I read this book because I had heard incredible reviews on it all over Instagram. The story itself was really cool, but it did not feel unique. Different specific details felt stolen from other books. There was even an almost direct quote from another book. Overall, Inferno's Heir felt like a fan fiction, which is fine, but it made it very hard for me to get into it and enjoy the story.

I would give this a 3.5/4 stars. Where it lacked for me was the beginning it made up for as I continued reading. It took a little bit of time for me to get into and to really grab me into the story. Once I got past a certain point I was hooked. This has some elements of politics, alliances and betrayals, a morally gray character, and a twisting plot. I enjoyed the characters and watching them build throughout the story. Their relationships develop so naturally throughout the story and I feel like that flows well. The things that lose me are the mythology or lore I don't know much about so sometimes I get confused or feel like I can't follow completely, that is not the fault of the author I just don't know much lore and haven't done much research. I have been learning a lot recently while reading more fantasy novels. I do feel like this is a very well written YA fantasy novel and I think I would enjoy a re-read very much!

Thank you Netgalley and Kevin Norman for the eArc!

Inferno's heir is a YA fantasy that will appeal to fans of The Prison Healer by Lynette Noni and the likes, with strong heroines not afraid to dirty their hands, with themes of corrupt governments, revolts against them, romance and rare, very rare magic.
Sadly, this book was not for me. I did not like the main character and struggled to read to the middle of the book but DNFed it.
This is far from the general opinion, I think I'm just not the demographic for this.
Admittedly, I like my morally grey characters with a little more humour, especially if their downfall is self-centeredness. It's hard to feel for someone that's presented as a bully in their first appearance - whatever reasons she may have. Agreed, characters need flaws if they are going to have a meaningful growth arc, but I didn't manage to stay for the ride.

Thank you Bindery Books, Netgalley and Tiffany Wang for providing this book!

I give this book a 3.5 stars

I like book about throne politics with a fantasy element and this book really sells it, with a stronh female lead i quite like Teia

Tho one of the problem with this book it just too much telling not enough showing

But overall if you're looking for a element fantasy with throne politics this book is for you

Thank you Netgalley and Bindery books for this arc! The stunning cover is what first drew me to this book and from the very first page I was hooked.

This book was a 5/5 for me. I thoroughly enjoyed it from beginning to the end, boy was I shocked by the plot twist! It was built up from the beginning, but you know when you start to doubt and think surely not now after everything? I thought wrong, and loved it. The ending of this book and the tension involved makes me very excited for what else this world has to offer!

The author did a fantastic job in world building, I got a good grasp of this world without feeling that sense of information overload. I loved the use of elemental powers and the descriptions of use were unlike any other I have read! The writing was beautiful, descriptive and unique. This book was political and highlighted the manipulation of power struggles and how political gain is not black and white. I enjoyed the plot thoroughly, it kept me entertained and engaged throughout the late night and early mornings- I was often sleep deprived yet wanting to read just that one more page!

I loved the characters, I love a story that gives the side characters enough scope for me to fall in love with them. Enna and Kyra were easily favourites of mine, and each character felt unique. I love a book that makes me root for multiple characters. I also loved the banter we got to see between different pairings. Teia was a great main character, I love that she is flawed but still likeable. She is cunning, manipulative and the ultimate player of the long game. I can’t wait to see how she grapples with everything that happened. I feel like I can’t talk about loving characters without mentioning how much I hated Jura. The author did such a great job at making such a hate-able character. Overall, the characters throughout were fleshed out and masterful in their individual roles.

I don’t often give 5/5 ratings but I loved this book and will be recommending it to friends and fellow readers wanting a new ya fantasy read. I will be purchasing a physical copy upon release for sure.

3/5

Thanks to NetGalley and Bindery Books for the ARC.

Generally, I liked the story here - FMC who wants to thwart her brother's (the crown prince's) plan for her arranged marriage infiltrates the rebellion with the intent to sell them out. I love a ruthless main character.

Was Teia that ruthless though? At the very beginning, we see her murdering a sellsword after not getting her way, which would imply it, but then she meets the rebellion and immediately goes soft. Now she's thinking about improving the world and joining the rebellion for good. That would be fine if there was some sort of natural progression to it, but it was like a flipped switch. (And no spoilers, but at the end of the book, the switch flips back without warning again). Disappointed in the inconsistent characterization.

Also this book had a lot of telling, not showing. Kyra is the champion and everyone rallies around her. Why? Because we said so. Alara is the best Poison's Master we've ever seen. Does she ever use her poisons? No, but just trust us.

