ARC provided by NetGalley.

The Electric Heir picks up several months after the conclusion of The Fever King. Lehrer has once again seized governmental control of Carolinia and is planning to use his military power to influence other territories' witching policies. Noam has recovered his memories of Lehrer's corruption and joins a resistance to take Lehrer down for good.

Book 2 carries over the interesting science based magic system, Noam's perspective, intricate political scheming, and constant plot twists and double crossing of book 1. It adds a second perspective from Dara, inter-governmental politics, and much more nuanced depictions of manipulation and abuse.

This story contains very brutal and realistic portrayals of trauma, abuse, and addiction, balanced with the struggle for survival and recovery and a healthy dose of hope. The way Victoria Lee is able to express the complexities of mental illness and trauma is nothing short of masterful. Lehrer is a true villain, and not in a fantasy monster kind of way. He is abusive, manipulative, and power hungry in a horrifying way that was very difficult to read at times, especially when seen through the eyes of Noam who still, heartbreakingly, justifies Lehrer's behavior.

The perspectives of Noam and Dara are a particularly interesting contrast in relation to the abuse they've both suffered at Lehrer's hands. Dara is slowly coming to terms with what has occured, rewriting the narrative in his own head and trying to recover from an addiction that he used as a coping mechanism for years. Noam is still in denial, convinced that he's in control, and that Lehrer would never hurt him despite Dara's protests.

Though this books strongest aspect is in the main characters' growth and dynamics, this book also offers an intricate look at the intersection of media and government. Lehrer uses so-called information leaks, structured press releases, and statements from political allies to control the knowledge of Carolinian citizens. This is a system that is reflected in current U.S. politics.

There are a few problems I had with this book: though the main characters are complex, the side characters fall a bit flat. I enjoyed the additional interactions of the other teens in their training group, but I do think more could have been done to give them depth and interest. There are several side plots that are picked up and dropped without much explanation. The big battle scene was an important point in Noam's character arc, but in the grand scheme of the plot seemed almost unnecessary.

Despite its flaws, The Electric Heir packed such an emotional punch that I walked away stunned and am still ruminating on the book and characters days later, which is really the most I can ask for.

Thank you, NetGalley and the publisher for providing me with an e-copy for an honest review.

TRIGGER WARNINGS (as found on author’s blog): intergenerational trauma, genocide, violence, abuse, attempted rape, mental health and suicide, slut-shaming, victim-blaming, emetophobia, drug and alcohol abuse, parental death and ableist language. These are just some of the general warnings, but for more info refer to the link: http://victorialeewrites.com/2019/10/01/the-electric-heir-content-warnings

I want to start by saying that it feels great to be back with these characters, but know what? There was so much left hanging from the last book that it is almost a relief to read about everyone again, still, all hell is broken loose and now Lehrer is in control, Dara is recovering from all the messed up s*** that his “father” put him through, and Noam… I don't even know what's going on in his head. Can just Dara and Noam ride into the sunset? Away from all the abuse and manipulation?

Like the author says, this story it’s at its core a survivor's story. Dara is learning to live with having survived all of the sexual abuse and violence he’d experience throughout his childhood, while Noam is just realizing that he is too being a victim of all of Lehrer’s disgusting manipulation. Reading all of this was very hard and taxing, it feels all so raw, almost like opening a door into this author’s soul. While I do admit it is hard, it is an important and poignant book to read. Well behind the politics, the schemes and magic, this story is about battling against the very reality of being abuse, about picking up the pieces after the suffering, and about not blaming yourself about being the victim.

I enjoyed the rhythm of the story, the descriptions of the fights were excellent, and I loved how we could see a growth of character with the ensemble characters as well. I did feel a bit let down by the ending, in the sense that it felt a bit rushed.

Overall, I love this duology. It’s a well thought out story with greatly developed characters, it’s action-packed, gritty, and heart-wrenching.

