I don't have much to say except I cried. I wish I could give a better review than this - but Sabaa is such an author that my words wouldn't do the book justice either way.

Do I recommend it? yes
will it hurt? yes
should you read the parent series? yes, but it's okay if you don't (no its not, but you can, just don't tell me of your crimes)
is Sabaa brilliant? yes

Sometimes it takes me a bit to give a fantasy series/book a shot because after reading so many, they begin to feel formulaic. I am so excited to say that is not even close to the case with Heir (or Sabaa Tahir in general). I was on the edge of my seat consuming this book and have nothing but positive things to say! I actually haven't read the original series (I do not feel like you need to to enjoy this) BUT I am sure that when characters showed up it would have had a stronger impact! I CANNOT WAIT FOR THE NEXT BOOK

This was not my favorite rep of a genre that I enjoy. I will not continue the duology........... some unique elements, but nothing engaging

I absolutely loved it!!!

This was my first Sabaa Tahir book. I love her writing style. It is easy to catch the flow of her words and fall in love with the characters she writes! At first having three pov’s was a bit confusing but I was quick to catch on. The dialogue, world building, and plot were all well thought out and written. I went out and bought the first book in her other series as soon as I finished this one in an attempt to tame the anxiety I have for the amount of time till the second book comes out. The plot twists in this book and the absolute betrayal I felt from a character in this book was insane.

I received an ARC of this book prior to starting An Ember in the Ashes series and I couldn’t have felt luckier. I sped through the first series (quite easily because it was an absolute MASTERPIECE…heartbreaking, but a masterpiece!) and just finished this one. And all I have to say is WHAT THE HELL SABAA TAHIR?????

I wholeheartedly believe this woman enjoys torturing her readers. How can she create such complex characters, some that we love, some that we love to hate? And then put them through the worst situations imaginable? How can she do that to them, yes? But also, how can she do that to us?????

This book takes place roughly 20 years after the Ember series ends. Which means there are still some characters that we know and love popping up here and there. It was so nice to see them have cameos and filled my heart with joy to see where their lives had gotten to. I will always love them. Always.

Also, I just wanna say…I loved the Martial Empire and thought it was so intriguing. But in Heir, the world is expanded and readers are sent thousands of miles away to other foreign lands full of their own unique cultures and people and just talking about it now gets me excited! This book really expanded on the entire world and made it feel even more full than it already had in the original series.

The main characters are all tied together throughout the book and let me just say…when you get to Chapter 19 and the pieces start falling into place?? I went feral.

And it ended on a CLIFFHANGER??? I was so lucky to get to read the entire Ember series one after the other but now I have to wait for Heir #2. Which will certainly be just as tortuous as watching Sabaa’s characters be put through the hell she whips up for them in every single one of her books.

This was my introduction to Sabaa Tahir and I can confidently say that it did not disappoint!

Right off the bat, the story starts with a great hook. There are multiple POVs, which leave the reader never feeling bored and there wasn't a single POV I didn't like. Normally there is at least one that you aren't a fan of and just read to get through but this time around, I was intrigued by every single one.

This being my first read by Sabaa Tahir, I was a little nervous getting into the book because I knew that it took place in the same world as her previous series, An Ember in the Ashes, but she did a wonderful job at world-building and familiarizing the reader with everything without it being overwhelming or making the reader feel like they "missed something" because they didn't read her other series. Do I recommend you read her other series? Hell yeah! I turned around and started it because I was so consumed by her world! I needed more!!!

Also, now going into reading An Ember in the Ashes, I can confirm that she is a cruel cruel woman who tortures her readers......I LOVE IT! The best part about reading is being pulled in and connecting with stories so emotionally, that they can destroy you! Tahir does a fabulous job doing so!

Heir || Sabaa Tahir

"Sometimes, the only way to blunt the violence of twisted magic is to confront it with its opposite."

Rating: 4.75

Thank you to NetGalley for an ARC. Book is out October 1, 2024. Any quotes mentioned are from the uncorrected version of this book.

Heir takes us on a journey following multiple people. The three main characters are Aiz, Quil and Sirsha, but you do get POV from a few other characters. Aiz is an orphan who is no stranger to suffering. She is very pious and when her people's deity seems to appear to her and promise great power to return her people to her homeland, she jumps at the chance to save her people. Quil is the crown prince to his empire, with a secret magic. When evil begins to encroach on his people and those he loves, he will have to see if he can be the powerful leader his people need. Sirsha is an outcast tasked with an impossible task, tracking a powerful killer and if she fails, it may consume her.

