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emotionalpizza's review against another edition
4.0
Fantastic book. The world building was excellent, and the fast-paced story was gripping. I'm not usually one for first person stories, but this one was easy to get lost in
deenzy's review against another edition
4.0
Based in African culture and mythology, this was such a refreshing, Black girl magic fantasy. I kind of wished that this was an adult novel, so the author could take more time to flesh it out, focus on slower pacing, and build up their character development. Also, as per most young YA novels, this moved SO fast. It gave me a bit of whiplash and it was sometimes just...too much too soon. Still super enjoyable and a unique magical structure to read through.
ilybitch's review against another edition
4.0
to summarize this book in one word: WHOLESOME <3
That was mostly the effect of having the book start off with the MC's childhood. You get to see the cast of characters as their purest, most innocent selves and also how they became who they are. That made them feel very realistic to me. Even the characters who weren't children in the beginning of the book were fleshed out thoroughly. Not a single flat character in sight.
And it's not just the characters either. It's very very clear that [a:Jordan Ifueko|19119306|Jordan Ifueko|https://images.gr-assets.com/authors/1567263108p2/19119306.jpg] put SO MUCH thought and detail and effort into this book. The plot flowed, the character motivations made sense, the worldbuilding was very unique and detailed, and honestly there's so much more to this book that I can't even get into.
Also, I'd like a moment to celebrate the fact that the romance had a brooding dark-haired light-eyed love interest BUT IT WAS A HEALTHY RELATIONSHIP
That was mostly the effect of having the book start off with the MC's childhood. You get to see the cast of characters as their purest, most innocent selves and also how they became who they are. That made them feel very realistic to me. Even the characters who weren't children in the beginning of the book were fleshed out thoroughly. Not a single flat character in sight.
And it's not just the characters either. It's very very clear that [a:Jordan Ifueko|19119306|Jordan Ifueko|https://images.gr-assets.com/authors/1567263108p2/19119306.jpg] put SO MUCH thought and detail and effort into this book. The plot flowed, the character motivations made sense, the worldbuilding was very unique and detailed, and honestly there's so much more to this book that I can't even get into.
Also, I'd like a moment to celebrate the fact that the romance had a brooding dark-haired light-eyed love interest BUT IT WAS A HEALTHY RELATIONSHIP
cpalmisanod's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
mysterious
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
4.25
I loved the themes of equality and fairness that run throughout our main character and the story itself.
thekeepershand's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
sad
slow-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
4.5
paigeewirth's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
inspiring
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
eviethebookdragon's review against another edition
5.0
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for a review copy. All opinions are my own. :)
I absolutely loved Raybearer! Our main character Tarisai has had a phenomenal education growing up, but she's been lonely most of the time due to an absent mother. She also has the power to see memories from people and objects, which makes her eligible to join the prince's council. But this opportunity to find the family that she has always yearned for might put that family in the utmost danger. Tarisai's growth and strength is what I loved most about Raybearer. The high stakes and intricate worldbuilding gave the story a wonderful foundation for the plot to expand and layer, to the point where I was so excited to learn what the author had come up with next. Raybearer blew away my expectations, and it read like a book from an established career author. If I hadn't known this was Ifueko's debut, I never would have guessed it just from reading the book. With Raybearer as her starting point, I am even more excited to see what the author writes next.
I absolutely loved Raybearer! Our main character Tarisai has had a phenomenal education growing up, but she's been lonely most of the time due to an absent mother. She also has the power to see memories from people and objects, which makes her eligible to join the prince's council. But this opportunity to find the family that she has always yearned for might put that family in the utmost danger. Tarisai's growth and strength is what I loved most about Raybearer. The high stakes and intricate worldbuilding gave the story a wonderful foundation for the plot to expand and layer, to the point where I was so excited to learn what the author had come up with next. Raybearer blew away my expectations, and it read like a book from an established career author. If I hadn't known this was Ifueko's debut, I never would have guessed it just from reading the book. With Raybearer as her starting point, I am even more excited to see what the author writes next.
betweenianseyes's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
mysterious
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
bookishyvonne's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
emotional
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