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Heir Duology #2
Empire
A crumbling empire
An ancient evil.
A lost homeland.
A lie that could destroy the world.
In the crumbling Martial Empire, crown prince Quil Aquilla and his Aunt Helene are losing a battle against the vicious Kegari horde. Quil's armies dwindle, his faith falters, and the woman he loves vanished months ago, leaving him broken-hearted. 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 fights 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, number one New York Times and Sunday Times bestselling author Sabaa Tahir returns to the expansive world of fury and vengeance of Heir, weaving a story of legacy and rebellion, of loyalty and freedom, and of what it means to confront the monsters that lurk within us all.
An ancient evil.
A lost homeland.
A lie that could destroy the world.
In the crumbling Martial Empire, crown prince Quil Aquilla and his Aunt Helene are losing a battle against the vicious Kegari horde. Quil's armies dwindle, his faith falters, and the woman he loves vanished months ago, leaving him broken-hearted. 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 fights 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, number one New York Times and Sunday Times bestselling author Sabaa Tahir returns to the expansive world of fury and vengeance of Heir, weaving a story of legacy and rebellion, of loyalty and freedom, and of what it means to confront the monsters that lurk within us all.
520 pages, Kindle Edition
First published September 22, 2026
About the author
Sabaa Tahir
23 books38k followers**My apologies if I don't respond to emails or friend requests right away! Come find me on Twitter or Instagram @sabaatahir, or on my web site: www.sabaatahir.com
Sabaa Tahir grew up in California’s Mojave Desert at her family’s 18-room motel. There, she spent her time devouring fantasy novels, raiding her brother’s comic book stash and playing guitar badly. She began writing An Ember in the Ashes while working nights as a newspaper editor. She likes thunderous indie rock, garish socks and all things nerd. Sabaa currently lives in the San Francisco Bay Area with her family.
Sabaa Tahir grew up in California’s Mojave Desert at her family’s 18-room motel. There, she spent her time devouring fantasy novels, raiding her brother’s comic book stash and playing guitar badly. She began writing An Ember in the Ashes while working nights as a newspaper editor. She likes thunderous indie rock, garish socks and all things nerd. Sabaa currently lives in the San Francisco Bay Area with her family.
Ratings & Reviews
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 106 reviews
Want to Read
April 29, 2026ㅤ ᯓ ᯽ pre-release ࿐ ࿔*:･ﾟ
I DIDN'T EVEN REALISE WE FINALLY HAVE A RELEASE DATE FOR THIS.
It feels like i have been waiting for ages 🫠
I DIDN'T EVEN REALISE WE FINALLY HAVE A RELEASE DATE FOR THIS.
It feels like i have been waiting for ages 🫠
Want to Read
August 3, 2026✎ᝰ.┊ pre-read: I read the sneak peek and honestly wish I didn’t. Went from one cliffhanger straight into another and now I have to wait until SEPTEMBER to know what happens. Why do I do this to myself 😫
September 18, 2026
i will be in mourning until further notice, please do not contact me
Currently Reading
March 30, 2026my poor baby Sirsha will be going trough it in this one it seems...
Want to Read
March 12, 20263/12/2026: WE HAVE A COVER! WE HAVE A TITLE!! I have been waiting for FOREVER!! No one bother me on September 22nd...and probably for a week after knowing the heartache that will inevitably follow. Calling off school and everything. Ack, I am so excited!!!!! When can we start seeing multiple editions, Sabaa? I need them all. *book dragon smirk*
Want to Read
March 13, 2026sending prayers up hoping that damage to hel will be minimal because my queen has already been through it sabaa she doesn't need any more pleaseeee
Want to Read
March 12, 2026mrs. tahir please be kind to my favorite girl helene 😔
Want to Read
March 13, 2026I’M SOOO EXCITED. Finally the next Sabaa Tahir book!!!!
September 14, 2026
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ | 5 stars
Perfect. Gutwrenching. Brilliant.
