The first book in an epic new series about a princess hiding a dark secret and the con man she must trust to clear her name for her father’s murder. In the Cyrilian Empire, Affinites are reviled. Their varied gifts to control the world around them are unnatural—dangerous. And Anastacya Mikhailov, the crown princess, has a terrifying secret. Her deadly Affinity to blood is her curse and the … curse and the reason she has lived her life hidden behind palace walls.
When Ana’s father, the emperor, is murdered, her world is shattered. Framed as his killer, Ana must flee the palace to save her life. And to clear her name, she must find her father’s murderer on her own. But the Cyrilia beyond the palace walls is far different from the one she thought she knew. Corruption rules the land, and a greater conspiracy is at work—one that threatens the very balance of her world. And there is only one person corrupt enough to help Ana get to its core: Ramson Quicktongue.
A cunning crime lord of the Cyrilian underworld, Ramson has sinister plans—though he might have met his match in Ana. Because in this story, the princess might be the most dangerous player of all.
“Cinematic storytelling at its best.”—Adrienne Young, New York Times bestselling author of Sky in the Deep and The Girl the Sea Gave Back
“Zhao shines in the fast-paced and vivid combat scenes, which lend a cinematic quality that pulls readers in.”—The New York Times Book Review
“Zhao is a master writer who weaves a powerful tale of loyalty, honor, and courage through a strong female protagonist. . . . Readers will love the fast-paced energy and plot twists in this adventure-packed story.”—SLJ
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Loved this!! I was blown away by how fantastic this was. Completely original and completely engrossing!! The characters were complicated with scars from their past and how they were treated. I cried a few times and got so stressed at others, but then I swooned many times!!!
Emily Woo Zeller has a great voice for this story. She nee to me, but I was very impressed!!
I can’t wait for book two!!!
In Blood Heir, the magical people called Affinites, are treated as bonded labor. Their magical ability makes them vulnerable to exploitation. Ana, a Cyrilian princess, and the protagonist is an Affinite herself.
Ana is accused of treason and is on the run. The story begins when she meets Ramson, a young crime lord who is in prison. With his help, she hopes to clear her name. As the story progresses, Ana has to come to terms with her power and how her ruling family has allowed this illegal trade of Affinites to flourish. Both Ana and Ramson’s backstories are revealed slowly. Feelings between Ana and Ramson change gradually throughout the story.
Good debut novel. There is world-building and magical realm that you come to expect from fantasy. Story itself is a familiar heroes journey.
Warnings: Affinites are traded like slaves in this fantasy, and the book has scenes depicting their tough lives.
Recommended for fantasy lovers. Appropriate for young adults.
A con artist and a fallen princess? Yes, please.
3.5 stars.
BLOOD HEIR, by Amelie Wen Zhao, is the first novel in a projected trilogy. I’ll start out by saying I really enjoyed her writing style. Even though I found many of the “twists” predictable, it didn’t lessen the enjoyment of the characters and the fantastic world-building experience.
“. . . the winners write history . . . ”
The themes showcased here were very “heavy”. Certain people were born with “Affinities”, or the ability to magically manipulate whatever their Affinity was for. Here, they are considered the monsters by ordinary humans, punished and often used as slaves. An ironic twist, yet very obviously a statement to our own history.
“. . . perhaps all monsters were heroes in their own eyes.”
A fallen Princess, with a blood Affinity, bands together with a con man to locate the person who murdered her father. The lives of Ana and Ramson couldn’t have been more different–one born into privilege, yet branded a “monster”, the other a nobody who worked his way up by exploiting others.
The one thing they have in common; each has the power to change the course of their futures.
“. . . It is up to us to fight our battles in this world.”
I really enjoyed the nature of the various Affinities, and even Ramson’s past, which showed why he chose his path in life. I also liked the dynamics between the characters, despite the situations that bound them together.
“. . . in this world, life is a masquerade. Everyone wears masks.”
Overall, this was a well-written novel, with a fast pace that kept my attention all throughout. Although the themes were heavier and meant to mirror events in our own past, the characters made it different enough to enjoy for its own merits.
“. . . we are all heroes in our own eyes, and monsters in the eyes of those who are different.”
My only major disappointment is that it didn’t feel–to me– to have an “ending” of its own. Rather, I feel like it ended with a mental “to be continued”. While some things were resolved, most was still left as it was in the beginning. The possibility in any series, is leaving a book feeling “unfinished” because there is more to come in the next installment. Personally, I would have preferred a more conclusive ending to THIS section of the story, while waiting for the next to be released.
Everything about this book was exciting and leaves the reader on the edge of their seat. The magic was so fun to read about. People having Affinities and what it means to have these abilities in this world was very fascinating. The world was very well done and really sweeps you away. I liked Ana and Ramson so much. Their team-up was one of distrust and deadly banter. They were smart, witty, and strong in their own way, tending to work very well together. I seriously love Ramson and all the other characters in this world.
Amelie Zhao has a written a fantastic novel and I can’t wait to see what’s in store for Ana and Ramson next.
This was SO good! After two mediocre reads to start off 2020, this was exactly what I was looking for. Intrigue, action, great world-building, sympathetic main characters, magic.
Based on the blurb, I thought we were going to start off getting to know Ana and her family before her father is murdered, and I was expecting that to be quite the bore. Instead this story picks up almost a year later…and it starts off with a bang of a prison escape and doesn’t stop. There were many twists and turns, leaving the reader guessing about who’s friend and who’s foe. And tension galore. Almost every plan our leads come up with is somehow thwarted at every turn, keeping the tension and action high. Every time I thought they were about to gain an inch, BOOM! A wrench thrown in their plans.
And I can’t not mention Ana and Ramson, who start off not liking or trusting each other, but they were exceptionally well-matched. Ana, who reacts on instinct, rashly, without thought to the consequences; and Ramson, who is the exact opposite, urging Ana to think before acting. I loved how their relationship developed and some of their banter was hysterical.
Now this isn’t a perfect novel by any means. Ana’s penchant for reacting without thinking gets annoying by the last third of the book (I mean, have you learned nothing?), there isn’t anything here that’s really new in YA fantasy, and one character–who I expect will play more of a role in future books–got her own POV chapter near the end even though it didn’t really make sense for the story. That being said, for a debut, I thought the writing was excellent, the pace flowed nicely, and the character development was well-thought out.
Highly enjoyable and looking forward to the sequel.
Wonderful characters. Looking forward to the next one!