It has been a while since I read The Book of Ivy, but enjoyed it and recommended it to several of my high school students. I loved the set up of the world where Ivy lived and her question of loyalty to her people or herself. I think I would like to go back and read it and the sequel.

This is the first book of two that I know of.. The two main characters are ivy and bishop and they are wonderful.
This is a popular quote and a big pull in for me.
"A boy who doesn't want to lie, married to a girl who can't tell the truth."
TThis book is amazing youu must read it

Very engaging story of Ivy, a girl facing an arranged marriage to a boy on the opposite side of the political spectrum from her own. Ivy is not happy about the prospect of marrying a stranger, but she has to follow through so she can complete her mission – to kill the boy she’s set to wed. Ivy wants to obey her father and sister who directed the assassination, but there’s something so special about the young man who’s now her husband. His name is Bishop and he surprises her with his kindness and gentleness, rendering her plan to kill him a difficult choice.

Bishop is the ultimate good guy – almost too good to be true. Ivy has never had a mother and her father and older sister have failed to show her warmth or understanding. The newlyweds’ families are opposed to each other but town rules dictate arranged marriages between the two factions. Neither Ivy’s or Bishop’s parents are great role models and they don’t instill loyalty to their personal beliefs. Ivy must decide whose side she will align with and who she will betray.

Engel’s futuristic post-apocalyptic world is governed by strict rules and failure to adhere can result in cruel punishment or even death. What was seen as a perfect plan for a better society after humanity destroyed almost everything is typical of the failure of dystopian worlds.

Engel’s book contains strong characters and an interesting post-apocalyptic world consisting of a simple society that demands obedience. Ivy and Bishop are adorable and through him, Ivy finds something she has longed for all her life. Their story holds the reader’s interest and will leave readers anxious for the second in the series.