Man....I did not expect to struggle to get through this as much as I did.

I will say that the writing is still so exquisite and the world-building phenomenal. But there was just...a lack of connection to this book and these characters, a lack of care for them. The original series had such an important and meaningful journey that I felt this one lacked. And having to battle through so much of Aiz's point of view really hindered the enjoyment in reading this book. Every time I got to her chapters I would put the book down because I just did not want to deal with her, which made for an incredibly sluggish reading process.

Seeing the snippets of Leia and Elias were wonderful, though. Seeing old characters in new books always feels like home.

Content Warning: violence, death, death of children, war

This is a spin-off of the An Ember in the Ashes series – which was really amazing, but I never read the last book and not because I didn’t want to, but life happened and I kept meaning to get to it. But that didn’t stop me from wanting to read Heir. Here are my thoughts:

Likes:

+ The story-telling and world building is amazing which is nothing less than I expected from this author. I liked how the Kegars had sails (aircrafts) that they built to fly! Helene, Elias and Laia make an appearance which is wonderful because it just brought me back to the Ember series and how much I loved these characters. But now they are older, with Helene being guardian to her nephew, Quil and Elias and Laia having kids together.

+ There are a few characters in this book and they are fun to get to know. Quil is Helene’s nephew and heir to the empire but I think my favorite was Sirsha who is a tracker. She’s tracking down an evil presence, she’s quick on her feet, has lots of personality and there is a romance between her and Quil. And then there is Aiz who is someone I was fascinated with in the beginning and then the story reveals her intentions, actions and her past and let’s just say she’s a very complicated character.

+ I did enjoy the second half of this book more than the beginning but that’s probably because of there is so much action and things being revealed in the second half.

Dislikes:

~ I don’t dislike that this is in the book because it is what shapes the villain but many children are sacrificed in this story and it’s heartbreaking (as it should be) and the author does an amazing job at writing this book that I hate the villain so much.

My Thoughts:

I do wish I finished the Ember series or even re-read the whole thing before reading this one but I think I found my footing in this story even though I didn’t finish the Ember series. I loved the new characters like Quil, Sirsha, Ruh and Sufi. I also loved seeing Helene, Elias and Laia in this book. The writing is fantastic as always and the world-building is detailed and expanded. This book made me feel so many emotions and it’s a dark story but so compelling. This is shaping up to be a really good spin-off and I can’t wait to see what happens in the conclusion!

Sabaa Tagir can create a whole world you can completely get lost in. I loved revisiting some beloved characters and all the new ones. This is a must for anyone who loved the Ember in the Ashes series!

I WILL NOT BE THE SAME.

This is one of those books that has altered my brain chemistry. It is one of the best books I’ve read this year. I feel like I won’t even do this review justice because of how phenomenal the entire book is.

I loved being back in this world and I loved getting to see my favorites from An Ember in the Ashes (highly recommend reading that series first!!). I loved all of the new characters. It’s a complex and diverse cast where this is not one weak point. Every single POV was engaging. I slowly devoured this because I wanted to savor it but also needed to know what was going to happen next.

And oh boy were there TWISTS. I was left staring into space multiple times while also flipping pages back and forth to make sure I had grasped what the heck just happened. Sabaa Tahir is an incredible writer and the wait for this book was worth it and more.

Also, ROMANCE. Good heavens it SENT ME. Every little lingering moment and touch and soft glance and heated exchange. It was an effortlessly created slow burn. I am obsessed.

There’s so many moments I would love to highlight that have engraved themselves on my soul. The deep, heart wrenching themes and the small pockets of joy. Handling what life has handed you with the strength to take the next step forward. This is one story that I will be thinking about for a long time.

Overall audience notes:

NA Fantasy + Romance
Language: low
Romance: very vague open/fade to black
Violence: high
Content Warnings: loss of life and war themes, torture and kidnapping, weapons of mass destruction

An incredible continuation to the ember series. I have nothing bad to say about this book...I can't think of one single thing. it was perfect

Thank you Net Galley and PENGUIN GROUP Penguin Young Readers Group for this ARC in exchange for my honest review!!

I am obsessed with this world and Sabaa Tahir's writing! If you haven't read the Ember in an Ashes series I highly recommend you read that before reading this book!

Quil and friends are so much fun to read about the way the story was written and the individual character arcs was fantastic! This is a multi POV books with plot lines that interconnect. The individual characters plot lines all came together to form what I can only describe as a plot spider web which lead to a very involved very thought out story line! Sabaa's talent in writing is truly impressive!

