Buy new:
$23.99$23.99
FREE delivery:
Friday, June 2
Ships from: Amazon.ca Sold by: Amazon.ca
Buy new:
$23.99$23.99
FREE delivery:
Friday, June 2
Ships from: Amazon.ca
Sold by: Amazon.ca
Buy used: $15.88
Buy used:
$15.88
Have one to sell?

Download the free Kindle app and start reading Kindle books instantly on your smartphone, tablet or computer – no Kindle device required. Learn more
Read instantly on your browser with Kindle for Web.
Using your mobile phone camera, scan the code below and download the Kindle app.


Flip to back Flip to front
Raybearer Hardcover – Aug. 18 2020
by
Jordan Ifueko
(Author)
Amazon Price | New from | Used from |
Kindle Edition
"Please retry" | — | — |
Audible Audiobook, Unabridged
"Please retry" |
$0.00
| Free with your Audible trial |
- Kindle Edition
$11.99 Read with Our Free App -
Audiobook
$0.00 Free with your Audible trial - Hardcover
$23.99 - Paperback
$13.99 - Audio CD
from $56.83
Purchase options and add-ons
Named one of the best books of the year by People Magazine, Buzzfeed, New York Public Library, Chicago Public Library, Kirkus Reviews, School Library Journal, Publishers Weekly, and more!
"Dazzling... All hail Raybearer." --Entertainment Weekly
"One of the most exceptional YA fantasies of all time." --Buzzfeed
"Brilliantly conceived fantasy." --People
"An exquisitely detailed world." --PopSugar
Fans of Sabaa Tahir and Tomi Adeyemi won't want to miss this instant New York Times bestselling fantasy from breakout YA sensation Jordan Ifueko!
Nothing is more important than loyalty. But what if you've sworn to protect the one you were born to destroy?
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. That closeness is irresistible to Tarisai, who has always wanted to belong somewhere. But The Lady has other ideas, including a magical wish that Tarisai is compelled to obey: Kill the Crown Prince once she gains his trust. Tarisai won't stand by and become someone’s pawn--but is she strong enough to choose a different path for herself? With extraordinary world-building and breathtaking prose, Raybearer is the story of loyalty, fate, and the lengths we're willing to go for the ones we love.
"Dazzling... All hail Raybearer." --Entertainment Weekly
"One of the most exceptional YA fantasies of all time." --Buzzfeed
"Brilliantly conceived fantasy." --People
"An exquisitely detailed world." --PopSugar
Fans of Sabaa Tahir and Tomi Adeyemi won't want to miss this instant New York Times bestselling fantasy from breakout YA sensation Jordan Ifueko!
Nothing is more important than loyalty. But what if you've sworn to protect the one you were born to destroy?
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. That closeness is irresistible to Tarisai, who has always wanted to belong somewhere. But The Lady has other ideas, including a magical wish that Tarisai is compelled to obey: Kill the Crown Prince once she gains his trust. Tarisai won't stand by and become someone’s pawn--but is she strong enough to choose a different path for herself? With extraordinary world-building and breathtaking prose, Raybearer is the story of loyalty, fate, and the lengths we're willing to go for the ones we love.
- Reading age12 years and up
- Print length368 pages
- LanguageEnglish
- Grade level7 and up
- Dimensions15.24 x 3.18 x 22.86 cm
- PublisherHarry N. Abrams
- Publication dateAug. 18 2020
- ISBN-101419739824
- ISBN-13978-1419739828
Frequently bought together

This item: Raybearer
$23.99$23.99
In Stock.
Total price:
To see our price, add these items to your cart.
Try again!
Added to Cart
Choose items to buy together.
Customers who viewed this item also viewed
Page 1 of 1 Start overPage 1 of 1
From the Publisher


|
|
|
---|---|---|
|
|
|

Product description
Review
"All hail Raybearer . . . Fans of recent breakouts in the genre like Tomi Adeyemi and Sabaa Tahir may just find their next obsession."―Entertainment Weekly
"Brilliantly conceived fantasy."―People Magazine
"One of the most exceptional YA fantasies of all time."―Buzzfeed
“Jordan Ifueko creates a bold new world in her debut book.”―Seventeen
“An exciting fantasy debut that drops the reader into an exquisitely detailed world.”―Popsugar
"[Raybearer] reads like the work of a seasoned world-builder. . . Ifueko has created a rich, fresh, fully rounded world and a cast of characters to match; you’ll be on tenterhooks as Tarisai figures out how to balance destiny and compulsion, but her prince and her palace companions command equal attention."―NPR
“Nothing like a boss @$$ fantasy with a gorgeous, dark brown girl at the center that highlights—in technicolor and glittering gold—the trifecta of our most basic of human desires: to belong, to be loved, and to walk a path of one's own choosing.”―Nic Stone, #1 New York Times bestselling author of Dear Martin
“One of my favorite books of this year . . . a fantastic exploration of what it means—and the sacrifices it sometimes requires—to truly become your own person.”―Patrice Caldwell, editor of A Phoenix First Must Burn
"A compelling, finely tuned fantasy with fantastic world building."―Shannon Hale, New York Times bestselling author
"Fresh and utterly transportive, Raybearer is a fantastical fight for freedom, family, and justice at all costs."―Heidi Heilig, author of The Girl from Everywhere
“Ifueko’s world building and prose is nothing short of seductive and I completely adore Tarisai's headstrong, tragic self. This will be a major gem of a release in 2020!”―Jessica Khoury, author of The Forbidden Wish and Last of Her Name
