I was BEYOND excited when NetGalley sent the approval for me to read Heir. I’ve read the Ember Quartet twice so the world of Heir was not new to me.

You do not have to read the Ember series first but I highly recommend you do because it is a great series. There is character overlap so having their backstories is nice but not necessary.

The characters are very well written. Quil, Sircha, and Aiz are very complex characters. Sufiyan and Arelia aren’t as complex but still well written. I hope we get more time with them in the next book.

Now the story- it’s one of my favorites this year. The pace is great, I never felt the story was dragging. I had an idea of what would happen most of the time but zero clue how it would happen.

While there is a romance aspect it is balanced well with an interesting story and interesting characters. The end is not a massive cliffhanger but sets up for book two which you better believe I WILL be reading!

What a lovely return to the AEITA universe! As a huge fan of the original series, this was so fun to read and I appreciated all the little easter eggs. Not only did I love seeing familiar faces of old characters appearing two decades later, but I adored these new characters too. It’s so bittersweet yet heartwarming to see the same AEITA characters again, but older this time. There were multiple POVs but it was balanced so well because the story slowly comes together as the POVs change throughout the book.

Quill, Sirsha, and Aiz’s stories were all so connected together and I found it difficult to let go as I got closer and closer to the end. They are each different but complex in their way, and very well written. I don’t want to give anything else away. But I had to purposely take forever with this book because the writing really gripped me by the neck and I was enjoying it way too much to put it down. The magic system, plot, romance, tension, and fast-pacing had me hooked in from start to finish.

After that ending, I am absolutely starved for the second book and cannot wait for it to be out. Sabaa expanded on the AEITA world so much and even left a lot more for us to think about. I’m genuinely curious as to how everything will be wrapped up soon because I just want all my favs to be happy for once!!

If you haven’t read AEITA yet, what are you even doing???? Okay, you don’t need to read the series to understand the plot of Heir, but I would still highly recommend it (whether you read it before or after). Not just because it has emotional element to the original characters and the vivid account of the world preceding the plot of Heir, but because it’s such a good series on its own with amazing world-building and twists. For those who did read AEITA, it’s not required to reread the series but c’mon you could might as well.

Three young people from different walks of life-an orphan seeking vengeance, a banished tracker, and a reluctant crown prince-find their fates intertwined as they confront a deadly new enemy threatening their empire. Each driven by past tragedies and the weight of their own choices, they must navigate love, power, and sacrifice in a brutal world. As tensions rise, they'll face impossible decisions that could cost them everything, including their hearts.

When I requested this ARC, I fully intended to read An Ember in the Ashes beforehand, but I didn't get the chance!! That being said, diving into this story without the background knowledge made it a bit challenging to follow certain events and character dynamics. However, Sabaa Tahir's writing is so incredible that I still found myself deeply invested in the world and characters. Her ability to weave intricate plots and develop morally complex characters makes you not want to stop reading.

I plan to read Heir again after I finish the Ember in the Ashes series because I know it all tie together. Despite my initial confusion, I couldn't put the book down. The multiple POVS and dynamic pacing kept me hooked, and I loved watching the characters' growth. Tahir's storytelling is immersive, and I'm eager to see how Heir fits into the larger narrative once I have even more context.

Thank you to NetGalley and Penguin Readers Group for the ARC.

Look it’s no secret I’ll read anything Sabaa writes. But this story is sensational. She’s managed to recapture the magic of Ember and mold and reshape it into its own story. We’ve upped the humor, we’ve upped the romance, but it still has Sabaa’s essential storytelling quality of being ruthless and fearless and so real. I really appreciated the structure of this story and the way the POV’s intertwined and revealed key story elements and certain times. While parts of it were predictable, many parts had me on the edge of my seat and left me with my jaw on the floor. Sabaa’s history of ruthlessness with her characters always keeps the stakes high, and you never know who is going to make it to the end. I can not recommend this series and this book enough.

I’m going to do my best to review this book in a coherent way, even though I can’t stop yapping about this book to anyone and everyone.