Also Jura is cartoonishly evil, making you wonder how he didn't get deposed as a kid when other people on the council had the opportunity to get rid of him. Somehow people didn't notice that he is a complete psychopath until one month before his coronation?

They say the definition of insanity is doing the same thing twice and expecting different results, which is how I felt when the author just ran the same main story point back again and then somehow everything was magically resolved.

There were some things to like about this book. It was fast paced, there was some good banter, and I like the geo-political set up for the story in the next book and beyond. I think this series has promise, but I was just a bit disappointed in the set-up in this book. If you are willing to overlook a little bit of wonky characterization and like heist stories and/or the magic system of Avatar: The Last Airbender, then this book might be for you.

This book is, in my opinion, a pretty funny and simple fantasy story. Given the amount of attention given to the inner workings of Erisia's government, both past and present, it is evident that this work is a political dream. This book flows quickly, and I believe several sections could have used more time. While the first part of the book seemed to drag, the second half of the book concluded very quickly. Additionally, I believe that some of the book's lore was added at the last minute or carelessly. While I realize that we are discovering the twists and turns as Teia is, I believe there is a way to incorporate them into the plot in a way that feels more cohesive. Diverse, funny, and immensely fascinating characters comprise the cast.

I really enjoyed the premise of the idea behind the story and Wang's writing was overall quite easy to follow. I was however a bit disappointed especially in the pacing near the end of the book and I was left with an unsatisfied feeling of the climax being glossed over too quickly.

Thank you to NetGalley and Bindery Books for the arc! Well, that was disappointing! The characters had no depth, Teia had no true character arc, the world building was barebones at best, and the whole book just read beyond juvenile. I know it’s YA, but children’s picture books are more well-rounded. ~2 stars

I loved this one! If you’ve been missing Six of Crows and want a heist, found family, and a stabby female main character, look no further. This was an incredible debut with adventure and heart, and I can’t wait for the next book in the series!

“Inferno's Heir” is a ya fantasy standalone written by Tiffany Wang, here at her debut. A quick and gripping book characterized by simple and compelling prose. A tale full of political intrigues, power plays, conspiracies, alliances and betrayals, which is not short of really well-written action scenes. The extensive and articulate world building, full of explanations and carefully delineated, intrigued me a lot. The story absorbed me completely with all the plotting and subterfuges that take place, making it hard for me to tear myself away from the pages. I admit that the ending seemed a bit rushed compared to the rest, but overall I still enjoyed the narrative. Teia, the main character, won me over completely! I love morally gray characters and she definitely falls into the category! Complex, troubled and cunning, she gave me so much satisfaction! I also liked the secondary characters, as well as their interactions with Teia!

Thank you to the Publisher and NetGalley for giving me an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.

Tiffany Wang's "Inferno's Heir" is a thrilling adventure that hooks you right from the start and keeps you on the edge of your seat until the very end. The story of Teia Carthan, an outcast princess trying to survive in a world of betrayal and rebellion, is packed with action, intrigue, and complex characters that you can't help but root for.

Teia's journey is both intense and relatable. Her unique ability to control two elements makes her a powerful player in the dangerous game she's caught in. Her initial plan to betray the rebels for her own safety sets up a tense and exciting plot, but things get even more interesting as she starts to connect with them on a deeper level (especially with a certain male handler)!

Wang's world-building is top-notch. The kingdom of Erisia, with its lavish palaces and underlying tensions, feels incredibly real and immersive. The political drama and power struggles are fascinating and add a lot of depth to the story. There were a lot of similarities in both plot and setting from this book and the Six of Crows duololy, with the lower-end of the civilization being referred to as the Slats and in the other the Flats, but also the plot including a great heist. Even with the similarities, this story is entirely unique and I only bring up the parallel because of how fondly I loved the Six of Crows series and was thrilled to find a similar (and notably different!) adventure.

But what really makes this book stand out are the characters. Teia is a standout heroine—tough, complex, and genuinely human. Watching her grow from a survivor focused on her own safety to a leader questioning her morals is both gripping and satisfying. The rebels she meets are also a diverse and interesting group, each adding something special to the story.

Inferno's Heir isn't just a great fantasy novel; it's also a thought-provoking look at loyalty, power, and finding your own path. Wang does a fantastic job of weaving in themes of betrayal and trust, making you think about what's right and wrong along the way. Teia's final choice—whether to destroy the monarchy, claim the throne, or find a new way—will keep you thinking long after you've finished reading.