“Completely blown away! Tarisai’s tale set my imagination on fire.”―Ebony Elizabeth Thomas, author of The Dark Fantastic
**STARRED REVIEW**
"Ifueko’s mesmerizing debut stuns as it weaves a tale of loyalty, fate, destiny, family, and revenge. Moreover, it places a dark skinned heroine front and center, who is beautiful and powerful, deadly and compassionate, and vulnerable and tough, giving YA literature more of the diverse representation teens need."―Booklist
**STARRED REVIEW**
"Ifueko’s debut is full of lush world building and detailed, Nigerian-inspired mythology, giving life to a myth of epic proportions and a tale that is bound to stick with readers long after they finish it."―Bulletin of the Center for Children's Books
**STARRED REVIEW**
"A fresh, phenomenal fantasy that begs readers to revel in its brilliant world."―Kirkus Reviews
**STARRED REVIEW**
"Stunning... Fierce, kindhearted characters from ethnically and culturally diverse backgrounds enhance the well-paced, exquisitely crafted plot, which thrills and inspires while fostering readers’ hope for a sequel."―Publishers Weekly
"Ifueko’s debut fantasy blends Nigerian folklore with a mélange of other influences to create a multicultural world where colonization and imperialism inform the story as much as Tarisai’s own choices... [A] promising first installment in a fantasy duology."―School Library Journal
“An imaginative, epic YA fantasy debut.”―Ms. Magazine
“[An] enticing debut novel.”―Book Riot
“An incredible journey through a wholly original world.”―Tor.com
“Need a good YA fantasy read? Look no further than the debut from Jordan Ifueko.”―Betches
“I was hooked from page one. . . .The world-building is gorgeous.”―Electric Literature
"Brilliantly conceived fantasy."―People Magazine
"One of the most exceptional YA fantasies of all time."―Buzzfeed
“Jordan Ifueko creates a bold new world in her debut book.”―Seventeen
“An exciting fantasy debut that drops the reader into an exquisitely detailed world.”―Popsugar
"[Raybearer] reads like the work of a seasoned world-builder. . . Ifueko has created a rich, fresh, fully rounded world and a cast of characters to match; you’ll be on tenterhooks as Tarisai figures out how to balance destiny and compulsion, but her prince and her palace companions command equal attention."―NPR
“Nothing like a boss @$$ fantasy with a gorgeous, dark brown girl at the center that highlights—in technicolor and glittering gold—the trifecta of our most basic of human desires: to belong, to be loved, and to walk a path of one's own choosing.”―Nic Stone, #1 New York Times bestselling author of Dear Martin
“One of my favorite books of this year . . . a fantastic exploration of what it means—and the sacrifices it sometimes requires—to truly become your own person.”―Patrice Caldwell, editor of A Phoenix First Must Burn
"A compelling, finely tuned fantasy with fantastic world building."―Shannon Hale, New York Times bestselling author
"Fresh and utterly transportive, Raybearer is a fantastical fight for freedom, family, and justice at all costs."―Heidi Heilig, author of The Girl from Everywhere
“Ifueko’s world building and prose is nothing short of seductive and I completely adore Tarisai's headstrong, tragic self. This will be a major gem of a release in 2020!”―Jessica Khoury, author of The Forbidden Wish and Last of Her Name
“Completely blown away! Tarisai’s tale set my imagination on fire.”―Ebony Elizabeth Thomas, author of The Dark Fantastic
**STARRED REVIEW**
"Ifueko’s mesmerizing debut stuns as it weaves a tale of loyalty, fate, destiny, family, and revenge. Moreover, it places a dark skinned heroine front and center, who is beautiful and powerful, deadly and compassionate, and vulnerable and tough, giving YA literature more of the diverse representation teens need."―Booklist
**STARRED REVIEW**
"Ifueko’s debut is full of lush world building and detailed, Nigerian-inspired mythology, giving life to a myth of epic proportions and a tale that is bound to stick with readers long after they finish it."―Bulletin of the Center for Children's Books
**STARRED REVIEW**
"A fresh, phenomenal fantasy that begs readers to revel in its brilliant world."―Kirkus Reviews
**STARRED REVIEW**
"Stunning... Fierce, kindhearted characters from ethnically and culturally diverse backgrounds enhance the well-paced, exquisitely crafted plot, which thrills and inspires while fostering readers’ hope for a sequel."―Publishers Weekly
"Ifueko’s debut fantasy blends Nigerian folklore with a mélange of other influences to create a multicultural world where colonization and imperialism inform the story as much as Tarisai’s own choices... [A] promising first installment in a fantasy duology."―School Library Journal
“An imaginative, epic YA fantasy debut.”―Ms. Magazine
“[An] enticing debut novel.”―Book Riot
“An incredible journey through a wholly original world.”―Tor.com
“Need a good YA fantasy read? Look no further than the debut from Jordan Ifueko.”―Betches
“I was hooked from page one. . . .The world-building is gorgeous.”―Electric Literature
About the Author
Jordan Ifueko is the Nebula Finalist & New York Times bestselling author of the Raybearer series and other stories, including short fiction in the Hugo-nominated magazine Strange Horizons. She’s been featured on NPR Best Books, NPR Pop Culture Hour, ALA Top Ten, Buzzfeed, and other publications. She writes about magic Black girls who aren’t magic all the time, because honestly, they deserve a vacation. Ifueko lives in Los Angeles with her husband David and their 3-legged trustafarian dog Reginald Ovahcomah. Follow Jordan on instagram @jordanifueko.
