The Electric Heir is the follow up to The Fever King. A time in the (what seems to be) near future where there's a divide in the states and a nasty virus going around. Hmm, sounds oddly familiar, no? While, I enjoyed this one, I preferred The Fever King a little more. It was a new world, new people, scenarios, etc. Whereas for The Electric Heir, we already have a set up idea of what's going to happen. Though there were a few things I wasn't expecting. Be aware, this book does have sexual trauma, especially for those triggered by child abuse. It's not quite for everyone. Overall, I'd say I liked the story and I'm interested to see what happens next.

3/5 Stars

This book was ~electric~

A quick and fun read for anyone who enjoyed the first book. I love Lee's writing and am excited to read more of it in the future.

well, this is topical (hello COVID-19)



CW: mention of suicide and suicidal ideations, illness, death, violence, fascism,  excessive drinking, pedophilia, statutory rape, abuse in all forms, graphic description of physical abuse, manipulation, mind control, trauma, murder, gore,  depression, eating disorder

I have loved the magic system building since day 1 (aka the fever king) and at this point I think I should just call my love everlasting. It's not a particularly detailed magic system but the pure coolness and consideration that to be better at a "magic" you should know how it works?? just blows me away every time I think of it! I legit recommended this to my mostly non-fiction reading professor because it's just so darn cool!

I don't know how Victoria knew that we were going to have a global pandemic (with similar symptoms) literally right around the release but I think we should grant her a license of clairvoyance because hot diggity that's a strong coincidence.

Plotwise The Fever King is a bit tighter but The Electric Heir just feels... more.

First of all, we get to see the world from Dara's perspective which is far more realistic than Noam's. Bless both of them. Speaking of things we got more of, there's more Ames and Bethany! I don't know if this is just the emotional weight of the book talking or if they were genuinely cooler in this book, but I'm glad they got some more page time.

Relationships, hello.

Ok, this is probably gonna be the most detailed part while I try to capture the pain you feel watching the degradation of a character while knowing that they know what other characters know they know.

I suffered.

Noam suffered.

Dara suffered.

But seeing these two characters go from hurting each and not knowing how to stop, to healing and helping one another... it was really fulfilling to read. Healing is a hard process and sometimes you're so frustrated or sad or a mess.. that reaching out a hand to others for help or to help isn't easy. And sometimes you're not in a position where you even can work up enough anything to care about it. But most importantly, we see that healing is possible. As much of a roller coaster as it might be, it's possible.

Catharsis, bay-bee.

My heart hurts. Victoria Lee what have you done and why do I feel the need to thank you for doing it.

As soon as I finished The Fever King, I knew I had to read this sequel. There wasn't anything that was going to stop me from hitting the request button on Netgalley (thank you for the arc by the way) and binging the duology as soon as I could. The writing is fantastic and captivating and I honestly forgot about time and food and other adulting things because I needed to know how it all ended.

With an interesting plot that kept me engaged and with the sheer brutality of everything. The absolutely vicious nature of the best villain I've read in a long while. I can't put into words the well-roundedness of this book and the previous book, it's my automatic recommendation when I'm in a book store with someone.

Honestly, there is nothing I can put into words about how much I need the world to read this book.

This is the sequel to The Fever King which was released last year. I reviewed that book when it came out. I really enjoyed the first book and I did enjoy the sequel as well. I just didn't enjoy it as much as the first book.

I do want to say that this book does deal with some difficult topics, such as rape and child abuse. Please read at your own discretion.

The first character I want to talk about is Noam. He wasn't my favorite in this book. He makes a lot of decisions that while I understand them; I can't help but disagree with them and I feel like it just drew me away from him. He goes through a lot in this book and it's sometimes hard to read about. Lee does a great job of writing those difficult scenes.

The other main character is Dara and I love him so much. His scenes were so powerful and raw. I just felt so connected to him and wanted everything to be okay just for him. I like that he got his own chapters in this book and I think it was a great way to show more of his character.

I love Lee's writing so much. I think they did a great job with the dual POV. I really enjoyed it even though normally I don't like multiple points of view in my books. The writing is just so great and I enjoyed it a lot.

I didn't enjoy the story as much in this book and I don't really know why. I think it had to do mostly with the fact that I didn't really like Noam's POV that much combined with I just don't think this genre is really for me. I didn't really like the politics of the book and while the magic system is really cool I don't think I completely understood it and that made my brain hurt. I just didn't vibe with the plot as much in this book.

I think this is a really beautiful book that a lot of time, effort and thought went into. It's well written and has such a unique storyline. The way it handles abuse and survivors is done really well. I just don't think this book was for me and that's why I didn't like it as much as the first one. I felt very disconnected from the characters and the story. I do enjoy Lee's writing though and I can't wait to see what they come out with next.

<i>The Electric Heir</i> was a <strong>lot darker and heavier than its predecessor</strong> (please read the trigger warnings above). Before I started reading this book I actually read through the Webtoon, as I don't have a copy of The Fever King yet that I could reread. I highly recommend checking out the <a href="https://www.webtoons.com/en/super-hero/the-fever-king/list?title_no=1659" target="_blank">webcomic</a> as well, it's not finished yet, but updated every week and does a great job bringing the first book to live. Reading through it got me excited to read the big finale, and reminded me how much I love the magic system in this book! The Electric Heir feels different from the first book, but it definitely holds up and <strong>might even be better than the first book</strong> as it completely sucked me in this world!

