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booksthatburn's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
reflective
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
4.0
REDEMPTOR is a story of love, friendship, promises, and exploitation as Tarisai strives to end, once and for all, the cycles of poverty and violence that have heretofore been the social and economic underpinnings of the Empire.
In the first half, because Tarisai needs to get her own council it felt like she was doing again something we already saw the first time around. Much of the early book is figuring out what she needs to do, accepting that it's really the same thing that happened in book one and then doing it, which made it the pacing drag for me. Also by adding a second council of equal number to the first, it made the character list feel enormous and meant I had trouble feeling like I got to know more than a handful. I'm not new to large casts in fantasy, but normally there's more stratification in how important they are to the main character(s). In this, there was text telling me how important they all were, but not enough room to show scenes of all of them being very important in a way that showed that connection rather than just telling.
The second half is where it really shines, with answers to what was plaguing her in the first half, events moving more quickly, and a really fantastic ending to the duology. It proposes to answer immensely complicated questions in a very small space and finds a resolution to them which fits this context and characters. In a world where the Ray exists, it's a good answer.
The Underworld is interesting and well-described, the worldbuilding really shines there even though it's a relatively short section. The rest of the worldbuilding is very robust, with special care given to the descriptions of clothing from various parts of the Empire. It feels like a lived-in world, even in the small part of it that the story has time to cover directly.
This wraps up a very major thing left hanging from RAYBEARER. It has a storyline which starts here and wasn't present before, with several major things that are both introduced and resolved in this volume. It is the last book of the duology and it wraps up pretty much everything left hanging while also giving a vision of what the basic trajectory is for these characters after the book is over. It feels finished, which is good since there aren't any more planned in the series. The main character is the same as before, Tarisai, and her voice is consistent in this book. This wouldn't make a lot of sense if someone started here without reading RAYBEARER. This is book two of a two-part series, so please start with RAYBEARER. There's enough explanation that someone could probably get settled enough to enjoy the ride after the first 20%, but really it needs the first book to be whole.
In the first half, because Tarisai needs to get her own council it felt like she was doing again something we already saw the first time around. Much of the early book is figuring out what she needs to do, accepting that it's really the same thing that happened in book one and then doing it, which made it the pacing drag for me. Also by adding a second council of equal number to the first, it made the character list feel enormous and meant I had trouble feeling like I got to know more than a handful. I'm not new to large casts in fantasy, but normally there's more stratification in how important they are to the main character(s). In this, there was text telling me how important they all were, but not enough room to show scenes of all of them being very important in a way that showed that connection rather than just telling.
The second half is where it really shines, with answers to what was plaguing her in the first half, events moving more quickly, and a really fantastic ending to the duology. It proposes to answer immensely complicated questions in a very small space and finds a resolution to them which fits this context and characters. In a world where the Ray exists, it's a good answer.
The Underworld is interesting and well-described, the worldbuilding really shines there even though it's a relatively short section. The rest of the worldbuilding is very robust, with special care given to the descriptions of clothing from various parts of the Empire. It feels like a lived-in world, even in the small part of it that the story has time to cover directly.
This wraps up a very major thing left hanging from RAYBEARER. It has a storyline which starts here and wasn't present before, with several major things that are both introduced and resolved in this volume. It is the last book of the duology and it wraps up pretty much everything left hanging while also giving a vision of what the basic trajectory is for these characters after the book is over. It feels finished, which is good since there aren't any more planned in the series. The main character is the same as before, Tarisai, and her voice is consistent in this book. This wouldn't make a lot of sense if someone started here without reading RAYBEARER. This is book two of a two-part series, so please start with RAYBEARER. There's enough explanation that someone could probably get settled enough to enjoy the ride after the first 20%, but really it needs the first book to be whole.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Blood
Moderate: Ableism, Child death, Death, Medical trauma, Murder, Panic attacks/disorders, Suicidal thoughts, Suicide, and Violence
Minor: Sexual content and Vomit
rorikae's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
emotional
hopeful
fast-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
4.75
'Redemptor' by Jordan Ifueko is a near perfect finale to the story that began in 'Raybearer.' Ifueko infuses it with the same care and compassion that made us fall in love with the characters in the first book. Delving too far into the plot would spoil the first book but I can say that the story follows Tarisai as she deals with the events at the end of 'Raybearer' and what she can do next for Aritsar.
