The Ivory Key

This story is set in the mythical and magical country of Ashoka, which has strong elements of Indian culture and life.  It is the tale of four siblings, two sisters and two brothers who belong to the ruling family.  Their mother, the previous maharani has been killed and Kaleb, her stepson is accused of complicity in the crime.  His sister Vira is the new ruler but she is struggling to keep control as the magic that supports the country is gradually disappearing.  The other siblings, Ronak and Riya each have their own demons to overcome, and have distanced themselves from the family.  When it appears that the only way to save their people is to find the mythical ‘Ivory Key’, Vira and her family must join forces in the search.  They face challenges that are reminiscent of Indiana Jones, as they follow their quest.  But this is a country at war with itself and the royal authority is not something that can be taken for granted.  In such a situation, who can the siblings trust?  Not everyone is open about their views and there can often be enemies pretending to be friends. As the story develops, we begin to understand the complexities they face and wonder how they will cope.  Book two will hopefully be as exciting as this first part.

This is the story of a very dysfunctional family, weighed down by the pressures placed upon them.  They have been brought up to focus on serving their country, usually at the cost of putting duty before their personal lives.   The plot beautifully brings out their differing characters and shows how they react to the challenges they face.  The story is a brilliant fantasy that positively oozes with the atmosphere and environment of India; but it is also a fast paced and exciting adventure which will fascinate a wide-ranging audience.  It is definitely a read for older teens, but I can imagine dramatizations, TV or film, could work well with all of the action.