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thebowandthebook's review
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
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
Fantastic worldbuilding with really awesome twisty plot. Really really enjoyed it.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Child death and Murder
Minor: Sexual content
fromjuliereads's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
hopeful
inspiring
tense
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
4.25
I really enjoyed this! This was one of my 12 friend recommendation reads for this year and I was so happy I enjoyed this one! The characters and the story are so well done. I can't wait to read the sequel next!!
Content Warnings
Moderate: Blood, Bullying, Death, Death of parent, Emotional abuse, Fire/Fire injury, Grief, Injury/Injury detail, Misogyny, Murder, and Violence
Minor: Abandonment
jupiterlee's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
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? It's complicated
4.0
Content Warnings
Moderate: Child abuse, Child death, Murder, Genocide, Confinement, Toxic friendship, Slavery, War, Violence, Death, and Abandonment
theespressoedition's review
adventurous
challenging
emotional
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
I chose to pick up this book because I was craving a really good audiobook and the audio version had been recommended to me many times. Since that's the primary reason why I decided to read it, I do feel as though I should touch on the audiobook itself.
While I felt that the audiobook was narrated in a beautiful way, I had a really hard time following the story. The voice actor did a magnificent job and gave each character unique vocal qualities that made them stand out amongst the large cast. However, the quick-paced story combined with the immense detail included left me in the dust a few times. I typically listen to audiobooks while doing other tasks, but this is one I would've needed to listen to while doing nothing much at all, so I could focus completely.
All that being said, I chose to pick up the ebook for the final few chapters, which allowed me to comprehend some of the story a bit better - but not entirely. I found that the book itself was just really confusing. I had a hard time understanding what was happening at any given moment. There were so many events that took place and so much betrayal and so many characters. It was a lot to fully comprehend.
I did enjoy the magic system and the representation in the book. For the sequel, I plan to only read the physical copy from beginning to end in hopes that it'll help me retain the information being presented to me. I think I could enjoy it a lot if I hadn't been switching between formats.
While I felt that the audiobook was narrated in a beautiful way, I had a really hard time following the story. The voice actor did a magnificent job and gave each character unique vocal qualities that made them stand out amongst the large cast. However, the quick-paced story combined with the immense detail included left me in the dust a few times. I typically listen to audiobooks while doing other tasks, but this is one I would've needed to listen to while doing nothing much at all, so I could focus completely.
All that being said, I chose to pick up the ebook for the final few chapters, which allowed me to comprehend some of the story a bit better - but not entirely. I found that the book itself was just really confusing. I had a hard time understanding what was happening at any given moment. There were so many events that took place and so much betrayal and so many characters. It was a lot to fully comprehend.
I did enjoy the magic system and the representation in the book. For the sequel, I plan to only read the physical copy from beginning to end in hopes that it'll help me retain the information being presented to me. I think I could enjoy it a lot if I hadn't been switching between formats.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Kidnapping, Murder, Abandonment, Fire/Fire injury, Injury/Injury detail, and Torture
lisa_m's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
5.0
This book was phenomenal! I truly did not expect to like it as much as I did. I loved the different culture and the unique premise. The characters were all so loveable and unique and the main character was flawed and not perfect though trying her best.
It deals with sexism in such an interesting way and it was truly empowering to read it. This is definitely a book that will stick with me for a long time. I might even reread it one day but for now I just really want to read the sequel. I'm happy that it's a Duology since I don't really have time to read something longer right now. I also liked that the ending was closed even though the story itself obviously isn't.
I thought that the review by Nic which is on the blurb sums up the center of the story pretty well. This book is about "our most basic of human desires: to belong, to be loved, and to walk a path of one's own choosing".
I'm excited to dive back into this world again very soon. I would recommend this book to any lover of Fantasy and especially people who like a bit of social commentary and well thought out plots in their books ;)
It deals with sexism in such an interesting way and it was truly empowering to read it. This is definitely a book that will stick with me for a long time. I might even reread it one day but for now I just really want to read the sequel. I'm happy that it's a Duology since I don't really have time to read something longer right now. I also liked that the ending was closed even though the story itself obviously isn't.
I thought that the review by Nic which is on the blurb sums up the center of the story pretty well. This book is about "our most basic of human desires: to belong, to be loved, and to walk a path of one's own choosing".
