Friday, February 27, 2015

The Book of Ivy by Amy Engel ♥ .. Perfection.

Friday, February 27, 2015


  • The Book of Ivy
  • Emy Engel
  • Publisher: Entangled: Teen 
  • (November 11, 2014)
  • ISBN-13: 978-1622664658
    Purchase: Amazon | Barnes & Nobles

    Source: Personal Purchase

    Image and video hosting by TinyPicSynopsis: 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. 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.



    • The Book of Ivy has been on my TBR list for a while, and I'm quite happy that I picked this read up. After a brutal nuclar war, the United States is left with a small population. Peace, and control is maintained with the marriage of the daughters of the losing side to the son's of the winning side every year. Ivy Westfall is the daughter of the Westfall family who is the losing side, she is told to restore the power of their family and kill the president's son - who is chosen as her husband.

    •  I do like the cover of The Book of Ivy, the young lady holding a knife which screams TRAITOR to me, I'm not a huge fan of the bottom Ivy filled cityscape though. I saw mixed reviews for this one, I think it's because it's more romance than dystopian. This is a fantastic dystopian novel that I enjoyed beginning to the end though, I haven't heard of arrange marriages much in fiction, so this was a unique concept. This is a dystopian novel, however, it is not your usual action filled dystopian novel -  it is more on the romance side and barely contains any action. I do believe the action will come in the sequel of the series, which I'm anxiously anticipating after that epic cliffhanger.. It's not a teenager angst novel though, it challenges the myths of arrange marriages and actually has a good story on what is wrong and right. This is one of the books that made me excited, happy, and basically shattered my soul with it's ending. It is just THAT GOOD. I did appreciate the background story of how the United States came to be dystopian as well.
    •  Ivy Westfall is the female lead of the novel, I really liked her character - She was strong, not quite badass yet, but kind as well. She's no Katniss Everdeen but I loved the characterization. Let's not forget the amazing Bishop, the president's son. Ivy is told to murder him so she can restore peace and end the marriage law and other corrupt laws, but Bishop is actually a caring and kind person. He show's mercy to those who don't even deserve it, there was a couple of parts in this novel that left me in awe, he's douchebag free and one of the sweetest people out there, which makes him sound too good to be true though. He sounded perfect, I needed some flaws though. I did love the romance and the chemistry between the two characters, it was slow burn, swoon worthy, and deep.
    “My mission is not to make him happy and bear his children and be his wife. My mission is to kill him.” 


    •  I would have liked to see more action in this novel, although, there are a couple of flaws in the plot - I would like to rate The Book of Ivy 4.5 butterflies, but I hate taking the other .5 away from novels so I wouldn't rate it anything less than 5 butterflies. It's almost perfect. I couldn't put this novel down, I had to finish it and know what happens next. I loved the plot, it was intense and thrilling - I loved the twists and turns, the ending did get me teary which is pretty depressing. I didn't even cry in If I Stay when her family was dying until I heard Adam's famous speech. Overall, The Book of Ivy is a debut novel, and it was quit engaging - it is beautifully written. Since this is a dystopian novel - you would expect lots of action, I do believe the second and last installment in the series would have plenty of survival and action. I would really recommend this novel - it is an impressive start to a great duology, adding this to my favorites list now.

    Recommended for fans of Article 5, Legend, and Arranged.

    “Above all, be the heroine of your life, not the victim.” —Nora Ephron 
    femmmefatalee@gmail.com

    59 comments:

    1. I'm glad you enjoyed this one! It was one of my favorite books of 2014 :) I LOVED Ivy and Bishop!

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    2. I ended up really enjoying this one and romance was so engaging

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    3. I've read mixed reviews on this book but your review definitely explained the story line more clearly. I think I may have to give this one a try! I like the idea of 'traitor' and female on a mission. Great review! :)

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      1. I'm glad it could help you out, thank you for dropping by hun ♥

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    4. I've heard so many good things about this book lately - I don't know why it wasn't on my radar before. It certainly is now!

