Gods, it started out so good! I was feeling all kinds of nostalgia for the setting. I loved being back in the AETIA world. But overall, this series just lacked the same beauty that AETIA delivered. The characters didn’t have the same kind of depth. I didn’t feel emotional over any of them. I didn’t hurt for them or cheer for them the way I did Elias, Laia, and Helene.

To put things in perspective:

I devoured the first half of this book in three days and loved it.

…The second half?

Hated it!!

It took me two months to finish because I couldn’t bring myself to pick it up. I almost DNF’d multiple times after that point. Literally skimmed the last 20% just to finish.

The biggest problem? There’s a HUGE plot twist reveal at 50% that allows you to literally guess the entire outcome, effectively removing ALL THE SUSPENSE. I was ZOOMING along and then BAM. It was like slamming into a brick wall. I went from devouring to hating the story.

Heir follows three characters. Aiz, Quil, and Sirsha.

I loathed Aiz. I got red flags from her from the very beginning, when she was jealous of her best friend, and ostracized him for getting a coveted position she wanted, simply because his magic was stronger than hers. Instead of supporting him, she felt betrayed and jealous. After that, the red flags just kept coming. She was an AWFUL person, and reading her chapters made my skin crawl. But once you reach her plot twist at the 50% mark it was 100% ICK from there on out.

Sorry, but when 1/3 of the book is made up of a character that disgusts me, and the others are also lacking in the depth I require, I just…can’t. Hence, why it took me two freaking months to finish this book.

The bones?? The bones were pretty good! The plot was good. But…I just need more.

I hate comparing this to AETIA but…

Anyway, I hope others enjoy this more than I did. I know I’m in the minority here.

5 ⭐️ .... all the stars honestly

I want to first preface that if you haven't read An Ember in the Ashes series and are wanting to, this book could spoil that series. I have read the entirety of the previous series.

I absolutely loved this book so much. I didn't realize that this was going to be basically picking up where that last book on until ember of ashes left off years later and now the prince is grown up. He is getting ready to take the role of emperor but is very hesitant to do so. I still love Helene as a character and it was great getting to reconnect with her.

This story mostly follows prince Quil, his comrades and a hunter Sirsha. Sirsha is hunting a killer that is killing young kids and put a stop to it. Quil goes on a journey after his home is attacked by a neighboring continent. This story was so much fun to follow and I really loved seeing everything come together. Sabaa is an incredible writer and I'll read anything she writes.

If you loved Ember in the Ashes, you'll love jumping back into this world and won't be disappointed.

Thank you to NetGalley and GP Putnam for this advanced reader copy. My review is voluntarily my own.

I am such a huge Ember in the Ashes fan, that I was so so excited about a new Sabaa Tahir book. However, this book just didn't do it for me the way her other books have. First, I think its really important for people to read her first four books first before diving into this. I have to still finish Sky Beyond the Storm, so this book was full of spoilers, but also a little confusing. There are so many character perspectives, which usually I do not mind, but in this case found it only added to the confusion.

That being said!! I HIGHLY reccomend people read this AFTER they finish the Ember in the Ashes Quartet. I think this book almost reads as the "5th book" In that series.

I absolutely loved this book! I loved coming back into this world and absolutely loved these characters. Seeing familiar faces was like a warm hug too! This action=packed unique story was so enjoyable; I can't wait for the conclusion!

This was a very enjoyable read. Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for gifting me this arc in return for a review.

UNSURPRISINGLY THIS WAS PERFECT.

I’m a huge fan of the Ember quartet, so I was both thrilled and also a little trepidatious about going back into this world, but I should’ve known I was in great hands with Sabaa Tahir’s storytelling. The most incredible storytelling, nuanced characters (including villains!) with fascinating, complex backstories - this story had me racing through the pages and now counting down the days until I get to read book two.

A quick note - this is a spinoff duology set in the same world as Ember. While Tahir insists that you don’t need to have read Ember to read Heir - why wouldn’t you?! The plot line was made so much richer by knowing the backstories of these characters and their families, and I absolutely love how deftly she took us back to a familiar world without it feeling like a sophomore slump. By all means - read this book alone if you haven’t read Ember. But more emphatically, let me convince you to pick up Ember asap!