Product details
- Publisher : Harry N. Abrams (Aug. 18 2020)
- Language : English
- Hardcover : 368 pages
- ISBN-10 : 1419739824
- ISBN-13 : 978-1419739828
- Item weight : 567 g
- Dimensions : 15.24 x 3.18 x 22.86 cm
- Best Sellers Rank: #258,687 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
- Customer Reviews:
About the author
Follow authors to get new release updates, plus improved recommendations.

Jordan Ifueko is a Nigerian American writer who grew up eating fried plantains under a blanket fort. She now lives in Los Angeles with her husband and their collection of Black Panther Funko Pops. Raybearer is her debut novel.
Customer reviews
4.6 out of 5 stars
4.6 out of 5
1,746 global ratings
How are ratings calculated?
To calculate the overall star rating and percentage breakdown by star, we don’t use a simple average. Instead, our system considers things like how recent a review is and if the reviewer bought the item on Amazon. It also analyzes reviews to verify trustworthiness.
-
Top reviews
Top reviews from Canada
There was a problem filtering reviews right now. Please try again later.
Reviewed in Canada 🇨🇦 on February 9, 2022
Verified Purchase
It was an exceptional read. Kept me hooked from the very beginning to the very end. All the characters were so well written and developed. Perfect perfect perfect!
Reviewed in Canada 🇨🇦 on May 5, 2021
Verified Purchase
This novel is so convoluted the plot line doesn’t make any sense. I simply couldn’t invest in the characters. I most certainly will not recommend this book to anyone.
Reviewed in Canada 🇨🇦 on October 9, 2022
I loved this fantasy - The women/girls' encouragement in that read is what we call needed. I loved all the characters and the supporting characters
The action and development were so good I was very involved in the progress
I am excited about the next book
The action and development were so good I was very involved in the progress
I am excited about the next book
VINE VOICE
This story took me completely by surprise. It has pretty much everything I love in a young adult fantasy: Adventure, world-building, characters, drama, and a dash of romance, all written with beautiful prose.
The story follows Tarisai, a young girl raised in isolation who becomes a true force to be reckoned with. She is easy to love and root for, thanks to her selflessness and determination. All of the side characters she meets are equally as layered and interesting, though Tarisai remains the strongest.
The story takes place over a period of years and spans many different subplots. I found they were all wrapped up very well and amplified the final story. It was compelling with complex relationships and twists to keep it going.
While not as action packed as other fantasy books, I loved the magical and cultural aspects of the book. Next to the prose and Tarisai, these were the strongest elements. I absolutely love this world and want to see more of it.
While the book doesn’t end on a cliffhanger, it does leave the door open for another epic adventure, one that I am happy to follow along. Recommended to all lovers of fantasy, culture, and found family.
The story follows Tarisai, a young girl raised in isolation who becomes a true force to be reckoned with. She is easy to love and root for, thanks to her selflessness and determination. All of the side characters she meets are equally as layered and interesting, though Tarisai remains the strongest.
The story takes place over a period of years and spans many different subplots. I found they were all wrapped up very well and amplified the final story. It was compelling with complex relationships and twists to keep it going.
While not as action packed as other fantasy books, I loved the magical and cultural aspects of the book. Next to the prose and Tarisai, these were the strongest elements. I absolutely love this world and want to see more of it.
While the book doesn’t end on a cliffhanger, it does leave the door open for another epic adventure, one that I am happy to follow along. Recommended to all lovers of fantasy, culture, and found family.
Reviewed in Canada 🇨🇦 on January 12, 2022
I was absolutely blown away by this book. The world-building is intricate and gorgeous, and world like and unlike our own, where Oluwan stands at the centre of a magically-bound empire and restless shades can be summoned by burning their possessions. The prose is incredible and I was immersed from the very first page, though I had to take some breaks to recover from the spell the book cast on me.
Tarisai is clever but naive, well-schooled but sheltered, doing the best she can with what she's got and making friends as well she can. Beyond her growth - a beautiful story in its own right - we have a story of empire, where unity means uniformity and peace is attained through silence. Being part of the Prince's Council would put Tarisai at the centre of power but she must decide what she truly wants and what future she wants to be part of.
This is one of the best books I've read in a long time and I wholeheartedly recommend it.
Disclaimer: I received a copy of this book from NetGalley; all opinions are my own
Tarisai is clever but naive, well-schooled but sheltered, doing the best she can with what she's got and making friends as well she can. Beyond her growth - a beautiful story in its own right - we have a story of empire, where unity means uniformity and peace is attained through silence. Being part of the Prince's Council would put Tarisai at the centre of power but she must decide what she truly wants and what future she wants to be part of.
This is one of the best books I've read in a long time and I wholeheartedly recommend it.
Disclaimer: I received a copy of this book from NetGalley; all opinions are my own
Reviewed in Canada 🇨🇦 on March 27, 2021
Okay so I saw this book getting hyped up all over the hot key book social media accounts so I knew I just had to read it, as it is a fantasy set in an African inspired world so I knew I would love it.
It is about a young girl who grows up secluded from the world by mother & is raised by a group of tutors with no one for friends besides herself, she is then tasked to go the royal palace & try to win over the prince to become one of his council & when she does she is then tasked to kill him.
