The way I screamed when I was approved for this @netgalley eARC was so loud it startled Astor cat 😅

Truly we do not deserve the glorious writing & creative mind of @sabaatahir but I am so so so glad that she graces us with these books. Heir is book one in a new duology that takes place in the same universe as the An Ember in the Ashes series. Per usual with the books in this universe, all the stars. You’ll want to make sure to read those first (& it’s required reading in general by yours truly!) since you’ll be reunited with many familiar characters. I love these upper YA books with all of my heart. If you have various theories (as I did) while reading or need to scream your reactions always feel free to DM me!

You won’t want to miss Heir when it’s published 10.1.2024 💙

Oh man this was a wild ride.

There is so much happening, and the author did a fantastic job of piecing everything together beautifully at the end. There is a real art in designing plots like this one. Every action causes a reaction. It’s beautiful.

The characters are sound, and everyone I read about was interesting enough that I wanted to continue to know more. No one felt bland. I enjoyed reading the side characters with or without the main characters. Everyone had good balance.

I love multiple POVS. They make my heart sing because I’m nosey, I want to be in the know for every little thing happening.

The slow burn this had was just glorious. I rooted for them the entire time I was reading and only wanted to see them thrive. The banter they had was impeccable. The romance is not the main focus of this story, for me, it worked. I was so interested in everything else that was happening as well that not having full blown romance every page was perfect. It had just enough to satisfy. Also, I loved the way the umm “love” scenes were written. I’m a spicy girly but sometimes it’s nice to have stories that leave things to the imagination.

Overall, I really enjoyed this book. It was my first time reading Sabaa Tahirs work and I cannot wait to see more from this author.

Thank you NetGalley, and Sabaa Tahir for early access to this work in exchange for my honest review.

As someone who was not crazy about An Ember in the Ashes, I was really curious to see what Sabaa Tahir’s next work would be. This fantasy novel follows three young people: Aiz, who has powers she cannot control; Sirsha, a tracker, and Quil, the heir to the empire. I unfortunately didn’t find these characters very interesting or original, and the writing struck me as somewhat bland. Tahir also fell into one of the traps set for authors of another bestselling series when they write something new: providing enough exposition for new readers when the book is set in the same universe as the other series. This attempt failed on two levels. I’ve only read the first book in her other series a long time ago, and I certainly did not feel that this book gave me enough information to understand what was happening between all the different groups in the story. Tahir also did a lot of Remember the Characters from that Other Series and Also How Great Those Books Were while providing exposition, which was not enjoyable.

I absolutely loved this book! I had a feeling I would, as I also loved Ember in the Ashes. Sabaa Tahir’s writing draws you and has you invested in no time. You absolutely don’t have to read the Ember in the Ashes series to read this, BUT if you did enjoy them, you are bound to love these, too! At first I was a bit overwhelmed with multiple point of views, but it didn’t take me long to get a handle on it. There were some clever surprises throughout that had me marveling at Sabaa Tahir’s creativity. I cannot wait for the second installment in this duology!

I'm obsessed with this expansion of the world built from the Ember series! This book had me gasping. so loud in the last half of the book with all the twists and turns! truly such a crazy experience! I loved seeing old and familiar characters mixed with the new characters. At first it took a while for me to really understand what was going on, especially with the multi POV. However, once things started to click together, I couldn't put the book down! The new characters and the romance... THE ROMANCE was just absolutely impeccable I just loved it from start to finish and I'm so so terrified of what's to come I just know Sabaa will hurt me once again

This story was so immersive and fast paced. I really enjoyed the aspect of having the different POVs of Quil, Aiz, and Sirsha and overall plot of the story.

Wow what an absolute ride! Such a fantastic read. I haven’t read something this good in months. I could not put it down!

He caught her wrist. "Behave," he whispered. "I never have," she said, her lips a breath away from his. "Why would I start now?"

3.5 stars. whew! what a page turner!

✨THINGS AND STUFF✨
-multiple pov
-elemental magic
-political intrigue: abdication & regicide
-freedom from tyranny
-a place of unending death
-ope! fake engagement
-chapter cliff hangers!!!
-oh no! you’re wounded (hurt/comfort)
-found family
-the spirit world
-touch her & die
-sacrifice & betrayal
-#IsThisAKissingBook: ftb. “His dimple flashed as he brought her wrist to his lips in a swift kiss”

thank you penguin teen for an advanced copy!