This book opens with ruthless action that made my heart nearly stop! I don't think I've been as engaged and committed to a book from the beginning in a long time. Tahir has an incredible talent for crafting distinct characters and plotlines that are seemingly disconnected and then slowly braiding the stories together into a complex story.

Heir follows three protagonists; an orphan, Aiz, who has faced tragedy that fuels her vengeance to escape prison and save her people; an outcast, Sirsha, who has been brutally banished by her people and must use her magical tracking abilities to survive; and a prince, Quil, burdened with the yoke of leadership and haunted by mistakes and the loss of loved ones. These three young characters are brought together by an evil murderer, a dark war, and a threat that can bring an empire to its knees.

Despite the dark and ruthless danger and action, Tahir makes her characters so REAL with humor, pride, desire, jealousy, rage, and love. This fantastic book has friendship, romance, magic, hidden identities, betrayals, and complex characters. I loved every second, and cannot wait for the conclusion to this duology. All the stars!

I don't have much to say except I cried. I wish I could give a better review than this - but Sabaa is such an author that my words wouldn't do the book justice either way.

Do I recommend it? yes
will it hurt? yes
should you read the parent series? yes, but it's okay if you don't (no its not, but you can, just don't tell me of your crimes)
is Sabaa brilliant? yes

Sometimes it takes me a bit to give a fantasy series/book a shot because after reading so many, they begin to feel formulaic. I am so excited to say that is not even close to the case with Heir (or Sabaa Tahir in general). I was on the edge of my seat consuming this book and have nothing but positive things to say! I actually haven't read the original series (I do not feel like you need to to enjoy this) BUT I am sure that when characters showed up it would have had a stronger impact! I CANNOT WAIT FOR THE NEXT BOOK

This was not my favorite rep of a genre that I enjoy. I will not continue the duology........... some unique elements, but nothing engaging

I absolutely loved it!!!

This was my first Sabaa Tahir book. I love her writing style. It is easy to catch the flow of her words and fall in love with the characters she writes! At first having three pov’s was a bit confusing but I was quick to catch on. The dialogue, world building, and plot were all well thought out and written. I went out and bought the first book in her other series as soon as I finished this one in an attempt to tame the anxiety I have for the amount of time till the second book comes out. The plot twists in this book and the absolute betrayal I felt from a character in this book was insane.

I received an ARC of this book prior to starting An Ember in the Ashes series and I couldn’t have felt luckier. I sped through the first series (quite easily because it was an absolute MASTERPIECE…heartbreaking, but a masterpiece!) and just finished this one. And all I have to say is WHAT THE HELL SABAA TAHIR?????

I wholeheartedly believe this woman enjoys torturing her readers. How can she create such complex characters, some that we love, some that we love to hate? And then put them through the worst situations imaginable? How can she do that to them, yes? But also, how can she do that to us?????

This book takes place roughly 20 years after the Ember series ends. Which means there are still some characters that we know and love popping up here and there. It was so nice to see them have cameos and filled my heart with joy to see where their lives had gotten to. I will always love them. Always.

Also, I just wanna say…I loved the Martial Empire and thought it was so intriguing. But in Heir, the world is expanded and readers are sent thousands of miles away to other foreign lands full of their own unique cultures and people and just talking about it now gets me excited! This book really expanded on the entire world and made it feel even more full than it already had in the original series.

The main characters are all tied together throughout the book and let me just say…when you get to Chapter 19 and the pieces start falling into place?? I went feral.

And it ended on a CLIFFHANGER??? I was so lucky to get to read the entire Ember series one after the other but now I have to wait for Heir #2. Which will certainly be just as tortuous as watching Sabaa’s characters be put through the hell she whips up for them in every single one of her books.

This was my introduction to Sabaa Tahir and I can confidently say that it did not disappoint!

Right off the bat, the story starts with a great hook. There are multiple POVs, which leave the reader never feeling bored and there wasn't a single POV I didn't like. Normally there is at least one that you aren't a fan of and just read to get through but this time around, I was intrigued by every single one.

This being my first read by Sabaa Tahir, I was a little nervous getting into the book because I knew that it took place in the same world as her previous series, An Ember in the Ashes, but she did a wonderful job at world-building and familiarizing the reader with everything without it being overwhelming or making the reader feel like they "missed something" because they didn't read her other series. Do I recommend you read her other series? Hell yeah! I turned around and started it because I was so consumed by her world! I needed more!!!

