My first read of 2022 and unfortunately The Ivory Key was a DNF (did not finish) for me, which I’m pretty disappointed about.

The Ivory Key has an interesting plot, a great magic system and rich world building based on Indian culture. There’s also LGBT representation as the world Raman has created is one where relationships and marriages between either gender are the norm. So what went wrong? The characters.

I found the characters to be completely flat, and one dimensional, not a single one was compelling. The Ivory Key centres on four siblings, two sisters and two brothers from a royal family. They’re from a matriarchal society which means the two girls have raised to hold the power, and the two boys to support the power. The synopsis promises intrigue and fails to deliver simply because each of the siblings has been written without any depth to them. Each one of them just came off as bratty to me, and at 20% I was not feeling the book. I wondered if it was just me, so I pushed on to 50% expecting by this point of the story to have a better insight into the characters. There was none.

I expected so much from this book, and it just did not reach my expectations. I’m not usually one to be so critical of a book, but not every book works for each reader and this one just didn’t for me.

This book has become a favourite read for me! I fell in love from the moment I started reading. We get the point of view of all four siblings which I loved because it gave each of them so much depth but it never felt like there was too many views to keep track of. Each voice was distinct and I loved seeing their internal monologue especially compared to how the others perceived them and how they saw themselves.

Memories only have power over us if we let them.

I love all four siblings and how the dysfunctional sibling relationship was one of my favourite parts of the book. I love seeing sibling relationships in books and I wish we got to see more of these. We see that they used to be really close but as they got older and their circumstances changed they drifted apart but now they have to work together to save their home but they each have their own motives too that would mean betraying their siblings.

I loved seeing how they each had their own strength and weaknesses, and they knew that they had to trust in the one who had the skills to complete the task which meant they had to start trusting each other again. One of my favourite things was watching them bicker over the smallest things which was so funny and reminded me of me and my sisters when we were younger.

“Would it kill you to act as though you liked people?” “I don’t,” Ronak said. “And I see no reason to pretend.”

This story starts with the siblings alone and they have to put past differences aside and come together to work together and complete the quest. It gave me Indiana Jones vibes but make it desi! I love that this quest was connected to their parents and that they never truly gave up hope in being able to work out the truth of their history.

I don’t think anyone loses any part of themselves just because they embrace another aspect of their identity.

I also loved how immersed in desi culture we were. The clothes and architecture to the customs and traditions. It was so great to see. I especially loved all the food! Food that I had grown up with eating and had my mouth watering at the barest mention of kachori’s and so much more!

This book was such a wonderful read and I cannot wait for the sequel especially after the way things ended in this book! I highly recommend picking up this book, it had me hooked and I was up late into the night reading.

A lovely light read but still fast paced and gripping with lots of thrills and adventure.
The four main characters Vira, Riya, Ronak & Kaleb are siblings and all very well etched out and each has their own journey in the book. culminating a joint finale that all need to work together to achieve.
The book flips between the siblings as narrators giving you the various points of view from each of their perspectives and allowing you to understand each of them better.
This is the first book in the series so ends on a cliffhanger leaving you longing for the next instalment.

This was a brilliant debut. I really enjoyed not only the plot but the character development too. The book starts with a royal family legacy, sibling rivalry and the running out of magic. Each of the four siblings our story centres around all have a point to prove and a path in life to carve out.
The writing was sharp and to the point yet still gave enough details to keep me interested. The world building was fantastic. I’m very much looking forward to the next in the series.

This was such a fast paced read, which I was surprised by just how quickly I flew through this. Once I started this I just couldn't put it down. I was captivated and intrigued to where the story could go.

With four estranged siblings having to come together to find The Ivory Key. Even though they all have ulterior motives for why they want the key.

I really enjoyed the dynamic between the siblings. They all have reasons they have issues with each other but still protective soon as something happens during their journey.

