The hotly anticipated sequel to the instant New York Times bestselling YA fantasy about Tarisai’s quest to change her fate
For the first time, an Empress Redemptor sits on Aritsar’s throne. To appease the sinister spirits of the dead, Tarisai must now anoint a council of her own, coming into her full power as a Raybearer. She must then descend into the Underworld, a sacrifice to end all future atrocities.
Tarisai is determined to survive. Or at least, that’s what she tells her increasingly distant circle of friends. Months into her shaky reign as empress, child spirits haunt her, demanding that she pay for past sins of the empire.
With the lives of her loved ones on the line, assassination attempts from unknown quarters, and a handsome new stranger she can’t quite trust, Tarisai fears the pressure may consume her. But in this finale to the Raybearer duology, Tarisai must learn whether to die for justice … or to live for it.
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“Tarisai’s strength and the love of her friends shine through in Abbott-Pratt’s compelling narration…An added bonus: Abbott-Pratt’s warm voice singing the many chants and songs woven throughout. Winner of the AudioFile Earphones Award.”
— AudioFile
“Full of complex characters, rich language, and conflicts that will resonate.”
— Minneapolis Star Tribune“Tarasai is back and bound to survive the trials and terrors of being the Empress Redemptor in this remarkably written fantasy sequel.”
— Ms. Magazine“Breathtakingly beautiful…Impossible to put down. I am sold on anything that Ifueko creates for her audience from this point on.””
— NPR“Immersive and gorgeously written.”
— BuzzFeed“A stunning conclusion to an atmospheric and imaginative YA fantasy duology.”
— YA Books Central“[An] incredible sequel.”
— Tor.com“A breathtaking, heart-wrenching story…whisking readers to far-off worlds while employing gorgeous imagery and prose.”
— Booklist (starred review)“The book, infused with West African influences, blossoms at a perfect pace…The action never lags, with the story remaining bright and exciting.”
— Kirkus Reviews (starred review)“Fans of the previous title will find a satisfying and twisty journey to success for Tarisai, whose trauma and guilt will resonate with many.”
— Bulletin of the Center for Children’s BooksBe the first to write a review about this audiobook!
Jordan Ifueko is the bestselling author of the Raybearer series and other stories, including short fiction in the Hugo-nominated magazine Strange Horizons. She has been a finalist for the Nebula Award and has been featured on BuzzFeed, NPR, and others. She writes about magic Black girls who aren’t magic all the time, because honestly, they deserve a vacation. Follow her on instagram @jordanifueko.
Joniece Abbott-Pratt has narrated many audiobooks for children, young adults, and adults. She has won several AudioFile Earphones Awards and in 2021 was a finalist for the prestigious Audie Award for Best Fantasy Narration. She earned an MFA degree in acting from the University of Iowa and has performed on regional theater stages across the country, including the Public Theater in New York City. She has also appeared on television shows, including The Good Fight, Law and Order: SVU, Luke Cage, and Orange Is the New Black, and has voiced commercials and projects for US Bank, Johnson & Johnson, and others.