5 stars! Spoiler free review
Sabaa Tahir does it again! Let me Start by saying An Ember In The Ashes is my all time favourite series it's the one I recommened everytime someone asks for book recommendations. So hearing Sabaa was writing a new book based in the same world as AEITA I was giddy!

First, Sabaa provides sufficient world-building and empire history backstory, allowing it to be read independently. However, I strongly recommend reading the An Ember In The Ashes series first to enhance your reading experience.

After 20 years, Heir returns us to the empire and expands to the southern continent, where we are introduced to our three main characters. Paths cross and destinies intertwine.
Aiz, a sole survivor of an orphanage fire, sets her on a path of vengeance.
Sirsha, an exiled tracker banned from using her gifts, enters a deal to hunt a killer that leaves her in danger.
Quil, heir to the martial empire, must fulfill his duty and become the emperor the empire needs..

Sabaa weaves an epic fantasy in this first book with her vivid world-building and fast-paced action. I particularly enjoyed the use of three POVs. Sabaa seamlessly weaves the three narratives, and I found myself completely engrossed in each perspective. I was living for the snippets of characters from AEITA and I was not disappointed. Sabaa really did an amazing job blending the old with the new.

I simply couldn't get enough of this book, it was everything I love in a fantasy I highly recommended picking this one up!

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

“Get ready for a dark and breathless journey that will captivate readers and may cost these young people their lives—and their hearts. Literally.”
- Heir synopsis

Firstly, before we get into the review, let me just say two things:
A) What the fuck, Sabaa, and
B) Did I finish this book, or did this book finish me?

Okay now onto the actual review:

“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.”

“‘For the people’ was a blood-soaked shield brandished by tyrants everywhere.”

This was my most highly anticipated read of 2024, and it did NOT disappoint. Heir is Sabaa Tahir’s latest fantasy novel set in the same world as the Ember quartet, taking us back to the Empire. The story revolves around Quil, the crown prince of the Empire, Sirsha, a tracker with a tortured past and endless secrets, and Aiz, an orphan girl from a faraway land with dreams of liberating her people.

Expect a fast paced, multi-pov Fantasy novel with complex characters, intricate, intertwining storylines, heartbreak, and plot-lines that will invoke every possible emotion known to mankind as you read this book.

I laughed. I was stressed. I nearly threw my iPad across the room a few times. I had to take several walks around my room. I stressed some more. I cried. I rated it 5 stars.

All in all, I’d highly recommended adding this one to your tbr. Thank you so much to Netgalley and Penguin for sending me this eARC in exchange for my honest review 🫶🏻