"Heir is a tour de force of fantasy that will leave readers breathless and boneless and aching for more." – Stephanie Garber, #1 New York Times bestselling author of Once Upon A Broken Heart
Prepare for the action-packed, ruthless, and romantic new fantasy from the #1
New York Times bestselling and National Book Award winning author Sabaa Tahir about love, legacy, and vengeance.
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.
The series
In the Heir Duology, Sabaa Tahir returns to the richly constructed world of her previous series, expanding the empire’s intricate politics and exploring new, formidable characters. Set two decades after the events of her bestselling An Ember in the Ashes quartet, the duology brings readers into a world where the cost of power is steep, and the stakes have never been higher. In the first book, Heir, the story follows Aiz, an orphan from the slums, Sirsha, a banished tracker with a mysterious connection to nature, and Quil, the reluctant prince of a fractured empire. Their fates intertwine as they navigate the delicate balance between redemption and revenge, love and betrayal.
Read full series description
The world-building is as immersive as ever, with lush descriptions of the empire’s divided territories, from the vast, untamed wilderness to the stone halls of the palace, where the weight of history is felt at every turn. With the empire on the brink of collapse, the characters’ personal journeys are woven into the larger tapestry of political intrigue and conflict. Themes of legacy, power, and identity run deep, driving each character forward as they face the consequences of choices made long before their time.
What sets Heir apart is not just the action and world-building but the exploration of human resilience. As the characters strive to protect what they love, they must confront their own inner demons and the harsh truths about the world they inhabit. The novel’s atmosphere is dark yet hopeful, with a tone that captures the complexities of trust, loyalty, and the fragility of power.
Fans of Tahir’s earlier work will find familiar faces and subtle references that deepen the connection to the Ember universe, but Heir also serves as an accessible entry point for newcomers. As the duology progresses, the consequences of the characters’ choices will reshape the future of the empire, ensuring that no one remains untouched by the fires of destiny.
The Heir Duology promises to be a captivating journey through a world of magic, danger, and moral ambiguity—a world where every decision could tip the balance toward destruction or salvation.
Be the first reviewer
Sign in and write the first reader review.
