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

Publisher: Entangled:Teen

Publication date: November 11th 2014 

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…

-Goodreads description

I reaaallly liked this book. A lot more than I thought I would which is always a nice thing to say after spending about 8 hours of your life reading while you could be doing more productive things......but that's what books do to you. Sigh...Anyway, before I go off on a tangent, I wanna keep this nice and short and say that it's definitely the kind of book that deserves it's place on the TBR list and it perfectly represents the outsider of the Dystopian novels that have come out recently.

The characterization was totally on point and no character was left underdeveloped, and if so, it was for clear and intentional reasons. Ivy, the protagonist, was definitely an intriguing character who had depth to her personality and questioned the principles of her society and the beliefs she had been told. What I enjoyed most though was that I was able to feel her slow transition throughout the book which was greatly paced so that the readers could really indulge in her emotions and actions. However, by far, my favorite character was Bishop. I mean, there are not really that many characters in this book at all, but still, Bishop is my man <3 When Ivy first meets him, he seems detached and indifferent but quickly, you start to see him for the lovable, amazing, honest, sweet, cute and humble guy he really is... I really need to give two thumbs up to Engel for the depiction of her characters. Truly well done! 

Whilst I loved the characters, the setting for me and some of the details were kind of iffy. Like if this is a dystopian world, there really shouldn't be so many things available..like jeans and bikini's and stuff like that. I get that a lot of resources were left behind but they say no one ever goes beyond the fence because it is likely they die..so did they bring all those jeans with them when they first arrived decades ago? I don't know..maybe, it's something I missed but this was something that really stood out to me and not in a good way. 

Despite these mistakes, I still believe that this book is a great read and encourage you to try it!

                                                                   - Alana xxx

The Young Elites (The Young Elites #1) by Marie Lu

Publisher: G.P. Putnam's sons

Publication date: October 7th 2014

I am tired of being used, hurt, and cast aside.

Adelina Amouteru is a survivor of the blood fever. A decade ago, the deadly illness swept through her nation. Most of the infected perished, while many of the children who survived were left with strange markings. Adelina’s black hair turned silver, her lashes went pale, and now she has only a jagged scar where her left eye once was. Her cruel father believes she is a malfetto, an abomination, ruining their family’s good name and standing in the way of their fortune. But some of the fever’s survivors are rumored to possess more than just scars—they are believed to have mysterious and powerful gifts, and though their identities remain secret, they have come to be called the Young Elites.

Teren Santoro works for the king. As Leader of the Inquisition Axis, it is his job to seek out the Young Elites, to destroy them before they destroy the nation. He believes the Young Elites to be dangerous and vengeful, but it’s Teren who may possess the darkest secret of all. 

Enzo Valenciano is a member of the Dagger Society. This secret sect of Young Elites seeks out others like them before the Inquisition Axis can. But when the Daggers find Adelina, they discover someone with powers like they’ve never seen. 

Adelina wants to believe Enzo is on her side, and that Teren is the true enemy. But the lives of these three will collide in unexpected ways, as each fights a very different and personal battle. But of one thing they are all certain: Adelina has abilities that shouldn’t belong in this world. A vengeful blackness in her heart. And a desire to destroy all who dare to cross her.

It is my turn to use. My turn to hurt.

-Goodreads description 

I really loved this book! I knew before I even started it that I would love it seeing as I loved the Legend trilogy by Marie Lu. I will say that I put off reading it because the premise just didn't seem that intriguing to me AT FIRST. But boy was I wrong. If I had to have any regrets, it would be not having started it earlier! The characters and narrative are just so intriguing and real that I couldn't put if down.

The main character, Adeline Amouteru, is a malfetto; one of the few survivors scarred by the fever that swept through the country. In a country drowning in corruption, hunger and fear, Malfetto's are condemned for their strange abilities which have been blamed for the nation's downfall with rumors stating that they are cursed. Adelina comes from a wealthy family, a humiliation to her once successful; father. With no eye and bringing a handful of dishonor upon her family, she is hated by her father, his love solely reserved for her younger sister. Driven by his misfortune, her father agrees to sell her off to a bidder.

Adelina, though, will have none of that and attempts to run away. The big word to look our for is attempt. Yep, she's gone for about a 15 minutes and dear old dad shows up. Busted. Until that is, she kills him..total bad-assery intact. Unfortunately, not soon after, she is caught by Inquisition Axis, a group that means to hunt down the Malfettos. Immediately, she is sentenced to an execution by fire. At the last moment, she is saved. When she awakes, she finds herself with a group of malfettos called The Young Elites, her saviors, run by Enzo, the group's leader, Adelina's love interest and the rightful heir to the throne. In order to see if she can truly control her powers, she is tested. If she passes, she will become a Young Elite.

Definitely a favorite of mine is the characters. There is not one character that is badly developed or unappealing. In fact, I can't think of one character I really disliked. Crazy,right? But, it's true. Gahhhh, I just can't. They were all so perfect! Adelina was a bad-ass. Enzo was sexy...dark..mysterious... and RAFFAELE - A hottie with a body but that has a completely...platonic relationship with our protagonist. And let's not forget evil but misunderstood Teren.

Other plus points are the setting which is perfectly integrated into the story and just fits right in. The magical element is also very mature in its portrayal- no faerie dust or pixies here, guys. And you know what? The dark stuff is exactly where it's at.

I feel like I don't even need to write any more. All I need to say is that you should definitely read it! Like..now...right now.
                                                                   - Alana xxx