A review by krshmnsh
The Ivies by Alexa Donne

fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? No
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

1.25

For a novel that's categorised as a Mystery, it's probably one of the most predictable reads I've ever come across. 

It starts off slow, however from the middle onto the ending, everything seems rushed in a way that gives me the impression that the writer didn't have more time to create more in-depth plot points. 

As a WOC, I was quiet annoyed that one of the motives behind the murder was due to the entitled racist white boy's unhappiness with spots in ivy schools being taken up by BIPOC. It felt like a shallow attempt at dealing with racial implications within academic settings as these characters weren't even acknowledged for their ethic background outside of the one line description given in their introductions. While I am grateful that the topic was touched on, it wasn't enough to actually leave any impact on me as a reader.