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Blood Heir

(Blood Heir Trilogy #1)

Amélie Wen Zhao (Goodreads Author)

3.85 · Rating details · 11,987 ratings · 2,510 reviews

In the Cyrilian Empire, Affinites are reviled. Their varied gifts to control the world around them are deemed unnatural--even dangerous. And Anastacya Mikhailov, the crown princess, is one of the most terrifying Affinites.

Ana's ability to control blood has long been kept secret, but when her father, the emperor, is murdered, she is the only suspect. Now, to save her own li ...more

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ebook, 496 pages

Published November 19th 2019 by Delacorte Press

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Start your review of Blood Heir (Blood Heir Trilogy #1)

Dec 13, 2018 Maryam Rz. marked it as to-read · review of another edition

Shelves: fantasy, young-adult, retellings

[30 Apr 2019]
Ladies and gentlemen, it's been confirmed: BLOOD HEIR WILL BE PUBLISHED! This is not a drill I repeat this is not a drill Blood Heir will be out November 19th 2019!

To the haters, I say:

According to New York Times, this is why and how Zhao finally decided to go ahead with publishing Blood Heir (if you want to know why it was cancelled, scroll down to the Jan 31 update):

[Zhao] reread her book several times, examining the plot and characters to see if the critics were right. She decide ...more

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Jan 31, 2018 Amélie Zhao added it · (Review from the author)

Update: So, the cover is live! Andddd it's time for me to hide and never come on Goodreads again! Just kidding. Sort of?

I wanted to share the Dear Reader letter that we included in the ARCs (Advanced Reader Copies) of BLOOD HEIR. It touches upon why I wrote BLOOD HEIR, and who I wrote it for.

Dear Reader,

Four years ago, I began writing a story about a corrupt empire steeped in winter, filled with morally gray con men, deadly assassins, twisted villains, and above all, a girl named Anastacya, who Update: So, the cover is live! Andddd it's time for me to hide and never come on Goodreads again! Just kidding. Sort of?

I wanted to share the Dear Reader letter that we included in the ARCs (Advanced Reader Copies) of BLOOD HEIR. It touches upon why I wrote BLOOD HEIR, and who I wrote it for.

Dear Reader,

Four years ago, I began writing a story about a corrupt empire steeped in winter, filled with morally gray con men, deadly assassins, twisted villains, and above all, a girl named Anastacya, who has the power to manipulate blood and who believes she is a monster.

It took me two years to realize that the monster in the story is me.

I am an immigrant. I am a woman of color. And I am an “Other.” In my time in the United States, I have never experienced the sense of crushing fear about my identity that I have recently. “Get out of my country, communist!” is only one of the slurs I’ve had screamed at me from across the street. What I’ve experienced personally and seen across social media outlets and national television broadcasts has all amounted to a hyperawareness of my foreignness, my Otherness, and the possibility that because I am different, I am not worthy of belonging.

Blood Heir explores the demonization of the Other and this experience of not belonging. Ana’s journey examines how one can internalize hatred and fear, how that can warp one’s core and turn it into something cruel and twisted. But ultimately, her story is one of self-acceptance, and of the realization that we cannot change who we are nor what we are born with, but we can choose what we do with what we are given. And like me, Ana chooses to fight for a better tomorrow.

So I gave magic to my girls who were told they were monsters. I gave my children of color the ability to fight oppression. Because in a world where there is so little I can control, I want to put hope and power in their hands for once—and in a world where those deemed “different” are often cast out and made to be monsters, I want them to win.

Thank you for reading.

Amélie Wen Zhao ...more

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Jan 05, 2019 Melissa ♥ Dog/Wolf Lover ♥ Martin rated it it was amazing · review of another edition

Shelves: hardback-own, fantasy-all, favorites, kindle-own, unhauled, 5-stars, own, beautiful-cover

This book was so damn good!! (If a friend has a physical copy of the arc before the author was bullied, message me, I want the original!) The book had some major sad parts in it!! 😫

I’m looking forward to the next book!!