I do think Raman spent a little long on the set up of the journey. Meeting each siblings and bringing them together again took up majority of the book. But I did really enjoy seeing where each character was before the journey started and why each one is really going on the journey.
But then once the journey actually starts there wasn't much time left. However this part still fact with story and development, not just of the characters relationships with each other but the world itself.

I'm left wanting the next part of the story to see what happens next.

I think the enjoyment you will get from this book is dependent on how new you are to fantasy.

The world building is excellent, it's vivid and compelling but for me that's all it was, I found the characters to be two dimensional and almost stereotypes. The plot could have been exciting and full of tension but it was just flat.

Bored with it, I gave up at 50%.

Sorry.

This was an absolute rollercoaster ride! The ending left me with so many questions and I can't wait for the sequel to come out.

At its heart, The Ivory Key is a story about four messy and estranged siblings and that’s what captivated me the most. All these characters are so different and raw. They each have different dreams, ideologies, hopes and personalities. Each sibling is given their chance to shine and you sort of get where they are all coming from which makes it all the more harder to watch them fight and tear each other apart while trying to achieve similar goals.

Another great strength of The Ivory Key is that it’s a very fast-paced action-filled book. We’re thrown into this new world that the author uncovers for us piece by piece at a perfect pace. Every few pages something is happening and we are discovering one thing after the other but it’s not overwhelming at all. Rather it fuels your excitement and makes you want to read page after page after page.

There were one or two points in the book which seemed a bit convenient and yes a couple of plot twists were a bit obvious to me but nevertheless I really enjoyed reading this book. AND OH MY GOD THAT ENDING. I literally can’t even say anything without spoiling it but I’m very invested to see how we’re going to follow all the siblings and their progress in the next book after the discoveries they’ve made and the places they’ve found themselves in

I don’t know where to begin with this, where to start or what to say. I don’t think words will do justice to how much I love this book. The world building is so well done. creating a wonderful and unique magical kingdom, I loved the fact we learn so much and this references so much Indian culture. The characters are fully developed, constructed And with their own unique personality. This is a fantastic debut, I thought the pace was very good given how much you have to set up in the first book, this leaves the reader with enough unanswered questions to make them want to come back for the next book, I know I will

Thanks to netgalley and the publisher for a free copy for an honest opinion

Magical and captivating, The Ivory Key is a wonderful adventure of epic proportions!

The story centres around four siblings in the kingdom of Ashoka. Born to royal parentage, Vira finds herself leading the kingdom after the shocking assassination of her mother. Determined to do right by her people, Vira gets increasingly pressured from all sides.

Her sister Riya has only just returned after a mysterious spell away from the family, and their brother Ronak is doing all he can to escape an arranged marriage. Last is their brother Kaleb who is imprisoned following the former Maharani's untimely death. It's certainly a complicated family dynamic, but it's explored wonderfully.

In this world, magic is not a limitless resource. It must instead be painstakingly harvested from a closely-guarded location - but the problem is, it's fast running out. The kingdom runs on magic and its people take everyday magical devices for granted, so the last thing Maharani Vira wants is to lose Ashoka's magic forever.

What follows is a thrilling adventure as the siblings must band together to find the ivory key and reclaim Ashoka's magic. However, with plots and subplots aplenty, it seems as though everyone has a hidden agenda. Can the ivory key reunite the siblings too?

The worldbuilding in this book is extraordinary. With the simplest details, Ashoka comes vividly to life. That isn't all, though, as it expertly combines elements of fantasy, action, and romance - to name just a few. The end result is a memorable read and a brilliant start to a brand new series.

The Ivory Key is a gorgeous, Indian-inspired tale well worth a read!

My Review: A Great Debut
Rep: Indian, LGBTQIA+

This was such an engrossing read that I literally could not put it down! I raced through it in one night and I don’t regret it losing my sleep at all!

