Members with This Book
Most Helpful Reviews
see all reviews
Liked It “I think that it was very good, because it didn't need action and adventure to keep it going, though there certainly was adventure throughout the book. It is written very descriptively and the story holds mysteries that turn out to be very surprising.” see full review » see other reviews » |
Didn’t Like It “This book was simply fluffy. The story was boring, it moved slowly, you don't care about anyone at all in the story and the ending was seriously stupid. Good for a fluffy quick time waster, but not much else.” see full review » see other reviews » |
Newest Reviews
see all reviews-
“I think that it was very good, because it didn't need action and adventure to keep it going, though there certainly was adventure throughout the book. It is written very descriptively and the story holds mysteries that turn out to be very surprising. ”
Valerie T wrote this review 19 hours ago. ( reply | permalink ) Was this review helpful? Yes | No
“best book ever!!! orphans, death, love, perfect book. i love mello-dramatic unless its acting.”
Fiona C wrote this review Thursday, November 12 2009. ( reply | permalink ) Was this review helpful? Yes | No
“very good book: has deceit, "romance", different views, and nice way of writing. all in all; very good book. one of my favs.”
~foxy♥mary~ wrote this review Sunday, November 1 2009. ( reply | permalink ) Was this review helpful? Yes | No“This book was simply fluffy. The story was boring, it moved slowly, you don't care about anyone at all in the story and the ending was seriously stupid. Good for a fluffy quick time waster, but not much else.”
Catherine H wrote this review Wednesday, September 9 2009. ( reply | permalink ) Was this review helpful? Yes | No
“For the most part, I really enjoyed this novel about a young girl who becomes a model for a (fictional) painter of the Pre-Raphaelite Brotherhood. I especially enjoyed the parts where she was with the den of thieves in London.”
Kat M wrote this review Monday, July 27 2009. ( reply | permalink ) Was this review helpful? Yes | No
“For the most part I really ejoyed this novel, even though it did drag a bit in places. Loved the parts where Ivy is with the den of thieves in London. ”
Kat M wrote this review Monday, July 27 2009. ( reply | permalink ) Was this review helpful? Yes | No
“Meh. Everything about it was just mediocre. And the ending was dumb. It killed time and wasn't completely painful, but I feel like I could have spent my time reading something better.”
Rachel wrote this review Tuesday, July 21 2009. ( reply | permalink ) Was this review helpful? Yes | No
“ Reviewed by Tasha for TeensReadToo.com
TeensReadToo.com wrote this review Monday, July 20 2009. ( reply | permalink ) Was this review helpful? Yes | No
Ivy's life isn't exactly picturesque. At a very young age, she is orphaned and forced to live with her aunt, uncle, and cousins, who really can't afford to support another child. Once old enough, she is sent to school, but doesn't even last the whole day. While running from school her beautiful red hair makes Carroty Kate, a thief who literally steals the clothes off of people's backs, catch sight of her and snatch her up.
Forced into becoming a con artist, Ivy is brought into a clan of thieves where every night she is given laudanum in order to suppress the terrible nightmares she faces. Years later she escapes, fleeing back to her aunt and uncle's house. Everyday she works in order to provide for her still-struggling family, while also fighting her addiction to laudanum.
Then one day a young painter, who instantly decides that he must have her as a muse, glimpses her. Ivy and family reluctantly agree, as the money is good, and it could have its benefits. Ivy soon realizes, though, that modeling isn't what she imagined as she deals with a jealous mother, a familiar band of thieves, a persistent addiction, and a way too controlling cousin.
IVY is a great historical novel. There is so much to learn from this brilliantly written story that it was hard to see it end. Not only are there historical facts, but also some life lessons that still apply in modern times.
Ivy was by far one of the more interesting characters that I've ever read about. She has many quirks and led a terrible life. It was great to see a fully-developed character whose personality, however weird it may be, shone throughout the story. I really liked how Ivy was so mature for most of the story, but still had a childlike aspect to her when the reader found out how much of a passion she had for animals. She was so excited by the fact of getting to work with dogs that at one point in the story it almost seemed like she had transformed herself into a girl who hadn't had any hardships.
I also really liked how Ivy learned that modeling wasn't the best thing. Even though the story is set in Victorian England, Ivy still faces the problem of dealing with jealousy and not being good enough, which is something I'm sure many people in this day and age can relate to, as well. She also shows people how much trouble an addiction can cause, and also how hard it is to break it.
Overall, Julie Hearn did a great job recreating a very real Victorian England. Fans of historical fiction will absolutely devour this book. I am very much looking forward to reading more of Ms. Hearn's work and will definitely recommend this book to many.”
“IDK”
Balletbabe wrote this review Monday, June 29 2009. ( reply | permalink ) Was this review helpful? Yes | No
“I found the book a great time killer. Not exacty a favorite.
Desa the Princess Jelly Bean® wrote this review Monday, March 23 2009. ( reply | permalink ) Was this review helpful? Yes | No
Shes addicted to a drug, a model for a twerpy painter, waaaaaay to mysterious. Waaaay too. Twerpy painters mama hates her for no appearant reason. Although I gathered it was because she wanted to be the model. Not a good plot line, crazy stupid ending. And heck, not even any real romance.”
