A review by amieib
Raybearer by Jordan Ifueko

3.0

I have to start by saying that as a West African girlie, reading a fantasy book that featured so many words from a language I have heard throughout my life was satisfying in a way I could never verbally do justice.

I've read that this is a fantasy debut and it felt that way in the sense that it felt incredibly fast-paced in some areas and at times, painfully slow. I also found it difficult to digest all the information. That said, I enjoyed the world. It felt like being transported to a place I had never been. It felt like escapism which is what I essentially want when I pick up a fantasy book. I also really enjoyed the fact that I never saw any of the twists coming. There was a lot of heart in it. I also enjoyed the exploration of complicated familial dynamics and navigating growing up on top of it all.

I only wish it had featured the council siblings' dynamic more. I felt that there wasn't enough done to set up the relationships Tarisai had with them except Sanjeet, Kirah and Dayo. But even with those three, I didn't feel the deep connection that was mentioned. It felt a lot like telling but not showing.

I am really looking forward to reading the next book and think it definitely deserved to be picked up if fantasy is your thing.