Reviews with content warning for Emotional abuse - Raybearer

Reviews tagging 'Emotional abuse'

Raybearer by Jordan Ifueko

109 reviews

peachmoni's review against another edition

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adventurous challenging emotional hopeful inspiring mysterious reflective tense 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

"No, we don't deserve the burdens that our parents gave us. But we can't defeat monsters that we won't face."

A fantastic novel about love, duty and desire: how they can shape - or distort - who we are and who we become.

I found that the story picked up in Part 2, and from then on, I was engaged. Ifueko reveals mysteries bit by bit, which made me want to keep reading till the end. (Confession: I almost tapped out at around 90% because I thought the main story was over and everything else was filler. I am glad I continued, not only because that wasn't the case, but also because Jordan Ifueko writes nicely!)

I tried to figure out what was going on, which I don't actively do, usually... and I was wrong as hell, which I appreciate. 😂

Also of note:

Cool to see ace representation as well, though I cannot judge whether it is 100% accurate
The description of Tarisai's loneliness, particularly in the first book resonated with me, as a child who was often left to her own devices. Unlike Tarisai, though, I was able to make and keep friends at school and in my neighborhood.

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leahsbooks's review against another edition

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adventurous hopeful mysterious 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

I listened to the audiobook version of this, and I’m so glad that I did! The narrator, Joniece Abbott-Pratt, was such a great choice to read this, and listening to it allowed me to hear the beautiful songs and chants incorporated into the story. If you get the chance to read this as an audiobook, I strongly suggest it.

I honestly fell in love with this book. The beautiful, lyrical writing made it easy to lose myself in the world of Aritsar. I was stunned at how incredible the world building was — there are so many different regions, and each one has its own magic, culture, customs, and traditions. Since Tarisai grew up in such an isolated environment, it felt as though I was experiencing all the wonders of Aritsar with her as she was exposed to them.

Another thing that made this book feel so real was the quality of the relationships that Tarisai developed throughout the story. As someone who grew up in with so few people around her, dreaming of family and friends, there was such a strong theme of found family. I liked Dayo’s character, but nothing really came close to Kirah and Sanjeet, in my opinion. No matter what happened, they had her back and built her up. I would have liked to get to know more of the other 11, though. I felt like we didn’t really get to know them at all, but honestly, that was my only criticism of the entire book.

The story is set in an African-inspired world, and while I’ve read a few in the last year or so, this one definitely set itself apart. It incorporates cultural elements and the setting seamlessly, weaving elements of mythology and magic to create something fascinating and completely new, representing the 12 tribes of Aritsar. The world that this book is set in has become a place that I want to visit and travel around in. I’m always in awe of the imagination it takes to develop not just a book, but a world that draws readers in this strongly.

That ending left me wanting more right away. It’s a bit of a cliffhanger, but still gave me a sense of closure. I can’t wait to get my hands on the next book, because I seriously need to find out what happens next in this world!

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annalisaely's review against another edition

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adventurous emotional hopeful reflective tense 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

5.0

The world building is fascinating with 12 different sections of the main character's home empire each with their own cultures, languages, and values, as well as a magic system along the lines of Pixie Hollow Talents with a side of blood magic and deals with demons. I loved the complicated main character with her conflicting motivations and ideals as well as the adorably sweet emperor to be and the precious love interest. I look forward to diving further into the politics in the next book!

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xoodlebooks's review against another edition

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adventurous dark 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? Yes

4.5

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thewildmageslibrary's review against another edition

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adventurous hopeful inspiring

5.0

Listening to this was the perfect audio experience and I now want a physical copy. Tarisai just wants to belong and be loved. When she finally gets her wish, will she be forced to destroy it all? I loved the rich world the author created; you know worldbuilding is my weakness. I honestly didn't know how this would end, but *the journey* and that found family. ❤️ Looking forward to the sequel later this year!

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crinspire's review against another edition

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adventurous challenging emotional hopeful inspiring mysterious reflective tense fast-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

I didn't expect a YA fantasy to be my favorite read of the year so far, but look.

The story is gripping from the first to the last page. I don't think there was a single chapter that was lacking or that wasn't needed. It's also divided in 4 parts with short chapters within, so if you struggle to read plot heavy books because there's nowhere to stop, this one is for you. I was intimidated by the novel before picking it up because fantasy usually requires some effort to get into the world, but in this case it was immersive and made it so easy to dive in.

The main characters are so easy to root for. Tarisai is a wonderful protagonist, complex and strong without falling into Mary Sue territory. Dayo is a literal ray of sunshine, and Kirah and Sanjeet are both lovely and complex too. When it comes to the rest of the characters, though, this book also shines, portraying grey characters in a manner that makes sense, where no character is just plain evil. I found my opinion about so many characters changed organically as I found out more, both for better and for worse.

The immersive atmosphere aids to the rich worldbuilding of the book. I could see each scene perfectly thanks to the beautiful descriptions that didn't fall into purple prose. The story is complex, gripping from chapter one, filled with well crafted plot twists that build the puzzle that is this story. The world is not as perfect as it seems, and you find out along with Tarisai what justice truly means in a situation that reflects colonialism and erasure of culture, and patriarchy in the real world. By the end of the book, I was thoroughly satisfied but so happy that this is actually a duology and we're getting one more dive into this beautiful world and another chance to be with the characters.

This has it all. Found family. High stakes. Complex, deep rooted problems. Beautiful imagery. Hope. I strained my brain to find something I didn't love so that this review isn't me gushing nonstop, and the only thing I could come up with is that I wished there was more Dayo. So there you go. Take this as a push to pick this up.

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blakethebookeater's review against another edition

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adventurous emotional mysterious tense medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? It's complicated
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

Raybearer is simply the best YA fantasy I have ever read. I need to see whole curriculums based around this book because it is indeed THAT good.

Tarisai is a child born of a wish. A wish from her mother that destines her to kill the one she is supposed to love. And so begins a tale of magic, found family, and the Underworld. To say more would be to spoil all the wonderful surprises that Jordan Ifueko has cooked up within these brisk 350 pages. And trust me, you do NOT want to be spoiled.

One of my favorite things about this book is the PROSE. Jordan Ifueko's words were so lyrical and beautiful and they wove the story so intricately and vividly that it was so easy to fly through this book. Sentences wound their way inside my heart in the best of ways and I can't how many quotes I scribbled down because they were just too good.

But the story itself is just as wonderful as its wrapping. There are so many twists and turns that Ifueko could easily have stretched this out into a longer series but instead we are getting Tarisai's story completed later this year with Redemptor. This didn't feel like a debut novel. In all the best ways. You can come into this novel secure in the fact that you are dealing with a master storyteller who only has more amazing things for us in the future.

5/5 stars

(p.s. I would die for Tarisai, Dayo, Sanjeet, and Kirah, found family is the best trope 100%)

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