The Heirs of Eldsavero: Book One

by Zeinab Shehata

The broken heir and the golden favourite. An unspoken love. Elemental powers. And a choice that could reshape destiny itself.

Eirik has always lived in the shadow of his brother, Aurelius, the crown prince of the Eldsavero clan.

Aurelius has everything: the clan’s reverence, mastery over elemental combat…and the girl Eirik has always loved.

No matter how hard he fights, Eirik is never enough. Not for his father. Not for her. Not even for himself.

But when a shadowed figure with ties to the clan’s past offers him power, truth, and recognition, Eirik is drawn into a dangerous alliance that could change everything.

Will he rise above the darkness, or be consumed by it?

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
"Zeinab Shehata’s storytelling is rich and vivid — every page pulls you deeper into the lore and the emotional struggles of her characters. The balance between action, world-building, and heartfelt moments is beautifully done, making it impossible to put down." — Goodreads reviewer

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
“I enjoyed this book, and I think it's a great way to kickoff a series. Eirik struggles with love, power, and temptation as he makes choices, both good and bad, based on tension and emotion. He's a morally complex hero dealing with high stakes. I don't want to spoil the novel for anyone, but definitely give it a read!” — Goodreads reviewer

Perfect for fans of morally grey antiheroes, elemental powers, forbidden love, and character-driven fantasy.

Genres: Fantasy

449 pages, Kindle Edition

Published August 12, 2025

About the author

Hi, I’m Zeinab, author of The Heirs of Eldsavero.

It's an epic fantasy series filled with elemental powers, sibling rivalry, political intrigue, forbidden love, and deliciously slow-burn dynamics.

📖 Book One is available now, and Book Two, The Dawn of Eldsavero, is available for pre-order, due for release in March 2026.

I’m currently deep in the writing cave for Book Three (please send snacks).

Please follow me on Instagram @thezeebadee for more updates, or alternatively, you can join my mailing list (https://zeinabs-newsletter-fd40f6.bee...).

💌 I’m recruiting ARC readers for The Dawn of Eldsavero: Book Two! If you’ve read Book One and would like early access to Book Two for FREE, please message me here, join my mailing list, or just send me an email on zeinabshehata1291991@gmail.com.

Thanks for stopping by. If you’ve read one of my books, I’d truly love to hear your thoughts in a review or message. 🖤

Reviews

[Tara Kanaan · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Heirs of Eldsavero is a captivating fantasy debut that instantly draws you into a world filled with magic, mystery, and destiny. Zeinab Shehata’s storytelling is rich and vivid — every page pulls you deeper into the lore and the emotional struggles of her characters. The balance between action, world-building, and heartfelt moments is beautifully done, making it impossible to put down.

What truly stood out to me was the depth of the writing — it’s not just fantasy for the sake of adventure, but a powerful story about legacy, courage, and self-discovery. The characters feel real, their choices meaningful, and the pacing keeps you hooked till the very end.

If you love immersive worlds, intricate magic systems, and stories that leave you craving book two, The Heirs of Eldsavero is an absolute must-read!

[Amanda Ocilka · Rating 3 out of 5]

Thank you for choosing me as a recipient of your giveaway!

I'm going to be completely honest. For most of the book, I had no idea what was going on. There was so much dysfunction that it was not even funny. Erik was overwhelmed and overlooked. His brother tried to help, but he just made it worse. None of these people communicated, which just made me so mad. Erik's dad was honestly such a POS. Erik was just trying to get them to understand him, and they just flat out refused to. Overall, it was a good book. The constant POV changes were confusing, but once you got past that, all the characters were well developed. I just feel so bad for Erik, though. He was just trying to please everyone, and no one recognized that. He literally came back from his mission injured, and his dad was like, "Oh, so you failed. I hate you. " Like, what the absolute freak?

[Fatima Shehata · Rating 5 out of 5]

Absolute page turning fantasy drama and mystery!

I really enjoyed this book- I actually completed it in one day. The pages basically turned themselves. The story of two brothers, set against a backdrop of family obligations, intertribal conflict and discrimination and intergenerational trauma, it manages to discuss trauma, brotherhood, sibling rivalry, the complexities of love and attraction, while also building on a rich universe full of magic, combat and intrigue. Can’t wait to read book two and possibly book three?

[Linda · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Heirs of Eldsavero tells the story of two brothers, Eirik and Aurelius, by switching between their points of view (and a few others). In the ebook, there were not always clear markers when switching, but it was obvious quickly. The characters are not perfect, which is to be expected, but I dislike Eirik’s father. The world seems interesting, and I want to know more about it.

I plan to read the next book in the series. I would rate it 3 1/2 stars, rounding up to 4 because of the complex politics that are hinted at. I received this book for free via Goodreads.

[Erin · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Heirs of Eldsavero: Book One
I loved this book. I read it in one day I couldn't put it down. I think this was a great 1st book in the series.
I enjoyed the characters in the book. MMC's Eirik and Aurelius. Poor Eirik was overlooked so much in the book, and it made me want to root for him. I also enjoyed Katarina's parts in the story.
The plot and world building was great.
The ending though wow.... I was like wait what!
Can't wait to read book two.
I received this arc to read and leave my honest review. Thank you to the author Zeinab Shehata for allowing me to read your book.

