This is a beautifully atmospheric fantasy that has refused to leave my brain since reading. A rich world, an engaging plot, and characters you can’t help but root for - what’s not to love?

I absolutely love this novel - the world building is extraordinary and it was completely thrilling from start to finish.

This is a really exciting and engaging preview of the book. I am listening to the rest of it now and it is a fast-paced read that I can't wait to finish. I will definitely be picking up the sequel.

Really enjoyed this sampler and it has got me wanting to read more. I cannot wait to dive into the full book!

Raybearer is a phenomenal fantasy novel written by a very talented debut author, the plot is full of intrigue, suspense and power. The detailed and imaginative writing plunges you straight into this vast empire full of magic, curses and wishes. Tarisai’s unique story captivated me from the very first page, her quest for information and knowledge was a fascinating journey to accompany her on. The world building within Raybearer was so complex and incredible I felt transported into this Nigerian inspired world, if you love discovering new worlds then that is reason enough to pick up Raybearer. When can I travel by lodestone?

When the novel begins, Tarisai is a young girl living in anticipation of seeing The Lady again, steadily throughout the novel she grows up alongside the other children she meets after moving to the palace. I felt a fondness and protectiveness over Tarisai and her close peers after seeing them grow and mature into young adults. Raybearer includes an amazing cast of complex characters, including an asexual side character as well as the best found family aspect that is so satisfying to read about.

Both covers for this book, UK & US, are absolutely beautiful but my favourite is the UK paperback edition (the one pictured above) have you spotted the face? I switched between listening to the audiobook and reading my physical copy of this book, I would definitely recommend listening to the audiobook even to just familiarise yourself with the pronunciation of the beautiful names and prose within this book. Raybearer is an epic, immersive fantasy novel, elegantly written with an utterly unique and attention grabbing plot and beautiful cover, you will not regret buying this five star read. I am desperate to get my hands on the sequel!

I loved this book so much. This was one of the easiest 5 star ratings that I have given this year. I managed to read half of it and also listen to half on audiobook and really enjoyed the mixture of both.

Raybearer is a West African inspired fantasy which is so complex in terms of world building and character development that I feel like is in a different league to most other fantasy books I have read this year. Jordan has a way of drawing the reader in and not letting them go until the very end. I was hooked from beginning to end. There were so many elements of surprise, I could never have imagined where Tarisai's story would go when I first began.

Just please read this book and read it soon! You will not regret it. 5 massive stars from me!

YES! I loved this book. It had such a rich world and such a brilliant story. It's books like these that make me love reading. It's such a special book with such a unique premise that I can't help but just want to reread this book again!!

This is an interesting attempt at a first novel. I really liked the African theme to it, and enjoyed the black female protagonist, something that is always welcome in a fantasy novel as there's still so little of that sort of thing about.

I don't want to give too much away, but the main conceit is that Tarisai our protagonist has been given a task that she does not want to complete; it is in a way prophetic in nature and will come to pass when she joins the council of the Raybearer, something she is sent to do early in the novel.

The book is concerned with how this task came about, and whether or not it is carried out. On the way we get some impressive world building, and fun magic system (some characters are possessed of Hallows, unique talents) and world lore. I particularly like the idea of the Raybearer system and immunity to death, this was a novel concept to me, not easy to do when so much has been done by fantasy in the past.

The character of Tar is well fleshed out, and the momentum of the novel builds quickly and well in the early parts and it is a very quick read. Some of the other characters we meet later are fun, particular Sanjeet who has the power to see other's weaknesses, but there are some other characters who feel little more than ciphers.

Despite it's strengths and the time spent building up this new world, the novel is let down by its ending. It feels rushed, and a decision that had been angsted over and made into a very big deal for a large portion of the book was taken with very little fanfare and double quick time at the end - which spoilt the flow of what had come before. Indeed the latter part of the novel felt a lot like a run of the mill young adult novel, average writing, little character motivation, rushed decisions compared to the build up and care of what had come before. It doesn't ruin the book because the setting and ideas are so strong, but it would have been a much more enjoyable story if not for the dashed off feeling that remains at the end. That said it does manage to wrap things up neatly enough that there is a definite resolution rather than a deep cliffhanger leading into book 2.

I loved this sampler so much! The world is incredible and i loved all the characters. Tarisai is a wonderful character and she has a great moral compass which dictates the choices she makes and it was great to see that in a book. I am so looking forward to reading the rest of the book

What a tantalising teaser! This was such a great start to a book I think is going to be on of YA's next massive hits. I love the way Ifueko writes and I cannot wait to finish reading the story later this month when it's published. Thank you for the opportunity to read this preview.

Raybearer is a breath of fresh air in YA. It’s wholly original, with such a vibrant and lush feel to it. Rarely have I been so consumed by a fantasy book.

From the opening line, I knew this was going to be a strong book. That line hooked me in and then Ifueko never really let me go. Even now, I’m imagining the rich world which easily lends itself to a cinematic vision within your mind. The world-building and mythology is so expansive and creatively imagined, but it still feels like it’s only just scratched the surface of this expansive world, as there are so many more places we could explore in the sequel. This depth of detail and geographical ingenuity is a rare reading experience for me.

The attention to detail extends to our brilliant cast of characters, all of whom felt really fleshed out and three-dimensional. They’re often complex in their morality and magical abilities, many of which I hadn’t seen before. In particular, Tarisai’s power was so intriguing to me, as she could take your stories from you with a touch. Memories are inherently emotional beasts and this added another layer into the intricate story. Tarisai was a brilliant protagonist, determined and strong but also vulnerable and suffering trauma from years of relentless abuse. She’s morally complex and deeply intriguing, as are her amazing group of friends. I loved how their friendship was personified by a magical bond between them all, which I was thought was a clever and original way to explore the theme of relationships and that indescribable bond of friendship.

