The Book of Ivy Review

THE BOOK OF IVY
Series: The Book of Ivy (Book One)
Genre: YA, Dystopian
Release Date: November 11th 2014

Book Length: 282 pages
Publisher: Entangled Teen 
Source: Physical copy, Goodreads 
Review: 4/5 *Full Review Below.

Blurb:
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 restore 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…

Where are all these amazing YA books coming from? The Book of Ivy is yet another one I simply couldn’t put down. The book reminded me a lot of Cruel Beauty as the plot is vaguely the same; One main character has to kill the other and as always it’s never that simple, feelings eventually get involved etc. To some this is boring having to read what you ultimately know is true but for me I love the build up, the tension, the suspense, the constant questions: Will she kill him? Won’t she? Don’t kill him and give him to me?! This book does not hold back on it’s run up to Bishop’s potential demise.

Ivy and her family have hated Bishop’s father and his rules since she was a little so she can’t wait to get on with her plan and get rid of the whole family. What she doesn’t expect is for Bishop to be nothing like his father and by nothing I mean amazing!

So Ivy is left with the ultimate decision; To kill the boy she loves or to turn her back on her family? 

This is quite a slow paced book with a blazingly slow burn romance packed with tension. What I loved about this romance is that it was realistic; it didn’t happen overnight you don’t suddenly turn the page and they’re together, instead the author makes you work for it and it’s hard not to fall in love with them both. This book dropped a star for me because I could have done without the walking commentary of Ivy’s every thought process, yes I understand we need to know whether she was going to kill him or not, it’s understandable to have these doubts it is murder but I could have done with a little less and maybe more action.

For a debut novel this was really impressive, I thoroughly enjoyed the book and the cliffhanger will only leave you wanting more! I highly recommend this to everyone who’s loves a slow romance and a crazy plot. I can’t wait for book 2 The Revolution of Ivy and be sure to tell me how dreamy you thought Bishop was, there’s a reason why everyone is talking about him he does not disappoint!