Reviews with content warning for Abandonment - Raybearer

I chose to pick up this book because I was craving a really good audiobook and the audio version had been recommended to me many times. Since that's the primary reason why I decided to read it, I do feel as though I should touch on the audiobook itself.

While I felt that the audiobook was narrated in a beautiful way, I had a really hard time following the story. The voice actor did a magnificent job and gave each character unique vocal qualities that made them stand out amongst the large cast. However, the quick-paced story combined with the immense detail included left me in the dust a few times. I typically listen to audiobooks while doing other tasks, but this is one I would've needed to listen to while doing nothing much at all, so I could focus completely.

All that being said, I chose to pick up the ebook for the final few chapters, which allowed me to comprehend some of the story a bit better - but not entirely. I found that the book itself was just really confusing. I had a hard time understanding what was happening at any given moment. There were so many events that took place and so much betrayal and so many characters. It was a lot to fully comprehend.

I did enjoy the magic system and the representation in the book. For the sequel, I plan to only read the physical copy from beginning to end in hopes that it'll help me retain the information being presented to me. I think I could enjoy it a lot if I hadn't been switching between formats.

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genny's review against another edition

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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

4.25

It's a little hard for me to review this as it's been about 2 months since I finished it and I barely took down any notes...but I do know that I enjoyed it! The prose was engaging and the audiobook narrator (Joniece Abbott-Pratt) did a great job of bringing multiple characters to life. I loved the vivid settings. I went into this expecting a very popular trope to drive the story

(enemies to lovers)

but what I got was completely different - in a good way! I liked the found family aspect, though we didn't see enough of Dayo's council to make their love for each other completely believable. As Tarisai spent most of her time only with select members of the council, I often forgot just how many of them supposedly lived together and cared for each other. There also came a point when I felt that Tar had gotten too slow on picking up obvious clues...it dragged the story as you're waiting for her to figure out what you already did ages go. And the blossoming

Kirah and Woo In

romance made me uncomfortable because of the age gap, considering one of 'em is a minor. 😬

All that said, it's a worthwhile read and it proved to me that there's still space for fresh, unique stories in YA fantasy. I dove into the sequel immediately after finishing this :)

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lisa_m's review against another edition

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adventurous challenging emotional hopeful inspiring mysterious tense fast-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? Yes

5.0

This book was phenomenal! I truly did not expect to like it as much as I did. I loved the different culture and the unique premise. The characters were all so loveable and unique and the main character was flawed and not perfect though trying her best.

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 ;)

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bookishdaylight's review against another edition

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adventurous challenging medium-paced

4.25

The world-building and magic system is so well crafted and explicit when it comes to describing things in a way that made me engrossed in the whole story itself.

It started at the beginning of Tarisai's young age when she was made to study and learn everything to become one of the council 11. Tarisai, longing to be part of a family along with being cared for and loved, follows The Lady's command for she is compelled to obey. When she was sent to the palace to be anointed, this is where she meets the other characters that I grew fond of as the story progressed. The relationship she has with Dayo, Jeet, and Kirah was everything in the story though there are some characters that we barely got a glimpse of. Hopefully, we'll get to know more of them in the second book.

Tarisai who is loyal and fierce and defies The lady's command starts to face a lot of challenges along the way to protect her friends and to make sure that there would be justice and peace in The city of Oluwan as well as the whole Aritsar Empire itself.

This was truly an amazing and unique read!!

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