Very few people can make me feel the depth of emotion that Sabaa Tahir can, and this book had me weeping from both heartbreak and joy. I love these characters like they're my own family, and I despised the villain with a ferocity very few characters have ever elicited from me.
As with all Sabaa Tahir novels, the worldbuilding is phenomenal, the plot is surprising and devastating, and the character work is BEAUTIFUL.
This is the most bittersweet conclusion not just to the Heir Duology, but also to the whole world of An Ember in the Ashes. I couldn't have hoped for a more flawless end to one of my fave duologies (and fantasy worlds) of all time.
I will be screaming about how much I love this duology and forcing everyone I know to read it for all my days.
A million thank-yous to Penguin Teen for the advance copy!! All opinions are my own.
Perfect. Gutwrenching. Brilliant.
Very few people can make me feel the depth of emotion that Sabaa Tahir can, and this book had me weeping from both heartbreak and joy. I love these characters like they're my own family, and I despised the villain with a ferocity very few characters have ever elicited from me.
As with all Sabaa Tahir novels, the worldbuilding is phenomenal, the plot is surprising and devastating, and the character work is BEAUTIFUL.
This is the most bittersweet conclusion not just to the Heir Duology, but also to the whole world of An Ember in the Ashes. I couldn't have hoped for a more flawless end to one of my fave duologies (and fantasy worlds) of all time.
I will be screaming about how much I love this duology and forcing everyone I know to read it for all my days.
A million thank-yous to Penguin Teen for the advance copy!! All opinions are my own.
Want to Read
July 28, 2026Thank you to Putnam and NetGalley for the little Sneak Peek...
What do you mean that's all we get?! Sabaa Tahir, thank you so much for this sneak peek and also... How DARE YOU!
After that first chapter alone, my heart is already torn out of my chest. (Sorry, I had to.)
After only four chapters, you leave us on the worst cliffhanger imaginable!! I swear, Ms. Tahir takes classes on how to torture her readers. I NEED the rest of the book!
What do you mean that's all we get?! Sabaa Tahir, thank you so much for this sneak peek and also... How DARE YOU!
After that first chapter alone, my heart is already torn out of my chest. (Sorry, I had to.)
After only four chapters, you leave us on the worst cliffhanger imaginable!! I swear, Ms. Tahir takes classes on how to torture her readers. I NEED the rest of the book!
Review of advance copy received from Publisher
Thank you so much to Penguin Teen for providing me with an ARC in exchange for an honest review!
Here lies Ayushi. Cause of death: the epilogue in Empire by Sabaa Tahir.
I genuinely can’t believe this duology has come to a close. Empire not only feels like the conclusion to Quil, Sirsha, and Aiz’s story, but also the conclusion to the entire An Ember in the Ashes universe, and I think this thought is making it even more emotional for me. I read the majority of the series before even joining BookTok/Bookstagram, and I feel so bereft without more books in this universe in my future. 😭
Speaking to Empire specifically without spoiling any plot points: I think all Heir and Ember fans will love the direction the story goes in Empire. I personally really enjoyed the closer look at some new characters that we didn’t get too much of in Heir. The inner struggles that each character goes through in addition to saving their people from a malevolent entity (you know, light work) and how they overcome these struggles with the help of their friends and wisdom of their family feels so true to a Sabaa Tahir book. The comedic and romantic moments with some of my favorite characters also had me giggling and screaming!
One funny part about reading this book is that because I've read 6+ books by Sabaa Tahir at this point, I'm super familiar with her storytelling and the direction she takes her plots. Because of this, I was able to pick up on a lot of plot points before they happened, LOL. However, it wasn't funny when the sad plot points you predict will happen end up being true. 😀 As you probably know, no Sabaa Tahir book is safe from devastation. I lost count of the number of times I sobbed reading this book. I need to go back and think about how Empire ranks on the pain scale compared to the rest of the Ember books.