Mel 🖤🐶🐺🐾

********RANT BELOW ABOUT THE ASSHOLES THAT GOT THOS BOOK SHUT DOWN FOR A BIT***************

UPDATE: This was not the day to get this email about my pre-order being void!! (And don’t preach on my post or you will be deleted. I’ve put up with enough bullshit in my 40+ years! ...more

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Jan 30, 2019 Mel (Epic Reading) marked it as to-read

Shelves: arc-netgalley, own-ebook

Added to post April 30, 2019
GOOD NEWS!! Zhao is publishing Blood Heir AS IS in November! http://www.nytimes.com/2019/04/29/books/amelie-wen-zhao-blood-heir.html
———————————————————————————
Added to post Jan 31, 2019
**Show your support for publication by purchasing a pre-sale copy of Blood Heir from your countries primary bookseller**
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Added to post late Jan 30, 2019
Added since author Amelie pulled her book from publishing. Added to post April 30, 2019
GOOD NEWS!! Zhao is publishing Blood Heir AS IS in November! http://www.nytimes.com/2019/04/29/books/amelie-wen-zhao-blood-heir.html
———————————————————————————
Added to post Jan 31, 2019
**Show your support for publication by purchasing a pre-sale copy of Blood Heir from your countries primary bookseller**
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Added to post late Jan 30, 2019
Added since author Amelie pulled her book from publishing...
Folks this is just mob-style bullying. The book is fantasy, not non-fiction or even historical fiction. The book might as well be banned, burned or censored. I cannot believe that some people's opinions have persuaded the writer to pull the novel. Not only that but Blood Heir was being published by Random House for goodness sake! It's not like it hasn't been edited, proofed, etc. Saying that authors can't kill off minority characters or touch on certain subject is absurd. Creativity should be about freedom of art in any form as the creator chooses. Social media is out of control and this is a sad day for publishing and free speech.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------
Posted afternoon of Jan 30, 2019
Yes I have an eARC.
Usually I don’t read books months before they are published; however, due to controversy’s I may make an exception here and read this very soon...
Three things to say in advance:
1) many people are upset that a young black girl dies in this story. Is this to say we can never have a minority killed off ever again? Cause that seems wrong.
2) The is zero, ZERO proof that the writer is screen capping or ‘listing’ reviewers who give her poor reviews. The rumour is based one on twitter post by some random chick who won’t give provide any sources. That’s not journalism folks. It’s just flat out, ridiculous rumour. Don’t accuse someone if you don’t have at least a shred of proof (and no your word is not worth crap on Twitter, sorry but it’s not)
3) The line from LOTR many have mentioned being used in this book has been used by a dozen or more fantasy or other genre books over the years. I don’t think you can claim that “don’t go where I can’t follow” is so iconic that it can never be used again... it’s a very symbolic phrase perhaps but I see no reason why this concept can’t be revisited many times over in literature.

PS: I have NOT yet read Six of Crows, so parallels to it I won’t be able to speak to even when I do read this one... ...more

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Nov 30, 2019 Alex ✰ Comets and Comments ✰ rated it it was ok · review of another edition

Shelves: fairytale-retelling, no-in-every-language-in-the-cosmos, better-late-than-never, magic, enemies-to-lovers, unlikeable-characters, what-the-actual-fuck, adventure, cliffhanger-syndrome, darker-than-my-soul

"You focused on the battle and lost sight of the war.”

description

The first three chapters were a solid 5 stars, everything after felt like reading a completely different book.
_______________

This was not it, chief.
Firstly, this review is not going to talk about or explain the controversy behind this book... If you want to know why it got pulled and then set to be re-published, there are so many great reviews and articles out there that explain the situation. All this review is going to be is j ...more

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Jan 09, 2019 Emily May added it · review of another edition

Shelves: young-adult, fantasy, 2019, arc

The author has confirmed that Blood Heir will publish November 19, 2019.

