Heir by Sabaa Tahir is set in the same world as An Ember in the Ashes and while you don't technically need to read that first, it is highly recommended that you do. I read the first two books in the An Ember in the Ashes series so I knew some of the characters mentioned in this book but since I didn't finish the third book in the series, I felt like I was missing a whole lot of backstory for this book. This was a great story, with a fully detailed world and full detailed characters but I still felt like I was missing out on essential parts of the story. The story is immersive and exciting despite what was mentioned previously. Anyone who reads fantasy stories will love this book, but again I recommend starting at the beginning with An Ember in the Ashes.
Thank to Netgalley, PENGUIN GROUP Penguin Young Readers Group and G.P. Putnam's Sons Books for Young Readers for the advanced copy.

This is an intense book that’s filled with an abundance of attractions for the young adult readers. I was fascinated with on the mythical tales that drove each characters tale. The story is fast pace for the readers. I feel that the book has considerable amount of information to help readers understand aspects of the story. I enjoyed the book.

Thank you to Penguin Random House and NetGalley for providing me with an arc of this book.

Note to anyone considering reading Heir: it is set in the same world as An Ember in the Flames and while you don't technically need to read that first, it is highly recommended that you do. I attempted to read it on its own without the prequel series without knowing it was set in the same world and immediately faced barriers. I felt like the world wasn't described very well and I was confused about the wide cast of characters and how they all related to each other. For that reason, I unfortunately had to DNF this book for the time being. I hope that later I will get around to reading An Ember in the Ashes (it's been on my list for a while) and then I can try this book again but for now, I had to set it aside. Because I DNFed it, I'm not going to give it a rating.

I love Sabaa Tahir!!! I would literally read her grocery list. I was worried for Heir, because sometimes a sequel to a series can be risky, but Heir blew me out of the water. It absolutely can stand very strongly on its own, while still offering a reward to fans of An Ember in the Ashes. Tahir writes a nice balance of character and action, forcing me to very anxiously sit through every high-stakes moment, hoping that everyone gets out okay. I CRIED reading this book... Sabaa knows how to write heartbreak for sure, and it's the most deliciously painful reading experience one can have.

I thought this book was great, I know I’m at late in my review but I’m so glad I read it! It was great being back in this world, Sabaa is just a genius at their craft!

I was excited to read this newest release from Sabaa Tahir. I was hooked from the first few chapters. The characters felt real and three-dimensional. I love a story told from multiple POVs. And the author does a great job weaving their narratives together. Add in the fantastic world building and I would highly recommend this book!

There are a few things this author excels at. The first is writing well rounded characters. They're engaging, complex, and interesting, which is great since the author uses multiple POVs. The worldbuilding is also generally quite good. But this book is set 20 years after the events of the first book, so it was skimpy on some of the explanations, likely making it more confusing (or at least feel like it has weaker worldbuilding) for folks who haven't read the first series. The pacing is also quite solid, never leaving any parts of the book feeling like they're lagging.

But I just want to read a solid fantasy that doesn't have unnecessary romance and descriptions like "full bottom lip and cheekbones as sharp as scim blades." And of course there was romance included in more than one of the POVs, which was not appreciated. But that's a "me" problem and likely won't bother most readers. I also really dislike something the author used as a plot point, but I won't say what it is because it's a spoiler. Again, this is a "me" problem and maybe won't bother most readers, but it's something I've run across several times that never works for me.

Overall, this start of a duology wasn't as strong as I hoped it would be, but I know I'm an outlier here. I'll still read book two, though, because this author is talented. If you generally like modern YA fantasies, you'll almost definitely love this one. My thanks to NetGalley and Penguin Group for allowing me to read this work. All thoughts and opinions expressed in this review are my own.

This was my first book I’ve read by Tahir and oh my god, I was not disappointed. I absolutely loved the writing style, the plot was well thought through. I devoured it in a day. I will definitely be reading Tahir’s backlist!

“No one can manipulate those with faith like a person who has none.”

As a huge Ember in the Ashes fan, I adored this book! It reminded me of why I’m a big Sabaa Tahir fan. This was such a good continuation of the original series that wove together new and old characters in a whole new adventure. I had a hard time getting into this at first, but was hooked before I hit the middle. The twists just keep coming after that! I also love how Tahir uses multiple points of view to show all sides and give readers empathy for each character.

I did think it was odd that the description didn’t explicitly say it was in the same universe and a continuation of An Ember in the Ashes. I think it could be read as a standalone, but adds more when you have read the other books.

Reading this made me want to go back and reread the entire Ember in the Ashes series because it reminded me how much I freaking love this world. Also Sabaa has once again been so cruel to so many characters that I've become obsessed with and what do you mean you're torturing my babies like this?!?!?!

Sabaa Tahir is a phenomenal writer. She knows how to have your emotions going up and down while reading, and that's one of my favorite aspects of her books. So much emotional turmoil but in the best way. Can't wait to see what's next because this was incredible!!

Heir is set in the same world as An Ember in the Ashes - this story takes place 20 years after AEITA and while it's not required to read AEITA, it will only help understand the world better and there's some spoilers in this one for AEITA if you haven't finished that one yet.

We follow “the second generation” of sorts, including Helene’s nephew and Laia and Elias’ son, this is a twisty and gripping, dual timeline story of fighting for your people and your family, no matter the cost.

the storytelling and plot were ace, with brutal and painful themes that are all too relevant today, for example, as we pray Palestine is freed. Mind your triggers: Genocide, colonisation, war, death, poverty/suffering/classism, child death, mentioned family violence and abuse.

Furthermore, I never felt bogged down by info dumps or suffocated by action scenes (which are plentiful). You can truly see how much Tahir has leveled up as a writer from her debut to this book. It’s classified as YA, but it didn’t feel overly young. There’s some mild fade-to-black spice, and the characters are aged around 20, so it strikes a good balance.

