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4.39 AVERAGE
4.39 AVERAGE
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:
Yes
SUCH A BREATH OF FRESH AIR!!!!! The diversity implemented so beautifully, the politics, the magic system, the found family. To die for!!
This is, I think, the best ya book I have read in a hot minute. The world is vibrant, the fantasy elements are strong, the cast of characters are diverse and interconnected in such a way that you can feel the love they carry for each other. The council system and magic was so refreshing and new, and the character dynamics challenged my own preconceptions of love and family and made for a wonderful twist on a found family and being better than previous generations. AND! This book is GORGEOUS!!! The cover and its illustrations still have my jaw dropping….
My only qualm is that the action in this book is both short and lacking description in all of its sections. It got stronger in the end but otherwise it took me out of the moment— I can see it could be to emulate the character’s adrenaline and how everything happens so fast, but I really prefer the descriptions and time slowing down to really feel immersed and in love. It felt so lacking in combat description and the relationships that Tar has with her other council siblings!!! I’d love to see more, but at the same time I understand why it was cut a bit short— there’s a lot of them lol. Literally the only things I dislike about this book, beyond the challenge to my own preconceptions of relationships.
This is, I think, the best ya book I have read in a hot minute. The world is vibrant, the fantasy elements are strong, the cast of characters are diverse and interconnected in such a way that you can feel the love they carry for each other. The council system and magic was so refreshing and new, and the character dynamics challenged my own preconceptions of love and family and made for a wonderful twist on a found family and being better than previous generations. AND! This book is GORGEOUS!!! The cover and its illustrations still have my jaw dropping….
My only qualm is that the action in this book is both short and lacking description in all of its sections. It got stronger in the end but otherwise it took me out of the moment— I can see it could be to emulate the character’s adrenaline and how everything happens so fast, but I really prefer the descriptions and time slowing down to really feel immersed and in love. It felt so lacking in combat description and the relationships that Tar has with her other council siblings!!! I’d love to see more, but at the same time I understand why it was cut a bit short— there’s a lot of them lol. Literally the only things I dislike about this book, beyond the challenge to my own preconceptions of relationships.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child abuse, Emotional abuse, Grief, Fire/Fire injury
Moderate: Child death, Death of parent
Minor: Kidnapping, Religious bigotry, War
adventurous
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
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
adventurous
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Y'all... This book.. Wow. I didn't think #Raybearer was my kind of book but y'all.. This is my kind of book!
The magic system, the conflict, the world, the story, the build up, the lead female character who was just kicking butt and fighting the system, .. So good.
The magic system, the conflict, the world, the story, the build up, the lead female character who was just kicking butt and fighting the system, .. So good.
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
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
adventurous
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
3.9 Solid YA Fantasy. The worldbuilding is what sets it apart from other african inspired fantasys. To even compare to Children of Blood and Bone is lowkey an insult. The level of detail in this book is crazy. The only reason its 3.5 and not a 4 is because I was listening to the audiobook. The narrator uses a lisp on some characters and I found it annoying. If I read the book physically and listened to the audiobook it would have helped my experience more.
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
mysterious
reflective
sad
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
adventurous
challenging
emotional
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
Tarisai and Sanjeet are my favorite! ☀️ Sunshine girl 🥰 I loved the world building and the Ray. The friendships and the way Tarisai was fighting the lady’s will to forge her own. The ending omg!! So crazy good!