Author:Sarah Beth Durst
Release Date: October 12, 2010
Publisher: Simon & Schuster
ISBN: 1416986456
ISBN13: 9781416986454
Genre: Young Adult
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 is a great blend of magic, fantasy, mystery and YA level romance. The plot is catching from the beginning. The story is fast paced yet detailed. Lily is loyal, determined, stubborn and an all around great character to follow. The plot was a tad bit predictable and times but still a lot of fun. The romance between Lily and Tye is sweet and the little triangle when adding in Jake isn't to far fetched or over the top. The end doesn't leave anything open and wraps everything up nicely. ENCHANTED IVY brings an imaginative adventure to the college application process and if you are looking for an easy and light read you should pick it up.
I gave it 3.5/5 Stars