Raybearer is a solid YA Fantasy that deals with themes of self-acceptance, navigating a tricky and toxic parent-child relationship, and finding ones purpose in a world determined to limit their options. Tarisai is a character that goes through tremendous self-discovery from the time we meet her to the time the book ends, and her crew of best friends Sanjeet and Kirah are two of the best side characters I have ever encountered. The villain in this book is a bit unclear, and not at all in a bad way -- it makes you wonder what it really takes to be a villain and what it means to be "good" or "bad." I'm excited to see what Jordan Ifueko has in store for us in the second book!

3.5 stars. While I enjoyed the folklore that was used during the story and the vivid world that Ifueko created, I found the story dragged and bit and could've been contained to one story. I wanted just a little bit more.

An engaging, compelling, and effectively-narrated audiobook that compares to Children of Blood and Bone but better! Balanced blend of myth, romance, vengeance, deception, and quest - the essential fantasy elements. Recommended for age 12+.

This story is amazing. It is a masterpiece. Authors wishing to add to the Fantasy catalog of books must work so hard to present original work. Sometimes I wonder if it’s even possible. But here is Jordan, creating this world that is so seamless and fluid, I can’t believe this world doesn’t exist. Additionally, she tells this story in a world where POC are the MCs and the book exudes the sights, smells and colors of Jordan’s culture.

Remember when you watched Black Panther? Remember when you just wanted to jump up in the cinema and do a fist pump and shout “Yeah!!!!” ? That is Raybearer. Tarasai will make you proud of who you are, she will make you feel seen.

So if you don’t read the genre, gift it to a niece or nephew searching for that book that will one day transform them into a reader. Heck, even if you don’t read high fantasy, this one is filled with emotional and interpersonal elements that make the work so accessible.

YES! This book is near perfect. Tarisai is a young woman raised by tutors and a mostly-absent mother. When she is brought to the empire's capital to compete for a place on the crown prince's council, she is ecstatic to be around other people her age -- but her mother's plot for revenge muddies her happiness. The magic and worldbuilding are excellent, the political intrigue is strong and well developed, the 3-4 main characters are strong. Felt slightly rushed in a few places, and wish there was a little more character development for some of the side characters (other folks on Dayo’s council, mostly), but I devoured this one out of a reading slump.

LIKES:
I’ve read very few books with the capacity to transport me into a fictional world as wholly as Raybearer did. In her acknowledgements, Jordan Ifueko stated that Raybearer had been in the making for over twelve years. For twelve years, she and her team fought for this book’s existence, and I have never felt so proud and thankful for such resilience.

Raybearer is a deeply emotional fantasy inspired by West African mythology. It tells the story of our attention-starved protagonist, Tarasai (pronounced Tar-Ree-Sigh), who longs for belonging. Her actions are compelled by a wicked mother figure, known as The Lady, whose presence in the book is more mental than it is physical. Throughout the book, Tarasai and the anointed council of 11 other children are training to one day rise and transition to become the leaders of the Arit Empire.

Aritsar is comprised of twelve realms with diverse peoples, traditions, dialects, and trade items. The most entrancing part of this book is how seamlessly you learn about the different realms as you follow Tarasai’s journey. When new characters are introduced, there is always something that Tarasai recognizes that is indicative of what land they are from (accents, body markings, scents, etc). This method of world-building gives attention to all five senses, making the reading experience immersive and engaging.

I have a deep appreciation for how present and potent the mythos is in this book. I was completely awed by how the mythos and fantastical elements played so nicely together to make the rich history of Aritsar. The deeply ingrained customs and traditions of the Arit Empire were informed by ancient systems that affect nearly every aspect of the story. It was simply beautiful to witness Tarasai learning about these customs and choosing to challenge them for a better future.

An honest note from me is the story ARC of Raybearer is one that may confuse you for a time. Highlighting and making notes of connections is a friend of yours if you want to really appreciate the amount of work that went into this world and the major plot points. The plot is multi-dimensional (literally) and involves travel and sacrifice. (I promise you, it’ll be worth it).

In all, Raybearer features a plethora of allegorical plot points. If I had to describe this book in one word, it would simply be masterful. Do not miss this one.

[Review will be posted 9/25/2020]

tl;dr: THIS BOOK WAS SO GOOD, I devoured it! Just do yourself a favor and buy it. Oh, and just grab the audiobook, too. You'll thank me later.

