Status
Available
Call number
Series
Publication
Harry N. Abrams (2021), 400 pages
Description
Fantasy. Young Adult Fiction. HTML: The epic debut YA fantasy from an incredible new talent�??perfect for fans of Tomi Adeyemi and Sabaa Tahir 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… (more)
Media reviews
A fresh, phenomenal fantasy that begs readers to revel in its brilliant world.
User reviews
LibraryThing member oceancat
Raybearer is exactly what I want fantasy to be. Original story, a great cast of characters, lush descriptions, and excellent world building! I really hope there will be another book because I want to read so much more about Tarisai and Woo In and Sanjeet and Kirah and everyone. This story takes
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place in a very multicultural empire but the heart of it is African inspired which I loved, and am so glad we’re starting to see more of. It is about Tarisai, a half human girl born to fulfill a terrible dream. Her growth through the story was one of the things I loved most, as she navigates family and loyalty and finding a purpose for yourself rather than someone else. The descriptions made me feel not just like I could see the world but like I could smell and taste it as well. I’m always a fan of a close knit group of friends but I was surprised by liking some of the characters who were not part of that group so much as well. The secondary characters are well built and I wouldn’t mind more of their stories too. The book leaves room for a sequel and I really really hope we get one. Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for the arc in exchange for an honest review Show Less
LibraryThing member LibrarianRyan
I listened to this book instead of reading it. I had a digital galley from Netgalley that had to be read on their app. I say this because it reflects part of my review. Overall, I really did like this book. However, if you were in the office when i first started it and it dragged on FOREVER you
Tarisai is a lonely little girl who has been kept from the world. She also has wishes that must be granted, even if those wishes are harmful to others. She is sent to the palace to become a member of the next council. She must bond with the raybearer if she hopes to become one of his 11 confidants and life protectors. They are all kids. Bonding can take years. After a fire, Tarisai loses her memories. We skip forward a few years and most everyone is teenagers and the bonds have been set. The king in waiting is learning how to rule along with his council. But here is when Tarisai’s wish takes over and life changes forever. It was up to this point that I almost DNFed this book. It got especially hairy when everyone started talking about their sex lives and looking for pregnancy. Just not something I wanted to think about as to this reader, the characters were still little kids.
However, once Tarisai’s wish is activated the story picks up, moves quickly and sucks you in. The story at times reminds me of The Black Witch, while being wholly original. I do think I would have enjoyed the book better if I had read it, or if I had the ability to speed up the reader. I think, at least for the first half, the read is way too slow. But once again, overall I liked it and can not wait for the sequel.
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might have thought i would say i didn’t like it. I really wished I could speed the reader up. I think that would have helped tremendously. The first half of this book (approx. 7 hours) was world set up. Tarisai is a lonely little girl who has been kept from the world. She also has wishes that must be granted, even if those wishes are harmful to others. She is sent to the palace to become a member of the next council. She must bond with the raybearer if she hopes to become one of his 11 confidants and life protectors. They are all kids. Bonding can take years. After a fire, Tarisai loses her memories. We skip forward a few years and most everyone is teenagers and the bonds have been set. The king in waiting is learning how to rule along with his council. But here is when Tarisai’s wish takes over and life changes forever. It was up to this point that I almost DNFed this book. It got especially hairy when everyone started talking about their sex lives and looking for pregnancy. Just not something I wanted to think about as to this reader, the characters were still little kids.
However, once Tarisai’s wish is activated the story picks up, moves quickly and sucks you in. The story at times reminds me of The Black Witch, while being wholly original. I do think I would have enjoyed the book better if I had read it, or if I had the ability to speed up the reader. I think, at least for the first half, the read is way too slow. But once again, overall I liked it and can not wait for the sequel.
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LibraryThing member sennebec
Solid entry in the YA fantasy genre with some unique twists. Tarisai begins life doubly isolated. Not only can she not leave the large residence where she lives, but those entrusted with her care are prohibited from touching her. The emotionally distant woman she has learned to think of as her
When she wanders off and is temporarily captured by a winged man by a water hole, he teases her with visions of he and her mother, ones that start her on a lengthy path of understanding why she was created. What follows, involves her being transported by two people, one of whom has survived a horrible passage through the underworld. They take her to be considered as one of eleven children chosen by the emperor's young son as his council, a most unique one with powers and connections like none you've ever encountered in a story. What follows is a very well crafted and intriguing story, one with many revelations, a bit of treachery, plenty of action and an excellent ending, one that both satisfies and leaves the reader anticipating what comes next.
