PROS: entertaining, fast-paced, with a twisty plot that unravels from one thing to another. I loved how author3.5
good soup, but not anything impactful
PROS: entertaining, fast-paced, with a twisty plot that unravels from one thing to another. I loved how authoring was incorporated into the plot! And I enjoyed Cosimano’s writing style, it fit the book very well (and I’m definitely learning adult contemporary writing is far better than YA contemporary!). Language occasional, romance closed-door (though there is only a bit of romance really). Also, the Finlay-and-Vero dynamic was EVERYTHING.
CONS: Finlay makes some morally questionable and reckless decisions that the entire plot revolves around, and it doesn’t seem like she truly regrets them (you really have to view this book as a lot of entertainment, not with any profound or inspiring meaning). I also found the book to not deliver well on its promise to be “funny”. It could be calledhumorousbecause some of the dialogue between characters gave me a chuckle, but this read to me as a contemporary novel with suspense and mystery elements (not a comedy in any way)....more
update: this was back when I just threw out five stars. this is a solid four because of how it’s lived in my mind as time has passed: as a solid bookupdate: this was back when I just threw out five stars. this is a solid four because of how it’s lived in my mind as time has passed: as a solid book I recommend but not at five star divinity.
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“Monsters were nothing. The true terrors were people like me— the ones who saw suffering, who heard the screams of a hundred generations echoing for miles around them— and still did nothing.” (p. 347)
ok woah it ACTUALLY lived up to review hype *is extremely shocked*
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4.5 STARS
This book gave me all of the things I love about fantasy — world building, different societies, magic, characters thrown into life and death situations, a dabble of romance — while feeling so seamless and fresh and entirelyits own.
SETTING/WORLDBUILDING: I wouldn’t describe it as a fantasy that felt so wholly unlike anything else (such as Nevermoor or a Wrinkle in Time, perhaps, which are built upon quirkiness), but that made this world have a sense of timelessness. It’s structured very much likeHunger Games,with 12 different realms ((view spoiler)[ and an outcast 13th realm(hide spoiler)]), with one realm being the center hub of it all, Aristar, bearing the most power. Unlike it, though, realms have less inherent social hierarchy except in Aristar (which are led by blood heirs), and are inspired by different cultures. The transportation reminded me ofKeeper of the Lost Cities,which uses crystals to travel; instead people in this world travel to different realms by “lodestones,” which have the negative effect of making one want to vomit after use, thus it cannot be used multiple times in a row without serious consequences (brilliant job by Ifueko—consequences!!!).
The world is very much intwined with a spirit world and spiritual/demonic beings, as well as sprites, and genie-like being ehrus (I think that’s how it’s spelled?) who must fulfill the first three commands they are given. Every year, this world sacrifices “specially born” people, who are only born in onespecificrealm (I say this vaguely so not to diffuse the enjoyment of discovering the details of the book by yourself) in order to preserve a treaty with the spirit world so they won’t devour them in war.
PLOT: I loved the plot of this book, can Ijustsay. It begins with the personal conflict of Tarisai, at this time a young child (8 years old? I forget) who is commanded by her manipulative mother (but whom she loves nonetheless) to kill the same-aged crown prince of Aristar, Ekundayo. She must first, though, travel to Aristar and be chosen as one of his council — which occurs by the test of the “Ray,” a magical power born to heirs of the empire and of the Kunleo family; a person can only accept the Ray and join the council if they truly love the Raybearer, who is Ekundayo in this case. This is becauseonly the council of the Raybearer/crown prince(formed of 12 people from each realm, including the prince)can kill the Raybearer.
Then, as the book progresses, the plot morphs into more political intrigue and societal, save-the-world and fight-for-justice kind of thing — which I loved. Our protagonist is convicted of the flaws in her world that have devastating consequences — and everyone else accepts them. So on top of personal conflict, she must also decide what justice is, and whether she will and can fight for it.
The plot connects to the second book, while also having its own plot in the first book with a satisfying conclusion.
>>>Romance.I’ll just say two things about this. 1) It is not necessarily the first thing you might predict or assume from reading the plot synopsis, don’t worry there. 2) I was SO surprised by how wholesome the main relationship is. So many books emphasize the steam, but this relationship was so much more about support and compassion and all that loveREALLYis (though, steam did follow in the second book and some of it was unnecessarily suggestive… but oh well).
CHARACTERS: Tarisai is definitely my favorite character (and she develops even better in the second book!), and that’s saying something, since I usually despise main characters because they’re crackers and water —- dry and watery, since it’s much easier for an author to use their POV that way. But through the emotional longing of finding new family and the simultaneous longing to stay true to her blood family, I was immediately attached to Tarisai’s journey. Then, she (especially in the second book) is placed in situations where she must stand firm in the things she truly believes, even when the entire WORLD— and worse, all her FRIENDS— tell her to do something otherwise. She is a brave and fierce heroine while also being full of love and compassion — tell me, how rare is that to find nowadays?
The side characters are notobsessive-able,but they brought significance to the story. I love Tarisai’s guy relationships, they are a great example of how healthy guy-girl relationships can be. I also love her bestie relationships with Kirah — they are so supportive of one each other while also having a fun ride (but I was disappointed that their friendship was basically non-existent the second book???). The CHARACTER ARCS are so well-developed, especially Tarisai’s, and that only cements more in the second book.
WRITING: Literally perfect for the story. Illustrious without weighing down in description, flowing in narrative, and setting the tone beautifully.
THEMES: And finally, the themes. These are POWERFUL, my friends. Searching for new family and family healing; desiring belonging; seeking purpose and meaning; discovering what love truly is; deciphering what justice is and standing up for what you believe; leadership— just to name a few.These themes are what cementRaybeareras resonant and unforgettable. ______
So why did I knock off half a star?
Right now it doesn’t have the je ne se quois, I suppose, and I have to marinate on it a little further. But it’s almost there.
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CW // Sexual content (references and brief scenes), blood, death, verbal child abuse....more
Exactly the book I wanted to read right now, and a marvelous follow-up to Alice In Wonderland.Review to follow.
TW // Fatphobia/sizeism & e4 STARS
Exactly the book I wanted to read right now, and a marvelous follow-up to Alice In Wonderland.Review to follow.
TW // Fatphobia/sizeism & eating disorders (MC likes to eat, but her mother calls her name based on size and stops her from eating multiple times), otherwise mild mental parent abuse. CW // Death (moderate), mentions of "undergarments" (mild)...more
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