Book's release date: March 17th, 2020 by Skyscape

The Electric Heir is so good and all consuming. It's powerful and well written and just everything. It's the best book I've read in a long time, and I cannot wait to see what Victoria Lee puts out next.

Thank you so very much to Skyscape and NetGalley for this advanced copy.

Unpopular opinion time...

First things first, I was wondering why there were trigger warnings at the start of this book. “Could it be that much darker than the first?”, I thought. Too soon, I realized that, yes— yes, it could! TW: rape, pederasty (I felt ill when there was the “You’re so much older than your age” line thrown in nonchalantly), drug & alcohol addiction, abuse (physical/emotional), graphic violence.

Here’s the thing- Noam is 16 years old. Lehrer is presented as 24(?), but in reality 124. This is gross. I’m also not comfortable with Dara being 18 (a legal adult), and having relations with Noam (a legal minor) even with consent. There’s a lot of questionable content and relationship scenarios playing out in this book, and even the most unhealthy are portrayed in lustful and semi-romantic lights at times (which... I mean, why?!?!?).

I will say that Victoria Lee does do a decent job of depicting how abuse affects those individuals— the coping, the struggling, the questioning, and all the swirling emotions survivors go through.

There were many flaws, plot-wise. In general: it was all over the place. Clunky, heavy-handed, and paced very poorly. We jumped around way too often from one thing to the next, leaving this side plot for that one, bringing up points in regards to the main plot, but dropping them so suddenly and adding three new ones... it was a lot. Admittedly, I fell victim to boredom; I hate to say that I was checking my progress every so often to see if I was any closer to finishing the book.

I’m typically a huge fan of the ‘second-in-series’ books (they usually contain the most angst), but I’m disappointed one, especially considering how much I enjoyed the first book.

The chapters alternate between Noam and Dara, which suits me just fine. I’ve recently had my fill of more than 2 POV’s per book. With just the two to focus on, you can really get a more in-depth, character-driven story. Except, again, all the other side characters are so woefully half-baked. This is really just the Noam/Dara/Calix show, which got kind of redundant.

Something else was sorely missing: the bisexual content. I must stress how disappointing this was. We’re given a bi character in the first book, and yet it’s so brief, under-developed, and quickly squashed. Here, in book two, it’s complete bi-erasure if you ask me. Why even have mentioned it in the first place if it’s never brought up again? Does it sound ignorant of me to ask these things? I’m being serious. I understand that Noam can still be canonically “bi” while in a same-sex relationship, but he’s in two (so to speak), and not once are we reaffirmed of his orientation (not to say that it’’s the sum of all his parts, but just that’s it’s important for readers who feel woefully under-represented to remain included)... an inclusion of which should be such a huge step for the B in LGBT literature. But, again, it’s flimsy, half-hearted background info. So many missed opportunities in terms of crucial story arcs and narrative depth; so much that could’ve been said and done with the characterization... but it’s squelched.

To sum up: I’m pretty damn disappointed.

I received this book from Netgalley is exchange of an honest review.

I have to admit readind The electric heir was hard, because I felt so connected with the characters I was able to feel their emotions and pain. I really care about Noam, Dara and their story.
The book contains a lot of trigger warnings, so if someone need them there are on Victoria Lee's site:https://victorialeewrites.com/2019/10/01/the-electric-heir-content-warnings

POSSIBLE SPOILERS

The story begins six month after The fever king. Noam works and cooperates with Lehrer and feels guilty because he thinks Dara is dead and that was his fault, since he let him go, to run away from Carolinia. Everything changes when Dara comes back in the country and Noam finds himself collaborating with him with the Black Magnolia, a rebellion organization that wants to expose Lehrer's crimes and his reponsibility in the genocide. This book is really amazing, well written. full of twists, truths and revelations and angst. Noam's and Dara's relationships is greatly challenged by Lehrer's (I won't say how, because it's a major spoiler) and it has to survive guilt, shame and fear. They both went through hell, still loving each other and fighting to heal together, thanks, too, their friends, like Ames, Bethany and Taye. I really loved Ames, it was amazing reading how she was the one who managed to make Dara see the truth about his relationship's with Lehrer's. It's a book about survivors and how to heal and fight together. It was hard to know the same author is a survivor, too. It made the story even more real. For me this book was raw, pure and so necessary. It was a punch in the stomach and I felt my heart racing in more than one occasion. That's the beauty of Victoria Lee's stories and writing and this one is a perfect conclusion, not sweetened, but real and so beautiful.