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mother is not only enigmatic, but no matter how hard Tarisai tries to please the woman, no matter how much she masters endless lessons, there's no emotional or verbal reward.When she wanders off and is temporarily captured by a winged man by a water hole, he teases her with visions of he and her mother, ones that start her on a lengthy path of understanding why she was created. What follows, involves her being transported by two people, one of whom has survived a horrible passage through the underworld. They take her to be considered as one of eleven children chosen by the emperor's young son as his council, a most unique one with powers and connections like none you've ever encountered in a story. What follows is a very well crafted and intriguing story, one with many revelations, a bit of treachery, plenty of action and an excellent ending, one that both satisfies and leaves the reader anticipating what comes next.
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LibraryThing member bell7
Tarisai has been raised alone with her tutors, unable to touch anyone because she'll learn their memories, and for a wish that her mother wants her to fulfill: kill the heir apparent in this kingdom. But once she travels to the capital and meets the prince, she knows she'd never want to kill him.
A fun teen fantasy with solid world-building a few delightful twists that kept me wondering what would happen next. Because a lot of set up and discovery happens, it feels like the first in a duology or trilogy, but has a satisfying ending of it's own. This is Jordan Ifueko's first book, and I'll be adding her to my list of authors to watch for when a new book comes out.
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Will she be able to defy her mother and rewrite destiny? Will she and her friends be able to right the wrongs they begin to see as they're groomed to lead a nation as its council serving the heir, Dayo, the Raybearer?A fun teen fantasy with solid world-building a few delightful twists that kept me wondering what would happen next. Because a lot of set up and discovery happens, it feels like the first in a duology or trilogy, but has a satisfying ending of it's own. This is Jordan Ifueko's first book, and I'll be adding her to my list of authors to watch for when a new book comes out.
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LibraryThing member ewyatt
Tarisai is the daughter of The Lady. Her gift is seeing people's memories when she touches them. Her mother has 3 wishes when it comes to her daughter and she is careful in contact and communication so she doesn't accidentally give a command. When Tarisai goes to the palace to vie for a place as
Each region of the Kingdom has a place on the council and the future leaders are bound together by the Ray.
As Tar grapples with her curse and her own free will, she also finds her own place in the world and must find her bellysong, her purpose to claim a path of her own and her freedom.
Some serious world building happens. The characters and story are compelling.
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one of the Crown Prince Council's 11, The Lady tells her to make Dayo (the future king) love her and then kill him. Each region of the Kingdom has a place on the council and the future leaders are bound together by the Ray.
As Tar grapples with her curse and her own free will, she also finds her own place in the world and must find her bellysong, her purpose to claim a path of her own and her freedom.
Some serious world building happens. The characters and story are compelling.
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LibraryThing member ladycato
I read this book as part of my Norton Award finalist packet.
This book absolutely blew me away--and the sad thing is, I never would have read it if it hadn't been up for the Norton Award, simply because the description made it sound like yet another 'kids forced into tournament' plot, which I am
Tarisai is raised in a household of fearful servants, ever eager for rare visits from her enigmatic mother, known as The Lady. With a touch, she can see the memories of people and objects, but she has no idea how unusual she is. For all her tutoring, she is completely innocent of the larger world--by design. The Lady has created her to be a weapon to destroy the Crown Prince. Tarisai is deployed to perform her duty, and despite a magical compunction laid upon her, she resists the command as she gets to know the prince and her competitors for a role in the future leadership of the realm. How she resists, and what happens as a result, is astonishing.
Really, the worldbuilding here is just... wow. Everything is intricate and involved, and comes together so beautifully in the end. I'm glad there is a sequel out later this year, because I need more of these characters and this world, and the author is definitely one to follow in the coming years.
This book absolutely blew me away--and the sad thing is, I never would have read it if it hadn't been up for the Norton Award, simply because the description made it sound like yet another 'kids forced into tournament' plot, which I am
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sick to death of. THIS BOOK IS SO MUCH MORE THAN THAT. Raybearer is brilliant, unique, and unpredictable--this was a rare case where I had no idea how the book would end.Tarisai is raised in a household of fearful servants, ever eager for rare visits from her enigmatic mother, known as The Lady. With a touch, she can see the memories of people and objects, but she has no idea how unusual she is. For all her tutoring, she is completely innocent of the larger world--by design. The Lady has created her to be a weapon to destroy the Crown Prince. Tarisai is deployed to perform her duty, and despite a magical compunction laid upon her, she resists the command as she gets to know the prince and her competitors for a role in the future leadership of the realm. How she resists, and what happens as a result, is astonishing.
