. My main reason for 3 stars is because the framework is absolutely there but the execution is a bit lacking. Animalia is a solid story, but I had to back up and re-read pages very often because scene transitions and setting discrepancies caught me off guard. The dialogue is also pretty choppy, and some character responses don't always make sense when they're talking to each other. As I said, the framework for the story is without a doubt 5 stars, which is why I finished the book, but I do wish a good developmental editor had their hands in this one because the issues that clogged the reading flow would've been easy fixes.

Overall, I will absolutely be following this author's future releases because I loved Sunday and her story. And I do recommend Animalia as a fun middle grade adventure set in the snowy North, but I was just disappointed that the writing flow kept jolting me out of the story.

I received this book from the author/publisher via NetGalley. All comments and opinions are entirely my own and this review is voluntary.

[Samantha Strobl-Engler]

In a world of young adult novels where the market is flooded with rip offs of established ideas and settings stuck in far off impossible or the overwhelming present, Animalia delivers in ways beyond expectation. The author Shauna C. Murphy creates a world that engrosses the reader- from Sunday’s home village to the prestigious school of Svalbard - you find yourself loving the details of the world. Honestly, in my eyes, the greatest part of the story is Sunday’s battle with herself - something I can’t go into further for fear of spoilers…. You’ll have to discover how it unfolds for yourself ;)

At its core, Animalia is a mystery novel set in a fantastical world. The setting bridges that gap between a supernatural real world and beyond relatable fictional world that truly scratches an itch I didn’t know I had. As an animal lover through and through, the whole component of Animalia (the study of human animal connection, not just the title) had me chomping at the bit for more.

I’m not just saying this because I liked the novel…. But I really think there’s an interesting world here that has just barely been tapped into. What’s next at Svalbard? What does this place look like 100 years from now? What did it look like 100 years ago? Truly impressive, and I’ll be keeping a close eye out for more.

[Kimberly]

*I received an advanced digital copy for free and I am leaving this honest review voluntarily*

Hello Fellow Readers,

This was such an interesting take on the whole Fantasy/Magic school trope (even though we are told multiple times that Animalia is not magic). I found the world that Murphy built very interesting and couldn't wait to see how it's explored. Sunday was an interesting character, a child dealing with the death of her father, with a mother who muted her grief through addiction, all the while trying to make sure their candle shop stays afloat. While she is worried and scared to leave home, Sunday gets accepted into Svalbard a prestige school in Norway for their Animalia program, the same program that her father had been in. This is where the story picks up as there is a mystery at this new school that has Sunday suspicious and fighting her animalistic nature. I really hope there is a sequel as this can make a really interesting series. The mystery was predictable as I figured out the antagonist as soon as they were introduced, but that didn't bother me.

Overall, a curious ending that makes me hope for a sequel.

[Megan Murphy]

Shauna C. Murphy uses vivid imagery that absolutely transfixed me throughout the novel. You feel as though you are inside the protagonist's experience firsthand - feeling what she feels within her own body and mind. The novel mixes mystery, and one girl's journey to discover and embrace her own power and to let go of her inner demons that hold her back. It is both a deeply psychological book, and also an action-packed adventure thriller. There were times reading this novel where my heart was pounding so quickly, and I felt as though I couldn't read fast enough and wanted to skip ahead (confession: I did at times so that I didn't panic)! And yet, at other times, I found myself smiling at the sweet warmth that Sunday Grae (protagonist) felt towards her friends who withstood trauma and tragedy along her side. I can't wait to see where the world of Sunday Grae goes next! We are left at the conclusion of this novel with many answered questions, but many more unanswered questions still hanging in suspense. I sincerely hope the author plans to write a sequel very soon because I would snatch it up immediately for a good read. Highly recommend.

[Adrianna Heaney-velu]

Gråe, a thirteen-year-old girl hailing from a small town in Norway, with dreams of becoming an Animalia and securing admission to the most prestigious magic school. The art of Animalia involves control and connection with animals, and Gråe is determined to follow in her father's footsteps, even though he was tragically murdered when she was younger.

After she becomes one of two from her town admitted into the prestigious school, Gråe finds herself questioning her unwavering aspirations. The school is plagued by a series of baffling disappearances and murders, further exacerbated by the lack of Animalia students. As students continue to vanish, Gråe must grapple with the realization that danger looms larger than her dreams of becoming an Animalia.

“Animalia” by Shauna C. Murphy was a very good read. It reminded me so much of Harry Potter. I loved the unique lore and magic ideas, the characters, the peril, and the suspense. I would absolutely love to read future books. 5 out of 5 stars for sure.

[Sue]

Hold onto your hats because Animalia by Shauna C. Murphy is a wild ride you won't want to miss! Imagine a world where students from all over the globe are trained in extraordinary skills, from inventing to warrior training. And then there's the Animalia program, which takes the cake!

