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4.39 AVERAGE
4.39 AVERAGE
adventurous
challenging
emotional
medium-paced
“Why does everyone hate change so much?" I demanded."Because things could get worse.""Maybe. But do you know what I think?" My chest throbbed. "I think deep down, we're afraid that things could get better. Afraid to ding out that all the evil—all the suffering we ignore—could have been prevented. If only we had cared enough to try.”
➽ I finally got around to reading Raybearer, which was so popular back when it came out! I can see why now, because it's a great Fantasy. I've been getting pickier with what YA Fantasy books I check out and Raybearer convinced me with its immersive, interesting world! The story follows Tarisei who gets sent by her mysterious mother to become part of the Crown Prince's personal Council. However, she is forced to carry out another mission: kill the Prince as soon as she has gained his trust and is part of his Council!
➽ I loved the lush, immersive world! Tarisei and her competitors are from the nations of the Empire Arti, as the council is made up of 11 people of different descent. Tarisei's from Swana and has been sheltered her entire life by an absent, strict mother who's now forcing her to carry out this mission. I loved the idea that she's competing to become part of a Council (instead of competing to marry him), who is connected to him by something called the Ray. The lore behind that was great, as each person joining Prince Dayo gains him immunity against a way to die. Due to the connection, the Council can't stay apart either, as they'll get sick quickly. I thought that dynamic was fascinating! The Council's something far more intimate than simply the Crown's advisors! The only issue I had was that most of Tarisei's fellow council members felt indistinguishable. Apart from Prince Dayo, her best friend Kirah and her love interest Sanjeet, no one had much of a personality and I couldn't tell you a single thing about them
➽ I really enjoyed following Tarisei's journey of becoming a council member and fighting against her mission. She has no idea why her mother wants her to kill the Prince, as she knows him as a kind and compassionate man. I sympathized with Tarisei, as she's forced to obey her mother's command and trying her best to protect her new family. However, there are also dark secrets in the Empire, she's confronted with, making her question if her mother didn't have a good reason after all. The Empire's policy of forced assimilation of different cultures to promote 'unity' is concerning from the start.
➽ I loved how the author explored serious topics with nuance. For example, women are allowed to be on the Council and serve public roles, but there's still misogyny in society. Tarisei's value is always seen relative to the men in her life and her biggest honor is seen as producing the next Raybearer. Women aren't seen as rulers to the point that the only female Raybearer barely got any recognition.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Emotional abuse, Sexism, Violence, Blood, Injury/Injury detail
Minor: Rape, Slavery, Xenophobia, Gaslighting
adventurous
emotional
inspiring
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
adventurous
challenging
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:
Complicated
I loveeeee the world building.
I wish we got to see more of the council members. I feel like the time skips and the focus on Tarisai robbed us of connecting to some of those characters deeply. I understand it’s hard to develop such a large cast and I did like what we got to see but I love this story so much that I just want more of everything.
Tar and Sanjeet are so cute!
There is kissing.
I wish we got to see more of the council members. I feel like the time skips and the focus on Tarisai robbed us of connecting to some of those characters deeply. I understand it’s hard to develop such a large cast and I did like what we got to see but I love this story so much that I just want more of everything.
There is kissing.
adventurous
emotional
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
Review for the duology —
📚 ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ and ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️1/2 — Epic YA fantasy rooted in African storytelling — with all kinds of representation, a range of diverse characters (race, class, gender, sexuality), and a totally riveting plot. Jordan Ifueko did some beautiful world-building and created complex characters you’ll care about. Includes themes of identity, justice, resilience, developing and honoring one’s moral compass, resistance against colonizers and the 1%, and found family. 💓
📚 ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ and ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️1/2 — Epic YA fantasy rooted in African storytelling — with all kinds of representation, a range of diverse characters (race, class, gender, sexuality), and a totally riveting plot. Jordan Ifueko did some beautiful world-building and created complex characters you’ll care about. Includes themes of identity, justice, resilience, developing and honoring one’s moral compass, resistance against colonizers and the 1%, and found family. 💓
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
inspiring
reflective
tense
medium-paced
adventurous
emotional
mysterious
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
emotional
inspiring
tense
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:
Complicated
This book is YA done right. Sometimes YA fantasy can feel cheesy or repetitive. Ray bearer was neither of those things. This story felt new and exciting. I enjoyed every minute of it.
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
sad
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
N/A
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes