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xoodlebooks's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
inspiring
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child abuse, Confinement, Emotional abuse, Sexism, and Toxic relationship
Moderate: Blood, Death, Death of parent, Kidnapping, Murder, and Violence
Minor: Child death, Medical content, Physical abuse, Suicide, Xenophobia, and Rape
thewildmageslibrary's review against another edition
adventurous
hopeful
inspiring
5.0
Listening to this was the perfect audio experience and I now want a physical copy. Tarisai just wants to belong and be loved. When she finally gets her wish, will she be forced to destroy it all? I loved the rich world the author created; you know worldbuilding is my weakness. I honestly didn't know how this would end, but *the journey* and that found family. ❤️ Looking forward to the sequel later this year!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Violence and Death of parent
Moderate: Domestic abuse and Emotional abuse
Minor: Rape
crinspire's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
mysterious
reflective
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
I didn't expect a YA fantasy to be my favorite read of the year so far, but look.
The story is gripping from the first to the last page. I don't think there was a single chapter that was lacking or that wasn't needed. It's also divided in 4 parts with short chapters within, so if you struggle to read plot heavy books because there's nowhere to stop, this one is for you. I was intimidated by the novel before picking it up because fantasy usually requires some effort to get into the world, but in this case it was immersive and made it so easy to dive in.
The main characters are so easy to root for. Tarisai is a wonderful protagonist, complex and strong without falling into Mary Sue territory. Dayo is a literal ray of sunshine, and Kirah and Sanjeet are both lovely and complex too. When it comes to the rest of the characters, though, this book also shines, portraying grey characters in a manner that makes sense, where no character is just plain evil. I found my opinion about so many characters changed organically as I found out more, both for better and for worse.
The immersive atmosphere aids to the rich worldbuilding of the book. I could see each scene perfectly thanks to the beautiful descriptions that didn't fall into purple prose. The story is complex, gripping from chapter one, filled with well crafted plot twists that build the puzzle that is this story. The world is not as perfect as it seems, and you find out along with Tarisai what justice truly means in a situation that reflects colonialism and erasure of culture, and patriarchy in the real world. By the end of the book, I was thoroughly satisfied but so happy that this is actually a duology and we're getting one more dive into this beautiful world and another chance to be with the characters.
This has it all. Found family. High stakes. Complex, deep rooted problems. Beautiful imagery. Hope. I strained my brain to find something I didn't love so that this review isn't me gushing nonstop, and the only thing I could come up with is that I wished there was more Dayo. So there you go. Take this as a push to pick this up.
The story is gripping from the first to the last page. I don't think there was a single chapter that was lacking or that wasn't needed. It's also divided in 4 parts with short chapters within, so if you struggle to read plot heavy books because there's nowhere to stop, this one is for you. I was intimidated by the novel before picking it up because fantasy usually requires some effort to get into the world, but in this case it was immersive and made it so easy to dive in.
The main characters are so easy to root for. Tarisai is a wonderful protagonist, complex and strong without falling into Mary Sue territory. Dayo is a literal ray of sunshine, and Kirah and Sanjeet are both lovely and complex too. When it comes to the rest of the characters, though, this book also shines, portraying grey characters in a manner that makes sense, where no character is just plain evil. I found my opinion about so many characters changed organically as I found out more, both for better and for worse.
The immersive atmosphere aids to the rich worldbuilding of the book. I could see each scene perfectly thanks to the beautiful descriptions that didn't fall into purple prose. The story is complex, gripping from chapter one, filled with well crafted plot twists that build the puzzle that is this story. The world is not as perfect as it seems, and you find out along with Tarisai what justice truly means in a situation that reflects colonialism and erasure of culture, and patriarchy in the real world. By the end of the book, I was thoroughly satisfied but so happy that this is actually a duology and we're getting one more dive into this beautiful world and another chance to be with the characters.
This has it all. Found family. High stakes. Complex, deep rooted problems. Beautiful imagery. Hope. I strained my brain to find something I didn't love so that this review isn't me gushing nonstop, and the only thing I could come up with is that I wished there was more Dayo. So there you go. Take this as a push to pick this up.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Murder, Emotional abuse, Death of parent, Death, and Child death
Minor: Rape and Domestic abuse
mar's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
TALENTED BRILLIANT INCREDIBLE AMAZING SHOW-STOPPING SPECTACULAR. QUITE POSSIBLY THE BEST YA FANTASY I'VE READ IN YEARS. I AM IN LOVE 😭😭😭
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child abuse, Confinement, Death, Emotional abuse, and Misogyny
Moderate: Blood, Death of parent, Domestic abuse, Grief, Murder, and Violence
Minor: Rape
kenziewol's review against another edition
adventurous
inspiring
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
5.0
I LOVED this book! It was such a good read and is easily one of my favorite books and honestly my top read of 2021 so far. This book was so engaging and I absolutely loved the world, the characters, the magic system and the plot.
