Like the first book, the entire story moved along at a slow burn and left me warm and content. If you enjoyed the first, you will definitely enjoy the sequel. I would not recommend reading Redemptor until finishing Raybearer, as so much of this book required having knowledge of the back story and knowledge of what had already transpired.

Thank you to NetGalley and Amulet books for the ARC.

5 beautiful stars for Tarisai Kunleo, Empress Redemptor.

Very many thanks to Abrams Books for making my dreams come true by giving me the opportunity to read this book SO early on via Netgalley. Raybearer is one of my favorite 2020 reads, and I was so hyped for this book. fun fact, I also got to listen to an audiobook of Raybearer early, back in July thanks to Blacksone Audio via Netgalley. I love Raybearer a lot and Redemptor did not disappoint.

This was an action-packed and emotion-filled book, and Raybearer got a well-deserved sequel. From the opening chapter, Jordan Ifueko brought us up to speed with how the first book ended, and in a couple of pages, the action was underway. This book introduced a myriad of new characters, and elevated the importance of some characters (much like how a series takes a character from recurring to regular) by giving them a prominent storyline or making them more integral to the central storyline. I loved some of the characters and hated others.

SO MANY important themes were discussed in this book. With Tar and her council siblings at the helm of power, they are exposed to the unjustness of the ruling system and the divide between the rich and the poor. Tar is especially sympathetic towards the plight of the poor. Depression and anxiety are also examined through a very unique angle with the use of the ‘ojiji’. It broke my heart for Tar, but also warmed my heart the way the author handled it. Dayo’s asexuality was also explored more in this book. Family, friendship, love, loyalty, sacrifice, grief, loss, healing, and a number of other themes were also key to Redemptor.

Tar’s journey towards creating her own council was tough and filled with bumps, and the author added a very unique twist at the beginning of it. My poor baby Tar had to deal with a lot in this book, and she faced a lot of fears and inner demons. Her journey in this book was so awe-inspiring and motivating. I learnt a lot from Tar and this book just elevated her status on my list of favorite book heroines.

A lot about the past and history of the Kunleo family and the powers they possessed were examined in this book. We also learnt more about the ‘abiku’ and the first Treaty.

This book made me laugh, cry, swoon, giggle, get hurt, scream, and fall in love. The action and pacing were great, the characters were exquisite, and the writing was excellent. Just as with Raybearer, this book was infused with so many beautiful aspects of West African (especially Yoruba) culture.

If you thought I loved Raybearer and wouldn’t shut up about it before, my Redemptor campaign would ecen be more massive. Out on the 17th of August, I want everyone to preorder this and I can’t wait for you all to love it as much as I do.

Fantasic characters. Interesting plot. The story will keep you engaged the whole time. I loved it from the first sentence. 5 stars isn't enough for Jordan's amazing story!!!!!!! I love her writing!

The first book was amazing, and the sequel didn't disappoint. What I loved about Raybearer was that the world was so vibrant and the twists so unexpected, and Redemptor maintains that energy. Obviously royalty is popular in YA because it's fun, but it was great to see this book actually face the implications of that and the real world parallels of inequality and address them. The characters just leap off the page, and while it wouldn't be realistic to see more of the less important council members, it always leaves me wanting more, which is a good thing. And it's always great to see an asexual character with a subplot handled well!

Redemptor by JordanIfueko
#2 in the #Raybearer Duology
Publication Date: August 17, 2021
TW: Drug Use, Violence, Death, Loss

I’m really at a loss for words. I feel like anything I write will not do this series justice. The book hangover after this one has been a struggle.

As a whole, Raybearer & Redemptor feel like fresh and inventive YA fantasies. I really enjoyed the concept of the rulers having individuals melded to their minds and could therefore speak to each other through their minds.

I liked that this particular book depicted Tarisai’s struggles as Empress. It was interesting to see how even the best intentions can lead to missteps. The book also deals with themes of found families and self-love for which I adored.

Every single page was packed with character development, worldbuilding and plot development. The story was so intricately put together I’m already craving a re-read as I am sure there were things I missed. I will say that so much of the book was dedicated to preparing Tarisai for her journey to the underworld that I was surprised how little of the book actually detailed her time there. I know sometimes the journey is more important than the moment itself but Tarisai almost made it look too easy. Although maybe that’s also a testament to her character and abilities?

