Aiz is a Snipe, an orphan living at the very bottom of the social hierarchy in Kegar. She will spend her life dedicated to doing the bidding of the Hawks, those at the top. Which will most likely include becoming cannon fodder for them as the raid one of their neighbors for food so her people won't starve. But Aiz is sick of this life. She's sick of being abused, and she's sick of watching her people die, so she thought she'd hatched the perfect plan. An assassination of the Command Tiral, he was so easy to fool all she had to do was sleep with him a few times. Or so she thought, but her plan horribly backfires, and she finds herself on the run.

Quil is the Heir to the Empire, whether he likes it or not. And his Aunt this Empress has finally made it very clear that he will ascend the throne, sooner rather than later, even though she's keeping secrets from him. Masks and children keep winding up dead all across the Empire, and instead of telling him what's going on, she keeps pushing him away. Little does he know that the mystery behind these murdered children is one that will bring the Empire to its knees.

Sirsha is a tracker. She can find pretty much anything and anyone. Within minutes of losing her life savings, a man approaches her with an offer she can't refuse. Track a murderer and he'll give her enough money to escape the Empire and live the life luxury she deserves.

These three lives will collide, and in doing so, an ancient evil will be unleashed. One will feed it, one will fight it, and one will sacrifice everything to destroy it.

I wasn't a big fan of Ember in the Ashes, so much so that I never even finished the series. And I'll probably get back to it eventually, but it is very low on my never-ending TBR, so I am pleasantly surprised by how much I enjoyed this. This hooked me from page one.

I think the big difference for me with this one and Ember was that I enjoyed each character immensely almost as soon as they were introduced. Especially, Aiz. She's one of those bad guy characters where it would be really nice to just say that the ancient evil she unleashes takes her over, but, at the end of day she's just evil to begin with. She's just spent so much time feeling sorry for herself that no matter how depraved her actions are, she truly believes she is doing what's good and right. She's one of those bad guys who believe their own bullshit and I find them to be the most terrifying of bad guys. Cause if you can convince yourself that you're good, you can convince anyone even while you are stabbing them. And Aiz demonstrates this perfectly.

Quil and Sirsha are fantastic as well. Quil definitely comes across as this kind of laid-back noble who doesn't really see himself as a noble, but it's a mask he wears to cover up the fact that he's extremely insecure. And one that slips off the minute you mess with someone he cares about. He goes from sweet and innocent to I will end you in like thirty seconds, and I really loved that. He's just a genuinely good person. Sirsha is pretty much the exact opposite and runs strictly on smart assisms and being the most badass woman in the room. There's nothing sweet there, at least on the surface. She's just straight, "Stay away from me, or I will end you." And that played nicely off of Quil.

World building was excellent, especially the explanation of the magic systems, and that Tahir took into consideration that some readers may not have read the rest of the original series. She also ensures that the readers get a good idea of just how far away each of these countries are from each other, which is so important given the plot line.

Honestly, though, Aiz is 100% why this is getting five stars. I know I already talked to her, but she is just so well done. It's not just that she thinks she's the smartest guy in the room, she whole heartedly believes it. She finally has to admit that not only is she not the smartest guy in the room, but she is 100% the villain she leans into it completely. I've read so many books lately where the bad guy is just evil, but they just haven't been as believable as Aiz is. She was cracked to begin with, she knew what she was doing was wrong, not just wrong but just straight up Genocide and not only did she not stop she starting telling herself more lies about the people she was killing to justify her actions and she believed each and every lie she told. And I really don't need her to be redeemed in the second book. I hope to every god ever she isn't. Used by an ancient evil or not, Aiz would have eventually done something monstrous anyway she is too damn bitter to not.

Overall, I definitely recommend this one, especially if you enjoyed Long Live Evil. The characters are well written. It's got an edge of your seat story that grips you from the very first page with one hell of a cliffhanger ending!

As always, thanks to NetGalley and Penguin Group for the eArc!

Wow. Sabaa Tahir proves once again that she is a master storyteller with this immersive and layered novel with amazing characters, a gripping plot, and intricately developed world-building. This was even better than I expected, and I expected it to be great. I absolutely loved the first series, An Ember in the Ashes, and was so excited to return to this dark and deadly world. Like the first series, Heir starts off intense and doesn’t let up AT ALL! It’s a brilliant read and a spectacular start to a new series.

