michellesantiago's review against another edition
4.0
Sarah Beth Durst is fast becoming my go-to author for well-written young adult fantasy. I read her previous novel, Ice, back in March and it immediately became a favorite so I eagerly began Enchanted Ivy with high expectations.
The book opens with Lily, a junior in high school who dreams of attending Princeton University, her grandfather's alma mater. She's driving with her grandfather and her mother for a reunions weekend at Princeton. But once there, she finds out that she has been selected to take the top secret Legacy Test and if she passes it she gets an automatic acceptance to Princeton. Lily readily accepts and begins her search for the Key. Her first clue leads her to the library where bookshelves nearly crushes her to death but that's not the weirdest part. As Lily, continues her search she meets talking gargoyles, goblins, dragons and other creatures only found in fairy tales. Lily soon comes to find that there are two Princetons--the ordinary human one and the magical one that exists in a different realm and can only be accessed by the Key. With the help of two very different boys, she is able to gather more clues that not only reveals where the Key is but also secrets about Lily's own family.
Enchanted Ivy was an amazing, very faced-paced read with themes of family, search for identity and love. I read it all in a day because once I started I couldn't stop. It read like a fantastical Disney movie to me, the imagery the setting and the action evoked clear in my imagination. I really like the author's writing style--the way she told the story was in a simple, yet lyrical prose that I really liked. The author didn't waste words and you get the sense that every word in the book was important in telling the story.
The characters in Enchanted Ivy are fantastic and I especially like Lily. She started out unsure of herself and shy, worrying about her mother who was quickly succumbing to a sort of dementia. But as she delves deeper in the mystery of the magical world, you see her become more confident, strong, brave and a true heroine as the story goes on. However, the romance aspect in this novel didn't really grab me as much as it did in her previous novel, Ice. Tye and Jake, the two boys who guarded Lily in her quest were both nice, likable boys (with Tye having a more "rebel" edge to him) but I didn't particularly root for either one to be the one to "get" Lily and I didn't feel from Lily herself a strong connection to either boy. I wasn't particularly expecting an epic love in this novel like the one between Cassie and Bear in Ice but I kind of wanted... more. I liked the way this novel ended with everything tied up nicely and the ending doesn't scream "series," it's rare to find a non-series book nowadays but I think I'd like a companion book to Enchanted Ivy. I wouldn't mind revisiting Lily's Princeton again.
I began reading this novel with high expectations and I am happy to say almost all of my expectations were met. With excellent world building, great characters and written in a clean, imaginative style I've come to expect from the author--I highly recommend this book.
The book opens with Lily, a junior in high school who dreams of attending Princeton University, her grandfather's alma mater. She's driving with her grandfather and her mother for a reunions weekend at Princeton. But once there, she finds out that she has been selected to take the top secret Legacy Test and if she passes it she gets an automatic acceptance to Princeton. Lily readily accepts and begins her search for the Key. Her first clue leads her to the library where bookshelves nearly crushes her to death but that's not the weirdest part. As Lily, continues her search she meets talking gargoyles, goblins, dragons and other creatures only found in fairy tales. Lily soon comes to find that there are two Princetons--the ordinary human one and the magical one that exists in a different realm and can only be accessed by the Key. With the help of two very different boys, she is able to gather more clues that not only reveals where the Key is but also secrets about Lily's own family.
Enchanted Ivy was an amazing, very faced-paced read with themes of family, search for identity and love. I read it all in a day because once I started I couldn't stop. It read like a fantastical Disney movie to me, the imagery the setting and the action evoked clear in my imagination. I really like the author's writing style--the way she told the story was in a simple, yet lyrical prose that I really liked. The author didn't waste words and you get the sense that every word in the book was important in telling the story.
The characters in Enchanted Ivy are fantastic and I especially like Lily. She started out unsure of herself and shy, worrying about her mother who was quickly succumbing to a sort of dementia. But as she delves deeper in the mystery of the magical world, you see her become more confident, strong, brave and a true heroine as the story goes on. However, the romance aspect in this novel didn't really grab me as much as it did in her previous novel, Ice. Tye and Jake, the two boys who guarded Lily in her quest were both nice, likable boys (with Tye having a more "rebel" edge to him) but I didn't particularly root for either one to be the one to "get" Lily and I didn't feel from Lily herself a strong connection to either boy. I wasn't particularly expecting an epic love in this novel like the one between Cassie and Bear in Ice but I kind of wanted... more. I liked the way this novel ended with everything tied up nicely and the ending doesn't scream "series," it's rare to find a non-series book nowadays but I think I'd like a companion book to Enchanted Ivy. I wouldn't mind revisiting Lily's Princeton again.
I began reading this novel with high expectations and I am happy to say almost all of my expectations were met. With excellent world building, great characters and written in a clean, imaginative style I've come to expect from the author--I highly recommend this book.
kblincoln's review against another edition
5.0
Following up Durst's impressive Ice is an unrelated, but just as lovely and readable story about Lily Carter, a high school junior tagging along with her Grandfather at his Princeton reunion weekend.