This fantasy was filled with magic, heartbreak, sacrifice, betrayal, greed, the consequences of great power. This book can be dark at times and there is animal death (somewhat graphic) and mentions of children dying. I found it interesting how the three main characters ended up intertwining and it was interesting to be in the POV of the villain. For romance lovers, there is a fake betrothal and force proximity storyline, and, I would classify this as a slow burn. This story was so jam-packed, I was surprised to see that it was a duology. However, right when you think the story is about to wrap up, you're left with a cliffhanger. If you've ever read Sabaa Tahir, you know her writing is superb and this is no exception. If you're a fan of Six of Crows by Leigh Bardugo, I believe you'll really enjoy this one!

-ARC, out 10/1/2024
-fantasy
-young adult
-magic
-fake betrothal
-slow burn
-betrayal
-dark
-book 1/2
-multi-POV
-3rd person POV

spice 2/5

How wonderful and terrifying it was to be back in this world Sabaa Tahir created and getting to catch up with old friends while getting to know the next generation. This book, in true Sabaa fashion kept me wanting more. More from the characters; more for the characters; just more.

In Heir, we follow Quil, Aiz, and Sirsha on each of their quests. Quil is the crown prince and has set out with two of his closest friends to find a way to save the empire from the Kegari. Aiz is a poor Kegari orphan who has been gifted a chance to save her people. While Sirsha was hired by a mystery man to hunt down a killer. Along the way each of these characters are challenged and changed by the things they see and what they must do.

Without giving anything away, Sabaa did what she does best and has left us with a big ol’ “what the –insert expletive here—” and it should go without being said but I will anyways… I will be continuing on this journey because I NEED ANSWERS.

I love the way that Sabaa has intertwined these stories in both the past and the present, and I love the intricacies which she weaves AEITA into the story as well. I also really enjoyed the love interest in this story and the build up of their relationship.

Tahir’s best book yet! A sequel duology to the ember in the ashes quartet, we follow Aiz, Sirsha, Quil & co throughout their travels and tribulations. I did not see the time jump for Aiz’ perspective coming and was totally shocked by this!

All the story strands were masterfully woven together and we get an epic story that I can’t wait to continue.

I love how we got to see Laia, Elias & Helene again!

But oh my god does your heart get ripped out, my baby Ruh😩

I’m an emotional mess. When Sabaa completed the Ember quartet years ago I was ready to say goodbye to the world and beloved characters she created. I respected her creative choices and decision to close the chapter. So when I saw the cover and description for Heir I was elated.

For me ‘Heir’ is darker, rooted in something more sinister, and erupts with sentiments that we see today in our world. While we’re in a fantasy setting, character traits, decisions and comments are things I can understand. I'm really treading carefully because I don't want any spoilers to ruin anyone's reading experience. Just know, I understand where it’s coming from and why Tahir chose certain paths for the narrative.

This one is a treat readers. Buckle up, grab some tissues, and escape!

Thank you Penguin Teen Canada, this ARC really meant a lot, As a reader that picked up An Ember in the Ashes years ago, reading Heir brought back a wave of good memories.

'His aunt paused, her back to him. “Grief is a strange beast. Some battle it, their souls scarred from its abuse. Some bury it, and live life waiting for it to reemerge. And some tread water, the grief a weight about their necks. Every reminder makes the weight heavier.” She turned halfway, her face in profile. “You and I tread water, nephew. And I would not see you drown.”'


'“...But if we go to our homeland across the sea, we can support ourselves. This is the heart of my holy task—we call it the Return.”

“How holy can your task be if it requires the destruction of another land?”'


“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. That’s how evil works, Aiz.”


---

Out of all the books I've read this year (and I'm a very avid reader), Heir is easily in my Top 5 reads of 2024. Hands down. No contest.

While I'm a huge fan of the An Ember in the Ashes series, I barely remember the details from those books. But I do love the overarching themes of empire, the responsibility it holds in providing for all the different groups of people living within its borders, and its role as an enforcer of safety and security (mainly for the ruling class). Which is why it's one of my favorite series.

I was very surprised that it was totally possible to read this book without actually remembering every single thing that happened in the previous series. The entirely new cast of characters AND the new locations provided almost a clean slate for me to work with. Sure, our favorites, Laia, Elias, and Helene, do show up. But they're all grown up now and fulfill important roles as secondary/tertiary characters.

In Heir, you can definitely tell that Sabaa Tahir's storytelling and writing abilities has vastly improved over her previous series. I was so absorbed in each MC's chapters, no matter how morally grey, or absolutely repugnant, or completely idiotic their thoughts and actions turned out to be. (No spoilers!)

