Scan barcode
boxalligators's review against another edition
adventurous
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
Rep:
Nigerian-American characters
Questioning side character
Asexual side character
Nigerian-American characters
Questioning side character
Asexual side character
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Emotional abuse, Genocide, Misogyny, and Fire/Fire injury
Moderate: Domestic abuse, Mental illness, Violence, Blood, Death of parent, and Murder
Minor: Rape, Sexual content, and Suicide
wrenxavier's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
hopeful
mysterious
sad
tense
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
Content Warnings
Moderate: Child abuse, Child death, Death, Emotional abuse, Genocide, Misogyny, Physical abuse, Sexism, Violence, Forced institutionalization, Blood, Grief, Religious bigotry, Murder, Fire/Fire injury, Gaslighting, Abandonment, Alcohol, and Injury/Injury detail
Minor: Confinement, Domestic abuse, Mental illness, Rape, Self harm, Sexual content, Toxic relationship, Vomit, Death of parent, Pregnancy, and War
sprinklesugarbunbun's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
hopeful
medium-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
5.0
Content Warnings
Moderate: Child death and Death of parent
stephbakerbooks's review against another edition
adventurous
mysterious
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
This book was such a breath of fresh air! Just the right amount of world-building, characters to love and root for, a plot that constantly keeps you on your toes. The magic felt unique—and was really cool!
Tarisai is instantly likable, and the story follows her as an eleven-year-old to sixteen, so we see a lot of her growth. I loved her development, and her relationships with the other characters, particularly Dayo and Woo In. None of these characters are black and white, and I just love a book that explores those gray complexities. My one complaint was that there is a Council of 11 and we really only get to know four of them…but maybe the sequel will include the other seven more! (And it didn’t end up bothering me that much lol)
The setting was so vividly magical, and I just couldn’t put the book down. If you want a quick-read fantasy that explores themes of fate, identity, gender roles, with a side of found family, then this is the book for you! It’s also only a duology (and the second book is already out) so you don’t have to worry about a series commitment!
And how can you say no to that cover?? 😍😍😍
Tarisai is instantly likable, and the story follows her as an eleven-year-old to sixteen, so we see a lot of her growth. I loved her development, and her relationships with the other characters, particularly Dayo and Woo In. None of these characters are black and white, and I just love a book that explores those gray complexities. My one complaint was that there is a Council of 11 and we really only get to know four of them…but maybe the sequel will include the other seven more! (And it didn’t end up bothering me that much lol)
The setting was so vividly magical, and I just couldn’t put the book down. If you want a quick-read fantasy that explores themes of fate, identity, gender roles, with a side of found family, then this is the book for you! It’s also only a duology (and the second book is already out) so you don’t have to worry about a series commitment!
And how can you say no to that cover?? 😍😍😍
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death of parent and Fire/Fire injury
Moderate: Child abuse, Emotional abuse, and Sexism
_inge_'s review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
inspiring
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? It's complicated
4.5
Content Warnings
Moderate: Child death and Death of parent
Minor: Confinement
benidamika's review against another edition
adventurous
hopeful
inspiring
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.25
Raybearer by Jordan Ifueko
"He tasted like salt, like grief and fear" - Pg 469
This is my first time reading West African inspired YA fantasy and I adored it! Jordan Ifueko did an amazing job with this debut. The characters were enchanting and the story telling is powerful. I admit picking this book because of the cover but Ifueko doesn't disappoint!
The book is seeped in colorful African culture and Ifueko's writing is so vivid - it's an EXPERIENCE. I admit it was a bit difficult to keep track of the names of the characters and the magical beings but it got easier the more I got into the book.
It explores themes of family relationships, friendship, revenge, power dynamics, misogynistic traditions and oppression of the poor.
What I really liked about the book is that Tarisai is not driven by romantic love to conquer whatever demons she had. She was selfless to a point that annoyed me a little but at the same time, that in my eyes, made her a true queen.
"He tasted like salt, like grief and fear" - Pg 469
This is my first time reading West African inspired YA fantasy and I adored it! Jordan Ifueko did an amazing job with this debut. The characters were enchanting and the story telling is powerful. I admit picking this book because of the cover but Ifueko doesn't disappoint!
