Grace (irisroman & evajacks' version) ✧'s Reviews > Raybearer
Raybearer (Raybearer, #1)
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Grace (irisroman & evajacks' version) ✧'s review
bookshelves: amazing-fantasy, read-in-2022, beautifully-written
Jul 07, 2022
bookshelves: amazing-fantasy, read-in-2022, beautifully-written
WOW. This was amazing! I dunno what I was expecting from Raybearer, but I had no idea I would get such a gorgeous story! This DEFINITELY surpassed my expectations. :)
Although the beginning felt a little rushed and meh, it soon picked up and I was glued to the page. Tarisai's adventures were so enjoyable to read, especially with the beautiful descriptions of the culture and kingdoms of Aritsar along the way. Jordan Ifeuko's writing was practically flawless- it had a rather simplistic style, but with those lush, gorgeous descriptions lending it a magical touch. The worldbuilding was immaculate, with so many little details about the kingdom to enjoy. The food, the clothes, the griot songs- everything was so well-developed and unique. I loved it.
The characters were also really good. Tarisai was a very well-developed heroine, who seemed very human and REAL. She made many mistakes, but she eventually learned how to pick herself up and keep going, fighting to rectify those mistakes. Her determination to bring peace to Aritsar was awe-inspiring. I loved her as our protagonist.
The other characters, such as Dayo, Sanjeet and Kirah, were also great, all with their own distinct personalities. Jordan Ifueko did a great job making them all likeable and well-rounded. The Lady, Tarisai's mother, was a very fascinating character, as there were so many layers to her. I liked how she as a character showed that there was a grey area between wrong and right. This helped to make the story feel more realistic.
The themes discussed, such as erasing people's cultures and misogyny, are really important and were handled really well, bringing the terribleness of them to light. Jordan Ifueko integrated them beautifully into the story.
The only real issue I had with Raybearer was the pacing. In the beginning, there were frequent time skips, meaning there would often be months and years between chapters. This was disconcerting and made it difficult for me to connect with the characters. However, by the halfway mark, the pacing had evened out and I was connected to the characters more. Therefore it wasn't a huge issue.
Overall, a lush, beautiful fantasy that surpassed my expectations by a mile. After that ending, I NEED to find out what happens next and can't wait to get my hands on the sequel, Redemptor!
"I don't know what I want. I only know the world is big and I'm sick of pretending it's smaller."
~ 4 stars
Although the beginning felt a little rushed and meh, it soon picked up and I was glued to the page. Tarisai's adventures were so enjoyable to read, especially with the beautiful descriptions of the culture and kingdoms of Aritsar along the way. Jordan Ifeuko's writing was practically flawless- it had a rather simplistic style, but with those lush, gorgeous descriptions lending it a magical touch. The worldbuilding was immaculate, with so many little details about the kingdom to enjoy. The food, the clothes, the griot songs- everything was so well-developed and unique. I loved it.
The characters were also really good. Tarisai was a very well-developed heroine, who seemed very human and REAL. She made many mistakes, but she eventually learned how to pick herself up and keep going, fighting to rectify those mistakes. Her determination to bring peace to Aritsar was awe-inspiring. I loved her as our protagonist.
The other characters, such as Dayo, Sanjeet and Kirah, were also great, all with their own distinct personalities. Jordan Ifueko did a great job making them all likeable and well-rounded. The Lady, Tarisai's mother, was a very fascinating character, as there were so many layers to her. I liked how she as a character showed that there was a grey area between wrong and right. This helped to make the story feel more realistic.
The themes discussed, such as erasing people's cultures and misogyny, are really important and were handled really well, bringing the terribleness of them to light. Jordan Ifueko integrated them beautifully into the story.
The only real issue I had with Raybearer was the pacing. In the beginning, there were frequent time skips, meaning there would often be months and years between chapters. This was disconcerting and made it difficult for me to connect with the characters. However, by the halfway mark, the pacing had evened out and I was connected to the characters more. Therefore it wasn't a huge issue.
Overall, a lush, beautiful fantasy that surpassed my expectations by a mile. After that ending, I NEED to find out what happens next and can't wait to get my hands on the sequel, Redemptor!