Also, now going into reading An Ember in the Ashes, I can confirm that she is a cruel cruel woman who tortures her readers......I LOVE IT! The best part about reading is being pulled in and connecting with stories so emotionally, that they can destroy you! Tahir does a fabulous job doing so!

Heir || Sabaa Tahir

"Sometimes, the only way to blunt the violence of twisted magic is to confront it with its opposite."

Rating: 4.75

Thank you to NetGalley for an ARC. Book is out October 1, 2024. Any quotes mentioned are from the uncorrected version of this book.

Heir takes us on a journey following multiple people. The three main characters are Aiz, Quil and Sirsha, but you do get POV from a few other characters. Aiz is an orphan who is no stranger to suffering. She is very pious and when her people's deity seems to appear to her and promise great power to return her people to her homeland, she jumps at the chance to save her people. Quil is the crown prince to his empire, with a secret magic. When evil begins to encroach on his people and those he loves, he will have to see if he can be the powerful leader his people need. Sirsha is an outcast tasked with an impossible task, tracking a powerful killer and if she fails, it may consume her.

This fantasy was filled with magic, heartbreak, sacrifice, betrayal, greed, the consequences of great power. This book can be dark at times and there is animal death (somewhat graphic) and mentions of children dying. I found it interesting how the three main characters ended up intertwining and it was interesting to be in the POV of the villain. For romance lovers, there is a fake betrothal and force proximity storyline, and, I would classify this as a slow burn. This story was so jam-packed, I was surprised to see that it was a duology. However, right when you think the story is about to wrap up, you're left with a cliffhanger. If you've ever read Sabaa Tahir, you know her writing is superb and this is no exception. If you're a fan of Six of Crows by Leigh Bardugo, I believe you'll really enjoy this one!

-ARC, out 10/1/2024
-fantasy
-young adult
-magic
-fake betrothal
-slow burn
-betrayal
-dark
-book 1/2
-multi-POV
-3rd person POV

spice 2/5

How wonderful and terrifying it was to be back in this world Sabaa Tahir created and getting to catch up with old friends while getting to know the next generation. This book, in true Sabaa fashion kept me wanting more. More from the characters; more for the characters; just more.

In Heir, we follow Quil, Aiz, and Sirsha on each of their quests. Quil is the crown prince and has set out with two of his closest friends to find a way to save the empire from the Kegari. Aiz is a poor Kegari orphan who has been gifted a chance to save her people. While Sirsha was hired by a mystery man to hunt down a killer. Along the way each of these characters are challenged and changed by the things they see and what they must do.

Without giving anything away, Sabaa did what she does best and has left us with a big ol’ “what the –insert expletive here—” and it should go without being said but I will anyways… I will be continuing on this journey because I NEED ANSWERS.

I love the way that Sabaa has intertwined these stories in both the past and the present, and I love the intricacies which she weaves AEITA into the story as well. I also really enjoyed the love interest in this story and the build up of their relationship.

Tahir’s best book yet! A sequel duology to the ember in the ashes quartet, we follow Aiz, Sirsha, Quil & co throughout their travels and tribulations. I did not see the time jump for Aiz’ perspective coming and was totally shocked by this!

All the story strands were masterfully woven together and we get an epic story that I can’t wait to continue.

I love how we got to see Laia, Elias & Helene again!

But oh my god does your heart get ripped out, my baby Ruh😩

I’m an emotional mess. When Sabaa completed the Ember quartet years ago I was ready to say goodbye to the world and beloved characters she created. I respected her creative choices and decision to close the chapter. So when I saw the cover and description for Heir I was elated.

For me ‘Heir’ is darker, rooted in something more sinister, and erupts with sentiments that we see today in our world. While we’re in a fantasy setting, character traits, decisions and comments are things I can understand. I'm really treading carefully because I don't want any spoilers to ruin anyone's reading experience. Just know, I understand where it’s coming from and why Tahir chose certain paths for the narrative.

This one is a treat readers. Buckle up, grab some tissues, and escape!

