‘Raybearer’ is a Fantastic Debut Fantasy by Jordan Ifueko – Audiobook Review
Tarisai has longed to know what it is like to feel the warm embrace of family. Raised by a mysterious figure known at The Lady in solitude, Tarisai must now fight for her place as one of the Crown Prince’s Council of 11 in the capital of the global empire, Aritsar. If chosen, Tarisai will be joined with the others through the Ray – a bond that’s deeper than blood.
Finally, a sense of family is within grasp. This is something that Tarisai has always wanted, but The Lady has other plans, including a spellbinding that Tarisai must obey: kill the Crown Prince. To do this, Tarisai must gain the prince’s trust, but will Tarisai threaten this newfound family that is within reach? Tarisai knows that she doesn’t want to blindly follow the magic of The Lady, however, will she be able to find the strength within herself to resist?
Well, you’ll just have to read the book or listen to the audiobook to find out for yourself.
Raybearer is Jordan Ifueko’s debut novel and it’s stunning. From the vividness of the world-building to the characters and villains throughout, Raybearer is truly a gem. I had the pleasure of listening to the audiobook courtesy of NetGalley and Blackstone Publishing, in exchange for an honest review and I am so glad I received this opportunity. While I don’t usually seek out audiobooks, the audiobook of Raybearer is exceptional.
Narrated by Joniece Abbott-Pratt, the Raybearer audiobook does a great job at not only still capturing the fantasy and magic but also captures each character in a way I’ve yet to encounter in another audiobook. Abbott-Pratt is pitch-perfect as Tarisai and every moment – all of the ups and downs in her journey are brought further to life with Abbott-Pratt’s outstanding voice work.
Where Raybearer really shines is in its originality. Many fantasy novels follow the same formulaic path for its protagonist, but Raybearer does a great job to set it apart from the other books in the fantasy realm and succeeds. The way that the book honed in on the theme of found family and didn’t have a romance that was quick to bloom really stood out for me. It was also equally exciting that there was so much myth and lore to explore. While I wasn’t sure how all of this would translate in terms of an audiobook, but it was well done and I felt fully immersed in all of it.
For anyone looking for a fresh fantasy to explore, Raybearer is definitely the book for you. Rich with brilliant world and character building, it is hard to stop listening to the audiobook once you begin. I cannot wait to read the book because I definitely need another helping of the magic I experienced.
Raybearer is now available for purchase at Amazon, Barnes & Noble, Indigo and your local independent bookstores. Be sure to get yourself a copy now!