...more

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Dec 09, 2019 Nilufer Ozmekik rated it really liked it · review of another edition

Another fast pacing, mostly entertaining, dual POVed, full of action, heart throbbing, dark, debut trilogy’s first book is consumed and the first time hero between antihero kind of cunning, con-man stole the show and I loved everything about Ransom Quicktongue ( I’m not sure about his nickname, too many times it gave me hard laughs maybe I drank so much Moscato or charmed too much for expecting more memorable last name for this character) I found myself pray for reading this character’s own book Another fast pacing, mostly entertaining, dual POVed, full of action, heart throbbing, dark, debut trilogy’s first book is consumed and the first time hero between antihero kind of cunning, con-man stole the show and I loved everything about Ransom Quicktongue ( I’m not sure about his nickname, too many times it gave me hard laughs maybe I drank so much Moscato or charmed too much for expecting more memorable last name for this character) I found myself pray for reading this character’s own book, reminding me of straight version of Jack Sparrow who doesn’t apply eye-liner meets OUAT’s Captain Killian Hook (Irish charm Colin O’Donoghue) meets Rusty Ryan (Brad Pitt’s Ocean’s Eleven character because both cute boys are blond!)

The story takes place in the Cyrilian Empire where the Affinities started revealing and are considered as threat because if they don’t control their supernatural powers, they may bring massacre and bloody death to their land. And unfortunately our crown princess Anactacya Mikhailov has the most dangerous Blood Affainity which forces to hide herself behind the palace walls, living in the shadows. When her father has killed and she was convicted as his murderer, entire situation has been changed. She runs away from her dungeon and she is determined to find the killer who did this to her father and clear her name which makes her become a partners in crime with a dangerous con-man, Ransom Quicktongue (Yay, we met again!)
So get ready for the adventure and read unique, exciting, riveting retelling of Anastasia.

What I liked about this book:
Ransom. Ransom. Ransom. Ransom. Ransom. Ransom. Ransom. ( Okay, I need to stop it right now! But I’m so sure I’m all set to pay some ransom to read more adventures of this flirty con-man!)
Disturbing affainity trafficking parts, the kidnapped or forcedly taken people’s exhibitions to their buyers as if they’re cage animals are one of the heart wrenching parts of the book which is also the reflection the illegal human trafficking industry generates $150 billion in the present time!
Quick tempo, mystery and fast action parts always keep your attention alive and you want to read more, biting year nails and hands and finally entire arm.
Here is my so way too much intrigued photo when I'm reading Ransom's parts:

What I not so liked about it:
Ana is not my favorite heroine. I didn’t like her but I didn’t hate her either. Maybe she is overshadowed by Ransom and became a murderer when she was so young and left alone in the dark without knowing how to use her powers and how to relate with people. She is so temperamental, a little naïve, confused, lost but also powerful and dangerous. I think at the sequels we may witness her changing, growing so we can decide about her definite characteristic attributes.
Foreseeable, not too surprising turns and twists: Yes. You may imagine most of them but they are still okay.
I took several breaks from my reading because my mission was finding what the hell happened to me during the last mercury retrograde in Scorpio. At my breaks I resumed my reserach.

OVERALL: Ending is satisfying and I loved Ransom (I forgot to tell you, right, oh silly me!) and as a couple I loved Ana and his connection. This entertaining, fast paced story gave me delightful time, so yes I want more and I’m gonna read the other books happily and voluntarily. I hope we don’t have to wait too long. ...more

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Feb 02, 2019 MischaS_ marked it as to-read · review of another edition

Shelves: hoping-it-will-be-published

EDIT: Another November 19th 2019 publish? What's going on? However, seeing that the author most likely rewrote parts of the book... I'm a bit hesitant to read it. It almost feels like self-censoring. I'm very conflicted about this.
My hopes right now? I really need a review from someone who had a chance to read the first version.

EDIT: I made the mistake that I went back to Twitter to have a look what's new. I should not have done that. They are trying to turn this all around and make the two au EDIT: Another November 19th 2019 publish? What's going on? However, seeing that the author most likely rewrote parts of the book... I'm a bit hesitant to read it. It almost feels like self-censoring. I'm very conflicted about this.
My hopes right now? I really need a review from someone who had a chance to read the first version.

EDIT: I made the mistake that I went back to Twitter to have a look what's new. I should not have done that. They are trying to turn this all around and make the two authors who tried to destroy Zhao (you know fair competition) the victims in this! Let me tell you; they are not the victims. They started this without reading this book. (Just disclaimer: I absolutely disagree if anyone is threatening them. That is a wrong thing to do. Take the high road in this. Say why you disagree with what they did; you can get angry (I'm still angry); pledge to never read anything from them (DO NOT RATE their books without reading! Be better than that) but certainly, do not attack them.)

