Heir by Sabaa Tahir, the first book in a new series, is set 20 years after An Ember in the Ashes and revisits its universe with an intense, character-driven plot. The story follows Aiz, an orphan motivated by vengeance, Sirsha, a banished tracker on a mission to hunt down a child killer, and Quil, a reluctant crown prince burdened by his family’s dark legacy. Each character’s perspective is essential to understanding the full story, especially Sirsha and Quil, whose chapters shine with well-paced tension and strong development.

The book is fast-paced, with graphic scenes that add intensity and moments that might call for a pause. Tahir weaves in familiar Ember characters in supporting roles, adding depth to this world, though prior knowledge of the Ember series is helpful to fully grasp the backstory and references. While some twists were anticipated, others arrived unexpectedly, keeping the narrative engaging. Aiz’s storyline felt a bit predictable, though it added necessary context.

Ending on a cliffhanger, Heir is both satisfying and leaves readers eager for more. If you enjoy high fantasy and character-focused storytelling, this novel is a worthy follow-up to Ember and a gripping start to a new adventure.

Really enjoyed being back in this world again, and getting to see some of my favourite characters from ember in the ashes.

I really like the bond that all these characters had with each other and will continue with this story as I am interested in seeing how this story develops.

I am a big fan of the Ember in the Ash series and I was so excited to read another book from this amazing author! And even better - Heir is set in the same world as Ember in the Ash and we even get to meet some of the original characters again and not just as a funny easter egg but as secondary characters.

It's hard for me to judge this book and don't compare it to the original series, but I think it's overall a little bit slower. The story takes a bit more time to unfold, but when it does - you better hold on to your seats and make yourself ready for a whole world of heartbreak and pain. And I loved every second of those emotions. There are some authors in the world that will give you serious trust issues, but yet you can't stay away - Sabaa tahir is one of them.

Get a tissue ready for this action packed, emotional Romantasy and dive into this multilayered and complex story - you won't regret it.

From my read, i understood, Saba knows how to play with her readers, loves to keep them on edge. As i haven’t read any of her other books, i don't know if this world is related to any of her other books, but yummmm!!!sorry, i just couldn’t find any other word to describe it. Though it did seemed a bit confusing at 1st, (i blame me) it all came together slowly.
I was really excited to get this arc and it was worth it!

I have strongly mixed feelings and will preface this by saying that I have read Sabaa’s earlier books (An Ember in the Ashes). I loved the first two books but DNFed the third of that series. That didn’t stop me from wanting to pick this book up, and I had high expectations. Sabaa delivered.

I found myself mildly confused at times, what with difficult character/location names to remember (hell, Quil’s name?!?) but once I was over the initial hurdle this was an excellent read.

I think this is my favourite of Sabaa’s books. It had a depth and complexity that felt older than Ember. Characters were excellent, even if I initially struggled to keep up.

The language used was beautiful though out the story, with great dialogue and really descriptive scene setting. World building was good too, but I was very confused at the beginning.. hence the 4 stars.

After the triumph that is the Ember in the Ashes quartet, Sabaa Tahir returns to the lush world with the first installment in a new duology, full of electrifying tension, intrigue, and twists and turns. Told from multiple POVs, it is a fantastic addition to the incredible world Tahir has created, and will be much loved by her fans.
Thank you to Little, Brown Book Group UK , Atom, and NetGalley for providing me with an eARC. All opinions are my own.

This is one incredible book! It has taken me on such a wild ride and I'm obsessed with it. The three different narratives, the conflict and deception, the heartbreak, power struggles... everything. There are surprises woven into the story and plenty of 'oh no' moments, and I loved how Sabaa Tahir has woven together three distinct stories into one plot and interwoven the characters so beautifully. There are breadcrumbs throughout the book leading you to answers and as I understood more and more I didn't know how to react - I think I was screaming on the inside! The writing is fantastic, and the complexity of this story such a credit to Sabaa Tahir's writing. I could have kept reading and reading but all good things must come to an end and it's certainly left me wanting more. I can't wait to pick up with Aiz, Sirsha, and Quil when the next book comes out. These are three incredibly interesting characters with intricate backstories which brought plenty of intrigue and a rollercoaster of emotions. This book takes you on a physical and an emotional journey and I'm totally here for it - thank you Sabaa Tahir for crafting this gem of a book!

I received a free copy of this book. All views are my own.

what a phenomenal book. Sabaa Tahir has such a way with words. She strings them together like magic and we, the readers, are left enchanted. I have been in a reading slump for a whole year and this book really did the final tug to pull me out of it. I fell in love with the characters just as much as I loved Laia and Elias!
Quil and Sirsha now have my heart <3 everything was just perfect and I need book 2 now!!!

