The Book of Ivy (The Book of Ivy #1)

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Author(s)

Amy Engel

Publisher

Entangled Teen

Genre(s)

Dystopian Romance

Age Range

12+

Release Date

November 11, 2014

ISBN

978-1622664658

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What would you kill for? After a brutal nuclear war, the United States was left decimated. A small group of survivors eventually banded together, but only after more conflict over which family would govern the new nation. The Westfalls lost. Fifty years later, peace and control are maintained by marrying the daughters of the losing side to the sons of the winning group in a yearly ritual. This year, it is my turn. My name is Ivy Westfall, and my mission is simple: to kill the president’s son—my soon-to-be husband—and return the Westfall family to power. But Bishop Lattimer is either a very skilled actor or he’s not the cruel, heartless boy my family warned me to expect. He might even be the one person in this world who truly understands me. But there is no escape from my fate. I am the only one who can restore the Westfall legacy. Because Bishop must die. And I must be the one to kill him…

Editor reviews

4 reviews

Overall rating

4.2

Plot

4.0(2)

Characters

4.5(2)

Writing Style

4.0(2)

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A refreshing tale with one heck of a couple that sets it apart from all other Dystopians out today.

April 07, 2015

Overall rating

4.3

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What I Loved: Ivy. Plain and simple. That girl is just all kinds of awesome and I admired her character so much. Her loyalty was so unwavering, even when it was detrimental to her, she would not budge. And I appreciated her views on how their society was shaped and the injustice, not to just women, but to men as well once she thought about it (even though the men still get the longer end of the stick, so to speak). And Bishop, well that boy won me over after that laundry scene, that’s for sure. Such a sweetheart. Also, I totally ship Ivy and Bishop in the best possible way. Watching them fall in love was so pleasurable. They have a kind of innocent, slow-building romance that’s hard to capture and I think Angel did an amazing job. I certainly fell for them as a couple.

Left Me Wanting More: Like I said above, I loved Ivy, but at times she surprised me in a bad way. Considering her views on things, she surprised me with how she never acted on them. A lot of things happen in this book, in particular, an abusive marriage she sees clear as day in front of her face, and she does nothing about it. Yes, I know she was all about “the plan” and laying low, but for someone with such strong morals and beliefs, I expected more from her in that aspect. I’ve seen it time and time again when MCs see something they don’t like, they do something about it. Yes, often times the consequences for their actions is dire, but then that’s what builds suspense and drama and moves the story along. Ivy was a bit too cautious in that way, which I didn’t like and it made the story move just a tad slowly at times.

Final Verdict: The Book of Ivy was a very enthralling introduction to what I’m sure will be one of my favorite dystopian series, and that’s saying something! Kill me with that cliffhanger though, now I’m dying for Book 2.

Vi, Promotions Manager Top 50 Reviewer 116 reviews

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This is an intense story of love, family, romance, and betrayal.

November 08, 2014

Overall rating

4.0

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The Audio: The narrator is a bit slow at times and I wasn't crazy about the voice she lends to Bishop, however, she does get better the farther you listen.

The Story: My initial thoughts upon finishing The Book of Ivy was, WHO DO I HAVE TO BRIBE FOR THE NEXT BOOK?!

This is an intense story of love, family, romance, and betrayal, that kept me on the edge of my seat (with my heart in my throat) until the very end! I wasn't really sure what to expect when I started this book, but quickly found the world Amy Engel created and the idea of arranged marriages, unique and interesting.

Ivy has one job. Kill her new husband Bishop. It's something she's been preparing for all her life, and seems simple enough, right?

Wrong.

Ivy has always believed Bishop and his family are the bad guys, the enemy, and her family the rightful leaders. But the more she gets to know her new husband, the more she starts to question everything she's ever been told and whether or not she can go through with the plan. Because Bishop isn't anything like Ivy was expecting. He isn't cruel or selfish, nor does he appear to have ulterior motives.

Instead, Bishop is kind, compassionate and seems to genuinely care for Ivy. PLUS, he cooks, cleans and does the laundry. THE LAUNDRY! I'd keep him around for those reasons alone, not to mention he's very nice to look at. But more importantly, Bishop "gets" Ivy in a way no one else does, not even her family, which makes her job that much more difficult.

As the clock ticks down, and the romantic tension amps up, Ivy will have to choose between the boy she's sworn to love for the rest of her life, and the family she's promised to avenge.

This does have a cliff hangar ending, so prepare accordingly. (I suggest choosing which corner you'd prefer to rock in ahead of time and fill it with snacks.)

I am REALLY looking forward to Book Two!

Fans of Delirium, The Selection, The Red Queen, and Matched will enjoy this one!

Jen Top 10 Reviewer 415 reviews

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One of the best!

November 09, 2014

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5.0

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I present the Dystopian Guidelines:

The world as we know it has fallen.
A few people came together and created a small congregation of a town.
These people are segregated by something.
There is usually some form of secretly corrupt government.
One person is chosen to take down this new government.
Chaso ensues.
Throw in a star crossed romance.
And so the story goes…

Don’t get me wrong, I don’t hate any of that. Dystopians are my favorite world to get lost in. I don’t mind reading the same thing played out over and over in different words.

That is, until I see that it can be done differently. And then I love this genre a little more.

Entering from out of left field, The Book of Ivy. It follows the checklist mentioned above, but there’s a twist.

We’re right there with Ivy when she starts to realize who and who not to trust. We see the wheels turning and the clues reveal themselves.

Ivy is a brave, strong-willed girl. Married off to the president’s son at only 16 years of age, and she ain’t too thrilled about it.

She has strong political views. Some that her father drilled into her head, others that she came up with on her own free will.
Basically, she’s an assassin. Getting revenge for something that happened when she was a baby. Her family using her as the weapon. (I hated her family instantly, btw).

This book is loaded with politics. (I work in a courthouse for 8 hours a day so I pretty much got the gist of everything going on). But I hate politics. I hate elections. I hate dealing with campaigns at work. I hate slander and sleazy candidates.

And much like The Book of Ivy, I hate politics based on winning just to “get back” at another person.

Sweet Bishop. My goodness, he was adorable. He’s one half of that star-crossed romance I mentioned earlier. It’s very Romeo and Juliet like, without the terrible Shakespeare ending.

Ivy and Bishop are a hell of a lot smarter than that.

If you’re looking for a roller coaster ride of emotions. Of twists and turns. Look no further.

I need the next chapter in Ivy’s book, pronto.

(WOW! Just realized I devoured this 400 page book in 4 days. Now if that doesn't tell you how good it is, I don't know what type of proof you need).