Inferno's Heir

I read an early draft of INFERNO'S HEIR back in 2022 and have been praying for more of these characters ever since, so I'm beyond excited that it will be on shelves this year! With beautiful writing, a found family I'd die for, and !!!! twists, Tiffany Wang's debut is incredibly addictive and obsess-worthy. Don't miss it!!

I have read this book at least four times now, from its various drafts to the final version that everyone will be holding in their hands today. When I first came across Inferno’s Heir, I fell in love with our main character, Teia. She embodies the type of characters I adore: morally grey, powerful, and somewhat of an outsider. Teia evoked the same emotions and affection I felt when reading The Cruel Prince, which is one of my all-time favorite YA trilogies.

Beyond Teia, I was captivated by the diverse cast of characters, each battling for what they believe to be right. There is Jura, the malevolent half-brother who treats life as a mere game; the Dawnbreakers, who aim to overthrow Teia’s family legacy; and Teia herself, striving to belong within her own kingdom. I was thoroughly engrossed by the journey of each character as they navigated twists, betrayals, and mysteries. The book’s pace is brisk, making it impossible to put down until the last page—and even then, I was left craving more.

When given the opportunity to publish my first book under my imprint, I knew I wanted to find something reminiscent of Inferno’s Heir—a nod to the YA fantasies that ignited my passion for reading. I hope you fall in love with Teia as much as I did.

Magic. Heists. Found Family.
Some of my favorite things.
Add in the fact that our FMC is a Morally Grey, Political Genius with both Fire and Water Magic flowing in her veins and I was sold.

Tiffany Wang’s world building is exquisite and our side characters are fully fleshed out and you care about them.

The story and the twists kept me engaged and wanting more. And I honestly cannot wait for the sequel (I said that out loud to my partner when I finished). Cannot wait to get my Hardcopy in October!

Thank you Kevin T. Norman and NetGalley for the eARC.

OH TO READ THIS FANTASTIC BOOK! I GAVE IT 4 STARS. THIS BOOK HAS EVERYTHING IN IT. THE CHARACTERS ARE AMAZING. THE STORYLINE IS FANTASTIC.

PAGE ONE! 10 out of 5
I am so picky about books, Im honestly trying to be better about the patience I have before deciding to not finish a read.
I never, not one time, even contemplated on not finishing this. Tiffany Wang has a writing style that i am unable to describe, but from the very first page, I was invested.
Found family, adventure, relatable characters..this is one of those books you recommend to EVERYONE, and I have!
Im so sorry the mass f the world must wait until the Fall!
Once finished, readers will definitely find themselves longing for something that can even remotely scratch the itch that Infernos Heir leaves behind.
Tiffany, I am so incredibly grateful you allowed me to read this delicious story! Bravo!

There is something about books that strip reality away from you while you are falling into their world and this is one of them.

Tiffany Wang’s Inferno’s heir is a brilliant work of the craft and for those who love the books filled with; politics, cunning MC, a dash of magic,lores, heists and brilliant world building this is a book for you.

The plot twist in this book had me rereading the pages and had me utterly upset when I had come to the end because there are so many questions I want answered ! Not only is the MC have bendable morals but she has reasons for doing everything she does and is willing to risk it all.

Inferno’s heir is brimming with lines that would send the characters burning with rage -“if you can’t govern them, you might as well entertain.”
Is one of my personal favourites.
This book was something I saw late in 2023 and was everything and more then I could imagine. One of the top tier reads of the year so far.

Thank you to Tiffany wang, Kevin Norman, the bindery team and NetGalley for the amazing early read.

First of all, this book’s cover is EVERYTHING!!

It took me a while to finish this book even though it certainly has a bunch of things that I enjoy like found family, slow burn (no pun intended), politics, and of course some elements wielding..

I really liked Tiffany’s description of Erisia and the rest of the settings where this story takes place, it made me feel transported, it was so easy to picture everything thanks to her writing.

Unfortunately, I do feel that the book was quite slow at the beginning and then 3/4 into it the pace suddenly changed and everything happened so fast almost without an explanation. I hope we get to see more of this characters in the future!

This was fantastic, I was hooked from the first page until the very end! This is a heist (!!!) story where a disenchanted princess joins a group of rebels to take down her half-brother. It sounds straightforward but there were so many plot twists as the truth is slowly revealed. I love how every single character had ambiguous morals; everyone had their own motives and they weren't necessarily on each other's sides. Teia was an excellent protagonist — she was definitely a bit of an anti-hero, and I love the way her character progressed. The magic was also very cool. Teia can control both fire and water and I enjoyed seeing how she used it to achieve her goals. All in all, this was a super captivating read.

The PDF isn't great on the kindle. I will be back once the ePub is available. Good luck to Tiffany Wang and Kevin Norman!

Thank you to NetGalley and Bindery Books for the ARC.

I have heard AMAZING things about this novel - from its early draft iterations to now, with this ARC - and so far I am enjoying it immensely. I can't wait to share my final thoughts again here, on GR, and on my blog, but for now I will say that this book has and continues to exceed my expectations! Thank you to NG and the publisher for this opportunity - I'm so excited and grateful to see such diversity amongst AAPI authors in terms of genres, substance, and overall quality in writing, and am proud to be a member of this community myself.

4.25⭐
ngl it was the cover that got me first. i only skimmed the blurb before starting but the inferno's heir turned out to be a pretty easy and enjoyable fantasy read. it was fast paced but somehow lost my interest in a few parts; my mind would drift to space and come back down after a particularly striking passage or turn of events and so i'd have to read a few past paragraphs again... there was hardly any romance thankfully! the main chars were giving me sapphic vibes but to my slight disappointment, it was all just my own delusion!
anyway! the plot really picked toward the end and I'd happily read teia and the dawnbreakers' next adventures!

thanks netgalley, bindery books, and tiffany wang!

This book was absolutely mesmerizing—I was drawn in from the very first page and couldn't put it down until the end! It's a riveting heist tale where a disillusioned princess allies with a band of rebels to topple her half-brother. What seems like a straightforward plot quickly becomes a labyrinth of twists as hidden truths are gradually uncovered. The characters are wonderfully complex, each with their own murky morals and conflicting motives, making alliances tentative at best. Teia, the protagonist, shines as a compelling anti-hero, with her character evolving in fascinating ways. The magic system, particularly Teia's dual control over fire and water, added an extra layer of intrigue as she deftly wielded her powers to accomplish her aims. All in all, this book was an enthralling adventure from start to finish.

This was a hard one for me to review. It's a fast paced fantasy book and I really flew through the pages. I loved the wordbuilding and mostly the pace. I have to confess I skipped some of the political rants/explanations. I didn't like Teia. I did like her when she was bantering with a certain boy. And I love a found family. The prison breaks where very fun too. And that cover! It's why I had to read this one. And I'm really happy that I got the chance to read it!

This novel was so much fun to read. A four and a half rounded up! The characters were alive and vibrant. The setting was fun and unique and I could see what was happening on each page and it was a fun fantasy story to disappear into. The book has great YA vibes, and I feel like fans of Six of Crows and Faebound would also love this. The writing was easy to follow and get lost in. I found myself turning the page easily and consistently. The characters and setting were a blast to dive into and the magic was fun to learn about. I look forward to learning where the rest of the story goes and where our characters end up. Learning more about the magic system will be much fun as well. I am hoping for another in this world.

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.

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

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.

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.

I am loving this novel so far! I have heard amazing things about it and the cover illustrations are beautiful as well. I can’t wait to give my final review/thoughts 🤩

I went into this book with low expectations since this is the authors debut novel and also a fantasy book, I was surprised in a very good way! This fantasy will sweep you to a castle with a horrific prince and her half sister who just does not wants to be left alone, also a rebel group that wants to bring the monarchy down. Teia wants to infiltrate this group and bring them in front of the prince to have a say in her future, but will she be able to do that when she gets to know these people?

The found family in this group is so adorable!!! The relationship of the fmc and her love interest is so cute and their sarcastic banter is just what I love seeing.
The plans within the rebel group are very much impossible to get through with but they still do, but it’s a fantasy book so who really cares😂
It kills me how fantasy books keep hurting you so much at the end of the books. I’m so curious about the next book!!

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.

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 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!

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.

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!

This book is so damn good. I've had quite a few delightful surprise favorites this year, and Inferno's Heir has rightfully earned its place amongst them.

The best quality about this book is definitely the characters, main and side cast alike. Teia is morally gray, but it's very easy to sympathize with her and understand why she is the way she is, despite the morally dubious decisions she makes over the course of the novel (Especially at the end, cuz, man, it really shows how ruthlessly ambitious Teia is). She's also very sarcastic and snarky, which makes excellent chemistry with the rest of the colorful cast of characters. It reminded me so much of Six of Crows with how heavily the story is carried by amazing dialogue and complex dynamics between all these characters (They also break into a prison-twice, even-but that's where the similarities end).

The worldbuilding was also very interesting. I wish there was a map so I could visualize the land better (All fantasy books need maps, dammit), but the descriptors given in test gave enough to understand the baselines of this world. It's highly implied that there will be a sequel at the end, and Teia will be exploring her mom's homeland. As interesting as Erisha was, I cannot wait to experience another country and its culture in this world. The story was also so engaging and had me guessing at every new reveal. I had some ideas in mind that were completely proven wrong, but the reveals that were made only enhanced my enjoyment.

All in al, this was such a great read. I hope the sequel will be so once this book is officially released, because I really want to know what happens next!

This was such a satisfying read - there’s a perfect blend of conflict, betrayal, and romance. Teia is a fantastic main character - she’s morally grey, powerful, and cunning, and from page one I knew I’d love her! There’s a large cast of characters but at no point did I feel like this was overwhelming or that these characters were underdeveloped, but instead are interesting and relatable, with their own fleshed out stories - the Dawnbreakers team of Tobias, Kyra, and Alara had a great dynamic, and I definitely had a soft spot for Enna. I particularly liked the contrast between Kyra’s strong moral compass and Teia’s more underhand dealings.

The pacing was spot on throughout, it keeps you engaged without feeling rushed and maintains that perfect level of tension that keeps you hooked. This is definitely one I’ll want my own physical copy of when it’s published!

A very unique and intriguing world.
The female characters is so great written.
I loved he story and the character development.
I was surprised by the story.

This was a book that was absolutely begging to be devoured, Tiffany Wang, when I say I'm banging down your door for the sequel!

Everything from the compulsive writing to the captivating elemental magic system to the morally grey cast of characters to the high-stakes heist was absolutely enthralling to read. Theia is a character that grips you and simply won't let go until you experience her entire story. The twists and turns in her character development and story arc had me gasping and staying up late to get in "one more chapter," there were definitely so many things that I didn't see coming despite the foreshadowing that had me go "ohhhhhh wait a minute..."

The pacing is done extremely well; its fast but allows readers to settle into a cadence where new information or character actions/outcomes don't feel too breakneck. And I really liked how Wang keeps the events of this book within the city, briefly teasing tidbits of the other countries in her world, before the final cliffhanger reveal in the book's epilogue.

My only grief is that I felt a couple of the character decisions (primarily Kyra) felt a bit forced at times, especially with Kyra's over-enthusiastic commitment to being the most morally just person, a deep contrast to her job as an assassin? A bit confusing, but easily looked over in the overall scheme of a great story. I also wasn't a big fan of how all the female characters had names ending in "-a" (Theia, Kyra, Amina, Enna, Alana), it was a little difficult at times to keep their names straight but again, this didn't impact my enjoyment of the book.

