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A review by eleanorefiore
The Ivies by Alexa Donne
mysterious
tense
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A
4.0
✨ Engaging
✨ Struggled just a bit with the writing style
✨ Infuriating in the best way possible
The Ivies is so incredibly engaging. There’s so many mystery threads for you to follow, and as they came together they made one big picture. All the hints were there and I loved following them and putting the pieces together afterwards.
The main mystery—the murder—was probably the least interesting out of all of them, but I still liked the set up and pay off. I know it won’t appeal to everyone. I’m putting spoiler thoughts at the bottom.
Olivia was fine. I didn’t love her, but I have no reason to complain. She doesn’t grow, necessarily, but she’s a good vessel for a mystery novel—unobtrusive, but interesting enough. She makes sensible decisions and there’s also plenty of time to explore the rest of the cast.
I think the setting was a big reason I liked it. I tend not to like teens written by grown adults, but the fact that it’s in a rich, private boarding school makes it seem like a whole other world. And some of the things I usually mind make sense in that setting.
The ending is infuriating, but not in a bad way. The whole book is about rich white kids—it’s hard to be in that world and not get angry at how rules are just suggestions to them. But it’s not unrealistic and because of that I don’t count my annoyance as a negative.
I know some people will be like “it’s ALWAYS the boyfriend!” but like....yeah, it is. As an avid watcher of true crime...I'm so used to it it's not even funny.
I had a feeling right at the beginning, when they were reading the text about how not to trust any men, and then Avery made a snarky comment about her stepbrother.
I don’t know if his motivation completely sticks right with me, but the truth is that this book was never about who killed Emma. It was Olivia uncovering ALL the lies and mysteries at Claflin.
Also low-key I loved how she told you in the beginning not to trust any men. Because I’d get attached to Ethan, but there was always a thought in the back of my head that maybe that wasn’t right. And it all played out and it was just perfect!
✨ Struggled just a bit with the writing style
✨ Infuriating in the best way possible
The Ivies is so incredibly engaging. There’s so many mystery threads for you to follow, and as they came together they made one big picture. All the hints were there and I loved following them and putting the pieces together afterwards.
The main mystery—the murder—was probably the least interesting out of all of them, but I still liked the set up and pay off. I know it won’t appeal to everyone. I’m putting spoiler thoughts at the bottom.
Olivia was fine. I didn’t love her, but I have no reason to complain. She doesn’t grow, necessarily, but she’s a good vessel for a mystery novel—unobtrusive, but interesting enough. She makes sensible decisions and there’s also plenty of time to explore the rest of the cast.
I think the setting was a big reason I liked it. I tend not to like teens written by grown adults, but the fact that it’s in a rich, private boarding school makes it seem like a whole other world. And some of the things I usually mind make sense in that setting.
The ending is infuriating, but not in a bad way. The whole book is about rich white kids—it’s hard to be in that world and not get angry at how rules are just suggestions to them. But it’s not unrealistic and because of that I don’t count my annoyance as a negative.
I had a feeling right at the beginning, when they were reading the text about how not to trust any men, and then Avery made a snarky comment about her stepbrother.
I don’t know if his motivation completely sticks right with me, but the truth is that this book was never about who killed Emma. It was Olivia uncovering ALL the lies and mysteries at Claflin.
Also low-key I loved how she told you in the beginning not to trust any men. Because I’d get attached to Ethan, but there was always a thought in the back of my head that maybe that wasn’t right. And it all played out and it was just perfect!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Drug use, Murder, and Toxic friendship
Note on drug abuse TW: There is a lot of talk about some of the characters adding things to others' drinks—like laxatives and adderall—without their consent or knowledge. I wasn't sure what to label it, but the true trigger warning should say "drugging others without their knowledge".