A review by baknata
Raybearer by Jordan Ifueko

adventurous emotional inspiring medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

5.0

This is such an amazing book and rereading it just solidified my love for it. Firstly, the plot structure was so well done. It covers large spans of time in the life of the main character, Tarisai, which allowed the reader to understand her history and relationship to her past without too much exposition. Given that one of the large story elements was history and storytelling, I think it was a vital part of the plot that we got to experience some of the most impactful moments of Tarisai's history through her eyes.  Not to mention, this allowed us to really understand her relationship with her mother. My first instinct when reading this book is to be annoyed with Tarisai because of the way she trusts and idolizes her mother. To me, it seems like anyone would see that she is a bad person, even if some of her motivations were valid. When I was reading this the second time, though, I realized that Tarisai was raised in an environment where she only knew to crave the love of her mother. She didn't have a chance to know what a mother is supposed to be like, so for her, the lady was her greatest desire. It makes it so much more heartbreaking later when she has to learn that the lady was doing unsavory things. I love the quote from the end of the book that says "I am not the sequel of your story". Too often it seems like people only have children so their story can continue, and they don't realize that a child is a whole separate person, not the continuation of them.
I especially loved the use of music as a form of storytelling. I think that cultural element is so beautiful and impactful. The use of drums in regular conversation, as a unique language, was also a fascinating aspect of this book. Listening to the audiobook, I really got the whole impact to the moments where the drum beats greatly impacted the story. I think that this book was always meant to be an audiobook, and it just ties into the oral storytelling that the book has so well. 
I love Tarisai as a character. She is so complex and her development over the story is well earned. She wasn't the perfect protagonist, she made mistakes and bad decisions, but that only strengthened her character.

I loved that in the end, her story was about finding her own purpose, rather than having to hang all her self-worth on her relation to the other people in her life. Even though it did end in a bit of a self-sacrifice moment, which isn't my favorite, it was her own decision, not based on the outside pressures. Not to mention, she came up with this idea to save all the redemptors on her own, which is a testament to her character in and of itself.

The side characters also have such a good part in this story. They each have their own character arch and develop in their own right. I loved the way that each character interacted with and complemented Tarisai. I cannot wait to dive into the next book and follow these characters further. 
Overall, worth a read and a reread, everyone should read this book!