The characters are whole & filled to the brim with different personalities, I love that they all have different dynamics between each other & it is not your typical enemies to lovers book as I am bored of those.
I can’t wait for the next books in series as I know it will an amazing journey with even more character growth, so if you’re not sure if you should buy this I say do it!
It is about a young girl who grows up secluded from the world by mother & is raised by a group of tutors with no one for friends besides herself, she is then tasked to go the royal palace & try to win over the prince to become one of his council & when she does she is then tasked to kill him.
The characters are whole & filled to the brim with different personalities, I love that they all have different dynamics between each other & it is not your typical enemies to lovers book as I am bored of those.
I can’t wait for the next books in series as I know it will an amazing journey with even more character growth, so if you’re not sure if you should buy this I say do it!
Top reviews from other countries

Micky - bookphenomena
3.0 out of 5 stars
3.5 stars with mixed great and okay feelings
Reviewed in the United Kingdom 🇬🇧 on July 19, 2021Verified Purchase
Headlines:
Easy to read and get into
A bit overly convoluted
Likeable protagonist
I've come out of Raybearer with somewhat mixed feelings. First of all, I did enjoy this, but I was expecting to be wowed from everything I've heard about it. I launched into this book straight out of a very complex fantasy and what I was so glad for was an easy-to-get-into story and an ease of reading experience.
The strength of this story lies in it's freshness, I think. I loved the West African contextual fantasy setting, the different lands brought together and the concept of Raybearers. The was a subtle but growing misogynistic undertone to these lands and their ruling class; I enjoyed how that built into a identifiable issue.
Character-wise there is much richness, from the MC Tarisai, to Deyo, the Lady, Jeet and Woo In. This found family were special and I did love the characters. So why the 3.5 rating? The plot line felt convoluted to me, overly so and the last quarter, it was a bit of a push to the end.
I am definitely invested in reading the second book and for the characters alone, I'll be reading. I'm not sure I like the whole Redemptor storyline, but I hope I'll like it more than I imagine.
Easy to read and get into
A bit overly convoluted
Likeable protagonist
I've come out of Raybearer with somewhat mixed feelings. First of all, I did enjoy this, but I was expecting to be wowed from everything I've heard about it. I launched into this book straight out of a very complex fantasy and what I was so glad for was an easy-to-get-into story and an ease of reading experience.
The strength of this story lies in it's freshness, I think. I loved the West African contextual fantasy setting, the different lands brought together and the concept of Raybearers. The was a subtle but growing misogynistic undertone to these lands and their ruling class; I enjoyed how that built into a identifiable issue.
Character-wise there is much richness, from the MC Tarisai, to Deyo, the Lady, Jeet and Woo In. This found family were special and I did love the characters. So why the 3.5 rating? The plot line felt convoluted to me, overly so and the last quarter, it was a bit of a push to the end.
I am definitely invested in reading the second book and for the characters alone, I'll be reading. I'm not sure I like the whole Redemptor storyline, but I hope I'll like it more than I imagine.
2 people found this helpful
Report

Hannah
5.0 out of 5 stars
An enchanting debut into a West African inspired story that helped me break my 8 year reading slump.
Reviewed in the United Kingdom 🇬🇧 on July 13, 2021Verified Purchase
4.5 stars.
Raybearer by Jordan Ifueko is a West-African inspired fantasy novel following Tarisai, the girl from Swana confined to her childhood home, Bhekina House, invisible to outsiders, where she learned everything aside from who she was and how the emperor and his councils worked. When she is sent to the capital of the Aritsar empire with nothing but her ability to see people's memories, longing only for the mother who remained distant from her entire childhood, she is amazed to find a new family, one who loves her and wants her.
Having struggled to read much of anything for the past few years, I came to a realisation that if I were to rekindle (no pun intended) my love of reading and kickstart a new reading habit, I was going to have to come at it a little differently. No more reading things because I felt I should or I was told a book was great. I'm a big mood reader, so this time around I'd find a book I'm in the mood to read, and read it. The idea is to attempt reading more during the day, rather than at night when I end up making excuses and procrastinating instead. So I picked up my Kindle and just picked something at random, something that looked intriguing and landed on Raybearer, which I believe I picked up in a Kindle sale back in January. Eleven days later, I'd finished the book, and heck it was a great read!
When I'm looking for a book, I need a few things. Primarily, the characters have to have some depth. If I don't love the characters, the story will be a grind. I also need the writing to flow around the story, showing me the world and everything within it. If I can feel the story, the writing is spot on. And of course, the world, the magic, and the story itself need to enchant me. Raybearer did all of this and more.
Ifueko's prose weaves a tale as beautiful as though it were told by Am the Storyteller themself, often leaving me in awe of the lyrical nature her words can take, and scattered throughout were folk songs sung by the locals of the Arit empire, creating a very real sense of a world and its beautifully diverse cultures, which is effective in making you care about what happens to its people, how they are treated, and what happens to them.
The characters were complex and interesting. I did grow frustrated with Tarisai at times, though she acted like a teenager who was still discovering who she was, working through years of emotional abuse. Sanjeet was adorable in his determination to protect the ones he loved most. Kirah provided a spark of sisterhood that Tarisai always needed in her life. And Ekundayo is the sweethearted young boy that you want for Tarisai, his kindness, and attempts to do right always a comfort. Then there's The Lady, Tarisai's mother, I hate her and how she treated Tarisai her entire life and there was a moment late in the story when Tar is talking about abusive parents with another character and I'll admit, it spoke to me and my own relationship with my own mother, it really hit home. The Lady, though heinous, does have a history and reasons for being the way she is. It doesn't excuse it and we know that, but she's an interesting character, for sure.
