4.5 stars!
Thank you so so much Sabaa and netgalley for this arc. I absolutely loved this book, it was amazing to be back in this world. I was nervous that we wouldn't see some of the og characters but I was so happy to see them, and their integration to the story felt just right (Even if I got annoyed with Elias sometimes)
Overall I had such a great time with this book and I can't wait to own a physical copy and reread :)

As a huge fan of the An Ember in the Ashes series, I was thrilled to hear about Heir and it did not disappoint. I was completely enthralled by chapter two and raced through the rest of the novel. It was great to be back in the Ember world with new characters and cameos of old favorites. You certainly don't need to have read the Ember series before reading Heir but it will be more fun if you do. I can't wait to read book 2!

Thank you to PENGUIN GROUP Penguin Young Readers Group, NetGalley, and Sabaa Tahir for the advanced reader copy. All opinions are my own.

Sabaa Tahir has been an instant-buy author for me since her debut. And that status has not changed after reading an ARC of Heir; if anything, this novel has made me fall even more in love with her fantasy storytelling. And when I say this book had a death grip on me—it was one of those stories that was all-consuming. I dreaded putting it down and walking away; and when I did take a break from it, my thoughts continuously returned to the story at hand.

I went into this ARC blind and didn’t realize it was An Ember in the Ashes spin off! But seeing the next generation take over the story was a welcome surprise. I loved seeing our original cast as older adults who, in some cases, still made mistakes. If there is one element Tahir always excels at, it’s making her characters feel inherently human and exploring the follies of humanity.

Our new cast of characters—Aiz, Sirsha, Quil, Sufiyan, Tas, Cero; the list goes on!—were easy to root for. Yes, even our morally grey/antagonistic characters I found easy to root for. That all comes back to Tahir’s writing style and the emotionality imbued in it. Tahir made it easy to connect with each character, to understand their motivations and desires, and to want to see them overcome the obstacles on their path. (I could write an entire essay about Aiz’s development from morally gray to antagonist to being morally gray again!)

If there was one comment I kept coming back to, it was my thoughts about Tahir’s plotting and deft handling of two protagonist arcs and one antagonist arc. When I put the pieces together that Aiz’s storyline was in the past and she was heading down an antagonist plot line—well, I literally put down the book, took a lap, screamed about the sheer plotting mastery unfolding before my eyes, and then returned to reading. (It’s safe to say I was theorizing about every little thing as I worked through this story.) Tahir made plotting appear so easy and effortless when I know a beast of a book like this was anything but easy to write.

This is a smaller note, but I do hope the finished book comes with a glossary. Seeing as I didn’t reread An Ember in the Ashes quartet prior to reading this novel, many of the terms were forgotten or difficult to recall. I’d love to have that reference point in the finished book.

If I had to pinpoint one critique for the novel, it has to do with the romance. I found the romance to be a little rushed. I understand why it moved quickly—without it, Act III wouldn’t have worked—but the romance between Quil and Sirsha was missing strong, in-depth emotionality. Much of the development between Quil and Sirsha happened off-page or in summary, which kept the reader at arm’s length from their relationship development. I wish we had seen a little more of that development on page. (Although, the soft spice we saw on page was a pleasant surprise! It made this feel more like New Adult than Young Adult.)

This was easily one of my favorite fantasy novels I’ve read this year. I enjoyed the multiple points of view and admired Tahir’s deft storytelling craft. This was a novel that was difficult to put down and I found it impossible to stop thinking about it. I’ve also never been more relieved to discover that this book was, in fact, not a standalone book but the first in a duology. I have fallen in love with all these characters and cannot wait to see where their journey takes them.

Thank you to G.P. Putnam's Sons Books for Young Readers and NetGalley for providing me with an ARC of this book.

4.25 stars! Stephanie Garber claimed, “Heir is a tour de force of fantasy that will leave readers breathless and boneless and aching for more”, and I 1000% agree. I devoured this book in less than a week (which is no easy feat considering it’s over 500 pages!). After finishing, I immediately went back and reread all my favorite chapters. I feel like that’s the sign of a good book.

There’s so much to love about “Heir”. It has strong characters, immersive worldbuilding, and a slow-burn romance that’s equal parts sweet and spicy. I’ve read hundreds of fantasy romances, and I’m usually pretty picky about shipping characters. That’s not the case with this story. I think Sabaa Tahir does a wonderful job writing a romantic subplot that contributes to the story without overpowering the narrative, which I feel many romantasy authors fail to balance. It probably helps that the characters are strong in their own right.

