Review: Inside Out by Maria V. Snyder

Series: Inside Out Book #1
Format: Ebook
Rating: 3 Stars
How I Got It: Borrowed from Library (Overdrive)
Genre: Young Adult, Dystopian
Publisher: Harlequin

Synopsis courtesy of Goodreads

I'm Trella. I'm a scrub. A nobody. One of thousands who work the lower levels, keeping Inside clean for the Uppers. I've got one friend, do my job and try to avoid the Pop Cops. So what if I occasionally use the pipes to sneak around the Upper levels? The only neck at risk is my own…until I accidentally start a rebellion and become the go-to girl to lead a revolution.

Review

This is a hard one. I still enjoy Maria V Snyder's writing but the story doesn't really work for me. I read it rather fast and it was gripping but didn't fully connect. It isn't something I can explain.

The concept is an interesting me, but a lot of information is withheld. I believe this was a conscious choice, but it's still frustrating. I just wish I knew more about what the "Inside" is and the people. There's also a lot of terminology to wrap your mind around.

This is a duology and maybe I'll read the second book some day. But for now, I'm perfectly content with how this one ended.

Thanks for reading!
Holly

Review: The Revolution of Ivy by Amy Engel

 

Series: The book of Ivy Book #2
Format: Paperback
Pages: 288
Rating: 4 Stars
How I Got It: Purchased
Genre: Young Adult, Dystopian
Publisher: Entangled Teen

Synopsis courtesy of Goodreads

Ivy Westfall is beyond the fence and she is alone. Abandoned by her family and separated from Bishop Lattimer, Ivy must find a way to survive on her own in a land filled with countless dangers, both human and natural. She has traded a more civilized type of cruelty--forced marriages and murder plots--for the bare-knuckled brutality required to survive outside Westfall's borders.

But there is hope beyond the fence, as well. And when Bishop reappears in Ivy's life, she must decide if returning to Westfall to take a final stand for what she believes is right is worth losing everything she's fought for.

Review

I didn't like this one quite as much as the first book, but it was still a solid story and a great conclusion. Just like the first one, the writing was fast paced and gripping. I finished reading it in only a few hours.

Going in I had no idea what to expect. To me, so much of the story is about Ivy's personal revolution. She goes through so much and has to do difficult things to suvive. It's probably one of the most realistic dystopians I've read when it comes to that.

And I really liked the introduction of Caleb and Ash. Ivy really needed some friends and they were great. They are rough people, but are truly good friends for Ivy. She's able to create a new family with them. And I love a good found family story.

Speaking of...let's talk Bishop. I really like that guy. He isn't perfect, but he's so generous and kind. And I liked that he became more angry in this one. Afterall, everyone's patience runs out eventually. It makes him even more realistic.

One of the problems with dystopians is the endings. In a lot of ways it involves the author making a call on what is a good government is and I think they feel uncomfortable with it. Ms. Engel handled this well just like the other dystopian elements in her story. And I really liked what she did with Bishop and Ivy's characters in particular. That was a very solid epilogue.

This was a great duology and it deserves the hype it gets. I hope to read more by Amy Engel and recommend the series.

Thanks for reading!
Holly

The Book of Ivy by Amy Engel

Series: The Book of Ivy Book #1
Format: Library Binding
Pages:  282
Rating: 4.5 Stars
How I Got It: Borrowed from the Library
Genre: Young Adult, Dystopian
Publisher: Entangled Teen

Synopsis courtesy of Goodreads

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…

Review

This book had a tone of hype last year so I was avoiding it. But I finally gave in. ANd I loved it. Ms. Engel wrote a great dystopian that hooked me. I had to go buy the second one right away so I could pick it up when I finished The Book of Ivy.

Maybe it's because it's a dystopian, but I couldn't stop comparing this to other books and media. I think in a lot of ways this has what people wanted in the Selection Series. Personally, I liked both. It also reminded me a lot of the TV show Revolution. These characters are very knowledgable about what life was like "before" and are trying to rebuild.

The characters were great. Ivy was just amazing. I really liked reading from her perspective and love how passionate she is. Bishop is so sweet and kind. My opinion won't be fully formed until I finish the series, but I think he's a solid beta hero.

Ms. Engel also did some interesting things with the side characters. They were well developed no matter how little page time they have. And without spoiling anything, I was pleasantly surprised with what I would call stock characters in dystopians.

Speaking of dystopia. This was solid. Ms. Engel has her characters acknowledge the pros and cons of their political system. One of the issues I often have with dsytopians is how they world is just black and white. This may change in the second book, but right now I like how Ms. Engel is approaching her characters' reality.

Lastly, the romance. It's so cute and Bishop is so generous with Ivy. They have a great subtle chemistry and I really like the quiet times between them. They're just so stinking adorable.

Thanks for reading!
Holly