My favorite book of 2024.

The AEITA series means so much to me. I was not sure how that bias would affect my reading of this spin-off series. I reread the original series entirely before starting Heir, and it was the perfect choice. If you take anything away from my review, reread the original books or merely read them if it is your first time. The lore is immense and paramount, especially in the casual/small scenes. You'll miss out on key hints if you don't, and that experience alone made me love this book to infinity.

Sirsha is my favorite character. I could read about her making a bed or folding laundry and still would not grow bored. She's witty and fierce, humorous and genuine. Every time I came to a stop at her chapters, I actually proceeded to KEEP reading until after her chapter was done because I adored her chapters. I couldn't get enough. She kept me up many nights till 1am. I think many readers will agree that's she a gem of a lead. Also, I love the Irish name Saoirse, so I was already incredibly biased towards Sirsha for her gorgeous name from the get-go.

Quil, on the other hand, is a blend of Helene and Elias. I never thought I'd see the day where a character embodies both of them so much, but I was wrong. He's truly a blend of the Empire, and I loved his unique perspective and drive to make the Empire its best. His romantic scenes with a certain character also melted my heart and soul. He's been surrounded by love his whole life, particularly from the AEITA cast, but it was those scenes with his lover that I think we see his truest self. Also, the fact that Sabaa solidified a romance within the first book of a series BLEW ME AWAY. I was fully expecting characters to pine for multiple books, so it was refreshing and a wonderful surprise to see characters come together so soon.

All I have to say about Aiz is the meme "Ricky! When I catch you Ricky!"

Finally, the cameos. While I could talk for ages about the world building towards the Southern Continent and how much I loved it, the world building difference between Heir and the AEITA books stole my attention. There's a 20 year gap between the books, and the world building shown starkly when we saw cameos of the previous cast. I kept having to remind myself that Helene, Elias, and Laia have now experienced another young adult lifetime since we last saw them. They are not the same characters as before because 20 years have passed, and I was wowed by their growth in knowledge and skill. Sabaa doesn't spend too much time on them, but the key details we receive made Heir feel even more real and expansive. It felt like the Empire had grown immensely, and I appreciated that. And the lesson I was reminded of was to never disregard Elias's instincts. Never ever.

Thank you to Penguin Teen and NetGalley for the eARC. I have MANY more thoughts, but they involve spoilers. I'm so excited that Heir exceeded my wildest hopes and expectations. It was perfect, and now I must begin the treacherous wait for the sequel.

All thoughts and opinions are my own.

Sabaa Tahir is a genius. I was so excited to get back into the Ember in the Ashes world with all new characters and stakes. To no one's surprise, Sirsha was my favorite character. Elemental magic is always a soft spot for me, and the way it's woven into this story took my breath away. I loved the worldbuilding despite already knowing some of it, and I was here for all the developments in the characters, story, and tension. I need the next one ASAP! If you're a Tahir fan, or have never picked one of her books up but enjoy a seriously well done fantasy, I can't recommend this enough. Though it does take place in the same world as one of her previous series, this can be read as a standalone.

The story resumes with a time jump from the original series, introducing Aiz, who seeks revenge against the tyrant Trial while grappling with betrayal and imprisonment. Quil, the heir to the Martial Empire, struggles with his own legacy and leadership responsibilities. Sirsha, a skilled tracker with magical abilities, embarks on a dangerous mission involving a killer targeting children.

Their intertwined journeys create a thrilling and fast-paced narrative. I would say its a nearly perfect YA fantasy book, I was on the edge of my seat while reading and cannot wait to read the sequel.

I would suggest reading amber of the ashesh before going onto this as the world building is much more enjoyable that way.

Thank you Netgalley and PENGUIN GROUP Penguin Young Readers Group | G.P. Putnam's Sons Books for Young Readers for the digital arc <3

This book was okay, but did not live up to the online hype or the previous books. It is very clear what the author is trying to do and convey, but I think the world as a whole would have been better off without this addition.

Sabaa Tahir has done it again! Immersed in the same world as An Ember in the Ashes quarter, Heir is everything I hoped it would be. Filled with incredible prose, lush world-building, and a high-stakes plot, this book told in three POVs captures the heart of YA high fantasy and creates something new and fresh.

I was so pleased to see some of my favorite characters from the quartet join the cast in this book, even if just for a little while, as it really did feel like a full circle moment.

