THE BOOK OF IVY AND THE REVOLUTION OF IVY | SERIES REVIEW

On this peaceful May evening, I have just finished reading The Book of Ivy and The Revolution of Ivy by Amy Engel. It took me one day to get through both books because I could not put them down and that is how you know a book is 10/10.

Synopsis (Book of Ivy):

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...

Synopsis (Revolution of Ivy):

Beyond the fence. I am still alive. Barely.

My name is Ivy Westfall. I am sixteen years old and a traitor. Three months ago, I was forced to marry the president's son, Bishop Lattimer—as all daughters of the losing side of the war are sold off in marriage to the sons of the winners. But I was different. I had a mission-to kill Bishop. 

Instead, I fell in love with him. 

Now I am an outcast, left to survive the brutal savagery of the lands outside of civilization. Yet even out here, there is hope. There is life beyond the fence. But I can't outrun my past. For my actions have set off a treasonous chain of events in Westfall that will change all of our fates—especially Bishop's. 

And this time, it is not enough to just survive...

The storyline is killer. It is a very well-written book with a lot of twists and turns and I highly recommend everyone read it. One thing that really annoyed me while reading was that the main character, Ivy, was very susceptible to others thoughts and opinions and would not really think for herself. I understand that that was what her character was supposed to be and to be able to grow from it, but it got very tiring and I don't think anyone would really blindly follow as much as she did in the beginning. I am trying not to give away spoilers, but you would have to read it and judge for yourself. Over I thought it was a great book, a really interesting concept, because it kind of plays on a little bit of history and future. One thing I did think of was that in The Revolution of Ivy the setting reminded me of Julie Kagawa's series The Blood of Eden. Nonetheless, I still thought there was good description and it was a very original idea and plot line. There was an interesting lesson within the book which I think many people can relate to, mostly finding who you really are and finding your own identity. 

Overall I would rate this book 10/10, especially if dystopian romance stories with a lot of action intrigue you, and personally for me they are my favorites!

Until next time,


Britt