'Heir' (Heir Duology #1) by: Sabaa Tahir
I received an ARC from NetGalley In exchange for a honest review.
Rating out of 5: 🌟🌟🌟🌟.5 (4.5/5)
Release Date: October 1, 2024
Content Warnings: Child death, Violence, War, Sexual content, Grief, Torture, Death of parent, Vomit, Blood
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Prepare for a ruthless and romantic new fantasy from #1 New York Times bestselling and National Book Award winning author Sabaa Tahir that introduces a new generation of characters set in the same world as the unforgettable An Ember in the Ashes series.
An orphan.
An outcast.
A prince.
And a killer who will bring an empire to its knees.
Growing up in the Kegari slums, AIZ has seen her share of suffering. An old tragedy fuels her need for vengeance, but it is love of her people that propels her. Until one hotheaded mistake lands her in an inescapable prison, where the embers of her wrath ignite.
Banished from her people for an unforgivable crime, SIRSHA is a down-on-her-luck tracker who uses magic to trace her marks. Destitute, she agrees to hunt down a killer who has murdered children across the Martial Empire. All she has to do is carry out the job and get paid. But when a chance encounter leads to an unexpected attraction, Sirsha learns her mission might cost her far more than she’s willing to give up.
QUIL is the crown prince of the Empire and nephew of a venerated empress, but he’s loath to take the throne when his aunt steps down. As the son of a reviled emperor, he, better than anyone, understands that power corrupts. When a vicious new enemy threatens the survival of the Empire, Quil must ask himself if he can rise above his tragic lineage and be the heir his people need.
Beloved storyteller Sabaa Tahir interweaves the lives of three young people as they grapple with power, treachery, love, and the devastating consequences of unchecked greed, on a journey that may cost them their lives—and their hearts. Literally.
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I want to thank NetGalley for providing an ARC of Heir by Sabaa Tahir in exchange for an honest review.
Heir is a gripping, fast-paced novel that you won’t want to put down. The world-building is stunning, immersing you in a richly detailed and complex environment. The characters are multi-dimensional, shaped by their surroundings, and their growth is both intriguing and compelling. While I had some issues with Aiz—particularly her reckless decision-making—the book’s other characters, like Sirsha and Quil, more than made up for it. They were incredibly entertaining, bringing humor and warmth to balance Aiz’s darker tendencies. Aiz’s transformation into a villainous figure was shocking, though it felt somewhat sudden. Despite this, the book kept me hooked, and I couldn’t stop reading. That ending—what the heck was that?! All I can think about is the next book, and I will gladly devour every page of it.
While writing this review, I read other people’s thoughts, and some mentioned that it helps to read Sabaa Tahir’s An Ember in the Ashes before Heir. I agree—especially if you want to understand the more technical components of the book. However, I didn’t realize this until I was about 50% through. Personally, I think you can read Heir without the previous books, but only if you have strong reading comprehension skills. Since this is a fantasy novel with heavy world-building, the extra context would definitely help.
Aiz was a major source of frustration for me. Her actions, especially as the plot unfolded, felt increasingly out of place for someone who was supposed to be seeking help and grew up in the lower class. Her recklessness didn’t fully reflect the struggles of someone in her position, which made her character feel inconsistent. Her POVs also became dull until about 70% through the book, making it difficult to stay invested in her journey.
The relationship between Aiz and Mother Div was another issue. While I understand that Mother Div was meant to be controlling and manipulative, the lack of explanation surrounding Aiz’s mission as the "Chosen One" made the intended manipulation feel off. I get that she’s a deity, but if you need someone to fulfill a grand destiny, shouldn’t you provide more guidance than just Shut up, free my people, and do my bidding? Aiz’s descent into villainy felt abrupt, and I wish the author had provided more subtle hints earlier on—whether through the book Aiz was constantly reading or her conversations with Mother Div—to better show how she was being influenced.
Despite these frustrations, Sirsha and Quil were absolute standouts. Their interactions were funny, engaging, and provided much-needed balance to the heavier themes of the book. I loved their dynamic, and they made up for the weaker parts of the story.
Overall, I loved Heir and rated it 4.5 stars. The world-building, character depth, and emotional impact made it a fantastic read, even with some flaws in Aiz’s arc. I highly recommend it and cannot wait for the next book!
