The Revolution of Ivy

September 15, 2015
In this second book of a post-apocalyptic duology, Ivy braves the world beyond the guarded fence surrounding her home, Westfall. In The Book of Ivy (2014), 16-year-old Ivy Westfall fell in love with Bishop Lattimer-the man her family wanted her to murder. This sequel begins after Ivy is forced into the wilderness. Though she has few survival skills, she fights off an attack from Mark Laird, the exiled psychopath from the first book. Severely injured, Ivy travels as far as she can before collapsing and being aided by residents of a small, self-sufficient community. Despite their help, Ivy's not sure if she can trust them after she realizes they know Mark. When Bishop shows up, Ivy must also confront her fears of vulnerability. Shocking news from Westfall galvanizes Ivy to return with a bold plan. In the first book, Ivy's central problem was loyalty; here, it's trust, which isn't as compelling: few must decide between murdering a husband and obeying family, but it's not unusual to fear disclosure and intimacy. That aside, Engel makes good use of her setting; the fight for survival on the cusp of winter stokes the sense of danger in a way that matches Ivy's roiling feelings, and the love story moves with the slow-growing heat that Ivy needs. A satisfying conclusion to an intriguing duet. (Post-apocalyptic adventure. 14-18)

COPYRIGHT(2015) Kirkus Reviews, ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.

January 1, 2016

Gr 9 Up-In The Book of Ivy (Entangled Teen, 2014), readers were introduced to Ivy Westfall and the dictatorial world ruled by her family's rival-the Lattimers-that she grew up in. When she is named to marry Bishop Lattimer, the president's son, her family encourages her to assassinate him as a power play to return the Westfalls to power. Unfortunately, Ivy ends up falling in love instead. The Revolution of Ivy opens with the girl now branded a traitor and forced to survive outside the fence of her former home in a barren wasteland. Luckily, she meets up with Caleb and Ash, two new allies who help her learn how to survive. When Ivy is reunited with Bishop, she has to face the consequences of her actions and prepare for the Westfalls to summit with the Lattimers. Ivy is a strong female lead, while Bishop is a well-developed character who is more than just eye candy. Hand this underrated duology to fans of dystopians.

Copyright 2016 School Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.