A last note as I wrap this review up: I wanted to add that Empire’s release marks such an incredible feat. A six-book international bestselling series with SWANA characters written by a Pakistani and Muslim author discussing so many important themes like the generational impacts of war, imperialism, and colonization. This series is arguably one of the best epic fantasy series to exist in our lifetime, and I urge every fantasy reader to pick it up if you haven’t already (especially before Empire releases next week!)
Follow me on TikTok | Instagram | Twitter for more book reviews & recommendations!
Here lies Ayushi. Cause of death: the epilogue in Empire by Sabaa Tahir.
I genuinely can’t believe this duology has come to a close. Empire not only feels like the conclusion to Quil, Sirsha, and Aiz’s story, but also the conclusion to the entire An Ember in the Ashes universe, and I think this thought is making it even more emotional for me. I read the majority of the series before even joining BookTok/Bookstagram, and I feel so bereft without more books in this universe in my future. 😭
Speaking to Empire specifically without spoiling any plot points: I think all Heir and Ember fans will love the direction the story goes in Empire. I personally really enjoyed the closer look at some new characters that we didn’t get too much of in Heir. The inner struggles that each character goes through in addition to saving their people from a malevolent entity (you know, light work) and how they overcome these struggles with the help of their friends and wisdom of their family feels so true to a Sabaa Tahir book. The comedic and romantic moments with some of my favorite characters also had me giggling and screaming!
One funny part about reading this book is that because I've read 6+ books by Sabaa Tahir at this point, I'm super familiar with her storytelling and the direction she takes her plots. Because of this, I was able to pick up on a lot of plot points before they happened, LOL. However, it wasn't funny when the sad plot points you predict will happen end up being true. 😀 As you probably know, no Sabaa Tahir book is safe from devastation. I lost count of the number of times I sobbed reading this book. I need to go back and think about how Empire ranks on the pain scale compared to the rest of the Ember books.
A last note as I wrap this review up: I wanted to add that Empire’s release marks such an incredible feat. A six-book international bestselling series with SWANA characters written by a Pakistani and Muslim author discussing so many important themes like the generational impacts of war, imperialism, and colonization. This series is arguably one of the best epic fantasy series to exist in our lifetime, and I urge every fantasy reader to pick it up if you haven’t already (especially before Empire releases next week!)
Follow me on TikTok | Instagram | Twitter for more book reviews & recommendations!
Want to Read
March 13, 2026I want it and i want to see my Helene getting her overdue happiness
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
This is book 2 and the conclusion to this story.brilliant characters, full of adventures twists and turns..great writing..enjoyable read.enjoyed this book more than the first.i am more into crime reads as i won one of her books on goodreads I'm addicted...I am looking forward to reading more of her books.
September 12, 2026
SCREAMING. CRYING. 🥹
Want to Read
April 12, 2026I need this book more than air
September 10, 2026
Infinite stars. No notes. I finished this morning at 2 am with tears streaming down my face. This conclusion was everything!! Such a beautiful wrap up! Full of all the usual heartbreaking, gut wrenching moments, but Sabaa has a gift of mending you back together!
At one point I was on a plane bawling hard enough that the guy sitting next to me asked if I was ok! 😂 I don’t know why I read the most heartbreaking parts of stories 30,000 ft in the air! 😂 I also had tears the very first chapter so….yep, good luck!
500 pages felt like nothing as I flew through this book. There are multiple POVs but I didn’t find it hard at all to follow or connect with characters. I think Sabaa had laid foundations beforehand that it just continues to build.
I feel completely honored to have received an ARC from the Queen herself! So thank you Sabaa, Karin and Chelsea!
Everyone read this. And then tell your friends to read it too. Enjoy the journey!! I promise you won’t be disappointed!!
At one point I was on a plane bawling hard enough that the guy sitting next to me asked if I was ok! 😂 I don’t know why I read the most heartbreaking parts of stories 30,000 ft in the air! 😂 I also had tears the very first chapter so….yep, good luck!