Ifueko’s writing was so beautiful and vividly imagined. I flew through the story, completeled enveloped in the gorgeous prose and rich world. It’s a dangerous world, full of magic and secrets, with some brilliantly executed twists. At its core, this is a story of finding yourself and empowerment, staking your claim in a world that will go to any length to deny it. The feminist themes were just so heart-warming to see.

Raybearer is an exceptional, stand-out YA fantasy that will become your new obsession.

Raybearer is the opening instalment in an exciting West African-inspired young adult fantasy duology complete with lush scenery and a richly imagined plot. Set against the backdrop of the fictional empire of Aritsar, a group of children are handpicked to be raised in isolation with the future emperor, and groomed to someday rule the empire. Amongst these children is Tarisai, a love-starved black prodigy who is compelled to compete to join the Crown Prince's Council of 11. If picked, she will be bonded to the Council, a promise that is irresistible to her. Raised in solitude by a mother who was barely there to care for her, Tarisai wants nothing more than to belong and to satisfy her longing for a family environment; both of these desires are fulfilled when she becomes one of the 11. She soon realises she has come to love both the prince and the family she has found within the palace walls. However, her mother has other plans for her; she wants Tarisai to betray Crown Prince Deyo and murder him when he least expects but Tarisai is conflicted between wanting to gain the approval of her mother and remaining loyal to the people and place she has come to adore.

This is a mesmerising, vibrant and fresh feeling Afrofantasy novel which is infused with West African tradition and mythologies. I found the prose dazzling and compelling from the get-go and the worldbuilding was some of the most engaging and accomplished I've ever seen; time and effort have been given to craft intricate details of this sprawling world and the descriptions are so vivid and immersive you feel as though you are actually there. It's a complex, multilayered tale of magic, mystery and adventure but it also explores the important topics of imperialism, colonialism, family, mother-daughter relationships, friendship, poverty, love, sacrifice, loyalty, morality, fate, faith, power, individuality and misogyny. The characters are so beautifully wrought that they come alive and effortlessly jump off the page and into your heart; Tarisai is a strong female protagonist whose inner turmoil is illustrated in a sincere fashion; she is fierce in her role and grows in a natural way throughout the novel. I honestly am flabbergasted that this is a debut as it is incredible and I can see it winning awards.

Above all, this story reminds you that even through adversity you can flourish with the love of good people, that you must fight for what you believe in and the importance of learning to trust yourself. Many thanks to Hot Key Books for an ARC.

I raced through Raybearer in a few hours. It's so absorbing, the world-building so brilliant, that I couldn't put it down.

This fantasy YA is full of fantastic characters. Tarisai is a strong, caring protagonist who puts others before herself and is always looking for love and acceptance. The side characters were all well-developed too, with their own stories and motivations (some of which, such as the Lady's, still remain a tantalising mystery)

Ifueko's world building is immersive from the very beginning. She has created a wonderful, well explained magic system and a rich fantasy world I was disappointed to leave. There is plenty of superb mythology which I'm looking forward to learning more about in the next book. Her world is brought vividly to life through beautiful descriptions and plenty of detail.

The abrupt, cliff-hanger ending has left me desperate for book two - I'm already eager to return to this world and story, to find out what Tarisai does next.

Thank you so much Hot Key books for providing me with an advanced copy of this story for review.

This book is a young adult fantasy novel. The synopsis is as follows:

Tarisai has always longed for the warmth of a family. She was raised in isolation by a mysterious, often absent mother known only as The Lady. The Lady sends her to the capital of the global empire of Aritsar to compete with other children to be chosen as one of the Crown Prince’s Council of 11. If she’s picked, she’ll be joined with the other Council members through the Ray, a bond deeper than blood.

This was such a learning curve and an important read for me. The history and lessons you learn from this book are immense. This story brightened up my day. This does not follow traditional plot patterns, there are twists and turns everywhere. The settings were vivid and dreamy, with lots of bright colours, animals, sprites and so much more. This is a YA fantasy novel like no other.

Loved this book. It was magical, with exposure to different cultural fairy tales. It was well written with an exciting plot.

I'd highly recommend if you like fantasy books inspired by different tales.

Thanks a lot to NG nad the publisher for this copy.

I just raced through Raybearer by @jifueko. A brilliantly imagined magical world with fab characters. Thanks @HotKeyBooksYA @HotKeyBooksTeen for sending me a proof (ages ago, soz). A satisfying ending but I am also now DESPERATE to see what happens next! #fantasy https://t.co/jbANDv1Dvc

As the author says "This story is the magic-infused sum of all my cultural influences. I was the fairy tale loving, American-born child of Nigerian immigrants, drawn to strikingly different worlds.." and that solidifies the gorgeous foundation of this story.

In midst of a magical world, our protagonist is being raised like she is being prepared for something. There is a 3rd wish yet to be granted, that 'imprisons' Tarisai to someone else's will and keeps her apart from others. A dangerous wish to take a life, a life she may not want to take.

Little enchanting flourishes pepper every corner of this world, heightening your sense of wonder. Beautiful images flicker through your head, for there is so much creativity complementing the narrative. Complementing the mythology created for this duology.

The relationships formed here are precious but also precarious, no less due to Tarisai's wish burden. Her loyalty fights her mutinous destiny, which leads to unexpected developments. The author portrays Tarisai's inner turmoil in a heart-wrenching manner.

Ifueko has written a tribute to culture and traditions but also to individuality. With a glass half full mentality, she showers us with hope in face of any adversity. She embellishes on the power of faith and of family. And kind of family.

With the surprising truth about the Lady and Tarisai being a game changer, we are ushered into the latter part of the book, with even higher expectations. And boy does Ifueko deliver! Cannot wait for the next one!