Heir is told from three main POVs, and each perspective is compelling and so engrossing. Aiz’s story was heartbreaking from the start, and I immediately sympathized with her character. She’s suffered so much loss and grief, and her thirst for vengeance is strong. Quil also seeks vengeance but for an entirely different reason. He mourns the loss of two young people whose deaths he feels deeply. Quil also struggles with his parentage. Being the son of a monstrous man weighs heavily on him, as does the crown he is to inherit. The third POV is Sirsha. Sirsha is one of my favorite characters, and her journey alone and with Quil and his bff and cousin is suspenseful with strong quest and found family vibes. They go on a perilous journey, and it’s almost impossible for any of them to let their guard down.

There are so many characters I’d like to talk about because even though the story isn’t told from all of their perspectives, they are all important to the story. Quil's bff Sufiyan is fabulous, Aiz's mentor is super wise, and I liked the friendship between Quil, his cousin Aurelia, and Sufiyan. The trio make a good team, and they make an even better one when the mysterious Sirsha joins them. And I'm kind of hoping Sufiyan and Aurelia end up together because I definitely felt some chemistry between them. Speaking of chemistry, Quil and Sirsha have a boatload of it, and I loved it!

Sufiyan is the son of Laia and Elias, and I have to say, I adored that we got to see Laia and Elias again. Their story in AEITA was incredible, so to see their lives 20 years after the conclusion of their series is more than I ever hoped for. Quil’s aunt is Helene, who is now empress, so we get to see her and several other characters from the original series, too. Though these secondary characters have important roles in the story, you don’t have to have read the first series to follow this one.

All of these characters are as richly layered and explored as the setting and world-building, and they all have such interesting and unique stories to tell. I love how you see them and their stories slowly intertwine. It made for some interesting subplots and a bunch of unexpected surprises. There were a couple of revelations that I reread because I literally couldn’t believe my eyes. I don’t want to give anything away, but throughout the story, many characters are hunting down a predator that’s killing children, and OH, MY WORD. I just didn’t expect what happened to happen! It took the whole story in a direction that I totally didn’t expect, and I loved every shocking minute of it.

I can’t say enough about Heir. It’s one of my favorite reads of the year and one I highly recommend to readers of YA fantasy. Special thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for providing me with a copy of the book. All thoughts are my own.

This book was so freaking good!!!! Once you get past the first 10% of world building it is fast paced nonstop and such an addicting story. If you loved Ember in the Ashes and wanted a lot bit of a more adult version this is it. I was obsessed with every character and could not stop reading. The world was well thought out and I didn’t feel like they were any holes. The story telling was immaculate. The tropes and romance were to die for and I cannot wait for the next book. This book has trips like:
-forced marriage
-Forced proximity
-found family
-monster hunting
-a thirst for vengeance
-bad ass FMC
-grumpy sunshine

This book was so so so so good!! I loved every minute of it and I want more NOW.

It was so wonderful to be back in this world, and every twist and turn kept me captivated. I wished there was a bit more explanation of the magic, but the emotions more than made up for it.

Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for an advance copy in exchange for an honest review.

Tshirt is best-known for her “An Ember in the Ashes” series, but she has another hit with “Heir”. This one is set in the same world as the former book, around twenty years later. Please note: You can read “Heir” without having read the previous series, but you will get spoilers, FYI. I would recommend reading what came before so you can get a sense of the world these characters live in.
And what a world it is! Tahir really draws you into every nook and cranny: the slums, the marketplaces, the palace, and more. Aiz, Sirsha and Quil are well-thought-out characters, and you will be excited to read about them.

There’s a vicious killer on the loose. Join the hunt.

Thank you to NetGalley and G.P. Putnam's Sons Books for Young Readers for the eARC. I am writing this review voluntarily.

Thank you for this e-arc! An Ember in the Ashes is an all time favorite series. Heir takes the world built in those books and expands upon it with new, but still familiar characters. Sabaa's writing always delivers, and Heir is no different. I'm so eager to see where this goes next.

Sabaa Tahir can do no wrong in my eyes! Returning to the 'An Ember in the Ashes' world was as exciting as I was hoping it would be. This had the same fast-paced narrative with multiple main characters. Seeing my beloved characters from the previous series made me a bit emotional if I'm being honest. This was an amazing start to the series and I cannot wait for more!

