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cyrinw98's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
mysterious
reflective
sad
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? It's complicated
5.0
TW: On page descriptions of a massacre, emotional neglect, fire, descriptions of blood and bodily harm, descriptions of physical abuse of a child, spousal abuse, and SA
I read the first book of The Raybearer Duology, Raybearer, in 2021 while I was a member of a book club, and this book was our pick for the month. I immediately fell in love with the book and rated it five stars. After almost three years since I originally finished this novel, my rating is still the same. This book is so amazing it broke me out if my yearlong reading slump. If you are interested in reading a young adult novel heavily inspired by West African culture that contains one of the most unique takes on the found family trope, a lovable and resilient heroine, amazing worldbuilding, and even a cute romantic subplot, you are going to want to read Raybearer.
In this story, we follow Tarisai, a young girl who since birth has been raised in isolation. Only knowing the company of maids, tutors, and occasionally her emotionally distant mother who is referred to as "The Lady", Tarisai longs to know the warmth of a family and friends. When Tarisai comes of age, she is sent to her country's capital to compete with other children from around the country for the privilege of being one of the Crown Prince's Council of Eleven. The prize: respect, riches, and ultimately an instant family with a bond that is deeper than blood. However, this journey is not without restrictions for The Lady bestows a wish upon Tarisai: when you win the Crown Prince's trust, kill him. Tarisai is now left with two decisions: stand by and become someone's pawn risking her only chance at a family or to fight to change her destiny.
If I did not already make this clear, I love this book. The prose is engaging, flows easily, and the author writes in such vivid detail that I can visualize the people, places, and events in this novel. The novel is 367 pages long and divided into four parts. This also helped the story flow well by breaking it up and distinguishing the plot arcs. This novel is a masterclass in worldbuilding as well. The author really took care in incorporating and distinguishing different customs with the people of Aristar and did it in such a way that was not info dumpy. There was not one moment in where I felt as if the story was dragging.
Another thing that I appreciate is Ifueko's ability to write lovable, sympathetic, and well-rounded characters. She is responsible for writing one of my favorite YA protagonists in Tarisai. She described Tarisai's longing for a family so well that I wanted to reach in and give the baby a hug. It was such a joy to see Tar's character growth. Ifueko even had me feeling empathetic towards characters I am not supposed to like. I loved how the author wrote the depth and complexities of the different types of relationships and love in this book. One of my favorite things was the casual inclusion of asexuality, queerness, and disability.
My only con is that I would have liked to see more casual interactions between the newly anointed council, and I wanted to see how the others were anointed. We see in depth Sanjeet and Tarisai's anointing but none of the others.
I read the first book of The Raybearer Duology, Raybearer, in 2021 while I was a member of a book club, and this book was our pick for the month. I immediately fell in love with the book and rated it five stars. After almost three years since I originally finished this novel, my rating is still the same. This book is so amazing it broke me out if my yearlong reading slump. If you are interested in reading a young adult novel heavily inspired by West African culture that contains one of the most unique takes on the found family trope, a lovable and resilient heroine, amazing worldbuilding, and even a cute romantic subplot, you are going to want to read Raybearer.
In this story, we follow Tarisai, a young girl who since birth has been raised in isolation. Only knowing the company of maids, tutors, and occasionally her emotionally distant mother who is referred to as "The Lady", Tarisai longs to know the warmth of a family and friends. When Tarisai comes of age, she is sent to her country's capital to compete with other children from around the country for the privilege of being one of the Crown Prince's Council of Eleven. The prize: respect, riches, and ultimately an instant family with a bond that is deeper than blood. However, this journey is not without restrictions for The Lady bestows a wish upon Tarisai: when you win the Crown Prince's trust, kill him. Tarisai is now left with two decisions: stand by and become someone's pawn risking her only chance at a family or to fight to change her destiny.
If I did not already make this clear, I love this book. The prose is engaging, flows easily, and the author writes in such vivid detail that I can visualize the people, places, and events in this novel. The novel is 367 pages long and divided into four parts. This also helped the story flow well by breaking it up and distinguishing the plot arcs. This novel is a masterclass in worldbuilding as well. The author really took care in incorporating and distinguishing different customs with the people of Aristar and did it in such a way that was not info dumpy. There was not one moment in where I felt as if the story was dragging.
Another thing that I appreciate is Ifueko's ability to write lovable, sympathetic, and well-rounded characters. She is responsible for writing one of my favorite YA protagonists in Tarisai. She described Tarisai's longing for a family so well that I wanted to reach in and give the baby a hug. It was such a joy to see Tar's character growth. Ifueko even had me feeling empathetic towards characters I am not supposed to like. I loved how the author wrote the depth and complexities of the different types of relationships and love in this book. One of my favorite things was the casual inclusion of asexuality, queerness, and disability.
