Ivy's Bind

Legend of the White Sword #2

by P.D. Kalnay

After the way his summer ended, Jack doesn’t know what to think. His grandmother isn’t answering any questions, and the silent Ms. Mopat still hasn’t said a word. Jack goes to school, and pretends he’s a regular teenager, but he can’t help worrying about the things he’s seen. Jack’s scars won’t let him forget, but he’s left with no choice, except to wait for summer... when Mr. Ryan and Ivy are supposed to return.
Ivy's Bind is the second book in the Legend of the White Sword series.

Genres: Fantasy

160 pages, Kindle Edition

Published February 16, 2016

About the author

P.D. Kalnay writes fantasy, science fiction, and children’s books. You don’t have to be a giant nerd to enjoy those books, but it will probably help.

Reviews

[C.P. Cabaniss · Rating 4 out of 5]

*I received a copy of this novel in exchange for an honest review.*

4.5 stars.

This sequel to Ivy's Tangle was even better than than that first installment. The beginng was a little slow, but raised some interesting questions. This one really focused on expanding the world that Kalnay introduced in the first book. And it was fascinating. I loved the story, the characters, and the imagination that went into this.

Full review to come.

[Edward Davies · Rating 4 out of 5]

Although this starts off very slowly, with Jack spending much of his time making stuff in preparation for Ivy’s arrival, this soon delves into the secrets behind the books world, and also finally explains the name of the series itself. It’s perhaps not quite as good as the first book, but because it gives us more information it puts itself on a level playing ground and also manages to flesh out the two main characters a little more, giving them some more background to explain how they behave.

[☆☆Hannah☆☆ · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a great sequel. We learned a lot more about Ivy and her life. I felt that we were left with too many questions at the end of the last book. I'm glad the author filled us in on that. It was nice that after being away for that time that Ivy and Jack just pick up right where they left off. I'm looking forward to the next book. Especially, now that we know something big is going on.

[Persnickety · Rating 5 out of 5]

Just keeps getting better!

Kindle Unlimited - Yay!!!

I'm totally loving this. What to say? I can sincerely use words like original, creative, unusual, heartwarming, etcetera... Gentle suspense?

I'm really impressed that the author has avoided over expanding the story and minimizing the core elements. He also doesn't hold the answers to the main mysteries hostage just to keep the reader turning pages to get to them. A few glitchy typo, word, grammar spots. But they're truly minimal.

I might not be qualified to judge, but it's always such a joy to find a writer that is skilled in their craft. Kudos, Mr. Kalnay.

[Charlene Pratt · Rating 5 out of 5]

Totally brilliant

I don't remember when I've enjoyed a series more than this one. Maybe LOTR. Excellent characters, fascinating plot and very well written.

[Kevin · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is an exciting and interesting fantasy adventure romance set on a present day farm with a brief visit to an alien world. I loved both characters. It's been a while since I read book one, but I'm now eager to continue the series.
Typos: missing comma, born for borne, vile for vial.

[Joyce · Rating 5 out of 5]

If you like the Harry Potter, Percy Jackson and the Olympians, & The Chronicles of Narnia books, you will love PD Kalnay's Legend of the White Sword series. I am all kinds of happy about this series. There is mystery, and there is magic. I thought Ivy's Bind, book two of the series, was even better than Ivy's Tangle, and I loved that book! The next book to come out will be Ivy's Blossom.



Ivy’s Bind starts off right where Ivy’s Tangle left off. Ivy and Mr. Ryan have left for the winter, will return next summer, and Jack has a couple of days before school starts. Jack has never had any real friends. He has always kept himself busy computer games, fencing lessons, or researching subjects of interest on the internet. His grandmother saw to it that he had little free time last summer between gardening with Ivy, computer lessons with Ivy, or various lessons with Mr. Ryan. Now that everyone is gone, he realizes how happy he had been. He doesn’t sulk in his loneliness though. Instead, he occupies himself with finishing the knife he started in the summer, and various other projects. He makes a significant discovery in one of his activities.



His grandmother won't discuss the events that happened right before Ivy and Mr. Ryan left, so Jack has no alternative than to wait for Ivy and Mr. Ryan’s return for answers. Since he was mostly unconscious part of the time, the events seem like a dream, but Jack doesn't understand what he did see. When Ivy does return, she promises to tell him everything, but in her own time. And she does take her time.

Things didn’t proceed in the way I thought they would, and there were a couple of big surprises at the end of the book which were pretty cool. The story ends much like the first book with Ivy and Mr. Ryan leaving, although he gets to see them off this time. In Ivy's Bind, however, many of Mr. Ryan and Ivy's secrets were revealed.

I loved this story. It delves into Ivy's world a bit, and even reveals a bit of Jack's background, which I couldn't have guessed in a million years. I think that the surprises are in part what keeps this story so exciting. BTW, you might want to keep a tissue or two ready for the end of the book.

I am not one for rereading books right away. I am always off to the next book and adventure. This book is different though. I have already started rereading it. I enjoyed the characters, their interactions, and finding out more about them. But most of all, I really like Kalnay's writing. It makes sense, the language is good, the writing is tight, the characters are likable and easy to relate to, and the interaction between the characters is meaningful and adds to the story. Well done!

I can't wait for the next book. I wonder if Ms. Mopat will finally say something, and if she is even human. I also wonder what effect Ivy's present will have on her and those around her (lol) when she goes home.

Mr. Kalnay has said that "the third book Ivy’s Blossom is at a finished first-draft stage. I’m intending the Legend of the White Sword series to be seven books in total: Ivy’s Tangle, Ivy’s Bind, Ivy’s Blossom, Knight’s Haven, Black Hammer, Sliver Mantle, and finally White Sword (last four titles are still subject to change). Each book has been longer than the preceding book. I expect that to continue, with greater world building requirements, as the story continues."

I can't say enough good things about this series. I just hope you like it as much as I have.

If you haven't read the first book, here is the link. https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/2...


Merged review:

Go here for my review. https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
It was a very, very good book.

[Vi Winters · Rating 5 out of 5]

Legend of the White Sword

I have now read two of the series. I have long said that the good STORIES are in books meant for middle schoolers. These books are no different. Wonderful stories P.D. Kalnay. I wish there was a way to get them into middle school libraries. The kids would loVe them and so do I.

[Donald Firesmith · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was just as good as the first. Great entertainment that took me back to my youth. Once again, I liked the characters, dialog, and plot. I also liked the change in setting. I'm hooked and will be reading the next book.

[Dianna · Rating 5 out of 5]

enjoyable fantasy read On to the final book!