Review: Raybearer

Raybearer by Jordan Ifueko
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Imagine that you were born, quite literally, to be a weapon. Tarasai, daughter of The Lady, was conceived and born to kill Crown Prince Dayo of Aritsar. Only Tarasai can't quite figure out why. Once she is hauled off to the court of Emperor Olugbade and meets Dayo, she finds she likes him and is horrified by her mother's compulsion- that she must kill Dayo once he has anointed her a Raybearer on his Council of Eleven. Tarasai spends years avoiding accepting Dayo's Ray (a magical gift that comes with a kind of psychic communication between those in his council) to delay her mother's purpose. She finds a sense of family for the first time, and friends in Kirah and Sanjeet, who are among the chosen Eleven. Inevitably, the day comes when Tarasai becomes a Raybearer, and her mother's destiny for her must be fulfilled. Who is The Lady, really, and who therefore is Tarasai? Why was she created to kill Dayo, and is it truly her only destiny?

First in a series, Raybearer gives us an exploration of personal will over an unchosen, ordained destiny. Ifueko's worldbuilding is beautiful, rich in color, music, and language. Tarasai is an engaging, vibrant character who I will look forward to following in the sequels.

I listened to the beautiful audiobook, narrated by Joneice Abbott-Pratt, courtesy of Libro.fm.

I received a paper and audio review copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

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