"I don't know what I want. I only know the world is big and I'm sick of pretending it's smaller."
~ 4 stars
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Quotes Grace (irisroman & evajacks' version) ✧ Liked
“Why does everyone hate change so much?" I demanded.
"Because things could get worse."
"Maybe. But do you know what I think?"
My chest throbbed. "I think deep down, we're afraid that things could get better. Afraid to ding out that all the evil—all the suffering we ignore—could have been prevented. If only we had cared enough to try.”
― Raybearer
"Because things could get worse."
"Maybe. But do you know what I think?"
My chest throbbed. "I think deep down, we're afraid that things could get better. Afraid to ding out that all the evil—all the suffering we ignore—could have been prevented. If only we had cared enough to try.”
― Raybearer
Reading Progress
May 3, 2022
– Shelved
(Hardcover Edition)
May 3, 2022
– Shelved as:
to-read
(Hardcover Edition)
July 5, 2022
–
Started Reading
July 5, 2022
– Shelved
July 5, 2022
–
0.2%
"Really excited for this, it looks so GOOD! I really hope it doesn't disappoint..."
page
1
July 5, 2022
–
11.09%
"Enjoying this so far! Definitely interested to find out what happens next"
page
55
July 6, 2022
–
15.52%
"Wow, this beginning is really fast- I didn't expect it to move this quickly?! This story is also taking a completely different turn from what I expected. But it's pretty good..."
page
77
July 6, 2022
–
33.67%
"'"Why does everyone hate change so much?" I demanded.
"Because things could get worse."
"Maybe. But do you know what I think?" My chest throbbed. "I think, deep down, we're afraid that things could get better. Afraid to find out that all the evil- all the suffering we ignore- could have been prevented. If only we had cared enough to try."'
That's an interesting thought.... 🤔"
page
167
"Because things could get worse."
"Maybe. But do you know what I think?" My chest throbbed. "I think, deep down, we're afraid that things could get better. Afraid to find out that all the evil- all the suffering we ignore- could have been prevented. If only we had cared enough to try."'
That's an interesting thought.... 🤔"
July 6, 2022
–
35.89%
"I can't believe the empire's actually trying to erase people's cultures in the name of "unity". THAT IS UTTER NONSENSE. Uggghhhh, I'm so angry rn 😠"
page
178
July 7, 2022
–
60.48%
"I'm really enjoying this! 🙂
(Also, that was a good twist. Really didn't see it coming!)"
page
300
(Also, that was a good twist. Really didn't see it coming!)"
July 7, 2022
– Shelved as:
4-stars
July 7, 2022
– Shelved as:
amazing-fantasy
July 7, 2022
– Shelved as:
4-stars
July 7, 2022
– Shelved as:
amazing-fantasy
July 7, 2022
– Shelved as:
read-in-2022
July 7, 2022
– Shelved as:
beautifully-written
July 7, 2022
–
Finished Reading
Comments Showing 1-10 of 10 (10 new)
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Nora
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Jul 24, 2022 08:26AM
Great review, Grace (Bookworm Supreme)! This is the second book recommendation for this book and it sounds really great!!
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A high-on fervent review, Grace! :)
I understand, pacing in fantasies turns uneven sometimes, and it lurches, but the plot and characters take over the loopholes!
Fantastic, thanks.
I understand, pacing in fantasies turns uneven sometimes, and it lurches, but the plot and characters take over the loopholes!
Fantastic, thanks.
Meghna wrote: "A high-on fervent review, Grace! :)
I understand, pacing in fantasies turns uneven sometimes, and it lurches, but the plot and characters take over the loopholes!
Fantastic, thanks."
Thanks Meghna! 💕 Yep, the pacing was probably the one thing I was iffy about, but the rest of the book made up for it, thankfully!! :D
I understand, pacing in fantasies turns uneven sometimes, and it lurches, but the plot and characters take over the loopholes!
Fantastic, thanks."
Thanks Meghna! 💕 Yep, the pacing was probably the one thing I was iffy about, but the rest of the book made up for it, thankfully!! :D