I received this acr several weeks before I read it. Why did I wait? I was scared. The Ember in the Ashes series is still absolute perfection in my mind. I should not have worried. Heir takes place two decades later. Elias, Laia, and Helene are secondary characters. Quil, Aiz, and Sirsha are our main characters. I loved this book as much as the previous quarter. I felt all the things, love, hate, disgust , humor, horror. A certain characters choices made me so angry but through Tahir’s writing, I actually felt bad for this character at the same time. Knowing I have to wait for the conclusion is just about killing me. Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the opportunity to read and review this fabulous book.

I was incredibly excited about this ARC, though it took me awhile to get into it. I really didn't like Aiz and her POV at first, but once her path crossed with the others, I could not put this book down! I felt like the character development was really well done and I ended up loving all of the characters. I liked getting to see more of the surrounding countries and people, and I appreciated the glimpses into the future of the characters from the Ember Quartet. They weren't the main focus though, and you can absolutely understand Heir without reading Ember first. However, there are obviously major spoilers about how the Ember Quartet ends, so I would still recommend reading Heir after. I can't wait for the next book!

P. S. Without giving too much away, there is a fake engagement trope for those of you who like that!

I was extremely happy to dive back into the "An Ember in the Ashes" universe and it did not disappoint!

The story picks up after a time lapse from where "AEITA" left off. We meet the main characters: Aiz, Sirsha, and Quil. I enjoyed most of the new characters, but one of the POVs was a bit challenging for me. I appreciated what Sabaa was trying to achieve with that character arc, which is something we don’t often see but should have more of.

I was quite invested in the other POVs and eagerly anticipated their storylines. Quil and Sirsha were amazing characters to follow, and their interactions with others were engaging. I particularly enjoyed Sirsha's POV and how she evolved throughout the book.

The ending, as expected from Sabaa, left me wondering what on earth will happen next. Can’t wait for the next one!

Sabaa Tahir has done it again. I came into this book as a huge fan of Ember in the Ashes so I had high expectations, and Tahir delivered. I wasn’t expecting Heir to be so closely attached to the Ember series, so I was surprised that all of the characters reappeared and had important roles in the story. This is definitely a book that should be read after having read Ember because so much of the world building is done in that series. This allowed us to jump into action pretty quickly without having too much backstory to the realms - though Tahir did a good job of adding in refreshers for people like me with memories like a sieve.
Without spoiling anything, Tahir does something in this book that I didn’t see coming at all and just as it started to unfold is when I realized what was happening and my jaw was on the floor. Truly excellent storytelling and a wonderful first book in a new series. I was connected to each character, even the most complicated ones, and appreciated the nuance that went into showcasing war, conflict, and power.
My only complaint is that I know have to wait more than a year for the next book.

sabaa tahir is a genius. she manages to create immersive worlds with complex and loveable characters that simultaneously deal with similar problems as our world while still being magical and transportive. I loved seeing laia and elias and their children, although honestly I could have done with less suffering for them, especially after the original ember quartet. I did see the twist coming at like the 30% mark, but I still really enjoyed seeing the story unfold. thank you to netgalley and the publishers for this e-arc in exchange for an honest review!

This was a book that once I finished I couldn’t wait for the next in the series, and since it’s an ARC this book hasn’t even come out yet (Oct 2024), I’m all out of sorts! I NEED to know where we go from here.

An orphan, a crown prince and a castaway witch all share their different POVs making up this book. They each are on their own missions that make up this story set in an epic fantasy world. I became hooked very quickly and while I wasn’t a huge fan of one character (I won’t share who), all of the stories came together in such a beautiful and surprising way.

I have not read the authors other books, but apparently this story is an extension of that world, so I would definitely consider going back to read that. It’s been 2.5 years since her last book and the wait is definitely worth it!! Thank you to NetGalley for this ARC in exchange for my honest review.

Thank you to NetGalley for the ARC.

As someone who never read An Ember in the Ashes, this book wasn’t nearly as confusing as others would lead you to believe. I didn’t find myself wanting for more information by any means. That said, I’m sure you should read the original series first if it’s on your list. This book had its slow moments, but I enjoyed the action sequences when they did occur. I never really connected with any of the characters however, even though this is quite a long book.

