My first book of 2022 is a five star read! What a way to kick off this new year!

I went into this book completely blind and I love when you have no expectations and it blows you away. This particular fantasy book reminded of another by the same publisher Thorn by Intisar Khanai and I would say if you enjoyed that, you’ll love this and vice versa. I had the exact same feels for both books, so that must be saying something.

Four siblings. A country in ruin. One quest to save them all.
Vira is desperate to get out of her mother's shadow and establish her legacy as a revered queen of Ashoka. But with the country's only quarry running out of magic - a precious resource that has kept Ashoka safe from conflict - she can barely protect her citizens from the looming threat of war. And if her enemies discover this, they'll stop at nothing to seize the last of the magic.
Vira's only hope is to find a mysterious object of legend: the Ivory Key, rumoured to unlock a new source of magic. But in order to infiltrate enemy territory and retrieve it, she must reunite with her siblings, torn apart by broken relationships and the different paths their lives have taken. Each of them has something to gain from finding the Ivory Key - and even more to lose if they fail. Ronak plans to sell it to the highest bidder in exchange for escape from his impending political and unwanted marriage. Kaleb, falsely accused of assassinating the former maharani, needs it to clear his name. And Riya, the runaway sibling who cut all family ties, wants the Key to prove her loyalty to the rebels who took her in.
They must work together to survive the treacherous journey. But with each sibling harbouring secrets and their own conflicting agendas, the very thing that brought them together could tear apart their family - and their world - for good.
First in a duology from an incredible new talent, this Indian-inspired fantasy debut is epic, fierce and magnetically addictive, taking you on a thrilling journey where magic, a prized resource, is the only thing between peace and war.

The Ivory Key follows four siblings, Via, Ronak, Rita and Kaleb. Each of the have gone their separate ways since their mother dies in the war over the supply of Magic between rivalled cites. Needless to say the outcome ruined the country, Anshoka. Vira now the Maharani (Queen) of the country must uphold the legacy that she has taken over to protect and save the country from running out of magic. In order to save the country they go a quest that their father started so many years ago to find the Ivory Key that will unlock the hidden magic. With the aid of Vera’s bothers and sisters they must unite to find, but each of them have their own agenda for finding the key. So will family triumph or will the country fall?

I don’t think I’ve read a fantasy with such a familial element to the story. I loved how we get to see their points of view. There is a clear vindictiveness and rivalry between not that any of them know. It’s almost as if the reader knows more than each of them together. Each of the characters had something bring to the story. Rita has a rebellious side, Ronak had an impulsive and hero complex when trying to save his wrongfully accused brother from prison, Kaleb. Kaleb is a character I wanted to know more about, I found him to be down to earth, the one person who could bring the family together because he missed so much of it. I think his purpose in the book will make for a very interesting story to come.

The Ivory Key very much gave me National Treasure vibes. The plot very much focuses on the secrets of the country, one which their father was trying to decipher. Finding lost maps in old libraries, unlocking ciphers and revealing codes, finding hidden magical ruins. I loved the mystery behind the fantasy and finding out secrets to their heritage and history of the world.

Akshaya Raman’s debut has a beautiful writing style. Sometimes with fantasy books with multiple POVs, it can feel overwhelming. But this is book that was very accessible and easy to read which is exactly what I needed. The Ivory Key is a rich, vibrant and magical book. You won’t be able to put it down! I love the characters, the sibling rivalry, forbidden romance, honour, duty and the quest to save the ruined city. I mean what more could you want. I need to book 2 like now, after the ending that’s for sure.

Rating – 5 stars

CAWPILE – 9.14

Thank you to Hot Key Books YA for sending me a copy in exchange for an honest review.