There where multiple parts of this story that made my heart hurt for the characters, some that made me mad (at certain people) and others that were heart warming and beautiful!

I absolutely loved this book and was so happy to be back in the world getting to see some of my favorite fiction characters again!

Well, I always seem to forget that when you open up a Sabaa Tahir book, you need to be ready to smile, cry, and scream "WHAT?!" in equal measure. In other words, I loved it, as expected.

What a great start to a duology! The characters jump off the page and you can't help but be on board for every decision they make, good or bad, and want the best for them even when they are making horrible choices for themselves. Also have to give it up for Elias managing to continue messing with people's lives even when he isn't the main character of the story (though I still love him). While Heir takes a little while to fully get going, once the main trio's storylines start to overlap, it's nonstop from there, and each side character also merits even further examination. I really hope that the second book allows us more time with Sufiyan, Arelia, Tas, and Cero, who prove equally as compelling as Quil, Aiz, and Sirsha. Sirsha definitely stands out as my favorite among the new trio with her prickly ways, and I especially loved seeing her interactions with every character and her longing for connection even as she firmly tried to put space between her and everyone else.

To say too much about the romance would delve too much into spoilers, but I will say that the romance really sings and I can't wait to see how its further complicated in the next book.

Above all else though, it's impossible not to praise the writing. Sabaa Tahir manages to infuse every chapter with some of the best dialogue and most piercing prose that you can imagine. I would happily read a phone book if she was the one who wrote it.

ARC provided by Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.

If Sabaa Tahir has one fan, it is me. If Sabaa Tahir has no fans, I am dead. This was such a fun way back into the Ember universe! I loved catching up with old characters and getting to know the new ones. This world, as always, is so rich and layered--every part of it stands out in it's own unique way. As someone who can usually guess the plot twists coming, this book GOT me! I'm so excited for everyone else to read it.

In anticipation of HEIR, I reread the EMBER quartet, something I haven’t done since SKY came out. I reread them like Elias’ life depended on it. And they're still gorgeous and thrilling and haunting and poignant and inventive and fierce and so so good.

I have been privileged to know about Sabaa’s genius since early days. So I was overwhelmingly excited that she’s revisited this world with HEIR. It’s equally brilliant, beautiful and brutal. The twists! The romance! The battles! I loved getting to see the OG heroes all grown up (and my age?!) and through the eyes of the next generation. It's a delight to return to a world so wonderfully crafted with stories that still manage to surprise and delight and shatter the reader simultaneously.

I started reading Sabaa Tahir with 'All My Rage," which was the book that got me into YA years ago. It was amazing and I expected no less with Heir, and I received no less. The range of skillful writing that Tahir has is amazing. Although Ir realized too late that Heir is connected to her previous fantasy books, Heir is still a great stand-alone. I can't wait for Book 2. Sabaa Tahir is a legend!

Thank you NetGalley for this arc!

"Heir" is a book meant for those who have read the prior series before this one. Some say you don't have to read the other series but if you haven't read those the world building will be hard to follow (in my opinion). Definitely give this a read if you are familiar with Tahir's other works!

This was EXCELLENT! Sabaa Tahir really knows how to write a book that will immediately pull you in, take you for a wild ride, destroy you emotionally, and make you so scared for what's happening next you can barely handle it. And you'll thank her for it each and every time.

I personally really enjoyed the return to the “An Ember in the Ashes” universe. I haven't read that series in so long and was pleasantly surprised that I could dive right into Heir and not really be confused about much. I'm sure it would have added a lot more to the story if I had read the previous books again, but I also liked my perspective on this new story was fresh and I'm not comparing it to anything.

I loved all our main characters, the relationships and friendships that we saw grow and change along the way, but Sirsha especially stood out. Her background and powers were so fascinating, and I'm intrigued (scared) as to what's going to happen with her in the next book. At this exact moment I think I hated the ending, mostly because I'm so worried about how everything is going to play out.

Overall, I just can't wait to find out what's next and I'll be crossing my fingers and praying that it all works out.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the eARC - all opinions are my own!

2.5 | I was so excited to read this book - I had seen how highly anticipated it was and it was going to be my first Sabaa Tahir book. That was my biggest mistake - as an extension duology to an already existing universe, I was so incredibly lost. Despite being marked as a stand-alone in the same universe it is in fact not.
Once I was 70% of the way through and still had not figured out the magic system or the world, I realized I never was going to. There are countless terms that are never explained as it is assumed the reader already knows the world.
The characters were intriguing when I could figure out what was going on + the cliff hanger is captivating, but it’s definitely not a stand alone duology.
I would be very interested in reading the EITA series and then coming back to this.

