Creative, meticulous world building, intriguing, layered characters, a fresh mythology, and masterful plotting all work together to create one of the best young adult fantasy books of the year.  This is a must read!

If I could give this book more than 5 stars, I would! Fantastic YA Fantasy story and characters in a great world built around Afirican folklore.  The magic of the realm is compelling and unique. Fans of Tomi Adeyemi will love this. 10 thumbs up!

Raybearer is a truly magical read set in a sweeping West African inspired fantasy world. I was charmed by every page.

Tarisai has been raised for treason, by a mother as mysterious to her as the outside world. All she wishes for is a family and a purpose of her own choosing. When she is sent by her mother and enveloped into the Crown Prince’s Council, she finds herself experiencing the love and friendship she’s always desired. But her joy is overshadowed by her mission to gain the prince’s trust and then take his life.

This story is an enchanting tale of the power of bonds, of friendship and love and blood. I was bewitched by the stories within stories, mythology and lush world building. 

I especially loved the LGBTQIA+ rep in this. There is no shame in loving who you love – in fact, it is expected and celebrated amongst the Council members, whose love for one another is deeply entwined. Most of all, in appreciate the aro/ace representation and how important it is for the narrative of the story, I imagine it will be touched upon more in the next book!

I remember watching a Yallstayhome panel with Jordan this past Spring, hearing her talk about this book and thinking: “Damn, it sounds better than most of the books releasing this year!” 

I can honestly say, it is.

Jordan Ifueko's Raybearer is delightfully entertaining and filled with magical world building that's both engrossing and fresh.  Tarisai longs for the love and affection her mother, who is called The Lady.  The Lady grooms Tarisai to become one of the Anointed 11 to the Crown Prince, Dayo.  Once Tarisai is anointed, she's to kill Dayo and upset the balance of power within the empire of Aritstar.  Tarisai struggles with her loyalty to help and protect those she loves.  Raybearer cleverly hits on various social and political themes with deft imagination.  Raybearer is a richly detailed fantasy debut that readers will truly enjoy.

Raybearer is a beautifully crafted Young Adult fantasy that creates such an amazing and unique world that is filled with strong characters that I think it will transcend the YA genre and that adult lovers of fantasy would enjoy this book.  This story builds and builds to a startling climax.

This was a wonderful story about finding yourself and fighting for what you know is right. Tarisai is a wonderfully strong character who feels very real and whole. Ifueko created a beautiful world that invites readers to want to come back for more--to find out more. I can't wait to read more of Tarisai's adventures.

<i>"We weren't raised to see the world as a small place, where nothing matters but our happiness. That isn't our story. And...I don't think it ever will be."</i>

I. Freaking. Loved. This. Book.

That's it. That's the review.

Well, not really. But it could be. My longer reviews are often the ones where I don't like the book, or where I'm frustrated with the premise and want so much more. When I love a book, I don't have nearly as much to say because I'd basically just be gushing. 

Ifueko <b>delivered</b>. This is, I believe, her debut novel, which just blows my mind because it was one of the best fantasies -- YA or otherwise -- I've read in awhile. Like, read-until-2-in-the-morning-and-regret-nothing *good.* Okay, let's take a step back:

PLOT PREMISE: We're in the land of Aritsar -- which is a fictional fantasy empire, but is basically a version of Pangaea. That is, most of our story lies in "Africa," but the other countries have recognizable analogues in our world (e.g. Russia, France, Scotland, China, etc.). Aritsar is ruled by an emperor, who possess The Ray, and his council of 11, with each member representing one of the 11 nations that make up the empire. The council is chosen when the heir/prince and the future council members are all children, thus allowing them all to grow up together as a family. Our heroine, Tarisai has been groomed since birth by her mother (the engimatic Lady) to sit on the emperor's council....and kill the emperor-elect. Anything else gets spoilery. 

