Mundie Moms

Wednesday, October 13, 2010

Book Review- Enchanted Ivy

By Sarah Beth Durst
Published by Margaret L. McElderry Books/Simon & Schuster
Released on October 12th, 2010
Source- Author/Publisher
5 stars- I Highly Recommend It

What Lily Carter wants most in the world is to attend Princeton University just like her grandfather. When she finally visits the campus, Grandpa surprises her: She has been selected to take the top-secret Legacy Test. Passing means automatic acceptance to Princeton. Sweet!

Lily's test is to find the Ivy Key. But what is she looking for? Where does she start? As she searches, Lily is joined by Tye, a cute college boy with orange and black hair who says he's her guard. That's weird. But things get seriously strange when a gargoyle talks to her. He tells her that there are two Princetons—the ordinary one and a magical one—and the Key opens the gate between them. But there are more secrets that surround Lily. Worse secrets.

When Lily enters the magical Princeton, she uncovers old betrayals and new dangers, and a chance at her dream becomes a fight for her life. Soon Lily is caught in a power struggle between two worlds, with her family at its center. In a place where Knights slay monsters, boys are were-tigers, and dragons might be out for blood, Lily will need all of her ingenuity and courage—and a little magic—to unite the worlds and unlock the secrets of her past and her future.

Enchanted Ivy seduced me with it's rich lore, and held me captive by it's vivid setting. Sarah Beth Durst's breathe taking descriptions of her setting had me wishing I could travel to Princeton to walk through the FitzRandolph Gate just to see the land that lies on other side.

Lily Carter has a dream to attend Princeton University like her parents and grandfather before he did. When she and her mother accompany her Grandfather to a reunion weekend at this prestigious university, Lily is offered a chance to attend Princeton. She must find the Ivy Key. IF she passes this secret test, she will not only be granted the right to attend the University, but she'll be apart of a secret society. There's a whole lot more to Princeton that meets the eye.

Lily is a fun character to get to know. She's real and relatable as like many high school juniors, she stresses about college applications and if she had enough credits and passed her exams. She's also loyal and very caring and concerned about those she loves. Even when unthinkable things happen, she more or less goes with the flow of it. She's also stubborn and strong when she needs to be. I really enjoyed watching her relationship with Tye evolve. While I'd like to say I was torn between Tye and Jake, as both guys are strong, warriors, and protectors of their secrets and Lily, Tye won me over. I should say, it's hard choosing between a were-tiger and a knight, as both characters have very little flaws and were at times entertaining as they fought for their right to protect Lily.

Enchanted Ivy is a mesmerizing, fast paced, engaging read that left me yearning to read more. With twist and turns and wonderful characters, it's definitely a book I'll be picking up again. It's rich in history and lore, and has a simple, yet fascinating love story at it's core. Enchanted Ivy is filled with magic, talking gargoyles, dragons, faeries, goblins, unicorns, were-tigers, centaurs, dryads, a secret society, action and much more. If you want to get lost in a beautiful world that resides in both the real world and in the realm of the unbelievable, go pick up Enchanted Ivy today.

You can take a tour of Princeton via Sarah's tour on her blog here http://tinyurl.com/2fpf6nj.
You can read more about the gargoyles found on the grounds of Princeton here http://tinyurl.com/247lhf7

Waiting On Wednesday- Once In A Full Moon


By Ellen Schreiber
Published by Katherine Tegen Books/HarperTeen
To Be Released on December 28th, 2010

Beware of a kiss under the full moon. It will change your life forever.

Celeste Parker is used to hearing scary stories about werewolves—Legend's Run is famous for them. She's used to everything in the small town until Brandon Maddox moves to Legend's Run and Celeste finds herself immediately drawn to the handsome new student. But when, after an unnerving visit with a psychic, she encounters a pack of wolves and gorgeous, enigmatic Brandon, she must discover whether his transformation is more than legend or just a trick of the shadows in the moonlight.

Her best friends may never forgive her if she gives up her perfect boyfriend, Nash, for Brandon, who's from the wrong side of town. But she can't deny her attraction or the strong pull he has on her. Brandon may be Celeste's hero, or he may be the most dangerous creature she could encounter in the woods of Legend's Run.

Psychic predictions, generations-old secrets, a town divided, and the possibility of falling in love with a hot and heroic werewolf are the perfect formula for what happens . . . once in a full moon (quoted from Harper Teen's site).

Being a total wolf girl fan, I am really looking forward to Once in a Full Moon's release. You can read more about Ellen Schreiber's soon to be release here on Harper Teen http://tinyurl.com/23aq2uw

What upcoming release are you looking forward to reading?

Waiting on Wednesday is a weekly meme hosted by Jill at Breaking the Spine, that spotlights upcoming releases that we're eagerly anticipating.

Crescendo Giveaway Winner



Thank you to everyone who entered our SIGNED Crescendo Giveaway!! Our random.org winner is....

#20- Hillary St Laurent

Congratulations!!!! Thank you to Simon and Schuster for allowing us to host this amazing giveaway.

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