This book is everything I expected from a Sabaa Tahir book and more. The writing reminded me why I fell in love with her other books page after page. The characters were powerful new voices I couldn’t wait to follow and the story was fantastic. I can’t wait to see where book 2 takes them all.

This is one of the rare books that I can and will recommend for both teen girls and teen boys because both can find enjoyment in its pages. It is an approachable fantasy that feels lived in and tangible making it a great choice for readers looking to make the jump into YA fantasy and readers hungry for more in the genre alike.

I can’t wait to have this book on shelves and am already telling everyone I know to order it.

I have always been a fan of Sabaa Tahir’s books, so when I heard about the sequel to An Ember in the Ashes series, I jumped at the chance to request the eARC. And Heir did not disappoint at all! Wow!

Heir picks up twenty years after the events of An Ember in the Ashes series, introducing new characters, with appearances from the beloved characters from that series: Elias, Laia, and Helene. Heir focuses on the perspectives of three main characters: Aiz, a struggling windsmither from the impoverished Kegar nation; Quil, Helene’s nephew and future heir to the throne; and Sirsha, a magic tracker with secrets of her own, tasked by Elias to find a murderer who is killing innocents.

The world-building is complex and intricate, revisiting the world of the Martials, Scholars, and the Tribes, as well as introducing new cultures, such as the Kegar, Ankanese, and Jaduna. It draws upon elements of Roman and Islamic culture and history. (I highly recommend that you read An Ember in the Ashes in its entirety, to fully understand the character and plot development of Heir.)

Without giving too much away, I really enjoyed the bonds that form throughout the novel, as well as the themes of found family and friendship. There were events in the plot that I did not expect and that completely shocked me. In addition, Tahir builds her antagonists in a way in which the reader understands their motives and how they end up being the villains in their own stories. She highlights the events and desires that lead them to the breaking point and how they ultimately justify their actions. You hurt for them even as you root against them.

Themes of oppression, poverty, classism, war, and imprisonment are evident throughout this novel. There’s heartache and sorrow, and yet the characters hold onto hope. The reader is left grappling with the questions: How far would you go to save your people? What would you do to ensure that those you love are given a life more than mere survival? And would you sacrifice your morals to secure that?

Overall, I highly recommend Heir and I can’t wait for the sequel to this duology to see what happens next!

Thank you to Netgalley and Penguin Young Readers Group | G.P. Putnam’s Sons Books for Young Readers for this eARC in exchange for my honest review.

Heir follows three teens fighting against a killer who could bring an empire to its knees. Aiz grew up in the Kegari slums and seeks revenge on a cruel ruler who did unspeakable things. In her fury, she makes a mistake and lands in an inescapable prison. Sirsha was banished from her tribe after an unforgiveable crime and now is a tracker who can use magic to speak to the earth, air, and water. Desperate for money, she agrees to hunt down the vicious killer who is responsible for the murdered children across the empire. Quil is the crown prince, nephew of Empress Helene, and wishes he didn’t have to be a ruler. When a ruthless attack befalls the empire, Quil has to be the heir his people need or risk losing everyone he loves.

This book was INCREDIBLE. It had be gagged on multiple occasions and I was screaming and so stressed in the final part. The ending was such a cliffhanger and I am desperate to read the sequel. I need to know if these characters are okay. I need a good, happy ending. This absolutely hooks you immediately and keeps you on the edge of your seat. It was so hard to put down. The plot is incredible and complex while being easy to follow. It’s so fast-paced and ruthless and romantic. It was truly gorgeous. The antagonist in this book was so well done. It was a truly a shock and such a good reveal.

Sabaa Tahir is phenomenal at crafting characters you instantly care about. They’re all so complex and flawed while being so lovable. I’m always immediately attached and getting to see the characters from the original series was SO sweet. Usually, I’m not as big of a fan of sequel series—I always find the characters from the original series not as likeable, but that was not the case here. And the new characters were incredible. My favourites are Sirsha and Quil. I love them so much and Suf and Arelia were so lovely too. I have mixed feelings on Aiz, but she was a very interesting character.

Overall, if you loved the Ember series you have to read this book. It is a phenomenal sequel to the series and I highly, highly recommend it!

Thank you so much to Penguin Teen and Netgalley for the arc in exchange for an honest review!!