[Kevin C · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a great fantasy debut from Zeinba. Poor Eirik has to struggle with feelings for a childhood "friend", but at the same time, live under the scrutiny of a brother who can not do anything wrong.
This story grabbed me from the start and would not let go.. at least until I found out there is a second book!!!
There is magic, broken hearts, treachery.. everything you want in a fantasy novel!! Highly recommended!!!

[Lyric Cherriot · Rating 5 out of 5]

A book to enjoy and the characters are full of depth and grit too~

Can't wait for the 2nd installment! I can't help but feel sorry of Eirik~ I really enjoyed being introduced to the world they live in and the different families, and the history behind them. Curses, magic and drama. All my favourite things!

[Sam Yaworski · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was such a captivating read. There are so many things I still want to know. I feel sorry for Eirik. I'm curious to see where the story will go. Thank you for choosing me as an ARC reader. I greatly enjoyed this book!

[R.W. · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thank you for the book giveaway.

this was not the best story never. the plot was all over the place and the pov writing made the storyline confusing. in the end I like the story and am ready the the next.

[Marilyn Formosa · Rating 4 out of 5]

The key is communication or lack thereof in this case, which resulted in this book eliciting a number of negative emotions, so be prepared. This was only possible because the story is sound, the characters well written and the emotional elements well depicted.

[Kandra · Rating 5 out of 5]

pulled me from my reading slump

The story pulled me right in and kept my interest. The characters are well developed and the world the author created is very interesting

[Haley Gochal · Rating 4 out of 5]

Writing style isn’t my favorite but the story was really intriguing! However I’m now needing to know what the next part is because this ending was not it (in a good way). Cause like what do you mean he now can manipulate lightening? I thought it was Eirik! Some parts of the story I wish we got, the meeting with Olufemi, I wanted to see who they were because of Coralia. I LOVE her!

I’m not gonna lie, Aurelius and Katarina annoyed me a lot. You’re saying you NEVER noticed Eirik was in love with you?? And Aurelius, I mean come on. You can’t see that you’re making your sibling relationship worse by engaging with your dad’s hate towards Eirik? Eirik isn’t right with being homophobic and trying to out Aurelius but also Aurelius not doing anything with Katarina for 3 months just to sleep with Samira and then get upset when Eirik sleeps with Katarina…

I really thought though that Aurelius’s ailment was actually him being the one stealing things by being taken over with the Kraftauga and then forgetting he did any of it. But then I thought maybe it Kofi, with the way he commands to basically be able to do whatever he wants. Him and his “loyal lackeys”, though the kraftauga would prove otherwise.

And don’t even get me started on King Magnus. What chapter does he die? Cause pinning family against one another is such an ick and I’m over him.

[Ava · Rating 3 out of 5]

Pretty good book although I've read better its worth a read if you're into this genre.

[Katarina D'Beers · Rating 5 out of 5]

I enjoyed this book, and I think it's a great way to kickoff a series. Eirik struggles with love, power, and temptation as he makes choices, both good and bad, based on tension and emotion. He's a morally complex hero dealing with high stakes. I don't want to spoil the novel for anyone, but definitely give it a read!

[Oops I ARC'd Again · Rating 5 out of 5]

!! OFFICIAL ARC REVIEW !!

Fierce, emotional, and impossible to put down.

The Heirs of Eldsavero: Book One by Zeinab Shehata

“Power isn’t inherited, it’s taken. And every choice has a price.”

This book hooked me from the first chapter. The Heirs of Eldsavero is one of those fantasy reads that feels familiar in all the best ways, magic, betrayal, slow-burn danger, but it still manages to surprise you when it matters most.

Eirik, the younger heir always standing in his brother’s shadow, finds himself pulled into a web of secrets, politics, and temptation that tests everything he believes about loyalty and legacy. What I loved most was how personal this story feels. It’s not just about kingdoms and crowns, it’s about identity, envy, and the cost of wanting to be seen.

The writing is clean but vivid. Zeinab Shehata balances action with emotion so well that you never feel lost in the world-building. The political tension and family drama are sharp, and the emotional stakes only get higher the deeper you read. There’s romance, yes...but it’s the slow, dangerous kind that makes you nervous in the best way.

If I had one critique, it’s that the pacing starts a little heavy on the lore, but it pays off. By the time you hit the midpoint, you’re too invested to stop. The ending? Bold, satisfying, and begging for book two.

If you love Fourth Wing, The Shadows Between Us, or A Court of Silver Flames, this one deserves a spot on your TBR. It’s morally gray, character-driven, and addictive in that “just one more chapter” kind of way.

[Mark · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great read but I'm definitely team Aurelius. Sorry Eirik!

[Simon Jones · Rating 5 out of 5]

Emotional and relatable but be warned some themes might trigger readers like panic attacks, suicide, childhood trauma and overbearing family. Ending was cliff hanger in best way so I'm waiting on book 2 yall should be a goodie 👍