#BookReview :: Anyone But Ivy Pocket (Ivy Pocket #1) by Caleb Krisp

Ivy Pocket is a twelve-year-old maid of no importance, with a very lofty opinion of herself. Dumped in Paris by the Countess Carbunkle, who would rather run away to South America than continue in Ivy's companionship, our young heroine (of sorts) finds herself with no money and no home to go to ... until she is summoned to the bedside of the dying Duchess of Trinity.

For the princely sum of £500 (enough to buy a carriage, and possibly a monkey), Ivy agrees to courier the Duchess's most precious possession – the Clock Diamond – to England, and to put it around the neck of the revolting Matilda Butterfield on her twelfth birthday. It's not long before Ivy finds herself at the heart of a conspiracy involving mischief, mayhem and murder.

Illustrated in humorous gothic detail by Iacopo Bruno, Anyone But Ivy Pocket is just the beginning of one girl's deadly comic journey to discover who she really is ... 

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I have to admit that I was hooked to this book even before I read the blurb. No it’s not the cover, but the message from the author at the back of the ARC that I received. I have received quite a few ARCs before but none with such a message from the author. It was different, it was interesting and it was humorous and that is what got me hooked to the book. Here’s a pic of the back cover so that you can take a look for yourself (I just had to share it!)

Ivy Pocket is a twelve year old who works as a lady's maid. No matter her own opinion about herself, her employer, Countess Carbunkle dumps her in Paris as she just could not take any more of what Ivy had to offer. Stranded in the city with no money and no place to go, Ivy tries her best to gain employment. But when her attempt at getting a job at a hotel fails, she is approached by a boy. Ivy meets Duchess of Trinity for a job prospect. She is expected to follow precise instructions about getting a necklace to England and delivering it to Matilda Butterfield. With no other options at hand, Ivy accepts the job that will fetch her £500 and a fresh start at life. From there on Ivy’s adventure takes off as she discovers that the Clock Diamond has some special qualities and her growing attachment to it.

Ivy is a hilarious character to follow. He has very high opinion about herself that is almost to the point of being conceited. She thinks of herself as this larger than life persona who can deal with anything and has a solution for everything. She continuously refuses to conform She can be dense, irritating and free with insults. But her loud character is just a cover though, for the young orphaned girl who longs for her parents and a loving home. I loved the author’s style of narration and the fact that the language is simple enough for the kids this book is meant for. But what I loved the most was the author’s sense of humor that could almost be called twisted at times yet I laughed all the way through. 

Absolutely brilliant…

Review Copy received from Bloomsbury India