Overall, a fantastic debut and I'm waiting with baited breath for whatever Tiffany Wang writes next.

I enjoyed the book! It took me awhile to get into the book at the beginning, but once the action picked up..the book was hard for me to put down. I absolutely adored Teia!

Teia Carthan is the half-sister of Jura Carthan, a despot and soon-to-be ruler of Erisia. She has survived numerous assassination attempts orchestrated by Jura but if he ascends the throne, there is no place in the Five Kingdoms where she will be safe. However, an uprising against the monarchy by a rebel group called the Dawnbreakers presents Teia a slim chance to secure her future. Will she seize it? Read Inferno’s Heir by Tiffany Wang to find out.

Teia, the central character and the female protagonist, is a cunning, wily creature. She lost her mother at a young age. Her father, unable to cope with the loss of his beloved wife, takes to drinking and follows in her dead mother’s footsteps soon.

“The downside of true love was it really could last forever⁠— and the ones left behind always suffered.”

Forced to endure her despicable half-brother’s cruelty, Teia matures well before her seventeen years of age. She treads the secret passageways of her castle, eavesdrops on conversations, and tucks away little bits of information in her smart brain to be utilized later. Oh, and she has rare control over two elements, which makes her a formidable opponent to Jura.

Her treasure trove of little secrets about the Council members and her powers have helped her to survive the court politics and Jura till now, but if he becomes the king, Teia will no longer be safe.

Amidst all this comes an uprising by the Dawnbreakers. True to their name, they also bring dawn in Teia’s life. She plans to infiltrate the group and hand them over to Jura in exchange for her freedom.

But when she meets them, for the first time in her life, she experiences friendship and genuine connection. She understands what it means to care for another person. The Dawnbreakers make Teia a confident and self-assured person. Even though her control over two elements made her a powerful person, she never imagined fighting against Jura. However, the Dawnbreakers ignite this hope within her.

“And as Teia looked at the people before her⁠—the Poisons Master, the thief, the champion, the rebel⁠— something tugged at her heart. An invisible string, a weeping warmth. A sensation she’d never experienced before, even when her parents were alive. This felt like she had finally come home.”

Each of the motley crew of characters comprising the Dawnbreakers is essential in moving the plot forward.

In addition to three-dimensional characters, Wang has crafted a richly imagined world, and her vividly descriptive writing immersed me in the world of Five Kingdoms. I could clearly visualize the opulent castle, the bustling market, and the heavily guarded, soul-crushing Blackgate prison.

Is a fantasy novel really a fantasy novel without magical creatures? Lo and behold, the Serkawr, which is a fearsome magical sea beast. However, Wang shrouds its origin in mystery and, like any expert storyteller, will likely unravel it in the sequel. But she sprinkled enough breadcrumbs about the Serkawr’s lore to keep me invested throughout the story.

The book isn’t consistently fast-paced, but that didn’t retract from my reading experience. While the unexpected twists and the daring trip(s) to the prison are the highlights of the novel, the lush descriptions put me right next to Teia as she manoeuvered her way through the treacherous world. However, in my humble opinion, the book could have been shorter and could have done away with some of the descriptions.
Inferno’s Heir has left its mark on me. Days after finishing the novel, I am still thinking about the action scenes and the ending. I was hoping what happened at the climax should not come to pass, but well, if it weren’t so, Teia wouldn’t have been true to herself. Moreover, the climax paves the way forward for another action-packed, intriguing sequel. With Inferno’s Heir, I feel Tiffany has barely scratched the surface. There’s so much to know about – a detailed history of the Five Kingdoms, Serkawr’s capabilities, Erisia’s founder etc.

Overall it’s a brilliantly written novel with a captivating world-building and three-dimensional characters, albeit it could have been a tad shorter. Recommended to fellow young adult, fantasy readers.

Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for an early copy of this book! Below is my honest review.

Rating: 3.75 stars out of 5 stars

Summary of the plot:
Teia Carthan is the princess of Erisia and half-sister to soon-to-be-king Jura. Jura rules the country with an iron fist, often resorting to violent and cruel ways. When Jura announces he's arranging a marriage for her to another man, one who is known to be abusive towards his wives, Teia realizes this marriage will trap her forever in a life she does not want. So she turns to the rebels known as the Dawnbreakers. Her initial intentions was to infiltrate the Dawnbreakers so that she can end up blackmailing them to force them to help her get out of her marriage. However, as she continues to work for them, she realizes that her path forward may to overthrow Jura himself.

Thoughts on the plot:
Overall, I thought this was a well written book. Was it perfect? No. But did I enjoy it? Yes. Considering that this is the author's debut novel, I'm willing to be a little more lenient on my review, though I still have my critiques, which I will talk about in the following paragraphs.

Starting off with the writing/plot: I thought the writing itself was fine. It did not give me "this is my first book!!" vibes, which was great. I will say though that some scenes and problems were too convenient. Aka, things seemed to fall in place pretty easily (which this gave me "this is my first book!!" vibes). I could have used a little bit more conflict, but that's my personal preference.

The world itself could have used a bit more building. There are five elemental magics that people can have. The Carthans (and only the Cathans) have fire. This is important because to determine whether or not someone can take the throne in Erisia, they have to be a Carthan (which is determined by the fire-wielding power). Jura and Teia are the only ones who are supposed to have this power, but they discover someone else who has this power as well (who also happens to be the "champion" of the rebels), so it becomes a political issue.

After Teia is told that the champion may be a spy within the palace, she happens to discover this person very quickly (too quickly IMO) because she notices a servant who is afraid of water. I felt like this was extremely convenient and totally unrealistic. Also, are we to believe that in this world, whatever your magic is, your fear is the opposite of that magic (e.g., your magic is fire, so you're naturally afraid of water)? What happens if you're a fire and water wielding person like Teia?

Also, we don't really get to see any of the elemental magics play out. There are literally 3 magic users in this book and all of them have fire magic. Teia technically has water magic from her mom's side (and we get a quick scene of her mom using magic in a flashback), but she hardly uses it. This is likely to be explored more in book 2, so I'm not too too worried about this. There is also some lore around the 5 elemental magics, which will (again) likely be expanded on in the next book.

In terms of the characters, I didn't feel strongly towards any of them (which isn't necessarily bad). Teia was cunning and quite evil in her own ways (not like Jura though). I didn't really like the champion and thought she would have served a greater purpose. The thief was kind of comedic, so I didn't mind her. Jura was interesting because you got to see how cruel he was. I wish we did get a bit of background on why he is the way that he is. It seems like he was born that way, but who knows? Everyone else, I felt indifferent about.

To talk quickly about romance, there is some romance there. It's a little bit of a slow burn, so no "I love you"s by the end of the book! It took me a while to catch onto the romance though because I thought Teia was LGBTQ+ for no reason.

Overall, I enjoyed this book and would recommend people to read it. Again, my standards are a little low since it is a debut novel and because it is the first book in a series, so take that with a grain of salt.

Fans of The Cruel Prince and Six of Crows will love this character-driven political fantasy from new voice Tiffany Wang! One of the major highlights of this book was the cast of characters. Teia is a genuinely morally gray character driven by her own desires, and she doesn't shy away from this as the book continues. I loved her development throughout the book as Teia came into her power and decided to act upon her ambitions, even if it meant hurting the people around her. The other main characters - Kyra, Alana, Enna and Tobias - were so unique and had their own individual voices and personalities. It's not often that an author is able to flesh out such a range of characters, but Wang did an excellent job creating such a dazzling cast.
The plot was never slow or difficult to understand - it's easy to read, it's fast paced, and it's full of action and suspense. The story really reminded me of Six of Crows with the heists and prison breaks, but the political machinations reminded me of Jude from the Folk of the Air series. The myths and magic system of the world were fleshed out nicely, and I can't wait to see more of this new world in the sequel!
Overall, this book is perfect for fans of political fantasy. There is some light romance, but the real heart of the book lies in Teia's ambition and desire for power. I cannot wait to see what Tiffany Wang writes next! Thank you so much to NetGalley and Bindery Books for the eARC !

i definitely had a lot of expectations with this book and i’m glad to say that it did meet with my expectations ! inferno’s heir is a fantasy novel that is centered on revenge and rebellion and somewhat kind of felt like a heist story to me.

i think what made it so thrilling and interesting is because of the various tropes that i personally really do enjoyed 🙈 just like sibling-rivalry (help i love stories with this dynamic), some banter here and there, and other things ! you might want to try reading this if you love/like political fantasy novels.

teia, the main protagonist, is an anti-hero who joins the rebellion against her own family and kingdom and oH MY !! 😭 it was well written !! i love the vibes this book gave me it’s really worth the hype for me 🫶🏻 it also has romance if you guys are interested in that as well !

overall, a very nice read and you know what? i’ll bump my rating to a 5 star ⭐️ because i realized that this might be one of my favorites now 🫣 thank you so much to NetGalley and for Tiffany Wang for letting have this ARC 👏🏻

This was a great debut novel! YA fantasy with Cruel Prince x Six of Crows vibes.

I enjoyed the world building, plot, and writing, and felt the character development was good.

Some of the relationship development felt a little rushed to me, but honestly that could just be Teia's desperate need/want for a family.

I'm am looking forward to the next book!

Thank you NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC.

3.5 stars
Overall, this is a very fun, fast-paced, and well-written book. I really enjoyed the overarching plot and thought the characters and magic system were very strong.

The characters were diverse not only in the traditional sense, but also in terms of personalities, motives, and believability. I think they all fit their own individual roles in the story and played them very well. Everyone had different reasons for being in the situation they were in and even though there was fairly large cast of characters, I never felt like any one character got lost in the plot or pushed aside. Teia was a great morally grey MC and Jura was a very exciting villain. However, there was a lack of emotion and chemistry between some of these characters. I do believe that they all made compelling coworkers and maybe even friends at some points, but I think the romances were a little forced, especially between Teia and Tobias. While I think that they could work together, and the roles they play in the story would eventually create a great romance, I don't think we saw enough bonding or tension between the two for the feelings that Teia was developing to be very realistic. Of course, immediate physical attraction does happen, I think her yearning for him was a bit unearned in this book. I think it would have made more sense to save it for the next book in the series and it should be a bit of a longer slow-burn romance.

While I think that the overarching plot was great and created a very interesting story, there were times were it got a little lost. A morally gray girl trying to subtly and not so subtly fight against her power crazed, psychotic older brother who is soon to become king--will she support the democracy her people are revolting for or put herself on the throne? Amazing basis and very well thought out throughout most of the book. My biggest issue with the plot was that I didn't really realize that the prison breaks were going to be the main focus until about halfway through the book. Honestly, I thought these scenes ended up being pretty weak and wish the author instead focused more of the court politics and the spy ring that Teia was running. This also caused a lot of telling and not showing in the book. We are told time and again that Teia is this great spy and manipulator with a whole network of minions to do her bidding and find out what she needs to know. However we really don't see much of these abilities until the very end. What we do see was very well done and did support everything we been told, so I really think this book would've been so much better if that's what the plot was more focused on.

Other really great aspects of this book was the magic system and the world building. I think any sort of elemental based magic is really fun and it was so realistic that class-levels depended on the powers. For example, only the royal family in Erisia has these fire-bending abilities and the entire system is disrupted when they find that a peasant girl actually has these powers. The little we got to learn of the other kingdoms was also very interesting, and I love how the book ended with the potential to go visit these other kingdoms in the next book.