Most of the story is told through three perspectives: Quil (a reluctant heir to a besieged kingdom), Sirsha (a magical tracker hunting a serial killer), and Aiz (a ruthless orphan trying to save her people). They have distinct personalities, strengths, and flaws that make them relatable. That’s part of what I love most about this story—the characters seem like real people. Admittedly, I wouldn’t want to run into any of them in a dark alley or on opposite sides of a fight. They’re all cunning and stabby in their own right, and I want to keep my heart beating; thank you very much!

Which brings me to my next point: these characters are SMART. They don’t make dumb decisions for the sake of the plot, and they don’t step aside and let others solve their problems for them. This book steers clear of the damsel-in-distress trope, and it’s so refreshing!

The only reason I’m giving this 4.25 stars instead of 5 is because there are soooo many characters, kingdoms, and plot points to keep track of. There were multiple places in the story where I had to look up a character’s name or backtrack to figure out what a kingdom/tribe stands for, and that took me out of the story. I think part of this is because “Heir” is set in the same world as the “An Ember in the Ashes” series… which I haven’t read. In fact, I had no idea it was connected until I saw the other books after the Author’s Note. I still enjoyed “Heir” and will definitely pick up its sequel, but I think it’s a bit misleading that it isn’t mentioned anywhere in the advertising or summary.

Aside from those quips, I love “Heir”. I can see this being a 5-star read for someone who is familiar with the “An Ember in the Ashes” world or enjoys an original fantasy with strong characters. I already know this won’t be the last time I read this book, and I can’t wait for the sequel.

I received an ARC of this book courtesy of the publisher and Netgalley; all opinions are my own.

I feel so disappointed that this book didn’t turn out to be a new favorite of mine. I had such high hopes thinking that this would be up my alley. Unfortunately, I was not aware that this book is part of an existing series. It is supposed be made in the same universe but read on its own. I had an hard time getting into this story because it was very lore heavy and it doesn’t do a good job, in my opinion, of breaking it down or explaining. This left me to be confused for most of the book trying to play catch up. I was also led to believe there would be romance but there was so little that it almost felt non existent.

I hope that many others who have read the other books will enjoy and understand this story better than I did. I am considering reading those books and hoping that they will change my opinion.

Thank you to the author, the publisher, and NetGalley for this e-ARC.

An orphan, an outcast, a prince and a killer. This story follows three individuals who must overcome their grief, vengeance, and need for power to save their empire.
This book had so many things I love: beautiful story telling, strong main characters, multiple POVs, action, love, surprising twists and turns, and intriguing world building.
I cannot wait for the second book to come out, even though I’m worried my heart is going to get ripped out!!
Thank you to NetGalley and Sabaa Tahir for this incredible ARC. I highly recommend! I also recommend reading her first series, An ember in the ashes. It is not necessary to read this duology but I think it will help understand the world building!

Sabaa Tahir is a master at weaving together unforgettable tales. Set in the future after An Ember in the Ashes has taken place, we follow two young people trying to save their people. There is a cast of side characters that are just as interesting as the main ones. We get to visit new and old places. As always, the world building is well done. The only issue I had was realizing the timeline shift in one area. But it quickly became apparent. I highly recommend it if you liked the An Ember in the Ashes series. If you haven't read it, I recommend reading it before this one. This is one of my favorite reads this year.

This was everything I hoped this book was going to be and more. I was so excited to be returning to the world of An Ember in the Ashes and Sabaa Tahir did not disappoint.

I did think that it started off a little slow bouncing between three different character pov’s and trying to build all of their stories at the same time. However, once it started to pick up I couldn’t put it down. The plot twist in this story was so beautifully done and caught me so unaware that I actually screamed out loud when I realized it. It was, in my opinion, the best part of the book.

I also found myself wishing I had reread the Ashes quartet before I read this just because I didn’t realize how many of my favorite characters would make an appearance or how frequently, but every time they did I got so excited!

Overall, this was a fantastic first book to this duology. It was an epic fantasy adventure, with the perfect amount of romance, unpredictable plot twists, and incredible characters and I just want to say a huge thank you to Penguin and Sabaa Tahir for giving me an opportunity to read this arc.