500 pages felt like nothing as I flew through this book. There are multiple POVs but I didn’t find it hard at all to follow or connect with characters. I think Sabaa had laid foundations beforehand that it just continues to build.
I feel completely honored to have received an ARC from the Queen herself! So thank you Sabaa, Karin and Chelsea!
Everyone read this. And then tell your friends to read it too. Enjoy the journey!! I promise you won’t be disappointed!!
August 23, 2026
CRYING!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
September 1, 2026
Thank you to Atom for sending me a digital ARC of this book!
This was one of my most anticipated reads this year and I was so excited when Atom emailed me to offer me a digital ARC. I also braced myself for pain because, well, it’s Sabaa Tahir!
I appreciate the little note at the beginning of the book that summed up the events of the first book which was a great help when getting back into the world.
Just like in the first book, Sabaa continues to expand upon the world she created in An Ember in the Ashes. There’s some more lore here, and a bit more worldbuilding. We see familiar characters that we met in the Ember books and in Heir.
I don’t want to give too much away but this book is packed with Sabaa’s emotional writing. There are moments where I genuinely couldn’t work out the upcoming fate of some characters. The author does not hold back anything in her writing and it’s perfect.
I absolutely loved my time spent in this universe. Seeing old characters and new, getting new POVs, the cat!! This book had me hooked because I couldn’t stop reading to find out what happens to these characters. There is one chapter in particular where I definitely got emotional and teary-eyed.
With the ending of the book, I don’t know if Sabaa Tahir will continue to write in this world or if that’s the official ending of these books. But I will continue to love these books dearly and I can’t wait to see what the author writes next.
This was one of my most anticipated reads this year and I was so excited when Atom emailed me to offer me a digital ARC. I also braced myself for pain because, well, it’s Sabaa Tahir!
I appreciate the little note at the beginning of the book that summed up the events of the first book which was a great help when getting back into the world.
Just like in the first book, Sabaa continues to expand upon the world she created in An Ember in the Ashes. There’s some more lore here, and a bit more worldbuilding. We see familiar characters that we met in the Ember books and in Heir.
I don’t want to give too much away but this book is packed with Sabaa’s emotional writing. There are moments where I genuinely couldn’t work out the upcoming fate of some characters. The author does not hold back anything in her writing and it’s perfect.
I absolutely loved my time spent in this universe. Seeing old characters and new, getting new POVs, the cat!! This book had me hooked because I couldn’t stop reading to find out what happens to these characters. There is one chapter in particular where I definitely got emotional and teary-eyed.
With the ending of the book, I don’t know if Sabaa Tahir will continue to write in this world or if that’s the official ending of these books. But I will continue to love these books dearly and I can’t wait to see what the author writes next.
Review of advance copy received from Edelweiss+
Thank you to Putnam’s Sons for the eARC for my early review. I am struggling with words for this book. It was even better than Heir and I didn’t think that could be topped. The multi-povs really shone in this book and I loved getting to be inside the characters’ heads. The twists and turns of Heir kept me engaged for the entire book and I devoured it but Empire was a new level of inhalation. The ending was so beautiful and it was perfect. I wasn’t expecting it which was such a nice surprise.
Great for fans of fast paced stories and unique world building. Also prepare for emotional devastation because this is Sabaa Tahir we’re talking about and you will be hurt.
Great for fans of fast paced stories and unique world building. Also prepare for emotional devastation because this is Sabaa Tahir we’re talking about and you will be hurt.
Want to Read
May 21, 2026Cant wait to start reading it! Loved the first one! Hope Helen gets her happy ever after.
September 13, 2026
This review is for Empire by Sabaa Tahir which releases in the UK on the 22nd September! Thanks so much to Netgalley and Atom for giving me an eArc copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.