Because of the weaknesses of the plot, the too much telling and not enough showing, and the lack of emotion/chemistry between characters, I can't give this book much more than 3.5 stars. However, what was done well was very enjoyable, so I think this series has a lot of potential and could become really great.

INFERNO’S HEIR

‘The court thought her a monster, so she gave them one to fear’

In this YA fantasy series-starter, we meet Teia, an ostracised princess, as she struggles to stay alive under the rule of her vile brother Jura. Teia has a plan: she’ll infiltrate the rebels than threaten Jura’s throne, selling them out in exchange for her life. But as she gets to know them, Teia will start to question if the rebels’ ideals are as hopeless as they seem.

When I started this book, I was convinced it was a standalone (second time in a row with a Bindery Books title!), but as the plot progressed I realised it was impossible for it to be resolved in a single 300-page book. Regardless of my initial impression, I did enjoy Inferno’s Heir and I’ll be picking up the sequel as soon as it’s available.

If you’re keen on morally grey characters, found family, humorous banter, political intrigue, heists, secrets and betrayals and mythology, I certainly recommend Inferno’s Heir .

Teia isn’t our usual YA protagonist: she’s the antihero (though not the villain), twisted, traitorous and conniving. If you enjoyed Jude’s ploys in The Cruel Prince, you’ll be sure to like Teia. As the traditional hero, we have starry-eyed, idealistic Kyra, a pleasant opposite to Teia. I was also fond of the other side characters, particularly Enna and Alara. And if you’re wondering if there’s a romance, you’ll be pleased to know our main character and one of the rebels engange in lots of banter and longing glances.

The one character I found lacking was the main villain, Jura. To put it simply, he’s horrid. A text-book example of a psychopath. Most of the time it felt like he was there just to be hated, with no other depth in his vileness than that he can be evil and that fear is a form of subjugation. I don’t mind not empathising with the villain, but I do wish that, in terms of his motivations, we could have seen more.

I’ve seen Inferno’s Heir compared to Six of Crows , and while it does feature some key elements like heists and found family, I felt like it was closer to The Cruel Prince for its political intrigue and to An Ember in the Ashes for its rebel group. Still, if you liked Six of Crows , Inferno’s Heir will be a welcome read.

All in all, Inferno’s Heir is a very bingeable fantasy. I look forward to reading the second book in this series.

**Thank you to NetGalley and Bindery Books for the eARC**

@librisinetenebris on Instagram

This is probably closer to 4.5 stars, but worth the round up. I was instantly captivated by this story. The main character pulled me in immediately and I loved meeting her found family right along with her. Loved that this story revolved around found family, with just a dash of romance.

Teia is a great main character, she has depth and dimension. You watch her struggle with decisions, you get insight into the how and why of her character. She walks a beautiful morally grey line that just made me fall in love with her.

The only bummer is that the twist was slightly predictable. That, and the fact that we have to wait for more of this journey! I can't wait to continue reading!

what a GRIPPING and fun ride! teia is such a fabulous morally grey femail main character, im so grateful she is the lead of this YA book. i wish i had a YA fantasy title like this when i was younger!

Teia has plots to plan. She is a Princess in a Court about to be ruled by a sadistic King.
This book was Game of Thrones with plots, political intrigue, blackmail, and heists.
I loved the way Teia made decisions and thought about things. It made the book more realistic. While some of the plot was predictable it wasn't so overdone to make the book not interesting. The plot is fas paced and it was an easy read.
Very much enjoyed this.

A propulsive debut anchored by a morally gray, sharp-tongued heroine, INFERNO’S HEIR offers everything a reader could want: underground rebellions, palace intrigue, intricate magic, heart-stopping action, a deliciously evil villain, and a found family that won’t soon be forgotten.

Inferno's Heir is a YA fantasy book that follows Princess Teia, who stands in a very vulnerable position in court. Her older half-brother, a psychopath, is about to take the throne and she needs to get leverage, immediately. So she decides to infiltrate a revolutionary group, the Dawnbreakers, to trade their lives for her own life/freedom. However, once she joins up, she finds community unlike she's ever felt before and also starts to consider what would happen if she took the throne for herself.
While Inferno's Heir doesn't have the world's most original plot, it more than makes up for it in the characters department. Teia is a really interesting and morally gray character and watching her development throughout the book is fun. She's really well-done, especially since you can see exactly how she was made into who she is now. Kyra is sweet, Alara is a delightful set of contradictions, and Tobias comes with way more backstory than you can hope for. The only character who is lacking in my opinion is Jura, the villain, who is so evil it's cartoonish.
The world building was very basic, but more in a way that didn't detract from the plot or add to the plot. Based on the ending, I imagine that the fantasy elements will take a greater role in any future books, but for a fantasy book, it's a little light on fantasy. It does have great court intrigue and also two (ish) heists. It's definitely a satisfactory read.

This book started a little slow for me, but by the end, I was hooked. I really liked the court intrigue in this book. There was a lot of politics happening, but also a great amount of action and character growth to work together into something beautiful. If you liked six of crows or prison, healer, you will love this book. Great for ya reads up to adult. No smut.

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

Thank you to Netgalley for a copy for an honest review.

I really enjoyed reading this and will be picking up a copy as soon it releases. 💕
It was well written and I really enjoyed my time reading it.

Rating 4 Stars ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Tiffany Wang creates such a vibrant world and does a wonderful job of creating complex characters. While you don't immediately love all of the characters, you still find yourself rooting for them. This was a fun read with some twists and turns.

Thank you NetGalley for the ARC. It was excellent. First, the cover is perfect and professional, and this led me to this book. The writing was simple and eloquent. The author had so many stories and substories that there really was no need to dump information or prolonged descriptions.
The story caught me from the first chapter and the relation of Teia with his brother Jura intrigued me. Then came the background story, slowly but beautifully.
The world building is excellent and I could not put down. I like strong heroines and this one will be remembered. Thanks!

Inferno’s Fire

Princess Teia is called a halfing because her mother was Shaylani. She wields fire like her late father the king and water like her mother. Her half brother is a sadistic prince about to become king and wants to marry her off to a known wife-murderer. Teia will do anything to avoid that fate. Even join the Dawnbreakers, a rebel group trying to overthrow the monarchy.

Teia is like Jude Duarte, she will do ANYTHING to protect herself: murder, blackmail, etc. Plenty of twists and memorable characters, readers will eagerly seek the next volume in this series.

Recommended for Shadow and Bone and Folk of the Air fans!

At the heart of this compelling story is Teia Carthan, a young woman who has learned to navigate a treacherous existence by abandoning her morals in favor of survival. Her character's journey evolves as she plays a spy to upend the political transformation that will constrain her. Her half-brother, Jura, will be crowned king, and He will ensure Teia's miserable existence. Once Jura is crowned, Teia knows her chances of survival will diminish drastically. Her desperate quest for self-preservation drives the narrative, creating a tense and suspenseful atmosphere. The plot escalates as Jura prepares to quash a rebellion to overthrow the monarchy. Teia sees this as a final opportunity to ensure her safety. Her plan to infiltrate and betray the rebels is fraught with danger and moral conflict. However, the story takes an unexpected turn when Teia finds herself not just among the rebels but gaining their trust and friendship. So, who is she working for?

The narrative builds a rich and immersive world to the unfolding drama. The political dynamics and the rebels' contrasting vision of a new order are well-developed, adding depth to the story. The rebels themselves are fleshed-out characters, each contributing to Teia's growing understanding of what is at stake beyond her survival. The author's ability to weave Teia's personal growth with the broader political upheaval makes for a thought-provoking read.

This masterfully crafted fantasy novel combines thrilling action and deep moral self-reflection. A true blend of personal struggle and political intrigue ensures. This story will linger in your mind long after the final page, leaving you wanting more.

I received an Advanced Readers Copy of this ebook in exchange for an honest review. Thank you, NetGalley and Bindery Books

Thank you to NetGalley for an arc-copy of this book.

This book is like a lot of other YA books. There is one scene in particular that reminds me of my favourite band of teenage criminals, the Crows. But even though it's individual aspects aren't unique the way the author made them all come together made it a really fun read. I liked the characters and the found family was a lot of fun. The ending made excited for it's sequel.

I’m not usually one to pick up or enjoy a political intrigue type book. However I did really enjoy this one! Lots of significance on the government both past and present. I like that we learn the twists as our fmc does. The heists are also fun!

This book was weird but in a good way. It was a novel that I read on a plane so it was a quicker read for me.

I decided to request this book after seeing an amazing review about it, and I have to say... wow. It was extremely refreshing to see that the protagonist was not the typical "hero." Instead, we have a secondary character, Kyra, who fits the more traditional hero archetype. The continuous contrast between Kyra and Teia, was interesting.
Teia is far from perfect, but that's what makes her so relatable. I appreciated how she cares for others, even risking everything for her friends. However, she also prioritizes her own future, which added depth to her character.

It's challenging to add something more to explain how much I loved the overall vibe and characters of this book. I mean, I was already sold when I read there would be a heist, and it only got better from there.

Thank you so much to Netgalley and the publisher for giving me the chance to read this eARC in exchange for an honest review.

I loved this fast-paced story! It caught my attention right away and kept me turning pages to see what would happen next. Loved it!

Inferno’s Heir is a fast paced, easy to read fantasy that has heap loads of political intrigue. In the beginning, it reminded me a lot of Avatar the last AirBender. The book has more of a medieval setting while the cartoon is Asian inspired but I couldn’t help but compare the two. I imagined the prince and princess as children of Zuko. Like what if Zuko married Mai out of duty but love blossomed between Katara and him. And so it developed this power struggle in a fire nation where the outcasted princess with both water and fire began.

The nostalgia of a beloved animation may have made me bias but it was a fun read nonetheless. Thank you so much for an eARC in exchange for an honest review.

wow. A completely fascinating,multilayered book with fantasy, rebellion, thrill and political intrigue. This novel hooked me from the start and I hope there's a book2 because i definitely need it.

Wow!

Completely unexpected a first 5 star read for me this year. This kept me on the edge of my seat and I cannot believe I have to wait for the second book.

First, I have to say how much I loved the writing. The author has a lovely writing voice that I greatly enjoyed. It's not too flowery but descriptive nonetheless and emotion inducing. The descriptions of places, the seasons and the mood greatly helped to transfer me to the story itself.

Secondly, booy did I love Teia and Tobias! Hello my new power couple! "Every day of my life" - ooooh, be still my little heart. I loved the progression of their relationship even subdued as it is in this. And the rest of our characters - they all endeared themselves to me throughout the book (Not Jura) and while I admit I still didn't quite warm up to Kyra for some reason, I absolutely loved Enna.

Thoroughly enjoyed Teia and all her schemes - you can keep track of everything she does but ultimately there will be a thing you will forget and it will surprise you later on in the story. It's clever without being annoying and in your face and the author knows how to keep things from you without making it frustrating.

I just... really loved this. And I seriously need book two ASAP!

First of all thank you NetGalley and Bindery books for this arc in exchange of an honest review.

OH MY GOD? I was not expecting this to be so good?

Tiffany Wang created a mesmerizing debut with heart-wrenching characters that will stay with you after turning the last page.

The only reason why it's a 4.5 and not 5 was because the background felt too ambitious, the magic not really explored and slightly lacking, another point there being the guns along with the train felt a bit too farfetched as I mostly felt this book a medieval high fantasy type more of a modern one, but the sass and banter inside this book made it up for basically all of it.