Raybearer is my favorite read of 2020 and has left me without words for over a month. This is a book that will suck you in, keep you riveted until the end, and have you begging for more. Beautifully written and intricately plotted, Raybearer is a must-read for people who love intricate world-building and found families.
"We walked to a clearing hedged in Acacia trees. Herons flapped above a vast still pool. The air hung with lilies and violets, and the brush rustled and shhhed in a wordless lullaby."
Ifueko's beautiful writing captivated me from the first page, transporting me to a magical world and activating all of my senses. Not only could I visualize the scenes and clothing, but I could feel the breeze tickle my skin and the scent of flowers on my nostrils as if I were there.

Ifueko effortlessly weaves a fast pace with beautiful imagery, providing amazing world-building and an intricate magic system. I enjoyed the process of discovering the history of Aritsar, the mythology of the gods, and how the realms were united as every aspect of the world has been intricately thought out and shared throughout. In a West African-inspired universe, this novel makes a point to highlight the diversity of cultures from the different realms.
"Tarisai. It is a Swana name: behold what is coming."
I don't have the words for how much I adore our main character, Tarisai. Raised alone in an invisible house, all she wants is to belong and earn her mother's - The Lady's - love. She's spent her life watching the world pass her by, craving adventure beyond the mango trees of home.
"I can choose. I can write my own story."
A pawn in the plots of others and kept sheletered in the dark, Tarisai struggles with what The Lady asks her to do and what her heart wants. Free will versus destiny is a strong theme as Tarisai fights to be able to decide her own fate; she doesn't want her choices dictated for her.

I love that the romance went in a way that I didn't expect and my heart is so soft for Tarisai, Sanjeet, and Dayo. I need to protect all of them from all harm, even though they are fully capable of taking care of themselves. The whole concept of the Ray and Council is so fascinating, and the found family vibes are strong!

Raybearer receives the highest of praise from me and everyone should drop everything to read this amazing YA fantasy debut! Everything about the world and characters are thought out in some of the best examples of worldbuilding I've read. Ifueko is most certainly an author to watch and Raybearer deserves its honor as being a NYT Bestseller.

Audiobook notes: Joniece Abbott-Pratt brought the story to life with her captivating narration. I was fortunate to also receive an audiobook review copy and read along with my eARC, which I highly recommend. I've since listened to the book a second time!

Content warnings: attempted murder, domestic abuse, enslavement, gaslighting, parental abandonment, rape, regicide, suicide

eARC provided by the publisher via Netgalley for my honest review and does not affect my opinion nor the contents of my review; advanced audiobook provided by LibroFM. Quotations are from an unfinished proof and are subject to change upon final publication.

Raybearer is such an engaging and exquisite tale fueled by Ifueko's master storytelling. Her portrayal of characters is excellent, and they really helped pull me into the story.

Absolutely mesmerizing and magical story! Will definitely be buying and recommending.

Thank you so much NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC in exchange for my honest review.

This was a book unlike anything I've ever read, while still hitting many of the emotional beats that one would expect in a typical in modern YA fantasy novel. Nigerian-American author Jordan Ifueko has built a very rich story-world, complex relationships, and an amazing heroine in Tarisai. The internet tells me that the name Tarisai is of Zimbabwean origin and means "look" or "behold". I don't know if that's true, but if so it's fitting. Tarisai starts out literally hidden away from the world, but ultimately beheld as the powerful sum of all her parts.

Based on the publisher's description, I went into this book expecting more of a competition story, like so many on the YA market but in a West-African-inspired fantasy setting. It turns out that's not what this book is. Like, at all. The "competition" to join Prince Dayo's Council -- essentially a psychically-bonded chosen family comprising members from different regions of the Empire-- is actually over pretty early on. Rather, this book is about loyalty, justice, gender and sexism, intergenerational trauma, love of many kinds, and the notion that things are almost never as they may seem. I’m removing a star due some pacing problems, info-dumps, and general resultant confusion in the first several chapters that almost made me give up at one point. I'm very glad I didn't, but still. Psychic bonds of the kind between council members here also tend to be a quite hard sell for me, but that is subjective.

There's a lot going on, and Ifueko fits it all together very well. There are a few First Book Problems, to be sure, but overall this is an outstanding debut.

I received an ARC of Raybearer (print and audiobook) from NetGalley. I enjoyed this fantasy book. The characters were all well developed and had depth. The story was interesting and complex. I felt like I was transported to Ifueko's amazing, complex , West African inspired world. Raybearer touches on the topics of roles of women in society, gender roles, poverty, loyalty, and morality. I highly recommend this book. I will be purchasing it for our library.