This is maybe the first time I started reading an ARC the second I got my hands on it, but I loved The Fever King so much, I just couldn't wait one second to see how this series ends.

I recommend to anyone wanting to read these books, to check out the trigger warnings the author posted, because there's definitely triggering material including abuse (in many different ways) and with this book also gaslighting and grooming. I don't find these topics triggering myself, but I see how other readers could have problems with the content.

Overall, this book is quite different from the first one and I like that. I know really wanna read both books together and see how they work as a whole story and how everything happening in The Electric Heir was build up in The Fever King, because I'm pretty sure I forgot much of the groundwork done in book one.

The Electric Heir is definitely a worthy end to the series, filled with ups and downs, some amazing characters and scary twists all over.

It’s at this point, been over a week since I finished The Electric Heir, and while I’ve expressed my love for this duology loudly over twitter for the week, I haven’t voiced any coherent thoughts.

At its core, the Electric Heir is a story of recovery.

The way that Victoria Lee shows the journey of both those recovery from abuse and trauma and those actively experiencing it, this book wraps a hand around your heart the whole way through, making it impossible to put down(though I definitely have to note that it comes with a significant number of content warnings). Darker than the Fever King, the Electric Heir drags readers through scenes that are hard to read (denial of abuse, victim blaming, and attempted rape to name a few), but it also leads to the hopeful truth, that even while the worst is happening, you ultimately remember that things will get better, or this wouldn’t be the final book. I finished the Fever King with Dara as my favorite character, lamenting on how I wished to protect him, and how much good he deserved in his life, and by the end of the Electric Heir Dara has shifted significantly, acknowledging himself as more than his trauma and growing beyond that, giving readers their own shot at believing in their own healing and recovery. I’ve carved out a special place in my heart for this book and I doubt I’ll ever let it go.

Thank You to NetGalley and Skyscape for providing me with this ARC

9/10-

I'm going to be honest and say that I'm not quite sure how to react to this book. Rather, I'm grappling with what an appropriate and concious reaction would look like. I think that this is an indicator that Ms. Leehas written a book that will long out live it's reading. This book, these characters and their incredibly human endeavors will live within readers long after the books have been closed and the doors have been shut. The book is an expert blending of genres. Lee has painted a heartbreaking story of abuse, an impressive feat of science fiction and a heartwarming story of found love in one piece. In addition, Lee has a sexually, racially and religiously (Side Note: How many authors add noted religious diversity without using it as a trope to push said religion?!?!) diverse cast of characters, raising the bar for the kinds of casts of characters we should be seeing more of in YA. That being said, occasionally, only occasionally, the genre-bending trips itself up, and there is minute amounts of confusion left to the reader to parcel out. It is also worth pointing out that this book could be a huge trigger for those suffering from/who ave suffered eating disorders, domestic abuse, sexual abuse and mental health disorders. These moments aside, the book is cohesive and well-written, an amazing end to an already explosive duology.

The first book in this series left me so frustrated (in a good way) And I was so happy to get my hands on the second book, it was just as enticing. But I appreciated it more as a survivor, that's what I feel like was deeply rooted in this second book was recognizing abuse and abuse of power for what it is and healing. I also loved the closer look into the friendships and bonds. Ugh I loved it so much I didn't want it to end. I want to live in Noam & Dara's world forever. I'm gonna miss these characters so much.