A lot happens in this book and at times I did wonder if Ifueko was going to be able to include everything that needed to happen. YA series are so often trilogies but Ifueko does a great job of creating a story that fits well over the two books. Despite the amount of growth that Tarisai has gone through in the first book, there is still more for her to learn and she grows into an even more compelling character in the conclusion.
As with the first book, the real star of these books are the characters. I think it is near impossible to read these books and not love so many of the characters. Tarisai, Dayo, and Sanjeet are characters that will stick with me and they have quickly become some of my favorite characters that I have ever read. In 'Redemptor,' Ifueko introduces us to a few new characters who have their faults but are also easy to care about. There is one in particular that quickly became a new favorite.
As a conclusion, 'Redemptor' answers our questions left from the first book and also delves deeper into the world. It expounds upon what was first introduced in Raybearer in a way that I found incredibly satisfying. Ifueko has quickly become a go-to author for me and I cannot wait to see what she writes next. I am sure that it will be fantastic.
A lot happens in this book and at times I did wonder if Ifueko was going to be able to include everything that needed to happen. YA series are so often trilogies but Ifueko does a great job of creating a story that fits well over the two books. Despite the amount of growth that Tarisai has gone through in the first book, there is still more for her to learn and she grows into an even more compelling character in the conclusion.
As with the first book, the real star of these books are the characters. I think it is near impossible to read these books and not love so many of the characters. Tarisai, Dayo, and Sanjeet are characters that will stick with me and they have quickly become some of my favorite characters that I have ever read. In 'Redemptor,' Ifueko introduces us to a few new characters who have their faults but are also easy to care about. There is one in particular that quickly became a new favorite.
As a conclusion, 'Redemptor' answers our questions left from the first book and also delves deeper into the world. It expounds upon what was first introduced in Raybearer in a way that I found incredibly satisfying. Ifueko has quickly become a go-to author for me and I cannot wait to see what she writes next. I am sure that it will be fantastic.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Grief, Toxic friendship, Violence, and War
Moderate: Death of parent, Emotional abuse, Mental illness, and Suicidal thoughts
betweentheshelves'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
4.5
This was definitely a worthy sequel to Raybearer, which I read last year and loved. This picks up pretty much where that story leaves off, and even though I don't remember a lot about how that book ended, I remembered enough that it wasn't difficult to jump into this one.
Overall, the pace in this book was faster than the first, probably because a lot of the world building happened in the first book. Not only did this sequel expand on what we already know from the first book, but it also gives us more characters to learn to love. Tarisai's arc works so well in this book, as she learns to acknowledge her privilege and work to make things better in the future. All in all, you can tell this is a well thoughout duology that has a home in YA fantasy.
