I don't know how to write out all the thoughts I have about this wonderful book.  Raybearer is a stunning YA debut.  Author Jordan Ifueko manages to explore many mature themes in the guise of an exciting coming-of-age fantasy, complete with lush world building, lyrical prose, and an unforgettable and diverse cast of characters.  Though only the first in the series, it is sure to find itself included among the great YA series of this age.  

Though the story begins as confined as the protagonist, it blooms gradually into an intricately woven fantasy landscape as colorful as the characters that inhabit it.  The influences of West African folklore provide a uniquely immersive experience.  You can feel phantom touch of spirits and the oppressive heat of savannah.  You want to dance to the drums and sing along to the songs.   There's magic in every element of this story.  

The MC, Tarisai, captures hearts from the first chapter.  Fierce, loyal, self-sacrificing, and loving, she is everything a YA heroine should be.  Her journey from affection-starved adolescent to empowered young woman, is full of trials, doubt, adventure, and forgiveness.  The supporting characters are just as intoxicating from cinnamon roll Dayo, to the brooding, but sweet Sanjeet, and the strong and sassy Kirah.  Each one is well developed and deliberate.  Even tertiary characters found their place within this elaborate plot.

My initial expectations were completely blow away.  There is so much crammed into this book, but rather than feeling rushed, the story flows from one adventure to the next like a boat down a stream.  The pacing is satisfying and invigorating.  Often, I found myself reading into the early hours of the morning just needing to know what happened next.  

Don't fool yourself into thinking this book is all action and no substance.  The relationships that develop between Tarisai and the other characters round out the plot.  Additionally, Tar's constant internal struggle between her desire for love and her desire to protect others is just one more layer to add to the cake.  

Needless to say, I am very excited for this series and can't wait to see where Ifueko takes it.

What a wonderful book. I was so obsessed with that characters, the magic system, the political aspect of it. I’m so glad I was approved for this book because I really needed this after being consumed by a slump. Raybearer pulled me out of it!

The first portion of this review is for Jordan Ifueko – WHEN WILL THERE BE ANOTHER BOOK? There is no indication thus far of a second book in this series but I definitely feel like there is more story to tell, and I need to read it. Badly. And now. Please.

Ahem, sorry about that. Let me get my book reviewer cap back on so that I can absolutely gush about this gorgeous book! Raybearer was incredible. I could not stop reading it once I got into it, felt immediately immersed in the world, and was connected to both the main and side characters quickly.

The more I read of this book, the more I could feel myself sinking further into the beautiful world Jordan Ifueko built with each page. For a 368 page book, I am absolutely blown away by the level of intricate world building that was developed. I loved learning about all of the different cultures and their religions. The stories of the creation of the world were wonderful and possibly my favorite part of the book. I would read a book of all Storyteller stories, honestly.

Not only does Raybearer contain phenomenal world development, it is full of touching friendships that grow page by page. I have always loved books in which main characters create their own families, and as Tarisai fell in love with the family she brought together, I did as well. A huge part of the reason I want a sequel to Raybearer is my desire to see more of her Council brothers and sisters.

Don’t worry, I didn’t forget about the romance. To be entirely honest, the romance wasn’t what I expected. It was actually better. The love story in Raybearer was a slow burn friends to lovers romance. While it wasn’t a huge part of the plot, it definitely added to the overall telling of the story and I was practically begging for more pages filled with Tarisai and her love interest.

Overall, I absolutely recommend this incredible book filled with culture, friendships, romance and stunning imagery.

Wow, what an incredible book! The further I got into Tarisai's world the more hooked I became. Some people disparage YA fantasy, saying it's all the same, but this is definitely different. There is nothing trite about the world Ifueko has created. I will admit there were times when I was somewhat confused by the geography (a map would have been helpful) and when I forgot what/who certain words were referring to. Unfortunately, I discovered when I finished the book last night that were was a cast of characters and a glossary at the end of my e-book that I didn't know was there. I would have preferred for it to have been at the beginning, but oh well. That saying, this is definitely a book for those people who have read and enjoyed Adeymi or Okorafor's work.

Thanks to NetGalley for providing an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.

https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/3350407325

I loved this book! The only thing I didn’t love about it is that it’s clearly only the first book in a series, and now I need to wait to find out what happens next! There’s magic, romance, political intrigue...all the things I love in a fantasy.

Draws on mythology and fairy tales of African traditions for a dense, richly detailed tale with an unusual heroine and a story that takes some getting into but with some perseverance moves in surprising and clever ways. Thought provoking, imaginative and different read.

Better than “The Candle and the Flame” which was my fav fantasy from last year, Raybearer does a ton of things really, really well. We’ve got a wonderfully diverse world and cast. We’ve got some complex and well-built characters (though some of them are a bit stock). We’ve got an interesting plot that moves things forward in an interesting way. I really enjoyed this. Of course, a bit predictable, but it was still a really great story.

Strong female character, fantastic world-building to the point that I just wanted to be there and witness how beautiful the author described some of the realms and clothes the characters wore. A fresh new plot that I haven't read before and none of the love-triangles of the past YA books when there are more than one guy involved! Ethnically and religiously diverse, touches on today's struggles with political unrest and marginalized people. I can't wait for the next one!