The layered, intricate plot of Heir had me completely consumed! At first, you're getting to know the world, and you wonder how the story will unfold with these three main characters' points of view.

Aiz: an orphan seeking retribution for her people's struggles, trying to find a divine Savior.

Quill: a prince of an Empire in need, trying to stop the invaders razing his land

Sirsha: an outcast, magical tracker hired to hunt a dangerous being that's leaving countless bodies in its wake.

I was aware the various storylines would eventually cross, but oh my, did they ever! When those puzzle pieces started shaping through foreshadowing, I had a very good inclination of where the plot was going. When the final piece clicked, the twist and tension did not disappoint! The world building, character development, building tension, betrayals, and action-packed adventure make Heir so hard to put down! And that cliffhanger?! I am dying for the next book!

Note: Heir takes place approximately 20 years after the events of An Ember in the Ashes. You don't need to read AEITA first, but it would help! I really enjoyed seeing familiar characters again and how their lives have changed. And if you loved AEITA, you'll love this!

This was my first one of Tahir’s books so none of my review is influenced or connected by the connection between this book/series and her previous works. I really enjoyed this book. I loved the characters and how different they all were. There is something for everyone in one of them but when they come together it’s so sweet and develops so nicely. The pacing is wonderful and the story isn’t too fast nor too slow. I did get confused on the timeline and connection between some of the points of view in the story but once I figured it out I was good to go. I loved the slow burns and how well developed and unique the tropes were while remaining true to what makes them timeless and amazing. Tahir’s writing is beautiful and flawlessly crafts a vivid world with high stakes and even higher rewards. The twists were fully set up, albeit a bit predictable, but even knowing what would happen didn’t take away from my enjoyment of it. I absolutely adored this cast of characters and I will not be waiting, semi-patiently, for the next book in the duology!

I thoroughly enjoyed Sabaa Tahir's An Ember in the Ashes series, so I was ecstatic to find that her new offering occurs in the same world. Fast forward 20 years, and we are introduced to new and returning characters. Tahir is fantastic at bringing together characters from different walks of life, revealing their secrets and yearnings through their own points of view. The reader becomes engrossed into the deep emotions of each character. Some events seem to parallel actual happenings in the world, and while devastating, I was hoping it would not become to political. I believe it passed that test, but I can see where others may be triggered.

Overall, the story was enthralling, and of course leaves you hanging to find out what could possibly happen next. I will impatiently be waiting for the next installment.

Thank you to Penguin Young Readers Group and NetGalley for the ARC. The opinions expressed are my own.

Heir by Sabaa Tahir was such an exciting read! I loved being back in that world with some familiar and new characters continuing their stories. I originally started the ARC not having read the previous Ember in the Ashes series and enjoyed the start, but couldn't get a full grasp on the world building. So I went back and fully read the Ember series before jumping back in to Heir and I am SO glad I did! It made me appreciate so much more about the characters and the world Heir is set in having all that previous information. I think the book can be read as a stand-alone, but would highly recommend reading the Ember series first to fully appreciate the novel. I loved the pacing of the book and was able to follow each POV. Sabaa is such an amazing storyteller and I love that there are jaw dropping moments in all of her books, Heir included! I cannot wait to purchase a physical copy of the book to keep when it publishes! I will absolutely be recommending this book to my friends and followers.

Okay, so I loved the Ember Quartet, which I just read a few months ago. (So behind the times!) It was an easy 5 stars to give the entire series. It’s a YA fantasy/ romantasy, so it had everything I loved. But *IF* I had to make any… hmm not criticisms exactly, but if I had a wish list and could have asked Sabaa Tahir to maybe include a little more of some aspects, it would have been a *little* more romance, and a *little* more magic. And guess what the author did with this new duology? MORE romance and MORE magic! I was in heaven reading this book. It’s even more of a nail biter than the previous series, too. And the best part is that you get to see a lot of familiar faces (brief as they may be!)

There’s something else about this book that had me absolutely gasping. But I think it’s all the better if you go in blind in that regard. But man! I wish I had done a buddy read or something because I’m dying to talk to someone about it!

While this is a separate duology from the Ember Quartet (An Ember in the Ashes, etc.) , you don’t technically need to read those books. It would probably help you understand some things better. And it will give away a lot of spoilers if you decide you do want to go back and read them after. (And despite them being on the longer side, they’re fast reads because the pacing is so fast in most of them!)