Overall, Tiffany Wang has created an unforgettable story with "Inferno's Heir." It's packed with exciting twists, emotional moments, and a heroine you can't help but cheer for.!If you love fantasy with high stakes and strong characters, this is definitely a book you don't want to miss. Prepare to be captivated and eager for the next installment!

★ ★ ★ • 3

Solid debut novel with complex world-building, a well thought out plot, and a strong female protagonist. Besides Teia, the main character that was the absolute highlight of the entire book, Inferno’s Heir also has several likable supporting characters.

I did enjoy the book, overall I would say that I have a mostly favorable opinion of it… However there were times when the pacing felt a bit off and (without giving any spoiler away) I was a bit unsatisfied with the ending. Still, I would definitely recommend this book to anyone who’s a fan of works like The Hunger Games and looking for a good new young-adult fantasy.

Was very excited to have a chance to read this ahead of the release, I’d been hearing about it all over Insta. Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for providing an ARC in exchange for an honest review!

I have really liked Inferno’s Heir. It was a very fun reading experience, and I found myself skirting my responsibilities to read ‘just one more chapter’ and see how the story moved forward more than one time. Unfortunately, however, the book didn’t fully satisfy me at the end, and I don’t feel comfortable giving it more than 3.5 stars (rounded up to 4 stars on the platforms where half stars are not an option).

The plot was very well thought trough. I found the story gripping and the series of crises faced by the main characters at times surprising. The characters’ motivations and back story are very well woven into the main narrative, and so it was quite easy to understand why they were behaving in a certain way. It is definitely one of those books where you find yourself shouting at several characters multiple times that they are about to make a stupid decision, but also thinking ‘actually, in that situation, I understand why this seems like the only way to go’. This was definitely my favourite part of the book, together with the fact that, as the reader, you are thrown in the depth of the crisis. There’s no nice and tranquil beginning with maybe some foreshadowing, no. The book opens with blood and betrayal and continues from there with political intrigue (which is one of my favourite things in fantasy ever) and an increasingly fast pace. Delicious.

However, it is in the pacing and in the setting that I think Inferno’s Heir falls short, creating an experience that doesn’t fully satisfy:
1. The timing. The story is urgent. Things need to happen fast, and there’s a very real, very concrete looming deadline. Which is great, but I kept on reading time marks that contradicted one another. Basically, if you take how many days it takes the characters to plot, scheme, carry out, and suffer the consequences of their plans, then you land a couple of weeks after the stated deadline. At least, this was my experience, and it was a bit confusing.

2. The ending. The last five chapters could be a book in themselves and there are several points where one or more characters imply that a lot happened outside of the page. I would have appreciated seeing these events as well, as they are quite key for the resolution of the plot / the creation of potential new adventures.

3. The space. This is probably a personal shortcoming, but I would have really appreciated it if the book came with maps. I hope that the final, published version will have them, or that there will be a deluxe version with maps as well. Tiffany Wang has created an amazing, intricate world with its own geography, landmarks, desolated areas, and with bustling and intricate cities and buildings. I would have loved to be able to follow the Teia’s, Alana’s, Jura’s, and everyone else’s moves on a map. Personally, I would live to see maps of:
- The world
- The city
- The palace
- Blackgate

4. Finally, this is without any doubts an extremely well written book, with a very evocative language that helped me empathise with several characters and imagine landscape and scenes, except for melee battles and skirmishes. I understand that melees are messy and chaotic by definition, but I had a hard time follow what was happening, where all the characters were, and who was having the upper hand.

All in all, none of these points has hindered my reading experience. I thoroughly enjoyed this book and I have already in mind several friends and family members to whom I will recommend picking it up in October. For myself, I am holding out for a version with maps, and I will definitely pick up a sequel if there will be any. I feel like Teia’s (and everyone else’s) story has just begun, and I do want to see more.

Game of Thrones light, its the perfect primer for classic high fantasy.
This book offers a mystical world, political intrigue, magic powers and enough twist and turns to keep young adult and adult entertained.

Inferno's Heir is a unique fantasy novel that takes a spin on the conventional "chosen one-led rebellion against corrupt powers." Presented from the perspective of the half-sister of the corrupt king, Inferno's Heir was a refreshing take on the traditional tropes of high fantasy.