**Review: Heir by Sabaa Tahir**

"Heir" is a masterfully crafted high fantasy that transports readers to a familiar yet entirely fresh realm. With a new plot and a cast of characters destined to capture your heart, this novel stands out brilliantly.

Sabaa Tahir's storytelling is both fast-paced and richly detailed. Her exquisite prose seamlessly blends intricate twists, abundant magic, and nuanced details that enrich the narrative without overwhelming the reader.

This book is an emotional journey, especially for fans of "An Ember in the Ashes." The rapid tempo will have you laughing and filled with joy one moment, only to leave you breathless with suspense the next.

A heartfelt thank you to NetGalley for providing me with the opportunity to read this in exchange for an honest review.

This was a very intriguing read that kept me on the edge of my seat the entire time I was reading. The plot and the world building was very well done and didn’t feel confusing which is what I usually experience when starting a new series. Would highly recommend this read to anyone who enjoys a fantasy series with an epic adventure and interesting lore and world building.

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for providing me an advanced e-copy of this book. I reviewed this title voluntarily and all opinions are my own.

I have loved Sabaa Tahir's Ember quartet and her more recent contemporary novel and have been anxiously awaiting another title from her. The Ember quartet is one of my all-time favorite series, so naturally I was SO happy to return to the same world and to get to revisit a few of the characters. I could hardly contain my delight at seeing the original trio again and there were a few scenes with each of them that I particularly enjoyed.

I do wish that I had re-read the Ember quartet prior to reading this because there were several characters/terms/locations that I did not remember clearly. I will definitely re-read the whole series before the sequel to this book comes out and would not recommend reading this book without reading the Ember quartet first. It was great to see the world and magic system being expanded in this book. I felt like there was a much more significant focus on magic, and I'm excited to see what more we learn in the second book.

I enjoyed the story. I thought it was a unique take on a multi-POV book and it built up the story in such an interesting way. The characters were great (especially Sirsha) and I didn't have the thing where I wanted to skip one of the character's POVs; they each contributed enough to the storyline that I wanted to keep reading. Tahir writes such wonderfully realistic characters with so much humanity, and it was great to see that in this book as well. I love that she understands how different characters with different experiences will come to make different decisions - which sometimes puts characters in opposition to each other. I felt that each character made decisions that were consistent with who they are, even when they are categorically terrible ones, and that's always something I love to see in a book.

The book delivered sweet romance, great pacing (while not crazy fast, never slow), and a cliffhanger ending which I KNEW would be coming (I actually paused reading the book at about 70% of the way through because I knew the last third of the book would be outrageous lol). I will say that I did not love this as much as the Ember quartet books - maybe mostly because how could I love another character as much as I love Helene - but I reserve the right to revise my opinion after the second book. I am so glad to be back in this world and I am happy that it's being expanded with new characters and cultures for this duology!

The world of Ember In the Ashes is back in this spinoff Duology! Thank you to Netgalley for the digital ARC!

The book largely follows 3 storylines. Aiz wishes more for her people, and comes up with a plan to help free them. However, the plan lands her in deep trouble and she seeks magic to get her out.

Quil is the nickname of Helene Aquila’s nephew, and heir to the Empire from the Ember Quartet. He does not wish to ascend the throne due to the legacy of his father’s awful rule, but must step up as a threat materializes that could bring down the Martial Empire.

Sirsha is a former Jaduna turned tracker. A mysterious man hires he to find the person who has been killing teens and children in the empire, but will it cost her everything?

Many familiar faces show up in this book, and I loved returning to this world. I also loved the additional romantic story lines, and excellently crafted twists and turns from Sabaa that I did not see coming!

While I felt that this was a five star book because of the story and the authors witting + world building, there was one thing that confused me. The magical element to the book was at times hard to understand, especially as the book was finishing up. It did not feel rushed, but it felt convoluted.

⭐⭐.25/5

Heir was one of my most anticipated reads of the year, but it unfortunately fell flat. I had never read Sabaa’s work (I still plan on reading the An Ember in the Ashes series), so I was excited to dive in. The story felt very long, and it did not hold my attention. A few of the romantic moments were cringeworthy, and overall, I wanted the romance to develop more smoothly. I felt the story would have worked fine with just two points of view, though I enjoyed the diverse views in the story. The characters were intriguing and fun, but I could not connect with them. The descriptions and action scenes were well-written, and I appreciated the ending. Some reviewers mentioned that fans of her previous series would likely really enjoy Heir, and I would still recommend readers pick up the story, even though it didn’t work for me!