The book is seeped in colorful African culture and Ifueko's writing is so vivid - it's an EXPERIENCE. I admit it was a bit difficult to keep track of the names of the characters and the magical beings but it got easier the more I got into the book.
It explores themes of family relationships, friendship, revenge, power dynamics, misogynistic traditions and oppression of the poor.
What I really liked about the book is that Tarisai is not driven by romantic love to conquer whatever demons she had. She was selfless to a point that annoyed me a little but at the same time, that in my eyes, made her a true queen.
Content Warnings
Minor: Child death and Death of parent
meaghanelizabook's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
hopeful
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
4.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child death, Death, Death of parent, and Fire/Fire injury
Moderate: Emotional abuse, Blood, Grief, Gaslighting, and Abandonment
ember_eyes_are_for_tigers's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
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
4.75
The prose is incredible, bringing beautiful visuals and scenes to real life. And, throughout the entire book, there is so much love for West Africa and the variety in the book really show the diversity of the world.
The characters were so wonderfully written, although I wish we had know more of Tarisai’s found family, you could tell the love and respect she has for them.
Raybearer’s first part is rather slow compared to the remainder of the book, where the pace begins speeding up and doesn’t seem to stop, but, I didn’t find myself minding.I would’ve read an entire book of Tarisai learning to open up and trust the rest of the Council, however, as the story unfolded I began remaining more and more in awe of what Ifueko was able to twist the story with the world’s lore and the various plotwists.
It was such a phenomenal read and I can’t wait to read the sequel to the book.
The characters were so wonderfully written, although I wish we had know more of Tarisai’s found family, you could tell the love and respect she has for them.
Raybearer’s first part is rather slow compared to the remainder of the book, where the pace begins speeding up and doesn’t seem to stop, but, I didn’t find myself minding.
It was such a phenomenal read and I can’t wait to read the sequel to the book.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child abuse, Confinement, Death, Violence, and Colonisation
Moderate: Misogyny, Kidnapping, Death of parent, and Murder
Minor: Suicide, Torture, Vomit, and War
oliverreeds's review against another edition
funny
hopeful
medium-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
5.0
i greatly enjoyed this book (note the five stars lol) mainly because i could tell the author listened to their story. everything made sense: the characters were logical and believable, the world-building was paced well and easy to understand, and the way that racial/religious tensions were discussed in the book was pretty great. sometimes, however, it felt like the author was rushing. like they knew what was going to happen next and wanted it to happen so much that it just did and the readers missed a lot in the cut scenes. specifically after tarisai tries to kill dayo, sanjeet just like.. forgives her really fast. i feel like a lot more could have been explored there in ways that would have added some intensity to their relationship and things that could have ultimately strengthened it. i was also upset that there wasn't closure between tarisai and dayo. things kind of fell apart between them? there was a lot left unsaid and i feel like there was time for them to have a conversation and to explore more into their relationship after she yknow tried to kill him. he seemed to forgive her very quickly, but also, he didnt? it was weird and i understood what the author was going for, but there was time and space that could have been allotted to exploring that part of their relationship and how it changed/would change after the attempt. this also applies to tarisai and kirah. kirah just forgives her very fast and doesn't question a whole lot, when i felt like she should have. my main critic is that there was a lot of complexity that could have been explored through dialogue, through description, through reactions that simply wasn't mentioned again. tensions resolved too quickly and too neatly. i wanted there to be dissent. i wanted something to rub the wrong way and i wanted every character to feel it. i think the author came close to this but didn't quite reach it. i didn't realize this book was a series initially, but i'm excited to read the next books as they come out.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Bullying, Child abuse, Child death, Death, Emotional abuse, Misogyny, Rape, Torture, Toxic relationship, Blood, Kidnapping, Death of parent, Murder, Fire/Fire injury, and Alcohol
Moderate: War
_kimb's review against another edition
adventurous
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
3.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child abuse, Child death, Death, Emotional abuse, and Genocide
Moderate: Misogyny, Death of parent, and Fire/Fire injury
Minor: Rape