Raybearer is exactly what I want fantasy to be. Original story, a great cast of characters, lush descriptions, and excellent world building! I really hope there will be another book because I want to read so much more about Tarisai and Woo In and Sanjeet and Kirah and everyone. This story takes place in a very multicultural empire but the heart of it is African inspired which I loved, and am so glad we’re starting to see more of. It is about Tarisai, a half human girl born to fulfill a terrible dream. Her growth through the story was one of the things I loved most, as she navigates family and loyalty and finding a purpose for yourself rather than someone else. The descriptions made me feel not just like I could see the world but like I could smell and taste it as well. I’m always a fan of a close knit group of friends but I was surprised by liking some of the characters who were not part of that group so much as well. The secondary characters are well built and I wouldn’t mind more of their stories too. The book leaves room for a sequel and I really really hope we get one.

I actually found Raybearer to be incredibly boring. There were many times when reading I felt as if my mind was going to wander off, and I had to really make sure I stayed focus on the book before me. It felt like a slog to get through. The pacing felt super slow to me, and the book as a whole was just a slow burn/grind. At the end I couldn't have cared less what happened to the characters, I just wanted it over, and that's never a good sign. It did nothing for me. I won't go as far to say it did nothing right. The world it takes place in is unique, and does place a spotlight on African characters. But I was pretty bored throughout. Sorry! Me giving this a yes would be me being dishonest.

Tarasai is raised from birth to be a Raybearer , a powerful member of the Crown Prince's council but she has also been programmed from birth to kill him. Warring emotions of trust, love, loyalty, and family will force Tarasai to choose between the family she has come to know and love and her true family who is forcing her to do a malevolent deed.

Raybearer had me hooked from the beginning. It has the perfect blend of world building, character development, twists, and intrigue. I loved Tar's growth from puppet to puppeteer and the ending of this book will leave you floored. I can't wait to see what's next in this series.

*ARC from NetGalley*
Enchanting from the beginning. Well-written. A good story of mind over matter and that family isn't necessarily those with whom you share blood. Superb, especially considering it's a debut novel.

In the global empire of Aritsar, love-starved Tarisai is compelled by her mother to join the council of a divine Crown Prince. Her mission? Earn his trust. Fall in love. And when the time is right. . . Kill him.

As magical as The Lion King, and as luscious as The Wrath and the Dawn—a simply refreshing debut, teeming with life, love, and color.

I don't even know where to begin. . . This book felt like a hug. Like a warm, magical hug.

Tar (Tarisai) is a ferociously loyal and kind heroine—almost to a fault. She is fiercely protective of those she loves, and would quite literally die for her friends. My heart ached in reading about her loneliness towards the beginning of the book. Whether intentional or not by the author, the magical circumstances in which Tar undergoes is a great representation of harm OCD. I found myself sending highlighted moments of the texts to my mental health buddies going: "OMG! This is it! She's describing what it feels like!" Overall, she was just such a sweet, powerful character. Through her Hallow (power), she is able to see the history of people, and objects. Because of this, Tar has learned to see the world and everyone in it as stories. It adds this extremely empathic softness to her character that I found beautiful, because of her lonely past.

"'Wherever I come from,' I told Kirah as irubo dancers whirled around us, 'I think music was forbidden. Whenever I hear a song, it feels like I'm stealing something.'"

Let me also say: a lot happens in this book. A LOT. It definitely does not follow the traditional YA plot or pacing, whatsoever. The time jumps in the first part did take a little to get used to and made me feel as if we were missing out on some key characterization, but it only added more depth to the tale.

I've never read anything inspired by West African folklore, and apparently, I need to read more about these types of fantasies because—I AM OBSESSED; from everything to the tutsu sprites, the Ray magic, the animals, the vibrant settings. Just. . . ALL OF THE THINGS. They were so beautifully written, and I felt like I was there; as if I could feel the warm breeze, and the aroma of the villages, and the spirit of the people.

Tar's relationship with Sanjeet was also adorable. We love a brooding, secretly fuzzy-boy. And not to mention, Tar's many other friendships with the rest of the council, especially Kirah. I also love Woo In and Kirah's little romance ? With my entire soul ? My only complaint is that I wish we had gotten to know more about the rest of the council members, and their stories! Who knows? Maybe we will in the next book *fingers-crossed*

Also, can we talk about The Lady (Tar's mother)? She was such an intriguing anti-heroine. The complexity of her relationship with her own daughter was confounding, and heart-breaking.

Another great aspect was the storytelling through song. A HUGE round of applause for Ifueko's writing on the tiny little snippets of lyrics that are littered like delightful little poetic treasures throughout the book. It only further enriches the world:

"Drums beat out the introduction for the day's catechism:
T-dak-a, tdak-a. Gun, bow-bowbow. Hear the sacred story of creation.

'Queen Earth and King Water are lovers,' sang one priest, as the other kept time on an hourglass-shaped talking drum. 'Their children are many. Trees. Rivers. Creatures that creep, kedu, kedu, and swim, shwe, shwe...'"

We desperately need more books such as these in the YA genre. I can't wait for book two!

A BIG thank you to Netgalley and the publishers for sending me an ARC copy of this book!

Omg omg omg. I can't even with this book. I loved it so much and the characters were all so engaging. I would literally read a book about any of them, that is how fascinating they all are. Jeet is my son and I will fight anyone for him, though I have a strong feeling Tar would beat me to it. This was amazing and I can't wait for book two.

Raybearer is a wonderful fantasy book that explores complex topics such as identity, purpose, and the power of writing our own stories. I was impressed by the world-building in this book, it was rich and full of life. The best part of this book was exploration of the consequences of our choices. I very much enjoyed reading this book as it was refreshing in its originality. I look forward to reading the next book in the series!