Review: The Book of Ivy by Amy Engel

The Book of Ivy (The Book of Ivy #1) by Amy Engel

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 restore 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…

Publishes in US: November 11th 2014 by Entangled: Teen
Genre: YA dystopia
Source: Entangled: Teen via Netgalley
Series? Yes The Book of Ivy #1
The Revolution of Ivy (The Book of Ivy, #2) Expected publication: November 2015 by Entangled Teen

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    I wanted to read Book of Ivy because Ivy sounded like the strong and take charge character that I would like, and the type of post-apocalyptic type setting with the devastation to the nation and how things have changed for teens and everyone for a matter of fact in this town. The two ruling families and the arranged marriage, plus our insight going in that Ivy was to kill Bishop and tip the scales of power. 

   Ivy actually was a little less decisive than I would have thought, but it just made her a more real and believable character, She is still strong and loyal, she just had extensive plans with her sister and dad on how she was to act and how to try and pull of the murder. But then Bishop isn't what Ivy expected and that enough would have been enough to make her question but then plans start to go astray from what they'd devised and Ivy isn't as good at planning ahead and thinking how these changes should in turn change her actions. 

    Bishop surprised me in so many ways. From his gentle nature with ivy to his deep desire to know who she is. His beliefs are more similar with hers than I ever why'd have thought and I enjoyed their conversations and debates so much. I liked that he didn't have expectations of her and how hard he tried to get to know her and supported her. His Sternberg is so covenant than his dad's and all his own matching with the bishop that ivy slowly let's on and instead of pretending feelings they turn deeper and real. Things she sees as well as what she sees from bishop and what could happen if his ideals and ideas for their society if they could come to pass. Out really confused ivy and the plans that she took on her shoulders of her dad and sister and she behind to wonder how much she blindly followed his ideals and how much of her passion is her own.

    The family aspect is present and we find ought there are more lies and manipulations than I could have beloved but I also got to see that there is more behind the two leaders and the kind of society they want. Both have so many wrong beliefs as well as wrong ways to carry out  their good intentions.

     The way the book ended broke my heart. I know that she was so torn and that she had no good choices, but I just wish that the romance between her and Bishop didn't have to encounter this roadblock. I was so high on them and it was a delicious burn as they got to know one another. But I am so eager for the next book because reading the synopsis tells me one important thing that I can look forward to. 

Bottom Line: Slow burn romance with a plot I enjoyed a lot.

My question to you, my lovely readers:
Do you believe in arranged marriages under any circumstances?