I need book two, there has to be a book two. I need it- I crave it. I need Tobias and Teia to get together and Alara and Kyra to finally both get their things together and become a couple.

The only reason why it's a 4.5 and not 5 was because the background felt too ambitious, the magic not really explored and slightly lacking, another point there being the guns along with the train felt a bit too farfetched as I mostly felt this book a medieval high fantasy type more of a modern one, but the sass and banter inside this book made it up for basically all of it. Even If there it did feel lacking. And for everyone asking, no. This is not a romantasy but a political fantasy!

This was such a good book! The writing style was very well done and it felt like an easy read. I really enjoyed the story, the plot, and the characters. The pacing could have been more cohesive, because some parts of the book felt like there were different pacing aspects to it. But overall, it is a very good YA standalone book!

This book is a masterful tale of political intrigue, rebellion, and personal growth, with a strong and complex female protagonist at its core. Teia's journey is a wild ride, full of twists and turns that will keep you on the edge of your seat. The book made me go feral (specially the last chapter....)

The author's world-building is exceptional, creating a rich and immersive fantasy realm. The characters are multidimensional and nuanced, with motivations that are both understandable and relatable, from the desire of revenge to the greed for absolute power.

Overall, this book is a must-read for fans of fantasy, rebellion, and strong female protagonists. It's a thrilling and emotionally charged page-turner that will leave you breathless and eager for more.

I really enjoyed this story and liked the main character's personality. I did find that there was a little too much pure chatting to my liking, i.e. the sort where characters sit around having fun banter as a way of relationship development, instead of merging that sort of talking with more interesting action. I glazed over these parts but other than that the rest of the book was filled with exciting action and I'm looking forward to the next part!

In “Inferno’s Heir,” Teia navigates a path to survival from her half-brother. She decides to join the rebellion to, ultimately, betray them and gain freedom from her brother. However, she finds herself doubting her intentions. Now, she must choose between betrayal or loyalty to her newfound allies. “Inferno’s Heir” is a YA fantasy on politics, rebellion, and revenge.

It is an easy read for a fantasy book (fantasy books can get confusing!!). I had so much reading this! I was fully immersed in the world and its characters. My favorite aspect of the book is the characters, especially the protagonist. All of them are multidimensional and nuanced– each of them has their reasons for their actions/beliefs. They are far from perfect which I love!! I always say this, but I love it when characters are humanized. While enjoyable, the story suffered from a lack of depth in its magic system and uneven pacing. The narrative started slowly, only to pick up speed abruptly in some parts and the end.

I can't say too much without spoiling it, but this book is a must-read! I am excited to read more from Tiffany Wang. Thanks to Bindery Books and Netgalley for the ARC.

Review posted on Goodreads and Instagram.

A princess joining a rebellion to betray her own family. That’s certainly enough to pique any fantasy reader’s interest.

I thoroughly enjoyed this. Two heists in one story—exciting! I loved the whole cast; Enna was most especially my favorite. I love the little found family thing they had going on. My main issue was that it was repeatedly stated that Teia’s morals have gone out the window, but I wasn’t convinced of it until the last few chapters. That twist had me in a chokehold because I didn’t see the story go in that direction. Still, on the flip side, I wasn’t sold on Teia & Tobias’s relationship, and I feel like the magic system and worldbuilding could be explained/explored more.

Despite this, I will be looking forward to Inferno Heir’s sequel. I can’t wait to see more of Teia and the other characters as they deal with such consequences of the book’s events.

Thank you to NetGalley and Bindery Books for the ARC! :>

Okay, first things first: WOW.

I had honestly no expectations when I started reading this book but it has simply blown my mind.
This was absolutely fantastic, I was hooked from the start, I LOVED all the characters and the plot (this is a heist story about a princess joining a group of rebels to take down her half brother!!!! what is there not to love?!).
So, do yourself a favour and READ IT!!!!

thank you netgalley for the eARC!

Thank you to Netgalley and Bindery Books for access to an advance reader copy of this book.

Wow! I couldn't put this book down. It has heists, political intrigue, a morally-grey main character who is steps ahead of everyone, elements of Found Family, a touch of romance and a great setup for more books in the series.

Teia is the second-born, female princess of her royal family and she's an outsider for a multitude of reasons. The world is broken into five countries, each of which is known for weilding a different element - water, fire, air, earth and metal. The book takes place in the Fire Country and we don't see or hear much about the other countries, but there is potential to explore more as the series progresses. This is similar to Avatar: The Last Airbender without feeling like a direct copy.

Teia is smart, but morally grey. She's all about survival and keeping herself alive in her Court, which is no easy task, since her brother Jura, is the absolute worst. There were so many moments where I wanted to yell at Teia to share what she's learned with her allies or SOMEONE. I thought for sure she was going to get screwed but Teia is two steps ahead of everyone else most of the time. Other characters have the moral high ground over Teia, but damn, is it fun to root for Teia. Teia is like Cersei in Game of Thrones, but way more likeable.

I really couldn't put it down and am looking forward to whatever happens next.

I loved this! It's definitely a slow burner, and at times it could be quite hard to track as there were various different pieces to try to follow and put together. I did love the plot and the relationships that developed between characters.

I also struggled to picture things, as it could be quite confusing with the descriptions, and I feel like the world building could be executed better, but overall it was a good read.

First off, the cover is absolutely stunning and perfectly captures the essence of the book. What an impressive debut for this author—bravo! The storytelling is brilliant.
The world-building and background information are effectively woven into the storytelling versus given all at once, which I love. I appreciate how the details about Teia, our protagonist & princess, are revealed gradually rather than all at once. Her morally gray nature adds depth and keeps the reading engaging. She's also a bad ass. The rebel characters are likable and enjoyable to read, with their backstories to explain more about the rebellion.
The plot, centered on the rebellion against Jura, the ruler and Teia's half-brother, is filled with heists and strategic maneuvers that keep the tension high. & wow!
-The final chapters were especially surprising and left a lasting impression. I hope there will be a sequel!
Thank you NetGalley, Tiffany Wang, and Bindery Book for the e-ARC.

Tiffany Wang has made one hell of a debut with Inferno’s Heir; this book is easily among the top 5 best books I’ve read this year, and I loved every moment of it.

One of Wang’s main strengths was the way she wrote each character; everyone felt unique and had their own depth and quirks, and I appreciated how much each character grew throughout the book.

I can’t wait for the next installment in the series. …It IS going to be a series, right?

Thank you NetGalley and Bindery Books for this ARC in exchange for an honest review.

(But seriously, when does book 2 release?)

Well, what a delightful surprise. This book intrigued me from the very first chapters and once I started I just couldn't stop. Teia was such a good protagonist, she was everything I hope to find in a morally gray FMC (which is hard to find nowadays). For me the only flaw was the ending, I felt that at a certain point the book got a bit rushed and some things could’ve been better developed but it was so good anyway!!

I enjoyed this read. It includes the found family trope, which I always adore. Teia is definitely a morally gray character, who is clever and strong. She does things to protect others, but she also does things to serve her own interests. I loved the banter between her and other side characters, like Enna, Tobias, and Kyra. The ending wraps up the major problem of the story, but it also gives enough for at least a 2nd novel without leaving you on a massive cliffhanger. This is a cliffhanger done right.

I received this book as ARC. It’s a fast-paced novel focusing on the journey of a princess as she defies the law and her (half) brother to bring change.

I enjoyed the story and various characters. I found several of them to be endearing, but their stories were all a little vague.

I look forward to seeing what the next book brings in the journey!

Thank you to Netgalley for this ARC of Inferno’s Heir! I can’t believe this is a debut novel - Wang weaves in magic, politics, action, and a lot of twists/betrayals that I did not see coming. Each character had their own unique quirks that when they interact, made for some interesting scenes. Teia, our morally grey protagonist, made some interesting decisions throughout the book, and I really hope it works out at the end of what I hope to be a series.
Judging by the number of pages, I knew that there would be a cliffhanger at the end, but I did not expect THAT cliffhanger. It was short and a bit too fast paced at times - I wish that there were more slower parts between the action. However, I loved how Wang wrote the action scenes - my favorites were the jailbreaks (yes, there were more than one). I can't wait for the next installment - there has to be one, right?

Thank you to NetGalley and Bindery Books for an e-arc of this book in exchange for an honest review.

This was a 4.5/5 star read for me up until the last 10% of the book. And then I had to drop it a half star.

What I liked about this book was that it’s the first book I’ve read that has been compared to Six of Crows and not been just a blatant attempt to re-create the magic of Six of Crows. Teia Carthan ISN’T Kaz Brekker and that’s a GOOD thing. It had the found family vibes, it had a few heists and morally gray characters and I really enjoyed it because it had its own unique Inferno’s Heir magic! The story was a great time. Teia, Kyra, Alara and Enna’s little girl gang (Tobias being the honorary male member of the girl gang) was awesome. Teia and Enna’s friendship was messy and funny! Teia and Kyra are such interesting foils!

I’m not 100% sold on the romance between Teia and Tobias but they’re very much at the friendship stage and I like that wholesome content.

Here’s the problem I had in the last 10%.
!!!!Spoilers ahead!!!!

WHY would Teia not communicate her plan with any of her friends??? I feel like they would’ve supported her? Or possibly talked it out with her and came up with a solution that made everyone happy? I was CONVINCED that Kyra knew the plan at the end and she was just acting to really sell it and then it would be revealed that her and Teia were in cahoots the whole time, but NOPE. Now all of Teia’s friends hate her (except Enna) AND none of them know that their former rebel leader was a traitor BECAUSE SHE DOESN’T COMMUNICATE.

Okay, rant over, the bottom line is: this was mostly great with some lackluster decisions at the end.

Teia has survived attempts on her life by her half brother Jura. Once Jura becomes king, she'll die. She offers to infiltrate the rebels and trades their lives for hers to Jura. Except she falls for the rebels...

Love the character growth of Teia. Love the political intrigue and family infighting. Suspenseful plot.... great tensions...

Thanks to the publisher for the arc.

This has the makings of a great fantasy book. I see its potential to be one of the biggest books out there. One thing I would like to highlight is the writing style. It's easy to read. It's not big words and phrases that are very confusing to understand. The vocabulary used are easy to distinguish and comprehend. It's a great read for anyone who wants to venture into fantasy for the first time.

A thrilling, elemental fantasy featuring a ragtag group of teens rebelling against a cruel monarch. Their only hope is the orphaned princess, Teia, who can control fire and water. Teia, is a complicated, morally gray protagonist. She may rub some readers the wrong way, but I found her to be a compelling character and her morals are a realistic result of her upbringing. The supporting characters are mostly interesting, if not a little rigid. The antagonist is truly unlikeable and may not sit right with some (the psychopathic masochist trope is a little tired), but gets a worth comeuppance in the end. My biggest complaint is the magic system; for high fantasy, there is surprisingly little description of the character's experience wielding magic. It feels oddly understated at times.
Overall, I really enjoyed this book and recommend for any fantasy readers. Hand to young folks that like their Six of Crows and Mistborns with a side of elemental magic.

4.5 stars

This is EXACTLY the kind of fantasy novel I needed to read.

I absolutely loved the characters in this novel, from the despicable future king Jura to the ragtag group of rebels to the sarcastic sidekick thief. The magic/kingdom system isn't too complex or unique (basically, royalty from each land can control one of the elements, e.g. Teia and Jura can control fire. Hence the title). However, one twist on a normal fantasy trope in <i> Inferno's Heir </i> is that, even though there is a "Chosen One" character, she is only a side character. The main character, Teia, is a morally grey, unwanted princess who decides to use the Chosen One to get what she wants. I loved reading from Teia's POV—she was cunning, complex, and funny.

