5 out of 5 Holy stokes !!! This is one breakout YA novel that everyone MUST read before it goes mainstream. I am usually extremely reluctant to read Dystopian YA, because I have such high expectations. With my love of masterpieces like; Divergent, Hunger Games and Maze Runner I tend to not read or review many. However this book originally drew me in with it's extremely engaging cover (I know don't hate me). It's quite a thin book; about 250 pages but it called to me on the shelf :) I only bought it 24 hours ago and have already finished and cried. This book basically follows the life of Ivy Westerfall after her arranged marriage to the President's son Bishop Lattimer. Basically in this post-nuclear war America, only about 10,000 people live in a fenced in city. Originally two families fought for power; Westerfalls and Lattimers, with the latter succeeding to power. Each year 16 year olds are forced to marry one from the opposing side to maintain balance, that match is based on personality tests and is a huge shebang. With the bad blood between the two families, Ivy must marry the President's son to maintain peace. |
This was a massively engrossing book, and I could not seem to put it down. The ease in which Miss Engel describes a seemingly difficult topic within the first few pages absolutely blew me away, I realised by page 6 that I knew everything I needed to about the history without it being overwhelming. Being told in first-person by Ivy we are easily able to see her alliance and emotional changes throughout the novel, making it a truly moving and emotional read at times.
The sexual tension between Ivy and Bishop becomes something to be reckoned with and I could barely hold myself back from skipping to where they finally express their feelings. The various character traits in this book are simply flawless and amazingly relatable - cover all types of personalities from superficial to naïve and really added a domestic depth to the reality of this book. However, this book does not have an exponential character base, only about 15 or so recurring characters, truly highlighting the change within each one and adding to the desperation of the situation.
I absolutely love Miss Engel's style of writing, it's very classic YA with a hint of Literature, making for a truly sophisticated read but in no way being pompous and stuck up - simply descriptive and enjoyable. I didn't find the language to be boring and no sentence went unneeded or was unnecessary.
I truly loved the dynamic between Ivy and Bishop, in no way was it a super unrealistic relationship. It was what you expect from an arranged marriage - real, awkward, difficult. In no way did she simply fall at his feet because he caressed her face. One other thing I loved about Ivy and Bishop, they were their own characters without each other - extremely confident and strong in their views. Their progressive feelings for one another were massively tear-jerking because they were believable. I absolutely bawled like a baby at the climax at the end and couldn't stop screaming at the judge for his sentance (haha I'm evil - read the book).
The only thing I hate right now is the way for book 2 - 'The revolution of Ivy', which comes out in 2015 in NOVEMBER !!! I'm going to die, well at least my HSC will be done and I won't put it done for any reason :)
This is truly one of my favourite books of the year - that's saying something as you all well know, I massively recommend the read. It's not a huge read but it will leave you speechless and begging for more :)
I am forever a fan Miss Engel,
Well done
Hayley xx