Blood heir by Amélie Wen Zhao – So good!

Title: Blood heir.

Author: Amélie Wen Zhao.

Format: Audiobook.

Publisher: Delacorte Press.

Page count: 446.

Release day: November 19^th 2019.

Genre: YA, fantasy.

Rating: 4 stars.

What is it about? (Summary from GoodReads)

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 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.

Rating:
Characters: 8/10
Atmosphere: 8/10
Writing: 8/10
Plot: 8/10
Intrigue: 8/10
Logic: 7/10
Enjoyment: 8/10
Average: 7.86 (which means 4 stars!)

My thoughts:

I had heard so many mixed things about this one, which made me very curious about this story. And I’m so glad I read it, since I had a great time listening to this one! I actually flew through this audiobook, made some of my boring work at my internship way more fun!

This book grabbed my attention immediately from the start. I immediately wanted to know what was going on and how we got at this place/situation!

I really enjoyed both main characters, and I loved learning more about them and how they got were they are! I also really enjoyed seeing their relation develop. Not necessarily a romance, but it wouldn’t surprise me if it grows into a romance in the sequels. I really liked that we got both POVs! I do think I liked Ramson a little bit better then Ana, because he was so witty!

I really liked the magic system. Ana has a blood affinity, and can therefore ‘pull’ on someone’s blood and potentially kill them. There are also people with earth affinities, they can grow flowers for example. All affinities are a little bit different, and I really enjoyed seeing all the different types.

I really loved the world and the world-building in this book. But I don’t have much to say about it haah!

I really liked the plot of Ana and Ramson trying to get to the palace. There were a lot of things happening along the way, but they all felt relevant. It kept me wanting to continue a lot! I also really liked were the ending took us, makes me very excited for the sequel!

This book is an Anastasia retelling, and I heard some people say that they don’t really think it is. Personally I cannot comment on this since I’m not really familiar with Anastasia’s story.

I hope this was a helpful review, and that you will pick it up if you haven’t already!

Have you read this book? What did you think?