Jordan Ifueko’s Raybearer is a full, robust reading experience. Excellent world-building and satisfying character arcs. I loved many of the themes, including a “found family,” the difference between uniform/unified, an individual’s purpose, and the notion of justice.
This book was very “Patrick Ness”-ish. Which is to say, a little weird, but compelling and well-written. I finished Burn and wondered “What did I just read?!” and “How can I explain this to anyone else?” Especially why they should absolutely read it, too.
I love when authors create dark, flawed characters without apology and have them act true to form, rather than changing them too much or too fast and compromising the reader’s trust. Tricia Levenseller does just that with The Shadows Between Us, making for a compulsively enjoyable read.
Every character in Margaret Rogerson’s Sorcery of Thorns got due diligence from the author, which I love. The world-building was tight, and the plot focused.
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I’m glad I stumbled upon Robin LaFevers’ Grave Mercy. It’s structured around many historical facts and people in 15th-century France, mixed with a healthy dose of supernatural fantasy. It’s a balance that LaFevers gets just right.
BOOK:30 