“Tell me a dream, little love.”

When I requested this book, I actually didn’t realise it was set in the An Ember in the Ashes universe. But the rich worldbuilding felt like coming homing home, with even more geographical intricacies and political intrigue than I remembered. Set twenty years after the events of its predecessor series, Heir follows the journey to stop a dangerous killer slaughtering young people across the land. When the unrest causes war to break out, future Emperor Quil must team up with Sirsha, the tracker hired to hunt the killer down, to bring peace to his land. However, as we see flashbacks of Aiz, Quil’s past love, and her quest to bring freedom to her own people, we discover that not all is as it seems…

At times, I did find the main characters somewhat difficult to connect with, which made it difficult for me to wholly root for the main relationship. The fake marriage trope is always a great one, but after the initial delicious tension, some of the spark fizzled out for me. The only character I was completely, utterly invested in was one I probably shouldn’t have been. But what do you expect when you write an unwitting villain so heartbreakingly well?

“Sometimes the power of a story is greater than anything else”

This book is truly phenomenal, Sabaa has outdone herself & this book has become my favourite read this year.

This is set 20 years after the events of the Ember series but with a new cast of MCs. We get 3 PoVs, Quil, Aiz & Sirsha.

How do I describe the sheer number of emotions I felt reading Heir. From the excitement of reading a new book by Sabaa to the trepidation & stress of knowing this book with destroy me. (It did)

I loved meeting the new characters, Quil & Sirsha quickly became my favourites but Aiz’s story was so mysterious & complex.
They all had such interesting character arcs especially when their paths collided. They were all such compelling characters that i was eager to know more about all of them.
I loved that each had their own story which compelled them to act but they also had an interwoven story that made them part of the overarching plot.

The story itself was so well written & I was hooked. I loved how Sabaa expanded on the world we know from the Ember books but also showed us the results of all that was sacrificed & fought for in the Ember books.
We get a pretty significant plot twist half way through & I audibly gasped as the pieces started coming together & I had to actually close the book & sit with it for a moment.
And the way Sabaa built the tension to that explosive ending was just pure perfection!

There was also some amazing side characters including one from the Ember books that I loved seeing, who also had their own arcs & character development.
If anything happens to Sufiyan I will be ready to fight.

I also absolutely adored, kicking my feet, giggling, whenever we get any mentions of Laia, Elias & Helene but also dread because I was scared Sabaa would hurt them some more & they’ve been through enough!

The love I have for this book, I need you all to go read it. You will not be disappointed!

Heir by Sabaa Tahir is an absolute ride from start to finish. Rating it a 4.5/5 feels right because it's nearly perfect, just missing that final push into absolute perfection. The world-building is so immersive, especially since it's set in the same universe as *An Ember in the Ashes*. Even though it’s a new story with new characters, there are familiar elements that tie it all together. You don’t need to have read the original series to enjoy this one, but it definitely adds an extra layer of depth if you have.

The multiple povs are all handled so well. Each character brings something different to the table, and their arcs intertwine in a way that keeps you hooked. Aiz’s raw need for vengeance, Sirsha’s conflicted mission, and Quil’s reluctance to step into power all play off one another beautifully.

There are some twists you might see coming, but the journey there is still exciting. Plus, the emotional stakes are high, and the ending left me eager for the next book. It’s one of those reads where you're so invested in what happens next that putting it down feels impossible.

Sabaa Tahir has this talent for blending action, magic, and personal struggle, and Heir is no exception. The pacing is solid, the stakes are high, and the nods to the original series feel like a treat for longtime fans without alienating new readers. The ending definitely sets up the next installment with a cliffhanger that has me waiting on edge.

Returning to the world of the sensational An Ember in the Ashes series, Sabaa Tahir is back with a new adventure full of action, mystery and tension. I'm so intrigued to see where this new story will take this world.

I loved returning to the world of An Ember in the Ashes. This had plenty of nods to beloved characters as well as a new cast that worked wonderfully. I think you can read Heir without having read the original series, although of course having read it is a plus and will give you extra context and a better understanding of the universe and the magic system. I don't typically love multiple POVs but here it was done masterfully and helped me keep the same interest in all the characters while also enjoying how their stories intertwined. Some developments I had seen coming, but I'm still very excited to read the next book.

Sabaa Tahir delivers again with this intriguing and masterfully-told fantasy tale.

Her three key protagonists are well-drawn and surprisingly relatable in terms of the feelings they experience with regard to the challenges that they each face.

This one will be a big hit with her fans, and is likely to help expand her fan base. A must-read for fantasy book readers.

Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for an ARC of this book!

