#Review - The Crimson Fortress by Akshaya Raman #YA #Fantasy

Series: The Ivory Key Duology # 2
Format: Hardcover, 432 pages
Release Date: November 14, 2023
Publisher: Clarion Books
Source: Library
Genre: Young Adult / Fantasy / Epic

In this thrilling, action-packed sequel and conclusion to the critically acclaimed Ivory Key duology called “a dream”* (ALA Booklist, starred review), royal siblings Vira, Ronak, Kaleb, and Riya battle vengeful enemies, centuries-old mysteries, and their own personal demons in order to save their country from ruin.

The search for the Ivory Key has brought royal siblings Vira, Ronak, Kaleb, and Riya closer than they have been in years as they try to restore magic and stability to Ashoka. But despite finally getting their hands on the long-lost key, uncovering its cipher has proved more complicated and dangerous than they ever expected.

Their missions force them to split up and disperse across Ashoka and beyond. When a rash decision by the council strips Vira of her power, her journey to reclaim her throne takes on new meaning. Kaleb travels to the neighboring country of Lyria to uncover its emperor’s motives and meets a prince seeking answers of his own. Ronak’s efforts to escape his arranged marriage and exonerate his brother lead to a series of risky deals that only bring him closer to what he’s running from. And Riya’s newfound power has turned unpredictable, but her search for answers only raises more questions.

When their attempts at decoding the key release an ancient power, the siblings must align to face the past and save their future once and for all. In a quest that culminates in a deadly labyrinth, there’s only one way they will succeed: together. 

The Crimson Fortress, by Akshaya Raman, is the second and final installment in the authors The Ivory Key duology. In this action-packed sequel, royal siblings Vira, Ronak, Kaleb, and Riya battle vengeful enemies, centuries-old mysteries, and their own personal demons in order to save their country from ruin. The search for the Ivory Key has brought royal siblings Vira, Ronak, Kaleb, and Riya closer than they have been in years as they try to restore magic and stability to Ashoka.

But not everything is what Vira expected. Vira is Maharani of Ashoka. Ashoka has 3 weeks left before the countries defenses are weakened by the lack of magic in the land. Vira has been betrayed by the former Captain of her Guard, and will  also end up losing her title of Maharani in a coup staged by a Council that seeks to make a very bad treaty with their enemies in Lyria. Riya is the former Raven who left the family to go out on her own. Riya desperately wants to know more about her magic, or to get rid of it permanently. Riya's journey to peace of mind is as twisted as one can get without losing oneself. 

Until 2 weeks ago, Ronak thought everything was going well. He had planned on leaving Ashoka and boarding a ship. He gave up months of his life for Kaleb. Even worse, he made with Ekta turned out to be a really bad idea. Now she wants more from him. Kaleb, who was accused of killing his mother, has fled the country for Lyrian where he meets his cousin, Dayana. Kaleb soon finds himself working as a spy for the Heir to the throne, Lukas, while also trying not to let people know who his mother or father was for fear that he would become a liability.

Despite finally getting their hands on the long-lost key, uncovering its cipher has proved more complicated and dangerous than they ever expected. They have encountered not one, but two secret societies (Order of Remayura and The Kamala Society) that seem to be battling each other. When their attempts at decoding the key release an ancient power named Niveda, the siblings must align to face the past and save their future once and for all. In a quest that culminates in a deadly labyrinth, there’s only one way they will succeed: together. 

*Thoughts* Overall, this is definitely an action packed story that has betrayal after betrayal, and it is not often I say this but, thank goodness this is only a duology. The ending is done pretty well. Riya finds her happy ending, Riya wants to become a treasure hunter like her father and travel the globe, Kaleb has found his own happiness in Lyria where he can finally get to know his extended family, and maybe a bit of love while he is at it. Ronak ponders his future, but here's hoping he ends up on that ship he once wanted to escape on.

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