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.

Heir by Sabaa Tahir follows three young people, Aiz, Sirsha, and Qwil, as they navigate the dangers of their world. Their stories are intricately woven together, brutally colliding as the tale unfolds.

Aiz grew up in the slums. Her past is full of loss and anger. She seeks vengeance, no matter the cost...

Sirsha was banished from her people at a young age. Forced to fend for herself, she grows up strong and cold. Bound by magical code, she seeks a killer. If she can not follow through, a desolate future awaits her.

Crowned Prince, Qwil, caught between his troubling lineage and a future he did not choose sets out to protect his people. He needs to be the ruler his people deserve.

This book is told by multiple perspectives, which definitely adds to the depth of the story. The characters and world building are great!

Thank you, NetGalley, and PENGUIN GROUP Penguin Young Reader's Group for an advanced readers copy of Heir in exchange for an honest review. Can't wait for the next one!

I absolutely devoured this book from the first chapter. It had such an intriguing introduction and drew me in immediately. Heir was a brilliant addition to the ‘Ember in the Ashes’ world and left me desperate for the next book in the series. The characters were intricate and flawed, with so much description they came alive on the page.

Thank you to NetGalley and publishers for providing me with this eBook!

I have to be honest right off the bat: I did not finish The Ember in The Ashes series by the same author. I read the first two, they were good, but wasn't really interested in more.

HOWEVER, this one makes me want to go back and read those books. Maybe I'll still not finish the series, but I liked Tahir's writing so much in this book that I can't not go back and try again. The characters in Heir felt new to me with a lot of their moral grey-ness, and the pacing kept the story moving, even with all the world- and character-building that needed to be included.

There were some parts that were predictable, some very much were not, so overall felt like a good, solid, fantasy story with a lot more story to tell. I'm not a huge fan of "big battle" fantasy books and while this technically has some of those happening in the background, it doesn't get bogged down by scenes about planning or strategy or big long battle scenes. Much more focused on characters and action and even some mystery!

If you liked City of Brass by S.A. Chakraborty, The Wrath and the Dawn by Renee Ahdieh, or the Thorn or Sunbolt series by Intisar Khanani, or either of the Grisha series by Leigh Bardugo, you'll probably like this book!

Told from multiple perspectives over two different timelines, this well written YA romantasy, has fully developed characters and was fully engaging throughout. This is the first book in a new duology and as such ends on a cliff hanger. Apparently this series is a continuation of the stories from the Ember in Ashes series but reads well as a standalone. I haven’t read the earlier series and did not feel lost. Highly recommended.

Thanks to NetGalley and G.P. Putnam's Sons Books for an advanced reader copy

When I finished A Sky Beyond the Storm in 2020, I thought to myself, “Surely Sabaa Tahir won’t be able to consume me with another fantasy series any more than this one, right?” Now, I wish I could go back and tell my naive self how wrong she was. 🥲

Heir is the first in a new fantasy duology set 20 years after the events of An Ember in the Ashes. The story follows three characters thrust into a tumultuous journey. We have Aiz, an orphan from the slums of Kegari, who is fueled by vengeance and the love of her people; Sirsha, an outcast from her home, who now uses magic to work as a tracker-for-hire; and Quil, the crown prince of the Empire who is reluctant to take the throne when his aunt (👀) steps down. It was so interesting seeing how Sabaa interweaves these three characters’ storylines into a tale of power, betrayal, friendship, found family, and love.

I loved being able to explore the Southern continents outside of the Empire in Heir. The new politics were gripping, and I found myself in shock at the impossible odds that are stacked against the undefeatable Empire that we are so familiar with. The twists and turns of this book had me reeling and gasping out loud on FaceTime with @pawneepubliclibrary_, @azantareads, @rams.reading, and @luu_reads. Sabaa definitely does not hold back with the utter devastation that our characters (both new and old) experience due to the power and greed of societies willing to sacrifice innocent lives for their agenda. Each chapter packed punch after punch and I’m hoping our faves make it out all right in Book 2.

I also have to shout out the delightful romance that’s included. The scenes in this book had me grinning and squealing all in one. Not to mention how hilarious the dialogue is?? I tabbed so many scenes with our favorite romance tropes and funny one-liners. The references to South Asian and Islamic culture were also so fun to read! I’m so happy to be back in this world and among these characters, and I need everyone read Heir on (and AEITA before) Oct. 1. Thank you so much to @PenguinTeen for providing me with an ARC and these gorgeous new AEITA paperbacks!

