Veteran THP readers will know how much we’ve been anticipating this sequel! Sabaa Tahir wraps up her Heir duology with Empire, an action-packed, heart-rending conclusion.
Set only a few months after the end of book one, Empire follows five (technically, six) points of view. We reunite with the Empire’s Crown Prince Quil, a now-bonded outcast named Sirsha, and the vengeful, self-proclaimed Tel Ilessi, Aiz. But we now also get the perspectives of a Wayfinder named Cero, a rebel named Karinna, and a boy named Ruh, who’s supposed to be dead.
As you can probably tell, these characters make for one epic duology conclusion. Here are three things we love about Empire by Sabaa Tahir!
Book Overview: Empire
Content warnings: death, death of loved ones, murder, gore, graphic violence, torture, forced captivity, hostages, burning, stabbing, vomiting, warfare, serious injury, weapons, mention of genocide and suicide (Read at your discretion!)
Summary: A falling empire.
An ancient evil.
A lost homeland.
A lie that could destroy the world.
In the crumbling Martial Empire, crown prince Quil Farrar and his aunt, Empress Helene, are losing a war against the vicious Kegari horde. Quil’s armies dwindle, his faith falters, and the woman he loves vanished months ago, leaving him brokenhearted. 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 struggles 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.
Traveling Across The Empire
For starters, Empire takes us on a whirlwind adventure alongside all its characters. And yes, we do get a map of the Empire and the Southern Isles at the beginning of the book! Stuck in a losing war against Aiz and the Kegari, Quil seeks aid from the jinn and the Jaduna, traversing dangerous lands with a small group of friends. Sirsha looks for someone who knows how to sever her bond with Div. All the while, Cero and Karinna’s mission brings them to the edge of the map in search of Old Kegar. Every character’s plan is a piece in the puzzle that would finally right wrongs and bring about a new era to the Empire.
Pockets Of Romance & Angst
Empire mixes bits of romance with a lot of angst. To us, that sounds like a recipe for an addictive read! We especially love Cero and Karinna’s reluctant alliance turned budding romance. Cero’s stable nature balances out Karinna’s fiery temper. Their star-crossed love yields an open yet hopeful ending. On the other hand, Quil and Sirsha’s bond goes through the wringer in this sequel. Sirsha tries to protect Quil from Div, cutting off contact with him as much as possible. As fate would have it, however, the two of them end up in the same place eventually…only for the angst to multiply. It hurts, but their ending more than makes up for the pain.
The Final Showdown
Lastly, we can’t have a duology conclusion without it culminating into one incredible final showdown! Empire once again weaves each character’s plotline and identity together so well. Magical portals, jinn, and Sails transport the characters to the final battle site. Div’s past also comes to light, explaining but not excusing her methods for revenge. Now, you know we won’t spoil the ending. But remember to pay extra close attention to the dreams and messages throughout the book from the boy whose death started the main conflict. Following the decisive fight, the characters find their way to their new normal. Well, most of them do.
Sabaa Tahir’s Empire concludes the Heir duology in the best way: travels beyond the edge of the map, pockets of romance, plenty of angst, and, of course, a final showdown full of twists!
Empire by Sabaa Tahir comes out September 22nd, and you can order a copy of it here!
Well, what do you think of Sabaa Tahir’s Empire? Will you be finishing this duology? Let us know over on Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram!
Want to hear some of our audiobook recommendations? Here’s the latest!
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