I’m super excited to read the next book (ah, that ending!!) and all of Sabaa’s future works.

The long awaited book that brings me back to AEITA world 🥹

There are primarily three POVs we follow in the series. It's so interesting to see where they go, how or if they'd tie into each other, and the very different lives they had.

We get insight into our favorite characters from AEITA series which I absolutely adore. But my favorite part was the twists, drama, and character arcs that happened and in which Sabaa Tahir is known for.

My only downside was that I feel like it took me a while to get into. It could be because I didn't reread the series and likely forgot a lot of the history, but the world building felt slower here. Either way, by the time I was halfway through, I didn't want to put it down. I won't say more because I'd risk spoiling but I can't wait for this book to be in the hands of more readers who loved her first series.

This is a new to me author. I enjoyed the book. However, it reads like I'm missing something. It seems like this book is a sequel but it says Book 1. That kep throwing me off and I don't think I enjoyed the book as much as I could or would have because I kept feeling like I was missing something.
I loved the characters and romantasy of the story.

✨ 𝐑 𝐄 𝐕 𝐈 𝐄 𝗪 ✨⁣
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𝘏𝘦𝘪𝘳 by Sabaa Tahir⁣
☆ ☆ ☆ ☆ ☆ ⁣
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I think I’ve found the contender for my second favorite book of the year. Thank you so, so much to @penguinteen for sending me an early, digital copy!⁣
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Oh my gosh. This book had me hooked from the first page, and once I saw the connections between the multiple POVs, there was simply no way to keep from devouring 𝘏𝘦𝘪𝘳. Tahir is truly a master of her craft.⁣
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The twists and turns of this beautiful story will have you on the edge of your seat and feeling the full range of emotions. I can’t wait to share some of my favorite quotes when it publishes because so many moments are incredibly powerful that I was fighting tears often.⁣
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It’s an incredibly emotional journey of love and friendship and hunger and family and obligation and war and hurt and magic and storytelling. 𝘏𝘦𝘪𝘳 truly has it all!⁣
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My only regret upon finishing this book is that I haven’t read the entire 𝘌𝘮𝘣𝘦𝘳 quartet, and it’s been so long since I read the first book that I really need to re-read it. I’m happy to report that I now have all of them on hold on Libby! I don’t want to spoil ANYTHING, but if you’re like me and haven’t read those books, maybe consider it before delving into this one. You’ll definitely want to after, if you don’t before.⁣
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𝘏𝘦𝘪𝘳 publishes 10/1, and I can’t recommend enough that you get your hands on it! I know I’ll be buying a physical copy as soon as possible!

Returning to the familiar world of old friends, full of new adventure, danger and romance, Heir is Tahir’s most recent release. It was wonderful, I loved every second of it. So thankful for this ARC and I look forward to what’s next 👀

I wish I had read this a bit quicker, but what a fantastic return to this world. I loved seeing all the familiar faces and new faces and just getting to explore more of this world.

Thank you to NetGalley and PENGUIN GROUP for providing me with an ARC copy of Heir.

Heir picks up approximately 20 years after the end of the An Ember in the Ashes series. We are introduced to Quil Farrar, who is Helene’s nephew, and heir to the Martial throne. He has spent much of his childhood with the Tribes, growing up along with Laia and Elias’ children. Quil knows that he is expected to take over rule of the empire, once Empress Helene steps down. But, Quil is reluctant to take the throne knowing what that kind of power brings with it, because of the actions of his father, Marcus Farra, the most hated Emperor in the history of his people. With the arrival of a new evil, enemy, who is threatening the empire, Quil must decide if he can overcome the fear of the legacy left by his father and step into his role and be the ruler the empire needs.

Heir brings in POVs from Quil, Aiz and Sirsha as the main characters of the story. There is also a dual timeline taking place, and then the separate storylines intersect, and we get a full picture of all of the characters coming together. I enjoyed having Laia, Elias, and Helene in the story, as supporting characters to the new ones in this book. I felt like they had enough time in the story to tie you into AEITA series, but didn’t overshadow the new characters.

The multiple POVs work really well, and I felt like I got a good understanding of each of the characters backgrounds and motivations. It did take me a little while into the story to have an AHA moment and realize that it was being told in a dual timeline, which I found to be a fun surprise. Tahir also does a great job with the pacing in this book. You get some slower moments with the characters, but the story is not lacking in action, and it makes it hard to put the book down.

