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A review by nadiamasood
Heir by Sabaa Tahir
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
hopeful
mysterious
reflective
sad
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
I can't believe it ended like that! Tahir, you brilliant, cruel master storyteller— that cliffhanger was absolute torture. I need the sequel right now!
This review comes from someone who read (and LOVED) An Ember in the Ashes series three years ago. Heir is set 20 years after the events of Ember, so the world, magic system, and some characters felt like a natural extension, allowing me to slip back into the story effortlessly.
Heir is just as dark (if not darker!) and had me on the edge of my seat, leaving me breathless and desperate for the sequel. Tahir's writing is as sharp, evocative, and immersive as ever, pulling you in and refusing to let go. It's rare for YA fantasy books to have this kind of effect on me!
With three alternating POVs, I can imagine that it can be a little tricky for some readers to keep track of the plot and everyone’s backstories. But I think Tahir does a fantastic job of tying all the stories together.
Oh, and there was this moment while reading the book where I seriously started to wonder if everything was happening simultaneously (if you’ve read it, you know what I mean!). But once the twist was unraveled, everything clicked into place! I was momentarily confused but later thought the storytelling was actually pretty impressive.
One of the things I truly admire about Tahir is how she crafts her villains. In her books, evil is never just black and white; it’s layered and often tragic. In Heir, she raises the intriguing question of how far someone will go to protect their people. She explores the dangerous paths people take when they’re after quick, bloody revenge and how easy it is to lose yourself in the chase for greed. And let’s not forget the deep desperation that comes from wanting a better life!
Though romance isn’t the main focus of the plot, love is a significant theme that runs through the story—encompassing familial bonds, found families, friendship, and romantic relationships. I think the romances (yes, there are multiple!) are beautifully crafted. Expect lots of longing, a bit of spice, and maybe even a dash of heartbreak!
The pacing is relentless, keeping you on the edge of your seat from start to finish. And that cliffhanger ending? Absolutely devastating! It left me heartbroken and desperate for more, a testament to Tahir's ability to craft a truly immersive story.
This review comes from someone who read (and LOVED) An Ember in the Ashes series three years ago. Heir is set 20 years after the events of Ember, so the world, magic system, and some characters felt like a natural extension, allowing me to slip back into the story effortlessly.
Heir is just as dark (if not darker!) and had me on the edge of my seat, leaving me breathless and desperate for the sequel. Tahir's writing is as sharp, evocative, and immersive as ever, pulling you in and refusing to let go. It's rare for YA fantasy books to have this kind of effect on me!
With three alternating POVs, I can imagine that it can be a little tricky for some readers to keep track of the plot and everyone’s backstories. But I think Tahir does a fantastic job of tying all the stories together.
Oh, and there was this moment while reading the book where I seriously started to wonder if everything was happening simultaneously (if you’ve read it, you know what I mean!). But once the twist was unraveled, everything clicked into place! I was momentarily confused but later thought the storytelling was actually pretty impressive.
One of the things I truly admire about Tahir is how she crafts her villains. In her books, evil is never just black and white; it’s layered and often tragic. In Heir, she raises the intriguing question of how far someone will go to protect their people. She explores the dangerous paths people take when they’re after quick, bloody revenge and how easy it is to lose yourself in the chase for greed. And let’s not forget the deep desperation that comes from wanting a better life!
Though romance isn’t the main focus of the plot, love is a significant theme that runs through the story—encompassing familial bonds, found families, friendship, and romantic relationships. I think the romances (yes, there are multiple!) are beautifully crafted. Expect lots of longing, a bit of spice, and maybe even a dash of heartbreak!
The pacing is relentless, keeping you on the edge of your seat from start to finish. And that cliffhanger ending? Absolutely devastating! It left me heartbroken and desperate for more, a testament to Tahir's ability to craft a truly immersive story.
If you're looking for a character-driven story that will grip you from the first page and not let go until the very end, Heir is a must-read. It's dark, it's intense, and it's everything a fan of epic fantasy could hope for!
Content Warning: