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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 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
5.0
Content Warnings
Moderate: Injury/Injury detail, Violence, Blood, Death, Death of parent, Gore, Murder, and Fire/Fire injury
Minor: War
bookishflower's review
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
anniereads221's review
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
p_gonza2's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.5
Content Warnings
Moderate: Murder, Fire/Fire injury, Confinement, Death of parent, Blood, and War
Minor: Bullying, Death, and Kidnapping
abrich's review against another edition
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
l0streader's review against another edition
adventurous
fast-paced
4.0
Rep: South Asian MCs, LGBTQIA+
This is the South Asian fantasy of my dreams! I absolutely fell in love with these characters, each of their stories and aspirations. With any book containing multiple POVs it can be hectic to keep track of them, but each of Raman’s MCs had a distinct voice and motive to obtaining The Ivory Key. I thought the family dynamic between all the siblings was fully fleshed out and realistic. I even have a really special place in my heart for one of the side characters, but we won’t dive too far into that.
The descriptions of the setting and the entirety of the atmosphere as a whole were immaculate. The scenery and foods were described with such lushness that I felt transported into Ashoka.
I didn’t know too much about the plot of the book prior to diving in and I’m glad I didn’t reveal too much to myself because I loved uncovering new things as I read and went on this adventure alongside these characters. I really appreciated that this fantasy book though expansive did not feel overwhelming as many fantasy books can feel initially. The world-building was done strategically so that the reader could learn more about the history, land, and people of Ashoka through the MCs conversations and quest.
I’m quite intrigued to see where the book will go from here. I have a feeling that I’m going to enjoy the sequel even more. I highly recommend this book to anyone who is interested in a South Asian fantasy or anyone new to fantasy who wants to get their feet wet before diving headfirst into some of the denser fantasy books out there.
Characters: 9/10
Atmosphere: 9/10
Writing Style: 8/10
Plot: 8/10
Intrigue: 8/10
Logic: 8/10
Enjoyment: 8/10
Rating: 8.3 or 4 stars
This is the South Asian fantasy of my dreams! I absolutely fell in love with these characters, each of their stories and aspirations. With any book containing multiple POVs it can be hectic to keep track of them, but each of Raman’s MCs had a distinct voice and motive to obtaining The Ivory Key. I thought the family dynamic between all the siblings was fully fleshed out and realistic. I even have a really special place in my heart for one of the side characters, but we won’t dive too far into that.
The descriptions of the setting and the entirety of the atmosphere as a whole were immaculate. The scenery and foods were described with such lushness that I felt transported into Ashoka.
I didn’t know too much about the plot of the book prior to diving in and I’m glad I didn’t reveal too much to myself because I loved uncovering new things as I read and went on this adventure alongside these characters. I really appreciated that this fantasy book though expansive did not feel overwhelming as many fantasy books can feel initially. The world-building was done strategically so that the reader could learn more about the history, land, and people of Ashoka through the MCs conversations and quest.
I’m quite intrigued to see where the book will go from here. I have a feeling that I’m going to enjoy the sequel even more. I highly recommend this book to anyone who is interested in a South Asian fantasy or anyone new to fantasy who wants to get their feet wet before diving headfirst into some of the denser fantasy books out there.
Characters: 9/10
Atmosphere: 9/10
Writing Style: 8/10
Plot: 8/10
Intrigue: 8/10
Logic: 8/10
Enjoyment: 8/10
Rating: 8.3 or 4 stars
Content Warnings
Graphic: Alcohol, Blood, Death, Racism, Violence, and War
kindredbooks's review against another edition
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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