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beautifulpaxielreads's review against another edition
I feel like I need to be reading this at a time when I have more emotional energy to give it, especially after reading it for over a month now and it not being that long a book.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death of parent, Emotional abuse, Murder, Blood, and Death
Moderate: Grief
Minor: War
bookishflower's review against another edition
adventurous
mysterious
tense
medium-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
3.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Blood, Confinement, Death, Death of parent, Classism, Injury/Injury detail, Grief, Xenophobia, Murder, War, and Panic attacks/disorders
kindredbooks's review
adventurous
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
4.25
I received a copy of The Ivory Key by Akshaya Raman from Blue Slip Media in exchange for an honest review.
Family drama and secrets, magic, secret societies, puzzles and a search for the Ivory Key, as the novel is named - The Ivory Key by Akshaya Raman is a YA fantasy novel that is inspired by Ancient India. One of the main reasons why I was first drawn to this book was the idea of it centering around four siblings who are all estranged. They all have found different paths but a common interest and goal brings them back together. I thought that it was quite interesting to read this story told from all four of their perspectives - Vira, Riya, Ronak and Kaleb. I found each character to be quite charming in their own way - and while I may not have always agreed with their motivations, I did understand where they each stood. The character and world building in The Ivory Key is incredible and I truly felt like I was absorbed into this world and the lands of Ashoka. I really enjoyed the puzzles that were involved and a secret society is just extra fun on top of everything else in this book. The one thing that I had a little trouble with was the plot progression about a third into the novel where it felt like not much was happening. But the story does pick up especially once the siblings set off on their adventure. And finally, that ending - let's just say that the sequel, The Crimson Fortress, is high on my anticipated list as I truly need to know how The Ivory Key duology plays out.
Family drama and secrets, magic, secret societies, puzzles and a search for the Ivory Key, as the novel is named - The Ivory Key by Akshaya Raman is a YA fantasy novel that is inspired by Ancient India. One of the main reasons why I was first drawn to this book was the idea of it centering around four siblings who are all estranged. They all have found different paths but a common interest and goal brings them back together. I thought that it was quite interesting to read this story told from all four of their perspectives - Vira, Riya, Ronak and Kaleb. I found each character to be quite charming in their own way - and while I may not have always agreed with their motivations, I did understand where they each stood. The character and world building in The Ivory Key is incredible and I truly felt like I was absorbed into this world and the lands of Ashoka. I really enjoyed the puzzles that were involved and a secret society is just extra fun on top of everything else in this book. The one thing that I had a little trouble with was the plot progression about a third into the novel where it felt like not much was happening. But the story does pick up especially once the siblings set off on their adventure. And finally, that ending - let's just say that the sequel, The Crimson Fortress, is high on my anticipated list as I truly need to know how The Ivory Key duology plays out.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Grief, Death of parent, Blood, War, and Racism
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