Juvenile Fiction
Entangled: Teen
2014-11-11
304
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…
Review:
“The Book of Ivy”, by Amy Engel, is one of the best and most engaging YA dystopian novels I have ever read. It manages to combine a heavy dose of romance with excellent world building and heavy situations.
From the first paragraph, the character of Ivy and her life is a complex mystery that grabs you and leaves you wanting to know more. As the world slowly develops and unfolds, so does Ivy’s past. It’s extremely well-paced, careful to reveal just enough to keep with flowing without making the ending predictable.
There are some very heavy subjects dealt with in an unflinching manner, but none of them are gratuitous. The bad behavior is just that – bad, with no excuses or justification. To counter it, there are many examples of respecting the wishes of others, treating those of the opposite sex with the respect they deserve, and standing up for what you believe is right.
The mix of romance, intrigue, and action makes “The Book of Ivy” a wonderful read for almost anyone who enjoys young adult literature, as well as many adults who just need to pick up a novel like it to realize they will enjoy it, too. While there are dark subjects, I have no trouble recommending it for readers in their teens due to the responsible nature in which it is all handled.
In short, five stars, two thumbs up, and a high recommendation.
This review is based upon a complimentary copy provided by the publisher in exchange for an honest review.
Content Warning:
Language, Violence, Sexual Situations, Rape, Abuse
