In this epic YA fantasy debut, magic, a prized resource, is the only thing between peace and war. When magic runs out, four estranged royal siblings must find a new source before their country is swallowed by invading forces. The first in an Indian-inspired duology that’s perfect for fans of There Will Come a Darkness, The Gilded Wolves, and We Hunt the Flame.
Vira, Ronak, Kaleb, and Riya may be siblings, but they've never been close or even liked each other that much. Torn apart by the different paths their lives have taken, only one thing can bring them back together: the search for the Ivory Key, a thing of legend that will lead the way to a new source of magic.
Magic is Ashoka's biggest export and the only thing standing between them and war with the neighboring kingdoms―as long as their enemies don't find out that the magic mines are nearly depleted.
The siblings all have something to gain from finding the Ivory Key, and even more to lose if they don't. For Vira, the Ivory Key is the only way to live up to the legacy of her mother, the beloved former maharani. Ronak plans to get out of his impending political marriage by selling the Ivory Key to the highest bidder. Kaleb has been falsely accused of assassinating the former maharani, and this is the only way to clear his name. And Riya needs to prove her loyalty to the Ravens, the group of rebels that wants to take control away from the maharani and give it to the people.
With each sibling harboring secrets and conflicting agendas, figuring out a way to work together may be the most difficult task of all. And in a quest this dangerous, working together is the only way to survive.
Four siblings. A dying kingdom. One legendary quest to save them all.
- Estranged Siblings, Reluctant Allies: A dutiful maharani, a runaway rebel, a disgraced prince, and a notorious rake—four royal heirs who must learn to trust each other before their rivalries tear their kingdom apart.
- Four Unique Perspectives: Told through multiple POVs, the story unravels the complex motivations of Vira, Riya, Ronak, and Kaleb, weaving a gripping tale of lies and shifting loyalties.
- Rich, Indian-Inspired World: Discover the world of Ashoka, a land of dwindling magic, political maneuvering, and forgotten legends inspired by Indian mythology and culture.
- High-Stakes Political Intrigue: With neighboring kingdoms ready to invade and a rebellion brewing within, the siblings must navigate a treacherous political landscape where one wrong move could mean war.
Akshaya Raman is a Tamil American writer born in Chennai and raised in the Bay Area. She fell in love with writing when she wrote her first story at the age of ten. Though she graduated from UC Davis with a degree in biology, she gave up pursuing a career in science to write books. She lives in California with an actual scaredy cat, and in her free time, she enjoys baking, traveling, and watching too much reality TV. You can find her on Instagram @akshraman.