Really, the worldbuilding here is just... wow. Everything is intricate and involved, and comes together so beautifully in the end. I'm glad there is a sequel out later this year, because I need more of these characters and this world, and the author is definitely one to follow in the coming years.
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LibraryThing member banjo123
YA fantasy, set in a West African inspired world. Our narrator, Tarisai, was raised by an elusive and mysterious mother in order to revenge her own wrongs at the hands of the ruling council. Tarisai craves closeness and affection, but also wants to be her own person.
I enjoyed this book, even
I enjoyed this book, even
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though the world-building involves some clunky bits. I would compare it to the Divergent series in that way. Definitely nice to read a fantasy with diverse characters. I will look for the sequel. Show Less
LibraryThing member acargile
I think I would have liked Raybearer more had I sat down and read it all at once or over a few days. I took several weeks because I was just busy and, therefore, missed some things, I believe.
Tarisai exists to execute vengeance, but she doesn't know this fact. Raised in an invisible home, she
As Tarisai grows up in the palace, she actually makes friends with and truly loves Dayo. He wants her to accept the Ray. She knows what he doesn't. She is there is kill him--it's the vengeance her mother desires. Eventually you find out why. Tarisai saw a picture before she left home that her mother showed her. The Lady commanded her to kill the boy in the picture. Tarisai didn't know who the boy was, but when she sees him, she feels compelled to kill him. She refuses to accept the Ray. Eventually, she finds a way around the command, accepting the Ray.
As Tarisai and her friends grow, they discover the government may not be as altruistic as they would hope. There are unethical and immoral actions that shadow their futures as leaders of the lands. Tarisai must fight her compellings, accept the love offered her from friendship and more, as well as save the country.
As the novel progresses, you slowly learn what has brought them to the place they are. The second book will continue the journey to right all the wrongs from the past.
Tarisai exists to execute vengeance, but she doesn't know this fact. Raised in an invisible home, she
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longs for companionship. Tutors don't last long, but she is whip smart and learns everything. Her mother, The Lady, seems pleased overall, but has very high standards, yet offers no love or compassion. In fact, she's rarely there. Tarisai is always told that she's not ready yet. Finally, the time comes; she's ready. She finds herself competing to be on the Council 11. The future leader of Aritsar, the Crown Prince, has reached the age where he will pick his Council of 11. Lots of children from the kingdoms come and eventually eleven will discover that they have a bond with the Crown Prince and can accept the Ray. The Ray allows them to speak to one another via their minds. The eleven will be bound together and, if removed from one another, will become ill. They are sworn to the Crown Prince--to keep him safe and rule the country together.As Tarisai grows up in the palace, she actually makes friends with and truly loves Dayo. He wants her to accept the Ray. She knows what he doesn't. She is there is kill him--it's the vengeance her mother desires. Eventually you find out why. Tarisai saw a picture before she left home that her mother showed her. The Lady commanded her to kill the boy in the picture. Tarisai didn't know who the boy was, but when she sees him, she feels compelled to kill him. She refuses to accept the Ray. Eventually, she finds a way around the command, accepting the Ray.
As Tarisai and her friends grow, they discover the government may not be as altruistic as they would hope. There are unethical and immoral actions that shadow their futures as leaders of the lands. Tarisai must fight her compellings, accept the love offered her from friendship and more, as well as save the country.
As the novel progresses, you slowly learn what has brought them to the place they are. The second book will continue the journey to right all the wrongs from the past.
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LibraryThing member fred_mouse
Highly recommended. Takes a number of fantasy tropes, mixes them around, and does some fascinating things. Technically, I guess this counts as YA because of the age of the protagonist, and it was marketed to me as YA. It is definitely one of those books doing fascinating things at the cutting edge
Many of my thoughts are spoilers, so I’m going to omit them here. On things that come up early enough that I feel okay commenting on them - the child as deliberately bred weapon is one I’ve seen before, but while it was the hook the story is hung on, it doesn’t limit the story, and there were aspects that I don’t think that I’ve seen before. Also, the way that The Lady, and the why of their story — particularly some of the early details that come out — are very chilling.
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of fantasy.Many of my thoughts are spoilers, so I’m going to omit them here. On things that come up early enough that I feel okay commenting on them - the child as deliberately bred weapon is one I’ve seen before, but while it was the hook the story is hung on, it doesn’t limit the story, and there were aspects that I don’t think that I’ve seen before. Also, the way that The Lady, and the why of their story — particularly some of the early details that come out — are very chilling.