But Grandpa has a surprise for Lily, she's to undergo a test at the exclusive dining club, the Vineyard, with a prize of instant admission to Princeton if she is successful, and banishment from the club if she is not.
Lily undertakes the quest to find the "ivy key", leaving her medicated and flightly mother in her Grandfather's care.
Tye, a tiger-stripe dyed hair boy whose touch feels like electric sparks, and Jake, the grandson of the Vineyard Club's leader, help her on her quest.
Lily must unlock the secret of the Princeton gargoyles, her own parentage, while fending off mysterious creatures intent on her death.
One could take a look at this book and say its just your normal, run-of-the-mill YA faerie romance. You've got the plucky young girl discovering powers, a love triangle involving a shapeshifter, and mother-daughter issues galore.
But that wouldn't do justice to Durst's ability to make you fall head-over-heels in love with Lily, Tye, Jake, the Princeton gargoyles, Lily's flight mother, the noble-intentioned but evil man behind her father's death, and what Lily is willing to do to help those she loves.
Tye and Lily's banter keeps overly dramatic moments (like when he tells her she's his soulmate) from being overly dramatic. There isn't any fresh twist on this YA trope, but the inside details of a Princeton reunion weekend and the characters populating both worlds in this story keep you hooked.
While there is some gore and death involved in human-faerie battle here, the romance is definitely in the lower YA genre.
Durst is definitely a must-read author.
This Book's Food Designation Rating: Clam Chowder in a bread bowl for the luscious, creamy characters in a compulsively eatable, familiar, and satisfying vehicle.
But Grandpa has a surprise for Lily, she's to undergo a test at the exclusive dining club, the Vineyard, with a prize of instant admission to Princeton if she is successful, and banishment from the club if she is not.
Lily undertakes the quest to find the "ivy key", leaving her medicated and flightly mother in her Grandfather's care.
Tye, a tiger-stripe dyed hair boy whose touch feels like electric sparks, and Jake, the grandson of the Vineyard Club's leader, help her on her quest.
Lily must unlock the secret of the Princeton gargoyles, her own parentage, while fending off mysterious creatures intent on her death.
One could take a look at this book and say its just your normal, run-of-the-mill YA faerie romance. You've got the plucky young girl discovering powers, a love triangle involving a shapeshifter, and mother-daughter issues galore.
But that wouldn't do justice to Durst's ability to make you fall head-over-heels in love with Lily, Tye, Jake, the Princeton gargoyles, Lily's flight mother, the noble-intentioned but evil man behind her father's death, and what Lily is willing to do to help those she loves.
Tye and Lily's banter keeps overly dramatic moments (like when he tells her she's his soulmate) from being overly dramatic. There isn't any fresh twist on this YA trope, but the inside details of a Princeton reunion weekend and the characters populating both worlds in this story keep you hooked.
While there is some gore and death involved in human-faerie battle here, the romance is definitely in the lower YA genre.
Durst is definitely a must-read author.
This Book's Food Designation Rating: Clam Chowder in a bread bowl for the luscious, creamy characters in a compulsively eatable, familiar, and satisfying vehicle.
lightasrain's review against another edition
5.0
A wonderful read.I love it.But somehow I guessed from the start who was the bad guy.I am not complaining though.It was still awesome,super-magical and full of twists.Everyone who likes adventure type fantasy,should read it.
missprint_'s review against another edition
5.0
Lily Carter's future is at Princeton University. Her grandfather went to Princeton. Going to Princeton would allow Lily to move away from home without feeling guilt about not taking care of her mother. It's the perfect school. Most importantly, Lily desperately wants to follow in Grandpa's footsteps to make him and her mother proud.
Turns out her chance at Princeton might come sooner than she thinks when Lily accompanies her grandfather and mother to Princeton Reunions weekend where, thanks to Grandpa's connections, Lily has a chance to take the top secret, super exclusive, Legacy Test. Passing the test means claiming what Grandpa calls her destiny. Oh, and it also means automatic acceptance to Princeton.
The only problem is that instead of filling in multiple choice bubbles or writing an essay, Lily has to find the Ivy Key. She has no idea what it looks like or even what it is. She has no idea where to start.
Still, Lily starts on the path to the Ivy Key. A path that leads Lily to talking gargoyles, a mysterious boy with orange and black striped hair, demonic library shelves, and magic. Lots of magic. Because Princeton isn't a normal school and Lily might not be a normal girl.
If Lily can get to the bottom of Princeton's secrets, she might also find answers about her mother's illness and her family's hazy past, she might even find her own place at Princeton in Enchanted Ivy (2010) by Sarah Beth Durst.
I loved Enchanted Ivy. Truly loved it. It's a perfect fantasy with an original premise, a great plot and top notch world building. As a girl who once asked for a gargoyle for Christmas* I especially loved the gargoyles in the story which, according to Durst herself, are all really at Princeton--how cool is that?
Gargoyles aside Enchanted Ivy is a strong story with appealing fantasy elements and truly delightful characters on every page. Lily is an authentic and likable heroine at every stage of her journey. To call Tye** a wonderful addition to the story is a vast understatement. Durst's writing is complex, subtle and a real pleasure to read.