If you love high fantasy with incredible characters, you may need Sabaa Tahir in your life. Consider this my highest recommendation.

Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for an early cop. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

Sabaa, if nothing else, knows how to tear at your heartstrings, and this is not new in Heir. It was great coming back to the Ember in the Ashes world and honestly, now that the dust has settled, so to speak, it was high time we got another dose of problems coming through some several years later.

Another excellent addition to the fold, and can't wait to read the next!

Heir by Sabaa Tahir
5/5 Stars

I will read everything that Sabaa Tahir writes, always. This was one of my top books of 2024, hands down, no contest.

Heir is a bit of a sequel to An Ember in the Ashes series, as it is set in the same world and some characters make an appearance, but with a time jump of 20 years and focused on the next generation. It definitely could be read without the background, but I wouldn't recommend it. The world-building, information, and incredible storytelling of AEITA only make Heir that much richer, as it builds upon the world we first saw in that series. I loved being back in that world with familiar characters and new ones, and her trademark world-building, character development, and plot with twists and turns will keep you on your toes the whole time.

This book literally had me gasping out loud and texting my friends in all caps. I don't want to spoil it, but I'll just say it is a must-read for readers of high fantasy, who like good writing, incredible world-building, and political intrigue, plot twists, romance and friendships, and diversity of characters, cultures, and beliefs

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher, Penguin Teen, for the eArc!

I didn't read the other series from this author 'An Ember in the Ashes', and it took me a bit longer to get into the world building and everything, but it wasn't confusing or lacking anything in my opinion. It felt like a new fantasy series for me and was really good! So I'm definitely going to have to read the previous series now! It was quite the emotional rollercoaster, every chapter just had me immersed more and more until I found myself at the end! I'm glad it's only a duo logy because I can't wait forever for the next book!

HEIR WAS THE BEST BOOK OF 2024 ! IT HAD THE BEST TWISTS AND MOST LUSH WRITING, WHAT A JOY TO BE BACK INTO THE AEITA WORLD. THE NEW CHARACTERS WERE PEREFECT, ALL SO WELL WRITTEN AND INTERESTING, THE EASTER EGGS FOR AEITA READERS SO GOOD, DEFINITELY A MUST READ

DO NOT read this before you've read Ember in the Ashes, you will miss caring for so many of the side characters/the world/context!

As Ember is one of my favorite series of all time, I was beyond excited. I saw some reviews not loving it and I got a bit scared, but honestly I kicking my feet, screaming internally and externally. It took a bit to get to know the characters, but how Sabaa has expanded the world and brought back so many parts of it I love.... I want more. Every generation spawning for years to come... Loved it....sequel tomorrow, please?

I want to thank NetGalley for providing an ARC of *Heir* by Sabaa Tahir in exchange for an honest review.

*Heir* is a gripping, fast-paced novel that you won’t want to put down. The world-building is stunning, immersing you in a richly detailed and complex environment. The characters are multi-dimensional, shaped by their surroundings, and their growth is both intriguing and compelling. While I had some issues with Aiz—particularly her reckless decision-making—the book’s other characters, like Sirsha and Quil, more than made up for it. They were incredibly entertaining, bringing humor and warmth to balance Aiz’s darker tendencies. Aiz’s transformation into a villainous figure was shocking, though it felt somewhat sudden. Despite this, the book kept me hooked, and I couldn’t stop reading. That ending—what the heck was that?! All I can think about is the next book, and I will gladly devour every page of it.

While writing this review, I read other people’s thoughts, and some mentioned that it helps to read Sabaa Tahir’s *An Ember in the Ashes* before *Heir*. I agree—especially if you want to understand the more technical components of the book. However, I didn’t realize this until I was about 50% through. Personally, I think you can read *Heir* without the previous books, but only if you have strong reading comprehension skills. Since this is a fantasy novel with heavy world-building, the extra context would definitely help.

### **Spoilers Ahead:**

Aiz was a major source of frustration for me. Her actions, especially as the plot unfolded, felt increasingly out of place for someone who was supposed to be seeking help and grew up in the lower class. Her recklessness didn’t fully reflect the struggles of someone in her position, which made her character feel inconsistent. Her POVs also became dull until about 70% through the book, making it difficult to stay invested in her journey.

The relationship between Aiz and Mother Div was another issue. While I understand that Mother Div was meant to be controlling and manipulative, the lack of explanation surrounding Aiz’s mission as the "Chosen One" made the intended manipulation feel *off*. I get that she’s a deity, but if you need someone to fulfill a grand destiny, shouldn’t you provide more guidance than just *Shut up, free my people, and do my bidding*? Aiz’s descent into villainy felt abrupt, and I wish the author had provided more subtle hints earlier on—whether through the book Aiz was constantly reading or her conversations with Mother Div—to better show how she was being influenced.

Despite these frustrations, Sirsha and Quil were absolute standouts. Their interactions were funny, engaging, and provided much-needed balance to the heavier themes of the book. I loved their dynamic, and they made up for the weaker parts of the story.

Overall, I loved *Heir* and rated it 4.5 stars. The world-building, character depth, and emotional impact made it a fantastic read, even with some flaws in Aiz’s arc. I highly recommend it and cannot wait for the next book!

Sabaa Tahir forever. (crying emoji) I absolutely love the worlds she builds; it was so great to be back here, even tangentially. I absolutely loved her Ember series, so I IMMEDIATELY wanted this. Heir is such a good combination of plot and character driven -- I loved this crew so much & cannot wait for book 2!

Heir, is a compelling story set in the (An Ember in the Ashes) universe, expanding the world. I enjoyed the rich world building and can’t wait to read more from Sabaa Tahir.