As a lifelong hater, it's easy for me to find faults in anything I read. But if you can get me invested in an MC's downfall without me completely writing off the character, then you've got me good.

And Sabaa Tahir really grabbed my attention with all three MCs: Aiz, Quil, and Sirsha.

The pacing was perfect. There were a lot of action scenes balanced with slower paced scenes where you learn more about the characters, their world, their histories, and their relationships. This is one aspect that a lot of fantasy (especially YA fantasy) authors struggle with, but in Heir, Sabaa Tahir managed to find the perfect balance so that I wasn't bored or frustrated with how fast/slow things were going.

The worldbuilding was excellent. Each place that was featured (Kegar, various locations in the Martial Empire, the Tribal Lands, etc.) had their own vibe and was written descriptively enough that I could easily imagine it in my head. The characters were three dimensional. I loved how they read authentically, and not as contrived caricatures and tropes. (This is another thing that YA fantasy authors struggle with.)

At this point, I usually start complaining about several things I didn't like. But Heir blew me away that I don't have any complaints. And if you know me, that's a totally out-of-character thing for me to say. Well, the Martial Empire was pretty much nerfed to all hell in this book, but let's not go there lol

I absolutely cannot wait for the second book to drop. Take your time to cook, Ms. Tahir, because I really, really want to be blown away again.

Now, where can I get my hands on a special edition or two?

Thank you to G.P. Putnam's Sons Books for Young Readers and NetGalley for this arc.

I put this book down nearly speechless of how wonderful it was, but for the sake of this review, I am going to find the words to explain just how much I enjoyed it.

I loved AN EMBER IN THE ASHES series, and to read HEIR felt like coming back to that world in a hug. the story has multiple POVs, from a familiar name (Quil, heir to the Martial throne), to an orphan named Aiz, and a tracker named Sirsha who find their journeys intertwined.

If you haven’t read AN EMBER IN THE ASHES series, you don’t need to read it to enjoy and understand HEIR, but still highly recommended to fully appreciate the world and some of the characters. The cameos of such beloved characters from Ember was a treat, and while they were not the main focus, it felt like a nice homecoming to see what they’ve become and where they’ve ended up.

I can’t say enough good things about Sabaa Tahir. Every time I read a work of hers I am blown away by her absolute masterful writing; through her brilliant plots, complex characters and vivid details. Her works are emotional, brilliant, and reflective of events we see in our own world, which you can see she is deeply passionate, invested and cares about.

Heir by Sabaa Tahir follows three young people, Aiz, Sirsha, and Qwil, as they navigate the dangers of their world. Their stories are intricately woven together, brutally colliding as the tale unfolds.

Aiz grew up in the slums. Her past is full of loss and anger. She seeks vengeance, no matter the cost...

Sirsha was banished from her people at a young age. Forced to fend for herself, she grows up strong and cold. Bound by magical code, she seeks a killer. If she can not follow through, a desolate future awaits her.

Crowned Prince, Qwil, caught between his troubling lineage and a future he did not choose sets out to protect his people. He needs to be the ruler his people deserve.

This book is told by multiple perspectives, which definitely adds to the depth of the story. The characters and world building are great!

Thank you, NetGalley, and PENGUIN GROUP Penguin Young Reader's Group for an advanced readers copy of Heir in exchange for an honest review. Can't wait for the next one!

I absolutely devoured this book from the first chapter. It had such an intriguing introduction and drew me in immediately. Heir was a brilliant addition to the ‘Ember in the Ashes’ world and left me desperate for the next book in the series. The characters were intricate and flawed, with so much description they came alive on the page.

Thank you to NetGalley and publishers for providing me with this eBook!

I have to be honest right off the bat: I did not finish The Ember in The Ashes series by the same author. I read the first two, they were good, but wasn't really interested in more.

HOWEVER, this one makes me want to go back and read those books. Maybe I'll still not finish the series, but I liked Tahir's writing so much in this book that I can't not go back and try again. The characters in Heir felt new to me with a lot of their moral grey-ness, and the pacing kept the story moving, even with all the world- and character-building that needed to be included.

There were some parts that were predictable, some very much were not, so overall felt like a good, solid, fantasy story with a lot more story to tell. I'm not a huge fan of "big battle" fantasy books and while this technically has some of those happening in the background, it doesn't get bogged down by scenes about planning or strategy or big long battle scenes. Much more focused on characters and action and even some mystery!