I loved the first in this duology, as well as Sabaa’s other series (An Ember in the Ashes) so I was super excited to get sent this by the publisher. It is one of my most anticipated reads for the year, and it lived up to every expectation I had for it, and more.
First of all I have to say I loved that the author/publisher put a recap of the other book in the beginning of this book. It was so helpful, especially when you don’t want to re-read the first book, and I think we need to see this more often across fantasy series especially. It was super easy to read and the twists and turns had me on the edge of my seat, it was an emotional rollercoaster throughout and had me both laughing and crying like a baby. Sabaa’s writing is just so emotional, it really brings something special to her books where you can really relate to the characters and what they’re feeling at that exact time.
The characters were one of my favourite parts, especially Quil and Sirsha, although I did have a little soft spot for Karinna. I loved the chemistry between her and Cero, especially as they truly were more like enemies when they first met. I also loved being able to see the older characters like Elias and Helene.
There was a lot more world building and character development in this one as well, adding a lot more context and information to the world we’ve already seen. Some of the plot twists were so unexpected and devastating (IYKYK) and the epilogue will have you in tears (good tears hopefully). This book has me hooked and I’m actually a little sad that this duology is now done, although there were a few hints at a spinoff series (pls, I need more Cero and Karinna).
I can’t wait to see what comes next, and I would absolutely recommend this to any fantasy readers out there!
I loved the first in this duology, as well as Sabaa’s other series (An Ember in the Ashes) so I was super excited to get sent this by the publisher. It is one of my most anticipated reads for the year, and it lived up to every expectation I had for it, and more.
First of all I have to say I loved that the author/publisher put a recap of the other book in the beginning of this book. It was so helpful, especially when you don’t want to re-read the first book, and I think we need to see this more often across fantasy series especially. It was super easy to read and the twists and turns had me on the edge of my seat, it was an emotional rollercoaster throughout and had me both laughing and crying like a baby. Sabaa’s writing is just so emotional, it really brings something special to her books where you can really relate to the characters and what they’re feeling at that exact time.
The characters were one of my favourite parts, especially Quil and Sirsha, although I did have a little soft spot for Karinna. I loved the chemistry between her and Cero, especially as they truly were more like enemies when they first met. I also loved being able to see the older characters like Elias and Helene.
There was a lot more world building and character development in this one as well, adding a lot more context and information to the world we’ve already seen. Some of the plot twists were so unexpected and devastating (IYKYK) and the epilogue will have you in tears (good tears hopefully). This book has me hooked and I’m actually a little sad that this duology is now done, although there were a few hints at a spinoff series (pls, I need more Cero and Karinna).
I can’t wait to see what comes next, and I would absolutely recommend this to any fantasy readers out there!
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Thank you NetGalley and the publisher for an e-ARC in exchange for my honest review.
4.25 stars.
First off: can we please normalise having a recap of the previous book in a sequel? I am so, so appreciative of one being included as a prologue in this book because I had definitely forgotten a few details from book one!
I also want to preface this review by saying I have not yet finished the Ember in the Ashes quartet - and hadn't even read the first book when I read Heir! So I went in with zero emotional attachment or knowledge of these characters. And I do think that has influenced my enjoyment of this duology.
I did like this book, and Heir. I found the entire expansive world endlessly interesting, love the diversity of the cast of characters and the rich cultures and traditions of the different peoples. One thing I believe the author is fantastic at doing is developing complex, multi-layered characters you really enjoy reading about, and I think in this duology she's delivered that on every level. The emotional connection to the characters that you can build while reading along ensures maximum devastation when things ultimately go wrong.
No spoilers here, especially for those yet to read Heir, but I hugely recommend this duology if you absolutely loved the Ember in the Ashes quartet and want more from the world. I also think you should read the quartet first for maximum enjoyment. If I went in with the extra context this would easily be a five-star read.
4.25 stars.
First off: can we please normalise having a recap of the previous book in a sequel? I am so, so appreciative of one being included as a prologue in this book because I had definitely forgotten a few details from book one!