Anyways, this is probably my top read for the year, or definitely in the top 5. Go read it.

Thank you Netgally for this ARC!

The twist and turns are this story were MAGNIFICENT! I read An Ember in the Ashes years ago and don't have the best memory of the series, but Heir stood on its own. I didn't have trouble following along with the story or falling in love with the found family. It was great seeing characters from the original series and being able to peak into their journeys again.

There are a few view points in this story and each one brought so much life to the story. I didn't mind going from one view point to another because all of them were exciting to read! I gasped many times when stories points came together or left on a cliff hanger.


It was an original story and one I can't wait to read more of!!

Sabaa Tahir's Heir is a gripping introduction to a new duology set 20 years after the event of An Ember in the Ashes series, featuring a compelling new cast of characters whose lives intertwine in unexpected and thrilling ways. Aiz, a young woman fueled by vengeance, finds herself imprisoned after a fateful mistake, her inner fire only growing stronger. Sirsha, a banished tracker with the unique ability to communicate with the elements, takes on a dangerous mission to hunt down a killer, but her path crosses with Aiz’s in inconvenient ways. Meanwhile, Quil, the reluctant crown prince of the Empire, must wrestle with the legacy of his infamous father and decide whether he can rise to the responsibility of ruling when a deadly enemy threatens the Empire's survival.

Tahir skillfully weaves together these three perspectives, creating a fast-paced narrative that pulls you in immediately. The characters’ missions are captivating, and their individual arcs kept me hooked throughout. While some characters, like Quil and Sirsha, held my attention more than others, the overall story progression and the way their paths intersect made for an engaging read. The twists and turns in the plot were satisfying, though it was the overall build-up of tension and suspense that really stood out for me.

Tahir's world-building continues to impress, expanding on the universe established in An Ember in the Ashes while standing on its own for new readers. While prior knowledge of Ember does enrich the experience—particularly with references to past events and characters—you can still enjoy Heir without having read the previous series.

The ending conflict resolved a bit quickly for my liking, but the journey to get there was well-paced and the cliffhanger left me eager for the next installment. Fans of Tahir’s writing will find plenty to love here, with her signature mix of emotional depth, complex characters, and high stakes. Heir is a strong start to a dark and thrilling new adventure.

Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for an advanced copy of this book.

4.5/5

Thank you @penguinteen #partner for the free copy of this eARC!

What can I say about this one?! Artfully written. Perfectly executed. And a cast I couldn’t get enough of! I adooooooored the characters so much! The only thing I am upset about is I have to wait for book two! There were so many twists that shocked me, the adventure made my heart race and the magic swept me away! I am so very thankful to have found another author to add to my must buy list! I just could not get enough of Sabaa’s writing! If you’re in the mood for a marvelous tale that will sweep you away, you need this book! I adored this one!

Helene Aquilla grew up to be the badass I always knew she’d be. Loyal to the end! I had a great time with this one. There was romance, high stakes, emotional moments, unique magic systems, compelling heroes and villains, and a twist that I definitely saw coming but made me say ‘oh my gos’ anyways. Despite being YA, and I can see it appealing to younger readers, the themes were mature enough to keep me emotionally invested. And oh man, did this one give me a good crying moment.

Technically, this could be a standalone duology. Tahir does a good job recapping. But PLEASE read An Ember in the Ashes quartet first to fully get the worldbuilding, character motivations, and history that this book deserves. Reading this before AEITA will definitely spoil everything. I had no clue this was even connected to the series until I started reading. Getting to see where our favorite characters from the original series were 20 years later was the best part for me. I can’t wait for book 2! Bring the pain!

Look… I was skeptical about this book. The Ember Quartet is such a good series and spinoffs in general tend to throw whole worlds and characters off the deep end. But I forgot that this is Sabaa Tahir and Sabaa does. not. miss!

Twenty years after A Sky Beyond The Storm, Zacharias Marcus Livius Aquilla Farrar, blessedly nicknamed Quil, is set to take the Marital throne from his Aunt Helene— despite the fact that he desperately doesn't want it. Quil grew up in the Tribal Lands with his best friend, Sufiyan, and doesn't want to live the cutthroat Martial life planned for him. But he doesn't realize that his potential rule is already facing a major threat. Sirsha is a powerful tracker banished by her own people, but her life may turn around if she can complete her most dangerous task yet: Finding and capturing the ruthless, seemingly supernatural killer targeting children throughout the Empire. In the faraway nation of Kegari, orphan Aiz finds herself in a world of trouble after failing to assassinate the kingdom's vicious, power-hungry ruler.

