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shaipanda's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.75
I actually really liked this? The first quarter or third of it didn’t really pull me in too much and I thought it was gonna be a solid 4 star book - enjoyable but not something I’d be super invested in but I loved thisss
It was so well done and I’m so excited for the sequel cause that shit gets wildd the second half or so
It was so well done and I’m so excited for the sequel cause that shit gets wildd the second half or so
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, War, and Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Blood, Death of parent, and Murder
Minor: Emotional abuse
kayladaila's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Content Warnings
Moderate: Death, Gore, Violence, Blood, Death of parent, Murder, Fire/Fire injury, and Injury/Injury detail
Minor: War
bookishflower's review against another edition
adventurous
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Confinement, Death, Panic attacks/disorders, Xenophobia, Blood, Grief, Death of parent, Murder, War, Injury/Injury detail, and Classism
p_gonza2's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.5
Content Warnings
Moderate: Confinement, Blood, Death of parent, Murder, Fire/Fire injury, and War
Minor: Bullying, Death, and Kidnapping
mar's review against another edition
adventurous
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
these kids.... i cant protect them.gif
Content Warnings
Moderate: Blood, Death of parent, Murder, and Injury/Injury detail
abrich's review against another edition
adventurous
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.25
Content Warnings
Graphic: Confinement, Death of parent, and Abandonment
Moderate: Classism
Minor: Death, Emotional abuse, Mental illness, Panic attacks/disorders, Violence, Blood, War, and Injury/Injury detail
queer_bookwyrm's review against another edition
adventurous
hopeful
mysterious
reflective
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.75
3.75 ⭐ CW: imprisonment, violence, descriptions of blood, panic attacks/anxiety
The Ivory Key by Akshaya Raman is the first book one of the Ivory Key series about four siblings in an India inspired setting, and perfect for fans of Indiana Jones, National Treasure, and Six of Crows.
We follow four royal siblings: Vira, the Maharani who suffers panic attacks and probably PTSD from a past battle failure; Ronak, her twin who is a big grumpy history nerd baby that just needs a hug; Riya, the runaway sibling who is a strong believer in justice and helping people, she's also kind of the jock of the family (my personal favourite); and Kaleb, the half Lyrian half Ashokan half brother (yeesh that was a lot of halves) who has been wrongly imprisoned, but just wants to follow in his father's footsteps as a mayaka (magic forger).
They all end up looking for the same thing, the Ivory Key, a magical object that is supposed to lead them to other mines full of magic, because Ashoka is running out and Lyria is close to invading. We get a lot of scavenger hunt type stuff with logic puzzles and math. The magic system is interesting. We also get some great character moments between the siblings. I love a complicated sibling relationship. Although I favor Riya, Raman has written the characters so you can find a piece of yourself in each of them.
I had a hard time with this book at first. It felt a little slow, but that could also just have been my low mood at the time. It picked up closer to the middle when we are finally on an adventure. There is plenty of casual queer rep in this book. Lots of same gender attraction. We also have a very egalitarian society, which is refreshing in a fantasy book. I get so tired of reading books where the woman in the military or in a warrior position is the exception instead of the rule. We can magic, but not equality lol.
Now I have to wait for book two! 😭
The Ivory Key by Akshaya Raman is the first book one of the Ivory Key series about four siblings in an India inspired setting, and perfect for fans of Indiana Jones, National Treasure, and Six of Crows.
We follow four royal siblings: Vira, the Maharani who suffers panic attacks and probably PTSD from a past battle failure; Ronak, her twin who is a big grumpy history nerd baby that just needs a hug; Riya, the runaway sibling who is a strong believer in justice and helping people, she's also kind of the jock of the family (my personal favourite); and Kaleb, the half Lyrian half Ashokan half brother (yeesh that was a lot of halves) who has been wrongly imprisoned, but just wants to follow in his father's footsteps as a mayaka (magic forger).
They all end up looking for the same thing, the Ivory Key, a magical object that is supposed to lead them to other mines full of magic, because Ashoka is running out and Lyria is close to invading. We get a lot of scavenger hunt type stuff with logic puzzles and math. The magic system is interesting. We also get some great character moments between the siblings. I love a complicated sibling relationship. Although I favor Riya, Raman has written the characters so you can find a piece of yourself in each of them.
I had a hard time with this book at first. It felt a little slow, but that could also just have been my low mood at the time. It picked up closer to the middle when we are finally on an adventure. There is plenty of casual queer rep in this book. Lots of same gender attraction. We also have a very egalitarian society, which is refreshing in a fantasy book. I get so tired of reading books where the woman in the military or in a warrior position is the exception instead of the rule. We can magic, but not equality lol.
Now I have to wait for book two! 😭
Content Warnings
Graphic: Panic attacks/disorders
Moderate: Violence and Blood
l0streader's review against another edition
adventurous
fast-paced
4.0
Rep: South Asian MCs, LGBTQIA+
This is the South Asian fantasy of my dreams! I absolutely fell in love with these characters, each of their stories and aspirations. With any book containing multiple POVs it can be hectic to keep track of them, but each of Raman’s MCs had a distinct voice and motive to obtaining The Ivory Key. I thought the family dynamic between all the siblings was fully fleshed out and realistic. I even have a really special place in my heart for one of the side characters, but we won’t dive too far into that.
