#heir duology

[jessread-s]

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for providing me with an e-ARC in exchange for an honest review

✩🗻🪶Review:

A captivating spin-off that will make your heart pound. 

“Heir” follows Aiz (an orphan), Sirsha (an outcast), and Quil (a prince) as they grapple with the burdens of power, the treachery of love, the devastating consequences of greed, and a killer who will bring the empire to its knees. 

I loved everything about this book, which is not surprising seeing that the “An Ember in the Ashes” quartet is one of my favorite series of all time! “Heir” takes place in the same world, but 20 years later, and follows the next generation of Tahir’s most beloved characters. It warmed my heart to be able to catch up with Helene, Elias, and Laia after so long (even though their happily ever afters were tampered with by Tahir) and see new dynamics form between them and Aiz, Sirsha, and Quil. 

The characters are the driving force of this story. Aiz, Sirsha, and Quil are three-dimensional, contending with complex inner conflicts. Aiz is devoted to her faith and her people, but she lets power corrupt her humanity. After being banished from her tribe, Sirsha struggles with trusting others, something she must face head on when she discovers that she alone cannot hunt down the killer who has murdered children across the Empire. Born to a Plebeian and an Illustrian, brought into the world by a Scholar, and raised among the Tribes, Quil feels as if he belongs nowhere. What’s more, he’s loathe to inherit the throne in fear of becoming his father (the most hated emperor in the history of his people). 

I particularly enjoyed reading from Sirsha and Quil’s point-of-view because of the relationship that developed between them when fate crossed their paths. While not the focus of the book, the subtle romance made my heart flutter!

The alternating perspectives allow the reader to explore the Empire alongside the characters. Tahir builds off the fictional world she established in the “An Ember in the Ashes” quartet by seamlessly introducing new cultures, religions, peoples, and magic systems. The dual timelines also add an element of intrigue. As with her other books, Tahir doesn’t reveal all her cards at once, slowly relinquishing information the further we get into the story until the part each character plays in the larger narrative becomes clear. I’m on the edge of my seat as I wait for book 2!

Cross-posted to: Instagram | Amazon | Goodreads | StoryGraph

[clockworkbee]

The Prisoner's Throne, spoilers!

Jude and Cardan letting down their armor one piece at a time, you will always be famous and loved 🫶🏼

[naughtnixnothing]

cardan: remember murder isn't always the answer oak: murder is the question jude: and the answer is always yes

[mysteryofvampires]

Girlhood is falling in love with too many fictional characters.

[king-maven-calore]

I love you monstrous girls 💖 I love you corruption arcs 💖 I love you choosing revenge over forgiveness 💖 I love you choosing power over love 💖 I love you girls with sharp teeth finally biting down on what they want 💖

[rabid-reads]

My August Reads Ranked

1. One Dark Window by Rachel Gillig: This was by far my favorite read this month. I love this book. I love it more than I love The Folk of the Air. More than the Dark Rise series. More than Captive Prince. Because it has EVERYTHING. The plot, the magic system, the characters, the writing, all of it is as equally good as the rest. Even though at the ending there’s a twist that’s sad, I was still EXCITED to see what happens next (more hype than sad). I root for the Nightmare too. “Long live the King.” The writing is show don’t tell and I fucking LOVE IT. I FUCKING LOVE IT. I am so tired of seeing a lot of telling in story books, and all my favs serve show.

2. Bunny by Mona Awad: This wasn’t as dark as I thought it was going to be, but it won me over with the writing. It’s clever, dark and hilarious. Samantha’s dilemma with the bunnies was relatable for me, especially the first smut salon she attends. It was a fun ride, and I enjoyed this book for reasons I wasn’t expecting to. The way Awad describes feelings is spectacular.

3. The Prisoner’s Throne by Holly Black: It was good to be back in Elfhame. I liked Prisoner’s Throne more than Stolen Heir because, of course, Jude and Cardan. I thought Wren and Oak’s story was cute and I had a fun time reading it, but I’m not over Jude and Cardan yet and that’s all I want.

4. The Stolen Heir by Holly Black: At first, I was a bit put off by how Jude-like Wren was, and how Cardan-like Oak was, but I had a good time. If Black wants to go back and write scenes showcasing Jude and Cardan falling in love, I’m all for that. Would love to see the two of them snuggling by a fire.

5. On Writing: A Memoir of the Craft by Stephen King: I knew I’d like this because every time I watch King speak, he’s fun. He’s fun to listen to, he’s fun to read. He’s at his best when he’s shooting the shit. This was a good time.

6. The Picture of Dorian Gray by Oscar Wilde: I love the dialogue in this, it can be interpreted in different ways and it’s exciting to think about. I’ve never read anything as quotable as this book. I lived for every time Dorian threw himself on a couch in a fit of angst.

