**Thank you, Netgalley and publisher, for giving me an electronic ARC copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.**

I loved getting back into the An Ember In The Ashes world. It's been a while since I read the series so I will have to go back and read them. I loved the character development in this book especially Aiz and her dedication to Mother Div. Sabaa Tahir does a great job of brining together the main characters, Quil, Sirsha and Aiz, as they traverse through their journeys.

I absolutely LOVED it! Tons of action and adventure. Tons of thrills, action and adventure. Twists and turns. I never knew what would happen next! I had a hard time putting the book down. I can’t wait for the next one!

A captivating spin-off that will make your heart pound.

“Heir” follows Aiz (an orphan), Sirsha (an outcast), and Quil (a prince) as they grapple with the burdens of power, the treachery of love, the devastating consequences of greed, and a killer who will bring the empire to its knees.

I loved everything about this book, which is not surprising seeing that the “An Ember in the Ashes” quartet is one of my favorite series of all time! “Heir” takes place in the same world, but 20 years later, and follows the next generation of Tahir’s most beloved characters. It warmed my heart to be able to catch up with Helene, Elias, and Laia after so long (even though their happily ever afters were tampered with by Tahir) and see new dynamics form between them and Aiz, Sirsha, and Quil.

The characters are the driving force of this story. Aiz, Sirsha, and Quil are three-dimensional, contending with complex inner conflicts. Aiz is devoted to her faith and her people, but she lets power corrupt her humanity. After being banished from her tribe, Sirsha struggles with trusting others, something she must face head on when she discovers that she alone cannot hunt down the killer who has murdered children across the Empire. Born to a Plebeian and an Illustrian, brought into the world by a Scholar, and raised among the Tribes, Quil feels as if he belongs nowhere. What’s more, he’s loathe to inherit the throne in fear of becoming his father (the most hated emperor in the history of his people).

I particularly enjoyed reading from Sirsha and Quil’s point-of-view because of the relationship that developed between them when fate crossed their paths. While not the focus of the book, the subtle romance made my heart flutter!

The alternating perspectives allow the reader to explore the Empire alongside the characters. Tahir builds off the fictional world she established in the “An Ember in the Ashes” quartet by seamlessly introducing new cultures, religions, peoples, and magic systems. The dual timelines also add an element of intrigue. As with her other books, Tahir doesn’t reveal all her cards at once, slowly relinquishing information the further we get into the story until the part each character plays in the larger narrative becomes clear. I’m on the edge of my seat as I wait for book 2!

This newest book by Sabaa Tahir was phenomenal. It had me in a chokehold until the very last page. And GAH!!! I need the second book asap!
There is so much happening in this book.
What to expect in Heir:
-first book in a new duology
-magic
-multiple POVs
-a tracker
-a Prince
-an orphan
-found family
-romance
-a bit of mystery
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An incredible story! All the stars!
Thank you to netgalley to G.P. Putnam’s Sons Books for Young Readers for the opportunity to read this book.
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Fantasy readers, you don’t want to miss out on this one!

i was so excited to be back in the world of AEITA after reading the quartet back in january of this year. the ember series was my introduction into sabaa tahir and let me tell you, i fell in love with her writing and storytelling. i loved the fact that she didn’t shy away from the “tough” subjects that may come with fantasy and how she truly connected you to her characters.

with that being said, knowing that heir was going to be about quil, i was ecstatic! i wondered how his story would play out and even how the world had changed since AEITA. we follow three different characters in heir; quil, sirsha, and aiz.

quil is the heir to martial empire. i found myself really enjoying his character. on the outside, he was cold, calculated, dangerous but once you got to know him he was so sweet, caring, and loyal to the end😉.

sirsha, oh how i adored her!! she brought such a fun personality to the story. sirsha is an outcast sent on a mission. she’s brutal, clever, sarcastic, and smart. she has a wall surrounding herself to come off cold but deep down she was yearning for more and truly is kind.

aiz…wow was she a complexed character. honestly, i’m not quite sure how i feel about her. while i thought her character was well written and interesting, she frustrated me and i definitely started to get annoyed with her chapters. overall i do appreciate the complexities and lessons shown through aiz but let’s just say i wished the ending went a different way🫣

as for the plot, it was very intriguing once you got a hold of what was going on. there was still that fast pace, need to know more feelings happening in heir as there was in AEITA. though, one issue i had was the fact that once i understood the plot/direction, it became a bit predictable. meaning, the twists and shock factors didn’t exactly come shocking to me.

heir was a phenomenal read filled with great characters, a gripping plot, and it was nice to see old characters characters again. i cannot wait to see what comes after this!

