It’s difficult to encompass this book in a review, because a) there’s a lot of book, and b) it’s kind of the tip of the iceberg in that Heir of Light is beautifully set in the world of the long-running Chronicles of Elantra – and there’s a LOT of that world to explore.

This particular story is set in a tiny corner of that world, the recently re-discovered Academia, and the story is partly about that rediscovery but mostly about the impact of that rediscovery on one single student in it. Not because of the Academia itself, but because the discovery that Robin Gardianno, the heir to one of the founding families of the human caste court of Elantra, is alive and more or less well and managed to survive the murders of the entire rest of his family.

A crime that someone – or several someones – among the human nobles covered up when it happened. An oversight that one or several beneficiaries of that crime are absolutely trying to rectify in the present.

Robin, for his own self, was happy to have been hidden. He’s still underage, and he’s spent more of his life in the worst parts of the city than he ever did as a child of privilege. He’d be happy to just be a student, and then a scholar, now that the Academia has been restored.

But the perpetrators and beneficiaries of his family’s murder don’t merely want but actually NEED Robin dead, so that they can pilfer the magical legacy of his family. They’re either not aware, or more likely don’t believe or don’t give a damn, that destroying the ‘artifacts’ that the Gardianno have protected for millennia will literally unbalance the world.

Robin, however, does care. In order to do his duty he’ll have to take a crash course in how to do EVERYTHING to impress, to fake having power until he actually does have it, to protect his friends, his allies and his world from forces that will otherwise destroy it – even though he has to sacrifice his hard won peace and safety in order to even try.

But then safety has always been illusory for Robin – even before he knew what that meant. So it’s just another day. A day when he’ll have to fake it until he makes it, dodge assassins, give his oath to the Dragon Emperor, and discover that he still might have a bit of his original family left even as he protects the family he’s made along the way – and they also protect him.

Escape Rating A: I just spent an entire day in Elantra – and it was marvelous.

First, that’s literally true, as Heir of Light is a 500 page book, so it’s about 7 hours of reading for me. I did spend the entire day there, because once I started I couldn’t stop – and didn’t want to in the least.

One of the things I love about the whole Chronicles of Elantra series, of which the Academia Chronicles are a small part – in spite of the length of this entry – is that 20+ books, between the main series and so far two subseries, the world that Elantra inhabits is fairly fully baked. Not that there aren’t plenty more stories to tell, and not that there aren’t still corners to be explored, but the foundation of this world is well-fleshed out and just has oodles of depth.

Even when a new corner IS exposed – as is the case in this subseries – it’s set in the context of the whole, and there are plenty of links to the parts of the world we already know to ground it in.

I’m particularly highlighting this fact because the book I read the day before was the first book in what I hope is a new series by a debut author, and it was fascinating and I enjoyed it but the world it’s set in is far from fully realized or explained, yet. There were at least three major stories being explored in that one book but they were all rooted in backstory that couldn’t be fully explored or explained enough – at least not for this reader – and the contrast between that and Elantra felt pretty stark.

So a whole lot of that ‘A’ rating feels very personal. This is a world that I love, and I was so happy to be back. At the same time, one of the things I adore about this subseries, and the previous subseries, the Wolves of Elantra (beginning with The Emperor’s Wolves) is that I can go back and feel right at home without remembering every single detail of the whole entire series – because there are a LOT and it’s easy to get lost in the later books in the main series and it generally feels like I am even though I don’t want to be.

This is a direct follow-up to Shards of Glass, so you do need to read that to get into this. But you don’t have to have read all 18 books of the main series – although a selected few might help.

The other thing I love about this series, that was very much on display in this book, is that a lot of it is about process and making that process work. Part of what has made this and the Wolves of Elantra subseries work so well, at least for this reader, is that those subseries introduce a new character who needs to have the world explained to them – so we get the recap too and kind of fall in love all over again.

