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kartoffel_00's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? N/A
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.5
Raybearer is full of great lore. I enjoyed some parts of it but truthfully speaking the execution of the story the book was trying to conceive was fatally weak. It builds an interesting foundation but fails to follow through on it.
It tries to tell many things in one book. A civil conflict due to cultural differences between the people, a centuries long conflict with a spiritual kingdom, complicated relationships surrounding the main character, and the main character's personal struggles.
The problem is, while there are parts, one thing seldom connects to the next thing. Issues in some chapters arise suddenly without letting the reader ponder upon the details of the previous scene unless its the end of a part. A lot of things end up being the fault of the MC at the accusation of the other characters, making motive of the story weak. And at one point there is a sudden introduction of romance between two characters that came completely out of nowhere.
The things I did enjoy were the bonds of the main character with her found family but I kept wishing for better explanations for everything else as the flow didn't feel natural.
Final Rating: 2.5/5
Moderate: Child abuse, Confinement, Domestic abuse, Rape, Death of parent, Fire/Fire injury, and Gaslighting
Minor: Sexism
Rape- It's not graphic at all but it is an event happening fairly early in the book. Child abuse - Quite present. There's children being sacrificed. But no talk of hard to swallow physical descriptions.mads_17's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
Minor: Child abuse, Domestic abuse, Physical abuse, Murder, Gaslighting, and Abandonment
micaela_ru's review against another edition
2.5
Graphic: Child abuse, Rape, Sexual assault, and Toxic relationship
Moderate: Adult/minor relationship, Emotional abuse, Pedophilia, Grief, Gaslighting, and Abandonment
Minor: Incest and Sexual content
lisa_m's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
5.0
It deals with sexism in such an interesting way and it was truly empowering to read it. This is definitely a book that will stick with me for a long time. I might even reread it one day but for now I just really want to read the sequel. I'm happy that it's a Duology since I don't really have time to read something longer right now. I also liked that the ending was closed even though the story itself obviously isn't.
I thought that the review by Nic which is on the blurb sums up the center of the story pretty well. This book is about "our most basic of human desires: to belong, to be loved, and to walk a path of one's own choosing".
I'm excited to dive back into this world again very soon. I would recommend this book to any lover of Fantasy and especially people who like a bit of social commentary and well thought out plots in their books ;)
Graphic: Child abuse, Death, Emotional abuse, Misogyny, Blood, Grief, Death of parent, Murder, Fire/Fire injury, Gaslighting, Abandonment, and Classism
anni_swanilda's review against another edition
- 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
Graphic: Confinement, Death, Emotional abuse, Misogyny, Sexism, Toxic relationship, Blood, Vomit, Death of parent, Fire/Fire injury, Gaslighting, and Abandonment
Moderate: Child death
rhm04's review against another edition
- 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
Graphic: Child abuse, Confinement, Death, Emotional abuse, Genocide, Misogyny, Sexism, Violence, Blood, Grief, Murder, Fire/Fire injury, Gaslighting, and Abandonment
Moderate: Rape, Sexual content, Vomit, and Medical content
Minor: Kidnapping
queergoth_reads's review against another edition
- 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
Graphic: Death, Death of parent, and Fire/Fire injury
Moderate: Toxic relationship and Abandonment
Minor: Misogyny and Gaslighting
paperbrownies's review against another edition
- 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
- m|f
- black mc, ace sc, and a diverse casting of poc characters, minor disability rep
what other names do you call raybearer and why is it amazing and stunning and as cg drews says a 'ray of excellence'? bc it managed to evoke so many feelings in less than 400 pages (am in awe, honestly) and had me sticking to the edge of my seat in anticipation for what was about to happen next throughout the course of the book. THAT in my opinion is the best feeling ever!!!
it has one of the most unique storylines ive read in a book with the most beautiful world building (it is intricate and felt so very real), descriptions, lores and setting, that i could not help but greedily devour the words and want for more!!
the characters were amazing!! i love my ace king, dayo and as for the mc, i have so much love and respect for tarisai, she is strong, determined and a TOTAL badass!!
i cannot recommend this book highly enough!! ðŸ˜ðŸ˜
cw: violence, child abuse, attempted murder, drugging, manipulation, gaslighting, on-page death, references to police violence, death of children, vomit.
Graphic: Child abuse, Child death, Death, Violence, Vomit, and Gaslighting
Moderate: Drug use and Murder
madlads's review against another edition
- 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
Graphic: Violence, Grief, Fire/Fire injury, Gaslighting, and Abandonment
kaziaroo's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
Graphic: Death, Emotional abuse, Blood, Grief, Fire/Fire injury, Gaslighting, and Abandonment
Moderate: Child abuse, Child death, Domestic abuse, Genocide, Misogyny, Racism, Sexism, Violence, Xenophobia, and Death of parent
Minor: Sexual content, Violence, and War