This book is absolutely perfect for fans of Six of Crows. The heist scenes were fast-paced, the chemistry between the characters was incredible, and that ENDING! Wow. Talk about a great cliffhanger. I can't wait for the next book in the series.

This was an enjoyable read especially for a debut fantasy! I enjoyed the found family aspect and following the character development for Teia, our main character.
I felt that the romance developed quite quickly and didn't feel entirely authentic- it would have been nice if this had been more of a slow burner and really making us work to earn their relationship. Overall a great read and excited to follow up with instalments..

Thank you Bindery Books and NetGalley for the eARC in exchange for my honest review!
First things first, I had this ARC on my NetGalley shelf for a while before I read it and I am SOOO sorry I didn’t read it sooner. I loved every minute of it! Full of court intrigue, heists, prison breaks, found family, magic, world-building, and nail-biting tension, I was fully engaged through the entire book and was on the edge of my seat trying to figure out what would happen next. Teia is an amazing main character. We see so many different sides of her, some more morally gray than others, but each side takes the reader deeper into the story and Teia’s thought process. The cast of characters is very well done with a variety of distinct and diverse characters including evil princes, conniving politicians, naive heroes, and more. There are twists and turns as motivations are revealed and moments that made me literally gasp out loud. I will recommend this book to everyone! Plus the cover is so pretty and unique!

Where to start about this story. Teia who is the princess for our kingdom and whose brother is about to ascend the throne. Instead of being married off she devises to join a rebel group to stop the marriage contract and help her kingdom out from under her brother’s thumb.

I very much enjoyed this story. Kyra, Allara, and Enna I loved through out the whole story. Sweet Kyra is just going to have her heart broken as this story goes on I’m sure. As far as Teia goes, I still have not made my mind up on her. At some points I love her and am rooting for her and others I kind of hate her.

The one thing I noted from the start of this story and then again multiple times is the description in this book. I greatly loved how much description and the way Tiffany described characters and places in this story. I feel like this book gave us a great idea of the setting, characters, and magic in this world. The next book should be able to delve into the conflict and goals of this story line easily with most of the leg work being done in this book.

I am interested to see what is to come for all of our characters as this story unfolds more.

I adored this debut release by author Tiffany Wang! The cover art is gorgeous and is what initially caught my eye. I was further intrigued by the promise of a strong heroine with an imperative to survive in a seemingly dystopian-esque world. Wang did not disappoint this happy reader and purveyor of morally gray characters. I found the world-building to be delightfully rich and complex. The characters are well-rounded so one cannot help but feel invested in their growth and outcomes. The pacing was perfect and the plot had a lovely balance of action and mystery. I am very excited about the forthcoming release of Infernor's Heir and cannot wait to hype up this book, as it deserves all of the love it should receive!!

This book has the whole package: high stakes, regency, highly skilled misfit group, love interest but without it being the main focus, friendship...
Although the overall structure of the story felt very familiar to me, as I have been reading these kinds of YA fantasies for a while, I still can not figure out what my feelings are about the main character. This is probably the point as she is a moral gray character overall.
I went into it thinking it was a standalone but we clearly have a cliffhanger and we will be hearing more from Tiffany Wang!
I would recommend this book to any Six of crows fans and anyone wanting to dip their toes into fantasy.

Inferno's Heir starts fast-paced and takes you easily and quickly into Wang's well-crafted world. Teia is a fierce, fun protagonist to follow and I loved following her journey.

Thoroughly recommend this as a travel read because I DEVOURED it.

I loved this book! The story was very interesting and I absolutely loved the main characters and the character development was great!

Lies, deception and sibling rivalry begin an epic fantasy in Inferno’s Heir by Tiffany Wang. With a fast-paced plot full of twists throughout, Inferno’s Heir is a high fantasy that I couldn’t put down. Between the betrayals, shaky alliances, and plot reveals that led from one twist to another, this book will engross and delight any reader. I had a lot of fun reading this story that was full of action and one that I would consider a top book of 2024. Each character is well written and given a lot of depth that makes them leap off the page. Their unique in their own way and I appreciated Wang telling each of the backstories in a thoughtful and empathetic way. I am definitely looking forward to more books by Wang and more of this series!

Wow. Wow. Wow. Was that a fun reading experience! If you are looking for a book that makes you feel like The Cruel Prince, pick this up now!

The pacing on this book was divine that it felt like there was going to be another 100 pages but there wasn’t. And that’s a compliment! Did I see things coming? Yes. But the way things were executed made reading it a joy.

Inferno’s Heir is a beautiful tale of what happens when someone is put in a fear position & stripped of power. What happens when after all that time of living in fear & you finally get to have a voice? What choices would you make?

The dynamic between Teia & Jura was thrilling. Dare say I actually found Jura’s character to be a very lively character to read in the book! Honestly all the characters were a joy to read. I do wish I got even more depth from the characters but I think that’s the nature of third person tho.

For all the happened in this book, it also felt like nothing happened. But I mean that in a good way! It makes me excited to see what can happen with this story! There’s so many ways that it can go & I just know it’s going to be fantastic.

The book was beautifully written & I will read anything from this author now! Highly recommend.

Thank you NetGalley & Bindery Books for this ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Thanks to Netgalley and Bindery Books for the ARC.

Rating: 4.25 / 5

This was a phenomenal read, unique like no other. Throughout the story we follow Teia Carthan (princess of Erisia) as she navigates through her survival, palace politics, betrayals, power, and finding family in the least expected places.

I absolutely fell in love with Teia's character since page 1. She's headstrong, and sure of her steps. She isn't flawless, but isn't annoying either. Her moral compass shifts throughout the book, and her actions always mirror her feelings and are justified by the choices she has to make at each turn.

The story is really well written with ample twists and turns along the way. Although not the main focus, it also has a very slow burn romance sub plot which I didn't care much about. In my opinion, it wasn't well developed, and fell flat. The character portrayal was done in a way where you could easily understand they choices they made. The found family plotline tugged at my heart strings, and I would have loved to see them together even longer.

Overall, it was an awesome read, with very vivid storytelling and suspense-filled plot line.

I received an ARC from the publisher in exchange for an honest review

Inferno's Heir by Tiffany Wang is a third person-POV YA fantasy. As the half-sister of the future king, Jura, you'd think Teia would be standing by her brother’s side and trying to keep things running smoothly. Instead, Teia is doing what she can to bring about his downfall as he sadistically harms the people around him.

Jura is, without a doubt, a villain you want Teia to destroy until there's nothing left. His entire court is made up of sadists who don't care about anyone who isn't nobility, there's sexism, racism (Jura calls Teia ‘Halfling’ for her Asian-coded heritage from her mother), and there's blatant disregard for Teia’s autonomy. The story about the birdcage told me everything I needed to know about why Teia believes Jura needs to go down and I'm glad she can see that he does.

One thing I really liked was how we got Teia's parents personalities through their elements and the training they put Teia through. Ren, the father, was very kind and gentle as he taught her how to wield fire while Calla, the mother, was a lot more strict with water training. Despite their different styles, I could see that they were both teaching Teia how to be strong and prepared in every way they could. For Calla, this also manifested in discussing how Teia's heritage might make others look down on her.

Teia is something like a spy in her own home. She's running around in the town to talk to her network and keep things in motion while watching her brother’s moves. We get glimpses of how Jura and Teia are similar through Teia's espionage because she is willing to take things a step too far to achieve the results she wants. Even if I know her end goal is right, I can't agree with all of her decisions and I actually really liked that. I'd rather have a flawed character who makes choices I can't relate to than a character who only makes the choices I would.

Content warning for racism, dehumanizing language, and sexual assault

I would recommend this to fans of YA fantasy looking for element magic systems, readers of fantasy who like reading explorations of being biracial/bicultural in fantasy settings, and those looking for a YA fantasy that has a strong espionage element.

Let me just start by saying that I chose to read this ARC because of the cover first! The synopsis came in second.
It is just one of the prettiest fantasy book covers I've seen.

In this book, we follow our main FMC, Teia, an outcast princess, as she infiltrates the ranks of a rebellion for her own gains. She blackmails, extorts, and even kills! She is the epitome of morally gray. And it's not just her. Every character that we meet along the way, except for the villains of course, is a morally gray character.
I loved that for the story!

The plot of the story is fairly simple, with simple world building.
But that is NOT to say that the book is not engaging!
It truly keeps you hooked from the moment you start. Whenever you think that there was a breather, the writer would throw something new at you.
Even the ending is not an ending at all! It is just the beginning of at least a duology which made me soooo mad! On the cover, it is clearly stated that this book is a novel. And I honestly thought that that means it is a standalone. Or am I wrong?

Anyways, there's a bit, a very time bit, of a romance sub-plot, and a lot of found family.

I loved the heists. I loved the rescues. I loved the friendships. I loved the deception. I loved the betrayals.
I loved every aspect of this book and cannot wait to know where the story goes and how it progresses. Tiffany Wang does not have the right to finish the book the way she did!

100% read this book!
If you are new to fantasy or think you want to try reading fantasy, this book is definitely a good first book to pick up. It is not overwhelming.
Now, if you can handle unfinished stories, go ahead and grab it. However, if you are like me and need closure, I advise you not read that last freaking chapter until the next installment comes out.

LOVED THIS! Read this all the way through. Such a great story. You can easily visualize the story and characters.

Thank you NetGalley and the publishers for the opportunity to review this title. This is a quick fantasy read. I really enjoyed learning about the inner workings of the government. The rebel princess brought me back to my Uglies days. I do love some overthrowing of the government, dystopia vibes.

Thank you for an ARC in exchange for my honest review!

Inferno's Heir is a top read of the year for me no doubt. It's a masterclass in world-building that doesn't drag down pacing, and deeply complex characters that propel the story. Wang crafted a richly detailed world so much so I found myself highlighting every other line at times. The political intrigue had me GRIPPED. Teia is fighting for her life and joins a rebellion against the crown and without spoilers, I was NOT expecting the choice she made! But it was so perfect. That's why Wang is an auto-buy author for me.

I was captivated by this book from the first page to the very last, and I couldn't put it down! It was that good! It's unbelievable that this literary masterpiece is the author's debut!

The protagonist, Teia, totally captured my attention; she was undoubtedly an anti-hero, and I adored how her story developed. Aside from Teia, I was completely engaged with the varied group of characters, each of them brought a unique perspective to the story. My favorites, aside from Teia, were Kyra and Enna; each character had a distinct personality and I love their backstories.

The world building done by the author was excellent; I had no trouble understanding it without feeling overloaded with information. I found it very easy to get sucked into the story by the descriptions of the locations and the atmosphere. The world's mythology and magic system were well developed, and I hope the sequel will include more of this fascinating universe!

I'm looking forward to further books featuring Teia and the other characters dealing with the consequences from the events in the book. For those who enjoy fantasy, rebellion, and strong female leads, this book is a must-read. You'll be left wanting more after reading this gripping and intense page-turner.

Inferno's Heir by Tiffany Wang is an excellent blend of fantasy, action, and emotional depth that transports you to a world where the line between light and dark is blurred and power comes at a great cost.

The novel raises important questions about what it means to be true to yourself in the face of overwhelming pressure. In addition, it deals very well with the issue of identity.

