House of Ivy & Sorrow - Natalie Whipple

House of Ivy & Sorrow by Natalie Whipple
Publisher: Harper Teen
Publication Date: April 15, 2014
Source/Format: Edelweiss (Thanks Harper Collins!) || e-galley

[I received this book for review from the publisher. This in no way affects the thoughts expressed in my review.]

Josephine Hemlock has spent the last 10 years hiding from the Curse that killed her mother. But when a mysterious man arrives at her ivy-covered, magic-fortified home, it’s clear her mother’s killer has finally come to destroy the rest of the Hemlock bloodline. Before Jo can even think about fighting back, she must figure out who she’s fighting in the first place. The more truth Jo uncovers, the deeper she falls into witchcraft darker than she ever imagined. Trapped and running out of time, she begins to wonder if the very Curse that killed her mother is the only way to save everyone she loves. (from Goodreads)

My thoughts on House of Ivy & Sorrow are very mixed. There are sections and themes that worked really well. But there were elements that fell flat, tempering my enthusiasm. In the end, my feelings towards House of Ivy & Sorrow are simply that it was an okay read.

House of Ivy & Sorrow focuses heavily on the importance of relationships, whether family, friendship or romantic. Each relationship that Josephine has is a connection that will prove to be her aid or her undoing. It gets explored throughout the novel, in various ways, and that really kept me interested.

Another theme is the idea of balance, particularly in the context of good and evil. We grow up learning that there are two sides to things – the good side (which is the right one) and the bad side (which is the wrong one). But the thing is, sometimes external factors make it impossible to go either way – and this is where that gray area comes into play. It was an interesting move on Whipple’s part to integrate a third option for Josephine, which fell somewhere in between and maintained the balance. (After all, regardless of what appears to be, there is usually always an option C!)

Independent choice is also foremost in the novel, particularly embodied in Josephine’s character. She knows of two choices from her upbringing, control (good) or consumption (bad). She knows of the sacrifices it takes to wield magic, and a variety of spells and traditions that she can rely on. However, when the most difficult choice of all presents itself, Josephine just takes matters into her own hands and decides to make her own way (her “option C”).

Apart from the themes, however, House of Ivy & Sorrow felt typical. Josephine is a witch, who has to keep her family’s abilities a secret. Their family is being targeted by something evil, that threatens to Curse them, and when the evil comes to town, their whole front is torn apart. Josephine has two best friends, who have very different personalities (Kat’s more snarky, Gwen is more bubbly) who become pawns in the war between good and evil. There’s also nice boy Winn, who Josephine is interested in, and bad boy Levi, who turns her whole world upside down. These elements have appeared frequently in the YA novels I’ve read, so parts of this one were fairly predictable.

I did, however, find the way magic is performed interesting (and also horrifying). Every spell requires a sacrifice, and it usually involves something physical (like blood, or a fingernail, or some hair). While crazy painful (seriously, there were scenes I gritted my teeth), it also made a lot of sense. I liked the magical charms, wards and possessions that crop up in this one too, but that could be because I’m fascinated by magic in general.

Basically, House of Ivy & Sorrow had wonderful potential. It really surprised me with its interesting themes! However, I just didn’t connect well with any of the characters, including main character Josephine. It doesn’t help that the story is riddled with elements that are typical of many YA paranormal novels that I’ve read previously. While it was still pretty interesting, like I said, I would rate this one as just okay.