<strong>The POV's worked so well together</strong> ➽ Unlike, in the first book, where we only get Noam's perspective, the sequel gives us Dara's POV in addition and that was exactly what I was hoping for. <strong>Noam and Dara are in very different places of recovery from Lehrer's abuse</strong>, which opens up a discussion about their experiences and how they can even deal with what happened to them. While Noam is still under the influence of Lehrer and attempting to bring him down from inside, Dara has at least physically escaped him and is now involved with the resistance. The book is about surviving abuse and how different people deal with it. The dedication itself says that the book is for the survivors of abuse, who maybe weren't believed because their abuser was someone charismatic with a lot of power. It's an ownvoices exploration of trauma, so definitely read the <a href="http://victorialeewrites.com/the-electric-heir-content-warnings/" target="blank">author's note</a> and the trigger warnings that apply, as I personally cannot speak on the representation.

<strong>Noam</strong> is trying to play the double agent for the resistance and at least partly still under Lehrer's manipulations. He has a hard time coming to terms with the fact that he was abused and is<strong> using denial and justifications as a coping mechanism</strong>. Due to the fact that he feels like he cannot remove himself from Lehrer's influence in order to help the resistance, he's treading very carefully, which gave me a lot of anxiety as you always expect Lehrer to catch up on it. Noam has complicated feelings about Lehrer, that are often challenged by Dara ho knew Lehrer for a much longer time and has seen a lot of nasty sides he tends to hide. Overall, I couldn't blame Noam for his decisions, he was <strong>trying to do the right thing</strong> and helping not only his fellow Atlantians but also everyone who was in harm's way because of Lehrer. That took him very far as his sacrificing nature came out much more and made him question how far he was willing to go for his goals. His recovery and realizations about his relationship with Lehrer were very well-written, though I was constantly on edge when he interacted with the former.

<strong>Dara</strong> is by far my favorite character and finally being inside his head was really interesting. We see how he copes with what happened after this mistake and how he struggled, especially as he has to come back and fight against Lehrer, while still coming to terms with the abuse he went through. Due to being so well-known he's also often left behind when the others are going out to their missions and can only worry, as he's left in a more vulnerable situation now. I<strong> still love Dara's humor and snark but also loved seeing his worries and insecurities, as we get a lot more background information</strong> now that we're following him along as well. He hates feeling confined, while Noam goes out and endangers being discovered by Lehrer, especially as Dara knows exactly what he is capable of and how he could find out what they are planning. I definitely had the urge to give Dara and Noam a hug, as both of them are constantly on edge, fearing that Lehrer might end their whole plans before they've even begun and having to navigate their own past.

<strong>In the end, I was rooting for both Dara and Noam to get their happy ending</strong> ➽ Things are complicated between them due to Noam's relationship to Lehrer and the fact that he has to go back to him and his games. My heart was hurting for both of them, as they love each other still and are kept apart by what everyone feels like they have to do in order for this rebellion to succeed. Sometimes things get messy, but their relationship was honest and realistic, as both of them are recovering from trauma and involved in a highly dangerous mission, so it takes them time to find their way back to each other. In the end, I can say that I liked how things ended for both of them 💗

<strong>We finally get more solid supporting characters</strong> ➽ I critiqued this in the last book, as the secondary characters weren't developed as well as the main characters, especially with the lack of prominent female characters. This improved a bit in The Electric Heir, <strong>as Ames gets a bigger role</strong> and is more present than I remember her being in the previous book. As Dara is a close friend of hers, we find out a lot about their friendship and shared struggles, while also finding out how much she supported Dara and is trying to do the same for Noam. I loved how a caring, supportive and protective friend she was, as that came through much more now. We also see a bit more of <strong>Bethany and Taye</strong>, as they weren't as prominent and developed in the last book. Now we see how fierce Bethany is for a 15-year-old, even when Ames wants to keep the worst from her like an older sister. In the end, we also see more of Taye and that he's a good guy and a real friend. The new rebellion cast was interesting, though I feel like we saw more of <strong>Leo</strong>, the bartender than <strong>Claire of Priya</strong>. But nevertheless, I l<strong>oved the chaotic rebel squad</strong> that came together and also had a lot of fun moments that broke up the heartbreak and pain!

<b>The plot was really good</b> ➽ I wouldn't say better as both plots were really solid, but this time the suspense and the intensity was heightened. The book, in general, is darker as we see more of the abuse that Noam is going through (and that Dara went through) and what Lehrer truly is capable of. I was constantly on the edge of my seat, as the cat and mouse game that Noam was playing with his involvement in the rebellion was intense and had me fearing for his safety, as we're just dreading Leher finally getting suspicious and catching on. <strong>The stakes were definitely high and made for a fast-paced story that made it unable to stop</strong>with war, rebellion and other horrors going on</strong>. I read this almost 500-page book in about 2 days as I couldn't put it down without knowing how everything turns out in the end. Like in the previous book, we also get some documents in between some of the chapters, which greatly added to the suspense and mystery, further illuminating Leherer's past and doings. There were also quite a few twists that further intensified the finale.