“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.”

Aiz, an orphan under a tyrant that does nothing but use and abuse those under his control. She’s desperate to save her people, but to what end.

Quil, heir to the Martial empire, facing his imminent rise to the throne. Loyalty to the end is the expectation, but below that is the fear he’ll be just like his father.

Sirsha (S’rsha), a disgraced and exiled Jaduna tracker. She’s been hired to find a child killer that has been sweeping the continent and leaving piles of bones in its path.

“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…”

I was left shocked and wanting more with this cliffhanger ending. I cannot wait for book two!

Heir is full of twists and turns and crossed paths. Some felt expected, and some totally left me surprised. This multi-POV and multi-timeline young adult book took me a second to get into. After getting about 20% into the book, I couldn’t put it down. All the connections were starting to click and make sense and I was immersed in the world. This was my first Sabaa Tahir book and it did not disappoint. I didn’t know this was a spin off of the An Ember in the Ashes series, but now I’m totally ready to dig into that series. I think had I read it before reading Heir, some things would have made more sense more quickly, but could totally be read as a standalone. The world Sabaa created felt totally unique and original. I’ve read so many fantasy books where the same types of creatures are used over and over.

Thank you NetGalley, Penguin Group, and Sabaa Tahir for allowing me to read an advanced complimentary copy of the book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

Omg I loved it! I received this arc from NetGalley and was hooked from the beginning. There are 3 main povs (with a few others sprinkled in) and each character is so different and their stories are captivating. The different magic systems were really interesting and the way it all came together was really cool. The world building was perfect; not too complicated to follow, but intricate enough. Hopefully there will be a map in the finished product. I could picture everything so vividly. Honestly, I really enjoyed this book a lot.

AND THAT ENDING… it’s cool. I’m fine. I’ll be fine.

Thank you NetGalley and Penguin Teen for affording me the opportunity to read this arc in exchange for my honest review.

NO SPOILERS Arc review!

The Ember in the Ashes Quartet is my child. That series made me cry, smile, hope, and love reading. The stories of Helene, Elias, and Laia were crafted to perfection and it's my go-to fantasy recommendation. I strongly believed that A Sky Beyond the Storm was the perfect cap to the story and that my imagination could craft the futures of our beloved characters. Yet Sabaa wrote Heir - and I foolishly picked it up.

Sabaa Tahir, I love you. But it is inevitable that I will compare this book with the masterpiece that is the Ember series. And it simply does not compare.

Despite being the same age as the main characters in Ember, our three protagonists feel distinctly younger and more naive. Additionally, they felt almost too similar to the original trio, Quil especially. Grab a snippet of his POV and a snippet of Elias' and I swear I would not be able to differentiate them.

My biggest gripe with Heir is the plot's timeline. I understand the "twist" Sabaa was aiming for but it was written so confusingly that half the time I was texting my friend that I was extremely lost. My attention was not hooked the way it was with Ember, and I was nearly dragging my feet towards the finish line.

The most prevalent thought in my mind while reading was "why was this book even written?!" Again, I loved A Sky Beyond the Storm. I truly don't think Heir was necessary. Sabaa, WHY CAN'T ANY OF THESE CHARACTERS KNOW PEACE?! Every character from Ember went through so, so, so much. Just let them rest, live in peace, and be happy - I beg you. It's inevitable that this book will change my perspective of book 4, and a small part of my heart is saddened by that.

Those are my two cents. My hope is that this review is not TOO harsh or discouraging, as it was fun to see characters old and new, but I do aspire that this review conveys two things: First that I stand firmly against spin-off series. And second, that I love An Ember in the Ashes so very much (so go read it!).

Thank you sincerely to the incredible Sabaa Tahir, the publishing company, and the NetGalley team!

Nobody can write like Sabaa Tahir. Her writing is rich and her characters are well thought out and the plot is extraordinary. I'm looking forward to November when I can purchase a copy and read it again.

Give this all the stars. One of the best books I’ve read this year. Fantasy with different POVs. Tons of adventure and lots of twists and turns that’ll keep you on your toes. Super sweet romance with two of the POVs. Ends in a big cliff hanger and I’m dying to know when the second book will come out.

