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A review by e_flah
Redemptor by Jordan Ifueko
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
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
First off, I really wish I'd known Redemptor was the finale of the Raybearer books before I finished it. There were quite a few things about the book that frustrated me a bit while reading that I've come around on now that I know this was the end of the series.
To start with what I enjoyed, Tarisai continues to be such a wonderful, compelling main character. One of the main focuses of Redemptor is Tarisai's struggle to decide how she wants to use her new power now that she is the Empress Redemptor. So often in fantasy, we see characters assume the mantle of power + responsibility seemingly effortlessly so I really loved watching Tarisai grapple with tough questions of whether she was doing enough to address historical wrongs and what type of force she felt comfortable using to enact her new policies. These questions were handled thoughtfully in a way that also added a lot of nuance to Tarisai as a character. Tarisai is one of those protagonists who is easy to root for and I really enjoyed her character arc over the course of Redemptor.
To start with what I enjoyed, Tarisai continues to be such a wonderful, compelling main character. One of the main focuses of Redemptor is Tarisai's struggle to decide how she wants to use her new power now that she is the Empress Redemptor. So often in fantasy, we see characters assume the mantle of power + responsibility seemingly effortlessly so I really loved watching Tarisai grapple with tough questions of whether she was doing enough to address historical wrongs and what type of force she felt comfortable using to enact her new policies. These questions were handled thoughtfully in a way that also added a lot of nuance to Tarisai as a character. Tarisai is one of those protagonists who is easy to root for and I really enjoyed her character arc over the course of Redemptor.
“The only thing more powerful than a wish is a purpose.”
The two elements of the book that bugged me are minor gripes. Redemptor introduces a ton of new characters on top of the already very large cast from Raybearer that returned in book 2. It could be hard to keep track of who was who, particularly with the new characters who tended to get less page time. The second thing was the pacing felt a bit off. Given the premise of the book and the way events were set up at the end of Raybearer, I really expected some external plot conflicts to get more attention in the story. (view spoiler)
Overall, Redemptor was an enjoyable read and a solid follow-up to Raybearer. Ifueko's writing continues to be incredibly lyrical and immersive; this is one of those books that transported me to an entirely different place while I was reading it. I'm looking forward to rereading Redemptor with the context that the Raybearer books are a duology as I'm sure that will change my overall impressions of the story.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Death, Violence, and Blood
Minor: Child death