Tag: the ivory key

Top reads of July

Here are my top reads for July!

  1. The Sun and The Star by Rick Riordan and Mark Oshiro
    This was an incredible book! I’d always adored Nico and Will’s relationship in the Heroes of Olympus series, so I was really excited when I heard about this book. Nico and Will are adorable in this book and I really enjoyed the way the story progressed. I also liked the way Nico’s grief and trauma were addressed. This was a great book!
  2. The Darkest Part of the Forest by Holly Black
    This was a great book! I haven’t read the Cruel Prince series yet, but, while being set in the same universe, this book was still understandable without prior knowledge. I loved the queer and the relationship between Hazel and Ben. I really enjoyed this book!
  3. Connect the Stars by David Teague and Marisa de los Santos
    I really enjoyed this book! Audrey can tell when anyone is lying and Aaron can remember everything he’s seen. Both of them don’t fit in at their schools, but when their parents send them to a wilderness camp, they find each other. The two also make friends with Kate and Louis and the group face the challenges together. I really enjoyed this book!
  4. The Night Circus by Erin Morgenstern
    This was a great book! I enjoyed the descriptions of the circus and the way we got many POVS showing us how different people experience it. The descriptions were detailed and I loved how it all tied in at the end. The characters were also intricate and I enjoyed getting to read about them. It was a great book!
  5. The Ivory Key by Akshaya Raman
    This was an amazing reread! 4 siblings and none of them alike, yet they have to journey together to find the mythical Ivory Key. They each have different reasons for wanting it, but if they fail, they could all lose everything. I love the characters so much and the plot twists along the way. I really enjoyed this book!

Top Books of January: click here
Top Books of February: click here
Top Books of March: click here
Top Books of April and May: click here
Top Books of June: click here

Top Reads of 2021

Here are my overall top reads of 2021!

  1. Circe by Madeline Miller
    Circe is such a great book. I loved the reimagining of the original tale of Circe and how we got to see this sorceress as a main character. In many Greek Mythology stories, Circe is shown as the villian of her tale, but in this story we see her as her own, bright character. If you like mythology or re-imagined fairy tales, then ou’ll definitely love this book!
  2. The Ivory Key by Akshaya Raman
    4 siblings and none of them alike, yet they have to journey together to find the mythical Ivory Key. They each have different reasons for wanting it, but if they fail, they could all lose everything. I love the characters so much and the plot twists along the way. If you like fantasy or mythology, this book is perfect for you!
  3. The Hawthorne Legacy by Jennifer Lynn Barnes
    This book is filled with plot twists and riddles, secrets and hidden compartments that you never would’ve seen coming. I’ve really enjoyed reading the first two books in this triology, though I especially loved the second book. Avery has grown so much, though she’s still as stubborn and plucky and she was in the first book. The plot is entertaining, but it’ll leave you wanting more. I can’t wait to read the final book!
  4. The Pronoun Book by Cassandra Jules Corrigan
    I really love this book. It’s sweet and simple and explains pronouns and identities in a way that’s easy to understand. The illustrations are cute and match the text perfectly. Anyone, regardless their age, can understand this book and take to using its tips and tricks. I love this book!
  5. The Song of Achilles by Madeline Miller
    This is another great mythology book. The Trojan War is probably the subject I know least about, but this book definitely helped with that. While it focused more on Achilles and Patroclus’ relationship (one of the best ones I’ve ever heard of), it still got a close look at the Trojan War. The writing style is so delicate and at any given time, I feel like I’m actually in ancience Greece. This book is definitely one of the best.
  6. King of Scars by Leigh Bardugo
    I’ve only read the first book so far, but this duology is off to a great start. It focuses on Nikolai, Zoya, and Nina- characters in past books, now starring in their own. Their problems are like no other and they require a new solution that is bold and brave and only heard of in myths. I loved this story and the characters from the beginning to the end. It is such a new, but ownderous story and I really enjoyed it.
  7. Six of Crows by Leigh Bardugo
    This book has consistently popped up on my Instagram and so I decided to give it a try. It was one of the best decisions I’ve made. I love all the characters and their unique personalities. They are unique but they all work together to make a diverse cast of characters. I haven’t ever met a group of characters who I’ve loved as fiercely as Kaz, Inej, Nina, Matthais, Jesper, and Wylan. This two-book series is packed with twists and turns and will have you crying and laughing at the same time. I totally recommend it to you.

What were your top reads of 2021? Did you read/like any of these books?

May’s Top Books

  1. The Last Fallen Star by Graci Kim
    This is the newest book is the Rick Riordan Presents series. It focuses on Korean mythology and a girl’s profound love for her adopted sister. I love Riley and her hilarious antics, but also how caring and kind she is. Her imaginative way of solving problems is so creative and I love how she is ready to do anything it takes to get Hattie (her sister) back. The plot twists are also super cool and I can’t wait to read the next book.
  2. The Ivory Key by Akshaya Raman
    This was definitely one of my favorite books of this year. It is a fictional novel set in India, told in the point of views of 4 siblings, all very different. Vira is the maharani trying to live up to her mother, Riya is a Raven, going against her own sister, Ronak makes a deal to get him out of the nation, and Kaleb is in jail for a crime he didn’t commit. I love the way that these 4 stories merge together and form one. They are all such brave characters who carry big burdens. The plot twists are also great, and I can’t wait for the next book.
  3. Princess in Practice by Connie Glynn
    I loved the second book in the series. Ellie, Lottie, and Jamie are back to stop another plan by the Leviathan. This time, new friends are introduced an old friends are back at it again. More people come to know of the scheme and they gain many close allies. I really enjoyed this book and how everyone interacted (especially Lottie and Ellie). It’s such a fun book and I t0tally recommend this series to you!
  4. A Whole New World by Liz Braswell
    This is one of the books in the “Twisted Tales” series. This book is a spin on Aladdin, asking this question. What if Aladdin had never found the lamp? I loved the way Aladdin and Jasmine were developed and how we got to see more of the story from this point of view. They are both so caring and kind, which we can see when they interact with others. I enjoyed this book so much and I can’t wait to read the next ones!
  5. The Unmapped Sea and The Long-Lost Home by Maryrose Wood
    These were the last two books in this 6 book long series. Penelope and her pupils are so bright and kind. The story is so beautiful and I love the way that Penelope takes care of them. Both books are so adventurous and the way that Penelope has fun with the Incorrigibles is heartwarming. I especially loved the last book for all the secrets that are revealed and how everything starts to fit into place.