Raybearer Review and Discussion Questions written by the Hobbit on January 24th, 2022. This post contains affiliate links, you can find out more on our policies page or in the disclaimer at the bottom of the blog.
Know Before You Read
Book: Raybearer
Author: Jordan Ifueko
Genre: Fantasy, Young Adult
Length: 322 pages
Age suggested: 12+
Release Date: August 2020
Content Warning: One character has an abusive father.
Quick Summary of Raybearer
Tarisai grows up in a magic house wanting to be loved by her mother, the Lady, who she sees infrequently. She has a wish planted in her by her mother, to become a member of the crown prince’s inner group of friends – and then kill him. Is this destiny inescapable? Or can Tarisai somehow transcend it?
Raybearer Review (Contains Some Spoilers)
In the world of Raybearer, the king forms a mystical relationship with one person from each of the kingdoms he rules. This ray unites them all in a bond that gives the king protection against most forms of dying. Only a council member could kill a king – but their intense bonds prevent this. The king is still subject to aging, and so the crown prince must form a council with one person from each kingdom. Hundreds of children apply.
One of these is Tarisai. She grew up in a magic house longing for love and belonging. And she instantly forms a bond with Dayo, the crown prince, and forms friendships with others, especially Sanjeet and Kirah. These bonds provide her with the love and belonging she has been searching to find. But there is a problem. Tarisai is half ehru (think genie) Her mother commanded two wishes from her father, and she must fulfill the third. And her mother’s wish is that she join Dayo’s council – and then kill him. Can her desire for love and trust and the friendships she has formed overcome an unalterable wish? Tarisai is going to push herself to the limits to find out.
–Why Read Raybearer –
“(Raybearer)… places a dark-skinned heroine front and center, who is beautiful and powerful, deadly and compassionate, and vulnerable and tough, giving YA literature more of the diverse representation teens need.”– “Booklist”
Raybearer has a lot of West African mythology and culture, woven in an engrossing tale. The book has strong plots concerning class justice, child abuse, and gender justice. And it is a really good story. Am the Storyteller is the Pelican – who is called Was and Will Be. Humans spring forth when AM, The Pelican, pierces its breast to heal the earth. Pelicans were, 500 years ago, symbols of Jesus – because they were thought to pierce their breasts to feed their young… an interesting metaphor that many would not pick up.
Overall Ifueko creates a unique world made of multiple kingdoms, each having its own beliefs, customs, foods, and dress. You will root for Tarisai and be drawn into the emotions she and her close friends feel. We highly recommend Raybearer and this is also the first book in a series. So, if you enjoy this book, you can continue the journey.
Raybearer Quotes
“I think deep down, we’re afraid that things could get better. Afraid to find out that all the evil—all the suffering we ignore—could have been prevented. If only we had cared enough to try.”
“Every creature has a purpose. A place in a grand story, a tale as old and pure as life, and stronger than any mortal’s wish.”
“Am’s story for men and women has always been simple: You are equals, built to work side by side. But when it comes to power, mortals have always loathed simplicity.”
“our greatest good is the one we can’t contain: compassion, loyalty, softness, fierceness. The ability to win hearts, or recognize beauty, or weather a storm . . . Our gift could be anything, really. And when we use our greatest good for something beyond ourselves, that’s our best desire. Our purpose.”
“Wanting to be loved was not enough. Devotion to your friends was not enough. But wanting justice—to carve out a new story for this world, no matter the cost—that was enough.”
Raybearer Discussion Questions
Themes to Discuss: Destiny, loyalty, revenge, family, friendship, sacrifice
- Raybearer describes many lands. Which one had the most vivid descriptions?
- Tarisai finds the love and belonging she has wanted in her council family. Where do you find love and belonging? Where do your friends go to find it?
- What did you learn about African culture from reading Raybearer?
- Do you agree that wanting justice is a powerful purpose? What unjust things do you see?
Thanks for reading our Raybearer review. Before you go, check out these other posts
–Amari and the Night Brothers Review and Discussion Questions
–Beasts Made of Night and Crown of Thunder
–Ikenga Review and Discussion Questions
Down The Hobbit Hole Blog and Raybearer Review and Discussion Questions use affiliate links. We only link products we think you’ll like and you are never charged extra for them. As Amazon Associates, we earn from qualifying purchases at no additional cost to you. We also use cookies to gather analytics and present advertisements. This allows us to keep writing discussion questions and telling ridiculous dad jokes. Find our other reviews with discussion questions here. Our posts about faith here. And our posts about family stuff here.