This duology has stolen my heart and now owns a part of my soul. I don't make the rules. ¯\_(ツ)_/¯ For some reason up until recently, I thought it was going to be a trilogy and I'm kind of still sad it won't be but it's probably better and more impactful that it isn't. 

Dear book godesses, Victoria ripped my heart into teeny tiny little pieces with The Electric Heir. It was dark and super intense . But it was also very heartbreaking beautiful and important. 

While The Fever King was more about uncovering corruption and trauma, The Electric Heir was what happens after; Where do we go from here?

There is so much more I want to go into and quotes I would like to share but TEH doesn't release for months so I'll have to come back to that after the release date. 

To be honest, I tried to read The Fever King when it was first released a few times and didn't get very far into it. It wasn't until this past Summer after the webcomic came out that I decided to pick it up again. I tore through it. And now this is one of my absolute favorite series. I'm a mood reader so I fully believe in putting down a book and returning to it again another day. (There's some symbolism in there somewhere that is fitting for this series.) Noam and Dara will forever have a piece of my heart. I can't thank Victoria enough for these books. 💕

This has all the trappings of a great book!~ #NetGalley-thanks for the advanced read! #TheElectricHeir was a fun read!

If I thought The Fever King was great, this was incredible! What an amazing depiction of victims of mental, physical and sexual abuse. This book was painful to read in parts. But so so worth it because you really feel for these characters and their plight.
I fell in love with Dara and Noam in the first book and didn’t realize how much I needed this second book until I was reading it. These two boys go through so much. There is so much growth and self discovery.
Victoria Lee did a fantastic job of telling the story of this abuse and the mentality of abuse victims. People in abusive relationships can sometimes feel like they have everything under control or like they may be one that is different, the one that can change the abusers mind. Thinking that this person won’t go far enough to really hurt them. It was heartbreaking! But told so perfectly.
The magical system in this series is so unique and fun to experience in the book. I am so, so happy that I had a chance to read this book!

This book was rough and due to that I can’t rate it mostly because I couldn’t wait for it to be over.

**TRIGGER WARNING TO THE EXTREME** This book is hard to get through and I kept putting it down to the point that I knew if I didn’t push through it and just finish it all as fast as I could I wouldn’t have finished so if child abuse, sexual assault and domestic violence is hard for you I recommend skipping this one.

“The Electric Heir” finds Dara struggling to survive the new dynamics of life on the outside knowing that the person he cares about most is still trapped inside. Noam on the other hand is relishing in his new found role as the right hand man but when the hunger for revolution brings the two together they must face the consequences of their actions and work to bring the monster to justice.

I know a majority of this review is going to be about how hard of a time I had with the subject matter but it’s really that bad. For me the worst part is when a certain character has the knowledge of what has happened and does it anyway and I know there’s the set up of grooming and an entire section in the book itself that goes over how to tell if you’re in an abusive relationship but to have that play out was nauseating and I felt just as gutted as the other character did when he learned that despite knowing they went through with it.

I’m no stranger to the subject matter and usually I can handle it especially since I try so hard not to dnf arcs but this one really tested me and honestly that gross feeling stuck with me to the point that the rest of the plot didn’t matter so I couldn’t even tell you how the politics or the magic system worked as that was my big question from the first novel but I can say it didn’t wrap up in the bloody climax that I would have liked.

This one was hard and I’m honestly sorry I requested it.

**special thanks to the publishers and netgalley for providing an arc in exchange for a fair and honest review**

I forgot how much I loved and missed Noam and Dara until I read their names out and my adoration for this book came back rushing.

This is a difficult series to get through, as it deals with extremely serious topics and it's a very hard story to read, but it was all worth it because it was brilliant. The characters were just so unique and you couldn't help but love them and worry about them. The story and the magic was also spectacular and I couldn't get enough of it.

I wish I could keep reading stories about Noam and Dara forever, but I'm also content with the ending of this book.