this book was everything and most definitely made me cry

The Raybearer Duology: Raybearer( Book 1) & Redemptor (Book 2)


The Synopsis



Raybearer



Tarasi has lived in a villa away from the world longing for friends, family and affection. She is granted everything she wishes when she is placed among the lottery of children to join the Prince and future Emperor’s council. Everything is going well and the Prince has even taken a liking to her, but something in her gut feels wrong and sick full of hate. A hate so strong she would make an attempt on his life. Tarasi remembers a long forgotten command to kill the Prince and as half djinn she must follow. Tarasi must find a way to prevent herself from following through on her command while embracing her council role to protect the realm.



Redemptor


Tarasi has triumphed and broken many curses. The curse to kill the Prince and the blood curse of the redemptor children. But at what cost must she pay to see an end to century long genocide of children. Throughout her plight she faces many obstacles and foes, most are the haunting spirits of the children whose lives had been sacrificed. Can Tarasi heal the sins of the land and plunge herself to the underworld as penance? Or will the weight of the empire prove too great?


My Thoughts

This duology instantly became an all time favorite for me. Jordan Ifueko gave us a beautifully written story with themes of feminism, found family and familial obligations. There were so many moments I saw myself in Tarasi, feeling that you want to make all these changes for the better only to be met with patriarchal resistance. I truly enjoyed the strength of the women in these stories, in spite of limitations imposed upon them, these women found ways to break free. Jordan Ifueko is a natural born storyteller and I will get lost in her books any day. There were so many Black Girl Magic moments and it's so hard to depict them without spoiling the books. (I am a spoiler-free reviewer)There was one really dynamic moment that took place at the pinnacle moment of the Raybearer, when Tarasi was nearly defeated. She says “I am not a ghost, without words. I am not nothing. I am not nameless; I will not fade into graceful oblivion like every other girl.” Those words moved me to tears. In our real world women face the silencing of our voices and our choices. Those words held so much of the truth we all face as women in every story, real and fiction. The importance of telling one’s story is one that I will carry with me. I am grateful for reading this book and learning that lesson.

It was an amazing story and i can't wait to read the second book.

I am angry at myself for waiting so long to start this book. Absolutely one of the best YA fantasys I've read ever. Moving the author to the top of my list!

4.25 stars

rep: ownvoices Nigerian-inspired setting and characters; various cultures represented (African, Korean, Indian, etc.); biromantic asexual side character
cw: child abuse (neglect), mentions of parental abuse (physical)

this was a Lot and I really enjoyed it! might write a review soon if I have time but I definitely recommend this because of:

- a protagonist you'll root for: characters that only want to be loved always resonate deeply with me, and that includes Tarasai! her desire for her mother's love is so strong
- wonderful worldbuilding! Ifueko pulls from so many nations to represent different cultures; I also really loved the magical aspects, particularly the mythology behind being a Raybearer
- amazing characters + dynamics: Tarasai is not the only character who craves love and family, and I love them all