Although I did I enjoy this new perspective, parts of this book fell flat for me. Asides from Teia, the characters didn't feel particularly complex, and the magic system and world building felt brushed aside. This resulted in awkward pacing, and for a majority of this book I considered rating it between 2.5-3 stars. However, Inferno's Heir definitely redeems itself in the last 15% and sets up an exciting hook for the next book (I hope!) Therefore, I give this book 4/5 stars.

This is going to be a bit of a tuff review - because while the bulk of it will be critical, by no means is Inferno's Heir that BAD, its just not got much about it which is that GOOD either. Which already sounds off to a very negative start - hopefully one reads this review in the spirit in which it is intended which is just honest and pointing out some potential flaws while also emphasizing that overall the book is fine.

I guess the first critique will start from the end - Inferno's Heir (IH from now on) is very much a 'first book' in a series, which IMO is hard to pull off without some sort of compromise of leaving threads hanging. In the case of IH I felt like the majority of the action, intrigue and tension was saved for the finale. The plot was by no means slow-paced, however it lacked enough tension to keep my eyes glued to the page like the last few scenes did, which had a backfire effect where I thought "couldn't this have happened halfway through THIS book?"

My second beef, was that there simply wasn't enough character development, or more specifically not enough to make each character stand out. The MCs were largely defined by their respective roles, and were often referred to as such (e.g. 'the thief') but I didn't really get much of a sense of any particular traits - really the just of the obvious of they despised the bad-guys and were badass and suspicious of everyone else.

Finally the story-world was very hard to feel grounded in, I double checked the blurb to make sure I hadn't made mistaken assumptions about genre. I genuinely thought it was a fantasy setting, until about the midpoint when someone pulled a gun - and then were were mentions of a 'hotel' - now I'm not some sort of genre/trope purist I love sci-fantasy type settings, but they need sufficient worldbuilding to get a sense of connection with what the characters are doing and going through.

So in conclusion this book is just fine, perhaps moreso than my critiques above, is really just a problem of not having enough SOMETHING to really make the story pop, to really drag one into the tale and keep you reading through. I fully realize that some will love this story if everything in the book vibes with them and that is cool, it also obvious that Wang is super talented, I just have a sense that perhaps this book was pared back a little to make it fit YA? It certainly feels like it could have benefited from more romance and violence which sounds like a very blunt criticism but it certainly would have put more sparks on the page.

05/28/2024-06/02/2024
Rating: 3.5/5

This has a little bit of everything I want in a story: political intrigue, sibling rivalry, heists, found family, romance, banter, plot twists, and betrayal. The pacing was a bit choppy in the beginning, but the storyline began to gain momentum towards the middle and stayed steady until reaching the climax at the end. Some of the writing was a bit juvenile, but it is YA and not too distracting.

Teia is a refreshing character as she’s morally gray and willing to what it takes to get what she wants. When the story reached its climax, I was actually shocked by her decisions since it seemed like she was changing, but I’m excited to see how the story progress in the next book

Thank you to netgalley and the publisher for the arc of this book. I immediately fell in love with the female main character, Teia. This fantasy book was an easy read and once I started, I could not put it down. This book has politics, found family, morally grey compelling character and unlikely alliances. This book has twists and turns that are very unexpected. This book sucks you in and you do not want it to end. I look forward to reading the next book in this series. Thank you to Kevin Norman for promoting this book and putting it on my radar.

Inferno's Heir combines elemental magic, heists, political intrigue, and found family into a very fun fantasy adventure. The main character, Teia, possesses the fire magic of her kingdom combined with the water magic of her mother's line. Her sadistic half-brother is set to take the throne after the death of their father and Teia seeks to avoid being forced into a politically motivated marriage. She, with the help of a renowned thief, decides to locate and gain the trust of a notorious rebel and becomes drawn into her opposition movement. Throughout the story we are introduced to a host of characters ranging from a poisoner to an opposing leader with questionable motives. There are hints of a romance but this takes a back seat to magic, blackmail, and daring rescue attempts.

Wang's writing is easy to follow and she does an excellent job of developing her character's personalities. Although this is a YA book, she does not shy away from emphasizing Prince Jura's cruelty but without it feeling gratuitous. My main critique is that the final 10% of the book moved extremely quickly and it felt as though the climax was glossed over. After the wonderful descriptions of previous conflicts and plot twists I would have liked to have seen Wang spend more time with the events leading up to the end of this book and I think this would have helped the reader to better understand where Teia's character is at the end of the story. It seems as though this book is the first of a series so I hope to continue Teia's story in the future!

3.5 stars.
Thank you to NetGalley for the ARC