The Pros: What Worked For Me

The worldbuilding is really well done here. You can tell that the author has done her research in creating this magical kingdom, and the references to Indian culture (from ALL over India) was just amazing!
Each sibling has their own unique personality and thought process; it was easy for me to differentiate between them and understand their motivations.
The interactions between the different characters were really well done; their emotions were believable and the tension was palpable.
The puzzles were so well done! Everything was explained so that the reader could follow along and even attempt some of them – it made the experience more fun for me!
The plot moved at a steady pace, allowing the reader to get to understand the world while also having enough action to keep the reader interested.

The Cons: What I Didn’t Like

I would have liked more detail when it came to understanding the magic system. Whilst I liked the idea of magic being a physical resource, I wanted to know more. How was it found? How was it sensed? I had a lot of questions and I’m hoping they will get answered in the sequel.


Overall, this was a really great debut and I enjoyed the story! It had a great cast of characters that were all important. The plot itself was intriguing with puzzles and logic games that were well executed. I’m really looking forward to reading more by this author!

3.5 stars. i enjoyed this one, but i also have some mixed opinions on it. my main issue was that the characters felt flat- i didn't quite emphasize with them and their motivations felt unclear at points. i think the multiple perspectives added to this, because some character povs, mainly kaleb's, didn't have as much page time as others, leaving characters underdeveloped.
for the positives, because there were many things that i enjoyed: i thought the plot was interesting, even though the main quest didn't start until the last half of the book. i was still curious to see where the puzzles ended up and what would become of the kingdom if the characters didn't find the key. the worldbuilding was one of my favorite parts of the book- i really enjoyed the descriptions of the magic system and the bits of the history of the kingdom sprinkled throughout the book. and of course, i loved the desi rep! it's so nice to see more indian-inspired YA fantasy being published, and even though this didn't quite meet my expectations, i'll still definitely check out the sequel.

I really wanted to love this book, but while I enjoyed the Indian-inspired setting very much, I was disappointed by how little I connected with the characters. When I saw that it promised a messy sibling dynamic, I was hoping for some really great character backstories and some intricate relationship arcs, but I found all four siblings very samey and their interactions incredibly shallow.

At first it feels as though the siblings' reunion and resulting court intrigue is going to be the plot, but at the 60% mark that slower pace is thrown out for an action-packed puzzle dungeon, which was when the book lost me. Suddenly the pace was so high that the thus-far limited character work had to take even more of a back seat, and I ended up skimming to the end because I no longer cared about them achieving their goals. I'm really disappointed not to have clicked with this better.

Interesting take on YA fantasy - I love the world building, I love the own voices elements (the descriptions of the clothes, the food, the buildings - all incredible), and I love the storyline focusing on the fractured bonds of sibilings with shared parental trauma.

The characters of the siblings are well fleshed out and develop over the course of the book. However I would have liked to know more about several of the side characters like Amrit, Varun, Ecta, and even Lukas who we meet in the last few pages. If the siblings - Riya and Kaleb are my favourites. Vita and Ronak make some very questionable decisions that don’t make sense to me considering their power and positions.

The book is very well written with a good pace but it leaves a lot of open questions and dangling threads, which is quite frustrating. There were a number of obvious plot points that you could tell from the jump but don’t make it any less enjoyable.

I look forward to the next book and hope a lot of these issues get cleared up. 3.5/5 stars

Thank you to the publisher for providing us with an E- ARC!
This book, set in a world inspired by India, filled with magic and intrigue, is one of the top books of 2022. The year starts with a banger!
I won't go into what the book is about because there is a synopsis for that. This is about what i thought of it.
Spoiler Free Review- ⭐⭐⭐⭐.4 stars
I for one, loved this book. First, can you look at the cover? It's gorgeous. Whoever said "Don't judge a book by it's cover" clearly never saw The Ivory Key.
If you're looking for
- Family drama
- Sibling relations
- A quest
- Magic
- Overall dramatic intrigue
This is the book for you.

