Everyone knows the Ivies: the most coveted universities in the United States. Far more important are the Ivies. The Ivies at Claflin Academy, that is. Five girls with the same mission: to get into the Ivy League by any means necessary. I would know. I’m one of them. We disrupt class ranks, club leaderships, and academic competitions…among other things. We improve our own odds by decreasing the fortunes of others. Because hyper-elite competitive college admissions is serious business. And in some cases, it’s deadly.
Alexa Donne delivers a nail-biting and timely thriller about teens who will stop at nothing to get into the college of their dreams. Too bad no one told them murder isn’t an extracurricular.
The Ivies by Alexa Donne
Pages: 320
Publishing Date: May 25th, 2021
Publisher: Crown
MY THOUGHTS
I am sucker of YA mysteries set in high school/ university/boarding schools/dorms. I have to read all of them and that too in one or two sitting. When I came to know about The Ivies, I had to read it. I finished it in less than 24 hours so yes it was engaging. Though the concept was not new and this book reminded me of three other books, two I read this year and one last year (I’ll do a separate post soon).
The setting was perfect for YA Murder mystery.
A private boarding school with elite students.
A group of mean and ruthless girls known as Ivies as they all have eyes on Ivy league and have been doing anything to go there.
One of the Ivy ended up and dead. And there are so many suspects out there.
Avery is leader of the gang, plans everything and decide which university is for whom.
Margot is actress of group who can get any information from anyone.
Sierra is brain and leader of coding group.
Emma is smart and involve in so many activities and clubs.
Olivia is odd one out, she is a scholarship kid.
Emma ended up dead and Olivia realized there is a huge stack of hidden secrets about Ivy she isn’t aware of. She wanted to know who killed her and started her own investigation.
I love the story and whole environment. Mean girls were really bitchy and cruel. I found the pace a tiny bit slow. Twists and turns were predictable. I totally loved the first half of the book in the second half some of character development felt forced. Ending felt rushed and there were a few questions left unanswered or I wasn’t satisfied with the logic of a few. I loved the fact that no one was white or angel. I love the way a few issues were tackled realistically.
Over all I really enjoyed it.