The world building was really well done in my opinion. This world fascinated me and left me wanting to know so much more about the lore and history. I loved the way the magic system worked and found it super interesting and different from anything I had read before, it felt fresh and I really liked that about it. The characters were also all super lovable and I enjoyed watching them grow and develop throughout the story.
Overall I just felt this was a really good book that told an amazing story and I cannot wait until book two is in my hands. Basically, GO READ THIS BOOK!
The world building was really well done in my opinion. This world fascinated me and left me wanting to know so much more about the lore and history. I loved the way the magic system worked and found it super interesting and different from anything I had read before, it felt fresh and I really liked that about it. The characters were also all super lovable and I enjoyed watching them grow and develop throughout the story.
Overall I just felt this was a really good book that told an amazing story and I cannot wait until book two is in my hands. Basically, GO READ THIS BOOK!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Death of parent, and Misogyny
Moderate: Death, Death of parent, Misogyny, and Violence
Minor: Rape and Sexual assault
sunnyreads's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
hopeful
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child abuse, Death, Emotional abuse, Genocide, and Racism
Moderate: Domestic abuse, Sexism, and Death of parent
Minor: Child death, Murder, and Rape
Ableist language is used throughout the text.notthatlibrarian's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child abuse and Emotional abuse
Moderate: Blood, Child death, Death of parent, Domestic abuse, Genocide, and Panic attacks/disorders
Minor: Rape, Sexism, and Slavery
gem114's review against another edition
adventurous
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
I've been sitting here with a blank review box for the longest trying to figure out what to say about this book. It was good. Definitely good. There's a LOT to it. Magic, love, telepathy, demons/underworld beasts, POLITICS, etc.
Tarisai is a young girl who was raised in an isolated home protected by magic. She longs for her mother, The Lady, but rarely sees her. When she's twelve, The Lady sends her to the capital to compete with other children for a place on the prince's council, a group of eleven individuals representing the realms of Aristar who will eventually rule the empire. Her mother's goal for her, however, is not just to join the council--it's to kill the prince. The novel follows Tarisai as she bonds with the other children, forming the family she's always wanted, and fights against her fate.
The world-building is thorough and the characters are well-balanced. Their flaws give them depth/complexity without being irritating (a la Children of Blood and Bone--sorry, not sorry). Some of the scenes of the children competing for and then learning their council roles made me think of Yeine in Jemisin's The Hundred Thousand Kingdoms.
I'll definitely be reading the sequel, Redemptor, when it is released in August.
Tarisai is a young girl who was raised in an isolated home protected by magic. She longs for her mother, The Lady, but rarely sees her. When she's twelve, The Lady sends her to the capital to compete with other children for a place on the prince's council, a group of eleven individuals representing the realms of Aristar who will eventually rule the empire. Her mother's goal for her, however, is not just to join the council--it's to kill the prince. The novel follows Tarisai as she bonds with the other children, forming the family she's always wanted, and fights against her fate.
The world-building is thorough and the characters are well-balanced. Their flaws give them depth/complexity without being irritating (a la Children of Blood and Bone--sorry, not sorry). Some of the scenes of the children competing for and then learning their council roles made me think of Yeine in Jemisin's The Hundred Thousand Kingdoms.
I'll definitely be reading the sequel, Redemptor, when it is released in August.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Violence
Minor: Sexual violence and Rape
magicalghoul's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
sad
tense
fast-paced
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Not only is the prose in Raybearer Incredible, so is the world building, the character development, the themes— I couldn't stop reading, and when I wasn't reading I was Itching to come back to it.
Would recommend it if political drama, found family, reclaimed personhood and magic bonds all wrapped up in a richly built world told in beautiful prose are your thing.
The only other comment I have is against the pacing. Although it didn't feel precisely rushed, the events in this installment could have probably been covered in two books and that way we would've been given more time to take in the (fantastic!) world and some of the plot points— specially the political intrigue, which I loved, for the record.
But as it is I adored it, I was blown away and left in tears more than once and I can't wait to read the next installment.
Would recommend it if political drama, found family, reclaimed personhood and magic bonds all wrapped up in a richly built world told in beautiful prose are your thing.
The only other comment I have is against the pacing. Although it didn't feel precisely rushed, the events in this installment could have probably been covered in two books and that way we would've been given more time to take in the (fantastic!) world and some of the plot points— specially the political intrigue, which I loved, for the record.
But as it is I adored it, I was blown away and left in tears more than once and I can't wait to read the next installment.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child abuse, Confinement, Emotional abuse, Panic attacks/disorders, Sexism, and Grief
Moderate: Child death, Domestic abuse, and Genocide
Minor: Rape and Suicide
beautifulpaxielreads's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
emotional
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Blood, Child abuse, Confinement, Death, Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Misogyny, Physical abuse, Sexism, and Racism
Moderate: Grief
Minor: Rape