From the moment I cracked open this book, I was hooked. Sunday Gråe is a heroine you'll root for, and her journey is filled with heart-pounding moments and unexpected twists. But what makes this book amazing is its celebration of our connection to animals and nature, a universal magic we can all relate to. So if you're looking for a thrilling adventure that'll remind you of the wonder of the natural world, Animalia is the book for you!

[Kirstyn (readwithkirstyn)]

Animalia takes readers on a delightful journey through a whimsical Victorian-era world, blending middle-grade fantasy with intriguing steampunk elements. The novel's charm lies in its creative world-building and a captivating concept that keeps the reader engaged from start to finish. While the mystery woven into the narrative proves to be somewhat predictable, the overall enjoyment is not compromised. The author's vivid descriptions and playful language create an immersive experience, making the story accessible and enjoyable for a young audience. Despite the predictability, the book leaves readers eager for future installments, promising further adventures in this enchanting and imaginative realm

[Peter]

This is the perfect book for all readers around eight years and up. Sunday Gråe is a teenager who wants to study Animalia, one of the five strengths taught at Slavbard, but can she find the strength to battle through her fears. When she reaches the school she finds something is wrong. But with trust in new friends and a maybe newt she won’t stop until she gets to the bottom of the mysteries at the school. Thank you to Coco Studios, BookBuzz.net and NetGalley for the ARC. The views expressed are all mine, freely given.

[Abigail L.]

A captivating blend of fantasy, mystery, and adventure that transports readers to a mesmerizing Victorian-era world. The story follows Sunday Gråe, a determined young girl who embarks on an incredible journey to become an Animalia at the enigmatic Svalbard School. The author’s vivid storytelling and world-building bring the school's unique programs, including the fascinating Animalia, to life. As Sunday grapples with the mysterious disappearances of her fellow students, readers are drawn deeper into a web of intrigue and magic.

[Kelly]

This was a delightful fantasy novel. It was wintry and magical, sophisticated and uncomplicated. I thought it was a terrific story, the kind of book that would be adored by younger readers but also greatly enjoyed by adults too. It did remind me of Philip Pullman's Northern Lights, so if you liked that, you may also like this.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publishers for a free copy to review.

[KerryO]

A Nordic version of Hogwarts which Sunday dreams of attending. As always, be careful what you wish for as Sunday finds herself battling human and not-so-human monsters. The Victorian setting was unique and several of the characters were quite interesting. I received an ARC from NetGalley and the opinions expressed are my own.

[Rose Q]

Enchanting, with depth and meaning that both kids and adults can enjoy. To me this is a lost art of writing with merit and theme while still taking the reader on an adventure with a well-constructed plot. Everything knits together in a certain way that you don’t see in many books anymore..

[Mette]

Animalia is what you’d get if you took Harry Potter, removed the magic and made Hermione the main character.

This was a a suspenseful read and I think the author has left the ending so there is great potential for further books in this universe.

[Sheila Lynn]

Animalia is great fun. I loved the premise, especially with the animals. Harry Potter fans and fantasy lovers will enjoy this. I look forward to more Sunday adventures.

[Goose]

An excellent debut for a younger audience. I enjoyed the plot.

[Madison]

This seems like a great fantasy book for young readers. While the school setting reminds me that of Hogwarts, it is unique in that the different houses, Apothecary, Warbringer, Machinist, Artisan, and Animalia, focuses on different interests and talents that the students of those houses can offer. The story follows Sunday Gråe who is much like her late father as she is accepted into Animalia just as he was. However, Svalbard School holds many secrets, and things do not seem right to Sunday as there are not nearly as many Animalia students and the ones that do remain start to go missing. Sunday has to face her dark past regarding her father's death while also figuring out the mysteries going on in the school.

The concept of the story and fast plot was interesting, but I found myself not able to engage much into the story. I found there to be a lot of repetition of character dialogue and Sunday's thoughts. The ending of who the "villain" ending up being was fairly predictable, but there were a few twists that I did not see coming.

A great fantastical school setting read, and I love that one of the main premises focused around animals.

Thank you NetGalley and Coco Studio for this ARC!

[Mn]

3.5/5
Special thanks to NetGalley and the author for the arc♡ This review is mine and only mine.

There are A LOT of things that should be fixed and explained further but the storyline of this book was really well thought!!♡
Firstly, I believe the author should improve her usage of words. Like just because she did not want to use curse words, she used 'blazes' & 'Ughh' & 'What the...'. I dont know it just felt awkward and used too much
Moreover, Sunday is 13???? Uhm, respectfully, no. She is too young for this story. 16 would be perfect. It was such a turn off for me.
I loved Alec. He was the cutest and I never for 1 second liked Viktor. While Alec was always by her side,Viktor was ready to leave her in the first occasion.
I also loved the cover so much♡