Heir takes place in the same world as “An Ember in The Ashes. Although you could likely enjoy this book without reading the quartet, I wouldn’t recommend that. Firstly, because why wouldn’t you read them? Those books are amazing! Secondly, the joy I had when we see some familiar characters was like a warm hug. You wouldn’t deny yourself a warm hug, would you? However, our new characters quickly move in and take up room in your heart. With multiple POVs, you can see the characters evolve and follow their motives easily.

My reading experience was so enjoyable because I only had the book summary to go off for context. Steer clear of spoilers or in-depth reviews prior to reading! The beginning of the story is a slow burn. You’re only getting the piece of the picture, and as the pieces slowly start to fit together you can’t deny Tahir’s writing is in a league of its own. As a proud member of the *traumatized by Sabaa Tahir* club, you’ll have no problems renewing your membership with this book. You’ll have your heart ripped out more than once…

I’ll work on healing as I anxiously wait for the announcement of the final installment.

Thank you to the publisher and netgalley for the ARC.

When I’m telling you I was so excited to return to this world, I do not even have the necessary words to tell you how excited I was to see it now in the future and see what our beloved characters were up to now.

If you haven’t read An Ember in The Ashes before, I highly recommend for you to read it because you WILL be spoiled. Additionally, knowing about them before will bring a whole new perspective as you read this story.

Overall, it was a thrilling and epic story from Tahir. She grips you right at the beginning. I did not feel bogged down by info dumping (which can also be true because I know this world so well.)

She also masterfully created a story that really speaks about serious and dark topics we are currently facing today, specially with what is happening in Palestine. So, make sure you are aware of certain triggers such as genocide.

The chapters are set up following different characters and some of them even taking place in the past. Unfortunately, this made the plot twists kind of predictable for me. Nothing really surprised me in this book, hence the 4 stars.

I highly recommended for you to read this. I mean, Sufiyan and Ariella? AHHHHHH! More please! And that ending??? I better get the ARC again next time because I can’t!!

Thank you to Netgalley for allowing me to read this ARC.

Although I have never read a book by this author, she was always on my radar. When I saw I had been approved to read this book, I was really excited.

This was multiple POV fantasy. It took a while for me to understand the timeline. Then it became clear why, with the plot unfolding as the book continued.

When I picked this book up, I went into it slightly over fantasies. But thankfully, it was the right fantasy to pick up. It was fast-paced and had an interesting plot. It was not the basic formula that I have been seeing in many other books. I enjoyed getting to know the characters and seeing their development throughout the book.

I would definitely recommend picking this one up!

This book is a masterpiece. I wish I could give it 1000 stars. I loved everything about it. It’s the best kind of spin off where you actually get to see your beloved characters
come back and play a completely different role, and you get to meet new characters and care deeply about them. It’s a spinoff set in the same world as Ember in the ashes but it’s a new story, it’s original and it’s unique. I loved how it’s told from three point of views and I am obsessed with all three of them.
This book is filled with fantastic characters, twists and lies, magic, friendship, a little bit of love, family, courage, a lot of emotions, and some pain and suffering (because it is a Sabaa Tahir book). It is one of my top favourite books of the year list for sure it was everything I wanted it to be and so much more.

This author is always a treat, but especially stuns in this book. Picking up this book made me interested in their other works, and I was pleasantly surprised at how the world immediately sucks you and transports you within the first few pages. That is something that not a lot of books can accomplish, and this is one of the most well-rounded YA books this year. Thank you so much for the advanced reader copy in exchange for this review, and I look forward to what this author and the publisher engage in next.

**Thank you, Netgalley and publisher, for giving me an electronic ARC copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.**

I loved getting back into the An Ember In The Ashes world. It's been a while since I read the series so I will have to go back and read them. I loved the character development in this book especially Aiz and her dedication to Mother Div. Sabaa Tahir does a great job of brining together the main characters, Quil, Sirsha and Aiz, as they traverse through their journeys.

I absolutely LOVED it! Tons of action and adventure. Tons of thrills, action and adventure. Twists and turns. I never knew what would happen next! I had a hard time putting the book down. I can’t wait for the next one!

A captivating spin-off that will make your heart pound.

“Heir” follows Aiz (an orphan), Sirsha (an outcast), and Quil (a prince) as they grapple with the burdens of power, the treachery of love, the devastating consequences of greed, and a killer who will bring the empire to its knees.

