Eye-Rolling Demigod's Book Blog

Check out my review of the second book in the series, Tristan Strong Destroys the World

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Jordan Ifueko is a master storyteller, and she proved it once again with the latest installment in the Raybearer duology, Redemptor. Our main character, Tarisai Idajo is still reeling from the events that happened at the end of Raybearer. She made a deal with the abiku to become the last sacrifice sent into the Underworld and stop the cycle of child sacrifices. In order to do so and be able to take her place as Empress Redemptor, she must appoint her own council of rulers but that's easier said than done.

The found family aspect of the book was a highlight. Every family must deal with growing pains, and the found family of Tarisai and her council siblings is no different. As Empress Redemptor, Tarisai was forced to do a lot and change a lot and it took a while for her council siblings to adjust to that. Some of them adjusted a bit quicker than others (Sanjeet and Dayo), but everything thankfully worked out in the end. I loved seeing Tarisai grow and mature over the course of her character arc and the two books.

I thought Tarisai went through a lot in the first book, but she goes through even more in Redemptor. She carries the weight of all the Redemptors who died before her - a seemingly impossible weight to carry alone, as no one person can atone for an empire's sins by themself. If that wasn't enough, she's haunted by the spirits of all the dead Redemptors who are slowly making her question her sanity before she’s even made it to the Underworld. Her story is one of persistence, determination, and strength and I’m so happy that I was able to be a witness to it through reading.

Jordan Ifueko handles the diversity in her characters well. I'm not just speaking of skin color and race (which there’s a spectrum of Aritsar), but things like sexual orientation and disability. For example, Dayo is sex averse (which seemed to indicate he is asexual, though that word was never explicitly used). Tarisai has always been very respectful of his boundaries (despite expectations for both of them to produce an heir) - I can’t speak from the perspective of being part of the LGBTQA+ community, but in my opinion, Ms. Ifueko handled those conversations with tact and care.

The worldbuilding helped wrap all the other elements of the book together nicely. Jordan Ifueko expands the Aritsar worldbuilding as Tarisai learns more about the other realms through each individual ruler. She also added a new world to the mix by showing the various denizens of the Underworld and Tarisai’s journey there.

Overall, Redemptor was a very satisfying and powerful end to the Raybearer duology. All the storylines seemed to wrap up (no cliffhangers or loose threads to worry about), and I appreciated where things ended up. It was also another fantastic audiobook performance from narrator Joniece Abbott-Pratt. After reading Raybearer and Redemptor, I look forward to reading whatever Jordan Ifueko may write in the future.

TRIGGER WARNINGS: Alcohol Consumption, Drug Use, Child Abuse, Child Neglect, Murder

About the Author

Jordan Ifueko is the NYT Bestselling Author of the RAYBEARER series. She’s a Nebula Award, Ignyte Award, Audie Award, and Hugo Lodestar finalist, and she's been featured in People Magazine, NPR Best Books, NPR Pop Culture Hour, & ALA Top Ten. She writes about magic Black girls who aren’t magic all the time, because honestly, they deserve a vacation. Ifueko lives in Los Angeles with her husband David & their 3-legged trustafarian dog Reginald Ovahcomah.

Photo Credit: TeniKomo Photography

March 11, 2022

Tristan Strong Keeps Punching (Tristan Strong #3) by Kwame Mbalia

Tristan Strong Keeps Punching (Tristan Strong #3) by Kwame Mbalia
Rating: 5 Stars
Release Date: October 5, 2021
Format: Audiobook (library)
Publisher: Disney-Hyperion (Rick Riordan Presents)

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Tristan Strong Keeps Punching by Kwame Mbalia is the exciting, action-packed conclusion to the Tristan Strong trilogy. Will our fearless Anansem and his friends be able to defeat the villainous King Cotton before it's too late?

One of the highlights of middle-grade books for me has always been the ability to watch your favorite characters grow up and mature. The characters in Tristan Strong are very well developed; it's been a pleasure to witness their journey over the course of the series. I was pleasantly surprised by the inclusion of a nonbinary character in this book (Memphis is introduced in Ch. 9 of the audiobook/likely Ch. 8 in print or ebook). My only previous exposure to nonbinary characters was in Yoon Ha Lee's Thousand Worlds series, and it makes me so happy to see another one in a mainstream middle-grade book.

Another highlight of this series for me is how well Kwame Mbalia blends and balances the humor and serious moments in his books. The humor left me cackling at times, especially when Gum Baby says things like "bee-log" and "pre-coffinary measures". I think Gum Baby is involved in at least 80% of the humorous moments in the book if not more. Despite the humor and often lighthearted tone, the author didn't shy away from touching on subjects like racism, slavery, and the effects of trauma (even generational trauma). If you're looking for a middle-grade book that would work well for a book club (or even just a discussion between parents and kids), then Tristan Strong Keeps Punching and the rest of the Tristan Strong series should be at the top of your list.