However, I didn't give this book 5 stars because until almost 60% in the book, the plot doesn't advance considerably. The author has taken up time to establish character aspects until then though so it wasn't exactly boring.
For a debut novel, the world- building is magnificent and I really loved the normalization of homosexuality.
It's safe to say that I will definitely be picking up the sequel. Until then, give this book a try!

What a rich world!

I absolutely adored how this world was introduced! We start off with a bang. There's a murder and our two main leads are introduced. The sibling relationship and rivalries were so well written, and for a debut this was a fantastic book. With magical writing and compelling characters, I fell in love instantly! I can't wait to see what this author does next! The inspiration from Indian culture was really apparent and I enjoyed it so much!


Thanks to NetGalley and the publishers for an e-arc!

the ivory key was one of my most anticipated releases of 2022 but unfortunately it did not live up to my expectations. what i most liked and enjoyed about it was how the relationships between the siblings were portrayed and the writing which was very easy and flowed very well but this book was too slow and the plot part of it failed to be memorable.

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

My thanks to Bonnier Books Hot Key Books for an eARC via NetGalley of ‘The Ivory Key’ by Akshaya Raman in exchange for an honest review.

This was an impressive debut. While I was initially drawn by its stunning cover design, it was the story, setting, and characters that ultimately impressed me.

‘The Ivory Key’ is the first in a YA epic fantasy duology inspired by Indian culture and mythology. It also explores the complex family dynamics between four royal siblings.

Vira has recently become the maharani of Ashoka. In this world magic is a physical resource and Vira learns this is running out, creating a vulnerability that could lead to invasion. Vira’s only hope is to find the Ivory Key, a mysterious object of legend, rumored to unlock a new source of magic.

In order to do this she has to reunite with her three estranged siblings. Each of them has something to gain from finding the Ivory Key. Ronak plans to sell it to the highest bidder to escape a political marriage; Kaleb, falsely accused of assassinating the former maharani, needs the Key to clear his name; and Riya, who has cut all family ties, wants the Key to prove her loyalty to the rebels seeking to strip the nobility of power.

So, four siblings, each with their own agenda and secrets, set out on a treacherous journey. In order to survive they must work together. The narrative moves between the four siblings’ points of view.

I was very impressed by Akshaya Raman’s world-building and her attention to detail. I felt transported to Ashoka and drawn into the story. While intended for a YA readership, as a more mature reader I still found it accessible.

I certainly plan to read the conclusion due to be published in 2023. Meanwhile, I have preordered its ebook and audiobook combination.

A country in ruin and only four siblings can restore it. One quest that can either make or break them and their hopes. With the precious resource of magic running low in the great kingdom of Ashoka, newly crowned queen Vira will do anything for her people and country. War looms near the already fragile borders of Ashoka and something has to be done about it quickly. Contending with the ghosts of her mother’s revered legacy Vira quickly works out the only way to save her kingdom is to find a forgotten treasure - The Ivory Key said to unlock a new source of unlimited magic.

But in order to find the ancient key Vira must reunite with her three other siblings, already torn apart by fractured relationships and the various paths their lives have taken. The quest is more treacherous than anyone could foresee. Hidden agendas and secrets are at stake for everyone involved. The pursuit for the key that brings Vira and her siblings together, may also be the very thing that could tear them apart, including their world - for good.


When I say this book is brilliant, I am absolutely serious. The Ivory key by Akshaya Raman is a story that transports you into a rich, brilliant world of adventure, intrigue and emotion.
Raman does a marvellous job of immersing you in the story with a great balance between worldbuilding, plot and character. It's so easy in fantasy fiction for everything to feel like a huge info dump on the reader which is a drag. Raman effortlessly weaves many of the major elements of the story so it unfolds naturally.

