38 books
—
355 voters
Goodreads helps you keep track of books you want to read.
Start by marking “Blood Heir (Blood Heir Trilogy, #1)” as Want to Read:
Blood Heir
(Blood Heir Trilogy #1)
by
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
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
Kindle Edition, 464 pages
Published
November 19th 2019
by Delacorte Press
Friend Reviews
To see what your friends thought of this book,
please sign up.
Reader Q&A
Community Reviews
Showing 1-30

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

[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
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

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 ...more
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 ...more

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

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

Jan 30, 2019
Mel (Epic Reading)
marked it as to-read
·
review of another edition
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. ...more
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. ...more

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


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

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


Update! My favorite book of the year has a new release date! 🙌🏻🙌🏻
You have no idea how disappointed I am to hear that this book will not be getting published. People need to stop getting offended over things. This is a fiction book and it was seriously my favorite so far of 2019, so I'm completely heartbroken that the author felt the need to pull her book because of bullying.
A dark retelling version of Anastasia? I'm all in! I've read one other Anastasia retelling, Heart of Iron, which was totall ...more
You have no idea how disappointed I am to hear that this book will not be getting published. People need to stop getting offended over things. This is a fiction book and it was seriously my favorite so far of 2019, so I'm completely heartbroken that the author felt the need to pull her book because of bullying.
A dark retelling version of Anastasia? I'm all in! I've read one other Anastasia retelling, Heart of Iron, which was totall ...more

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 ...more
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 ...more

Feb 02, 2019
Nenia ✨ I yeet my books back and forth ✨ Campbell
rated it
really liked it
·
review of another edition

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

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
...more

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

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
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

Though I have no interest in the book, after the ridiculous decision to capitulate to the sanctimonious Rent-A-Mob on Twitter 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 that you’ll never successfully appease these people. They will simply ...more
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 that you’ll never successfully appease these people. They will simply ...more

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
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

“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
–Adlai Stevenson
That's all I'm going to say about this one.
Be kind, y'all. <3 ...more

Feb 16, 2019
Alaina
rated it
it was amazing
·
review of another edition
Shelves:
fantasy,
2019-arcs,
sci-fi,
romance,
historical-fiction,
2019,
retellings,
contemporary,
favorites,
fiction
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

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

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
"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

Jul 06, 2019
Zainab
rated it
it was amazing
·
review of another edition
Shelves:
favourites,
retelling
full detailed review here review
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-

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 ...more
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-

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 ...more

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

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 ...more
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 ...more

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
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

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

Jan 16, 2019
lily ☁️
added it
·
review of another edition
Shelves:
fantasy,
young-adult,
book-series,
buddy-reads,
first-in-series,
arc-and-arr,
retelling,
yarc-2019
Please do not ask me for an eARC of this book to ~judge how problematic this book is for yourself~, you will not receive a favorable reply. Thank you.
Blog | Bloglovin’ | Instagram | Tumblr | Twitter ...more
// buddy read with my blogging sis <3
Blog | Bloglovin’ | Instagram | Tumblr | Twitter ...more

Nov 13, 2019
Faith M ✨
rated it
really liked it
·
review of another edition
Shelves:
arc,
net-galley,
mc-boi,
young-adult,
3rd-person,
read-2020,
reread,
fantasy,
mc-gurl,
read-2019
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
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

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
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

4.25 bloodthirsty STARS ★★★★✩
⤐ 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
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

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

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 ...more
"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 ...more

~ 4 stars ~
“Papa had once told her, after Mama’s death, that there were two types of grief. One was the type that crushed you, that broke your soul and shattered your heart, and left you an empty shell. The other was a grief that made you stronger. You rose from it, you sharpened it, and you carried it with you as a piece of your armor. And you made yourself better. In that way, you never truly lost that person. You carried them with you.”
This book follows two different characters, Ramsan an ...more
“Papa had once told her, after Mama’s death, that there were two types of grief. One was the type that crushed you, that broke your soul and shattered your heart, and left you an empty shell. The other was a grief that made you stronger. You rose from it, you sharpened it, and you carried it with you as a piece of your armor. And you made yourself better. In that way, you never truly lost that person. You carried them with you.”
This book follows two different characters, Ramsan an ...more
topics | posts | views | last activity | |
---|---|---|---|---|
❀The Never-ending...: Blood Heir- Starting April 13th | 10 | 15 | Apr 15, 2021 10:33PM | |
#DTReadAlong: Past Book: Blood Heir | 8 | 7 | Mar 24, 2021 06:28PM | |
YA Buddy Readers'...: Blood Heir (Blood Heir Trilogy #1) by Amélie Wen Zhao - Restarting October 25th 2020 | 45 | 232 | Nov 01, 2020 05:44PM | |
Illumicrate Group: Day Four: Chapter 15-19 (Inc) | 6 | 28 | Feb 19, 2020 05:00PM | |
Illumicrate Group: Day Three: Chapter 10-14 (Inc) | 4 | 26 | Feb 18, 2020 09:51AM | |
Drop Everything A...: Blood Heir | 1 | 18 | Feb 01, 2020 07:11AM |
[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
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
Other books in the series
Blood Heir Trilogy
(3 books)
Articles featuring this book
The idea for The Gilded Ones came to author Namina Forna in a dream. The recurring image was one of a young girl in armor walking up a...
110 likes · 10 comments
No trivia or quizzes yet. Add some now »
“You can achieve everything in this world, but if it’s for someone else, it’s pointless. Live for yourself.”
—
23 likes
“But perhaps all monsters were heroes in their own eyes.”
—
21 likes
More quotes…