Original:
Let me tell you; I was excited about this book. I still am, and I hope it will be published one day. Because even if the author did some wrong in the way she wrote about certain things I would like to see it for myself and create my own opinion.

The only good outcome of this controversy is that I've spent hours reading about slavery in Asia and slavery in the 21st century. And let me tell you, we need to talk about this issue more!

I wanted to write a nice summary of why I think that the backlash against this author and her unpublished book but I cannot do it without my emotions running high.

If you want to read more, I suggest reading this review: From Mary S. R. I think it's absolutely spot on. And I could not do a better job!

Or if you would like to watch a video, I recommend this one: by Francina Simone. She did a wonderful job with that video.

And now, I have only one thing to say. Only a few people read this book, and the majority of the backlash came after people read some outtakes written in a review. Let me tell you, if you go and take only part from almost any book, you can create a controversy! You are judging it without seeing the whole picture, without reading how the author addressed those scenes. You know, maybe those scenes were the moment when the MC realised the system was wrong? Maybe not. But we do not know. And now it seems like we won't find out. ...more

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Feb 02, 2019 Nenia ✨ I yeet my books back and forth ✨ Campbell rated it really liked it

Shelves: magic-and-sparkles-and-shit, ya-ya-land, netgalley

Instagram || Twitter || Facebook || Amazon || Pinterest

It's impossible to discuss this book without addressing the controversy surrounding it. Basically, publication was delayed and digital ARCs were pulled after some preliminary readers alleged that there were passages in this book that were, according to the articles I read summarizing the issue, "anti-black." After a small but vocal minority of people decried this book-- either overtly or subtextually-- as being racist or problematic, the ...more

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Feb 02, 2019 Ian added it

Though I have no interest in the book, after the ridiculous decision to capitulate to the sanctimonious cretins of the Twitter Mob (engaged in their habitual performative outrage on the internet) I feel compelled to offer the following free advice to the author:

If you allow envious, rival authors and agents to claim for themselves the right to determine that your writing is secretly “coded” to mean what they want it to mean, rather than what you intend for it to mean, you will learn the hard way ...more

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Jan 16, 2019 Sunny ✨wordslikefury✨ rated it liked it · review of another edition

Shelves: diversity, netgalley, ya-fantasy, arc, fantasy, young-adult, magic

I was just expecting so much more...???

I'm delighted that Amélie Wen Zhao got a chance to express her feelings throughout this novel! She has defined the purpose of this novel many times to the public. She wanted to write a book that paralleled the torture of human trafficking. And quite frankly, anyone who has this much of a personal meaning to their own story deserves to tell it.

Here's the thing... Zhao's writing is not anything unique. It’s not any different from all the other YA Fantasy aut ...more

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Jan 05, 2020 MischaS_ rated it really liked it

Shelves: retelling-history, amazing-cover, retelling, wow, english, excited-for-the-next-book

The first book of 2020 and... I liked it? Even if this review may focus a bit more on the things, I did not like (why is it so much easier to write a review pointing out the things I did not enjoy that those I did?). However, I have to say that this review is very far from perfect, I had a tough time writing it, and I'm not 100% happy with the result. And in the end, I had to cut parts of it because I've run out of characters.

Okay, I liked it a lot, I enjoyed reading it, and while it's not perf ...more

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Dec 04, 2019 jessica rated it really liked it · review of another edition

i dont really have much to say or any deep thoughts about this other than, for a debut novel, this is a decent effort.

this isnt the most original novel as many key points of the plot are recycled from other YA fantasies (major grishaverse vibes). some characterisation is lacking (one vital character doesnt even show up until the very end, leaving me super confused about their motives for everything) and the writing is just okay.

yet somehow i enjoyed this. its a quick, easy read and perfect for t ...more

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Feb 16, 2019 Alaina rated it it was amazing

Shelves: 2019, retellings, 2019-arcs, sci-fi, romance, fantasy, fiction, young-adult, historical-fiction, paranormal

I have received this ARC from NetGalley in exchange for a REAL and HONEST review.

