"Enchanted Ivy" by Sarah Beth Durst

5 out of 5 stars

Read November 5 to 8, 2013

Pages: 310
Published: October 12, 2010
Publisher: Margaret K. McElderry Books

When I read the synopsis, I thought it was so original. I mean, how many books are about the magical, parallel world to an Ivy league college? Instead of werewolves, there are were-tigers. I think that's cooler.

I loved Lily's dedication to her mom. She refused to leave her mother's side and only left her because her mother told her to. Sure she was interested in a couple boys she met, but she didn't become obsessed with them. She was working on passing the Legacy Test.

This book was really fast paced, which I think was good since it was a stand alone. I think that the book ends really nicely, but it would be cool if there was a short story or something to see how Lily is doing at Princeton, how Lily's parents met, or how Tye and Jake's mother ended up to two very different men.

Lily
She wants to go to Princeton and will do anything to get in. So when she has to pass the Legacy Test, she is determined to pass. But she's also wants to keep her mother and grandfather happy.

Tye
He's all mysterious, but he isn't a bad boy. And that's a nice change. He really cared about Lily, even though she was not too sure about him. And he didn't just leave her hanging. He helped her.

Jake
He was OK. He was really narrow-minded and didn't believe that his grandpa could be wrong. He eventually learns and becomes more open to that thought of magical creatures.

Rose, Lily's Mom
At the beginning of the book, we learn that she has to take medicine and is a little off. But we learn that she is part of the other Princeton world. She then goes back to the other Princeton and is able to think clearly again.

Lily's Grandpa
I felt bad for him. He thought he was part of a good group of people, but he wasn't. His best friend is trying to kill everyone magical, including his granddaughter and daughter-in-law.

Jake's Grandpa
At the beginning, I thought he was nice old man. Turns out that he's not. He wants to kill every magical creature, including Lily and her mother. He's even willing to have his own grandson by killed to get what he wants.

Overall, this book was good for a stand alone. I was worried as I haven't read too many stand alones, but this one was good. I hope to read more books by Ms. Durst.