But also, as we see Elantra from a new vantage point, we get to experience again just how well it functions – even when it doesn’t – and how most of the people in most of the positions, or at least the ones we’re following – are doing their damndest to make a system work that will work for more of the people more of the time if the majority can just manage to let it or occasionally shove it back into working order. (This part is very reminiscent of LE Modesitt’s Imager and Grand Illusion series. I digress but if you like this you’ll like that and vice-versa.)

So in the end, it’s not that humans aren’t gonna human, and for that matter, that Barrani aren’t going to Barrani, etc., etc., etc. but that Elantra has enough people working towards the good in enough places that good has a really good chance of continuing to fight the good fight and shining some light into formerly dark places with a whole lot of help from its friends.

Or in this case, Robin’s friends. Especially because, honestly, marvelously and beautifully, there be magic here.

I enjoy this author. First time reading this series, so I need to find the first book in it, his book caught me very quickily and ended up finishing it in one day. I enjoyed getting back into this world and can't wait for the next one.

Thank you to the author, publisher and NetGalley for my eARC in exchange for an honest review

Fans of the Elantra series will enjoy this book 2 in the spinoff Academia series. Robin is back with his sidekick, Raven, but this time faces the realities of his family history and the desperate need to repair the garden before the ancients thoughts are unleashed. Teela steps forward to guide Robin and aid him in his quest to uncover the truth behind the deaths of his parents and the Barrani connection.

I am a fan of Sagara's writing and worldbuilding. Readers are immersed in the world of Elantra and the academy. The characters are interesting and unique. I fully enjoyed their connections and interactions. I also liked the inclusion of characters appearing from the main series. The plot moves relatively quickly, and there were enough twists and plenty of action to keep me totally engaged. I am really looking forward to more books in this series.

I recommend this book to current readers of the series, fans of Sagara's other books, and those who love well built fantasy worlds.

This second volume looks to conclude a duology set in the Elantra universe. I had not read the Elantra books but did not feel lost at any time and greatly enjoyed the depth, nuance, quirkiness of the characters and plot.

Story: As Robin eases into life at the academy, he finds he is becoming further embroiled in the fight to claim his hereditary position as head of Guardianno family. He has a motley assortment of Barrani allies willing to assist him but at the heart of the matter is what is at stake if the terrible secret of the Guardianno's responsibilities became known and a terrible power unleashed.

Sagara's Sun Sword (writing as Michelle West) had long been one of my favorite series and I see now I will definitely be starting the Elantra soon. Her ability to write interesting, distinct, and nuanced characters is in full showcase in this Academia duology and I was enthralled from the first chapter in the first book.

Those who have read the Elantra series will enjoy seeing more of familiar characters like Teela. But those who haven't read the series can get a great introduction to Sagara/West through this two books series without having to worry about getting lost. The focus is fully on Robin, a character I don't believe was in the long-running Elantra series.

In all, a great series and book two was just as good as book one. The story ended cleanly and I expect this to complete the Academia offshoot series. Reviewed from an advance reader copy provided by the provider. Reviewed from an advance reader copy provided by the publisher.

Michelle Sagara has a thrilling fantasy in Heir of Light. The hero is enrolled in the Academica, for higher education, but raised on the streets of the warrens with other outcasts where he survived. He has a sidekick with strange habits in Raven. Now he seeks justice for his murdered family and reinstatement of his rights as heir to a powerful house. Anteela, the powerhouse, is in his corner What can go wrong? Read and find out.

Sagara continues to be a master of her craft! Whether new to her writing or worlds, Sagara sucks you in, makes you laugh and keeps you hungry for more (just like a poor fifeling)

Heir of Light by Michelle Sagara is a captivating mystery that is rich in fantasy and intrigue. The novel presents a compelling narrative that keeps readers on the edge of their seats, unraveling a complex web of secrets and mysteries. Sagara's masterful storytelling weaves together elements of fantasy and suspense, creating a truly immersive reading experience.

Thank you netgalley and the publisher for giving me an arc copy to read and review. All thoughts are my own.