If I had the ability to read this in one sitting, I would have. I loved every single second of this book, especially connecting the dots regarding the multiple POVs and how each character intertwined. Every single moment had you on your toes, wondering what a character's next actions, thoughts, or emotions would be, guiding them into the unknown or the foreboding future. I adored each character, especially Sirsha with her cunning perspective and personality. Based on this ending, I need the next book immediately. Sabaa makes you fall in love with the characters at the same time you grow to despise them. It is a talent I adore and am forever grateful to see within the pages.

I tend to go into books blind, so I didn't know Heir was a companion sequel to the Ember in the Ashes Quartet until I was a few chapters in. I only knew that this was a new Sabaa Tahir book and that I needed to read it.

Page one grabbed me and didn't let go. Full of intrigue and action, I quickly turned the pages to discover what happened next. I had so many theories. I had no idea who I could trust. Tahir's ability to weave unique characters and storylines has only gotten stronger.

There are a few twists and turns, so I don't want to say much more. I loved this, and I cannot wait for the conclusion!

Perfect for fans of:
Fantasy
Quests/Journeys
Political Intrigue
Found Family
Slow Burn Romance
Strong Dislike to Love
Action
Forced Proximity
Multiple POVs

While you don't technically need to read the Ember in the Ashes Quartet to follow along, I do think you would get more out of the story if you were familiar with that series.

Thank you to NetGalley and Penguin Group - Penguin Young Readers Group for an advanced copy in exchange for an honest review.

Heir is part one of a multi POV duology with a unique take on an elemental magic system and beyond. The characters are amazing. The tracker is hilarious, the would-be murderer is heartbreaking, and the Prince is swoony. This is set in the same world as Ember in the Ashes and you get to see many of the surviving characters and it’s just incredible.

I love Sabaa Tahir's storytelling and this new series will not disappoint fans of her work. The three main characters are complex and ever evolving, taking the reader on a riveting adventure as they battle the obstacles that lay before them. I don't want to reveal too much, but this is definitely a book that you will try to finish in one sitting. If you are pulled in by the examination of unchecked greed, or the tough choices anyone would have to make in the face of power, treachery, or love then you have found your next good read.

Heir by Saba Tahir - ebook ARC from NetGalley

If you thought the Ember in the Ashes quartet was a wild ride, get ready to have your world rocked by Heir!! This is Book One in a new series (expecting it to be a duopoly) by Sabaa Tahir. She returns with a vengeance, delivering a novel packed with multiple POVs, fresh magic, and an entirely new generation of heroes (and villains, naturally). This time, she’s mixed things up with a masterful use of timelines that makes you want to flip back through the pages, piecing together the story like a detective on the brink of a breakthrough!

It’s got everything: a reluctant hero grappling with impossible choices, the spark of young love in the midst of chaos, and that oh-so-perfect found family vibe we all fell in love with in Ember. And while rereading the original series isn’t a *must*, it sure feels like finding buried treasure as you catch all those clever nods and clues Sabaa left scattered throughout the narrative.

Meet Sirsha—seriously, get ready for a new favorite character. With her fierce determination and compelling backstory, she’ll have you rooting for her every step of the way. And did I mention the new, dark themes? Sabaa dives deep into the shadows this time, bringing new depths to the world and its conflicts.

Heir takes everything we love from the *Ember* series and spins it into something familiar yet refreshingly new. Strap in for a wild journey through a magic-infused world, where the stakes are higher than ever and each chapter leaves you wanting more! Seriously one of my top reads so far this year!!