4.5 out of 5

Raybearer by Jordan Ifueko is a welcome addition to diverse fantasy and #OwnVoices children’s literature, especially, and it is also a well-written, thoughtful debut that examines political and magical intrigues within the Empire of Aritsar and its combined/intertwined 12 kingdoms (and Songland), in particular, with witty fortitude. Ifueko isn’t afraid to look at what truly makes a familial relationship (whether that is a shared maternal or paternal bloodline or if it happens to start with an inexplicable, magical bond like the Ray). There also always seems to be a dash of deception in play, by and large, for Tarisai “Tar,” our main character, who happens to be the byproduct of a forced, magical union due to her mother’s (The Lady) machinations. The Lady forces Melu, an alagbato (guardian spirit/fairy), to become a djinn and grant three wishes, one of which forces Melu to father an ehru (enslaved spirit) child with The Lady. This horrible act, although it creates an innocent child (Tarisai), shows what The Lady is willing to do to get her revenge against the Emperor or Aritsar, and how she is committed to using her child for a chance at victory (with the third wish that she uses against Tarisai). The mother-daughter relationship in Raybearer is eye-opening; however, I do hope that the sequel focuses more on the father-daughter relationship, as we only receive two small snippets, far from enough.

Raybearer by Jordan Ifueko is on full display with its mesmerizing worldbuilding and its intense characterization. Ifueko does a remarkable job diversifying the majority of her characters, but with such a large imperial court, she leaves out so many characters, who we as the readers might typically perceive as important, due to the large scale of the worldbuilding. However, with the main characters that Ifueko does focus on, she actually does a fantastic job showcasing their unique qualities/traits, as well as their different foibles. My main quibble with the novel is with respect to the abrupt and confusing beginning of Raybearer and its unforgiving pacing. It took me about 11 to 12 chapters to begin to feel familiar enough with the main plotline, the unique worldbuilding, and the plethora of characters from 13 different countries, etcetera, within the novel. A reader should not have to re-read multiple chapters, in order to grasp the plot or the worldbuilding, so in many ways, better compromises could have been made to assist with the pacing. All in all, I am a big fan of books that feature councils, and because Raybearer featured such a unique premise and highlighted multiple magical councils, I was astounded with Ifueko’s creativity as writer and storyteller. I truly look forward to the sequel, and I hope it is able to answer our many unaddressed questions, while also working to solve some of the gaps that the first book in a series often provides.

A warm-hearted and much-appreciated thank you to ABRAMS Kids, Amulet Books, and NetGalley for providing an advance copy! Please make sure to pick up a copy of Raybearer at your local book depository.

Raybearer was an excellent and well-paced read. I loved all of the council members and Dayo; I thought they were adorable and their relationship with each other was so interesting. The dichotomy between the old council and the new was super interesting, and I loved learning more about the Lady as I read. I would definitely recommend this to my students.

I ran an interview with the author of this book in our 11 newspapers and websites. I ran an interview with the author of this book in our 11 newspapers and websites. I ran an interview with the author of this book in our 11 newspapers and websites.

There’s no better time than right now to escape into a good book. You can revisit an old favorite for comfort or discover a new genre, losing yourself within pages.

One book I can’t recommend enough for an escape is Jordan Ifueko’s West African inspired fantasy, Raybearer. The story follows Tarisai as her mysterious mother, The Lady, sends her off to compete against others to become part of the Crown Prince’s council. The Lady compels Tarisai to earn the Prince’s trust and then kill him. Tarisai must come to terms with who she wants to be and how to no longer be a pawn in someone else’s game.

Raybearer is a true page-turner, and I have five major reasons why you should get your copy to read immediately.

The Worldbuilding
If you liked escaping into Tomi Adeyemi’s Children of Blood and Bone series or if you were swept away by the lush mythology of Tochi Onyebuchi’s Beasts Made of Night and Akata Witch by Nnedi Okorafor, you’ll be just as captivated as Raybearer. It’s incredibly original and unlike anything I’ve ever encountered.

Fresh New Voice

Jordan Ifueko
If you’re like me, there’s nothing more fun than discovering a new author and then recommending their book to everyone you know. I love being a book enthusiast for this reason. As this is Jordan’s debut, we’ve never had the pleasure of reading her words before until now. Although I have a feeling we’ll be reading much more from her in the future, there’s something special about getting introduced to an author who is just starting out and then reading them as they write more books, like you’re reading their journey in their work.

The Buzz
Aside from being a New York Times bestseller, there was a groundswell of good buzz surrounding this book before it was even out! And if you don’t trust any of the other reasons, you should trust some of the authorities on recommending books, including authors and critics. Raybearer has four *starred* reviews from trade publications, calling it “Mesmerizing,” (Booklist) and “Stunning,” (Publishers Weekly). Dr. Ebony Elizabeth Thomas, author of The Dark Fantastic wrote that she was, “Completely Blown Away,” and Heidi Heilig, author of the The Girl From Everywhere, said it was “Fresh and utterly transportive.”

