The words unique, brilliant, and astounding can all be used to describe The Book of Ivy by Amy Engel. Readers are immediately drawn into the world Engel created. The story takes place in the future after a nuclear war in the United States occurred. To keep the peace between the Westfalls and Lattimers (who fought against each other in the war), the Westfalls’ daughter had to marry the Lattimers’ son. Ivy, the Westfalls’ daughter has other plans, however. Her priority is to kill Bishop, the Lattimers’ son. Throughout the story readers are kept on the edge of their seats in suspense. Overall, this is a phenomenal book. The first thing that gave the book its ranking was the characters. Engel doesn’t just pile character details on in the beginning