There are some well-developed side characters, and I am really looking forward to what happens with Sufiyan and Arelia in the next book, and hopefully getting to know Tas’ character more. Cero also has an interesting storyline, and I’m excited to see where Tahir takes his character. The world building is intricate and I did find it a little overwhelming at times to keep up with some of the different places and people groups, but I find that to be common in most fantasy stories.

If you enjoy fast-paced fantasy and loved the An Ember in the Ashes series, then I highly recommend reading Heir. I also feel that you could read this if you have not read AEITA, but I think it is a benefit to know Helene, Laia, and Elias’ characters. I am definitely looking forward to continuing this story in the second book, of the duology!

An orphan.
An outcast.
A prince.
And a killer who will bring an empire to its knees.

⭐️4 Stars

This is a spin off Duology from the “An Ember in the Ashes” universe. There is a time lapse between that series and the start of this duology. Told through multiple POVs we are introduced to Aiz, Quil, and Sirsha. The three characters paths are intertwined with a fast paced journey. There is a magical killer who is causing the empire to lose its heart.

Sabaa writes a complicated plot essentially about the hard decisions we make to survive. Decisions to protect those we love, but at what point are those decisions unforgivable and unjustifiable.

The ending ☠️ I don’t know where Sabaa is heading with the next book, but I need it now! I definitely want to reread “An Ember in the Ashes” series now.

Thanks to NetGalley and PENGUIN GROUP Penguin Young Readers Group for the ARC in exchange for an honest review

Heir by Sabaa Tahir left me with mixed feelings. As someone who hasn't read An Ember in the Ashes series, I found myself struggling to fully engage with this book. The narrative structure, which includes one POV set in the past and two in the present, was particularly confusing and made it difficult to keep track of the timeline and character arcs.

The romance between Quil and Sirsha was a bright spot, adding a layer of charm and emotional investment that kept me turning the pages. Their relationship felt genuine and provided much-needed relief from the otherwise complex and often perplexing plot.

However, Aiz's character was a significant drawback for me. Aiz's POV, set in the past and serving as the villain's origin story, was interesting in theory but ultimately frustrating because I did not pick up that her POV was in the past. I found myself disliking Aiz throughout the book, and the narrative's temporal shifts only added to my confusion. Knowing from the beginning that Aiz's POV was set in the past might have improved my understanding and enjoyment. I did love that the author did an interesting POV here with the villain's origin story and that was unique and not something we see a lot of in writing.

Another major issue was the world-building. Without having read the An Ember in the Ashes series, I found it challenging to fully grasp the intricacies of the world Tahir created. This lack of context made it difficult to immerse myself in the story and understand the stakes and motivations of the characters. Despite these issues, I plan to read the An Ember in the Ashes series and then revisit Heir. I'm confident that with a better understanding of the world and the cameos, I will enjoy it more. This book is something that would be up my alley I just read it out of order without knowing that these were connected.

Overall, while Heir has its merits, my lack of familiarity with the preceding series and the confusing narrative structure significantly hindered my enjoyment. Fans of Tahir's previous work may find more to appreciate here, but it fell short for me.

This book was just so easy to get lost in. I completely got lost in the story and I just loved getting to see these new characters come together. I just absolutely love this story and I just didn’t want to put it down. I can’t wait to see what’s next from this author.

Now what the actual hell i-


Ok here’s the review, WHAT THE HELL SABAA!! The ending???

Buckle up for the duology of your life as Sabaa brings you back in the world of an ember in the ashes 20 years later!!

This story intertwines 3 characters whose lives are connected undoubtedly as they journey to find and hunt this darkness of a monster whose only goal is power.

If you love found family, romance, stories within stories and a cast of characters who are going to be put through hell??? You can’t go wrong with Heir!!!

You’ll also see previous AEITA characters!!!

One thing about Sabaa is she will relate her stories to what’s happening in the world and as you read you can see the influences of what it means to be an oppressed group under occupation and brutality and as always you’ll be hit with so much emotion you won’t be able to put the book down.

Can’t wait for book 2! (She says scared and terrified)

Thank you Penguin Teen for sending me an ARC of the author who brought me back to my love of reading. ❤️

I recently had the pleasure of reading "Heir" by Sabaa Tahir, and it’s an extraordinary journey into a world teetering on the brink of chaos. The novel brilliantly intertwines the lives of three compelling characters: Aiz, Sirsha, and Quil.

