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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
gem114's review against another edition
adventurous
hopeful
inspiring
tense
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
5.0
After reading Raybearer in 2020, I was really excited for this sequel. Ifueko did not disappoint! I honestly liked Redemptor even better than Raybearer. It built beautifully on the world created in Raybearer, and I thought the conflicts, both internal and external, were so much more compelling.
The best analogy I can come up with to describe this duology is that Redemptor is like Raybearer's big sister. They're clearly cut from the same cloth, but Redemptor is a little darker, more complex, and more worldly.
The themes of justice, sacrifice, love, and family make this a GREAT book for discussion with people of any age (I would say 12+; there are some sexy scenes, so if you plan to read/chat with kids, be prepared). It's also a wonderfully accessible introduction to politics for young people. What do we value in our leaders? Who has power/a voice in our community? What is class privilege? How do we address income inequality? BIG questions, but so important.
Finally, I genuinely appreciated the discussion about reproduction! Having children is a choice, not an inevitability, and it's completely valid to decide it's not for you.
Thank you, Jordan Ifueko!
Thank you to Netgalley and Amulet Books for the opportunity to read this ARC in exchange for an honest review.
The best analogy I can come up with to describe this duology is that Redemptor is like Raybearer's big sister. They're clearly cut from the same cloth, but Redemptor is a little darker, more complex, and more worldly.
The themes of justice, sacrifice, love, and family make this a GREAT book for discussion with people of any age (I would say 12+; there are some sexy scenes, so if you plan to read/chat with kids, be prepared). It's also a wonderfully accessible introduction to politics for young people. What do we value in our leaders? Who has power/a voice in our community? What is class privilege? How do we address income inequality? BIG questions, but so important.
Finally, I genuinely appreciated the discussion about reproduction! Having children is a choice, not an inevitability, and it's completely valid to decide it's not for you.
Thank you, Jordan Ifueko!
Thank you to Netgalley and Amulet Books for the opportunity to read this ARC in exchange for an honest review.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Emotional abuse, Mental illness, and Panic attacks/disorders
Moderate: Child abuse, Confinement, and Death
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