I had no inkling how this story was going to progress. I wasn't sure who the antagonist was going to be, and when that was revealed I got angry with that character. It made it hard to sympathize with them, even when I initially understood their motives. I don't think they deserves any kind of redemption arc in the next book, and I hope they doesn't get one.

We do get to see a lot of familiar faces in this book. But I wish one had more of a presence, I hope she plays more of a role in the next book. I feel like her role could be helpful.

While I did enjoy and love this book, I do feel that the story is progressing really fast. Ember gave us time to breathe and grow with the characters, but this book it's action scene after action scene. Even then the "down" times are wrought with tension. The moments that are supposed to be, aren't given enough time for me to connect to the characters and believe the romance.

It's really hard to do what I feel is a "proper" review on a book that isn't out yet that relies on her other series, And Ember in the Ashes, being read first. Some of what I can be said about this book would spoil the outcome of everything from that other series.

Thank you Netgalley and Penguin for this ARC.

Every single time I read something by Sabaa Tahir, I am devastated and heartbroken in the best way possible. Heir was my most anticipated read of the year, and Sabaa Tahir just proved why she is my favorite author. Heir is one of those books that is so well thought out and detailed, I didn't want to put it down. It could have easily been just a cash grab spin off because of the success of the Ember quartet, but as you read it you can see just how much love and effort Sabaa Tahir put into writing this. Her worldbuilding, and character development are absolutely top tier.

It was nice to see how Laia, Elias, and Helene's lives all turned out- and not have them centered in the plot.

Quil, Sirsha, and Aiz were all interesting, different, and captivating in their own way. The layout of Heir was phenomenal, it really kept me on my toes. I never knew where it was going, even though Sabaa Tahir is the queen of foreshadowing. The ending was an incredible way to set up for book 2. If I could give Heir 6 stars, I would. This is my favorite book now.

Rating: 4.5 our of 5


Thank you to Penguin to providing me with a digital ARC! Spoilers below!!!

As a lover of the AEITA series, it was great to see the original cast of characters make appearances in “Heir” but that they didn’t steal the limelight. I really enjoyed the characters of Quil and Sirsha and cannot to see these two reunite…which they better because I will not be well otherwise. I would love to see more of Sirsha’s past to know more about her banishment from her family but I think the mystery served its purpose to readers that she’s unwelcome and was left to fend for herself. As for the two of them as a couple, I don’t particularly love a fake dating trope but forced into marriage because someone may be killed? I don’t know why, but it appealed more.

As for Aiz - she was a great, complex character. Did I sympathize with her? Yes. Did I like or love her? No. But, that’s the point and why I think she was a great, albeit annoying, villain. I wanted to support her but her justifications for her actions is obviously what it comes down to and where I think Sabaa was trying to make her case - hurting one group of people at the benefit of others does not cancel one or the other. It adds more to the total suffering.

Speaking more to the writing, I was absolutely sucked in after the first chapter and it was a phenomenal start to the book. The best part was realizing that we had two different timelines occurring with the multiple POVs and then a merge to present-day! Truly such a creative and smart move because I was floored when I realized what happened.

Overall, very excited to get back into this world and cannot wait for the sequel! All I ask is for Sabaa to not cause more pain for the characters than necessary.

Thank you NetGalley and the publisher for giving me an early copy to read and review. All thoughts are my own.

I’ve been reading a bunch of reviews and people saying that it wasn’t like An Ember in the Ashes.

Well, it’s not suppose to be. It’s a spin off, with new characters. Yes, you’ll see characters from AEITA but with this story, you get their kids and a whole different plot/story.

I enjoyed this book tremendously and I am super stoked to read book two. Did I love this book like I loved AEITA? No but I loved it in its own way. This book made me laugh, cry, scream, and just yearn for more. I think Tahir did a fantastic job with this spin off series so far.

I enjoyed seeing some of my past favorite characters and loved meeting some of their kids and watching their kids going through their own journey and figuring out who they are. I’ll always be a Helen fan and loved her small part in this book.

I will say that I wish there was a bit more adventure but I find the plot of this super fascinating and can’t wait to get more background on it and see the outcome. Also, the love interest in this was adorable. I can’t wait to see it blossom more.

The only “complaint” I have was that I was confused about Aiz for a majority of the time until I realize her scenes were from the past for most of the book. I wasn’t a big fan of her, so I’m hoping she isn’t in book two much lol.

All in all, I am very happy with this book and would recommended it to anyone who enjoyed AEITA.

4 stars!