To the people who didn't give this book a chance because of other people's opinions or the ranting on twitter - shame on you. Also, fuck you because this book was so fucking good.

ALSO, tons of spoilers in this review. I didn't feel like hiding them or nothing. So read this at your own risk people.

Now I know Amelie pulled this book but since I got the ARC anyways, I wasn't going to waste this opportunity. I wanted ...more

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Feb 05, 2019 Laura Thalassa marked it as to-read

“My definition of a free society is a society where it is safe to be unpopular.”
–Adlai Stevenson

That's all I'm going to say about this one.

Be kind, y'all. <3 ...more

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Jul 06, 2019 Zainab rated it it was amazing

Shelves: favourites, retelling

Not trying to diss or anything- I actually really loved this but I read it as 'clown princess' and not 'crown princess' and I'm just-

description

Okay so about the book; it's fantastic. I genuinely enjoyed it and it's quite apparent in the fact that I read it in almost one sitting and I've got finals in less than a week.

This is the second retelling of Anastasia I've read this year and boy oh boy I'm in love with them.

I think the best part about this book was Ramson. The guy is witty and smart and I love him. ...more

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Jan 30, 2018 Cindy ✩☽♔ rated it really liked it

Shelves: netgalley, arc, fantasy

UPDATE: It has a new release date everyone!

"Your Affinity does not define you. What defines you is how you choose to wield it."

As many of you may know by now, this book has apparently been embroiled in a rather intense controversy. I say apparently because I personally have only heard of the incident through second hand sources here on Goodreads and have not in fact been following the issue on Twitter. So please understand I cannot to speak to that issue. I am just here to give my honest review ...more

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May 19, 2020 chloe rated it liked it · review of another edition

Shelves: 2020-reads, audiobooks, cover-love

blood heir had such a strong start and i became super invested in the story really quickly. i was so excited because i thought this could potentially be a 5 star read. unfortunately, as the story progressed i found it to become a little repetitive and i wasn't as invested in the story. it definitely had a lot that i loved about it (the complex characters, the affinities, the banter, etc.), but like i said, my interested dwindled as i kept reading. i will say i did switch to the audiobook at arou ...more

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Jan 17, 2019 Josh Hyung (조슈아) rated it really liked it

Shelves: physically-owned, fantasy, retellings, penguin-random-house

We are all heroes in our own eyes, and monsters in the eyes of those who are different. —Linn

This is another instance of unwarranted hate. It's sad how Twitter almost crushed the dreams of a promising author who only wanted to retell one of the dark periods in Chinese/Asian history. Overly sensitive influencers disregarded Amélie's standpoint, accusing her of Black discrimination (and plagiarism). Now that I've read the ARC and final manuscript, I feel very indignant. But I'm also glad that the We are all heroes in our own eyes, and monsters in the eyes of those who are different. —Linn

This is another instance of unwarranted hate. It's sad how Twitter almost crushed the dreams of a promising author who only wanted to retell one of the dark periods in Chinese/Asian history. Overly sensitive influencers disregarded Amélie's standpoint, accusing her of Black discrimination (and plagiarism). Now that I've read the ARC and final manuscript, I feel very indignant. But I'm also glad that the author chose to publish her book in spite of all the drama. If anything, negative publicity is still publicity.

Blood Heir is a fantastical reimagining of Anastasia. Anastacya Mikhailov is the crown princess of the Cyrilian Empire, a place where magic is feared but exploited. Because of her dark ability to control blood, Ana is forbidden to leave the palace and has a terrible childhood. One day, the emperor dies of poisoning, and Ana is the immediate suspect. Before her execution, she flees the palace dungeon and formulates a plan to clear her name. Surprisingly, the only person who can help Ana is a con man named Ramson Quicktongue. Regardless of their different objectives, the exiled princess and the notorious criminal team up and discover a shocking conspiracy.

This book was anything but anti-Black. In the ARC, the Author's Note discloses the story's inspiration: Amélie's identity conflict as a Chinese immigrant. Ana, who is constantly called a monster, signifies the demonization of the Other, which is a derogatory term that typically refers to people from the East. So from the get-go, the "monsters" in Blood Heir aren't Black. It's silly to assume otherwise just because the book was published in the USA. Did the bashers read the Author's Note? I guess not! No offense, but Blacks aren't the only ones who have a history of slavery.

