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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, Confinement, Death, Genocide, Slavery, Violence, Murder, Toxic friendship, Abandonment, and War
bybookandbone's review
adventurous
dark
funny
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
3.5
It's hard to assign a star rating to Raybearer because there are several parts that are wonderful, and others that a, frankly, dreadful.
Raybearer start's off very weak and I was baffled at how it gets such glowing reviews. After Tar frees Jeet I finally connected with the book and began to really enjoy it. The characters and world began to gain a shape.
Unfortunately, there's too much telling and not enough showing, especially earlier on in the book. I felt that there are too many time jumps and the reader is supposed to just accept the very close relationships that developed in between. I don't get any proper sense of Dayo other than him being vaguely kind, gentle and asexual . I wish we got to know him better. He just seems to do things out of no where, with no sense if it would align with his characterization or not (because he doesn't have much). Kirah and Jeet are much stronger characters, the rest of the Eleven are less than names on a page. We are told how close they all are but we don't even know most of their names!
There's a muddled bit at the endwhere Woo In takes Tar away from Dayo, for seemingly no proper reason. Yes there's a small story reason but it felt so forced and I think it was a waste of time.
Having said that. I really loved Tar as a protagonist. She's intelligent and cunning, and I mean genuinely. It's not something we are just told and expected to believe. Not like some protagonists based in a royal court. *cough* *cough* Jude
Raybearer start's off very weak and I was baffled at how it gets such glowing reviews. After Tar frees Jeet I finally connected with the book and began to really enjoy it. The characters and world began to gain a shape.
Unfortunately, there's too much telling and not enough showing, especially earlier on in the book. I felt that there are too many time jumps and the reader is supposed to just accept the very close relationships that developed in between. I don't get any proper sense of Dayo
There's a muddled bit at the end
Having said that. I really loved Tar as a protagonist. She's intelligent and cunning, and I mean genuinely. It's not something we are just told and expected to believe. Not like some protagonists based in a royal court. *cough* *cough* Jude
Content Warnings
Moderate: Child abuse and Child death
Minor: Slavery and Gaslighting
smchoate's review against another edition
adventurous
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
5.0
This was such a beautiful, incredible book. I loved the plot, the characters, the writing, and honestly, I don't have anything bad to say about it. Writing style is so important to me, and every word of this book just filled me with such joy. I gave this to my younger brother to read before my loan at the library expires, and I will be recommending it to any teens or adults I come across from now on! I cannot wait for the sequel!!
This book has such incredible things to say about different types of love, systems vs. individuals, admitting & fighting historical prejudice, found family, pride, empathy, the importance of names, cycles of abuse, gaslighting, and even gossip. There is asexual and queer representation, and it's unquestioningly accepted by the characters, which is so great for young people to read. The characters are racially diverse, and I didn't take issue with the clear real-life inspirations for the different lands. I loved learning about the magic as well as the religions of Aritsar, and as a government major, I loved the political aspect as well. READ THIS BOOK!! :)
This book has such incredible things to say about different types of love, systems vs. individuals, admitting & fighting historical prejudice, found family, pride, empathy, the importance of names, cycles of abuse, gaslighting, and even gossip. There is asexual and queer representation, and it's unquestioningly accepted by the characters, which is so great for young people to read. The characters are racially diverse, and I didn't take issue with the clear real-life inspirations for the different lands. I loved learning about the magic as well as the religions of Aritsar, and as a government major, I loved the political aspect as well. READ THIS BOOK!! :)
Content Warnings
Moderate: Child abuse, Confinement, Death, Emotional abuse, Misogyny, Rape, Sexism, Slavery, Xenophobia, Blood, Grief, Death of parent, and Murder
Minor: Bullying and Sexual content
kylieqrada's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
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
I haven't been picking up YA fantasy as much lately, but I am so glad that I grabbed this one. I probably would have loved it just for the asexual rep, but it is actually just an all-around really good book as well. The world-building and character development that Ms. Ifueko was able to accomplish in such a relatively short novel is incredible, and definitely sets the stage for the second installment in the series. The use of time jumps within the narrative allows the author to provide a good amount of back story for Tarisai without getting bogged down, and keeps the story moving along. While I definitely felt that the characters were the main draw for me personally, the plot had just enough intrigue and twists and turns to keep me hooked. A very enjoyable reading experience overall.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Child abuse, Child death, Confinement, Death, Emotional abuse, Genocide, Misogyny, Sexism, Slavery, Violence, Blood, Medical content, Grief, Medical trauma, and Murder
peachmoni's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
mysterious
reflective
tense
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
4.5
"No, we don't deserve the burdens that our parents gave us. But we can't defeat monsters that we won't face."
A fantastic novel about love, duty and desire: how they can shape - or distort - who we are and who we become.
I found that the story picked up in Part 2, and from then on, I was engaged. Ifueko reveals mysteries bit by bit, which made me want to keep reading till the end. (Confession: I almost tapped out at around 90% because I thought the main story was over and everything else was filler. I am glad I continued, not only because that wasn't the case, but also because Jordan Ifueko writes nicely!)
I tried to figure out what was going on, which I don't actively do, usually... and I was wrong as hell, which I appreciate. 😂
Also of note:
- Cool to see ace representation as well, though I cannot judge whether it is 100% accurate
- The description of Tarisai's loneliness, particularly in the first book resonated with me, as a child who was often left to her own devices. Unlike Tarisai, though, I was able to make and keep friends at school and in my neighborhood.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child death, Confinement, Death, and Genocide
Moderate: Bullying, Child abuse, Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Mental illness, Misogyny, Panic attacks/disorders, Physical abuse, Toxic relationship, Violence, Blood, Death of parent, and Murder
Minor: Rape, Sexual content, Slavery, Torture, Kidnapping, and Grief
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: Child death, Domestic abuse, Genocide, Panic attacks/disorders, Blood, and Death of parent
Minor: Rape, Sexism, and Slavery