      Nicole @ Feed Your Fiction Addiction

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      1. Hope you enjoy this one Nicole! Waiting to hear your thoughts on it after you check it out :)

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      2. Just thought I'd mention that I bought this book - thanks for pushing me toward a great book! :-)

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      3. Omggg really?? Yaayyyyyy, that makes me really happy and special lol!! I hope you like it as well :)

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    5. I have this in my tbr pile...maybe I will read it for March Take Control. I am looking forward to meeting the characters :)

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      1. Good luck Kim ♥ Hope to see your review soon :)

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    6. This was a great review! I have seen this book around but I am one of the people who absolutely hates the cover (eep!) and I am someone who pretty much does judge a book by its cover... which is why I haven't picked this one up yet or had anything to do with it. But maybe I need to change that and make an exception! It sounds good :)

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      1. I did like the young lady in the cover, but I don't like the bottom half of the cover - it is a special novel for me, one of my favorite romances ♥

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    7. I did a blog tour for this before and it's been on my TBR, but I never got around to reading it. I'm so intrigued by your review, I might have to pick this up real soon. Great review! :)

      Blessie @ Mischievous Reads

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      1. Hope you get around to reading this one Blessie, thank you ♥

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    8. OK I have actually GOT to read this book!!! Your review is EXCELLENT!!

      Just added it to my To Read list on Good Reads.com!

      Thank you!!

      www.bohemianmuses.blogspot.com

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      1. Thank you Jade! :) Hope you enjoy reading this one x

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    9. I didn't give this book a second glance because I didn't like the cover *looks down in shame* but now I really want to read it. Awesome review. :)

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      1. Aw you should try this one, thank you Veronika ♥

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    10. I've read a lot of mixed things for this book but overall, I think I'm still gonna give this one a go because the concept has me real curious!

      Nice review <33

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    11. I've heard pretty much nothing but good things about this book. I need to read it!

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    12. Great review, Benish! I do like my dystopian books to be balanced between romance and action. That is why I have been reluctant to read this yet. But I need to reavaluate that since you loved it so much :)

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      1. Thank you Lucia ♥ The action is barely there, it does slowly build up for the next book though. I think the second book will have less romance and more action.

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    13. OMG i would love this book totally going to get it! Thanks for the awesome review!
      -Jenna <3
      Follow me? The Chic Cupcake

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      1. You welcome Jenna ♥ & of course, I'll be dropping by soon :)

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    14. Ouch, I remember not enjoying this at all, sorry. :// I basically said the contrary of everything you did say: for me, it was a plotless, slow and uninteresting story, unfortunately. But I'm glad some enjoy it, of course! Also, I LOVE it how your bold characters are in pink. So pretty!! Great review!

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      1. LOL yes Lola, I remember your review - I was a bit skeptical after reading your review, but I thought of trying it out for myself. Thank you ♥

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    15. I LOVED this one! I need book two ASAP. I've seen a lot of people loved this one. Great review! (They are having sign ups to release the cover to book #2 if you are interested: http://yaboundbooktours.blogspot.com/2015/02/cover-reveal-sign-up-revolution-of-ivy.html)

      Amber @ The Book Bratz

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      1. I agree with you on this one, this is one amazing novel <3

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    16. I've actually heard of this book before, but I haven't picked it up because I'm not in a dystopian mood at the moment. I'll definitely keep it in mind though; the arranged marriage angle sounds interesting and it seems like you enjoyed it a lot!

