kblincoln's review
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
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
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
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
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.
abookdork's review
4.0
"Enchanted Ivy" is a fun, fast read with a unique plot that sucks readers in. I absolutely loved Sarah Beth Durst's book "Ice" and am happy that I was not disappointed with "Enchanted Ivy", which is impressive because I've been dying to read it since I first heard the synopsis. I had very little time to read this week, but every second I got I spent reading this book. I was almost late to one of the lectures because I was so wrapped up in the book I forgot to look at my watch! I just got sucked into Lily's search for the key and the truth about her family. "Enchanted Ivy" moved really fast, as soon as one problem was solved a whole other issue would come up.
Something I loved about the book was how Durst used real landmarks in Princeton in her book, it made me want to go and check out all the details she added into her book. I loved how the alumni parade, P Rade, played a part in the story; it just added a lot of life to the story. I also liked the role the FitzRandolph Gate played as the bridge between two worlds. The fact that Durst used real landmarks in her story made the book more believable.
I really liked the characters. The interactions between Lily and the two main male characters were really funny. I kept smiling and giggling to myself while reading. I think part of the reason I didn't love this book is that I wanted more of the characters. The book almost felt too fast and I wish I had more of Lily. I also liked how quirky Lily's mom was and liked the addition of her mental struggles to the book. This sounds twister, but I knew there was something more going on and I just couldn't wait to figure out where Durst was going with this.
If you like fantasy and paranormal books, this book needs to be on your "to read" list. I also highly recommend reading "Ice" if you haven't read it. I can't wait to see what Durst will write next! This makes it clearer than ever that I really need to read Sarah's first two books "Into the Wild" and "Out of the Wild". If you are interested in this book then be on the look out for the contest I will be holding.
Something I loved about the book was how Durst used real landmarks in Princeton in her book, it made me want to go and check out all the details she added into her book. I loved how the alumni parade, P Rade, played a part in the story; it just added a lot of life to the story. I also liked the role the FitzRandolph Gate played as the bridge between two worlds. The fact that Durst used real landmarks in her story made the book more believable.
I really liked the characters. The interactions between Lily and the two main male characters were really funny. I kept smiling and giggling to myself while reading. I think part of the reason I didn't love this book is that I wanted more of the characters. The book almost felt too fast and I wish I had more of Lily. I also liked how quirky Lily's mom was and liked the addition of her mental struggles to the book. This sounds twister, but I knew there was something more going on and I just couldn't wait to figure out where Durst was going with this.
If you like fantasy and paranormal books, this book needs to be on your "to read" list. I also highly recommend reading "Ice" if you haven't read it. I can't wait to see what Durst will write next! This makes it clearer than ever that I really need to read Sarah's first two books "Into the Wild" and "Out of the Wild". If you are interested in this book then be on the look out for the contest I will be holding.