Raybearer is one of those books that first made me feel a little jealous of the kids today, for having such amazing literary options, but then I felt thankful that I could read and experience this book, too.

Jordan Ifueko has really done something here, folks. She built a rich world with detailed politics, history, magic, religion and characters. The main character, Tarisai, is seriously relatable and also a complete badass. There are complex relationships of all stripes: romantic, platonic and familial. The magic system is super cool. There’s a nuanced and detailed look at sexism and gender roles. There are several LGBTQIA+ characters including an ace character. I mean, this book has everything.

The plot is A++. This book pulls you along quickly. I was continually surprised by the twists, turns and reveals throughout this novel. And now, I am super excited to read Redemptor.