Blood Heir by Amélie Wen Zhao

In Blood Heir, Zhao has created a fantastical world where people called Affinites have the ability to control the world around them. In the Cyrilian Empire, Affinites are considered to be dangerous, unnatural, and touched by demons. Ana, the crown princess, has the Affinity to control blood, which is a monstrous gift even to other Affinities. After her power is revealed as child, Ana is hidden away in the palace and the kingdom is told that she is ill. But when the emperor is killed and Ana is framed for his murder, she must flee her home and find the true murderer to clear her name. After nearly a year of searching, Ana grows desperate and goes to Ramson Quicktongue, one of the most corrupt and cunning crime lords in Cyrilia. However, Ramson may have met his match in Ana. As they unravel the secret to the conspiracy behind the emperor’s death they realize that it was a lot worse than they ever imagined. 

Blood Heir is a fast read because you won’t want to put it down. Zhao has designed a world that is fascinating to read about, including the abilities of the Affinites and the way they are hated just because they are different, which mirrors our own world. The characters are ones you will come to both love and hate, with depths to their personalities. None are perfect, but the ones you’ll come to love  are learning and trying to make the world they live in a better place.

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--Danielle, Reference Librarian