A falling empire.
An ancient evil.
A lost homeland.
A lie that could destroy the world.
In the crumbling Martial Empire, crown prince Quil Farrar and his aunt, Empress Helene, are losing a war against the vicious Kegari horde. Quil’s armies dwindle, his faith falters, and the woman he loves vanished months ago, leaving him brokenhearted. Torn between his duty to his people and his desire to discover Sirsha’s fate, Quil embarks on a dangerous quest for aid—from the most treacherous of allies.
Sirsha Westering finds herself tethered to Div, an ancient evil unleashed by a terrible tragedy. Div delights in tormenting Sirsha, hungering for her magical heart. Even as Sirsha struggles for control of her own fate, she is desperate to shield Quil from Div’s destructive power. But Div won’t release Sirsha without a fight. To earn her freedom, Sirsha must uncover Div’s past—and face horrors in her own.
Cero bet-Dafra, former right hand of the Kegari leader, Aiz, now finds himself pitted against her. As Aiz slips further into violence and delusion, Cero must discover if his people have any hope of a future or if they’re condemned to an unending cycle of violence. His journey will force him to confront hidden truths, ancient secrets, and a lie that could destroy the world.
In Empire, #1 New York Times bestselling author Sabaa Tahir returns to the expansive world of fury and vengeance of Heir, weaving a story of legacy and rebellion, loyalty and freedom, and what it means to confront the monsters that lurk within us all.
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.
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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.
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