My only con is that I would have liked to see more casual interactions between the newly anointed council, and I wanted to see how the others were anointed. We see in depth Sanjeet and Tarisai's anointing but none of the others.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Misogyny, Sexual assault, Fire/Fire injury, and Abandonment
puttingwingsonwords's review against another edition
adventurous
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, Misogyny, Sexism, Xenophobia, Death of parent, Fire/Fire injury, and Abandonment
Moderate: Confinement, Emotional abuse, Violence, Blood, Grief, Religious bigotry, Murder, and Gaslighting
Minor: Rape and Sexual content
rorikae's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
Returning to 'Raybearer' in audio format before diving into 'Redemptor,' it was just as good as I remembered. The story is exceptionally paced and the characters are complex but lovable. This is a world and a group of characters that I care deeply about and though I didn't remember every moment, I remembered a great deal because Ifueko has created memorable characters and poignant moments. I'm so excited to start 'Redemptor' though I don't want the journey with these incredible characters to end.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Confinement, Death, Emotional abuse, Misogyny, Violence, Grief, Death of parent, Fire/Fire injury, and Toxic friendship
boxalligators's review against another edition
adventurous
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
Rep:
Nigerian-American characters
Questioning side character
Asexual side character
Nigerian-American characters
Questioning side character
Asexual side character
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Emotional abuse, Genocide, Misogyny, and Fire/Fire injury
Moderate: Domestic abuse, Mental illness, Violence, Blood, Death of parent, and Murder
Minor: Rape, Sexual content, and Suicide
wrenxavier's review
adventurous
dark
emotional
hopeful
mysterious
sad
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
Content Warnings
Moderate: Child abuse, Child death, Death, Emotional abuse, Genocide, Misogyny, Physical abuse, Sexism, Violence, Forced institutionalization, Blood, Grief, Religious bigotry, Murder, Fire/Fire injury, Gaslighting, Abandonment, Alcohol, and Injury/Injury detail
Minor: Confinement, Domestic abuse, Mental illness, Rape, Self harm, Sexual content, Toxic relationship, Vomit, Death of parent, Pregnancy, and War
apworden's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
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? It's complicated
4.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Misogyny, Rape, and Gaslighting
jjeonghan's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
mysterious
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? It's complicated
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child abuse, Fire/Fire injury, and Gaslighting
Moderate: Emotional abuse, Misogyny, and Blood
Minor: Violence and Murder
ember_eyes_are_for_tigers's review
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
medium-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
4.75
The prose is incredible, bringing beautiful visuals and scenes to real life. And, throughout the entire book, there is so much love for West Africa and the variety in the book really show the diversity of the world.
The characters were so wonderfully written, although I wish we had know more of Tarisai’s found family, you could tell the love and respect she has for them.
Raybearer’s first part is rather slow compared to the remainder of the book, where the pace begins speeding up and doesn’t seem to stop, but, I didn’t find myself minding.I would’ve read an entire book of Tarisai learning to open up and trust the rest of the Council, however, as the story unfolded I began remaining more and more in awe of what Ifueko was able to twist the story with the world’s lore and the various plotwists.
It was such a phenomenal read and I can’t wait to read the sequel to the book.
The characters were so wonderfully written, although I wish we had know more of Tarisai’s found family, you could tell the love and respect she has for them.
Raybearer’s first part is rather slow compared to the remainder of the book, where the pace begins speeding up and doesn’t seem to stop, but, I didn’t find myself minding.
It was such a phenomenal read and I can’t wait to read the sequel to the book.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child abuse, Confinement, Death, Violence, and Colonisation
Moderate: Misogyny, Kidnapping, Death of parent, and Murder
Minor: Suicide, Torture, Vomit, and War
oliverreeds's review against another edition
funny
hopeful
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
i greatly enjoyed this book (note the five stars lol) mainly because i could tell the author listened to their story. everything made sense: the characters were logical and believable, the world-building was paced well and easy to understand, and the way that racial/religious tensions were discussed in the book was pretty great. sometimes, however, it felt like the author was rushing. like they knew what was going to happen next and wanted it to happen so much that it just did and the readers missed a lot in the cut scenes. specifically after tarisai tries to kill dayo, sanjeet just like.. forgives her really fast. i feel like a lot more could have been explored there in ways that would have added some intensity to their relationship and things that could have ultimately strengthened it. i was also upset that there wasn't closure between tarisai and dayo. things kind of fell apart between them? there was a lot left unsaid and i feel like there was time for them to have a conversation and to explore more into their relationship after she yknow tried to kill him. he seemed to forgive her very quickly, but also, he didnt? it was weird and i understood what the author was going for, but there was time and space that could have been allotted to exploring that part of their relationship and how it changed/would change after the attempt. this also applies to tarisai and kirah. kirah just forgives her very fast and doesn't question a whole lot, when i felt like she should have. my main critic is that there was a lot of complexity that could have been explored through dialogue, through description, through reactions that simply wasn't mentioned again. tensions resolved too quickly and too neatly. i wanted there to be dissent. i wanted something to rub the wrong way and i wanted every character to feel it. i think the author came close to this but didn't quite reach it. i didn't realize this book was a series initially, but i'm excited to read the next books as they come out.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Bullying, Child abuse, Child death, Death, Emotional abuse, Misogyny, Rape, Torture, Toxic relationship, Blood, Kidnapping, Death of parent, Murder, Fire/Fire injury, and Alcohol
Moderate: War
_kimb'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? Yes
3.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child abuse, Child death, Death, Emotional abuse, and Genocide
Moderate: Misogyny, Death of parent, and Fire/Fire injury
Minor: Rape