I also want to preface this review by saying I have not yet finished the Ember in the Ashes quartet - and hadn't even read the first book when I read Heir! So I went in with zero emotional attachment or knowledge of these characters. And I do think that has influenced my enjoyment of this duology.
I did like this book, and Heir. I found the entire expansive world endlessly interesting, love the diversity of the cast of characters and the rich cultures and traditions of the different peoples. One thing I believe the author is fantastic at doing is developing complex, multi-layered characters you really enjoy reading about, and I think in this duology she's delivered that on every level. The emotional connection to the characters that you can build while reading along ensures maximum devastation when things ultimately go wrong.
No spoilers here, especially for those yet to read Heir, but I hugely recommend this duology if you absolutely loved the Ember in the Ashes quartet and want more from the world. I also think you should read the quartet first for maximum enjoyment. If I went in with the extra context this would easily be a five-star read.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
“Aiz is a monster (...). And I am too. But we were both made by this world.”
Holly f*ck!
This book was pure chaos, in the best possible way. Every page, every sentence was here for a reason, making the end of this duology HUGE, and I loved every page of it. Nothing is superfluous here, and I know that I’ll need a reread (or two, or three) to catch all the nuances placed here, interlock all the pieces of the puzzle, and embrace the “bigger picture” brilliantly painted by this author.
The story is an emotional rollercoaster, and spare NOTHING to the reader. It’s brutal in every possible way, deep, and incredibly human —in what Humanity has best… and worst. Empire will make your heart shatter into a million pieces, but as it’s not enough the author will also crush it under her shoes. And you’ll ask for more. The writing is as beautiful as usual, with some great “punchlines” (I don’t like that word but I couldn’t find anything better), and, of course give us a lot of food for thoughts, about war, and beliefs, and how we inherit them from our parents and predecessors, how it shapes us and makes it difficult to live another life, even though we would want to.
The end, my friends, was unbelievable… but is it, truly?
Thank you to Atom for the free access to the eARC on NetGalley. All opinions are my own.
Holly f*ck!
This book was pure chaos, in the best possible way. Every page, every sentence was here for a reason, making the end of this duology HUGE, and I loved every page of it. Nothing is superfluous here, and I know that I’ll need a reread (or two, or three) to catch all the nuances placed here, interlock all the pieces of the puzzle, and embrace the “bigger picture” brilliantly painted by this author.
The story is an emotional rollercoaster, and spare NOTHING to the reader. It’s brutal in every possible way, deep, and incredibly human —in what Humanity has best… and worst. Empire will make your heart shatter into a million pieces, but as it’s not enough the author will also crush it under her shoes. And you’ll ask for more. The writing is as beautiful as usual, with some great “punchlines” (I don’t like that word but I couldn’t find anything better), and, of course give us a lot of food for thoughts, about war, and beliefs, and how we inherit them from our parents and predecessors, how it shapes us and makes it difficult to live another life, even though we would want to.
The end, my friends, was unbelievable… but is it, truly?
Thank you to Atom for the free access to the eARC on NetGalley. All opinions are my own.
September 4, 2026
Advanced copy provided by the publisher via Edelweiss
Nobody — absolutely nobody — does it like Sabaa Tahir. Somehow, she has managed an ending as exciting, intricately plotted, and perfectly executed as the ending of A Sky Beyond the Storm but in half as many books. I cannot believe how she keeps expanding the world and deepening the story in this universe (but always in a way that feels natural to the world/story and never forced or maximalist).
I’m assuming this review is mainly for people who have already read Heir, so I won’t dwell too much on the premise. After a quick opening chapter that has more of a prologue feel — which LITERALLY HAD ME SCREAMING ALL ALONE IN MY HOUSE (!!!!!!!!) — this one picks up shortly after Heir left off, with Quil/Suf/Aurelia in one corner of the continent, Sirsha in another, and Aiz and Cero in yet another. My heart broke for Quil and Sirsha to be separated, and let me tell you, as we have all come to expect from Sabaa, that was only the beginning of my heartbreak. Everybody goes THROUGH IT, and she has more than one twist left up her sleeve.