Overall, the pace in this book was faster than the first, probably because a lot of the world building happened in the first book. Not only did this sequel expand on what we already know from the first book, but it also gives us more characters to learn to love. Tarisai's arc works so well in this book, as she learns to acknowledge her privilege and work to make things better in the future. All in all, you can tell this is a well thoughout duology that has a home in YA fantasy.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Panic attacks/disorders, Death, and Violence
Moderate: Blood, Child abuse, and Child death
Minor: Ableism, Death of parent, and Suicidal thoughts
thewildmageslibrary's review
adventurous
emotional
tense
5.0
How dare this book make me feel things. Tarisai goes through so much, from isolation to depression to carrying the weight of the world. I enjoyed the new characters and the old. I loved seeing Dayo trust Tarisai so implicitly. They really grew into a sibling-esque relationship. ❤️ And I adore the ending.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Violence, and Panic attacks/disorders
Moderate: Suicidal thoughts, Grief, and Kidnapping
Minor: Death of parent, Sexual content, and Fire/Fire injury
sapphic_reader's review against another edition
adventurous
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
Rep:
Black main character
Lesbian character
Asexual character
Black main character
Lesbian character
Asexual character
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Panic attacks/disorders, and Violence
Moderate: Child abuse and Child death
Minor: Suicidal thoughts, Ableism, Alcohol, and Sexual content
kylieqrada's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
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
4.0
Jordan Ifueko WENT. THERE.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child death, Death, Genocide, Mental illness, Violence, and Panic attacks/disorders
Moderate: Drug use, Murder, and War
Minor: Ableism and Suicidal thoughts
ok7a's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
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
4.75
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child death, Death, Murder, and Panic attacks/disorders
Moderate: Child abuse and War
Minor: Death of parent, Genocide, Suicidal thoughts, and Ableism
plumpaperbacks's review against another edition
challenging
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
I read Raybearer last year, and it was one of the most unique, immersive fantasies I’d come across, one that kept me interested despite the slower, character-driven story. I was so excited to dive back into this world with Redemptor, and it didn’t disappoint.
Ifueko did such a brilliant job further developing Tarisai, Dayo, Kirah, and Sanjeet, as well as all of the other characters and the world they live in. I was once again immersed in the story from the first chapter, and sped through it, eager to know what solutions there could possibly be to all of the new and old problems the characters faced.
Tar and Dayo and their council siblings really grew on me in the first book, and I enjoyed being back with them. I also grew to like many other, new characters, especially Min Ja, Adukeh, Ji Huan, and even Zuri. Although, I must say, my shipper heart was already quite set on Tar x Sanjeet, so I never did hop on the Tar x Zuri bandwagon. I’m not sure if I was supposed to or not, but I did not. My favorite new relationship, by far, was Tar and Min Ja. The latter basically adopted the former as her younger sister, and that was so sweet to see. (Also, I may or may not find Min Ja attractive. 🌚)
One smaller detail that I found refreshing was Tarisai’s disinterest in having children. Granted, there was some personal trauma tied to it, but even beyond that, she simply didn’t think it was for her. While I have absolutely no qualms about series ending with the protagonist and their love interest with or planning to have a kid or multiple—in fact, I’m quite obsessed with the idea of any of my ships as parents, whether it’s canon or not—it was nice to see Ifueko shake that standard up a bit.
I found the end of the book quite satisfying, too. There were some stressful and unexpected moments in the final chapters, even some unexpected moments in the very last chapter, but everything worked out. I’m happy with the way Ifueko wrapped things up, and I look forward to seeing what she does in the future.
Representation
Ifueko did such a brilliant job further developing Tarisai, Dayo, Kirah, and Sanjeet, as well as all of the other characters and the world they live in. I was once again immersed in the story from the first chapter, and sped through it, eager to know what solutions there could possibly be to all of the new and old problems the characters faced.
Tar and Dayo and their council siblings really grew on me in the first book, and I enjoyed being back with them. I also grew to like many other, new characters, especially Min Ja, Adukeh, Ji Huan, and even Zuri. Although, I must say, my shipper heart was already quite set on Tar x Sanjeet, so I never did hop on the Tar x Zuri bandwagon. I’m not sure if I was supposed to or not, but I did not. My favorite new relationship, by far, was Tar and Min Ja. The latter basically adopted the former as her younger sister, and that was so sweet to see. (Also, I may or may not find Min Ja attractive. 🌚)
One smaller detail that I found refreshing was Tarisai’s disinterest in having children. Granted, there was some personal trauma tied to it, but even beyond that, she simply didn’t think it was for her. While I have absolutely no qualms about series ending with the protagonist and their love interest with or planning to have a kid or multiple—in fact, I’m quite obsessed with the idea of any of my ships as parents, whether it’s canon or not—it was nice to see Ifueko shake that standard up a bit.
I found the end of the book quite satisfying, too. There were some stressful and unexpected moments in the final chapters, even some unexpected moments in the very last chapter, but everything worked out. I’m happy with the way Ifueko wrapped things up, and I look forward to seeing what she does in the future.
