I really enjoyed the world building of this book. The setting was so lush the characters almost felt flat

Vira is the queen of Ashoka, a country kept safe by a magical barrier wall. This magical barrier wall is made of and reinforced with magical ore, mined from the country's only quarry. The quarry, regrettably, is much less magical of late. War is on the horizon, and Vira has just established her rule. Her only hope now is to find the mythical Ivory Key, which purportedly offers a way to find more magic. Ashoka's future hangs in the balance, and Vira gathers her estranged siblings to assist her in the quest for the Ivory Key. Yet, each sibling also needs the key for their own ends, and none of those align with Vira's goal, to save Ashoka from war, destruction, and ruin.

Siblings band together to save the world by finding mythical magic?! Well, not so fast, as the bonding is begrudging and for, well, personal reasons, and none of the siblings want what Vira wants. I think we all know that siblings don't always agree, right? Stories with multiple points of view are often interesting, and normally I don't see a book tackling four different perspectives, but in this story, that totally happens. Does it succeed? I think so, and it lends authenticity and personality to each sibling as they maneuver for their own ends to be the final owner of the desired magical Key.

Because this is the first story in a duology, there is a fair bit of setup with siblings being gathered together, before the adventure really takes off. Yet, there's plenty of action throughout, and the magic system allows for some fairly entertaining situations to occur. While the magic system and plot itself aren't overly unique, the characters, descriptions, and South Indian culture inspiration really bring the story to life. I am really looking forward to reading the sequel to this story! The Ivory Key is the story of magic running dry, a queen desperate to protect her people, and her siblings "helping" for their own reasons. Recommended for readers who enjoy stories told from multiple perspectives, full of Indian culture, with plenty of sibling squabbles, and brimming with mythical magical mischief.

***Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for providing me with an advance digital copy of the book in exchange for honest feedback.***

This book blew me away! I was unable to but it down. Perfect, dazzlingly, very well written. The details the author described throughout the book was so amazing. The characters and storyline were fantastic. The ending I did not see coming Truly Amazing and appreciated the whole story. This is going to be a must read for many many readers. Thank you! Thank you! Thank you! No spoilers. Beyond amazing I enjoyed this book so very much. The characters and storyline were fantastic. The ending I did not see coming Could not put down nor did I want to. Truly Amazing and appreciated the whole story. This is going to be a must read for many many readers. Maybe even a book club pick.

Ashoka has always been known for its magic--a prized resource mined from the quarry beneath the kingdom's palace.

But the magic is running out.

Newly named maharani after her mother's sudden death, Vira won't let losing the kingdom's magic be her legacy. Not when following a trail of ancient riddles and clues to find the mythical Ivory Key could unlock more magic quarries.

Ronak, Vira's twin brother, has always been more interested in studying the past like their Papa than in preparing for his future. With royal expectations closing in around him, Ronak will do anything to get away. Even promising to secure the Ivory Key for a dangerous mercenary.

Kaleb has never felt like a half-brother to any of the royal siblings. But his Lyrian birth mother is enough evidence to imprison him for the previous maharani's assassination. Helping Vira find the Ivory Key could clear Kaleb's name. But that still might not be enough to reclaim his old life.

Riya has been happy in the two years since she left the palace behind. Now, drawn into the hunt for the key with her siblings, Riya will have to choose between her obligations to her family and her loyalties to the Ravens--the group of rebels that took her in when she had nothing and no one.

Four siblings, one magical artifact, centuries of secrets in The Ivory Key (2022) by Akshaya Raman.

The Ivory Key is Raman's first novel and the start of an India-inspired duology. The main characters are all brown skinned and Ashokan (a name commonly associated with ancient India) while the neighboring Lyrians are described as fairer skinned. The story alternates between close third person perspectives following the four siblings.

Raman takes her time building out the world of The Ivory Key dropping hints about each character's backstory alongside details of the political landscape that threatens Ashoka's future. A well-developed and unique magic system underscore the urgency of Vira's search for the Ivory Key although that part of the plot is slow to start.