This book has easily claimed a spot in my top 5 favorite reads of 2024. Seriously, it’s that good! The fast paced writing and amazing banter to the tension, action and unforgettable characters….in a nutshell Heir completely wrecked me. T_T

Set about 20 years after An Ember in the Ashes, this spin-off is a continuation that delivers in every way possible. Technically, you could read Heir as a standalone series apart from the OG series, but why would you want to? Trust me, the experience is so much richer when you’ve already immersed yourself in the Ember series. The callbacks, glimpses of old characters, and subtle tie-ins are pure gold for OG fans.

I’m honestly at a loss for words because each chapter kept me on edge. It’s an emotional rollercoaster with a well-paced story that leaves you literally speechless! Heir has everything I could want in a book: witty characters, high-stakes adventure, delicious banter, amazing tension, a captivating magic system, and a little dash of romance to sweeten the deal.
If you loved the original Ember in the Ashes series, Heir adds even more depth to the world and the characters you already adore. It expands the universe in ways that make the original series even more meaningful. If you’re a fan of pain, heartbreak, and trauma, this one’s definitely for you. 😭😂

A huge thank you to @penguinteen for the advanced copy in exchange for my honest review.

So many feelings.
Where to even start… This is the first in a duology that takes place in the same world as An Ember In The Ashes. Twenty years later, we meet new people and check in with some old favorites. It was lovely to see Laia, Elias, and Helene again. But they definitely were not the focus.

Aiz, Quil, and Sirsha have their own journeys to go on and it is an adventure. A stressful fantasy if you will. And I loved every moment. Sabaa brought these characters to life with the same care as her previous books. And she asks tough questions about morality and how far people will go, especially when they feel they have a higher power on their side.

I absolutely loved it and cannot wait for the next book.

🌬️ Book Review 🌬️

Heir by Sabaa Tahir
🌬️
The only way to describe this book is epic. It was an action-packed, romantic story about vengeance, greed, and power. The plot was complex, the characters were well-developed, the worldbuilding felt thorough and intentional, and the way each character’s storyline wove together with each other created a truly magnificent tale. There are so many twists and turns, and just when you think you’ve figured out how the book is going to end, you find out that you’re wrong. I can’t wait for the next book in this duology! I haven’t read An Ember in the Ashes, and it wasn’t necessary to understand what was happening in this book. However, there are some characters from the original series, and if you don’t want spoilers, you should read that series before this one. I loved Heir and Sabaa Tahir’s writing so much that I’m going to go back and read An Ember in the Ashes just for fun! If you want a darkly breathtaking book that will completely captivate you, I highly recommend this book!
🌬️
My rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Spice level: 🌶️
🌬️
Read if you like:
▫️multiple POV
▫️warring kingdoms and politics
▫️magic and spirits
▫️reluctant allies
▫️found family
🌬️
Thank you to Penguin Teen, G. P. Putnam’s Sons, Penguin Random House, NetGalley, and Sabaa Tahir for the ARC. I received an advanced copy for free, and am leaving this review voluntarily.

I just finished my reread of the Ember in the Ashes series and dove head first into Heir. It is everything I ever could have wanted in a follow up!! It is so fun to see where all my faves ended up and see how time has changed the world. It feels brand new at the same time. Some sequels can feel like a money grab, that is NOT the case here. I am falling in love with all of the new and old characters, the new regions and magic. The villian is terrifying! I get shivers thinking about how incredible the audio book will be! I will be raving about this one to all my friends and family! Please come read this one and fangirl with me!!

HEIR is a masterpiece, just as Sabaa is a master of fantasy. This book takes place 20 years after the An Ember in the Ashes series wraps up and it feels so effortless to be back in this world. Things have changed, but the incredible world building, intriguing politics, ruthlessness, and morality conversations remain the same. I highly, highly recommend anything by Sabaa, though I'd start with the Ember quartet if you want to read this one - and trust me, you want to read it. Despite its very serious nature, there are great moments of humor, friendship, and love, as well. I can't wait for book 2.

In Heir, Sabaa creates an incredibly well-written multidimensional, emotional fantasy with a new cast of complex and endearing characters, each harboring their own struggles and running from their past, and I couldn’t help but FALL so immensely into this read that I already wanted to be back with the characters immediately after finishing the last pages of this book.