Wow! Sabaa Tahir is bringing a new group of readers into her magical world with Heir. It had just enough references/cameos for AETA fans but was fresh and new enough for those that haven’t gotten there yet. My favorite thing about Sabaa’s writing is the way she writes about emotions. As a reader, I tend to feel deeply alongside the characters & many times the way she handles anger and grief and so on hit home. What a lovely start to this duology & I can’t wait for book 2.

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
5/5 STARS

Genre: YA Fantasy/Dystopia

This is a sequel to the series An Ember in the Ashes which consists of four books that I would highly recommend reading first not only because they are so good but it will make this one even better.
It is set twenty years after AEITA & in the same world and you will recognize some of the characters:
- Laia & Elias’ son Sufiyan is a side character
- Helene Aquilla’s nephew is all grown up & the main character of the book. He goes by Quil.
-Aiz is a new character, an orphan on a journey to save her people
-Srisha is a new character, a tracker hired to find a murderer

I loved returning to this world and it did not disappoint! The characters all masterfully intersect in ways I did not expect. The world building was great and had a different feel to AEITA with mention of few old spots sprinkled in.

The gist is Srisha is hired to track and kill someone who is murdering people in the empire when she aligns with Quil & Sufiyan to see it through. Without spoiling it, they cross paths with unexpected monsters and magic in the hopes to rid the empire of evil.

It ends with a cliffhanger nicely setting up the story for the other half of the duology.

If you are a fan of An Ember in the Ashes, you will enjoy this one!

Thank you Penguin Teen for the gifted copy! 🖤

What a fantastic follow-up to the An Ember in the Ashes series. I was lucky enough to receive an ARC and couldn't put it down. This book takes place in the same world as the Ember books, and many of the characters are the children of the characters from those books. It's nice to read about the characters from a series I liked so much, but they are definitely ancillary characters here.The book is told (mostly) from the POV of three characters and I really don't want to give anything away, but the book weaves between storylines and in one other way that doesn't become apparent till Part 2, which I won't spoil here. I highly recommend you pick this one up!

"Heir" by Sabaa Tahir is a captivating masterpiece, intertwining the lives of three protagonists: Aiz, Sirsha, and Quil. Aiz, an orphan from the Kegari slums, seeks vengeance fueled by past tragedies. Her journey from the slums to a formidable prison is intense and compelling. Sirsha, a banished tracker with a mystical connection to nature, is tasked with hunting a child-killer. Her mission becomes complicated when she encounters a charismatic fugitive.

Quil, the reluctant crown prince, grapples with his father’s tyrannical legacy and his aunt Empress Helena’s expectations. His internal struggle and eventual acceptance of his destiny are profoundly satisfying.

Tahir's narrative is masterful, blending rich world-building and deep character development. Each protagonist’s story is engaging, making you root for them despite their flaws. Themes of love, power, and sacrifice are explored with depth, leaving a lasting impact.

"Heir" is a triumph in fantasy literature, filled with twists and turns that keep you breathless. It's a gripping, heart-pounding adventure, highly recommended for fans of Tahir’s previous works and fantasy enthusiasts. I couldn't put it down and eagerly await the next installment.

That ending though! So unexpected, I did not see it coming. I can’t wrap my head around the twist that it took and I hope that it is short lived. I really enjoyed the character development and how everything tied together. I also love badass characters and between the Empress, Quil, and Elias there was plenty of that. I am going to need the second book stat!

I see what Stephanie garner saw because OH. MY. GOSHHHHHH! I LITERALLY DEVOUERED THIS BOOK (i forgot to review earlier) SCREAMING CRYIBG ALL THE EMORIONS AGHHHH

This is a new series from Sabaa Tahir set in her world An Ember of Ashes series. This is a YA fantasy series with plenty of magic, lure, suspense with just a touch of romance. In this story, you’re introduced to three characters. Aiz who seeks revenge, Sirsha who possesss magic, and Quil a Prince. Each has their own journey and struggles. While this series is the first, due to the history of the world, I’d personally recommend reading her series before this, as I did find myself getting a little lost at times. Overall I enjoyed it and will be reading the next book.