I loved everything about this book, which is not surprising seeing that the “An Ember in the Ashes” quartet is one of my favorite series of all time! “Heir” takes place in the same world, but 20 years later, and follows the next generation of Tahir’s most beloved characters. It warmed my heart to be able to catch up with Helene, Elias, and Laia after so long (even though their happily ever afters were tampered with by Tahir) and see new dynamics form between them and Aiz, Sirsha, and Quil.

The characters are the driving force of this story. Aiz, Sirsha, and Quil are three-dimensional, contending with complex inner conflicts. Aiz is devoted to her faith and her people, but she lets power corrupt her humanity. After being banished from her tribe, Sirsha struggles with trusting others, something she must face head on when she discovers that she alone cannot hunt down the killer who has murdered children across the Empire. Born to a Plebeian and an Illustrian, brought into the world by a Scholar, and raised among the Tribes, Quil feels as if he belongs nowhere. What’s more, he’s loathe to inherit the throne in fear of becoming his father (the most hated emperor in the history of his people).

I particularly enjoyed reading from Sirsha and Quil’s point-of-view because of the relationship that developed between them when fate crossed their paths. While not the focus of the book, the subtle romance made my heart flutter!

The alternating perspectives allow the reader to explore the Empire alongside the characters. Tahir builds off the fictional world she established in the “An Ember in the Ashes” quartet by seamlessly introducing new cultures, religions, peoples, and magic systems. The dual timelines also add an element of intrigue. As with her other books, Tahir doesn’t reveal all her cards at once, slowly relinquishing information the further we get into the story until the part each character plays in the larger narrative becomes clear. I’m on the edge of my seat as I wait for book 2!

This newest book by Sabaa Tahir was phenomenal. It had me in a chokehold until the very last page. And GAH!!! I need the second book asap!
There is so much happening in this book.
What to expect in Heir:
-first book in a new duology
-magic
-multiple POVs
-a tracker
-a Prince
-an orphan
-found family
-romance
-a bit of mystery
.
An incredible story! All the stars!
Thank you to netgalley to G.P. Putnam’s Sons Books for Young Readers for the opportunity to read this book.
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Fantasy readers, you don’t want to miss out on this one!

i was so excited to be back in the world of AEITA after reading the quartet back in january of this year. the ember series was my introduction into sabaa tahir and let me tell you, i fell in love with her writing and storytelling. i loved the fact that she didn’t shy away from the “tough” subjects that may come with fantasy and how she truly connected you to her characters.

with that being said, knowing that heir was going to be about quil, i was ecstatic! i wondered how his story would play out and even how the world had changed since AEITA. we follow three different characters in heir; quil, sirsha, and aiz.

quil is the heir to martial empire. i found myself really enjoying his character. on the outside, he was cold, calculated, dangerous but once you got to know him he was so sweet, caring, and loyal to the end😉.

sirsha, oh how i adored her!! she brought such a fun personality to the story. sirsha is an outcast sent on a mission. she’s brutal, clever, sarcastic, and smart. she has a wall surrounding herself to come off cold but deep down she was yearning for more and truly is kind.

aiz…wow was she a complexed character. honestly, i’m not quite sure how i feel about her. while i thought her character was well written and interesting, she frustrated me and i definitely started to get annoyed with her chapters. overall i do appreciate the complexities and lessons shown through aiz but let’s just say i wished the ending went a different way🫣

as for the plot, it was very intriguing once you got a hold of what was going on. there was still that fast pace, need to know more feelings happening in heir as there was in AEITA. though, one issue i had was the fact that once i understood the plot/direction, it became a bit predictable. meaning, the twists and shock factors didn’t exactly come shocking to me.

heir was a phenomenal read filled with great characters, a gripping plot, and it was nice to see old characters characters again. i cannot wait to see what comes after this!

If I had the ability to read this in one sitting, I would have. I loved every single second of this book, especially connecting the dots regarding the multiple POVs and how each character intertwined. Every single moment had you on your toes, wondering what a character's next actions, thoughts, or emotions would be, guiding them into the unknown or the foreboding future. I adored each character, especially Sirsha with her cunning perspective and personality. Based on this ending, I need the next book immediately. Sabaa makes you fall in love with the characters at the same time you grow to despise them. It is a talent I adore and am forever grateful to see within the pages.