An orphan.
An outcast.
A prince.
And a killer who will bring an empire to its knees.

Heir is set in the same world as An Ember in the Ashes - this story takes place 20 years after AEITA and while it's not required to read AEITA, it will only help understand the world better and there's some spoilers in this one for AEITA if you haven't finished that one yet.

We follow “the second generation” of sorts, including Helene’s nephew and Laia and Elias’ son, this is a twisty and gripping, dual timeline story of fighting for your people and your family, no matter the cost.

Sabaa Tahir truly knows how to play with your emotions and she holds nothing back when it comes to keeping you in the edge of your seat. Heir is a perfect mix between character and plot driven, the story is a little slow at the start but picks up pace fairly quickly , with a power-hungry deity, a misguided outcast, and the best of the best found families.

I loved seeing the world established in AEITA expanded and the lore of the various cultures and beliefs woven into more intricate tapestries. It was like sliding right back into comfort being in this world, of course that is until all hell breaks loose lol. Quil is such a great MMC and honestly rivaling Elias as ultimate book boyfriend in this series - maybe. I mean. And Sirsha is such an amazing bad ass FMC.

Thanks to the author, publisher, and NetGalley for the ARC.

Welk Sabaa Tahir did it once again, she created a masterpiece! Heir takes us back to the world of An Ember in the Ashes, and we do meet some characters from the previous series, but we are also introduced to a delightful group of new protagonists. I especially liked Aiz and her journey - even though I guessed how it would turn, I still was entraped. Definite recommendation!

Oops, I've done it again! Fresh from reading Sarah Pinborough's Tales from the Kingdoms, or at least what I've read of it, out of sequence I've done similar with Sabaa Tahir. Oh, I have actually read most of the Ember Quartet, and in order, but hadn't read the final volume before starting Heir. Did I regret it? I initially thought I'd missed something, but it turns out I hadn't.

Twenty years after the Ember Quartet and the Martial Empire is faced with new threats both within and without. Heir largely focuses on a new group of characters including heir apparent of the Martial Empire Quil, outcast Jaduna tracker Sirsha and Kegari guttersnipe Aiz whose stories intertwine in a tale that expands the world and the magic system we were introduced to in An Ember in the Ashes and it's sequels.

Not read the previous books? Don't worry, Sabaa Tahir gives you just enough information about the events and characters, some of whom pop up in Heir, that you don't struggle to follow the narrative.

Thanks to NetGalley, Atom and the author for an advance copy.

This was a very interesting read. To be able to follow new characters within the same world of An Ember in the Ashes. Being able to follow family relatives in this book from the previous series was amazing. And with the fact that it was also multiple PoV which made the story very interesting and gripping. Each of the PoVs were very interesting characters from the very start. Especially with Quil’s pov, I was very interested and invested into his side of the story as he had to go through a lot within the book, externally and internally. Alongside Aiz and Sirsha who was also very intriguing and the challenges in which they had to face was gripping. And with how the story developed with the plot of the book was amazing. There were many twists and turns which occurred that I didn’t expect. As it came to the ending of the story I definitely did t expect it. And especially with how it has ended, I am looking forward to another book following these characters.

A fantastical new read that follows several different characters as they navigate famine, revolution, war, death, love, revenge, evil, and a host of different issue's they are each facing in their ever changing world. A reluctant prince, a poor girl with aspirations of leading her people, the banished tracker who has no idea what she is really tracking, and a few small cameos by others tell the story from different times and perspectives. It's woven together perfectly and leaves me very much wanting to read more from this new world, it's characters and the evil that may just devour them all before it's over.

I am someone who is intensely sceptical of continuations of previously finished series - more often than not the author has put out a different book that hasn't done so well and all of a sudden they decide that they 'aren't done telling the story in this world' and they feel like 'xyz character isn't finished yet'. I hate it. So when Heir was announced I was tempering my expectations. I love the original series so much that I desperately hoped this wasn't a cash grab and I'm so relieved to say that Heir was exceptional.

The new characters (many of whom are the children of our beloved main characters form the original series) stand on their own, with fantastic character development. The dialogue was engaging and the relationships - both platonic and romantic - were rich and heartwarming. With continuations, I often find myself longing to be back in the heads of the main characters from the previous series but all these new characters are just as loveable as Laia and Elias and Helene.

Another female villain! Our antagonist, who I shan't name to avoid spoilers, was appropriately flawed but began in a really grounded and reasonable place in terms of motivations. I thought that certain reveals in terms of timelines were fantastically done. This book is all about the danger of religious fervour, the way that people's faith can be manipulated. Everything in regards to this subject matter, I loved.

I can't wait for everyone to read this spectacular book. 5 stars.