<strong>IN CONCLUSION.</strong> ➽ <i>The Electric Heir</i> is a <strong>worthy sequel and conclusion to the Feverwake Duology</strong>! Gripping and intense, it discusses trauma, healing and how to take down an abuser in a power position. I might have liked this even more than the first book, so I highly recommend picking it up and also reading the ongoing webcomic of the first book! 💖

It's been so long since I had time to fully immerse myself in a world and its characters, and The Electric Heir allowed me to do that.

It was wonderful to tumble back into the Feverwake world and reacquaint myself with the characters. Sometimes sequels may take a little time to get invested in, but I was hooked immediately. Lee has stated that this book is much darker than The Fever King, something apparent not only in content, but tone—I at times felt I was reading from an entirely different Noam, and in many ways I was. Having Dara's POV was an unexpected surprise, and Lee did a great job at giving them distinct voices so that their narratives wouldn't mingle. Both boys were as heartbreaking and loveable as ever, and watching them grow and struggle and work to respect each other's boundaries was absolutely lovely. They definitely didn't have the healthiest relationship but were doing their best to make it all that it should have been from the beginning. I was also pleasantly surprised by some of the secondary characters, Ames and Taye and Bethany having development they were previously lacking for me. The plot kept me invested the entire time, and I was on the edge of my seat more often than not; Lee did a fantastic job amping the tension and making her readers experience the same terror and anxiety as her characters, and so the conflict felt even more immediate.

I did have a few things I wish received further attention. I wanted to know more about resistance, as well as the current state of affairs between Atlantians in Carolinia; this second point was such a large part of the first book, and I honestly missed it a little (although Noam definitely had more immediate matters pressing on him). As much as I loved the content of the last chapter, the conclusion felt a little abrupt since we didn't learn much about the aftermath. Perhaps that will be looked at in the story Lee's writing for the preorder campaign. Lastly, my only real complaint with the writing was that there were a few repetitive expressions used throughout that became noticeable very quickly.

I know I'm probably harping on the things that were lacking, but I really adored this book and can't wait to read Lee's next novel in 2021.

I received an ARC of this book from the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

I had high expectations for The Electric Heir and Victoria Lee definitely delivered. This book is a bit darker than The Fever King was and the tensions were extremely high through the story- you feel it every single second. I was holding my breath in some scenes just waiting for whatever was going to happen. I read this in like two sittings. It’s such a compulsive read.

I’m so glad Dara had POV chapters in The Electric Heir! I really liked his character in The Fever King and I appreciated the look into his head during this book. I also loved the new development of Noam and Dara’s relationship as well as their character growth and the recovery after everything they’ve gone through.

One thing I loved about these books is that this duology is about survivors. Noam and Dara both experience abuse differently and react differently. Both characters have to face this on their own terms, but they don’t have to do it alone. I highly recommend picking this series up.

Last summer, I fell in love with Victoria Lee’s THE FEVER KING. I anticipated the sequel with high expectations, and yet somehow THE ELECTRIC HEIR managed to be everything I wanted from this series and more. Everything I loved about THE FEVER KING was transmuted and amplified to its best state in THE ELECTRIC HEIR, and I will never stop promoting this enchanting, vulnerable, unflinching series to everyone I know.

The story and characters in this book are just incredible. Lee gives us an (eerily relatable) intricately woven plot that involves tyrannical government, propaganda, and a deadly magic virus. So many times, the plots of sequels fall short of the initial work, but in this case, the story is even more cohesive and engaging than it was in THE FEVER KING - the pacing flows naturally, with a perfect balance of poignant moments and harrowing action. And as in the first book, Lee’s brilliant cast of characters are the driving force behind the narrative, resulting in an immersive and deeply emotional read.

I’ve said it before, and I’ll say it again - the characters are what truly make this series for me. Lee has done more than just write believable, relatable players in a story - they have created characters who feel like their own entities, whose thoughts and emotions and essences permeate the story and bring it to life in a way I rarely see in published fiction. Lee makes you feel things for the characters, yell at them and cry for them and cheer them on. Noam is infuriatingly dense and endearingly wholesome (the textbook definition of disaster bi). Dara is gritty, sarcastic, sweet and heartbreaking (I love that he has a POV in this book!). Lehrer somehow manages to be intriguing and appealing, repulsive and utterly despicable all at once. Even the secondary characters are fascinating and real, and that’s the thing - all of these characters are portrayed as utterly, sometimes painfully human. Noam and Dara are both far from perfect despite their protagonist roles, and their relationship is realistically tumultuous. Ames and Taye and Bethany struggle to be good friends through an incredibly messed up series of events. Leo is the first reliable adult role model we see in this series, yet he still wrestles with finding the right words sometimes. And even though Lehrer is a monster, you find yourself understanding both his appeal and where he’s coming from - that is, how his own trauma has shaped his character - and it’s alarmingly easy to catch yourself sympathizing with him. Lee develops their characters masterfully, and they’re the reason I keep coming back to these books again and again.