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    17. Love this review, my dear! You've completely sold me on this one -- it sounds so exciting! Off to add it to my TBR. Thank you so much for putting this on my reading radar -- have a beautiful weekend xo

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      1. Thank you love, I hope you enjoy this one as much I have! ♥

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    18. YES to all of this! My absolute favorite part about it was that I was certain it was going to be a "typical" YA dystopian, and it just turned the whole thing upside down! I adored this book! You're right- Ivy was no Katniss, but the progress she made was so amazing, and it fit with her character so well. And BISHOP. I love him. And GAH the ending, I need The Revolution of Ivy NOW, please and thank you! Great review, I am so glad you loved this one too :)

      Shannon @ It Starts At Midnight

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      1. Yay! I'm happy to hear you loved this one as well. I loved both Ivy and Bishop, the romance is soo cute! *squeals* I really want to know what happens next in the next novel, I don't think I can wait any longer. I NEED IT :(

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    19. I fell in love with this book too! The ending was crushing, but I am excited to see what book #2 will have in store for us.

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      1. YAYYY<3 So happy you loved it as well!

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    20. I really should read this book, every one liking this book and the the storyline is something I actually like and sure to enjoy and the book not that long, and still don't know why haven't read it yet ,,, Lovely review :D

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      1. You should try checking it out Alreem, it's an amazing read ♥ Thank you x

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    21. Seriously, I NEED to read this already, I keep saying it every time I come across it but haven't got the time for a "me" book right now, but when I do, this will be it because I keep hearing so many good things about it. I would prefer more action than romance, but I don't think I would mind since I'm 99.9% sure I'm going to love the characters, and it does have a unique premise and sounds more character driven (which I love). :D Glad you loved it despite some minor flaws!

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      1. I really do like the characters especially their growth, I hope you do check it out for yourself soon - I do wish there was more action, but nevertheless, it's an amazing novel :)♥

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    22. I'm a huge fan of dystopian and sadly, YA seems to be straying away from any new dystopian series this year. I read a review a while back that, even though they loved it, took issue with the lack of action. When I think dystopian, you think rebels, revolution and a mild thriller / survival. This one sounds like it's foremost a romance, but super excited to give it a go regardless. Agree with you on that cover, the Ivy font with the city scape looks a little strange.

      Lovely review Benish <3

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      1. Thank you love ♥ & I agree, a lot of YA dystopian seem to have the same concept, I do wish for something different - and this novel has it! The next installment will defo. be survival and action, I cannot wait :) So excited!

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    23. YAY!! I felt I failed you when you didn't like RQ, REDEMPTION. I loved Book of Ivy too :) I love the characterization and the romance too. Such a slow burn, I shipped those two so much. THAT ENDING THOUGH. I thought this was a different type of dystopia, it was fresh and great. I need the next book now. It's a duology so it'll be interesting to see what happens... Lovely review <33

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      1. Aw, everyone has different tastes - no worries, I do hope the rest of the series for Red Queen gets better for me though ♥ & I agree, the romance and ending was so amazing for the Book of Ivy<3 The ending killed me.. I could literally picture it myself, thank you Rachel x

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    24. This sounds like a really good read! I do like my share of action, but it seems to have made up for it with a great plot. Fab review girl!

      Naomi @ Nomi’s Paranormal Palace

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      1. Thank you Naomi, hope you enjoy this one ♥

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    25. Absolutely agree that the book has just the most gorgeous cover ever! I've been kind of over dystopians for a while, but I like the concept of the arranged marriages being challenged. Yay for a good and decent romantic interest - I can understand why you'd think he's suspicious though. Most romantic interests seem to have many secrets these days. Looking forward to checking this one out!

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      1. Thank you Joy! ♥ I really liked this one, it has one of the cutest love stories ever<3

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    26. LOOOOOVEED this novel and your review is on point, I'm eagerly waiting for the sequel as well. Fab job xx

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    27. Oh this one sounds interesting! I haven't heard of it before, but I like that it explores arranged marriages and the like. I think it will find a place on my TBR list after reading your great review :)

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      1. I really liked this one, it's a different kind of dystopia :)

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    28. Aw thanks so much Diana :)

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    29. I'm so happy to see this book on your blog. It's been in my Kindle forever and I've been hesitating. I thought I'd love it but my dystopians have been letting me down lately.

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      1. This is one you should defo. check out<3

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