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Heir by Sabaa Tahir Series: Heir Duology #1 Published by G.P. Putnam's Sons Books for Young Readers on October 1, 2024 Genres:YA Fantasy, Romance Pages: 512 Format: Hardback Source: Gifted
Content Warnings: Genocide, Colonialism, War, Death, Poverty, Death of a Child, Family Violence, Grief, Torture
Rating:
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.
"Grief is a strange beast. Some battle it, their souls scarred from its abuse. Some bury it, and live life waiting for it to reemerge. And some tread water, the grief a weight about their necks. Every reminder makes the weight heavier." She turned halfway, her face in profile. "You and I tread water, nephew. And I would not see you drown."
I've felt like I have been drowning these last couple of weeks since I lost a loved one, and the quote above gave me such comfort and strength. It's funny how a fictional character can speak to your soul and pull it out of the depths of Hell... I am not sure where to begin with this book review, other than to say Heir by Sabaa Tahir was just what I needed and came into my life at exactly the right time. The story, the characters, the world-building, the magic systems, the hope it inspired in me...flawless!
Heir, which takes place 20 years after Tahir's An Ember in the Ashes series, is told from multiple points of view, including but not limited to Aiz, an orphan seeking a way to save her people, Quil the soon-to-be emperor of the Empire, and Sirsha, a tracker who has been exiled by her tribe and just trying to survive in an unforgiving world. Every character, great and small, is completely fleshed out, their contributions to the story are meaningful and full of life. I loved every character, even when I disagreed with them, and felt as if they were my friends. That is a mark of an incredible writer: to suck in a reader so well they view the characters as their own found family. You feel what they feel, want what they want, and love when they love. Their anxieties, fears, hopes, and dreams become yours as you root for good to will out. I cannot wait for the second book in this duology, as I must know what happens to everyone in the end.
On top of this, the world-building and magic system are fantastic and unique. I haven't read An Ember in the Ashes, and there is no reason you have to understand the story. I am sure Tahir fully fleshed out her world in that series as well, and she continues to do it justice in this story. Not a single detail is left out, but not to the point where you are sluggishly moving through superfluous details. It's done in such a beautiful way you don't even realize you have been transported to another world. As much as I love Dickens, he had a nasty habit of over-explaining details. Tahir provides descriptions without being overly verbose.
The magic system is also unique, with some powers purportedly descending from a goddess while others seem to be innate. While a magical power might be god-given, it can also fade and eventually die out with time. I found it fascinating that a people who once had magical gifts lost these abilities over time or that an individual could lose power as they age, despite their best efforts. Some can wield the wind, while others read the stars or transfer power through stories, and others still commune with the elements to see impressions of the past. It was a lovely mix of often-used magic with elements of surprise.
On top of incredible character development, an engaging plot, a unique magic system, and masterful world-building was the non-linear timeline. I don't want to give too much away and ruin the book for anyone, so I will just leave it at that. It will keep you guessing until the very end until everything suddenly clicks into place, leaving you in awe. I knew something was up mid-way through the book, but was still left shocked at the turn of events.
My favorite aspect of Heir, however, was the commentary on oppression, poverty, and colonialism...what the poor and the downtrodden will do when times are desperate; how inequality and power imbalances hurt everyone in society and will eventually lead to its destruction; how the desire to survive and thrive can make monsters of even the best-intentioned. There were a lot of parallels between this fantastical world and what we are currently facing in the United States. What are you willing to sacrifice to save the people you love?
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