As in THE FEVER KING, the diversity and representation in this book is excellent. It’s so exciting to read a series in which the two main characters are queer POC and Jewish, and everyone else is either POC or LGBTQ+ (or both). One of my favorite aspects of this series is the fact that according to the author, not one single character is straight!

Last but not least - this series is a love letter to survivors, and portrays domestic violence and abuse in a nauseatingly realistic and eye-opening way. As such, it can be very difficult to read, and I’d recommend checking out the content warnings on the author’s website before reading. That being said, I am in awe at how effortlessly Lee navigates the heavy themes in this book. Everything this story covers (sexual abuse, substance abuse and eating disorders, manipulation and gaslighting, intergenerational and personal trauma, and more) is there for a reason - none of it feels gratuitous or forced, and none of it is romanticized in any way. The narrative allows us to experience the complex emotions and confusion and denial that many survivors experience without at all excusing or justifying the abuse, and ultimately sets both of the survivors in the book on the path to healing. The control Lee exhibits over the trajectory of the story and the accompanying themes and character arcs is phenomenal, and I’ve honestly never read anything like it.

THE ELECTRIC HEIR is easily my favorite read of this past year, and one of my favorites of all time. It’s both entertaining and impactful and I hope it reaches everyone who needs to read it.

Perfect ending to this super dark sci-fi YA book that seems to be only about having magic and defeating a dictator kind of monster, but it's a story of abuse victims and survival, sided with a very sweet love story that is not all fluff, but it gives you a little bit of light amidst all that darkness.

Noam and Dara are very different but they have something in common: a father figure taking advantage of their naiveté. Of their youth and innocence. He's more than a hundred years older than them and that's super disgusting and I wanted to save both of them from the clutches of that hideous monster.

Lehrer is built to hate but also to love. There are parts where he shows fragility, or so it seems, and you are just like Noam and believe he can't be as bad as everyone seems to see him. That he actually cares about you, that maybe you are different. He's a magnificent manipulator and I hated him for it, because he fooled me too. I also looked for excuses to justify his actions. Abusers can be master charmers.

I'd loved a longer ending, with a bit more explanation, but it finally lifted a heavy weight from my heart after holding my breath for almost 95% of the book. With books with these themes, you can never expect an all is good ending, because that's not believable. These kids suffered by the hands of an evil man, and things aren't magically forgotten. They will carry their scars forever.

I can't wait to read the two novellas and the short story the author said she was going to write to tell a bit of a happy story (with a little pain, you know, to keep us on edge) between the characters.

The Fever King is one of my favourite books of all time and I love it with my entire heart and soul—I’ve read it when it first came out last March and recommended it to everyone I know; I read the webtoon every Saturday, religiously; I think about Noam and Dara almost every day and just want them to be happy. You might call me a little bit obsessed. Why are you telling me all this?, you might be wondering. Well, I just want you to know how in love I am with the Feverwake series and everything Victoria Lee creates. I was thrilled when I learned I got to be part of the blog tour for The Electric Heir, but I have to admit that my review probably won’t be very coherent, since it’s hard to actually put my love for this series into words. But let me try anyway.

“I wrote this series for survivors. I wrote Noam and Dara for anyone who has been forced to question their own perceptions of reality—who doesn’t fit the stereotype of what a victim “should” look like or act like, who fears they won’t be believed. This was my story for so many years, and if this book makes even one survivor feel seen and understood, then it will all have been worth it. You are so much stronger than you know.”
— Victoria Lee, Acknowledgements

The Electric Heir is set six months after the events of The Fever King and we’re thrown into the story with full force. Everything’s different, and I have to admit I was a bit confused at the beginning (a reread of TFK would’ve probably been a good idea). Dara has lost his abilities and has joined the rebellion, intend to overthrow Lehrer and possibly kill him in the process, thus stopping him in his mission to keep infecting whole areas with the magic virus that so few survive. Noam thinks Dara is dead and is now working for Lehrer—and, most disturbing of all, seems to have a relationship with him. If you remember everything that happened in book one of the Feverwake series, you’re probably as confused and horrified as I am. And all of this is revealed in the first hand full of chapters. Friends, you cannot even imagine how heartbroken I was! I literally couldn’t sleep that first night, after starting the book, because the idea of Lehrer now manipulating Noam in the worst possible way—forcing him to sleep with him—just made me sick to my stomach. And worst of all, Noam didn’t even seem to realise, at first, how badly Lehrer manipulated him (we all still remember Lehrer’s ability, don’t we?).

Victoria Lee has this incredible kind of writing style: it pulls you in and then just… punches you in the gut. I was utterly unprepared for the way the story began, and after a few chapters I just felt blindsided. And even though everything still hurts and my heart is breaking for what happened to Noam and Dara, this is not at all meant in a bad way. You have to be a truly incredible writer to manage to break your reader’s heart after just 7 or so chapters.

“Things like that, when you’re a teenager, and especially with people in power… they aren’t consensual. They can’t be, by definition. I know you don’t want to hear it, and maybe it’s easier to believe you chose this, but that’s not how any of this works.”