Representation
- full cast of characters of color
- Black protagonist and side characters
- Black biromantic asexual side character
- sapphic side character in a sapphic relationship
- queer side characters
Content Warnings
Graphic: Mental illness and Panic attacks/disorders
Moderate: Death, Death of parent, Murder, Grief, and Child death
Minor: Fire/Fire injury, Suicidal thoughts, Blood, and Gore
Explanations -mental illness: Tarisai experiences anxiety. -death of parent: Tarisai lost her mother and Dayo lost both of his parents, all prior to the story. -child death: Mentions of child sacrifice throughout the book, all prior to the story. -fire/fire injury: Reference to an event of the first book that’s briefly remembered/reflected upon in this one. -suicidal thoughts: By a side character, at the very beginning of the book.melaniereadsbooks'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
Thank you so much to Pique Beyond for the arc of this book.
This review contains spoilers for Raybearer, the first book in the duology.
After the events of Raybearer, Tarisai and her council siblings are attempting to settle into their new role while the threat of Tar's Redemptor journey into the Underworld hangs over their heads. She was given two years to anoint a council of all the kingdom's rulers so that she could become a fully-fledged Raybearer and enter the Underworld. Not only does Tar have to find some way to make these 12 strangers love her, and train for the Underworld, but alugbatos are also showing up all over the kingdom and a mysterious figure called The Crocodile is inciting workers to riot against the nobleman in various regions. Tar and her siblings will be split up so that they can keep the kingdom safe, and she will have to deal with the haunting visions of past-Redemptors that tell her she is not doing enough for her kingdom.
This was the ABSOLUTE perfect ending to this duology. I could not have asked for a better way for this series to conclude. Raybearer is one of my all-time favorite books, and I am so happy with how this ended and everything that happened.
The writing in this book is absolutely incredible. I love how much incite it delves into Tarisai's characters. I love that there was more world-building and we got to understand more of the various cultures going on. I love that Tarisai has changed since the first book, but is still attempting to hold up her title of The Just and do what is right for the Kingdom.
I loved getting to know Tar's council siblings better, as well as all the new characters that we met in this book! There are so many important characters, but it doesn't feel confusing to me or hard to remember. They are all very unique, and though some are not very well-developed, it is clear they all have their own personalities.
I will shout about this series for the rest of my life.
Pub Date: August 17, 2021
This review contains spoilers for Raybearer, the first book in the duology.
After the events of Raybearer, Tarisai and her council siblings are attempting to settle into their new role while the threat of Tar's Redemptor journey into the Underworld hangs over their heads. She was given two years to anoint a council of all the kingdom's rulers so that she could become a fully-fledged Raybearer and enter the Underworld. Not only does Tar have to find some way to make these 12 strangers love her, and train for the Underworld, but alugbatos are also showing up all over the kingdom and a mysterious figure called The Crocodile is inciting workers to riot against the nobleman in various regions. Tar and her siblings will be split up so that they can keep the kingdom safe, and she will have to deal with the haunting visions of past-Redemptors that tell her she is not doing enough for her kingdom.
This was the ABSOLUTE perfect ending to this duology. I could not have asked for a better way for this series to conclude. Raybearer is one of my all-time favorite books, and I am so happy with how this ended and everything that happened.
The writing in this book is absolutely incredible. I love how much incite it delves into Tarisai's characters. I love that there was more world-building and we got to understand more of the various cultures going on. I love that Tarisai has changed since the first book, but is still attempting to hold up her title of The Just and do what is right for the Kingdom.
I loved getting to know Tar's council siblings better, as well as all the new characters that we met in this book! There are so many important characters, but it doesn't feel confusing to me or hard to remember. They are all very unique, and though some are not very well-developed, it is clear they all have their own personalities.
I will shout about this series for the rest of my life.
Pub Date: August 17, 2021
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Death of parent, Grief, Gore, Panic attacks/disorders, Suicidal thoughts, and Violence
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