Aiz, growing up in the Kegari slums, is driven by a fierce need for vengeance and a deep love for her people. Her journey takes a dark turn when a mistake lands her in prison, where her desire for justice burns brighter than ever. Sirsha, a banished tracker using magic to hunt down a child murderer, finds herself in a moral quandary as an unexpected attraction complicates her mission. Then there's Quil, the reluctant crown prince, who must confront his fears of power and corruption to save his empire from a new, menacing threat.

The depth of each character’s struggle and growth is captivating. Tahir masterfully explores themes of power, love, and the cost of ambition. The narrative is gripping, with unexpected twists that kept me hooked from start to finish.

"Heir" is a remarkable tale of resilience and the human spirit. Sabaa Tahir’s storytelling prowess shines, making this a must-read for fans of epic fantasy.

"Tell me a dream, little love."

Completely unsurprising turn of events: Sabaa Tahir has written another fantastic book.

In other news, the sky is blue.

If you're someone that loves YA fantasy but has been feeling disillusioned by how generic so many new books have felt lately, I completely recommend picking this up. The world-building, the magic system, the character motivations; every bit of this novel was incredibly well-done.

Every book that Sabaa Tahir writes is a masterclass on how to make readers feel. She does everything with so much heart, that even the worst characters elicit sympathy from the reader because she shows us all of them - not just the parts that make them easy to categorize as hero vs. villain.

Heir was no different. In fact, the entirety of Heir's plot stems from the complicated decisions we make to survive, to protect those we love, and at what point those sacrifices become unforgivable.

It took me a bit to find my footing in the story, but once I was a few chapters in, I remained invested for the entirety of the novel. From that point forward, there wasn't a single moment where I lost interest or wished we could switch to a different POV - a feat with any multi-pov story.

As for the plot itself, ow :) Sabaa Tahir let your characters experience happiness challenge. (Except actually, I love how her books don't shy away from actual! negative! experiences! and grief unlike a lot of other YA books.)

I can't say much without spoilers but every single time a character from AEITA was mentioned, I reacted like it was my Infinity War. I need to do a reread of that series, because holy cow, I didn't realize how much I missed all of them.
A minor critique here - trying to avoid giving anything away - there was one character from AEITA that showed up and I wish they had been given a bit more agency in this book? If that makes sense.

The only other thing (kind of an addition to that last point) I want to touch on is that I found it difficult to connect with the main characters. I don't know what it was and I can't put it into words exactly, but out of all of Sabaa Tahir's characters (all of whom I adore) I felt the most neutral on these. Don't get me wrong, I still love (most of) them and when they were experiencing intense emotions, I felt for them. But something was missing in comparison to how her characters usually make me feel. (I have a feeling that will get better in the next book.)

I'm grateful for every arc I get approved for, but I'm not exaggerating when I say I actually cried when I received this one. Sabaa Tahir's words have meant so much to me for so long that the opportunity to experience this story before its release meant a lot to me.

Overall, I went into this with high expectations and they were all met. This was spectacular in all of the ways I hoped it would be and I need book 2 yesterday.

Pick this up in October. You won't regret it.

Oh my goodness this was SO GOOD!!!!

Make sure you finish The Ember in the Ashes series BEFORE starting this new duology - lots of spoilers otherwise!

I loved getting to see beloved characters again and the mix of them with new ones, was done seamlessly.

I was slightly confused with the dual timelines at first, but it didn't take away from the overall enjoyment.

There's moments where the plot progression slows way down but again - still an incredible ride and the ending will leave your jaw on the floor!

Thank you, Netgalley, for the ARC!

I need this book to be out asap because I need the physical copy in my hands! It was absolutely everything I expected it to be and more. Sabaa Tahir did not disappoint. Be prepared to pick this book up and not sleep until you finish it because I could not put it down.

Tahir is such a talented writer. Every book I read of hers I like it more and more. Her characters are so well written and watching their develop throughout the story is always amazing. Tahir doesn't hesitate to write complex characters that have layer after layer of personality, secrets, and flaws for the reader to explore. There is a perfect balance between world building, plot, and character development that allows for the story to be well rounded and constructed. This is a great novel and Tahir has a true talent for story telling. I can't recommend the book enough I am so excited to see what comes next.