It can’t be said in any other way: The Electric Heir is a dark book, much darker than The Fever King, and it deals with a lot of heavy topics. You should be prepared for that, when going into the story. But, even so, this book is so much more than that: yes, reading it broke my heart, but in this story, Victoria Lee discusses so many important and not often talked about topics and, more than anything, it’s incredibly powerful. Because what happened to Noam and Dara—what happens to so many people—is horrible and unfair and terrifying. But we need to talk about it. And we have to stop thinking that there is a “right” way to be a survivor—because there can be a million different ways to survive (sexual) abuse and definitely not all of them are healthy. Dara copes through drug abuse and develops and eating disorder. He’s depressed and most likely suffers from PTSD. Honestly, Noam probably does as well. And after everything that happened to them—after everything that they know about Lehrer and the terrible things he did and keeps doing—both of them still find themselves looking for excuses or explanations on his behalf. Both of them blame themselves. And that is something a lot of survivors do, because it’s not black and white and you can hate a person so intensely and on a different level still want their approval. God. My heart is so broken and at the same time I’m so proud of my boys; because they are strong and brave and I love them so endlessly. I just want to tell them: it’s not your fault. It never was. It‘s never, ever the children’s or teenager’s fault. No matter what they said, no matter what they did. Because they’re children and the other person is an adult and they should have known better, should have done better.

I love how Victoria Lee created two so complex and multi-dimensional characters in Noam and Dara, characters who are hurt and confused and make difficult decisions. Ames and Dara’s friendship, for example, was so important to me, because Ames always believed Dara and never let him think, for even a moment, that any of this was his fault. But at the same time, the both of them enable each other to do problematic things: using alcohol and drugs to cope with their respective traumas. But they did the best they could at the time and they were always there for each other and that’s—that’s so important, too. Friends are important, especially friends that are always in your corner.

“Upon reflection, Dara had loved Noam since the moment they met. But this was the night he always thought of as the night he first knew, down in his soul, that he’d never feel this way about anyone else, ever again. Noam had crawled his way into Dara’s mind and planted himself there, a root system tangled into Dara’s thoughts and Dara’s telepathy. Inextricable.”

The found family of Noam, Dara, Ames, Bethany, Taye; and later Claire, Priya and Leo—that made me so happy. How they supported each other. But Noam and Dara. They are on a different level entirely. Both have found places so deep in my heart… I don’t think I will ever forget them.

Overall, The Electric Heir is a brilliant and powerful sequel that deals with so many important topics. I’m not going to lie: I was shocked when I started the first chapter, because I didn’t see these events coming at all. But the way Victoria Lee portrayed sexual abuse, grooming, manipulation—and all the difficulties of being a survivor, of dealing with what has happened, while not even accepting it at the same time—that was so incredibly well done. Heartbreakingly realistic and necessary. Because there truly is no “right” way to be a survivor and if society as a whole keeps thinking differently, the only people who will keep getting hurt are the survivors themselves. Surviving sexual abuse is messy. Accepting it is hard, even more so when there’s still a part, deep inside of you, that cares about the person that hurt you. So many survivors are blaming themselves, doubting what actually happened to them—and that breaks my heart even more. I’m so incredibly proud of Noam and Dara, I love them so endlessly much and all I want is for them to find happiness, to take their time and heal, as best they can. Because they deserve it. Every survivor of abuse deserves dealing with it in their own way, trying to heal and be happy again.

“I want to choose you,” Noam said softly. “Every day, again and again.”

♥ It’s a fantasy! It’s a dystopian! It’s…actually, it’s a story about surviving abuse and being able to acknowledge that what the characters are experiencing is abuse at all.

♥ There is a really deep and consistent exploration of abuse threaded throughout the entire book and for me, it overshadowed everything else. I still cared about the politics and espionage, and the magic infections and quarantine zones were eerily timely to read about this week. But nothing surpassed the characters. Having a dual POV with Noam and Dara this time was really important, because they’ve almost switched roles. Dara is starting to heal from his lifetime of abuse and domestic violence from his guardian, and can recognize the signs of it starting with Noam. Noam, who had so adamantly insisted that it didn’t matter if Dara thought, or said, or acted like he wanted to be involved with the older men–he was underage, and the whole point was that he couldn’t give consent.

♥ The word “rape” is used a lot in this book, and I appreciated how much Victoria didn’t shy away from it. It’s a dark book, it’s heavy and hard to read at times, and it reminded me of another book I read and talked about recently, My Dark Vanessa. Both deal with looking at how those in a position of power can so easily manipulate those around them, especially an impressionable teen. Vanessa and Noam both go through a lot of denial, unable to admit that their relationship is wrong or abusive. By calling it consensual and convincing yourself that you wanted it, there’s a sense of control, however small. It makes it easier to survive the abuse while you’re experiencing it.

“Maybe it was okay to admit helplessness. Maybe it didn’t make them weak.
Not at all.”

Final Thoughts: Possibly the first time I’ve ever said this, but I wish this duology was going to be a trilogy! There is so much left to do in this world!

