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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: Blood, Child abuse, Confinement, Death, Death of parent, Emotional abuse, Grief, Misogyny, Murder, Rape, Sexism, Slavery, and Xenophobia
Minor: Bullying and Sexual content
sunsetcity's review
adventurous
inspiring
mysterious
tense
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
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Blood, Bullying, Child death, and Death
peachani's review
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: Blood, Bullying, Child abuse, Death of parent, Emotional abuse, Mental illness, Misogyny, Murder, Panic attacks/disorders, Domestic abuse, Physical abuse, Toxic relationship, and Violence
Minor: Grief, Kidnapping, Rape, Sexual content, Slavery, and Torture
blakethebookeater's review
adventurous
emotional
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Raybearer is simply the best YA fantasy I have ever read. I need to see whole curriculums based around this book because it is indeed THAT good.
Tarisai is a child born of a wish. A wish from her mother that destines her to kill the one she is supposed to love. And so begins a tale of magic, found family, and the Underworld. To say more would be to spoil all the wonderful surprises that Jordan Ifueko has cooked up within these brisk 350 pages. And trust me, you do NOT want to be spoiled.
One of my favorite things about this book is the PROSE. Jordan Ifueko's words were so lyrical and beautiful and they wove the story so intricately and vividly that it was so easy to fly through this book. Sentences wound their way inside my heart in the best of ways and I can't how many quotes I scribbled down because they were just too good.
But the story itself is just as wonderful as its wrapping. There are so many twists and turns that Ifueko could easily have stretched this out into a longer series but instead we are getting Tarisai's story completed later this year with Redemptor. This didn't feel like a debut novel. In all the best ways. You can come into this novel secure in the fact that you are dealing with a master storyteller who only has more amazing things for us in the future.
5/5 stars
(p.s. I would die for Tarisai, Dayo, Sanjeet, and Kirah, found family is the best trope 100%)
Tarisai is a child born of a wish. A wish from her mother that destines her to kill the one she is supposed to love. And so begins a tale of magic, found family, and the Underworld. To say more would be to spoil all the wonderful surprises that Jordan Ifueko has cooked up within these brisk 350 pages. And trust me, you do NOT want to be spoiled.
One of my favorite things about this book is the PROSE. Jordan Ifueko's words were so lyrical and beautiful and they wove the story so intricately and vividly that it was so easy to fly through this book. Sentences wound their way inside my heart in the best of ways and I can't how many quotes I scribbled down because they were just too good.
But the story itself is just as wonderful as its wrapping. There are so many twists and turns that Ifueko could easily have stretched this out into a longer series but instead we are getting Tarisai's story completed later this year with Redemptor. This didn't feel like a debut novel. In all the best ways. You can come into this novel secure in the fact that you are dealing with a master storyteller who only has more amazing things for us in the future.
5/5 stars
(p.s. I would die for Tarisai, Dayo, Sanjeet, and Kirah, found family is the best trope 100%)
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual assault
Moderate: Blood, Bullying, Death of parent, Emotional abuse, Religious bigotry, and Violence
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