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