"If Lehrer seemed predictable, that just meant they weren’t paying attention to the right things.”

“So you’re telling me that magic is magic.”

All quotes are taken from an uncorrected proof of the book

I was positively ecstatic when I received an eARC of this book! I read The Fever King last summer and I feel like I didn't appreciate it enough at the time. After visiting Noam's and Dara's world for a second time, I can safely say that this series is one of my new favorites!
The story starts six months after the ending of the first book and it immediately broke my heart. The characters are both in distinctly difficult situations - and it is just so sad to read how they are struggling to cope with everything that has happened in the first book. I was quickly immersed in the story and felt overwhelmingly much sympathy for the characters!
While Dara's chapters made me grieve for his terrible past and hold my breath whenever he was trying to mend his relationships with everyone, Noam's point of view was equally thrilling to read. Noam's new position is even more dangerous than it seems and I felt like the edge he is balancing on could tip at any given moment, resulting in a tragedy. Reading about the antagonist gave me unprecedented fits of rage. I can't recall any character that I hated as much as I hate him. The complication of that is, however, that I could always somehow understand how he came to be that way, Especially since it was highlighted how the protagonists are similar to him. Thinking about such a complex villain really kept me up every night (even after I stopped reading). It was nearly impossible to put the book down in the first place and when I did, I just couldn't stop thinking about it. I also needed a few days after reading to finally feel like myself again.
Clearly, The Electric Heir gave me a lot of emotions. Not all of them were negative, though - I love how Dara and Noam find back to each other, how they engage with their friends, their banter. I enjoyed all of it so much, even the sad parts, and I really hope that this story will get the recognition it deserves!

**I was provided with an ARC through Netgalley in exchange for an honest review**

Recommencing 6 months after the final events of The Fever King, The Electric Heir kicks off with Noam and Lehrer laying siege to a lab that has been developing a vaccine to the Magic virus. After their successful coup, Lehrer has become Chancellor of Carolinia and under his rule the Atlantian refugees now have the citizenship that Noam was so desperately fighting for.

The loss of Dara has left Noam in an ever present state of grief yet, it has also landed him in a much closer and more… twisted relationship with Lehrer. Together they have been working to jeopardise the State of Texas – the state with the biggest opposition to Witchings - in their efforts of developing and weaponising the cure to Magic. However, Noam has slowly broken free of Lehrer’s mind control, and all that he was forced to forget by and about Lehrer has resurfaced. So doing everything he can not to be found out, Noam ever the hero decides to use his position as a means to destroy Lehrer.

Meanwhile Dara is very much not dead. Cured from his Fevermadness and as a result no longer a Witching, Dara returns to Durham as part of a rebel group called the Black Magnolia also determined to bring down Lehrer for good. And with Dara back in the picture Noam is further determined to keep up his role as double agent, never mind the danger it puts him in.

The Electric Heir is as high stakes and captivating as its predecessor however, the overall action is dialled down and the story focuses much more on the characters and their self-reflections. The underlying theme for both books is one of survival. Where the first book essentially looks at this theme in a broader and societal sense, the sequel addresses it on a much more personal level.

If the content warnings haven’t cautioned you already this book is hard-hitting and it is dark, and I wholeheartedly applaud Lee for writing it. For not shying away from writing with such brutal honesty about uncomfortable topics that are still too often blindsided. From sharing a narrative that challenges the harmful assumptions that surround said topics. There were instances when I had to put the books down to take a breather and it’s safe to say my emotions were all over the place.

The characters are again very much the heart and soul of this story and their individual arcs make me feel as though I have known them for so much longer than a mere duology. All credit of course going to how skilfully Lee has voiced each of them.

Noam’s teenage naivety is still there but an evident layer of matureness has been added to his character too. It physically hurt to witness the situations he was undergoing and all his accompanying emotions and actions. His adamant tendency to throw himself into any situation with no self-preservation frustrated me just as much as it did Dara – I wanted to jump into the book myself and save him.

One of my favourite parts in particular was the fact that we got a dual perspective and were finally able to see the world through Dara’s eyes. His perspective was very much a journey of recovery both from his past and trauma, as well as the loss of his telepathic powers which were such an integral part of his life.
The parallels between the two protagonists was really interesting to see though what was equally heart-breaking was Dara being torn apart on observing his past being reflected through Noam. Their relationship was much more complicated and angst ridden than before, riddled with anguish, longing, guilt and Lehrer.

Speaking of which, let us take a second to appreciate the villain in the room, and when I say appreciate I mean just how well written of a character he is. You know they’re a good villain when you love to hate them and my abhorrence for Lehrer grew with EVERY. SINGLE. PAGE. His masked nature that both intrigued and unnerved me in The Fever King was slowly etched away to give a very realistic portrayal of how people with power can so very easily get away with abusing it.

Furthermore it was great to be exposed to more of Lee’s dystopian world as well as to see the secondary characters – in particular Ames, Bethany and Taye - having a much bigger involvement overall too. I outlined my fascination with the magic system of this series in my review for book one and I really appreciated that we were able to learn a little more about it.