I received an arc from NetGalley and the publisher.

May Sabaa Tahir go down in history as one of the best storytellers of all time. Since I loved her Ember quartet so much, I had to read Heir, and getting an eARC was one of the most exciting things I’ve experienced.

Heir takes place almost 2 decades after the events of A Sky Beyond the Storm. And while there are some familiar faces, the focus is on the next generation of warriors and magic wielders. After a deadly invasion, Quil and his friends Sufiyan and Arelia must find safety, and a way to save the Empire. Along the way they meet Sirsha, a tracker hunting something dangerous. We also meet Aiz, a mysterious orphan from the slums of an impoverished nation.

When all their worlds collide, these young men and women question each other and themselves. Heir is a sweeping story of adventure, magic, and all kinds of love. The pacing was incredible and I thought about the book even when I wasn’t reading it. I can’t wait to read the next in the series and see where Sabaa takes us. Five stars, EASY.

Returning to the world of "An Ember in the Ashes" with Sabaa Tahir’s new book, Heir, was both thrilling and nostalgic. As a devoted fan of the original series, I was eagerly anticipating this continuation, and I must say, it did not disappoint.

The story follows three main characters—Aiz, Sirsha, and Quil—each with their own distinct and captivating storylines. Aiz's arc was, for me, the standout. Her journey, marked by vengeance, magic, and resilience, was mesmerizing. The twists and turns in her narrative left me speechless, and I found myself wanting more of her perspective. Aiz's story alone is worth the read, showcasing Tahir’s skill in crafting complex, unforgettable characters.

Sirsha, a fierce and witty tracker with magical abilities, quickly became another favorite. Her chapters were a joy to read, and I found myself staying up late, unable to put the book down until I’d finished her sections. Sirsha’s development throughout the book was beautifully done, making her a character I could follow endlessly.

Quil, the reluctant heir to the Martial Empire, brings a unique blend of qualities reminiscent of both Helene and Elias from the original series. His internal struggles and his interactions, particularly the romantic ones, added depth to his character. The fact that Sabaa Tahir solidifies a romance early on in the series was a refreshing change from the slow-burn approach we often see in fantasy.

What really impressed me, though, was the seamless world-building. The 20-year gap since An Ember in the Ashes is felt throughout the book, as the world has evolved, and so have the characters we once knew. The cameos of Elias, Laia, and Helene were handled masterfully, showing just enough of their growth without overshadowing the new leads. Their appearances were like a bridge between the past and present, making the world feel richer and more expansive.

While Heir can be read as a standalone, I strongly recommend revisiting the original series before diving in. The lore and intricate details are so intertwined that having a fresh memory of the past events enhances the reading experience tremendously.

In conclusion, Heir exceeded my expectations. Sabaa Tahir has once again proven her prowess in fantasy storytelling. The character development, pacing, and world-building were spot on. I’m eagerly awaiting the sequel and highly recommend this book to all fans of the genre. Thank you to Penguin Teen for the ARC, and here's to the agonizing wait for the next installment!

This is from the same world of Ember in the Ashes, so maybe read those first???? Having not have read those, I wish I would have, but this book was really good!

What a masterpiece! 🙌👏 Sabaa Tahir never disappoints!
I did a re-read of "An Ember in the Ashes" series before starting this. I'm so glad I did! This can be a stand-alone, but NOT my recommendation as this story takes place in the same world, but 20 years in the future with different characters POV. 😊 In my personal opinion, you would miss a lot of important background information. I enjoyed everyone's POV. (Only 3). The plot is engaging and well-written. So much adventure and action-packed. I can't wait for the next one!
Thank you to NetGalley, PENGUIN GROUP Penguin Young Readers Group, & Sabaa Tahir for this ARC.
*All thoughts and opinions are my own.*
#SabaaTahir #Heir #NetGalley
Also posted on my goodreads

SABAA CANNOT BE STOPPED!!!!
She has done it again & will hopefully do it again & again.
I love her writing. There’s always high stakes & fantastic characters to root for.
It was lovely to return to this universe. The way Sabaa writes 3 POV’s and weaves them all together is what draws me in. The character development, word building, & magic system kept me turning each page.
I highly recommend reading AEITA series, but this can be read as a standalone. If you want more depth, definitely consider reading the previous series.
I am so happy to have received an ARC. Thank you to NetGalley, the author & the publisher!