The supporting characters are well developed, each with their own motives and stories that intertwine with Mei's story. I always really like to see secondary characters as well created and developed as the main one, they accompany, enrich and make one delve deeper into the story.

It's the first thing I've read by her, and from what I saw, it's her first novel. Clearly we will be able to read more from her. I'm sure.

Thank you Bindery Books for the ARC I read on NetGalley, a change from an honest review.

Wow! I need the next book ASAP! An brillant fantasy with just enuogh twists and turns to keep you on your toes.
Loved Teia!
Red the book in one setting! Defently going on the reread-list.

Post coming on IG the 16 of Sep 2024 (one_fairy_tale_at_the_time)

It's been awhile since I've been this excited for a new author. The promotions online left me with high expectations, and Tiffany Wang delivered! I enjoyed the characters, the world building, and the tension! Basically it has something for everyone. I can not wait for the next one. Highly recommend!

I need someone to talk to about this book!!!

How do you not know that your kid is a psycho that burns birds and whatever as a pastime?

Now that that's taken off my chest, this book was a compelling mix of gore, powerful characters, and tragedy enough to last you a while. I don't remember if this is YA, but I would put it in the NA section, even though most of the main character's are underage which was my only problem with this book (that and the cheap sob stories).

The cover doesn't give you any specific clues as to what goes on in this book. However, it encompassed the things I love most in fantasy. Inferno's heir doesn't thread lightly, and, in consequence, I've found bone-chilling descriptions of blistering skin, charred corpses, and properly done torture. And if that didn't make you run away or put this book high on your TBR, then let me tell you there's water magic too, the kind that drowns you with just your body's water.

For those who are not attracted by the prospect of well written violence in fantasy, I've got plenty of things for you! There's plenty of good politics intrigue going on, even though it is not that elevated and a Halfling Princess in the middle of it! Overlooked by society and her half-brother (who's the psyco Crown Prince), this girl taught herself how to survive in a world that didn't want her there. Through any means, not shying away from blackmail, murder, espionage, and the services of a delicious thief, Teia will get what she wants. From page one, you know she takes no shit from anyone. From page one, Teia shows the reader that she will make the world bow to her.

Teia is my wife and nobody can tell me otherwise.

What more, I can hear you asking? Well, we've got a rebellion and a pack of hardened, yet absolutely lovable rebels that soften Teia's heart while leaving behind a trail of bodies. They become her found family, and you can't help but love them all. I honestly shipped Teia with every girl in this book, but not with the seeming love interest. Why be boring and basic when you can be sapphic and dazzling? But we'll see about that in the sequel.

I can't leave before I tell you about my psycho Crown Prince. He was literally so dumb but he was my dumb. I loved his interesting way of using a pack of cards to do his thing and let me tell you, every time he spoke it was as if he was actually speaking in my head. I loved him even though I would kill him on the spot for hurting my baby Teia.

There's a nicely balanced mix of tragedy, lore, action, and world building, although sometimes the layout of the city was a bit confusing. Again, I must remind you that it's not anything overly complicated, the author placing the complexity on Teia's character and her development throughout the book. Saying more about her would end up in me spoiling the book, so I will say one thing: if you read The Jasmine Throne, Teia is the mini version of Malini.

Also, before I forget! This has major Avatar vibes. And while I do think Teia's a lot like Malini, I think it would be better to place her somewhere between Katara and Azula. She's a badass and softie at heart.

While this might not be the YA fantasy you WANT, it is the fantasy you NEED, so what are you waiting for?

First impression:
Please, I'm about to start crying. This was so fucking good and Teia is the love of my life forever. I'm gonna add her to the list of my badass queens. You can't understand how good this book was and how much I need the sequel!!!!!

In Inferno's Heir by Tiffany Wang, Teia Carthan, a morally gray princess with the power to control two elements, battles for survival against her ruthless half-brother and the oppressive monarchy of Erisia. As she infiltrates a rebel group with plans to betray them, Teia’s complex decisions and shifting alliances create a tense and captivating narrative. The book's rich world-building and high-stakes drama make it a thrilling read, though some may find its pacing uneven and character development inconsistent. Overall, it's a promising start to a series that blends heists, political intrigue, and elemental magic.

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

Thanks to the folks at Bindery Books for providing an Ebook!!!
***
3.4 stars

It's like both six of crows and grisha trilogy had a child with a darker shade of magic and legend of Korra !!!
That was very good, I enjoyed t quite a lot. I really liked the pacing and the characters and their dinamics.
I still felt the ending very very rushed but I enjoyed it quite a lot overall.
Cannot wait to see what's in store for Teia and the Dawn breakers
This book may have contents that could trigger sensitive readers like: physical abuse, violence, abuse of power, light sexual harassment, death and weapons/guns.

Thank you to NetGalley for an ARC!🔥💧

This book promises a morally grey FMC, heists, and found family, and delivers on all counts.

Teia is legit morally grey; I find that sometimes YA novels with "morally grey" FMCs shy away from depicting them doing anything actually bad, but Teia hurts people and is unrepentant about it. Jura also serves as a fantastic antagonist for Teia; while Teia occasionally feels conflicted about her actions, Jura is completely ruthless. The conflict between them creates high stakes, with each of them willing to do just about anything to achieve their goals.

The heists are exciting and well-paced, although I feel that some of the escapes were a little too convenient, although the author does also show consequences for not succeeding, which kept me on the edge of my seat.

As for the found family... Teia certainly found them? This one is a little debatable, but the found family vibes are all there. The other characters all have their own tragic backstories and motivations, but I feel like they weren't as fleshed out as Teia, though I suppose that's fair, considering she's the protagonist.

I have to say I really did not care for Tobias at all. Like, he's okay I guess, but as Teia's love interest, he's just kind of... nothing-y. If I were feeling ungenerous, I would say he has all the personality and charm of plain white rice. IMO, Teia's love interest should have been Kyra, like their dynamic + the potential enemies to begrudging allies to lovers arc would have been amazing, but I guess since Kyra is maybe related to her it wouldn't work out.

What a debut! Inferno's Heir is an immensely fun read that has everything I look for in a YA fantasy. It's fast-paced and action-packed. The characters are diverse and all bring a unique voice and backstory to the table - no one is left feeling like a cardboard cutout or a walking trope. Everyone is painted in a different shade of morally grey, so you never quite know how far you can trust them, which makes for excellent reading. As for the writing, the descriptions are vibrant and immersive, while the dialogue has a natural flow and is packed with quiet humor. The plot feels high-stakes and compelling and the twists are effectively twisty.

I had so much fun with this read and can't wait to check out the sequel. I really can't believe that this is a debut author. Highly recommend without reservation, but especially if you're into heists, found family, political intrigue, secret rebellions, and elemental magic.

Very special thanks to Bindery and NetGalley for an arc in exchange for review.

Inferno’s Heir is a fantastic debut novel. This book follows Teia Carthan, a morally grey character. I found myself upset at the ending at first, and I think that’s a tribute to Tiffany Wang’s writing. Her prose is incredibly good and the characters all have good depth. I found myself truly caring about several of our protagonists here.

The book clearly sets up sequels that I am very much looking forward to. Teia has major flaws, but it feels like this is only the beginning of her long term redemption arc. I actually found myself really enjoying two of the supporting characters, Alara and Enna. I would eat up a spin off of those two, a thief and an assassin? Yes please.

Overall a great start to something that might prove really special when completed.

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for giving me this ARC in return for an honest review.

I love how Tiffany's set everything up, I've never read anything like it!
A new favourite for sure, the characters were perfect

I really thought I predicted the ending of this book but it dis a complete detour on me. Like I thought Teia our main character was going to completely change how she viewed her path and she was going to join the rebels and be with them in the end. Let's just say it's really hard to change who you truly are. The sequel has to come as hard hitting as this one if it wants to live up to the hype of this book. I need to know if what happened in the end really happened and we get a whole new setting. Teia is probably one of my favorite unlikable characters I've ever read about. She's cunning and conniving and selfish but in all the right ways that a flames protagonist is. She feels real for this story. When betrayel and death are your companions you tend to have a different outlook on life and this book really goes with that. Really loved this one. Can't wait for the sequel. Or anything else Tiffany Wang writes.

A solid and promising YA fantasy debut. I love morally grey characters so Teia was pretty much written for me if I'm being honest. Pacing got a little off track in the latter quarter, but overall it was a great read. 4.5

I loved it!!! I loved the whole setting of it, the magic elements, the world building and the characters. Teia is such a fierce and badass lead, I fell for her from the start and then the tension between her and Tobias left me wanting so much more. The whole heist thing was also very thrilling, and the end left me hanging. I can't wait for the next book, as I need all the characters to gather again.

Inferno’s Heir by Tiffany Wang is a fast-paced fantasy adventure that delves deep into themes of power, rebellion, and moral ambiguity. At its heart, the novel follows Teia, a morally grey, powerful protagonist who straddles the line between hero and anti-hero, reminiscent of characters like Jude from The Cruel Prince. As a disenchanted princess caught between her corrupt family and the rebels known as the Dawnbreakers, Teia’s journey is a gripping tale of loyalty, betrayal, and survival.

One of the strongest elements of Inferno’s Heir is its richly diverse cast of characters. Teia’s half-brother Jura, a villain with a twisted sense of amusement, and the cunning rebels seeking to dismantle Teia’s family’s legacy, all bring depth and intrigue to the narrative. Wang’s world-building is exquisite, transporting readers to the intricate settings of Erisia and beyond. The magical system—particularly Teia’s ability to control both fire and water—adds a unique twist to the plot and highlights her internal struggle.

The novel’s pacing, however, may divide readers. While the story picks up quickly, some parts felt a bit rushed, especially in the final third of the book where events unfold at breakneck speed. Despite this, the plot twists kept me engaged, and the morally complex characters added an extra layer of tension to the story. I appreciated that the novel avoided typical romantic subplots, instead focusing on the political intrigue and Teia’s growth as a character.

Wang’s handling of themes such as found family, betrayal, and the blurred lines between right and wrong elevates Inferno’s Heir beyond a typical fantasy novel. Though Teia’s character can be divisive—some may find her unlikable at times—her motivations and internal conflicts are well fleshed out, making her a compelling lead. The heist elements, prison breaks, and court politics provide enough excitement to keep readers turning the pages.

For fans of YA fantasy, Inferno’s Heir will likely be a satisfying read, especially for those who enjoy morally ambiguous characters and intricate world-building. The novel’s twists and turns, combined with its fast-paced action and captivating protagonist, ensure it stands out in the crowded fantasy genre. I’m eager to see where Wang takes Teia and the Dawnbreakers next in the sequel.

Overall, Inferno’s Heir is a solid, enjoyable fantasy read with just enough intrigue, politics, and magic to leave readers wanting more. It’s a refreshing spin on the chosen-one narrative, offering a complex heroine who must navigate her own moral compass in a world filled with deception and power struggles. Highly recommended for fans of Tiffany Wang and lovers of fast-paced, character-driven fantasy.

🐴 4 Freaking STARS! 🐴

Well this is a story of a girl! What else it got !? EVERYTHING!!

Magic ✨
Slow burn romance ✨
Politically intrigued ✨
Heist✨
Morally gray✨

First of all, look at this amazing cover. Okay! I do have a weakness for awesome covers, that's why I decided to read this. And came across lots of great things about this one.So I picked this up. This book took my heart and crushed it like a wad of paper then tossed it in the trash. But was it worth it? Totally YES.