✔︎ -- DIVERSITY. Both our heroine, Tarisai, and the emperor, Dayo, are from the Africa-analogue in this world, and are dark-skinned with dark hair, which are celebrated. Jeet is, I believe, from the India analogue, and while I'm not entirely sure where Kirah is supposed to be from, I get the vibe that she's from the Middle East or Egypt? Or Israel, perhaps? The point is -- all the main characters are dark-skinned and it's not just a plot device or surface-level point. It's integral to the story and the customs and traditions come alive. 

✔︎ -- NO LOVE TRIANGLE! Maybe we're moving away from this trend or I'm just selecting books that don't deal with that anymore, but either way, I'm glad. There's a brief moment where there's confusion -- someone THINKS someone they love is in love with someone else -- but it's just that: confusion meant to increase the pathos of the reveal. (And there's another facet to this relationship, but that's spoilery, so....)

✔︎ -- SISTERHOOD. One of the main premises is that the Council becomes a family, and there's a lovely theme about found-families being just as strong as blood-families. But what I appreciated is the relationship between Kirah and Tarisai. There's an element of competition while the characters are still children, vying for places on the Council (although it doesn't seem to be a cutthroat competition) and there's a little bit of that retained even after they've grown up and the Council is formed. But Kirah and Tarisai are our two main female protagonists and their relationship is just refreshing. There's no fighting, no jealousy, no cattiness: just two women, supporting each other, and having the other's one back. There's a moment, too, when Jeet thinks the worst of Tarisai (which was my only quibble, but more on that in a minute) and Kirah never falters, never wavers. And I loved that.

✔︎ -- THE MYTHOLOGY. Lawd, I don't know why I didn't lead with this one. The worldbuilding that Ifueko has done is just...delightful. She gave you all the information that you (as the reader) needed to know; I didn't have questions; there were no gaps or inconsistencies -- it was tight, coherent, and immersive. There are trapped genies, evil underworld spirits (and some in the form of creepy ghost children), mystical realms -- you can tell Ifueko not only grew up on fairy tales and fantasy stories, but that she loves them and <i>understands</i> them. 

✔︎ -- THE TWIST. Well, IDK if it's the twist so much as the impetus for the sequel, but whatever it was, I loved it. One of my greatest pet peeves is when stories drag out, clearly setting up the next book, and you know it'll be more of the same (same conflict, same setting, etc.). Here, Ifueko set up the twist (which I saw (most of it) coming, but whatever, it was excellent plot-wise ) and once it was executed, you *know* that the next book is going to do something different. We have more mythology to uncover -- but we still got answers to the most pressing questions introduced in this book -- and we'll go different places. 

﹅ -- I can't even call this a negative, but it was my only quibble: there's a moment when Sanjeet just completely turns on Tarisai. Kirah, Dayo, they all support and believe in her, but Jeet just...drops her. And it bugged me a little bit ... to be fair, it didn't last long (thank goodness!), and Jeet admitted his mistake in the end, but it just seemed a bit out of character. I know it was done to cement their relationship, as well as give Tarisai a chance to "prove" herself to him, but I think his motivation here was supposed to stem from his relationship with his brother, and his loss of his brother. That wasn't as formative an experience (in the context of the story) as I think it needed to be in order to justify that behavior, but I got what Ifeuko was going for. It just didn't land 100% for me, mainly because their relationship was rock solid from the beginning. But again -- that's a minor quibble and not even a negative for me. 

This was, by far, one of the best books I've read all year and I cannot wait for the sequel. And any other books Ifueko will write. 

I received an ARC from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.

I absolutely loved everything about this book from the world-building to the unforgettable characters. I cannot wait for my students to get their hands on it.

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.

Thanks NetGalley for this ARC in exchange for an honest review.  Whoa!!! Whoooooaaaaaaa!!!!! This one gives me a cross between tomi adeyemi and n.k. jemisin vibes.  Glorious and technical fantasy story telling.  Beautiful world building, incredibly dynamic character development!  Truly a fantastic piece of work and I can't wait until the next one!!! I will cry if it takes 2 years... My soul is silently screaming for her to write more and write quickly lol!!! I can't wait to share this!!!!

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.