The political side of the storyline was something I have also thoroughly enjoyed throughout this series. Though it was not as forefront as in The Fever King, it was all well integrated with the ploy to defeat Lehrer. I did feel that there were some elements of the plot that felt repetitive as at a point we were basically following Noam going forwards and backwards from one place to another however, there was a constant tension of not knowing who to trust that keep me on edge. Of not knowing if and where Lehrer’s influence was lurking. Honestly the storytelling is phenomenal and I look forward to reading Lee’s future works.

All in all I feel like my words can’t do justice to how powerful and important this duology is. So just like I have been doing over the last year I’m going to continue to recommend it whenever and to whoever I can. If you’ve made it this far and have yet to pick up this series, please do!
Final Rating - 4.25/5 Stars

CW: sexual assault, child abuse, domestic violence, references to suicide, depictions of eating disorder & substance abuse.

I maintain that the idea of a magical virus is beautiful, and I loved how accurate the medical references were (not surprising considering that the author is a scientist). The world building was so intriguing and I wish there had been more of it.
The plot... made me uncomfortable at times. As you can see by the list of CW this has a bit of a dark twist.
I was happy to see Noam and Dara again but goodness did I want to shake them at times.
The ending felt a tiny bit rushed and I wished there had been a bit more detail.

ARC provided by NetGalley in exchange for an honest review

Okay so firstly this book had me a bundle of nerves - with the way the Fever King ended I was very worried for Noam as he was basically walking back into the lion's den. Dara went into the QZ but from the synopsis of this novel, you know he is coming back, but without his powers. When the novel started 6 months after the events of The Fever King and barely 5% in you see what circumstances Noam is in, I must confess I put down the book for a bit. He, during these six months, has got his memories back, but because he want to bring down Lehrer he stays close to him. Dara's entry back into the city shakes things up a bit but Noam still feels that the best strategy is to be close, gather evidence and strike when the time is right, while Dara doesn't want his love to be caught in his abuser's web.

Speaking of, Dara gets a PoV in this book! We get to see his side of view when it comes to Noam's actions, as well as Dara himself processing through the abuse and assault he had been through, and how he easily sees Noam's situation. Much like the last book, he constantly warns Noam, and they both have a difference of opinion when it comes to how to defeat Lehrer. He is also adjusting to a life without his powers and trying at sobriety. Meanwhile, Noam is now Lehrer's protege, and he is being trained to do terrible things to keep his cover. He has protected himself from being affected by Lehrer's powers, but he doesn't initially realize that Lehrer's influence on him started from the moment they met, and it takes him a while to realize that he is also being abused like Dara was. He personally thinks that he chose to get into the relationship, in the aftermath of his grief for Dara and the guilt for all that had happened before, and is initially defensive when Ames confronts him.

It is very much a book about abused people realizing the extent of their abuse and trying to get free from their abusers. In Lehrer's case it is much more difficult to get out, when he is physically and magically more powerful than Noam - which makes nearly every scene between them so tense, I was nearly screaming from the suspense because I was also afraid, like Noam, that he would be found out any moment. The thing that keeps Noam there is him wanting to protect everyone else from Lehrer, as well as the benefits of that proximity in gathering evidence to use against him. But Dara's re-entry also changes something for Noam, and he can finally hope for a better life again. The ending is, well, I won't spoil, but it was nice. For the characters of Noam and Dara, in their personal storylines, the ending is good and satisfactory. But for the world that this story is set in, the ending feels incomplete. I honestly read the last chapter twice, and still was like - I don't trust this ending; is it a dream? Because the whole 'we are the only country that allows witchings' thing wasn't really resolved? Are they still under threat of being invaded? Did Atlantia get its freedom? There's a whole political subplot that isn't resolved, so no, I wasn't really satisified with the ending. But the book as a whole is an amazing read, so yes, I would still recommend it!

victoria lee ripped out my heart and then more with this novel holy shit

content warnings for this book:
- child abuse
- sexual assault / attempted rape
- domestic violence
- mental heath + suicide reference
- depictions of eating disorders
- substance (alcohol + drug) abuse
- visit victorialeewrites.com for more detailed info!

loved seeing content warnings for this book actually printed in my e-arc!!! this needs to be in all books!! also loved the page with hotlines to call if you need it!!! we love supporting mental health!!

i fucking love dara shirazi with my entire being and he deserves the world. i don't want to spoil anything but this book follows the events of the fever king, in which Noam and Dara work together from very different angles in order to take Calix Lehrer down for good.

this book made me emotional as hell. the way victoria writes is so raw and horrifying, but that was intentional, as she is a survivor herself. i honestly don't think i've ever related to a character more than dara. i had to put the book down several times because i got so emotional.

still a favorite series, still a new favorite author. can't wait to see what else we get from Lee.

The Story: The story follows six months after the events of the first book. Noam is now like Lehrer’s protege and he also knows everything Lehrer is trying to hide from him. But there is nothing much he can do so he is trying his best to find ways to overcome that. The story is this book is completely full of suspense of what will happen next. There are twists and turns and uncertainties which makes it a nail-biting experience. The ending was like literally sitting on the edge of the seat and I am so in love with it! I would have liked the ending to be a little longer because it felt a little rushed but honestly the high of finishing the book was so good that it did not make much of a difference to me.

