Scan barcode
A review by cyrinw98
Raybearer by Jordan Ifueko
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
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? It's complicated
5.0
TW: On page descriptions of a massacre, emotional neglect, fire, descriptions of blood and bodily harm, descriptions of physical abuse of a child, spousal abuse, and SA
I read the first book of The Raybearer Duology, Raybearer, in 2021 while I was a member of a book club, and this book was our pick for the month. I immediately fell in love with the book and rated it five stars. After almost three years since I originally finished this novel, my rating is still the same. This book is so amazing it broke me out if my yearlong reading slump. If you are interested in reading a young adult novel heavily inspired by West African culture that contains one of the most unique takes on the found family trope, a lovable and resilient heroine, amazing worldbuilding, and even a cute romantic subplot, you are going to want to read Raybearer.
In this story, we follow Tarisai, a young girl who since birth has been raised in isolation. Only knowing the company of maids, tutors, and occasionally her emotionally distant mother who is referred to as "The Lady", Tarisai longs to know the warmth of a family and friends. When Tarisai comes of age, she is sent to her country's capital to compete with other children from around the country for the privilege of being one of the Crown Prince's Council of Eleven. The prize: respect, riches, and ultimately an instant family with a bond that is deeper than blood. However, this journey is not without restrictions for The Lady bestows a wish upon Tarisai: when you win the Crown Prince's trust, kill him. Tarisai is now left with two decisions: stand by and become someone's pawn risking her only chance at a family or to fight to change her destiny.
If I did not already make this clear, I love this book. The prose is engaging, flows easily, and the author writes in such vivid detail that I can visualize the people, places, and events in this novel. The novel is 367 pages long and divided into four parts. This also helped the story flow well by breaking it up and distinguishing the plot arcs. This novel is a masterclass in worldbuilding as well. The author really took care in incorporating and distinguishing different customs with the people of Aristar and did it in such a way that was not info dumpy. There was not one moment in where I felt as if the story was dragging.
Another thing that I appreciate is Ifueko's ability to write lovable, sympathetic, and well-rounded characters. She is responsible for writing one of my favorite YA protagonists in Tarisai. She described Tarisai's longing for a family so well that I wanted to reach in and give the baby a hug. It was such a joy to see Tar's character growth. Ifueko even had me feeling empathetic towards characters I am not supposed to like. I loved how the author wrote the depth and complexities of the different types of relationships and love in this book. One of my favorite things was the casual inclusion of asexuality, queerness, and disability.
My only con is that I would have liked to see more casual interactions between the newly anointed council, and I wanted to see how the others were anointed. We see in depth Sanjeet and Tarisai's anointing but none of the others.
I read the first book of The Raybearer Duology, Raybearer, in 2021 while I was a member of a book club, and this book was our pick for the month. I immediately fell in love with the book and rated it five stars. After almost three years since I originally finished this novel, my rating is still the same. This book is so amazing it broke me out if my yearlong reading slump. If you are interested in reading a young adult novel heavily inspired by West African culture that contains one of the most unique takes on the found family trope, a lovable and resilient heroine, amazing worldbuilding, and even a cute romantic subplot, you are going to want to read Raybearer.
In this story, we follow Tarisai, a young girl who since birth has been raised in isolation. Only knowing the company of maids, tutors, and occasionally her emotionally distant mother who is referred to as "The Lady", Tarisai longs to know the warmth of a family and friends. When Tarisai comes of age, she is sent to her country's capital to compete with other children from around the country for the privilege of being one of the Crown Prince's Council of Eleven. The prize: respect, riches, and ultimately an instant family with a bond that is deeper than blood. However, this journey is not without restrictions for The Lady bestows a wish upon Tarisai: when you win the Crown Prince's trust, kill him. Tarisai is now left with two decisions: stand by and become someone's pawn risking her only chance at a family or to fight to change her destiny.
If I did not already make this clear, I love this book. The prose is engaging, flows easily, and the author writes in such vivid detail that I can visualize the people, places, and events in this novel. The novel is 367 pages long and divided into four parts. This also helped the story flow well by breaking it up and distinguishing the plot arcs. This novel is a masterclass in worldbuilding as well. The author really took care in incorporating and distinguishing different customs with the people of Aristar and did it in such a way that was not info dumpy. There was not one moment in where I felt as if the story was dragging.
Another thing that I appreciate is Ifueko's ability to write lovable, sympathetic, and well-rounded characters. She is responsible for writing one of my favorite YA protagonists in Tarisai. She described Tarisai's longing for a family so well that I wanted to reach in and give the baby a hug. It was such a joy to see Tar's character growth. Ifueko even had me feeling empathetic towards characters I am not supposed to like. I loved how the author wrote the depth and complexities of the different types of relationships and love in this book. One of my favorite things was the casual inclusion of asexuality, queerness, and disability.
My only con is that I would have liked to see more casual interactions between the newly anointed council, and I wanted to see how the others were anointed. We see in depth Sanjeet and Tarisai's anointing but none of the others.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Misogyny, Sexual assault, Fire/Fire injury, and Abandonment