As for the plagiarism issue, some parts of the ARC were indeed similar to The Hunger Games. One of the characters died, and Anna sang a nursery rhyme and buried them in lots of flowers. However, the final edition had a different version, probably just to please the haters online. Nonetheless, this doesn't mean that Amélie was guilty of plagiarism. Haven't you guys heard of the words "trope" and "cliche"? If using tropes and cliches were grounds for plagiarism, what would happen to the YA genre?

Now that I've refuted the major allegations, it's time to discuss my actual reading experience. Ironically, I buddy read this book with an influencer. But he wasn't part of the controversy; I think that he did his best to avoid it. Hahaha. I'll call him JG for anonymity's sake. JG and I read Blood Heir for almost a month, and we updated each other regularly on Instagram. It was a cathartic process because I had complaints about daddy-hating Ramson and his slow-paced backstory. Moreover, I needed someone to talk to whenever someone died. Dear Amélie, how could you be so heartless!? LOL

Ana's blood magic wasn't new to me because I was familiar with bloodbending in Avatar: the Last Airbender. However, I liked Ana's active compassion for the oppressed. When she witnessed the corruption outside the palace walls, she promised to do everything in her power to stop it. Also, Ana's facade of coldness made her vulnerability more remarkable. She genuinely loved her family even though they had failed to protect her. Finally, I loved that she never gave in to her growing feelings for Ramson; there wasn't a single kissing scene in this book! <3

JG and I had two favorite protagonists, but I can't tell you their names because neither of them survived! All I can say is that both of them were very dear to Ana. I expected their demise because a happy ending would be unrealistic. Still, it hurt to see the author confirm my suspicions. If another beloved character dies in the sequel, I might send a love letter to the author. xD

The best part of the book was its colonial discourse. As an Asian reader, I found it very relatable. If you Google "slavery in the Philippines," you'll learn that "modern slavery" (e.g., human trafficking and debt bondage) is prevalent in my nation. Many countries in Asia have the same problem, so novels that seek to address it are more than welcome. Slavery is a global dilemma, and the habit of "Othering" makes matters worse.

Blood Heir was one of the most thought-provoking books I read in 2019. It didn't always please me, but it was worth my time and money. I sincerely hope that book two will have a basher-free publication next year. ...more

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Jan 31, 2019 Brittain *Needs a Nap and a Drink* marked it as to-read

I'm more interested to read this now just because of the controversy.

There is a lot of drama in the book world and some authors should address the issues raised in their books but I am not sure that the issues raised are enough to justify pulling the book from publication.

Not everything in the world is looked at through American eyes and it seems that a vocal majority has cowed this author into submission.

EDIT: https://www.nytimes.com/2019/04/29/bo...

This will be published on November 19, 2019. ...more

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Jan 19, 2020 Lucie V. rated it really liked it · review of another edition

Shelves: fantasy, russia-inspired, retellings

✅ Russian inspired
✅ Magic/powers
✅ Action and scheming
✅ 2 POVs
✅ Pace (except for the flashbacks)
✅🆗 Plot (good, btu predictable)
✅🆗 Characters
🆗 Flashbacks
🆗 Kind of romance…

3.5 stars

Anything you want, you have to take it for yourself. And you, Kolt Pryntsessa, were chosen by the Deities to fight the battles that they cannot in this world.

After being framed for her father’s murder a year ago and barely escaping, princess Ana is desperate to find her father’s killer to get her revenge and ...more

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Feb 06, 2019 Chelsea rated it really liked it

Shelves: 4-star

Update
A newly edited version of Blood Heir is going to be published November 19th of this year. While I stand by my opinion that nothing about the message of this book needed to be changed, I'm happy that we will be provided a chance to read this story. Amelie deserves to have her book read, so look for it on shelves this Fall!

---

Curing an affinity was like trying to change the color of someone’s skin or the way someone loved.
Impossible.