Balancing four points of view is challenging and something that makes the first half of The Ivory Key drag as characters are introduced and tensions build. Once the four royal siblings reluctantly begin working together to find the key, the story starts to pick up and feels more like the adventure promised in the synopsis.

Hints of romance add dimension to the story and drama to one of the book's biggest reveals although most of the story is squarely focused on the fractious relationships between Vira, Ronak, Kaleb, and Riya. A rushed final act introduces new twists and obstacles for all of the siblings as their paths once again diverge leaving each primed for an exciting conclusion to this duology in the next installment.

The Ivory Key is a sweeping, politically charged adventure where adventure and the search for magic are balanced by court intrigue and maneuvering; a dramatic story that isn't afraid to take its time to draw readers in.

Possible Pairings: Six of Crows by Leigh Bardugo, The Gilded Wolves by Roshani Chokshi, We Hunt the Flame by Hafsah Faisal, Spin the Dawn by Elizabeth Lim, Sisters of the Snake by Sarena Nanua and Sasha Nanua, There Will Come a Darkness by Katy Rose Pool

The world Raman created is incredible and I loved every moment.
I received a complimentary copy of this book through NetGalley. The opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for providing me with this advance reader copy.


Description from NetGalley:
Vira, Ronak, Kaleb, and Riya may be siblings, but they've never been close or even liked each other that much. Torn apart by the different paths their lives have taken, only one thing can bring them back together: the search for the Ivory Key, a thing of legend that will lead the way to a new source of magic. Magic is Ashoka's biggest export and the only thing standing between them and war with the neighboring kingdoms—as long as their enemies don't find out that the magic mines are nearly depleted.

The siblings all have something to gain from finding the Ivory Key, and even more to lose if they don't. For Vira, the Ivory Key is the only way to live up to the legacy of her mother, the beloved former maharani. Ronak plans to get out of his impending political marriage by selling the Ivory Key to the highest bidder. Kaleb has been falsely accused of assassinating the former maharani, and this is the only way to clear his name. And Riya needs to prove her loyalty to the Ravens, the group of rebels that wants to take control away from the maharani and give it to the people. With each sibling harboring secrets and conflicting agendas, figuring out a way to work together may be the most difficult task of all. And in a quest this dangerous, working together is the only way to survive.

First of all, I love the cover and the writing style. I did have to make myself a list of characters to keep them straight; however, this is typical for me with more than two POVs. We do get all four siblings’ POVs in this first half of the duology. Each sibling has their own motivations and has their own paths. I think the author did this so that we were not biased as to one character over the other with what happened before and during the book.

It does take awhile to get going, but a lot happened before the start of the book that the siblings must work through.

Overall: 4/5

The world building in this book was absolutely dynamic and truly incredible. I was hooked throughout its entirety and found myself absorbed in this delightful experience. The dynamics between the siblings was powerful and encompassed a wide variety of emotions and thoughts provoked in my head and in my heart with the incredible shifts of what I learned through each chapter. I recommend this to the fullest and know that it will be a joy for all who pick it up and take on the adventure!

4.25 STARS

The complexity and emotional turmoil between the siblings and their morals and choices was DIVINE!
This book has the most realistic sibling relationship. I will applaud the author because every POV had me entirely on board with their choices and path even though each sibling had somewhat conflicting options - and I agree with each was hypocritical. I love them all!
This book gave the plot twist of the century that I didn't see coming even though it had been hinted at!
In the end, I cannot thank Clarion Teen enough for the arc to review, and I PATIENTLY AWAKE BOOK TWO The Crimson Fortress!

I was excited to read The Ivory Key even though fantasy is not a preferred genre for me. It took me a long time to get into the book because there was so much exposition and world building. (Maybe fantasy lovers will like that more than I did.) The last half of the book was much better with lots of action, but then the book ended. Now I have to wait until the next book comes out to find out what happens.

