A radiant, fiery fantasy novel, Raybearer has an exciting plot that follows a young girl called Tarisai from Swana, one of the twelve realms of Aritsar, who is sent to the capital to train to become part of Crown Prince Ekundayo's royal council. Tarisai is excited at the prospect of going as she has always craved a family but once she realizes why her enigmatic mother sent her and the truth of who she is, it creates a powerful conflict that threatens the entire empire.

I thought Raybearer was an altogether enjoyable read with some imaginative elements and Tarisai is a classic heroine character whose moral compass and determination makes you want to support her. An interesting read but not enough to convince me into reading the rest of the series.