In addition to being a fun fantasy, Enchanted Ivy is a clever spin on the usual college admission woes seen in realistic YA novels. At the same time it has elements of mystery and action. The narrative asks hard questions with wit and aplomb. And there's a whole section that takes place in a library. Seriously, what more do you want? Go, read this book, right now!
*No, really. I did. Here he is sitting on my signed copy of Enchanted Ivy:
You could say this book is gargoyle approved. Or Miss Print approved. Either would work.
**Tye may or may not be the aforementioned mysterious boy with orange and black striped hair. . . . Okay, I lied, Tye is totally the aforementioned mysterious boy with orange and black striped hair.
Possible Pairings: White Cat by Holly Black, City of Bones by Cassandra Clare, The Demon's Lexicon by Sarah Rees Brennan, Guardian of the Dead by Karen Healey, Once a Witch by Carolyn MacCullough
Check my blog May 12, 2011 for an interview with Sarah Beth Durst herself!
Turns out her chance at Princeton might come sooner than she thinks when Lily accompanies her grandfather and mother to Princeton Reunions weekend where, thanks to Grandpa's connections, Lily has a chance to take the top secret, super exclusive, Legacy Test. Passing the test means claiming what Grandpa calls her destiny. Oh, and it also means automatic acceptance to Princeton.
The only problem is that instead of filling in multiple choice bubbles or writing an essay, Lily has to find the Ivy Key. She has no idea what it looks like or even what it is. She has no idea where to start.
Still, Lily starts on the path to the Ivy Key. A path that leads Lily to talking gargoyles, a mysterious boy with orange and black striped hair, demonic library shelves, and magic. Lots of magic. Because Princeton isn't a normal school and Lily might not be a normal girl.
If Lily can get to the bottom of Princeton's secrets, she might also find answers about her mother's illness and her family's hazy past, she might even find her own place at Princeton in Enchanted Ivy (2010) by Sarah Beth Durst.
I loved Enchanted Ivy. Truly loved it. It's a perfect fantasy with an original premise, a great plot and top notch world building. As a girl who once asked for a gargoyle for Christmas* I especially loved the gargoyles in the story which, according to Durst herself, are all really at Princeton--how cool is that?
Gargoyles aside Enchanted Ivy is a strong story with appealing fantasy elements and truly delightful characters on every page. Lily is an authentic and likable heroine at every stage of her journey. To call Tye** a wonderful addition to the story is a vast understatement. Durst's writing is complex, subtle and a real pleasure to read.
In addition to being a fun fantasy, Enchanted Ivy is a clever spin on the usual college admission woes seen in realistic YA novels. At the same time it has elements of mystery and action. The narrative asks hard questions with wit and aplomb. And there's a whole section that takes place in a library. Seriously, what more do you want? Go, read this book, right now!
*No, really. I did. Here he is sitting on my signed copy of Enchanted Ivy:
You could say this book is gargoyle approved. Or Miss Print approved. Either would work.
**Tye may or may not be the aforementioned mysterious boy with orange and black striped hair. . . . Okay, I lied, Tye is totally the aforementioned mysterious boy with orange and black striped hair.
Possible Pairings: White Cat by Holly Black, City of Bones by Cassandra Clare, The Demon's Lexicon by Sarah Rees Brennan, Guardian of the Dead by Karen Healey, Once a Witch by Carolyn MacCullough
Check my blog May 12, 2011 for an interview with Sarah Beth Durst herself!
mlottermoser's review against another edition
2.0
A little formulaic. Young girl finds out about a secret magical world in her quest to get into Princeton. Love triangles, betrayal, secret siblings, and magical beasts.
chllybrd's review against another edition
4.0
Reviewed by http://urbanfantasyinvestigations.blogspot.com/
I gave it a 3.5/5
ENCHANTED IVY is a great blend of magic, fantasy, mystery and YA level romance. The plot is catching from the beginning. The story is fast paced yet detailed. Lily is loyal, determined, stubborn and an all around great character to follow. The plot was a tad bit predictable and times but still a lot of fun. The romance between Lily and Tye is sweet and the little triangle when adding in Jake isn't to far fetched or over the top. The end doesn't leave anything open and wraps everything up nicely. ENCHANTED IVY brings an imaginative adventure to the college application process and if you are looking for an easy and light read you should pick it up.
I gave it a 3.5/5
ENCHANTED IVY is a great blend of magic, fantasy, mystery and YA level romance. The plot is catching from the beginning. The story is fast paced yet detailed. Lily is loyal, determined, stubborn and an all around great character to follow. The plot was a tad bit predictable and times but still a lot of fun. The romance between Lily and Tye is sweet and the little triangle when adding in Jake isn't to far fetched or over the top. The end doesn't leave anything open and wraps everything up nicely. ENCHANTED IVY brings an imaginative adventure to the college application process and if you are looking for an easy and light read you should pick it up.
k_lee_reads_it's review against another edition
3.0
Yet another ya fantasy with magical creatures and a love triangle.