But HOLY SMOKES was it worth it, because when I finished this book at midnight (when I usually go to bed at 9:30), I laid there speechless. No spoilers, but the way she ties the central conflict of this duology back to the central conflict of the Ember quartet (we are all characters in one great story, after all!!) blew me away.
I am devastated that this duology is complete and can only pray Sabaa gives us more stories in this world.
Nobody — absolutely nobody — does it like Sabaa Tahir. Somehow, she has managed an ending as exciting, intricately plotted, and perfectly executed as the ending of A Sky Beyond the Storm but in half as many books. I cannot believe how she keeps expanding the world and deepening the story in this universe (but always in a way that feels natural to the world/story and never forced or maximalist).
I’m assuming this review is mainly for people who have already read Heir, so I won’t dwell too much on the premise. After a quick opening chapter that has more of a prologue feel — which LITERALLY HAD ME SCREAMING ALL ALONE IN MY HOUSE (!!!!!!!!) — this one picks up shortly after Heir left off, with Quil/Suf/Aurelia in one corner of the continent, Sirsha in another, and Aiz and Cero in yet another. My heart broke for Quil and Sirsha to be separated, and let me tell you, as we have all come to expect from Sabaa, that was only the beginning of my heartbreak. Everybody goes THROUGH IT, and she has more than one twist left up her sleeve.
But HOLY SMOKES was it worth it, because when I finished this book at midnight (when I usually go to bed at 9:30), I laid there speechless. No spoilers, but the way she ties the central conflict of this duology back to the central conflict of the Ember quartet (we are all characters in one great story, after all!!) blew me away.
I am devastated that this duology is complete and can only pray Sabaa gives us more stories in this world.
Currently Reading
July 28, 2026We got a couple chapter sneak and I am dying!!!!
Pulled back in so quick! This sneak peek proves the sequel to Heir is going to have all of us on the edge of our seats.
This teaser was just enough to get us gripped back in, reintroducing Quil, Sirsha, and Aiz throwing us back into the world and then leaving us desperate for more.
Empire is the conclusion of this duology so I am preparing myself for the rollercoaster!!!!
Thank you Penguin Young Reader Group and Sabaa Tahir for the preview of Empire!
Pulled back in so quick! This sneak peek proves the sequel to Heir is going to have all of us on the edge of our seats.
This teaser was just enough to get us gripped back in, reintroducing Quil, Sirsha, and Aiz throwing us back into the world and then leaving us desperate for more.
Empire is the conclusion of this duology so I am preparing myself for the rollercoaster!!!!
Thank you Penguin Young Reader Group and Sabaa Tahir for the preview of Empire!
July 26, 2026
Absolutely no notes. I never want to leave this world Sabaa has created. I’ll be back for a better full review, but just know, this is an emotional ride & all 500+ pages will live rent free in my head.
August 29, 2026
I’m going to need the rest of my life to process this book. I can’t stop crying. Tears of sadness or happiness? Maybe both.
Review of advance copy received from Publisher
This book took me out!!!!!! Rtc
Currently Reading
September 17, 2026Thank you Penguin, Sabaa Tahir and NetGalley for giving me the opportunity to read a sneak peek of Empire before it was released!
First of all, I loved that there was a recap. This was extremely helpful and just long enough to feel like you have a good grasp on what happened but not too long that you want to skip it.
The first 40 pages were absolutely excellent. A lot of action and multi-POV. I can't wait to read the rest!
First of all, I loved that there was a recap. This was extremely helpful and just long enough to feel like you have a good grasp on what happened but not too long that you want to skip it.
The first 40 pages were absolutely excellent. A lot of action and multi-POV. I can't wait to read the rest!
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