Thank you Penguin Teen Canada, this ARC really meant a lot, As a reader that picked up An Ember in the Ashes years ago, reading Heir brought back a wave of good memories.

'His aunt paused, her back to him. “Grief is a strange beast. Some battle it, their souls scarred from its abuse. Some bury it, and live life waiting for it to reemerge. And some tread water, the grief a weight about their necks. Every reminder makes the weight heavier.” She turned halfway, her face in profile. “You and I tread water, nephew. And I would not see you drown.”'


'“...But if we go to our homeland across the sea, we can support ourselves. This is the heart of my holy task—we call it the Return.”

“How holy can your task be if it requires the destruction of another land?”'


“When you sacrifice other people’s children on the altar of your ambition, it’s only a matter of time before you’ll be willing to sacrifice your own. That’s how evil works, Aiz.”


---

Out of all the books I've read this year (and I'm a very avid reader), Heir is easily in my Top 5 reads of 2024. Hands down. No contest.

While I'm a huge fan of the An Ember in the Ashes series, I barely remember the details from those books. But I do love the overarching themes of empire, the responsibility it holds in providing for all the different groups of people living within its borders, and its role as an enforcer of safety and security (mainly for the ruling class). Which is why it's one of my favorite series.

I was very surprised that it was totally possible to read this book without actually remembering every single thing that happened in the previous series. The entirely new cast of characters AND the new locations provided almost a clean slate for me to work with. Sure, our favorites, Laia, Elias, and Helene, do show up. But they're all grown up now and fulfill important roles as secondary/tertiary characters.

In Heir, you can definitely tell that Sabaa Tahir's storytelling and writing abilities has vastly improved over her previous series. I was so absorbed in each MC's chapters, no matter how morally grey, or absolutely repugnant, or completely idiotic their thoughts and actions turned out to be. (No spoilers!)

As a lifelong hater, it's easy for me to find faults in anything I read. But if you can get me invested in an MC's downfall without me completely writing off the character, then you've got me good.

And Sabaa Tahir really grabbed my attention with all three MCs: Aiz, Quil, and Sirsha.

The pacing was perfect. There were a lot of action scenes balanced with slower paced scenes where you learn more about the characters, their world, their histories, and their relationships. This is one aspect that a lot of fantasy (especially YA fantasy) authors struggle with, but in Heir, Sabaa Tahir managed to find the perfect balance so that I wasn't bored or frustrated with how fast/slow things were going.

The worldbuilding was excellent. Each place that was featured (Kegar, various locations in the Martial Empire, the Tribal Lands, etc.) had their own vibe and was written descriptively enough that I could easily imagine it in my head. The characters were three dimensional. I loved how they read authentically, and not as contrived caricatures and tropes. (This is another thing that YA fantasy authors struggle with.)

At this point, I usually start complaining about several things I didn't like. But Heir blew me away that I don't have any complaints. And if you know me, that's a totally out-of-character thing for me to say. Well, the Martial Empire was pretty much nerfed to all hell in this book, but let's not go there lol

I absolutely cannot wait for the second book to drop. Take your time to cook, Ms. Tahir, because I really, really want to be blown away again.

Now, where can I get my hands on a special edition or two?

Thank you to G.P. Putnam's Sons Books for Young Readers and NetGalley for this arc.

I put this book down nearly speechless of how wonderful it was, but for the sake of this review, I am going to find the words to explain just how much I enjoyed it.

I loved AN EMBER IN THE ASHES series, and to read HEIR felt like coming back to that world in a hug. the story has multiple POVs, from a familiar name (Quil, heir to the Martial throne), to an orphan named Aiz, and a tracker named Sirsha who find their journeys intertwined.

If you haven’t read AN EMBER IN THE ASHES series, you don’t need to read it to enjoy and understand HEIR, but still highly recommended to fully appreciate the world and some of the characters. The cameos of such beloved characters from Ember was a treat, and while they were not the main focus, it felt like a nice homecoming to see what they’ve become and where they’ve ended up.

I can’t say enough good things about Sabaa Tahir. Every time I read a work of hers I am blown away by her absolute masterful writing; through her brilliant plots, complex characters and vivid details. Her works are emotional, brilliant, and reflective of events we see in our own world, which you can see she is deeply passionate, invested and cares about.