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katsbooks's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
emotional
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? It's complicated
5.0
“You don’t get to choose why people love you. But what you do with the love you receive . . . that’s a choice you make every day.”
“B-But . . . what good is a v-voice with no st-story to tell?”
“The only thing more powerful than a wish is a purpose.”
This was an outstanding follow-up to Raybearer. I love this duology with my whole heart. I'm not kidding. The found family Tarisai finds in the council is so heart-warming. I loved all the truly warm relationships and support she had. The ojiji were a great metaphor for depression and I really appreciated that representation. It made the Underworld chapters so much more intense and believable. I also really enjoyed the commentaries on power and resistance. I think it was very timely given the world events of the last two years. This duology is going to live rent-free in my head for a long time. I can't recommend it enough. I loved it so much I can’t even come up with a half-decent review other than, “Please just go read it.”
“B-But . . . what good is a v-voice with no st-story to tell?”
“The only thing more powerful than a wish is a purpose.”
This was an outstanding follow-up to Raybearer. I love this duology with my whole heart. I'm not kidding. The found family Tarisai finds in the council is so heart-warming. I loved all the truly warm relationships and support she had. The ojiji were a great metaphor for depression and I really appreciated that representation. It made the Underworld chapters so much more intense and believable. I also really enjoyed the commentaries on power and resistance. I think it was very timely given the world events of the last two years. This duology is going to live rent-free in my head for a long time. I can't recommend it enough. I loved it so much I can’t even come up with a half-decent review other than, “Please just go read it.”
Content Warnings
Moderate: Blood, Violence, Child abuse, Child death, Classism, Death, Genocide, Mental illness, Panic attacks/disorders, and War
afi_whatafireads's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
inspiring
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
4.0
“Do not ask how many people you will save. Ask to what world will yous save them? What makes a world worth surviving in.”
Personal Ratings: 4🌟
That was one hella of a ride and also marks my first read for Black History Month.
I have to say, the ending of this duology, had left my feelings in a blunder. I loved the writing. Jordan Ifueko's writing was nothing short of good despite it being a YA. It was something that I appreciated and I really liked how she had incorporated a vast net of culture and the importance of love. The found family in this book had made my heart filled with warmth, and the winning point of this book was the fight for justice, and at the end, the people of the nation.
Short Summary
The final book to the duology Raybearer, from the events of the first book, Tarisai will need to annoint new siblings for her to defeat the abiku. New characters introduced and a new mission in which Tar needs to fight in order to keep her world safe again and free her people.
Personal Thoughts
One of the best things that I liked about the series was the Jordan Ifueko's Writing. Its not only eloquent but I liked how she incorporated cultures of the South African in the book which made it more interesting. The politics in this book is just top notch, and the magic system is one that its super interesting.
My thoughts after this paragraph would not be hating on the book but more on the potential that it had missed which can actually make it a 5 star duology if not for some of these drawbacks.
Firstly, the pacing. For the second book, we focus more on the Tarisai's mission, her inner conflicts and her dilemma in handling every single thing in the country. I can't say much because it will be a spoiler but I feel that the first POV in this book kinda did not do justice for this series. I really would have liked if the other characters were given a moment to shine through. Altho I understand where the author is going with the story and its on Tarisai's growth from a child to the Empress she is now, the Annointed Siblings had missed their chance, and I think this duology would be splendid if it was from a third POV. With that said, I still enjoyed being in Tar's head. Being a 16 year old girl with so many things to juggle and lives at stake is not exactly something that everyone can do, and I like Tar's inner conflict and how she tries to solve them as well.
“The only thing more powerful than a wish is a purpose.”
Tar's purpose in this book was something that had been highlighted which I liked. The Politics in here is exceptionally good, but the thing that I was scared would happen came true. The ending was rushed , and man it became so anti-climatic. I get that the preparation before the part is important, but I felt that if the author had made it a tad longer and showed how the war had been resolved will make a justified conclusion for the book. But, at the end of the day, we get an end to a series that concludes and wraps everything neatly.
“None of us are Gods. We are merely tools, wielded by the strongest system. I am giving you the chance to choose what that system is.”
