For the young person wrestling with immense pressure and the weight of difficult choices, this fantasy explores the burden of leadership and sacrifice.
A parent might reach for this book when their teen is buckling under the weight of expectations and self-doubt. Redemptor is the sequel to Raybearer, a high-fantasy novel that follows Tarisai, a young empress who must journey into the spirit world to break a curse that has plagued her people for generations. The story powerfully explores themes of leadership, sacrifice, generational trauma, and the fear of failure. It is best suited for older teens (14+) due to its thematic complexity and some intense scenes. This book is an excellent choice for a young person who needs to see a hero grapple not with external monsters, but with the internal pressure to be perfect and the courage it takes to ask for help.
Pervasive themes of generational trauma, sacrifice, grief, and severe anxiety.
Character DeathModerate
Secondary characters die, and the threat of death for main characters is constant.
Moral AmbiguityModerate
Characters grapple with the dark legacy of their ancestors and make difficult choices.
Sensitive Topics
The book's central themes are generational trauma and child sacrifice. This is handled directly within the fantasy context: the sacrifices are historical and magical, not graphically depicted in the present. The resolution is hopeful, focusing on breaking toxic cycles and creating restorative justice rather than perpetuating violence. The mythology is a unique, secular creation inspired by West African traditions. Death and grief are present and treated with emotional weight.
Ideal Reader
A teen, 14-17, who is a high achiever feeling the intense pressure of expectation. This is for the reader struggling with impostor syndrome, the fear of letting people down, or the belief that they must carry their burdens alone. It's perfect for seasoned fantasy readers who appreciate intricate world-building and deep character psychology over fast-paced action.
Parent Prep
This book is the second in a duology. While its emotional themes stand alone, the plot and character relationships are much richer with the context of the first book, Raybearer. Parents should be aware of the intense psychological stress the protagonist endures. The concept of child sacrifice, even in a fantasy context, might be upsetting for some readers. The journey through the Under-Beneath (Chapters 20-25) contains unsettling and scary imagery that a parent might want to be prepared to discuss. A parent sees their teen overwhelmed by anxiety about a leadership role, a big exam, or family expectations. They hear their child say things like, "I can't mess this up," "Everyone is counting on me," or "It's all my fault." The teen is isolating themselves and trying to solve every problem on their own.
Age Experience
A younger reader (13-14) will likely be captivated by the epic fantasy quest, the unique magic system, and the romantic subplot. They will see a story of a brave empress saving her kingdom. An older reader (15-17) will connect more deeply with the sophisticated political allegories, the themes of decolonization and restorative justice, and Tarisai's profound internal struggle with anxiety and generational trauma.
What Makes It Special
Unlike many YA fantasies about a 'chosen one,' Redemptor deconstructs that trope. Tarisai's unique power is also her greatest burden, and the solution is not more power, but community, vulnerability, and systemic change. The book’s specific, loving, and intricate West-African-inspired world is a significant differentiator in the fantasy genre.
Read plot summary
Following the events of Raybearer, Tarisai is now the Empress of Aritsar. Her rule is immediately tested by the empire's founding pact: she must journey to the Under-Beneath to bargain with malevolent spirits, the Alagbato, and end the horrific tradition of child sacrifice that has sustained her nation's peace. Haunted by the ghost of her mother and isolated by the immense pressure of her duty, Tarisai must navigate treacherous court politics, her own crippling self-doubt, and the literal demons of her empire's past to forge a new future.
This overview was generated by AI based on the book's content and reviews, and may not capture every nuance.
Discussion Prompts
1
Tarisai often feels like she has to bear her burdens alone, even hiding her fears from her closest friends. Why do you think it was so difficult for her to ask for help? Have you ever felt that way?
2
The Alagbato spirits demand justice for the wrongs committed by Aritsar's past rulers. Do you think their desire for vengeance was justified? How does the story's ending propose a different kind of justice?
3
Throughout the book, Tarisai is haunted by the legacy of her mother, The Lady. In what ways did Tarisai end up being similar to her mother, and in what ways did she break the cycle?
4
Tarisai's Hallow (her ability to see memories) is both a gift and a curse. If you had this power, how would you use it? Do you think it would be more of a help or a hindrance in your own life?
