For readers who enjoy historical settings with a touch of dark fantasy, exploring themes of courage, belonging, and finding magic in unexpected places.
A parent might reach for this book when their older child or teen feels overlooked, powerless, or different, and is drawn to darker, more complex fantasy. Set in Victorian England, Ivy tells the story of a poor girl sold to a wealthy, sinister family to serve as a "scion," a living doll whose life force is drained to keep their own sick daughter alive. Ivy must rely on her secret, innate connection to the natural world to survive. The book explores themes of resilience, class injustice, and finding strength in one's unique identity. Its gothic atmosphere and genuinely scary premise make it best suited for mature middle-grade readers who can handle intense peril and themes of child exploitation.
Includes scenes of physical peril, a struggle, a major fire, and a character's death.
Sensitive Topics
The book's core premise involves direct, though fantastical, child abuse and endangerment. The themes of extreme poverty, class exploitation, and parental abandonment (Ivy's father sells her) are depicted directly and are central to the plot. The resolution for the protagonist is hopeful, as she escapes and finds a new life, but the narrative does not shy away from the trauma she endured or the deaths of previous victims. The approach is secular.
Ideal Reader
This is for a mature reader, 12 to 14 years old, who loves historical fiction with a strong gothic and dark fantasy flavor. They appreciate atmospheric storytelling and are not deterred by scary or grim situations. An ideal reader might be one who enjoyed the classic feel of "The Secret Garden" but wished it had higher stakes and a more sinister, magical twist.
Parent Prep
Parents should be prepared for the book's dark, gothic tone. The central concept of a child being slowly killed to sustain another is disturbing and is treated with appropriate gravity. A pre-reading conversation about the stark realities of Victorian-era poverty could provide helpful context. The book can be read cold, but parents should know it is significantly darker than much of the fantasy available for this age group. A parent might observe their child expressing feelings of being trapped by circumstances, being treated unfairly, or feeling small and powerless against larger forces. The child might be grappling with concepts of social injustice or showing an interest in stories where the underdog triumphs through cleverness and inner strength.
Age Experience
A younger reader (11-12) will likely focus on the adventure and suspense: the magic system, the creepy house, and Ivy's daring escape plan. An older reader (13-14) will be more likely to engage with the thematic depth, including the critique of the class system, the psychological horror of Ivy's imprisonment, and the moral ambiguity of the antagonists' motivations.
What Makes It Special
Unlike many middle-grade fantasies, "Ivy" fully commits to its gothic horror premise. Its uniqueness lies in the chillingly original concept of the "scion" and its combination of stark historical realism with earthy, nature-based magic. It feels like a classic children's gothic novel from another era, more akin to the works of Joan Aiken or Leon Garfield than contemporary fantasy.
Read plot summary
In Victorian London, Ivy, a destitute girl with a special affinity for plants, is sold by her father to the aristocratic Murkstone family. She is to be a "scion," a companion and substitute for their sickly daughter, Elfrida. Ivy soon discovers the horrifying truth: the Murkstones drain the life force from scions to prolong their own children's lives. Trapped in a decaying mansion, Ivy must cultivate her latent plant-based magic and form a tentative alliance with a kitchen boy, Seth, to escape before she is completely consumed.
This overview was generated by AI based on the book's content and reviews, and may not capture every nuance.
Discussion Prompts
1
Ivy's father sells her to the Murkstones out of desperation. Do you think his actions can be forgiven? Why or why not?
2
The Murkstones justify their horrifying actions by saying they are protecting their own child. Can a good reason ever make a bad action okay? Discuss the line between motivation and action.
3
Ivy's magic is connected to plants and nature. How does this contrast with the Murkstones' house and their way of life? What do you think the author is trying to say with this contrast?
4
Trust is a major issue for Ivy. What specific actions or words from Seth, the kitchen boy, eventually convince her that he is an ally?
5
At the end of the book, Ivy chooses a new life for herself. What skills and strengths that she discovered during her ordeal will help her succeed in the future?