The author reigns the supremacy of fantasy for her debut novel ‘INFERNO HEIR’ which moves around Teia Carthan who will do anything to avoid that fate by abandoning her morals in the favour of survival. Even join the Dawnbreakers, a rebel group trying to overthrow the monarchy.

It felt like the author has listened to every cry of the fantasy reader and decided to write this perfect kind for us all. The characters are also so much better developed in the book. The side characters are brave enough here to allow the main characters to make mistakes, do the wrong things and test our ability to like them. Well, I don't know about you, but the new dimensions to their personalities, their faults and weaknesses, only served to make me like them more. The dual POV and the elevated emotions are going to be everyone’s new obsession.

This young adult fantasy can make you feel familiar in a refreshing way.

Give me some good characters and I will follow your story anywhere - and I was thrilled to meet Teia, half-sister to the murdery, soon-to-be-king Jura. Teia is morally charcoal, but she has to be, because with her parents already gone and Jura almost on the throne, she knows that her life is in severe danger.

An opportunity appears and Teia is ready to seize it and trade it for her safety, but it is not that easy. As a determined Teia realizes that this is not as clear as choice as she initially thought, there are choices to be made that will impact not just Teia but the rest of the kingdom.

I was Team Teia from the moment I met her - and I loved her journey from the first page to the last.

Maybe I go in with too high of expectations for books that get all the attention. This just didn't grab me the way I thought it might. The characters weren't developed enough for me to understand their motivations, so I didn't really care about them. With most of them hovering in the moral gray areas (and whining about it), I found myself hoping they'd all be killed off at some point. I know this is part of a larger series, so maybe once the rest of the story comes to light it will all make sense.
It is a moderately paced adventure with fun fantasy vibes. It was an enjoyable read but won't make my faves list this year.

This debut book was incredibly awesome. It's been a while since I read a true fantasy book and I was enraptured by the world of magic and political schemes I found. In addition to this, the characters were so interesting - everyone had something going for them even if it just was being plain awful (I'm looking at you, Jura). My only problem was that I got kinda lost when they talked about the different countries but I don't think I missed something important.
Thanks to Violetear Books and NetGalley for giving me this arc in exchange for an honest review.

A fun fantasy debut about Teia, an outcast half-sister of the soon-to-be king. The character development and world building are intriguing, and it is easy to get engulfed in the story, making the 400 pages breeze by.

Looking forward to reading more for this (hopefully) series and author.

I liked this! I saw some of the author’s tiktoks and became intrigued, so I’m super glad I got a chance to read this. I like an ensamble cast of characters, and this one had some greats. A morally grey protagonist is always fun, and I enjoyed the magic and political twists and turns. The end twist was a bit predictable, and I would’ve enjoyed a longer story. I think the character development could’ve been done better if there was just more to read. That being said, this was a fun YA heist/fantasy novel, and I’m hoping for a sequel. Another book could help with the character development and the world building, and the ending of this one is set up perfectly for another installment, so I’m crossing my fingers! 🤞

4/5 stars and an excellent debut for new author in the fantasy YA space!

Overall, I very much enjoyed this book. I found the characters to be complex and interesting, while still hitting on those familiar archetypes that we know and love - the shifty thief, the handsome guard, the sunshine-y idealist. I found Teia to be an interesting character, and more morally grey than we usually see in YA protagonists. The general magic system is interesting and I would like to learn more about how it is magic gets passed down and is integrated into the story. This book definitely sets up a lot more of a fantasy story going forward, as magic was not very central to this story line beyond political ramifications and minor action sequences.

I felt the pacing was a little uneven, but once things got going, they really got going. The plot was also a bit repetitive (breaking into the same prison twice?) and there were some word choices that kind of snagged on my attention in distracting ways.

I think this is a great choice for fans of The Ember in the Ashes, Defy the Night, and Graceling.

Thank you to NetGalley and Bindery Books for access to the eARC of this book!

this book was exceptionally good! Thankyou to Netgalley, the Author and the Publisher for this wonderful ARC inexchange for an honest review! RTC soon after the publication!🥰💌

“Their eyes followed her as she left, taking in every step of the Halfling Princess, the Shaylani Half-Witch.”

“This was something strange and new, the fragile weight of a friendship. Built from the barest of bones, spanning the thinnest tightrope-and yet unequivocally there nonetheless.”

I loved it !!! Wow !!! This fantasy book surprised me deeply !!! I never thought it would have turned out the way it did !!! A morally grey, heist driven, royal fire magic, young princess, halfling and bastard daughter of the king who plans on dethroning her terrible, awful, evil brother by joining the rebels. Isn’t this the premise for a very very good fantasy book? Because it truly is !!! It’s fantastic !! Our fmc Teia is the morally grey character we usually fall for and whose motives we try to understand but unlike some other characters we have already met, she stays strong and true to herself until the very end. She is badass, she is powerful and she is strong. But she is also determined to get what has been denied to her for too long. And the rebel she meets are gonna give her a new perspective on the war to come.
And when old legends and mythical powers will start playing a part in it all … Teia doesn’t know what to do, how to move or whom to trust. But I loved going through her story!!! The narrative felt so easy to get through and there was no info bombing at the beginning or in any part of the book, which I really appreciated!! That last 30 pages probably screwed me up for real but … it felt like an unexpected good surprise that left me wondering. And after that epilogue … I’m interested in more !! So much more !!!

“Teia wasn't sure when they left the Temple of Past-only that they stood there for the longest time, the Halfling Princess and the rebel boy, until the very last candle had burned down to nothing.”

“She held back a laugh.
It was the stuff that forever was made of, if only time would slow down.”

I got a copy through Netgalley, this however didn’t affect this review.

Inferno’s Heir is a political fantasy and while I usually pick up some lighter fantasy, I really did enjoy this!

We follow Teia, who’s set to mary and abusive lord on the outskirts of her kingdom, the match secured by her half-brother, the prince and heir to the throne. Teia also has been spying on everyone in the palace and learning all of their secrets to use against them.

I really liked Teia as a main character, because you never knew what to expect from her, which shows in all of her actions. The dynamics between her and the other rebels in the story are heartwarming, but also tentative, because Teia knows these friendships will have an ending.

There was a very small sub plot of romance, which I actually liked, because if it would have been a bigger part of this book, the rest wouldn’t have felt as strong as it did now. Of course, I’m eager to see how it will develop in the next book(s)

The middle part was the weakest of the book as it was a bit repetitive at times, but the beginning and ending more than made up for it.

This book started very strong for me. I was instantly hooked and thought it’d be a favorite of the year. The magic system and world are easy to understand, and different from other books I’ve read. The main plot kept my interest and the FMC’s next move had me guessing.

My biggest issues were the pacing and the length. This dragged multiple times for me. I needed to be shown more in this instances and not just told. Or it just needed to be shorter. There were several times when I thought it started to pick up, but again I felt myself wanting to just skip to the next chapter.

That being said, I enjoyed the cast of characters and wouldn’t mind getting some varied POV’s in the next one. I think the supporting characters were one of the strongest parts of the book and I’m excited to see where we go with them.

Overall this is a good debut and I’m interested to see where the next book goes. The main plot and the characters are enough to make me want to finish this duology (I think?) out.

Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for the eARC.

I wish I could do more precise ratings on GoodReads. Don't let the four stars fool you, this ended up being a 4.75-star read for me. I was immediately drawn into the story from the first page and didn't want to put this book down. It had a way of blending almost magical realism with a medieval-style world. I found that the fantasy aspects of this novel were very digestible and didn't get lost in the details while also creating a rich world for the reader to appreciate. I would definitely suggest this book to all fantasy and magical realism lovers.

An absolutely stunning debut! I thoroughly enjoyed Inferno's Heir, from start to finish. I was hooked immediately! The writing is so beautiful and every time I remembered this was the authors first novel, I was astounded all over again because it was just so GOOD!
Teia was by far my favorite. That girl is ruthless and she's not above doing whatever it takes to achieve her goals. I never knew what she was going to do next, but I didn't put anything past her! The tension between her and Tobias? I was eating it up and wanting so much more of it!
I am still distraught over that ending, and I know I am going to be anxiously waiting for the next book! Tiffany Wang burst through the gates with this novel and definitely earned a fan with me!

Inferno’s Heir is a YA fantasy with a morally gray heroine, political intrigue, and an interesting magic system.

Teia is the princess of Erisia, but her life is controlled by her sadistic half-brother, Jura, who will soon be crowned king. Able to control both fire and water, Teia is seen as an outsider and little more than a royal bargaining chip. Determined to take control of her own future, Teia sets out to find the Dawnbreakers, a group of rebels determined to overthrow the monarchy and establish a democracy. What she finds is friendship and acceptance like she’s never known. But as secrets are uncovered and a prophecy revealed, Teia must decide whether friendship is more important than a crown.

This is a great debut. The pacing was a bit uneven, but the characters stand out, and having a morally gray heroine makes for some fun twists. Teia is unique in her ability to control two elements, and Wang establishes a magic system based on familiar elemental control but with some unique distinctions. Jura is a truly sadistic villain, but I honestly wanted more from him. Wang nicely sets up a future big bad, and I’m interested to see how far he’ll go to achieve his goals. The secondary characters—Kyra, Enna, Alara, and Tobias—all have a decent level of depth, and I’m sure their stories will continue to be fleshed out in future books. I was less interested in the romance, but I’ll reserve judgement on that for now.

As far as the plot, a lot goes on but not a lot actually happens, if that makes sense. There are fun heist elements and the blackmail and secrets allow for some sneaky and complex planning,, but things go from point A to point B very quickly without feeling like we’ve really gone anywhere. There’s a lot of world-building, which is done without much info-dumping, and I’m sure the story will find its stride as the series continues.

All in all, Inferno’s Heir is a solid debut, and I’m intrigued to see where Wang takes Teia and the rest of the crew.

Inferno’s Heir is Six of Crows meets elemental magic with a dash of The Hunger Games. It has fire and water magic, political intrigue, a band of rebels, morally gray characters, and a heist or two.

I enjoyed the firebending vibes in the story. Wang doesn’t shy away from showing a brutal world, especially when it comes to Jura—and even Teia. Characters are forced to make decisions, whether they end up making the right one or not. But I also enjoyed the juxtaposition of the characters' banter alongside the darker plot.

I’m excited to see where the sequel takes us. There was an interesting bit of lore dropped near the end, and it will definitely be a major player in the next book. I’m also looking forward to getting to know the side characters better.

If you like elemental magic, political intrigue, and morally gray characters, then I recommend this one.

Inferno’s Heir is the beginning of a new fantasy series, staring Teia (the “halfling”) and her brother, Jura, who is about to be crowned king. Teia is engaged to Lord Devin Ralis (later Minister Abbott), who she does not want to marry. In order to escape her fate, she wants to identify Kyra, the symbol of the rebel group the Dawnbreakers, to receive a wish. I can tell that there will be multiple books in this series because it feels like not a lot happens in the book. The pacing is fairly slow throughout and then fast at the end, though there is plenty of foreshadowing regarding the ending. The author is definitely setting up a romance between Teia and Tobias. The book also features one of my least favorite tropes - that someone is never truly dead and characters are able to survive scenarios they shouldn’t. Overall, it’s a solid start to a new series and I would pick up the next installment.

TW: animal abuse

4/5 stars

Thank you to NetGalley and Bindery Books for providing an eARC in exchange for an honest review.

Inferno is Heir, by Tiffany's Wang is destined to be a classic! This book is so well written and the pacing is perfect throughout. The story is so full and rich with interesting characters, and I liked it so much that I actually read it twice. Grab this book!