I really wanted to love this book, but for some reason I just couldn't get hooked by it. However, I can tell that it's incredibly well written and thought out, and I know there are many readers out there who will truly enjoy it.

"The Ivory Key" is the first book in an Indian-inspired YA fantasy duology about four slightly estranged royal siblings as they try to find a new source of magic for their country, all while learning to trust and respect each other again. Magic is their prized, unrenewable resource, but the legendary Ivory Key could lead them to a new source. Vira, Ronak, Kaleb, and Riya are well developed characters all seeking to do the best for their country. Fun and adventurous, I look forward to its conclusion.

I thoroughly enjoyed this book and I'm quite excited for the sequel. I believe the pacing was appropriate as well as the character development. There could have been more background set up to understand all the characters and their respective relationships from the beginning. Overall I would recommend this book to high school fantasy lovers and others who enjoy YA.

Included the book in the New Releases Roundup on The Young Folks In January. Blurb: I’m totally judging this book by its gorgeous cover. My judgement says it’s going to be a lush and incredible read. And I’m always up for a book about sibling relationships, especially when they’re estranged and have to work together to survive. The angst and emotional journey these characters will go on are sure to make the pages fly.

I absolutely loved this book. Were there a few too quick transitions that caused me to get confused for a second, sure. But this debut novel still deserves all the stars. I am a sucker for fantasy books that start where there’s not as much magic as there used to be (Over the Moon, Ember in the Ashes, etc.). I am also all about well developed and complex characters, which this book has plenty of. The back story of the siblings and their childhood is fascinating. Four siblings estranged and then reunited, court intrigue, hidden motives, forbidden romance, secrets, an ancient secret society, and so much more. It has everything.

This novel has its basis in the mythology of India, and appears to be an accurate reflection of the mythology on which it's based. The ivory key of the title is the long-lost key to magic - a magic that is being rapidly depleted, and not replenished; in that sense, it echoes the vanishing resources of our own world, and the desperation felt by many as they struggle to replace it with other sources.

Four siblings - Kaleb, Vira, Riya, and Ronak - are all that is left of their family, following the relatively recent deaths of their parents. Torn apart by circumstances, some related to their parents' deaths and some not, the only way to solve the mystery of the ivory key is for them to work together in a way that they haven't been able to do in years. Each with their own motivation and goals, can the four come together to find the key and determine its use? Or will their family relationships and past problems keep them from working together?

Magic, while the basis of the society, is almost incidental to this story; instead, it is the familial relationships and the mystery of the key that are the focus. This is a well-written novel that interweaves the four siblings, alternating perspectives with each chapter, letting the reading see into the minds and motivations of the characters. The use of terms in Sanskrit lends credence to the source mythology, but many terms are never defined, which can make the novel hard to follow on occasion. Recommended for upper middle school and older.

I received an advance review copy in return for my honest review, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

This book is great! Would definitely recommend. Thanks so much to NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC.

Thank you to Net Galley, the publisher, and author for an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review. I enjoyed this family centered fantasy! I liked that the main characters were siblings. Lots of family drama throughout the book. I liked the story , but enjoyed it more once the pace picked up. I love adventure. I am sad that I have to wait till January for the second one. I will recommend this to my students.

Beautiful storytelling and vivid imagery. The Ivory Key is about four siblings with one common goal, but for four different reasons! A kingdom on the verge of ruin due to magic slowly depleting, a family in ruin, and the only fix is the mystical Ivory Key.

Thank you to NetGalley for the eARC of The Ivory Key by Akshaya Raman!

This was a lovely young adult, Indian inspired, magical fantasy. It was choc-full of backstabbing and betrayal and a great twist.

I'm still not too sure about the lore of the magic in The Ivory Key, but I believe as a first time reader of book one you are not really supposed to and you will discover the true use of magic in book two at the same time the characters do.

I love books with multiple point of views and I really enjoyed going between the four siblings.