I would say one of the strongest point of the book are the Characters. I liked almost everyone in here and there was a character that really remind me of Nikolai :') He is such a character and I liked his resolve with Tar. The romance in here was cute too. Its subtle but not overly done, and I like that all the couples are suited for each other.
“It was beautiful-his cause. It was selfless, unambiguously right. But he had given himself nothing else to live for. His world had gone adrift, and so… he had chosen to fall out of orbit”
All in all it was a great series for sure. One that is unique, with such a vast worldbuilding. There were a few things that I would liked it to be elevated, but all in all, I had enjoyed it very much.
Thank you to Pansing Distributions (@definitelybooks) for generously providing me a review copy of the book.
Disclaimers: All my reviews are my thoughts of the book and according to my personal preferences. Even though I had received a review copy, it does not affect my review and honest thoughts for the book.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child death, Death, War, Animal cruelty, Eating disorder, and Blood
mcz_reads's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
hopeful
mysterious
reflective
sad
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
4.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child death, Death, Panic attacks/disorders, and War
serena_hien's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
funny
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
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death and Child death
kaziaroo's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
inspiring
mysterious
reflective
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? It's complicated
4.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Drug use, Gaslighting, Mental illness, and Panic attacks/disorders
Moderate: Child death, Emotional abuse, Injury/Injury detail, Self harm, Sexual content, Suicidal thoughts, Toxic relationship, Violence, and War
Minor: Abandonment, Acephobia/Arophobia, Death of parent, Schizophrenia/Psychosis , and Slavery
3vannelsonrose's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
medium-paced
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Content Warnings
Minor: Blood, Child death, and Panic attacks/disorders
agustdefault's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
inspiring
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? It's complicated
5.0
i could probably talk about this duology for hours and hours. jordan ifueko the gift you are!!! wow. this is one of the most well written fantasy books ive ever read. the series overall with the beautifully detailed world building with a number of fantasy elements (but not too hard to follow along), an interesting plotline, and strong woc main character, lgbt representation (including an ace mc!!!), AND a compelling romance plot. what more could we ask for truly. i have a big fat crush on ai ling and min ja if anyone was wondering.
the Only negative i have about this book was the fact that there were a few references to dayo and tar being….Together?? like obvs they werent but there were romantic/sexual jokes made about the two of them when they are quite literally cousins. it only happened once or twice and it in no way impacts the plotline but i thought id mention it bc it was a little…icky
although they are very different, i think lovers of sabaa tahir and an ember in the ashes would enjoy this!!!
okay zuri made me a little emotional but when da seo did the dance where she painted the words Oh i cried.
i also felt like tars time in the underworld was a little rushed and the author couldve spent a lot more time there, since that is what the entire book had been leading up to. she probably couldve made this a trilogy honestly and gone into way more detail. however!!! i am still giving 5 stars bc i love this book either way and i fell in love with her characters
the Only negative i have about this book was the fact that there were a few references to dayo and tar being….Together?? like obvs they werent but there were romantic/sexual jokes made about the two of them when they are quite literally cousins. it only happened once or twice and it in no way impacts the plotline but i thought id mention it bc it was a little…icky
although they are very different, i think lovers of sabaa tahir and an ember in the ashes would enjoy this!!!
i also felt like tars time in the underworld was a little rushed and the author couldve spent a lot more time there, since that is what the entire book had been leading up to. she probably couldve made this a trilogy honestly and gone into way more detail. however!!! i am still giving 5 stars bc i love this book either way and i fell in love with her characters
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child death, Death, and Violence
Moderate: Grief, Murder, and Panic attacks/disorders
reading_in_pink's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
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
5.0
Content Warnings
Moderate: Panic attacks/disorders, Death of parent, and Child abuse
Minor: Child death
ofbooksandechos's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Panic attacks/disorders, and Violence
Moderate: Child abuse and Child death
meaghanelizabook's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
inspiring
reflective
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
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Mental illness, and Panic attacks/disorders
Moderate: Blood, Child death, Grief, Gore, Murder, and Suicidal thoughts
Minor: War