The real heart of this novel lies in Vira and her siblings. Vira, Ronak, Riya and Kaleb have their differences (let's be real - who doesn’t have varying ‘differences’ with their siblings - heck me and my sister still fight about who has to turn off the light before bed every night P.S. it should be her because she is the one who goes to sleep last but anywho) not as trivial as mine but I digress. With plans of running away from royalty, joining a rebel group or being imprisoned by your own sister. It's certain people aren’t going to get on well, right? Uh…I will let you work that out when you read the book. The true beauty is seeing how the quest to find the key makes all four siblings examine their complex relationship with one another. It’s really refreshing to see a dynamic representation of sibling connections in a YA fantasy. I think it is something that can get neglected quite easily but Raman puts it at the front and centre in all its nuance and realism.

Of course, with four siblings comes four POVs. I will be honest when I first heard this story was going to have four different POVs I was kind of dubious about it. I thought it clutter the story excessively. However, Raman executes each POV really well! There wasn’t a POV I did not enjoy. Vira, Ronak, Riya and Kaleb had their own distinctive voices that harmonise into an epic narrative. Despite the length of the story each sibling was explored equally and fleshed out properly.

Raman infuses her novel wonderfully with gorgeous descriptions of the Indian culture, mythos and life. Whilst the first 40% of the book might feel slow, once you reach the start of the quest for the key, the narrative soars into an addictive tale of twists and turns. Which was a delight to read and truly become immersed into the action, trials and tribulations of the story.

Whilst there is always the need for the nit and grit of an adventure a little romance never hurt anybody. So slow-burn fans this story is right up your alley. One relationship really reminded me of Nasir and Zafira from the Sands of Arawiya duology. If there’s one thing I am obsessed about it princess/dark knight dynamic. I eat that ish up, add in the yearning and mutual pining I am sold. I don’t want to spoil the romance. I think it best to read for yourself for the full enjoyment. Plus there are other budding romances amongst the characters within the novel, subtle but they’re there. I can’t wait to see what direction they may go in book 2.

My only qualm of the story really would be the ending. It felt predictable and hurried. Probably all for the setup for the second book in this duology. But with the great potential for what is next to come, I don’t mind not grating at this issue too much.

Amazingly vivid, rich The Ivory Key is an epic Indian-inspired fantasy that has you hooked on every word from beginning to end. A wonderful debut piece. A must-read for all lovers of diverse YA fantasy. I can’t wait to see what the next book has to offer.

Star Rating 4.5

Thanks to Bonnier Books UK/Hot Key Books for a e-arc of this book via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. All stated above are of my own opinions and thoughts

Please view trigger warnings prior to reading

This book is so diverse and the concept is fascinating but it just wasn't right for me. I had to DNF it at about 44% and though I feel terrible about it, I just couldn't continue. It was a struggle.

The writing was beautiful and I enjoyed the style but I couldn't stay engaged with the characters or the plot. I feel like we were dumped into too many stories and plotlines right away and it was hard to stay focused and engaged in it. There is a lot of representation in this and some fascinating concepts but it all felt a little one-dimensional to me.

Overall, this had elements that were promising but it really just didn't work out for me.

Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for an e-arc of this in exchange for an honest review.

The Ivory Key is an Indian inspired fantasy following four siblings on their quest to find a key said to unlock the sealed quarries of Ashoka and the magic sealed within. It’s an enjoyable and entertaining read and although It’s not the most unique in terms of the setting and the storyline, I found myself absorbed in the pages and completely invested in following these siblings on their adventures. Each chapter is from a different sibling’s point of view and it was interesting following their family dynamics, their contrasting personalities, how they interacted with each other, as well as an insight into their back history.

The writing is good and richly descriptive of the food, clothing and culture of India. The first half of the book is fairly slow and not much was happening, however this time was spent getting to know the characters and establishing the world. The storyline definitely became a lot more exciting and action-packed towards the end. Reminiscent of an ‘Indiana Jones’ type quest with secret societies, lost temples, dangerous puzzles and unravelling the clues to find hidden treasure, it quickly became a compelling read.

A great debut, I have a feeling the second book will be a lot more action-packed and some of the romantic relationships hinted at in this one will come to fruition. A fairly quick read and easy to follow, but also thoroughly entertaining and engaging. 3.5 stars