The Ivory Key (The Ivory Key Duology, #1)

by Akshaya Raman

Four siblings. A country in ruin. One quest to save them all.

Vira is desperate to get out of her mother's shadow and establish her legacy as a revered queen of Ashoka. But with the country's only quarry running out of magic - a precious resource that has kept Ashoka safe from conflict - she can barely protect her citizens from the looming threat of war. And if her enemies discover this, they'll stop at nothing to seize the last of the magic.

Vira's only hope is to find a mysterious object of legend: the Ivory Key, rumoured to unlock a new source of magic. But in order to infiltrate enemy territory and retrieve it, she must reunite with her siblings, torn apart by broken relationships and the different paths their lives have taken. Each of them has something to gain from finding the Ivory Key - and even more to lose if they fail. Ronak plans to sell it to the highest bidder in exchange for escape from his impending political and unwanted marriage. Kaleb, falsely accused of assassinating the former maharani, needs it to clear his name. And Riya, the runaway sibling who cut all family ties, wants the Key to prove her loyalty to the rebels who took her in.

They must work together to survive the treacherous journey. But with each sibling harbouring secrets and their own conflicting agendas, the very thing that brought them together could tear apart their family - and their world - for good. 

First in a duology from an incredible new talent, this Indian-inspired fantasy debut is epic, fierce and magnetically addictive, taking you on a thrilling journey where magic, a prized resource, is the only thing between peace and war.

• ISBN13: 9781471412110
• Publish Date: 4 January 2022
• Publish Status: Out of Print
• Publish Country: GB
• Imprint: Hot Key Books
• Edition: Illumicrate Exclusive
• Format: Paperback
• Pages: 384
• Language: English
• Special: Exclusive Design Sprayed Edges

Reviews

[Quirky Cat]

The Ivory Key is the first novel in Akshaya Raman's dulogy of the same name. This is yet another series started through OwlCrate, so I'm really hoping that they'll do a special edition of the sequel. Fingers crossed! The Ivory Key is a young adult fantasy novel that will pull readers in and leave them wanting more. At least, that's how it was for me!

Vira, Ronak, Kaleb, and Riya. At a glance, these four may not seem like they have much in common. Vira is desperately trying to stand tall and live up to her mother's legacy while ruling a nation. Ronak is desperate for an escape, a way out of this arranged marriage (among other things). Kaleb is in prison – wrongfully accused of murdering his own mother. And Riya is on the run, cutting herself off from her family in favor of the found one she made for herself.

There's one thing these four have in common: they're family. Together they must locate the ivory key, or their nation is doomed. This key will unlock a resource that enables their nation to produce magic – a vital part of their security, economy, and way of life.

“He was right. Papa had been too obsessed. Amma had been too busy.
They’d done their best to prepare their children to face the world, but in the end, they’d left the four of them largely alone.”

I don't know about everyone else, but I've been enjoying the duologies coming out of YA and fantasy. The Ivory Key is no exception, and I am very much looking forward to the conclusion of this tale.

The Ivory Key is split into four perspectives: Vira, Ronak, Kaleb, and Riya. They are all so different, yet there are a few things they have in common. They're all siblings, and they want to get their hands on the Ivory Key.

It took me a bit of time to really get invested in all four characters. However, there were a couple that I loved right off the bat (any guesses?). By the end, it was easy to appreciate their different views and goals (even if I didn't always agree with the conclusions they came to).

The complexity of the political situation, the personal dilemmas, and even the magic of this world absolutely captivated me. There are so many questions bouncing around in my head, and I can only hope that the sequel (The Crimson Fortress) will answer those questions.

Read more reviews over at Quirky Cat's Fat Stacks