I'm excited to dive back into this world again very soon. I would recommend this book to any lover of Fantasy and especially people who like a bit of social commentary and well thought out plots in their books ;)
Content Warnings
Graphic: Murder, Blood, Death, Death of parent, Emotional abuse, Abandonment, Misogyny, Gaslighting, Child abuse, Classism, Fire/Fire injury, and Grief
rhm04's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
mysterious
tense
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: Abandonment, Blood, Child abuse, Fire/Fire injury, Gaslighting, Genocide, Murder, Grief, Misogyny, Sexism, Violence, Confinement, Death, and Emotional abuse
Moderate: Medical content, Vomit, Rape, and Sexual content
Minor: Kidnapping
bookcaptivated's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
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: Injury/Injury detail, Blood, Death, Death of parent, Fire/Fire injury, Murder, and Emotional abuse
Moderate: Grief, Misogyny, and Violence
Minor: Classism, Domestic abuse, Child abuse, Confinement, Sexual content, Vomit, and Bullying
paperbrownies's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
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
- lgbtqiap+, ya fantasy, magic, west african-inspired fantasy, DIVERSE, found family, friends to lovers trope, royalty, badass mc, curses and betrayal
- m|f
- black mc, ace sc, and a diverse casting of poc characters, minor disability rep
what other names do you call raybearer and why is it amazing and stunning and as cg drews says a 'ray of excellence'? bc it managed to evoke so many feelings in less than 400 pages (am in awe, honestly) and had me sticking to the edge of my seat in anticipation for what was about to happen next throughout the course of the book. THAT in my opinion is the best feeling ever!!!
it has one of the most unique storylines ive read in a book with the most beautiful world building (it is intricate and felt so very real), descriptions, lores and setting, that i could not help but greedily devour the words and want for more!!
the characters were amazing!! i love my ace king, dayo and as for the mc, i have so much love and respect for tarisai, she is strong, determined and a TOTAL badass!!
i cannot recommend this book highly enough!! ðŸ˜ðŸ˜
cw: violence, child abuse, attempted murder, drugging, manipulation, gaslighting, on-page death, references to police violence, death of children, vomit.
- m|f
- black mc, ace sc, and a diverse casting of poc characters, minor disability rep
what other names do you call raybearer and why is it amazing and stunning and as cg drews says a 'ray of excellence'? bc it managed to evoke so many feelings in less than 400 pages (am in awe, honestly) and had me sticking to the edge of my seat in anticipation for what was about to happen next throughout the course of the book. THAT in my opinion is the best feeling ever!!!
it has one of the most unique storylines ive read in a book with the most beautiful world building (it is intricate and felt so very real), descriptions, lores and setting, that i could not help but greedily devour the words and want for more!!
the characters were amazing!! i love my ace king, dayo and as for the mc, i have so much love and respect for tarisai, she is strong, determined and a TOTAL badass!!
i cannot recommend this book highly enough!! ðŸ˜ðŸ˜
cw: violence, child abuse, attempted murder, drugging, manipulation, gaslighting, on-page death, references to police violence, death of children, vomit.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Gaslighting, Violence, Child abuse, Child death, Death, and Vomit
Moderate: Murder and Drug use
nutmegandpumpkin's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
hopeful
tense
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
I really really loved this book. I haven’t read a fantasy such as this in a while. The rich worldbuilding really brought the whole book to life.
The cast of characters is not only diverse in skin color / ethnicity but also in sexualities, religion, and physical appearance. For instance, there is a character that is asexual, characters that have crushed on both female and male characters, a blind character, and a character that wears a headscarf.
Only thing about the book that was meh: sometimes it was a bit frustrating and had me rolling my eyes and yelling at the characters at some points for not noticing certain things that felt very obvious (however this happened only a couple of times and wasn’t enough for me to doc the rating).
Would definitely recommend!!
The cast of characters is not only diverse in skin color / ethnicity but also in sexualities, religion, and physical appearance. For instance, there is a character that is asexual, characters that have crushed on both female and male characters, a blind character, and a character that wears a headscarf.
Only thing about the book that was meh: sometimes it was a bit frustrating and had me rolling my eyes and yelling at the characters at some points for not noticing certain things that felt very obvious (however this happened only a couple of times and wasn’t enough for me to doc the rating).
Would definitely recommend!!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Gaslighting, Genocide, Grief, Injury/Injury detail, Misogyny, Murder, Sexism, Toxic relationship, Abandonment, Blood, Child abuse, Confinement, Death, Emotional abuse, and Fire/Fire injury
Moderate: Injury/Injury detail, Vomit, and War
Minor: Sexual content
anna_hepworth'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? No
5.0
Highly recommended. Takes a number of fantasy tropes, mixes them around, and does some fascinating things. Technically, I guess this counts as YA because of the age of the protagonist, and it was marketed to me as YA. It is definitely one of those books doing fascinating things at the cutting edge of fantasy.
Many of my thoughts are spoilers, so I’m going to omit them here. On things that come up early enough that I feel okay commenting on them - the child as deliberately bred weapon is one I’ve seen before, but while it was the hook the story is hung on, it doesn’t limit the story, and there were aspects that I don’t think that I’ve seen before. Also, the way that The Lady, and the why of their story — particularly some of the early details that come out — are very chilling.
Many of my thoughts are spoilers, so I’m going to omit them here. On things that come up early enough that I feel okay commenting on them - the child as deliberately bred weapon is one I’ve seen before, but while it was the hook the story is hung on, it doesn’t limit the story, and there were aspects that I don’t think that I’ve seen before. Also, the way that The Lady, and the why of their story — particularly some of the early details that come out — are very chilling.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Emotional abuse and Murder
Minor: Gaslighting