Akshaya Raman

Akshaya Raman is an Indian American author of young adult fantasy. Her debut novel, The Ivory Key (2022), published by HarperCollins, draws on Indian culture and mythology to build the world of Ashoka, a kingdom whose wealth depends on a dwindling magical resource; the story follows four royal siblings, each with competing motives, racing to find a legendary artifact capable of renewing that magic before rivals or invading neighbors can claim it. It was named among the most anticipated young adult titles of its debut month by several genre outlets and received positive reviews for its plotting and its grounding in South Asian myth rather than the more common European fantasy template. Its sequel, The Crimson Fortress (2023), concluded the story. Raman's work is part of a broader wave of fantasy actively drawing on non-European mythological traditions.