So. Many. Thoughts! First, Ilar! Uh I did not see that one coming and when I was hit upside the head with it I yelled, wait WHAT?! Twist of all twists. When I finished the Embers quartet I always say that Sabaa Tahir has zero respect for her characters. What do I mean by that? She likes to kill them off and hurt your feelings. That didn’t stop in Heir. I’d say don’t get overly attached to characters, but she makes it impossible not to. Just accept that you will be hurt and love the book all at once. Also understand she will give you trust issues, but you’ll always come back for more. The trust issues will make sense when you read this book.

All that said, I highly recommend reading the Embers quartet before starting this because it will help in understanding some things. They’re also some of my favorite books ever and so worth the read. This book will be join them as an all time favorite as well. In this story you get to revisit some of the OG characters and see what they’ve become while meeting the next generation along with the others in this new crew. Ruh will steal your heart just so it can be shattered. Sirsha and Quil are the ones you will root for in every way. Sufiyan, Aurelia, and even Tas will bring the bit of comedic relief. Then Aiz, well you’ll have to determine your own feelings towards her.

This book is the perfect example as to why too much power should never happen. How it corrupts and turns people away from the greater good and the goals they initially had, but also how the good can overpower it. If you want an action packed, murderous, romantasy that will make you cry this is the book for you. I know I say Sabaa gives me trust issues, but nobody brings pain more beautifully than her. If she writes it, I will always read it and recommend it!

What would you do if you had a holy mission that could also destroy the world? Or if you were a prince just looking for a purpose in life? Or perhaps someone who was expelled from their family and banned from using their magic? These are all questions that go answered in Heir. A gripping, milti-pov tale set in a time where kingdoms brokered a tenuous peace, a people go forgotten, and a girl from the gutters of her land tried to save them. Set in Sabaa Tahir’s believed world, Aiz, Quil and Sirsha will look not only within themselves, but within those they love most to not only save the world, but themselves. A killer is on the loose, and the mystery surrounding who and what they are will have reader’s heads spinning as they try to figure it out.

This marvel of a book gives us so many views and timelines that add to the richness of the story. While normally this can be distracting, the way Tahir has written this story brings all of them together in one poignant, climatic moment that will have you gasping. The breadcrumbs are dropped, the secrets unravelled slowly, and the mystery doesn’t end. A compelling fantasy that will want you reading more, this story ends on a cliffhanger, making the wait for book 2 that much better. Readers will get to know the characters intimately, and Tahir gives the ability for the audience to feel their emotions through her writing. The return to the Ember in the Ashes Universe did not disappoint, and I highly recommend this book to anyone, even if you have not read the first series. Heir truly stands on it’s own, and it really was spectacular.

Thank you to NetGalley, PENGUIN GROUP Penguin Young Readers Group and Sabaa Tahir for the advanced digital copy to review!

AMAZING! I just love Sabaa Tahir and the stories she creates!

Ok this is actually a 4.5 star read, but the connections it has to the An Ember in the Ashes series bumped it to a full 5 stars. I am thrilled to be back in this world and these new characters are so interesting. The plot after a certain point was a smidge predictable, but in a way that I was totally fine with and that made me want to keep reading so I could get to all those major plot points that tied the book together. I cannot wait to get my hands on a physical copy of this book. Quite literally might read it again once I do.

Thank you G.P. Putnam's Sons Books for Young Readers and NetGalley, for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

A solid fantasy adventure story featuring a handful of young people with varying secrets, traumas, desires, and goals. I liked the diversity of the characters and the pacing was good. It didn't compel me to go read the books that came before it in the series, but I'd probably read a sequel.

I was lucky enough to receive this arc through NetGalley and was so excited to jump back into Sabaa Tahir’s writing. An Ember in the Ashes is one of my all time favorite series and I really loved Heir. I love that we didn’t need as much of the world building because we’re already familiar with the settings in Heir. This was from three different POV’s and each character, in my opinion, is wonderful and flawed and frustrating and exciting.

The story follows Aiz - who grew up in the slums of Kegari, fueled by her lust for vengeance; Sirsha - a down on her luck tracker who takes on a job that may be more than she bargained for; and Quil - the Crown Prince of the Empire. Sabaa Tahir has this way of weaving stories through multiple POVs that just sucks you in. She writes villains so well. Like I LOVE to hate her villains.

I think people who appreciated or loved the Ember in the Ashes series will also love Heir because her writing is just so immersive and beautifully written. I can’t wait for this to come out and share it and discuss with my friends!

Thank you to NetGalley and Penguin Group and Sabaa Tahir for the complimentary digital copy in exchange for my honest review.