I read so much medieval European inspired fantasy that the entirety of the Arit empire was like a breath of warm but fresh air. It actually woke me up to the diversity I'm lacking in my fantasy reading and I'm dying to read so much more fiction inspired by all sorts of worldwide cultures now. The way each country is described is wonderful, but none so wondrous as Swana's savannah with it's little specks of light from the tutsu sprites, the fae creatures within, the trees, the people. It feels alive and very real and I long to go there. I was utterly enchanted by the world Ifueko has created.
The magic system is an interesting one. There is magic that can be learned, though many do not. Most of the magic comes from the emperor's ray and people's Hallows, a random ability granted at birth. Tarisai's ability to see people's memories, take them, grant them, is her Hallow, and each member of the Emperor's Council must have their own, as well. From healing magic to illusions. It is fascinating. Learned magic is more elemental in nature, and I dearly hope we get to experience more of it in future books.
There were a few moments, maybe halfway through, where I felt some of the dialogue and the reasons behind things felt a little contrived but this didn't last too long before I was drawn right back into the magic of that beautiful prose once more.
Overall, I loved this book. It was just what I needed after such a long reading slump and I absolutely went ahead and preordered the follow-up, Redemptor, due for release in August. I recommend Raybearer to anybody looking for something a little bit different and hey, the brief asexual representation was wonderful too. But no spoilers from me!
Raybearer by Jordan Ifueko is a West-African inspired fantasy novel following Tarisai, the girl from Swana confined to her childhood home, Bhekina House, invisible to outsiders, where she learned everything aside from who she was and how the emperor and his councils worked. When she is sent to the capital of the Aritsar empire with nothing but her ability to see people's memories, longing only for the mother who remained distant from her entire childhood, she is amazed to find a new family, one who loves her and wants her.
Having struggled to read much of anything for the past few years, I came to a realisation that if I were to rekindle (no pun intended) my love of reading and kickstart a new reading habit, I was going to have to come at it a little differently. No more reading things because I felt I should or I was told a book was great. I'm a big mood reader, so this time around I'd find a book I'm in the mood to read, and read it. The idea is to attempt reading more during the day, rather than at night when I end up making excuses and procrastinating instead. So I picked up my Kindle and just picked something at random, something that looked intriguing and landed on Raybearer, which I believe I picked up in a Kindle sale back in January. Eleven days later, I'd finished the book, and heck it was a great read!
When I'm looking for a book, I need a few things. Primarily, the characters have to have some depth. If I don't love the characters, the story will be a grind. I also need the writing to flow around the story, showing me the world and everything within it. If I can feel the story, the writing is spot on. And of course, the world, the magic, and the story itself need to enchant me. Raybearer did all of this and more.
Ifueko's prose weaves a tale as beautiful as though it were told by Am the Storyteller themself, often leaving me in awe of the lyrical nature her words can take, and scattered throughout were folk songs sung by the locals of the Arit empire, creating a very real sense of a world and its beautifully diverse cultures, which is effective in making you care about what happens to its people, how they are treated, and what happens to them.
The characters were complex and interesting. I did grow frustrated with Tarisai at times, though she acted like a teenager who was still discovering who she was, working through years of emotional abuse. Sanjeet was adorable in his determination to protect the ones he loved most. Kirah provided a spark of sisterhood that Tarisai always needed in her life. And Ekundayo is the sweethearted young boy that you want for Tarisai, his kindness, and attempts to do right always a comfort. Then there's The Lady, Tarisai's mother, I hate her and how she treated Tarisai her entire life and there was a moment late in the story when Tar is talking about abusive parents with another character and I'll admit, it spoke to me and my own relationship with my own mother, it really hit home. The Lady, though heinous, does have a history and reasons for being the way she is. It doesn't excuse it and we know that, but she's an interesting character, for sure.
I read so much medieval European inspired fantasy that the entirety of the Arit empire was like a breath of warm but fresh air. It actually woke me up to the diversity I'm lacking in my fantasy reading and I'm dying to read so much more fiction inspired by all sorts of worldwide cultures now. The way each country is described is wonderful, but none so wondrous as Swana's savannah with it's little specks of light from the tutsu sprites, the fae creatures within, the trees, the people. It feels alive and very real and I long to go there. I was utterly enchanted by the world Ifueko has created.
The magic system is an interesting one. There is magic that can be learned, though many do not. Most of the magic comes from the emperor's ray and people's Hallows, a random ability granted at birth. Tarisai's ability to see people's memories, take them, grant them, is her Hallow, and each member of the Emperor's Council must have their own, as well. From healing magic to illusions. It is fascinating. Learned magic is more elemental in nature, and I dearly hope we get to experience more of it in future books.
There were a few moments, maybe halfway through, where I felt some of the dialogue and the reasons behind things felt a little contrived but this didn't last too long before I was drawn right back into the magic of that beautiful prose once more.
Overall, I loved this book. It was just what I needed after such a long reading slump and I absolutely went ahead and preordered the follow-up, Redemptor, due for release in August. I recommend Raybearer to anybody looking for something a little bit different and hey, the brief asexual representation was wonderful too. But no spoilers from me!