The descriptions of the setting and the entirety of the atmosphere as a whole were immaculate. The scenery and foods were described with such lushness that I felt transported into Ashoka.
I didn’t know too much about the plot of the book prior to diving in and I’m glad I didn’t reveal too much to myself because I loved uncovering new things as I read and went on this adventure alongside these characters. I really appreciated that this fantasy book though expansive did not feel overwhelming as many fantasy books can feel initially. The world-building was done strategically so that the reader could learn more about the history, land, and people of Ashoka through the MCs conversations and quest.
I’m quite intrigued to see where the book will go from here. I have a feeling that I’m going to enjoy the sequel even more. I highly recommend this book to anyone who is interested in a South Asian fantasy or anyone new to fantasy who wants to get their feet wet before diving headfirst into some of the denser fantasy books out there.
Characters: 9/10
Atmosphere: 9/10
Writing Style: 8/10
Plot: 8/10
Intrigue: 8/10
Logic: 8/10
Enjoyment: 8/10
Rating: 8.3 or 4 stars
This is the South Asian fantasy of my dreams! I absolutely fell in love with these characters, each of their stories and aspirations. With any book containing multiple POVs it can be hectic to keep track of them, but each of Raman’s MCs had a distinct voice and motive to obtaining The Ivory Key. I thought the family dynamic between all the siblings was fully fleshed out and realistic. I even have a really special place in my heart for one of the side characters, but we won’t dive too far into that.
The descriptions of the setting and the entirety of the atmosphere as a whole were immaculate. The scenery and foods were described with such lushness that I felt transported into Ashoka.
I didn’t know too much about the plot of the book prior to diving in and I’m glad I didn’t reveal too much to myself because I loved uncovering new things as I read and went on this adventure alongside these characters. I really appreciated that this fantasy book though expansive did not feel overwhelming as many fantasy books can feel initially. The world-building was done strategically so that the reader could learn more about the history, land, and people of Ashoka through the MCs conversations and quest.
I’m quite intrigued to see where the book will go from here. I have a feeling that I’m going to enjoy the sequel even more. I highly recommend this book to anyone who is interested in a South Asian fantasy or anyone new to fantasy who wants to get their feet wet before diving headfirst into some of the denser fantasy books out there.
Characters: 9/10
Atmosphere: 9/10
Writing Style: 8/10
Plot: 8/10
Intrigue: 8/10
Logic: 8/10
Enjoyment: 8/10
Rating: 8.3 or 4 stars
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Racism, Violence, Blood, Alcohol, and War
kindredbooks's review against another edition
adventurous
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.25
I received a copy of The Ivory Key by Akshaya Raman from Blue Slip Media in exchange for an honest review.
Family drama and secrets, magic, secret societies, puzzles and a search for the Ivory Key, as the novel is named - The Ivory Key by Akshaya Raman is a YA fantasy novel that is inspired by Ancient India. One of the main reasons why I was first drawn to this book was the idea of it centering around four siblings who are all estranged. They all have found different paths but a common interest and goal brings them back together. I thought that it was quite interesting to read this story told from all four of their perspectives - Vira, Riya, Ronak and Kaleb. I found each character to be quite charming in their own way - and while I may not have always agreed with their motivations, I did understand where they each stood. The character and world building in The Ivory Key is incredible and I truly felt like I was absorbed into this world and the lands of Ashoka. I really enjoyed the puzzles that were involved and a secret society is just extra fun on top of everything else in this book. The one thing that I had a little trouble with was the plot progression about a third into the novel where it felt like not much was happening. But the story does pick up especially once the siblings set off on their adventure. And finally, that ending - let's just say that the sequel, The Crimson Fortress, is high on my anticipated list as I truly need to know how The Ivory Key duology plays out.
Family drama and secrets, magic, secret societies, puzzles and a search for the Ivory Key, as the novel is named - The Ivory Key by Akshaya Raman is a YA fantasy novel that is inspired by Ancient India. One of the main reasons why I was first drawn to this book was the idea of it centering around four siblings who are all estranged. They all have found different paths but a common interest and goal brings them back together. I thought that it was quite interesting to read this story told from all four of their perspectives - Vira, Riya, Ronak and Kaleb. I found each character to be quite charming in their own way - and while I may not have always agreed with their motivations, I did understand where they each stood. The character and world building in The Ivory Key is incredible and I truly felt like I was absorbed into this world and the lands of Ashoka. I really enjoyed the puzzles that were involved and a secret society is just extra fun on top of everything else in this book. The one thing that I had a little trouble with was the plot progression about a third into the novel where it felt like not much was happening. But the story does pick up especially once the siblings set off on their adventure. And finally, that ending - let's just say that the sequel, The Crimson Fortress, is high on my anticipated list as I truly need to know how The Ivory Key duology plays out.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Racism, Blood, Grief, Death of parent, and War
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