The Ivory Key by Akshaya Raman is a young adult fantasy novel, mildly inspired by Indian culture and mythology. It features the main character — Vira, Queen of Ashoka. Having grown up in the palace with her three siblings, destined to be the next queen, she idolized her mother’s extroverted personality and grace. She was awed at how her mother was able to gain respect and love from her citizens. Vira, however, is not as perfect and struggles to prove her capabilities to be the perfect queen. However, she has a huge challenge to face. Ashoka is a kingdom built largely on magic. But now, the mines from where the magic is harvested are running low in supply. If the bordering kingdom, the enemy, finds out that Ashoka is low on magic, war is sure to ensue and to be lost because, without magic, Ashoka is defenseless. The book follows Vira on a journey as she reunites with her siblings as they temporarily put on hold their old strife’s to search for Ashoka’s only hope — The Ivory Key — a legend that will lead them to a hidden set of magic quarries with enough magic to supply Ashoka for thousands of years. However, each of the siblings has a different motive for finding the Ivory Key. As the journey goes on, the plot intensifies, filled with new barriers and challenges. The plot isn’t the only thing to intensify. Relationships strain as the strife’s resurface and secrets are revealed. The book is filled with tension and conflict, so well written that the reader feels like they are watching, in person, all the conflicts and arguments unravel. Ending with an amazing but frustrating cliffhanger, the book left me eager for the sequel.