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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
bloodbrooxv'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
4.0
(🇬🇧/🇮🇹)
🇬🇧 I was pleasantly surprised by this book, partially because i had seen it around only a few times before i decided to read it.
I loved the characters, and I think each one of the four povs has been handled very well: none of them are boring or less interesting, and they don't break the rhythm of the story.
The Ivory Key is a book that starts out quite slow, but moves fast after the middle half, totally drawing you into the action and making it hard to put it down. The reading experience was super immersive: the author is very good at transporting you into the world she has created and at evoking the sensations transmitted by the environment in which the events take place.
I can't wait to read the sequel!
-------------------------------------------------------------------
🇮🇹 Sono rimasta molto sorpresa da questa lettura, anche perché si tratta di un libro molto poco conosciuto.
Ho adorato i personaggi, e penso che i quattro punti di vista siano stati gestiti molto bene: nessuno risulta noioso o meno interessante, e non vanno a spezzare il ritmo del racconto.
The Ivory Key è un libro che all'inizio risulta abbastanza lento, ma che dopo la metà procede velocemente, coinvolgendoti totalmente nell'azione e rendendoti di difficile metterlo giù. L' esperienza si lettura è stata super immersiva: l'autrice è molto brava nel trasportarti nel mondo di che ha creato e nell'evocare le sensazioni trasmesse dall'ambiente in cui si svolgono gli eventi.
Non vedo l'ora di leggere il sequel!
🇬🇧 I was pleasantly surprised by this book, partially because i had seen it around only a few times before i decided to read it.
I loved the characters, and I think each one of the four povs has been handled very well: none of them are boring or less interesting, and they don't break the rhythm of the story.
The Ivory Key is a book that starts out quite slow, but moves fast after the middle half, totally drawing you into the action and making it hard to put it down. The reading experience was super immersive: the author is very good at transporting you into the world she has created and at evoking the sensations transmitted by the environment in which the events take place.
I can't wait to read the sequel!
-------------------------------------------------------------------
🇮🇹 Sono rimasta molto sorpresa da questa lettura, anche perché si tratta di un libro molto poco conosciuto.
Ho adorato i personaggi, e penso che i quattro punti di vista siano stati gestiti molto bene: nessuno risulta noioso o meno interessante, e non vanno a spezzare il ritmo del racconto.
The Ivory Key è un libro che all'inizio risulta abbastanza lento, ma che dopo la metà procede velocemente, coinvolgendoti totalmente nell'azione e rendendoti di difficile metterlo giù. L' esperienza si lettura è stata super immersiva: l'autrice è molto brava nel trasportarti nel mondo di che ha creato e nell'evocare le sensazioni trasmesse dall'ambiente in cui si svolgono gli eventi.
Non vedo l'ora di leggere il sequel!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death and Death of parent
Moderate: Violence and Blood
Minor: Alcohol and War
Representation: BIPOC main cast, gay main character, lesbian side characterreadingelli'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
esme_t's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
medium-paced
3.75
Content Warnings
Graphic: War, Blood, and Death
Moderate: Death of parent, Murder, and Violence
Minor: Mental illness, Emotional abuse, and Bullying
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
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
anniereads221's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
hopeful
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: War, Violence, Racism, Murder, Injury/Injury detail, Sexism, Misogyny, and Death
abrich's review
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: Abandonment, Confinement, and Death of parent
Moderate: Classism
Minor: Blood, Panic attacks/disorders, Violence, War, Death, Injury/Injury detail, Emotional abuse, and Mental illness