One person found this helpful
Report

Idealpages
5.0 out of 5 stars
Fantastic but complex
Reviewed in the United Kingdom 🇬🇧 on February 24, 2022Verified Purchase
Tarisai of Swana was born to kill a future Emperor. Her mother, known as ‘The Lady’, invokes a binding magical command Tarisai cannot resit: once Tarisai is trusted by Prince Ekundayo and is anointed onto his council, she must kill him. With no choice but to obey, Tarisai enters the council’s candidacy race. What transpires next is an epic tale of fighting to change destiny, championing friendship and becoming the hero no one realises they truly need. Raybearer is packed with inspiring imagination and soul from an undeniably talented debut author.
This book can only be described as phenomenal. Although, I must say, I initially struggled to get into this story; I felt like I’d been thrown into the deep end without any floating aids or any prior knowledge of how to swim. But once I got my bearings, I was absolutely hooked. I still remain absolutely astonished this was a debut novel.
~~
The world building of Raybearer was richly descriptive and entirely immersive. The setting is Aritsar, an empire consisting of thirteen realms, with the story primarily set in the realms of Oluwan (where the Emperor lives) and Swana (Tarisai’s home). The other realm of importance is Songland. This is because three hundred souls, known as Redemptors, are surrendered to the Underworld every year to keep demons (called abiku) from attacking the empire. For some unknown reason, the Redemptors only come from one area of the empire, Songland.
Every emperor of Aritsar has the special power called “the Ray” - this power was sought out hundreds of years ago by the very first emperor of the empire, Enoba, in a time unification of neighbouring islands was desired. The power of the Ray allows the Emperor immunity from death until old age (but is vulnerable to those he trusts i.e. his council…)
The Emperor has a council of eleven people from across the realms of the empire. This council provides the emperor with immunity to death from everything and everyone, but the council themselves, are capable of hurting, even killing, the emperor. The Emperor’s Ray power also allows him to connect the minds of his council to him and to each other.
The members of the Emperor’s council must possess a birthright ability - called a Hallow - like being able to heal or being able to manipulate plants. If they don’t have a “Hallow”, then they’ll be dismissed. Luckily for Tarisai, she does have a hallow: she has the ability to read people’s memories.
~~
I mean, how bloomin impressive is all of that? That’s not even beginning to cover the creatures in the story; sprites, ehru’s, spirit-beasts and alagbatos (the guardians of life), to name some. I massively enjoyed this world. The sheer brilliance and imagination… No words will truly do it justice; I can’t do anything but bow for Jordan Ifueko.
Tarisai of Swana is such an endearing protagonist. She has been deprived of love and human connection for most of her life, up until she becomes a candidate to join Dayo’s council. It was difficult to see her grow up in isolation due to her ability to see and take people’s memories. Then it was very emotional to see Tarisai’s journey of discovering her sense of self and her self worth, seeing her being embraced and loved by those around her and learning to see the good in her gift rather than feeling like its a curse. Also, I was delighted to see a focus on the idea of justice and the law through Tarisai and one of her mentor’s, High Lord Judge Thaddace. Tarisai witnesses the implications policy has on the realms and, more and more as the story goes on, she begins to find her confidence to challenge the rules, that have lead to such misery and persecution, like cultural cleansing. Am I love her.
Through Tarisai, the ensemble of characters and the overarching plot come together perfectly. The threads were woven together so smoothly with each and every character being well crafted. There’s Tarisai’s childhood relationships - her mother, father and her guardians - and then there’s the present group, her fellow council candidates and the reigning Emperor’s council who teach the children. The nature of the council created an intimate atmosphere of friendship; Tarisai quickly befriends another girl, Kirah, who has the ability to heal, and also Sanjeet, who has the ability to see people’s physical weaknesses, making him the ideal candidate to lead the empire’s army. Then there’s Dayo, who, much to Tarisai’s chagrin, is easy to love with his pure soul. All of the characters were so vibrant, with interesting side characters who all feel relevant and fleshed out, and I care about them all deeply - for good or bad.
The romance! From the offset, my heart was set on one boy and one boy alone. Thankfully, Raybearer does not have a love triangle. The romantic elements were an undercurrent throughout the book, even when the characters were being more subtle in approaching their feelings and navigating friendship. I was greedy for every little bit of romance these characters shared and continue to want more and more.
Also, with respect to a different character, I was ecstatic to see what I believe to be asexual representation (hopefully we’ll find out more in the sequel!).
My only minor criticism of Raybearer… is it felt like it was constrained by the “young adult” genre. At its centre was the potential to tell a grander tale without holding back. It skirts around sex scenes, violence and the like, when if these things hadn’t been, so to speak, censored, I definitely believe the book would have been even more enjoyable than it was. I beg not to be misunderstood here, because the book was an incredible read, it just felt like it wasn’t being allowed to explore everything available. Nevertheless, the as-is-PG version was fantastic.
Raybearer has one of the most gripping endings I’ve read in a while. The revelations! The theatrics! The most ingenious ways to set the stage for a sequel! I don’t know what I’d of done if I had to wait for the sequel - patience as a virtue be damned. I wouldn’t say it is the worst of cliffhangers, but it will definitely leave most readers with a burning need to return to this world and know how it all ends.
