Aug 8

Aug 8 Redemptor (Raybearer, #2)

Author: Jordan Ifueko
Publisher: Amulet Books
Goodreads | The StoryGraph

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Note: Content and trigger warnings are provided for those who need them at the bottom of this page. If you don’t need them and don’t want to risk spoilers, don’t scroll past the full review.

Cover Description

***Synopsis is spoiler for Raybearer***

For the first time, an Empress Redemptor sits on Aritsar's throne. To appease the sinister spirits of the dead, Tarisai must now anoint a council of her own, coming into her full power as a Raybearer. She must then descend into the Underworld, a sacrifice to end all future atrocities.

Tarisai is determined to survive. Or at least, that's what she tells her increasingly distant circle of friends. Months into her shaky reign as empress, child spirits haunt her, demanding that she pay for past sins of the empire.

With the lives of her loved ones on the line, assassination attempts from unknown quarters, and a handsome new stranger she can't quite trust . . . Tarisai fears the pressure may consume her. But in this finale to the Raybearer duology, Tarisai must learn whether to die for justice . . . or to live for it.

TL;DR Review

Redemptor (and the Raybearer Duology overall) is just so freakin good, with a rich world, lovable characters, and an adventure I’d go on a hundred times.

For you if: You like YA fantasy, and/or you want to read more African-inspired YA fantasy.

Full Review

I read Raybearer earlier this year and was immediately obsessed. Everyone who read it will tell you that it’s incredible. So naturally I jumped at the chance to read Redemptor, the second half of the duology. (Thank you Amulet Books / Abrams for the digital review copy!) And I’m delighted to report that this book absolutely lived up to its predecessor — what a fantastic conclusion.

No spoilers on book one from me, but here’s a quick overview: The duology is about a girl named Tarisai, the daughter of a ruthless woman called The Lady and an alagbato (being of ancient, wish-granting magic) The Lady trapped. Tarisai grows up lonely, and the product of a deadly plot. When she turns 11, she’s sent to the palace to join the crown prince’s council of siblings. Meanwhile, a tenuous child-sacrifice peace treaty with the abiku, underworld beings, is up for renewal. Book one deals mainly with Tarisai’s mother’s plans, and book two deals mainly with the abiku.

I can’t get over how much I loved these books. This is African-inspired YA fantasy at its absolute best. The worldbuilding is rich and layered, with much to say about class and privilege and industrialization and more. The story is an A+ mystery, with lots of plots to unfurl and dots to connect. And the characters are intensely lovable, with great queer (even ace) representation.

All that was true of Raybearer, and it’s true of Redemptor as well. I loved the way Ifueko brought the weight on Tarisai’s shoulders to life, not shying away from her loneliness and inner conflict. I loved the new world-building elements and mythology. I loved the tension between the choice to “die for justice … or live for it.”

I will also say that I had the joy of listening along with the audiobook of Raybearer, but because I read Redemptor early, I didn’t get to listen to that one. I missed it! The audio production was really good, and I recommend supplementing your print copy with audio in both cases.

I absolutely can’t wait to see what Ifueko writes next!