Heir gives us three characters on three separate paths and intertwines them into a fast-paced adventure with twists and stakes galore. It's easy to see that Sabaa Tahir meticulously planned out every moment of this return to form and the payoff is spectacular. There were multiple moments of “Wait…. THAT'S what's happening?!” as the story expertly unfolded. Callbacks to the original series are there, but they don't dominate the plot. Instead, you're quickly engaged in the story and happily along for the ride. This book isn't particularly short, but I BREEZED through it.

Much like Tahir's other books, these characters jump off the page. At different points in the story, I loved and hated all of them. Except Sufiyan, who is an angel and can do no wrong in my eyes (though I may come to regret that statement in Book 2, who knows?) All three POVs are strong, with my favorite probably being Sirsha and my least favorite being Aiz, though that has more to do with the tone of their journeys than how they're presented. And if you're in this for some old school Ember flashbacks, don't worry. The gang's all here and they have some brilliant scenes mixed in with all the new character action!

Heir is the first book in a duology and the ending has me absolutely craving the next book already! I'm glad that another friend read the book around the same time, because we were able to debrief together just after I finished and damn, did I need to!

Covering so many important topics, Heir is a groundbreaking novel about vengeance. The character are so relatable and compliment the plot line. And, the visualization of this book is beyond incredible.

Rating: 4.5/5

First, a disclaimer: I have not read An Ember In the Ashes, and had I known this was set in the same world, I probably would not have requested it (or at least would've read AEITA as soon as I was approved). That being said, the advertising and description don't make it super clear that it's a sequel series, and where it is mentioned, it's always stated that reading AEITA is not necessary to understand this book. I would strongly disagree with this--the main characters from the original series are very present here, and the POV characters are closely tied to them. The world is a bit under-developed, presumably because she (reasonably!) didn't want to repeat her world-building entirely when she'd already done the building in AEITA--it's a very complex, well thought out, and broad world, but without the full world-building, it was a bit confusing.

But clearly that wasn't a huge deterrent, because even with the constant confusion I loved it. I'm a bit off of YA these days, but this was definitely older YA, with darker themes, gore, and a handful of not-closed-door-but-not-explicit sex scenes. The main characters are 18-20 and actually read as young adults for the most part. While I struggled to get attached to the characters, they're all well-written and easy to root for (or easy to hate). The first act plot twist got me, and although it does ultimately make the end plot twist predictable, I loved it. Overall, the pacing was pretty strong and consistent, generally pretty fast-paced except for a handful of bits in the middle that dragged. One thing I want to commend this book for, actually, is its use of time--months pass over the course of this book, and it takes them time to travel around, and this time has consequences! It seems like so many fantasy stories have such condensed timelines, which always drives me a bit crazy, so I really appreciated seeing the story more drawn out. Anyways, loved this, can't wait for the second one, and I will be picking up AEITA (at long last!) next month for sure.

I haven't read anything else by this author, and you can definitely tell the first few chapters of the book work hard to catch you up to the world Tahir has built in her previous works. If you're able to get through the first third of the book and settle in, you can really start to appreciate her world/magic building, it just takes a little patience.

I thought Heir was super imaginative and original, while also relying on the fun fantasy archetypes (prince, rogue, etc). I don't read romantasy, I find it a little over the top, but the romance in this was balanced and palatable! I loved the turn this book took, and that even when you could guess some of the plot, you still couldn't see where the rest might go, and that keeps you hooked til the end.

The politics/philosophy treated in this book were especially salient to today's problems. "When you sacrifice other people's children on the altar of your ambition, it's only a matter of time before you'll be willing to sacrifice your own." Should some suffer in order for some to have peace/abundance? There is a line about the wrongness of destroying someone else's home just to find your own. It is especially interesting to see how dehumanizing another population allows an aggressor to justify their violence on them and the corruption that ensues.

"When humanity turns on its children [...] then you know we are lost". Lines like these made this book and what happens especially poignant., I did not expect this book to hold a mirror so close to our reality, especially for the YA category. I will be very excited to read the sequel of this duology, and will be recommending it to any fantasy lover.

Thank you to Putnam and Penguin Random House for the ARC!