Set in the world of An Ember in the Ashes twenty years after the last book, we follow Helene’s young nephew Quil and his group of friends as a new foe challenges the hard-earned peace their family fought to achieve years ago. Now Quil must venture into the unknown, where, at every turn, his skills and intuition will be tested, and the path in front of him is one he never imagined.

THIS BOOK!! The writing was so effortlessly easy to escape into and crafted the pieces of this ever-changing and moving story flawlessly. Sabaa will always make me fall for her layered and beautifully tragic characters (Ah, I love them so much!! My heart!), and this new found family was no exception. They immediately found their way to my heart just like Laia, Elias, and Helene did before them. And speaking of past characters, we see a couple of familiar faces that had me highlighting my book like crazy, cherishing every minute we see of them on page.

I can gush on and on about this story and its previous series forever!! You know a book is really great when the next day after finishing it, you’re anticipating picking it back up again only to realize you’ve finished and have to wait for the next one!

*Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for sending me an eARC in exchange for an honest review.*

THIS GAVE EVERYTHING I HOPED IT WOULD GIVE!
Such an incredible start to a new duology. If you are a fan of the An Ember in the Ashes series (like I am) you will LOVE this book! I was smiling, kicking my feet, gasping, crying, laughing, and yelling out loud at times. So much emotion, so many great characters. There are a few plot twist that made me pause in shock. There was incredible action, mystery, deception, found family, and some romance. I highly recommend this book!!

Thank you to Sabaa Tahir and Putnam Books for this ARC

I loved An Ember in the Ashes (AEITA) when it first came out and sped through the series after each book was released. So, to say I was excited for this new book set in the same world is an understatement.

Similar to AEITA, the worldbuilding takes center stage. I was immediately sucked into this magical, violent environment. It was full of culture, rich descriptions, and intrigue. We also see religious politics take center stage, adding a new dynamic to the plot.

This book presents multiple POVs, and they certainly made an impression. I loved to hate Aiz, I was rooting for Quil, and Sirsha stole my heart. Even the side characters were full of personality, layers, flaws, and shades of grey.

Finally, this is labeled as a YA fantasy, but it never felt young. I could see how Tahir has grown as a writer, and from her AEITA days, I never felt bogged down by info-dumping, and the action scenes were perfectly paced. There are a few fade-to-black scenes, but they made sense and only enhanced the plot and relationship dynamics.

I hate to say that you should read 4 BOOKS before diving into this one, but I highly recommend doing just this. The plot of “Heir” is set 20 years after the events of the original quartet, and there are A LOT of nods and appearances by the original characters. You won’t be confused if you decide to dive straight into this one, but I think you will miss a lot of backstory.

The first part of this is a lot slower. There is a lot of foundational worldbuilding and character introduction. It wasn’t overwhelming or boring, but you can tell that this pace significantly shifts once you hit part 2. Some major twists and reveals will keep you hooked until the very last page.

This is a 5-star book for me. From the worldbuilding to the characters to the twists to the overall plot, I fell back in love with this world that had captured my attention years ago. If you want a rich fantasy with hints of romance but a lot of addicting plot points, betrayal, action, and a found family, try out “Heir.”

Thank you NetGalley for this eARC in exchange for my honest review.

Sabaa Tahir can do no wrong. This book was a masterpiece, as are all of her books. If you loved her writing in the Ember in the Ashes series, you will Heir. I have no critiques.

5/5 STARS

This book is non-stop adventure and will take you on a roller coaster of emotions!

First, this book is a new series that picks up in the same world as the An Ember in the Ashes series. It's not technically necessary to have read that series before this one, but it's amazing so you really should, and there will be characters and references that you won't understand. Even so, it's possible to enjoy this book all by itself.

This book is told from several points of view, but not too many so as to make it tedious or confusing. Because of this, there's an element of anticipation that is created that will make it nearly impossible to put the book down!

I fell in love with the characters and was completely invested in each of their journeys to accomplish their unique goals/quests. This is not a "romance" book but there are elements of love and friendship that are truly beautiful. It will break your heart and fill you with joy. Like I said, a roller coaster!

A huge thank you to NetGalley and Penguin for the eARC in exchange for my honest review.