Scan barcode
A review by book_buddy_rob
Raybearer by Jordan Ifueko
adventurous
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
If you enjoy young adult fantasy, you might feel like this doesn’t sound super original. But I think as you read you will find the twists that Ifueko puts on these common tropes to be really well done.
The whole time I was reading, I kept getting Black Panther vibes in the best way possible.
This features a lot of tropes I enjoy: magical trials, political intrigue, unique magic systems, and found family.
The author does a good job of immediately pulling you into this world and this story and I found the story as a whole to be really fun and entertaining.
Compared to other similar books that are inspired by African mythology, something this did different was incorporate multiple African cultures into the story and it completely enriches the setting of this novel.
The writing itself did feel a bit juvenile at times, but I didn’t particularly mind that because when we first meet our main character she’s 11 years old, so it made sense to the novel. Also I don’t think there’s anything wrong with this being geared more towards a younger YA audience
One minor criticism I have is that I wish the trials described in the synopsis were developed more. We only really get to experience these trials and competition within the first third of the novel, and I just wanted more of the trials.
There are also some moments in the middle of the book that describe the mundane details of palace life in this world and I didn’t find those scenes entirely interesting.
Overall though, I think this is a highly imaginative young adult fantasy novel full of great characters, magic and a sprinkling of political intrigue that would recommend to fantasy readers.
The whole time I was reading, I kept getting Black Panther vibes in the best way possible.
This features a lot of tropes I enjoy: magical trials, political intrigue, unique magic systems, and found family.
The author does a good job of immediately pulling you into this world and this story and I found the story as a whole to be really fun and entertaining.
Compared to other similar books that are inspired by African mythology, something this did different was incorporate multiple African cultures into the story and it completely enriches the setting of this novel.
The writing itself did feel a bit juvenile at times, but I didn’t particularly mind that because when we first meet our main character she’s 11 years old, so it made sense to the novel. Also I don’t think there’s anything wrong with this being geared more towards a younger YA audience
One minor criticism I have is that I wish the trials described in the synopsis were developed more. We only really get to experience these trials and competition within the first third of the novel, and I just wanted more of the trials.
There are also some moments in the middle of the book that describe the mundane details of palace life in this world and I didn’t find those scenes entirely interesting.
Overall though, I think this is a highly imaginative young adult fantasy novel full of great characters, magic and a sprinkling of political intrigue that would recommend to fantasy readers.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death of parent and Child abuse
Moderate: Genocide
Minor: Rape