Amir Abdullah’s narration of the books is still fantastic. I love the Gum Baby voice he does - I can’t stop laughing every time Gum Baby makes an appearance. If you have the chance to listen to the audiobook, I highly recommend it - the Gum Baby voice alone makes it worth it (but the other character voices are awesome too).

Overall, this was a fantastic conclusion to the Tristan Strong trilogy! Those who are fans of humorous middle-grade fantasy (featuring diverse mythology) will surely enjoy this series. If you enjoyed the Tristan Strong books, I highly recommend you check out the other Rick Riordan Presents books as well. I’m eager to read whatever Kwame Mbalia may write in the future (and I certainly wouldn’t say no to more Gum Baby content, especially if it's like the short story that was featured in The Cursed Carnival and Other Calamities).

About the Book

After reuniting with Ayanna, who is now in his world, Tristan travels up the Mississippi in pursuit of his archenemy, King Cotton. Along the way they encounter new haints who are dead set on preventing their progress north to Tristan's hometown of Chicago. It's going to take many Alkean friends, including the gods themselves, the black flames of the afokena gloves, and all of Tristan's inner strength to deliver justice once and for all.

Shocking twists, glorious triumphs, and a cast of unforgettable characters make this series conclusion as satisfying as it is entertaining.

About the Author

Kwame Mbalia is a husband, father, New York Times bestselling author, and former pharmaceutical metrologist, in that order. His debut middle-grade novel, TRISTAN STRONG PUNCHES A HOLE IN THE SKY, and the sequel, TRISTAN STRONG DESTROYS THE WORLD (October 6, 2020), are published by Rick Riordan Presents/Disney-Hyperion. A Howard University graduate and a Midwesterner now in North Carolina, he survives on dad jokes and Cheez-Its.

Kwame Mbalia Author Photo Credit: Bryan Jones Photography

January 19, 2022

Raybearer (Raybearer #1) by Jordan Ifueko

Raybearer (Raybearer #1) by Jordan Ifueko
Rating: 5 Stars
Release Date: August 18, 2020
Format: eBook (Borrowed from Library) + Audiobook (Personal Libary; Bought)
Publisher: Amulet Books

Check out my review of Book 3 in the Tristan Strong series, Tristan Strong Keeps Punching

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Raybearer by Jordan Ifueko is an epic debut and a beautiful story about friendship, family, and the fight to stay true to one’s self. A young adult novel, this book is a great choice for those who are fans of tropes like the chosen one, love triangles, found family, and platonic life partners.

Readers are introduced to Tarisai, our main character when she’s a child, and follow her as she grows up. We later learn that all of the training and lessons she was subjected to during childhood were designed to prepare her for the moment that the prince would choose his council of eleven. The promise of a family that will never leave her excites Tarisai, but the magical wish that the “Lady” (Tarisai’s mother) has enacted to force her to kill the prince leaves a dark cloud over the situation. Torn between her genuine care for the prince and the magic that compels her to obey her mother’s command, Tarisai is forced to fight fate and choose her own path.

I enjoyed how Tarisai’s journey as a heroine was not defined by romance (though there is a slow-burn romance in the works in this book for those who are interested). Fierce heroines are always a plus for me, and Tarisai embodies all of that description and more. While Tarisai is fierce, she is also strengthened by the care and love from her council siblings. It’s so rare to see such strong platonic love between characters in young adult fantasy novels these days, and I was all here for it. I’m crossing my fingers in the hope that readers will get to learn more about the other council members (besides Sanjeet, Dayo, and Kirah) in the sequel.

The worldbuilding is off the charts in this book, and definitely one of my favorite (if not my favorite) parts of the book. It’s immersive, and readers can happily lose themselves in it while reading. While this is definitely a fantasy world, it’s diverse and has a realistic feel that gives you the impression it could be something that could exist in our world with minimal differences. The idea of “Hollows”, or magical abilities, and how they play into the selection of the Emperor’s council of Eleven was unique and interesting. I also really enjoyed how the cultural aspect played into the worldbuilding, and how many characters are driven by their desire to belong.

Overall, Raybearer is one of my favorite fantasy reads so far this year. Readers who pick this book up can expect a budding (almost slow-burn romance), amazing characters, and off-the-charts world-building. If you have the opportunity, I would definitely recommend listening to the audiobook as the narrator Joniece Abbott-Pratt did an amazing job. I’m excited to read Redemptor and learn how the final chapter of Tarisai’s story ends.

Trigger Warnings: Attempted Murder, Child Abuse (Neglect), Graphic Violence, Death of Loved One, Death of Children

About the Author

Photo Credit: TeniKomo Photography

November 3, 2021

Tristan Strong Destroys the World (Tristan Strong #2) by Kwame Mbalia

Tristan Strong Destroys the World (Tristan Strong #2) by Kwame Mbalia

Rating: 4 Stars

Release Date: October 6, 2020

Format: Audiobook

Publisher: Disney-Hyperion (Rick Riordan Presents)

Check out the book on Goodreads