7. The Corsair’s Captive by Ruby Dixon: Dixon never lets me down. It’s another cozy, fun sci-fi romance with the big blue dudes. I have to read her shifter smut; it’s going to be everything.  

8. The Science of Storytelling by Will Storr: I appreciated how blunt this book was, and the information provided was interesting. If you’re looking for a book about why humans tell stories as well as scientific reasons why you should have an existential crisis. This is the one.

9. Victor by Brianna West: The most egregious offense to me was the smut. Because. How are you screwing an Angel, and it’s vanilla? No mention of where his wings are? Nothing special about his equipment? Only fucks in missionary? They could fuck in the air, but we’re going to sidestep that? Other than that the world-building wasn’t there for me, and the writing was a whole lot of telling. The adverb intense descriptions didn’t land for me, and I didn’t care about any of the characters. The fmc was annoying.

10. Haunting Adeline by H.D. Carlton: Zade is so Neil Breen coded. Like, if I found out Breen wrote this character for Carlton, it would make a lot of sense. I hate this book. I don’t know why I do this to myself.  

The books I'm most stoked to read in September are: Monstrilio by Gerardo Samano Cordova, Emily Wilde's Encyclopaedia of Faeries by Heather Fawcett and Two Twisted Crowns by Rachel Gillig.

[thejudeduarte]

Oak third wheeling Tiernan x Hyacinthe be like:

[romajuliettemai]

The Prisoner’s Throne Waterstones/B&N Exclusive Edition

credits to @letmeliveinelfhame for the pictures! Inevitably grateful for this or I never would’ve been able to read it, so thank you!! not enough people are talking about the facts that:

Holly Black stated that Jude has a lot more story in her…

She’s currently developing new characters for Faerie

[nerves-nebula]

Love how plot relevant tiernan & hyacinths gay pining is. It’s nice to see not just gay characters but gay characters where you couldn’t remove their gay shit from the story even if you wanted to

Also just a big fan on how this duology follows up the world building set up by the first books. And as ever Maddoc is infinitely charming to me

[melodysbookhaven]

“You fall in love with the ease of someone slipping into a bath,” she tells him. “And I imagine you extricate yourself with somewhat more drama, but no less ease.”

Holly Black, The Prisoner’s Throne

[stromuprisahat]

Siege and Storm- Chapter 22 (Leigh Bardugo)

Either the Darkling took time to wipe them all out- doubtful, since we'd be certainly informed several times during listing of his crimes and transgressions against the heroes-, or I can't see a reason for KoS succession crisis. It's not as if Nikolai couldn't take a ward to prepare for military career or high position on some ministry, and in case of need to possibly take over from him. Hell, the representative roles in monarchy don't fall merely on the main line!

Either he's stupid, or he doesn't really want to rule, no matter what he says. Succession should be among the first issues to tackle. It doesn't cost him much, and it gives his rule credibility, proving he has clear plans for the future.

Fear of the unknown and uncertainty are the death of new regimes. Especially if there's no raw force to back it up.

[ao-ihinata]

Me seeing a post that says " the Prisoners throne Spoilers " : OMG it's finally Oak/Wren related

Post was actually just jurdan :

Me : incoherent screaming

[clockworkbee]

When they propose marriage, and that's the response they get. My beloved boys 😭🤌🏼

—The Wicked King, chapter 29

—The Prisoner's Throne, chapter 12

[mima795]

FINALLY got the book 😭😭

Man if the synopsis is like this then what’s the actual book like 😭😭 I’m too scared to read enejdjejdjwisi

Also if you read the first book and you DONT like wren ?? Literally what is WRONG with you she’s literally my sweet baby angel (I’ve seen so many people on TikTok shitting on her ??? kindly F off 💓)

[mysteryofvampires]

My type? Blond, blue eyed scandinavian boys with problems!!!

[nattiboo3]

Finished reading The Prisoner's Throne by Holly Black. 5 ⭐️, my favourite book of the entire series, loved it sm.

Spoilers below: (cw for disturbing eyes imagery)

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OMG WREN GOT WINGS AAHDDGDHHFJGJGJJGJGJJGJFJJJFJFHHFJJFJFF

Now she really is like the wren bird, this is soo fucking cool. Also, magical girl transformations are literally one of my favourite tropes.

Wren really was like:

✨️✨️Eeeenchaaaantiiiix, ooOoooOooOohhhh, ENCHANTIX✨️✨️ 🤣🤣🤣🤣

But also, in reality:

Bex

Wren

✨️Be not afraid✨️

*although honestly, if I witnessed Wren's flesh ripping and a winged creature emerging from it, I would be screaming in horror too, so Bex I feel you 💀💀💀*