Also, I really appreciate the inclusion of a character who knew they didn’t want children and not just because they were told they couldn’t have them.

Thank you Netgalley, the author and Abrams Kids for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

I was a little disoriented beginning this book because I didn't fully remember everything that happened in the previous book, but it all came back as I really got into it. This doesn't work as a stand alone, to fully appreciate it you need to read the first book, Raybearer, but this was a wonderful continuation of that story. I'm not sure if there's another book planned in this series, but it ends in a very satisfactory way, so even if there are no more books, the reader still has closure.

After reading Raybearer in 2020, I was really excited about this sequel. Ifueko did not disappoint! I honestly liked Redemptor even better than Raybearer. It built beautifully on the world created in Raybearer, and I thought the conflicts, both internal and external, were so much more compelling.

The best analogy I can come up with to describe this duology is that Redemptor is like Raybearer's big sister. They're clearly cut from the same cloth, but Redemptor is a little darker, more complex, and more worldly.

The themes of justice, sacrifice, love, and family make this a GREAT book for discussion with people of any age (I would say 12+; there are some sexy scenes, so if you plan to read/chat with kids, be prepared). It's also a wonderfully accessible introduction to politics for young people. What do we value in our leaders? Who has power/a voice in our communities? What is class privilege? How do we address income inequality? BIG questions, but so important.

Finally, I genuinely appreciated the discussion about reproduction! Having children is a choice, not an inevitability, and it's completely valid to decide it's not for you.

Thank you, Jordan Ifueko!

After Raybearer, I did not think Jordan Ifueko could manage to blow me away even further. Now that I've had the honor of reading Redemptor, I can proudly say my expectations for what I would consider a perfect series have been forever changed by Tarisai's story.

The Raybearer duology is a series that is so incredibly unique - everything from the worldbuilding to the use of the found/chosen family trope, to exploring complex relationships and one's own personal duty and willingness to sacrifice for the greater good are all wrapped up in lush worldbuilding and characters who you can't help but adore. The morals of love and justice and strength are ones that will stay with you for a lifetime. Redemptor does an amazing job of picking up the story right where we left off and bringing readers on an incredible journey that is difficult to put down.

I especially connected with the exploration of the different types of love and how the narrative makes it clear that no one type is more significant than another. Tarisai's trauma and conflicting emotions surrounding her childhood continue to add depth to her character beyond the development we received in the first book. Dayo's asexuality is portrayed beautifully. Romantic, platonic, and familial relationships come full circle and each one is equally heart-melting.

Ifueko's strength in character building stood out to me especially. Newly introduced characters - namely Zuri and Min Ja - added layers to this story that I would have never expected and loved immensely.

Without spoiling anything, I also loved the way themes of depression and anxiety play a role, albeit in a fantastical way that does not draw any of the importance away from the lessons to be learned.

Tarisai's journey from the Children's Palace to Raybearer and Empress is one that I will cherish forever.

I really enjoyed the first book of this series so I was very excited to read the second one. It did not disappoint and I really enjoyed the plot line. The main characters were super relatable and interesting which I really like in a story. I will be recommending this book to all of my friends.

I'm in absolute awe of this book. This is now my favourite duology ever.

With Raybearer having been one of my absolute favourite books of 2020, the finale to this duology was one of my most anticipated 2021 books. And then I got BLESSED: right after the cover and release date were announced, the book went up on Netgalley and I got approved within a day. Needless to say, I dove in right away.

Very often, when I've really loved the first installment in a series, I will end up very disappointed by the second one, because it will just not live up to the first book. So if that happens to you too, let me just state right away: there's no need to worry about that here. When I started reading, I was immediately transported back into this world, and everything about it - the writing, the plot, the characterization - felt completely consistent with the first book.

One of my favourite aspects of the first book was the way the found family trope was used. This is one of my favourite tropes in general, and while I adored it in Raybearer, I think it might have even been better in Redemptor. I especially still very much adore my beloved Dayo.

But really, this book just has it all: amazing characters with enough loveable interactions to keep me happy, an engaging plot, intricate world building, absolutely exquisite writing. Whether you like to read for the plot or for the characters doesn't matter - you will be fed here.