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kyliereads341'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? It's complicated
4.75
The plot was a bit formulaic, but the characters and their relationship dynamics made me overlook this as their stories and how they intermingle play into my two favorite things: political intrigue and family drama/trauma. I look forward to the next one and enjoyed the world building/magic system that was easy to understand.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Injury/Injury detail, Panic attacks/disorders, War, Blood, and Confinement
Minor: Racism
eh1736's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
mysterious
fast-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
4.5
Content Warnings
Moderate: Murder and Injury/Injury detail
sophiesmallhands's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Content Warnings
Moderate: Violence
Minor: Murder, War, Death of parent, Injury/Injury detail, and Death
thaliareads's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
hopeful
mysterious
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? Yes
4.5
I didn't expect there to be four perspectives, and I'll admit I was a little tired when I started the book so it took me until about an hour in to the audiobook to get my bearings. However, once I figured out what was happening and got the characters straight I loved this book. It started a little slow for me, but I prefer faster paced books. Regardless, I really look forward to finding out what happens next.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Confinement
Moderate: Death, Death of parent, Blood, Injury/Injury detail, and Violence
There are a few minor to moderate injuries described in moderate detail throughout the book. Some of the character's also spend time confined to a cell. There's some violence and death as their adventure progresses, and there's also death towards the beginning of the book that sets the stage for the adventure.frantically's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.0
Indian rep and LGBT+ rep (which I didn't notice but apparently it's there??) and it STILL fumbled the bag.
The worldbuilding had so much potential (matriarchies <3) but the characters didn't deliver. At some point it wasn't "haha this author doesn't have siblings" anymore but "...has this author ever seen siblings interact?". It was SO inconsistent — they all dislike each other, you can run away from your family or imprison your brother without major emotional consequences but we're still supposed to believe they have this intrinsic sibling bond in the second part which didn't work for me at all.
This would've been great if it had been reworked into middle grade! Not everything needs sub-plot romance(s) but a more developed family relationship would've made this so much more fun!
The worldbuilding had so much potential (matriarchies <3) but the characters didn't deliver. At some point it wasn't "haha this author doesn't have siblings" anymore but "...has this author ever seen siblings interact?". It was SO inconsistent — they all dislike each other, you can run away from your family or imprison your brother without major emotional consequences but we're still supposed to believe they have this intrinsic sibling bond in the second part which didn't work for me at all.
This would've been great if it had been reworked into middle grade! Not everything needs sub-plot romance(s) but a more developed family relationship would've made this so much more fun!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Violence
Moderate: Death of parent and Injury/Injury detail
Minor: War
readingelli's review
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? It's complicated
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Injury/Injury detail and Blood
Moderate: Violence, Fire/Fire injury, War, and Murder
Minor: Child death
jachnax's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
mysterious
tense
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
One day I just went into my local bookstore and browsed the shelves. I didn't really plan on buying a book but then I saw the beautiful spine of 'The Ivory Key' and I pulled it out. I nearly gasped at how beautiful the cover was and when I checked the back and it was under 10€, all was decided and I bought it.
When I was packing for my trip to Amsterdam in August 2022, I searched for a book I could take with me. My gut picked 'The Ivory Key' because it was small, not too many pages and it was floppy. I didn't think much of it, I had zero clue what the book was about.
In Amsterdam I sometimes had time to read so I did and the story and the character dynamics hooked me more and more. I only got halfway through so I continued when I was home and what can I say. I devoured the rest, I was intrigued, shocked and purely in love. The moment you think you understand the world, new secrets come out.
This story is so unique and magical. After this book I immediatly followed the author on Instagram and followed the journey of her writing the sequel.
'The Crimson Fortess' was my first preorder. Akshaya Raman the first author I actively followed.
This story means so much to me nobody can imagine.
Now I just reread it for the sequel and what can I say? It is still my favorite book of all time and I cannot wait to read the sequel. Thank you Akshaya Raman for this book 🧡
When I was packing for my trip to Amsterdam in August 2022, I searched for a book I could take with me. My gut picked 'The Ivory Key' because it was small, not too many pages and it was floppy. I didn't think much of it, I had zero clue what the book was about.
In Amsterdam I sometimes had time to read so I did and the story and the character dynamics hooked me more and more. I only got halfway through so I continued when I was home and what can I say. I devoured the rest, I was intrigued, shocked and purely in love. The moment you think you understand the world, new secrets come out.
This story is so unique and magical. After this book I immediatly followed the author on Instagram and followed the journey of her writing the sequel.
'The Crimson Fortess' was my first preorder. Akshaya Raman the first author I actively followed.
This story means so much to me nobody can imagine.
Now I just reread it for the sequel and what can I say? It is still my favorite book of all time and I cannot wait to read the sequel. Thank you Akshaya Raman for this book 🧡
Content Warnings
Graphic: Blood and Violence
Moderate: War, Injury/Injury detail, Xenophobia, Death of parent, and Death
Minor: Panic attacks/disorders
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: Injury/Injury detail, War, and Death
Moderate: Death of parent, Blood, and Murder
Minor: Emotional abuse
kayladaila's review
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: Injury/Injury detail, Violence, Blood, Death, Death of parent, Gore, Murder, and Fire/Fire injury
Minor: War
kefeshe's review
adventurous
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
I loved this book!!! Really gripped me right from the start and had me hanging onto every world. I was sucked right into the world and didn't want to leave. The characters, the clothes, the food, the queer romance, the drama...everything was just perfect
Content Warnings
Graphic: Injury/Injury detail