Imagine this: ever since you’ve been a little kid, ...more

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Apr 25, 2021 Aliyah 🤍 rated it liked it · review of another edition

Shelves: disappointing

“Perhaps monsters never meant to hurt others, either. Perhaps monsters didn’t even know they were monsters”

Spoilers will be blocked off with 🐯🐯🐯
Buddy read with Foteini <3

Subjective grade- 70%
Plot - 75%
Writing & dialogue- 80%
Worldbuilding - 80%
Character development - 90%
Character relationships - 88%

Blood Heir follows Ana, a princess who is framed for her father, the emperors' death. On her venture to find the man who actually killed her father, she crosses paths with Ramson Quicktongue, a crimina ...more

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Nov 13, 2019 ✨faith✨trust✨pixiedust✨ rated it really liked it

Shelves: arc, net-galley, a-wizard-did-it, mc-boi, fantasy, 3rd-person, read-2020, 4-stars, reread, mc-gurl

So, I'd say there was an improvement, to say the least!

It's amazing how changing so little made the story on the whole so much better. Really, this official version had the same shape as the original, with all the same plot points and all the same destinations, but sometimes the motivation behind something was changed or the attitude surrounding it, and that made it all feel more well-rounded, more real, and more human. Issues I'd had with the original were fixed without changing much, especiall ...more

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Jan 16, 2019 h. added it

Shelves: fantasy, young-adult, retelling, yarc-2019, arc-and-arr, book-series, buddy-reads, first-in-series

// buddy read with my blogging sis <3

...more

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Oct 25, 2019 Amy Imogene Reads rated it really liked it

Shelves: read-in-2019, arcs-reviewed, ya-fantasy

4.5

Stellar world building. Super writing. A unique twist on several magic tropes.

Writing: ★★★★★
Plot: ★★★ 1/2
Main characters: ★★★ 1/2
World: ★★★★★
Pacing: ★★★ 1/2

Intricately plotted, gorgeously written, and extremely strong in character development and setting, Blood Heir is an impressive debut.

It reminds me of the joy I had when reading Leigh Bardugo for the first time—great writing surrounding a great world. In fact, there are echoes of Grishaverse in Blood Heir. The dual POVs felt like Six of ...more

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Jan 26, 2019 rin marked it as maybe

here's a concept: before you start writing "russian inspired" books that has russian names in it, spare five minutes and research russian naming conventions 🤪🤪🤪 the way you form last names is literally. in top results of google.

plot twist: russian language is gendered. a woman wouldn't have a male last name no matter how much you want her to. ...more

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Dec 17, 2019 NAT.orious reads ☾ rated it really liked it · review of another edition

4.25 bloodthirsty STARS ★★★★✩

This book is for you if… you still have hope for the ya genre or would like to see it restored to your silly little bookish heart. A slow-burn (clean) romance (or a hint at it) will be part of the deal as well.

⤐ Overall.
Didn't I tell you this would be the Illumicrate December 2019 book? Didn't I? huh?

So, in all honesty, I did not have the highest expectations diving into this book. I read a couple of mediocre and bad reviews, even, beforehand and it really ...more

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Dec 24, 2019 Lucy rated it really liked it · review of another edition

4****

"Choices were for those with privilege and power. When you had none, all you could do ws survive."

For me this book started off really strong, with an excellent beginning and middle. Ana is thought to be dead; accused of killing her father, the Emperor, she has fled from the royal palace to get revenge on the person who caused his death, and show the empire that she was framed. While doing this she comes across a member of an important crime gang that runs the underbelly of crime and the hum 4****

"Choices were for those with privilege and power. When you had none, all you could do ws survive."

For me this book started off really strong, with an excellent beginning and middle. Ana is thought to be dead; accused of killing her father, the Emperor, she has fled from the royal palace to get revenge on the person who caused his death, and show the empire that she was framed. While doing this she comes across a member of an important crime gang that runs the underbelly of crime and the human trafficking in the empire. Together they must get revenge on those who have wronged them.

In this world, some people have affinities- these are special powers. Ana has a very powerful affinity for blood which has caused fatalities in the past. Her affinity caused her father to keep her hidden from public life, so outsiders do not know the shame of having an Affinite princess. In this world, those with affinities are treated as less than human and second class citizens, and those without affinity's enslave affinites and traffic them to others in the land.

