Review by Booklist Review
Tahir's new series demands your attention and never lets go. Aiz knows that the only way to protect the Kegari people is to assassinate a murderous tyrant. Magic-wielding Sirsha is on a mission to find the killer who is ripping the hearts out of children. Quil, the reluctant crown prince of the Empire, must uncover a spy and save his people after a Kegari invasion. Despite having different agendas, Aiz, Quil, and Sirsha find their paths interwoven as each one has to face their pasts and determine what and whom they're willing to sacrifice to complete their missions. Fans of Tahir's An Ember in the Ashes series will delight in this new duology. Taking place one generation after the events of her freshman series, Heir introduces new faces while furthering the stories of beloved characters from An Ember in the Ashes. Despite heavily relying on characters and landscapes from the first series, the author expertly welcomes new readers to this world and the characters' backgrounds, making this an accessible read. Tahir is an expert storyteller, and Heir is another feather in her cap. This is a book that will linger with readers long after the final pages--enjoy the ride.
From Booklist, Copyright (c) American Library Association. Used with permission.
Review by Publisher's Weekly Review
Set 20 years after the events of the Ember in the Ashes series, this propulsive, action-packed duology launch by Tahir (All My Rage) finds the world once again in danger from both human and supernatural forces. Desperate to save her people from the cruel false prophet laying claim to the throne, orphaned Kegari-born Aiz escapes prison to search for the all-powerful cleric who once led her people before disappearing. Elsewhere, Sirsha, a down-on-her-luck Jaduna tracker banished by her tribe for an unspeakable crime, is contracted to use her ability to communicate with natural elements to hunt a killer targeting children. In her pursuit, she encounters Quil, the reluctant crown prince of the Martial Empire, as he evades attacking Kegari forces and attempts to reclaim the empire's land. Tahir expertly balances a large cast of rotating narrators that incorporates new characters and fan favorites from the previous books. The stakes are higher than ever in this enrapturing spin-off series, which builds on established lore and adds layers of complexity, culminating in an expansive and brutal adventure ideal for longtime followers and newcomers alike. Characters are intersectionally diverse. Ages 14--up. Agent: Alexandra Machinist, CAA. (Oct.)
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Review by Kirkus Book Review
Three young people find their places in a world of vengeance and destiny in National Book Award winner Tahir's duology opener set in the multicultural world of her An Ember in the Ashes series. Aiz, from the impoverished nation of Kegar, seeks revenge against Tiral bet-Hiwa, an air squadron commander who, as a child, murdered Aiz's fellow orphans. Guided by a voice claiming to be Mother Div, Kegar's first queen, Aiz escapes imprisonment after her failed assassination attempt on Tiral and embarks on a journey to free Mother Div's trapped spirit. In the Martial Empire, Sirsha, a skilled tracker with magical abilities who's been banished from her homeland, is saved by a stranger who hires her to hunt an unnatural killer. Quil, the crown prince of the Martial Empire, faces an invasion by the Kegari and the lingering threat of a mysterious force responsible for recent murders, including those of two of his loved ones. As the storylines converge, Sirsha and Quil cross paths, leading to revelations about the insidious force. The story explores the blurred line between good and evil and the lengths one will go to for a better life. Tahir's deep and intricate worldbuilding requires time for readers to fully grasp. Following a slow start, the plot engages as pieces fall into place, leading up to an unexpected ending. The beautiful writing compensates for the romantic relationships, which develop quickly and somewhat inorganically. A fantasy with complex characterization that will build anticipation for the next entry.(Fantasy. 14-18) Copyright (c) Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.
Copyright (c) Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.