All in all, Raybearer is one of the best YA fantasies I have ever read. It was on my mind constantly - during and after reading it - and I honestly don’t see myself ever forgetting this story. I wish I could put this book in everyone’s hands, it’s unbelievably good. I’d happily reread this book without hesitation and eagerly (EAGERLY) await the Netflix adaptation of this series. Book friends, do yourself the biggest of favours this - add this book to your TBR, it’s a must read!
This book can only be described as phenomenal. Although, I must say, I initially struggled to get into this story; I felt like I’d been thrown into the deep end without any floating aids or any prior knowledge of how to swim. But once I got my bearings, I was absolutely hooked. I still remain absolutely astonished this was a debut novel.
~~
The world building of Raybearer was richly descriptive and entirely immersive. The setting is Aritsar, an empire consisting of thirteen realms, with the story primarily set in the realms of Oluwan (where the Emperor lives) and Swana (Tarisai’s home). The other realm of importance is Songland. This is because three hundred souls, known as Redemptors, are surrendered to the Underworld every year to keep demons (called abiku) from attacking the empire. For some unknown reason, the Redemptors only come from one area of the empire, Songland.
Every emperor of Aritsar has the special power called “the Ray” - this power was sought out hundreds of years ago by the very first emperor of the empire, Enoba, in a time unification of neighbouring islands was desired. The power of the Ray allows the Emperor immunity from death until old age (but is vulnerable to those he trusts i.e. his council…)
The Emperor has a council of eleven people from across the realms of the empire. This council provides the emperor with immunity to death from everything and everyone, but the council themselves, are capable of hurting, even killing, the emperor. The Emperor’s Ray power also allows him to connect the minds of his council to him and to each other.
The members of the Emperor’s council must possess a birthright ability - called a Hallow - like being able to heal or being able to manipulate plants. If they don’t have a “Hallow”, then they’ll be dismissed. Luckily for Tarisai, she does have a hallow: she has the ability to read people’s memories.
~~
I mean, how bloomin impressive is all of that? That’s not even beginning to cover the creatures in the story; sprites, ehru’s, spirit-beasts and alagbatos (the guardians of life), to name some. I massively enjoyed this world. The sheer brilliance and imagination… No words will truly do it justice; I can’t do anything but bow for Jordan Ifueko.
Tarisai of Swana is such an endearing protagonist. She has been deprived of love and human connection for most of her life, up until she becomes a candidate to join Dayo’s council. It was difficult to see her grow up in isolation due to her ability to see and take people’s memories. Then it was very emotional to see Tarisai’s journey of discovering her sense of self and her self worth, seeing her being embraced and loved by those around her and learning to see the good in her gift rather than feeling like its a curse. Also, I was delighted to see a focus on the idea of justice and the law through Tarisai and one of her mentor’s, High Lord Judge Thaddace. Tarisai witnesses the implications policy has on the realms and, more and more as the story goes on, she begins to find her confidence to challenge the rules, that have lead to such misery and persecution, like cultural cleansing. Am I love her.
Through Tarisai, the ensemble of characters and the overarching plot come together perfectly. The threads were woven together so smoothly with each and every character being well crafted. There’s Tarisai’s childhood relationships - her mother, father and her guardians - and then there’s the present group, her fellow council candidates and the reigning Emperor’s council who teach the children. The nature of the council created an intimate atmosphere of friendship; Tarisai quickly befriends another girl, Kirah, who has the ability to heal, and also Sanjeet, who has the ability to see people’s physical weaknesses, making him the ideal candidate to lead the empire’s army. Then there’s Dayo, who, much to Tarisai’s chagrin, is easy to love with his pure soul. All of the characters were so vibrant, with interesting side characters who all feel relevant and fleshed out, and I care about them all deeply - for good or bad.
The romance! From the offset, my heart was set on one boy and one boy alone. Thankfully, Raybearer does not have a love triangle. The romantic elements were an undercurrent throughout the book, even when the characters were being more subtle in approaching their feelings and navigating friendship. I was greedy for every little bit of romance these characters shared and continue to want more and more.
Also, with respect to a different character, I was ecstatic to see what I believe to be asexual representation (hopefully we’ll find out more in the sequel!).
My only minor criticism of Raybearer… is it felt like it was constrained by the “young adult” genre. At its centre was the potential to tell a grander tale without holding back. It skirts around sex scenes, violence and the like, when if these things hadn’t been, so to speak, censored, I definitely believe the book would have been even more enjoyable than it was. I beg not to be misunderstood here, because the book was an incredible read, it just felt like it wasn’t being allowed to explore everything available. Nevertheless, the as-is-PG version was fantastic.
Raybearer has one of the most gripping endings I’ve read in a while. The revelations! The theatrics! The most ingenious ways to set the stage for a sequel! I don’t know what I’d of done if I had to wait for the sequel - patience as a virtue be damned. I wouldn’t say it is the worst of cliffhangers, but it will definitely leave most readers with a burning need to return to this world and know how it all ends.
All in all, Raybearer is one of the best YA fantasies I have ever read. It was on my mind constantly - during and after reading it - and I honestly don’t see myself ever forgetting this story. I wish I could put this book in everyone’s hands, it’s unbelievably good. I’d happily reread this book without hesitation and eagerly (EAGERLY) await the Netflix adaptation of this series. Book friends, do yourself the biggest of favours this - add this book to your TBR, it’s a must read!

Rudo Manyere
5.0 out of 5 stars
Love afrocentric fantasy!