This book is politic driven and while I did enjoy it; I did get confused in some spots. There is just so much to know about each individual character. It has really good world building and I like that “eventful” things didn’t have to constantly be going on. If you love books that have a good mixture between academia and politics; I think you’ll eat this one up.

I’m excited to see where Raven and Robin’s journey goes.

Book 2 in the Lessons of the Academia series (#18.5 Chronicles of Elantra)

Heir of Light continues the story of Raven and Robin in the Academia. While I thoroughly enjoyed this story, I wish I had reread Shards of Glass before starting it. I had forgotten some of the events that were important to this second story and that made some parts confusing to me. I loved Teela's role in this book and also enjoyed seeing Serralyn and Terrano again.

I didn’t think this book was quite as interesting as the first book. I felt the story bogged down from time to time in too long philosophical discussions and the middle of the book was a bit slow. However, the last third of the story was excellent and I enjoyed learning more about the Humans of this world. My favorite scene was the one with the Emperor.

I’m not sure if there will be more books in this storyline. The main plot points were all completed, but several questions still remain.

I love the Elantra books overall and Heir of Light adds some interesting new characters and gives us a glimpse into a new aspect of the world.

Heir of Light by Michelle Sagara (Publishing May 27, 2025)

Thanks to The Hive, Harlequin Trade Publishing, and NetGalley for the gifted ARC.

Under the guidance of the formidable Barrani lord Teela, Robin navigates the weight of his new responsibilities—along with the societal complexities that come with them. But power is never without challengers, and there are those who believe Robin’s seat should be theirs—by any means necessary.

With Teela and his best friend, Raven, by his side, Robin is prepared to fight for what is rightfully his. But when the Halls of Law consider reopening the long-cold case of his parents’ murder, the search for truth may lead him straight into danger.

This book is packed with political intrigue and intricate maneuvering. While the beginning had me a little lost as I sorted through all the players, once I got my footing, I was fully invested. If you love stories that blend academia and politics, this one will be right up your alley. The worldbuilding is truly unique, and even with minimal action, the writing kept me engaged. Robin and Raven are fascinating characters, and I enjoyed following their journey.

This book was pretty good, I would definitely recommend

~This was given by NetGalley in exchange for an honest review

Robin takes the Gardianno seat with a little help from his friends!

Robin of Gardianno knows out that he has to take control of the Gardianno manse to protect Elantra from the things that are in the basement. But Robin is still a student at the Academia and he grew up in the warrens and he needs to learn etiquette and manners appropriate for the human caste court where Gardianno is one of oldest seats.

Robin is young enough that he needs a guardian and he would rather not have his uncle serve after the deaths of his parents and siblings. His guardian is Lord An’Teela of the Barrani court and she will do anything to protect him and his friend Raven with the help of the rest of the cohort.

Heir of Light is all about Robin learning about his birthright as the Gardianno and I wasn’t expecting Teela as the guardian. But if you have read the Chronicles of Elantra Series you will learn so much about Teela and her background so get started because Shards of Glass is slotted in at 17.5 and Heir of Light is 18.5 in that series because they are worth every minute of time reading.

I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book from the author and NetGalley. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

Through NetGalley, I received a free copy of HEIR OF LIGHT (Book 2 of the Academia Chronicles fantasy series) by Michelle Sagara in exchange for an honest review. Now that Robin’s family knows that he, the heir to the Gardianno seat in the human caste court, is alive, his life is in danger. Robin, guided by the chancellor, his friends in the Barrani cohort, and An’Teela, must figure out how to perform his duties to Elantra as the only remaining Gardianno. It’s a bit tricky, though, because all of the assassins and because his guardian/regent also wants him dead.

I like this book, and all of the related Elantra books. I thought this one was better than the previous since it did not have shifting points of view and was told completely from Robin’s viewpoint. I recommend this book to fans of urban fantasy featuring greed for power, political intrigue, and complex family situations.

#HeirofLight #NetGalley

Heir of Light by Michelle Sagara, a really good continuation of the series. I am a big fan of Sagara and always want more from their pen and this book is no exception, if you like this author or this series don't miss out.