If you liked City of Brass by S.A. Chakraborty, The Wrath and the Dawn by Renee Ahdieh, or the Thorn or Sunbolt series by Intisar Khanani, or either of the Grisha series by Leigh Bardugo, you'll probably like this book!

Told from multiple perspectives over two different timelines, this well written YA romantasy, has fully developed characters and was fully engaging throughout. This is the first book in a new duology and as such ends on a cliff hanger. Apparently this series is a continuation of the stories from the Ember in Ashes series but reads well as a standalone. I haven’t read the earlier series and did not feel lost. Highly recommended.

Thanks to NetGalley and G.P. Putnam's Sons Books for an advanced reader copy

When I finished A Sky Beyond the Storm in 2020, I thought to myself, “Surely Sabaa Tahir won’t be able to consume me with another fantasy series any more than this one, right?” Now, I wish I could go back and tell my naive self how wrong she was. 🥲

Heir is the first in a new fantasy duology set 20 years after the events of An Ember in the Ashes. The story follows three characters thrust into a tumultuous journey. We have Aiz, an orphan from the slums of Kegari, who is fueled by vengeance and the love of her people; Sirsha, an outcast from her home, who now uses magic to work as a tracker-for-hire; and Quil, the crown prince of the Empire who is reluctant to take the throne when his aunt (👀) steps down. It was so interesting seeing how Sabaa interweaves these three characters’ storylines into a tale of power, betrayal, friendship, found family, and love.

I loved being able to explore the Southern continents outside of the Empire in Heir. The new politics were gripping, and I found myself in shock at the impossible odds that are stacked against the undefeatable Empire that we are so familiar with. The twists and turns of this book had me reeling and gasping out loud on FaceTime with @pawneepubliclibrary_, @azantareads, @rams.reading, and @luu_reads. Sabaa definitely does not hold back with the utter devastation that our characters (both new and old) experience due to the power and greed of societies willing to sacrifice innocent lives for their agenda. Each chapter packed punch after punch and I’m hoping our faves make it out all right in Book 2.

I also have to shout out the delightful romance that’s included. The scenes in this book had me grinning and squealing all in one. Not to mention how hilarious the dialogue is?? I tabbed so many scenes with our favorite romance tropes and funny one-liners. The references to South Asian and Islamic culture were also so fun to read! I’m so happy to be back in this world and among these characters, and I need everyone read Heir on (and AEITA before) Oct. 1. Thank you so much to @PenguinTeen for providing me with an ARC and these gorgeous new AEITA paperbacks!

“Grief is a strange beast. Some battle it, their souls scarred from its abuse. Some bury it, and live life waiting for it to reemerge. And some tread water, the grief a weight about their necks. Every reminder makes the weight heavier.”

Aiz, an orphan under a tyrant that does nothing but use and abuse those under his control. She’s desperate to save her people, but to what end.

Quil, heir to the Martial empire, facing his imminent rise to the throne. Loyalty to the end is the expectation, but below that is the fear he’ll be just like his father.

Sirsha (S’rsha), a disgraced and exiled Jaduna tracker. She’s been hired to find a child killer that has been sweeping the continent and leaving piles of bones in its path.

“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. That’s how evil works…”

I was left shocked and wanting more with this cliffhanger ending. I cannot wait for book two!

Heir is full of twists and turns and crossed paths. Some felt expected, and some totally left me surprised. This multi-POV and multi-timeline young adult book took me a second to get into. After getting about 20% into the book, I couldn’t put it down. All the connections were starting to click and make sense and I was immersed in the world. This was my first Sabaa Tahir book and it did not disappoint. I didn’t know this was a spin off of the An Ember in the Ashes series, but now I’m totally ready to dig into that series. I think had I read it before reading Heir, some things would have made more sense more quickly, but could totally be read as a standalone. The world Sabaa created felt totally unique and original. I’ve read so many fantasy books where the same types of creatures are used over and over.

Thank you NetGalley, Penguin Group, and Sabaa Tahir for allowing me to read an advanced complimentary copy of the book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

Omg I loved it! I received this arc from NetGalley and was hooked from the beginning. There are 3 main povs (with a few others sprinkled in) and each character is so different and their stories are captivating. The different magic systems were really interesting and the way it all came together was really cool. The world building was perfect; not too complicated to follow, but intricate enough. Hopefully there will be a map in the finished product. I could picture everything so vividly. Honestly, I really enjoyed this book a lot.

AND THAT ENDING… it’s cool. I’m fine. I’ll be fine.

Thank you NetGalley and Penguin Teen for affording me the opportunity to read this arc in exchange for my honest review.