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LibraryThing member Stevil2001
This secondary-world fantasy (one of only two this year, alas) was interesting, but never fully engaged me. I am not quite sure why. The main character is part of the council of the heir to the throne, who gains invincibility by bonding mentally with his councilors (one form of invulnerability per
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councilor); there's also some complicated stuff about a curse that the emperor can push off with his councilors' bloodlines. Only she's been raised by her mother to kill the heir apparent, and that command is buried deep within here. It felt to me like there was a lot going on, much of interesting, but in a way that didn't entirely cohere. There's a good story about memory (the main characters has the power to access and erase others' memories) and a good story about parenting here, but I think they struggle against the not terribly convincing geopolitical strand. I do like that the book takes place in an African-derived fantasy world, and unlike Children of Blood and Bone, that actually feels meaningful to the worldbuilding; it's not just Avatar: The Last Airbender with different names. I feel like the book, despite being told in the first person, is not quite reflective enough for the character stuff to land. Show Less
LibraryThing member clrichm
This was fantastic! I really loved the world Ifueko built here, with Nigerian-inspired mythology that hints lightly at our world but dances away into fresh fantasy settings just as quickly. The characters were all really well-developed; Tarisai's story was heartbreaking yet powerful. The ending was
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completely gratifying, even as it left me urgently wishing to run back to my house so I can grab the next book in the series--I have to know what happens next! Show Less
LibraryThing member bangerlm
3.5 stars rounded up. This book started off fantastic with interesting characters and fresh world building, but somewhere around halfway the story stopped focusing on the characters and became more of a descriptive account of travels which wasn't as engaging to me.
LibraryThing member jennybeast
Spectacular adventure of a chosen one, with an African inspired fantasy world and some legendary magic. It’s intricate and enthralling, with betrayals and a strong girl at the center of it.
LibraryThing member tornadox
Stunning coming-of-age novel set in an alternate world empire aspiring to be Wakanda. Despite hundreds of years of peace, Artisar is not a utopia. There are dark undercurrents
It is the story of Tarasai, a sheltered young girl sent to the capitol city to be a candidate for something. Although she
I look forward to next book.
It is the story of Tarasai, a sheltered young girl sent to the capitol city to be a candidate for something. Although she
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has spent her life learning with tutors, no one tells her what is happening.. Jordan Ifueko slowly reveals history amid surprisingly plot-turns. I look forward to next book.
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LibraryThing member jazzbird61
I sucked this one down quickly and hope for a sequel
Awards
Andre Norton Nebula Award for Middle Grade and Young Adult Fiction (Finalist — 2020)
Audie Award (Finalist — Fantasy — 2021)
Mythopoeic Awards (Finalist — Adult Literature — 2021)
BCCB Blue Ribbon Book (Fiction — 2020)
Kentucky Bluegrass Award (Nominee — Grades 9-12 — 2022)
Nutmeg Book Award (Nominee — High School — 2024)
Iowa Teen Award (Nominee — 2023)
Blue Hen Book Award (Nominee — 2023)
NCSLMA Battle of the Books (High School — 2022)
Kids' Book Choice Awards (Finalist — 2021)
Black-Eyed Susan Book Award (Nominee — High School — 2023)
Golden Poppy Book Award (Winner — Young Adult — 2020)
Children's Africana Book Award (Winner — Older Readers — 2021)
The Kitschies (Finalist — 2020)
Waterstones Children's Book Prize (Shortlist — Older Readers — 2021)
Volunteer State Book Award (Nominee — High School — 2022)
Georgia Peach Book Award for Teen Readers (Nominee — 2022)
Ignyte Award (Shortlist — 2020)
North Star YA Award (Nominee — 2022)
Lodestar Award (Nominee — 2021)
NPR: Books We Love (2020)
Best Fiction for Young Adults (Top Ten — 2021)
CCBC Choices (2021)
Nerdy Book Award (Young Adult Literature — 2020)
Los Angeles Public Library Best of the Year (Teen — 2020)
Notable Children's Book (2021)
Chicago Public Library Best of the Best: Teens (Fiction — 2020)
New York Public Library Best Books: For Teens (Top Ten — 2020)
Amazing Audiobooks for Young Adults (Top Ten — 2021)
Just One More Page Recommendation List (Young Adult — 2022)
Project LIT Book Selection (Young Adult — 2021)
Language
Original language
English
Original publication date
2020-08-18
Physical description
400 p.; 8.45 inches
ISBN
1419739832 / 9781419739835