I loved the magic system in this world, especially in a world where if someone does have an ability they are seen as "less than" rather than ruling and all powerful. This book had a deep emphasis on the effects of human trafficking and the devastating consequences that happens to these people. I loved the involvement of politics and the realisation Ana has of how the world really is, the unfair treatment and disparity between who holds the power. Much of this book is Ana's realisation of her sheltered life and learning the corruption in society and how her family, as the ruling members, have influenced this.

This book focused a lot on how your choices make you, not your predisposition. It also showed the importance of hope and self-acceptance in a world that sees others like you as 'less than, exploring feelings of fear and hopelessness. In addition, I adored the wintry and Russian folklore themes in the book.

The issues of this book fell in the last 50 or so pages. There was just one bad thing happening after another which was frustrating, but also consecutive, that it had me rolling my eyes. In addition, it appears that nothing has got resolved and our characters are back at square one.
...more

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Feb 04, 2019 Mizuki marked it as to-read

Shelves: are-you-kidding-me

Pre-review

I don't care too much for this upcoming series (just in case it eventually gets published) anymore than I do with other upcoming YA fantasy series. I added this book into my To-Read List mostly for the beautiful book cover. I pressed the To-Read button, then I moved back on to continue drowning myself in Batman fanfics online (that's what I spend most of my time doing these days instead of finish reading real books).

Then just days ago I became aware of all the dramas surrounding th Pre-review

I don't care too much for this upcoming series (just in case it eventually gets published) anymore than I do with other upcoming YA fantasy series. I added this book into my To-Read List mostly for the beautiful book cover. I pressed the To-Read button, then I moved back on to continue drowning myself in Batman fanfics online (that's what I spend most of my time doing these days instead of finish reading real books).

Then just days ago I became aware of all the dramas surrounding the supposed racist problem and the treatment of black people and Russian culture within the story, to the point that author Amelie Wen Zhao decided to cancel her book.

Since hardly anyone has yet read the actual book (aside from a small group of people who got the ARC) I can only learn about the supposed racist problems from articles and stuff. And I'm dumbfounded to find the 'crimes' Ms. Zhao has been accused of committing have already been committed by so many other YA novelists in the past.

And guess what, none of those novelists have been attacked into canceling any of their damn books!

(1) Magical Negro stereotype and a black skinned girl dying to fulfill the white-shinned heroine's character development? Has any of you read Sarah J. Maas' Throne of Glass series before? Plus anyone remembers what had happened to (view spoiler) in The Hunger Games?

(2) Mistreatment of Russian culture? It's so old news! Leigh Bardugo had done it repeatedly in her fantasy series and I have barely seen anyone being grossed out by it. Plus it's not just Russian culture, I don't remember there are that many people getting turned off by Colleen Houck's awful treatment to Hindu culture and many other cultures in the past. Instead far too many readers are making excuses such as 'it's just fiction'.

So, what is the point of all the fuss and witch-hunting? I'm not saying Ms. Zhao must be wonderful and flawless, but shouldn't people be allowed to read her book first then make up their mind later? ...more

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Discuss This Book

topics	posts	views	last activity
The Procrastinato...: Blood Heir (April 2022) Buddy Read Discussion - Laura & Darcey, Leslie	38	22	Apr 16, 2022 01:06AM
❀The Never-ending...: Blood Heir- Starting April 13th	23	33	May 15, 2021 10:52PM
#DTReadAlong: Past Book: Blood Heir	8	9	Mar 24, 2021 06:28PM
YA Buddy Readers'...: Blood Heir (Blood Heir Trilogy #1) by Amélie Wen Zhao - Restarting October 25th 2020	45	233	Nov 01, 2020 05:44PM

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About Amélie Wen Zhao

Amélie Wen Zhao

1,531 followers

[Hi friends! I don't check Goodreads anymore, but you can find me on Instagram @ameliewenzhao and Twitter @ameliewenzhao.]

Amélie Wen Zhao is a Paris-born Chinese national who fell in love with stories since she was old enough to hold a book. Raised in an international community in Beijing, she had the opportunity to grow up steeped in the values and teachings of three different cultures. Romance o ...more