I truly enjoyed the magic system within the book. It reminded me of the Wheel of Time in that they deploy the use of threads and weaving things into existence. However, the wheel of time has different materials for different genders and one is invisible to the other. In the Inferno's Heir, they weave the threads of heat in the air and change the rhythm of the water as they force the elements to their will. The protagonist does have some downsides as she is a little more selfish and is willing to sacrifice people to her individual needs. She betrays the ideals that she finds in the beginning of the book. She also assassinates her brother before making a play for the throne that is politically unavailable in Erisia's current set of laws. She bends politicians to her will and is a common user of blackmail.

4.5 stars. Princess Teia, supernumerary daughter of the deceased king of Erisia and his foreign second wife, dreads the coronation of her rotten half-brother Jura and relegation to chattel status through a politically expedient marriage. She plots and schemes and connives her way into the Dawnbreakers, a rebel group seeking to overturn the monarchy... but nothing is as it seems, including Teia herself.

The world of Erisia is well crafted, with enough political depth, background history, and underlying mythology to feel full while not bogging down in world-building. The strength of the story is the complexity of Teia's character, combining an altruistic belief in the responsibility of the monarch to govern well, rebellion against the seemingly inevitable roles of society, a desire for friendship and connection, and a healthy interest in self-preservation. The pacing of the plot begins slowly and steadily builds to multiple climactic moments, with multiple twists along the way.

The ending provides resolution of the immediate story, yet leaves tantalizing threads of future stories. I would gladly read more of Teia's ongoing adventures.

And special props for the eye-catching cover artwork!

Thanks to the author, Bindery Books, and NetGalley for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Immediate thoughts are just WOW and I immediately need a sequel here because I need to figure out what happens next.

This was a really masterful debut!

Princess Teia lives a precarious life. Attempting to improve her situation, Teia finds herself tuck between her ruthless half-brother (and soon to be King) and the rebel Daybreakers. As she attempts to play both sides, Teia begins to wonder if there's a better future possible for everyone.

The beginning was a little slow, but once I was in, BOY was I in. This was a really incredible story! At first, it felt like a lot of other fantasy stories weaved together but once it continued, there was a lot of really exciting and interesting aspects. I REALLY do feel like I need the second book right now because I want SO MUCH MORE. I can't wait to learn even more about the history and the magical systems in particular.

I also loved loved loved the found family aspect (which make the ending even MORE killer HOLYYYY). Alara and Enna might be some of my favourite characters ever. I'm also desperate to find out what happens with Tobias (the last words, my heart!!!)

Love love loved this and can't wait to read more from Tiffany Wang and especially from this story!

Thank you to Tiffany Wang, Bindery Books, and NetGalley for an e-ARC in exchange for an honest review.

I will admit that, at first, I had a hard time really getting into this. Especially when it felt as if the relationship between Tobias and Teia was moving too quickly. But, it took a turn for the better and I found myself totally absorbed in the plot. I absolutely adore the fact that Teia is not the perfect princess with nothing but pure intentions. She is driven by her own desires and not simply by love and friendship. I felt her struggle with her decisions even when in the end she did what I wasn’t expecting even though I was actually hoping she would. I am very excited for the next one already.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for providing me with a free e-book copy of this book in return for my honest opinion.

Overall, I think it's a good YA fantasy book. It has plot twists and heists, a hint of romance, action, scheming, and playful banter. (And a great potential for a sequel).

I went into this book with a bit of hesitation because I don't read a lot of YA anymore. But it worked for me. The book follows Teisa, who is one of my favorite parts of the book. Within the first few pages, she kills someone quite ruthlessly, and it seems her main difference from other main female characters in this category (at least the ones that I read) is that she's not perfect, she can be cruel and manipulative, and I actually found that I joyed a lot of those scenes. Another thing that I really liked about the book is her relationship with Enna, who is her thief. I found their dynamic to be fun when it wasn't intriguing because Teia usually uses Enna for scheming (and to be honest I ship them together).

This book has a plot twist around the end and a heist (more than one actually), and while I quite enjoyed most of the book, these two things did pull me in deeper and make me go through the second half quickly. In a way, some small parts of this book reminded me of Six of Crows, but in very general things and I wouldn't compare the two. However, at times when I was reading, Teia did make me think of Kaz, but they're still entirely different. They both scheme and have their pawns on the political chessboard, but something that stood out to me a lot when I tried to make connections in my head, is that Teia puts herself first and anyone else is several spots below, unlike Kaz.

For me, the parts where the book lacked a little was the side characters. I felt like there was something lacking in the characters of Kyra, Alara and Tobias. Out of the three I do like Tobias the most, but these three characters did feel a bit "classic" for a fantasy book and I was hoping they would have depths that would add something unique to them, like I felt with Teia. But maybe it's just me, and I think that if Inferno's Heir will have a sequel, it would be interesting to explore these characters a bit more and maybe I'll end up feeling more connected to them.

On this note, I really hope this book will have a sequel and I'm going to keep an eye out for more books by Tiffany Wang in general.

4⭐️- This ia a YA fantasy, morally grey FMC, unique magic system, rebel uprising, slow burn//zero spice romance. Inferno’s Heir follows Teia Carthan as she navigates her older half-brother, Jura, as he ascends the throne. The Carthan line is made of fire welder’s, because TEia’s mother was from a neighboring empire, she has the ability to not only wield fire, but water as well. Jura requests Teia infiltrate the Danbreakers, a rebellian organization who has a fire weirder themselves. While Teia agrees to infiltrate the Dawnbreakers, she has ulterior motives herself for the infiltration. The last 20% will have you on the edge of your seat! It is released on October 15, 2024!!

To preface, I'm incredibly picky with my books; I'm a hater against my will and I tend to scrutinize what I read to the last detail. That being said, I really liked Inferno's Heir. The writing was gorgeous and easy to absorb, and the worldbuilding was wonderfully dispersed throughout the novel to avoid info-dumping expositions or long stretches of fantasy jargon. I thought the plot was thought out incredibly well; the narrative built upon itself in a satisfying way where all details were important and referred back to appropriately. And of, course, the characters carried the story. I really felt for Teia and didn't think she fell into the "edgy badass snarky main character who's way cooler than all of the normies" trap that many stories of the same genre do. I could feel the humanity beneath her exterior.

I generally enjoyed the pacing--it wasn't too slow or too fast until the last quarter, where I feel like there was a pretty major tonal shift and the pacing picked up pretty quickly. However, I feel like that didn't take away from the other sections of the book and I still enjoyed it the whole way through.

What a debut!!

4.5⭐

Inferno's Heir by Tiffany Wang is Wang's YA debut novel published by Bindery Books.

Thank you NetGalley and Bindery Books for this e-ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Inferno's Heir follows Teia, the Halfling sister of the Crown Prince Jura --- her half-brother from whom she intends to usurp the throne to end his reign of cruelty.

Wang has put all her effort in this debut from the unique lore, world-building, diversity and characters.

Teia is thoroughly a morally grey character, whose means of reaching her goal is performed through questionable means. She's smart, inside and out with her priorities before anyone and anything else.

The first chapter had me hooked and I wanted to read but I was in a slump which made me drag my way through. I loved the adventure and the bonds that formed and how each character has a distinct personality, from Jura to Alara, everyone was different in their own ways.

I felt the last few pages were rushed too much. Some things in the ending had more say than show. Other than that, I think we can expect a sequel for the book.

The writing style of the book was clear and cohesive. Nothing was exaggerated and everything --- including the foreshadowing was clear and subtle.

Overall, I enjoyed reading about Teia and her little group pulling the heist and making difficult choices to reach her goal in the end.

I want to thank the author and netgalley for this ARC.
This book exceeded all my expectations. The story was fascinating and de FMC amazing. I loved the plot and magic-system. I enjoyed it very much.

Thank you NetGalley and Bindery Books for giving me early access to this book! All opinions are my own.

I absolutely loved Inferno’s Heir! I feel like it took the typical tropes of fantasy and spun them in such a unique way. And that twist at the end! My jaw literally dropped. If you’re a fan of fantasy, definitely pick this up! 4.5⭐️

“‘We’re Carthans,’ Teia’s father said. ‘And Carthans have never been afraid of fire.’”

From the opening line I liked this book! What an incredible debut.

Princess Teia is an outcast within her own kingdom, and is willing to do anything to maintain some control over her own life. Her half-brother and soon to be king, Jura, rules with terror and an iron fist. Teia joins the underground rebels with her own plans of betraying them to Jura to guarantee her safety. However, upon working with the rebels, the lines between enemy and friend become blurred, and everyone involved has their own motivations and plans for the rebellion and kingdom.

I loved this so much; I laughed, I cried, I was angry, I was anxious, this book took me through it all. I really enjoyed the political intrigue, there are plots within plots. The world building was seamless, consistent and easy to understand. I felt connected to the main cast of characters, and had a sense of understanding for their ambitions and desires.
Teia is interesting as a main character; she’s morally grey and ruthless in getting what she needs, but her circumstances are difficult, and I understand her actions. The story raises lots of questions about morality. Where do we draw the line in pursuit of change? How many people are we willing to sacrifice to keep ourselves and our loved ones safe? How far are we willing to go for vengeance and for power?

“She learned that every person had a breaking point, no matter how well hidden it might be. And if Teia needed to hit that spot with a mallet, if she had to shatter someone completely to get what she needed, then so be it.”

The witty prose and inner musings of Teia had me cackling the whole way through. The dark humour and sarcasm was great. The friendship and found family was beautiful. I also loved the sprinkle of romance too, it helped break up the largely political plot.

I came into this thinking it was a standalone, but that surely can’t be the end of the journey? If there is going to be a book 2 (I sincerely hope so), I will most definitely be reading it. I’m not ready to say goodbye to Teia and co.

Thank you Netgalley and Bindery Books for this ARC.

I received this e-ARC from Netgalley, and the review I'm leaving here is voluntary 😊

Now that that's out of the way: what a book! I've become a regular reader of YA/NA books over the last year or so, as I have students who read this age range, and I like to be able to recommend stuff to them. This, wholeheartedly, will be a recommendation.

Ms. Wang weaves an expert fantasy full of intrigued, politicking, rebellion, and subterfuge alongside a strong cast and a wonderful protagonist. Teia's strain with her cruel half-brother, her concerns about being shipped away or killed, and her interactions with the Dawnbreakers had me utterly captivated throughout the novel.

However, what truly drew me in was when Teia's plans shifted, and when she realized that maybe, just maybe, she could dethrone her venomous sibling.....

A wonderful read and an author I'll certainly be looking out for more from.

Wow, where to start. Inferno's Heir was such a fun read. I really liked the concept of the story, including the magic only being welded by the royal family. I loved Jura as a villan, he was perfect, the right about of sadistic and evil. And I really enjoyed Teia as our MC and her battle with what to do throughout the book. Enna was also another fund character that I liked. I will say Kyra for me... I understand why she was that way, but she was so annoying. And I liked the light chemistry between Teia and Tobias, it didn't feel rushed or forced and I like that we're left waiting to see what happens next and to see if their situationship is savable.

The ending through me off a little, but I did assume once she started having thoughts of the throne that she would try and make it happen. The ending was a little too fast paced, especially compared with the rest of the book. It felt a little rushed, but I still liked how the story ended.

Inferno's Heir was easy to read, I literally binged most of it in one day. It was different and not your typical fantasy style novel. I actually liked that it was very light on the romance, it worked for this story.