The Characters: I loved Dara even more in this book if that was possible. He was healing and trying to make things right and his journey was heartbreaking but also so emotional and beautiful. I feel so proud of how far he has come and it was the best arc.

Noam’s journey was..complicated. He was definitely trying to do good but at the same time a lot of his actions and decisions were questionable. Overall, his character arc was good and despite everything you are always rooting for him. The other characters from the first book also play an important role in this and there are a few new characters as well.

The social commentary is good in this one and it gets a lot more dark with some of its themes than even The Fever King. It touches upon war and war brutality and also the impact of trauma and hoe different people deal with it differently. It was harsh but also well-written. It is highly suggested to read the trigger warnings once.

Overall, this book and this series were awesome. It is dark, suspenseful, mysterious, interesting with morally grey characters and it is a duology which must be on all your TBR because this is not a book you want to miss out on. This series is about people fighting back against the system and the corruption which exists in the society. The other good thing about this series is a charismatic and super smart villain who is also one of the best villains I have ever read about. So this series is highly recommended for all sci-fi fans.

After absolutely loving The Fever King last year I was super excited to get my hands on an ARC of The Electric Heir. And boy, am I happy I did. The Fever King was so incredibly good and now The Electric Heir is just as incredible, probably even more epic with higher stakes and more suspense.

In The Electric Heir we find Noam six months after the events in The Fever King. Noam has managed to remember everything that Lehrer has done and is now trying to take him down by staying close and in Lehrer's trust. Dara has survived due to the vaccine and is now without his powers. After Dara returns to Carolinia to take down Lehrer, his and Noam's paths cross again. Will they be able to take down Lehrer together? Or will they destroy themselves in process?

Victoria Lee has done an amazing job of crafting an original, unique and epic duology with The Fever King and The Electric Heir. I was blown away by both books and just can't really put into words how good they are. The stakes are really high, a constant suspense and characters that you'll love till the end of time. Noam and Dara are just... I love them. a lot.

The Electric Heir also deals with difficult topics like rape and abuse. Victoria Lee tells the story through the eyes of the survivors and does it really well. It's very hard and heartbreaking to read, but also gives insight into the complicated workings, emotions and aftermath of said difficult topics.

The ending of The Electric Heir concludes this duology beautifully. I'm sad that the story of Noam and Dara has ended, but also very satisfied with how it has ended.

So we jump in six months after TFK ended – Dara is nowhere to be found, Noam is living with Lehrer, and shit is absolutely bonkers.

In the first book, there’s some mention of sexual relationships between Dara and older men, there’s mentions of abuse, both physical and sexual, and other horrible circumstances.

This book dives SO MUCH further into these topics. We dive further into the sexual and physical assault that Dara experienced as a child. This book talks about the signs of abuse, what counts as abuse, and the lingering trauma and pain that stays with you.

I loved this story so much, but it is a very heavy read. The heart of the story is abuse and power – and what happens when people take our power away.

So lets dive into the actual story part now shall we?

This story is a lot more character based than The Fever King. There’s still a major plot – the bringing down of Lehrer and his government control, but there’s a lot more focus on Noam and Dara finding themselves.

I love the way that Noam and Dara’s relationship changes in this book – Dara is on one side of the fight, doing what he can to stop the virus, help fight within the resistance. And then there’s Noam’s side, whose working from the shadows, where no one is quite sure what side he’s on.

Noam’s relationship with Lehrer in this book is fascinating. Right at the beginning we’re introduced to the idea of Lehrer and Noam being in a sexual relationship. The dynamic of their relationship is extremely well written. Noam knows about the abuse that Dara went through with Lehrer, and although he doesn’t remember it all when he first gets involved, he still continues the relationship after he remembers the truth.

I loved watching this relationship unfold – how it effects Noam’s internal beliefs about who he is, his relationships with his friends, and his relationship with Dara.

Noam’s story arc of growing up (remember he’s only 16!), dealing with his first real relationships, abuse, and just dealing with the dangers of the world they live in was amazing. Noam was such a well written and flushed out character. He still made some really stupid ass decisions, and there were some moments where I just wanted to shake him and scream “USE YOUR FUCKING HEAD” but hey, it would be boring if characters only made intelligent decisions.

And then there’s Dara – I fucking love Dara. We got a lot of his POV in this book and I loved all of it. We learned a lot more about his childhood – his eating disorder, the sexual and physical abuse he suffered, and how he lived his life being able to read the minds of others.

Dara’s story arc is INCREDIBLE. He’s weakened, he’s powerless, and he’s away from the suffocating control he dealt with everyday of his life. I loved watching this beautiful boy grow and discover who he is and who he wanted to be.

I HIGHLY recommend this series. The plot is amazing – I love the whole idea of the magical virus and how it effects different people, and then there’s the HOW of the virus and the truth about Lehrer, and just the world in general. But this book is so much about the characters, it’s about acceptance and control, it’s about pain and abuse and how to survive when your world is ripped apart. It’s about so much more than a magical virus, and I absolutely loved it.