Tarisai
How could you encounter Tarisai’s story and look away? I love the compelling concept of a girl who longs for the one thing she could gain but at a terrible price. She’s a wonderful character to read, filled with such a motivation for family and belonging that you’re instantly drawn to her. And knowing that she was born to betray the person she later is tasked with protecting presents such a huge dichotomy, one that makes you feel desperate to know how it will be solved.

Original characters
Worldbuilding aside, you should read just for the way Ifueko crafts her characters. The relationships, including the mysterious one that Tar has with her mother, are reason enough to want to keep reading. I love the idea of the bond the council has. You can always tell a book will be good when the side characters are built and developed just as well as the protagonist. You’ll want to read for Kirah and Sanjeet’s stories as much as Tar’s!

Raybearer is a book to watch out for and it is definitely one to enjoy. Apologies for recommending a book when the sequel isn’t out yet but you’ll be able to tell within the first few pages that it’ll be worth the wait!

This is one of the best fantasy stories I've listened to in a long time. Seriously! what a ride! this isn't a standard review but I'm still in awe of this book and really don't know how to put it all into.
World building 10/10
Character and plot 10/10
This book sucked me in from page 1. I highly recommend. Perfect done! Thank you, Harry N. Abrams & netgalley for this review copy.

What a phenomenal book! I was enthralled by the characters, the mythology, the epic, intricate world building, the lush, vivid writing—a stunning debut.

I super wanted to love this because of the awesome premise, but the writing style is just not clicking. Wouldn't be fair to the book if I finished and rated it lowly. DNF.

What a PHENOMENAL YA debut fantasy! I mean I haven't read anything like this ever. And please please please if you read this book do not attempt to compare it to Children of Blood and Bone. 4.5 Stars

Trigger Warnings: parental emotional abuse, blood magic, death of children, rape

Thank you to Abram Books and Hear Our Voices Book Tour for allowing me to not only be a part of this tour, but also for providing me with an ARC. All thoughts are my own.

I don't know what I was expecting when I picked up Raybearer, but it was not this! Oh my goodness this book was AMAZING. Ifueko crafts this brilliant world where we find out that our main character Tarisai is being raised to not only become part of the crowned Prince's council of 11, but to also kill the prince. This novel is complex in so many different ways from the world building to the magic system. Although this book has some basis in West African myths and legends it does not put an emphasis on the Orisha which means that Ifueko created this brand new world in which the religions and customs and traditions of each realm were those that she developed herself. I know it must have taken a lot of time and consideration to build such a complex and intricate world. One of the most interesting aspects of this magic system is the "ray." Every crown prince in the empire is destined to connect to 11 members of the other realms. Each person represents a realm. As children they compete to connect to the prince through this Ray. The bond that they have is unlike anything that I have seen in any other book. And Ifueko utilizes this as an opportunity to illustrate the importance, the significance of friendships.

There are also some heavy themes covered in this book like generational trauma and identity as well as gender roles. The women in this book have to fight to define their place not only in their families, but in the empire as a whole. Tarisai has to learn to navigate and carve out her own life and purpose, one that is separate from The Lady's. Watching her develop as a character was such a beautiful experience especially since she has so many doubts about her identity and where she stands within her circle of friends. While there was a hint of romance in this book, I truly loved that Ifueko used the love found in friendships to help Tarisai figure out who she needed to be in this complex world. It made me root for all of them the entire way. Speaking of characters, Ifueko knows how to right complex and multi-dimensional characters. NO ONE and I mean absolutely no one was a black and white type of character. Everyone had character flaws and you could see how some characters were a product of the way in which they were treated by the generations that came before them. It makes you feel for characters that you would typically even consider the villians.

The only criticism that I have of this book is the pacing. I found parts of the beginning to be rather slow, but when the action picked up I'm tell you I couldn't put this book down. There were so many twists and turns that genuinely caught me by surprise. There was no way I could have figured out how everyone was connected in this book and that's only half of thrill of this book. If you haven't picked up this book please I'm begging you to purchase it when it comes out. It's definitely well worth a read.

Raybearer by Jordan Ifueko is one of the greatest pieces of young adult literature I have ever read. My only problem with it is what do I like best: the fantastic world building, the complete mythology that has been painstakingly built, the characters, or the innovative plot? I cannot decide the only thing I know for sure is you need to read this book, immediately. Drop everything and pick it up.