I tend to go into books blind, so I didn't know Heir was a companion sequel to the Ember in the Ashes Quartet until I was a few chapters in. I only knew that this was a new Sabaa Tahir book and that I needed to read it.

Page one grabbed me and didn't let go. Full of intrigue and action, I quickly turned the pages to discover what happened next. I had so many theories. I had no idea who I could trust. Tahir's ability to weave unique characters and storylines has only gotten stronger.

There are a few twists and turns, so I don't want to say much more. I loved this, and I cannot wait for the conclusion!

Perfect for fans of:
Fantasy
Quests/Journeys
Political Intrigue
Found Family
Slow Burn Romance
Strong Dislike to Love
Action
Forced Proximity
Multiple POVs

While you don't technically need to read the Ember in the Ashes Quartet to follow along, I do think you would get more out of the story if you were familiar with that series.

Thank you to NetGalley and Penguin Group - Penguin Young Readers Group for an advanced copy in exchange for an honest review.

Heir is part one of a multi POV duology with a unique take on an elemental magic system and beyond. The characters are amazing. The tracker is hilarious, the would-be murderer is heartbreaking, and the Prince is swoony. This is set in the same world as Ember in the Ashes and you get to see many of the surviving characters and it’s just incredible.

I love Sabaa Tahir's storytelling and this new series will not disappoint fans of her work. The three main characters are complex and ever evolving, taking the reader on a riveting adventure as they battle the obstacles that lay before them. I don't want to reveal too much, but this is definitely a book that you will try to finish in one sitting. If you are pulled in by the examination of unchecked greed, or the tough choices anyone would have to make in the face of power, treachery, or love then you have found your next good read.

Heir by Saba Tahir - ebook ARC from NetGalley

If you thought the Ember in the Ashes quartet was a wild ride, get ready to have your world rocked by Heir!! This is Book One in a new series (expecting it to be a duopoly) by Sabaa Tahir. She returns with a vengeance, delivering a novel packed with multiple POVs, fresh magic, and an entirely new generation of heroes (and villains, naturally). This time, she’s mixed things up with a masterful use of timelines that makes you want to flip back through the pages, piecing together the story like a detective on the brink of a breakthrough!

It’s got everything: a reluctant hero grappling with impossible choices, the spark of young love in the midst of chaos, and that oh-so-perfect found family vibe we all fell in love with in Ember. And while rereading the original series isn’t a *must*, it sure feels like finding buried treasure as you catch all those clever nods and clues Sabaa left scattered throughout the narrative.

Meet Sirsha—seriously, get ready for a new favorite character. With her fierce determination and compelling backstory, she’ll have you rooting for her every step of the way. And did I mention the new, dark themes? Sabaa dives deep into the shadows this time, bringing new depths to the world and its conflicts.

Heir takes everything we love from the *Ember* series and spins it into something familiar yet refreshingly new. Strap in for a wild journey through a magic-infused world, where the stakes are higher than ever and each chapter leaves you wanting more! Seriously one of my top reads so far this year!!

This book has easily claimed a spot in my top 5 favorite reads of 2024. Seriously, it’s that good! The fast paced writing and amazing banter to the tension, action and unforgettable characters….in a nutshell Heir completely wrecked me. T_T

Set about 20 years after An Ember in the Ashes, this spin-off is a continuation that delivers in every way possible. Technically, you could read Heir as a standalone series apart from the OG series, but why would you want to? Trust me, the experience is so much richer when you’ve already immersed yourself in the Ember series. The callbacks, glimpses of old characters, and subtle tie-ins are pure gold for OG fans.

I’m honestly at a loss for words because each chapter kept me on edge. It’s an emotional rollercoaster with a well-paced story that leaves you literally speechless! Heir has everything I could want in a book: witty characters, high-stakes adventure, delicious banter, amazing tension, a captivating magic system, and a little dash of romance to sweeten the deal.
If you loved the original Ember in the Ashes series, Heir adds even more depth to the world and the characters you already adore. It expands the universe in ways that make the original series even more meaningful. If you’re a fan of pain, heartbreak, and trauma, this one’s definitely for you. 😭😂

A huge thank you to @penguinteen for the advanced copy in exchange for my honest review.