Reviewed in the United Kingdom 🇬🇧 on September 30, 2021Verified Purchase
Raybearer by @jordanifueko, is my current read and I am LOVING IT! The book has a sequel, Redemptor (which I can not wait to get my hands on.)
The book is about a girl, Tarisai who is “locked away” by her mother, The Lady because she was horn for a specific reason, to kill the future Emperor, the Raybearer. On the journey of finding out who and what she is, Tarisai also realises she could be a Raybearer even though it is believed a woman can never be a Raybearer.
THEMES:
• Love: Tarisai loved her mother so much she longed for her presence, even though she was controlled by her to kill. Tarisai also found love in Sanjeet, who was isolated because of his built and also because of his powers. Dayo (future Emperor), loved Tarisai so much, and Tarisai loved him back, but it was more of a kinship, platonic love. The Eleven’s love for their Emperor was very strong, they could and would die for him.
• Vengeance: The Lady wants to avenge being thrown out of Oluwan by the Emperor, who we later come to know was closer to her than I thought. There is also Melo (a magical creature, Ehru) who is Tarisai’s father, wanting to be set free from the curse he is under, which can only be broken if Tarisai kills Dayo.
• Loyalty: Tarisai’s loyalty to Dayo was unquestionable. The council was very loyal to their Emperor, being away from him or their council sibling literally had them getting sick.
There are more topics e.g tribalism, forgiveness, redemption are covered in this book and I would say it is a YA. Mostly a fantasy for tweens and teenagers. Frankly, anyone who loves a bit of magic, action, betray, love and vengeance, will stay glued to this masterpiece.
The book is about a girl, Tarisai who is “locked away” by her mother, The Lady because she was horn for a specific reason, to kill the future Emperor, the Raybearer. On the journey of finding out who and what she is, Tarisai also realises she could be a Raybearer even though it is believed a woman can never be a Raybearer.
THEMES:
• Love: Tarisai loved her mother so much she longed for her presence, even though she was controlled by her to kill. Tarisai also found love in Sanjeet, who was isolated because of his built and also because of his powers. Dayo (future Emperor), loved Tarisai so much, and Tarisai loved him back, but it was more of a kinship, platonic love. The Eleven’s love for their Emperor was very strong, they could and would die for him.
• Vengeance: The Lady wants to avenge being thrown out of Oluwan by the Emperor, who we later come to know was closer to her than I thought. There is also Melo (a magical creature, Ehru) who is Tarisai’s father, wanting to be set free from the curse he is under, which can only be broken if Tarisai kills Dayo.
• Loyalty: Tarisai’s loyalty to Dayo was unquestionable. The council was very loyal to their Emperor, being away from him or their council sibling literally had them getting sick.
There are more topics e.g tribalism, forgiveness, redemption are covered in this book and I would say it is a YA. Mostly a fantasy for tweens and teenagers. Frankly, anyone who loves a bit of magic, action, betray, love and vengeance, will stay glued to this masterpiece.


Rudo Manyere
Reviewed in the United Kingdom 🇬🇧 on September 30, 2021
The book is about a girl, Tarisai who is “locked away” by her mother, The Lady because she was horn for a specific reason, to kill the future Emperor, the Raybearer. On the journey of finding out who and what she is, Tarisai also realises she could be a Raybearer even though it is believed a woman can never be a Raybearer.
THEMES:
• Love: Tarisai loved her mother so much she longed for her presence, even though she was controlled by her to kill. Tarisai also found love in Sanjeet, who was isolated because of his built and also because of his powers. Dayo (future Emperor), loved Tarisai so much, and Tarisai loved him back, but it was more of a kinship, platonic love. The Eleven’s love for their Emperor was very strong, they could and would die for him.
• Vengeance: The Lady wants to avenge being thrown out of Oluwan by the Emperor, who we later come to know was closer to her than I thought. There is also Melo (a magical creature, Ehru) who is Tarisai’s father, wanting to be set free from the curse he is under, which can only be broken if Tarisai kills Dayo.
• Loyalty: Tarisai’s loyalty to Dayo was unquestionable. The council was very loyal to their Emperor, being away from him or their council sibling literally had them getting sick.
There are more topics e.g tribalism, forgiveness, redemption are covered in this book and I would say it is a YA. Mostly a fantasy for tweens and teenagers. Frankly, anyone who loves a bit of magic, action, betray, love and vengeance, will stay glued to this masterpiece.
Images in this review


Phoebe Ashcroft
3.0 out of 5 stars
Misprinted version
Reviewed in the United Kingdom 🇬🇧 on November 1, 2021Verified Purchase
Look, the book was great, and the author reels you into a charming story of magic and competing relationships between friends and family but it would’ve been better if only I knew what happened in pages 193-204. And 208-209.
Amazon sent me a free repeat copy after I complained about the first misprint and the SECOND ONE WAS ALSO MISPRINTED, so I guess I’ll just never know.
Amazon sent me a free repeat copy after I complained about the first misprint and the SECOND ONE WAS ALSO MISPRINTED, so I guess I’ll just never know.


Phoebe Ashcroft
Reviewed in the United Kingdom 🇬🇧 on November 1, 2021
Amazon sent me a free repeat copy after I complained about the first misprint and the SECOND ONE WAS ALSO MISPRINTED, so I guess I’ll just never know.
Images in this review

2 people found this helpful
Report