You probably could have guessed that The Electric Heir would be a five star read. It is a stunning sequel to the amazing The Fever King. And I am so glad I managed to read both in one year, what a way to end 2019!
Summary
Six months after Noam Álvaro helped overthrow the despotic government of Carolinia, the Atlantians have gained citizenship, and Lehrer is chancellor. But despite Lehrer’s image as a progressive humanitarian leader, Noam has finally remembered the truth that Lehrer forced him to forget—that Lehrer is responsible for the deadly magic infection that ravaged Carolinia.
Now that Noam remembers the full extent of Lehrer’s crimes, he’s determined to use his influence with Lehrer to bring him down for good. If Lehrer realizes Noam has evaded his control—and that Noam is plotting against him—Noam’s dead. So he must keep playing the role of Lehrer’s protégé until he can steal enough vaccine to stop the virus.
Meanwhile Dara Shirazi returns to Carolinia, his magic stripped by the same vaccine that saved his life. But Dara’s attempts to ally himself with Noam prove that their methods for defeating Lehrer are violently misaligned. Dara fears Noam has only gotten himself more deeply entangled in Lehrer’s web. Sooner or later, playing double agent might cost Noam his life.
Review
(Disclaimer: I received this book from the publisher. This has not impacted my review which is unbiased and honest.)
TW: intergenerational trauma, genocide, violence, abuse, attempted rape, mental health and suicide, slut-shaming, victim-blaming, emetophobia, drug and alcohol abuse, parental death, ableist language (More details)
The Electric Heir defies words. It’s stunning. I hadn’t planned on reading it in one day, but you know those books that don’t let you go? That demand to be read? That pretty much sums up The Electric Heir. It’s a book about survival and abuse, about the challenge to dismantle the harmful rhetoric swirling around us. Not only is it emotional and poignant, but it is also a book about resistance and sacrifice. How do we process our trauma and survive? How can we witness and examine what is happening?
Overall I am just so impressed and still in emotional shock from The Electric Heir. Our struggles to process what happened to us and figure out who we want to be. Using fantasy as a lens, Lee examines charismatic abusers and our difficulties to recognize our own abuse. It is emotional and will wrench your heart, but it’s absolutely affirming to see on the page for people who went through similar situations. That feeling that no one will hear you or believe you.
Another theme in The Electric Heir is our struggles to rationalize our actions. We’ve made mistakes in the past and how do we come to terms with them. What we thought were acceptable consequences? The rippling effects of our actions. How do you destroy a tyrant without falling into their shadow? Without sacrificing the lines between us?
Characters
These characters are so precious to me. Don’t you believe it? 2019 seems to be the year of making fan T-Shirts and so you know that if I have one, it’s a favorite. Naturally I have one for Feverwake series! It’s interesting because I think Noam had my heart in The Fever King, but in The Electric Heir I adored Dara. Don’t get me wrong, I love them both, but in The Electric Heir Dara’s recovery and the way he’s still processing the past resonated with me. Whereas Noam’s character growth is an internal one, the ways his ideals and loyalties are shifting.
Then you have Taye, Ames, and Bethany. I love groups of friends, and these are some of the very best. My faith in them for my T-Shirt has been rewarded. There are moments where your friends have your back, no matter what, where they call you out for your mistakes, and the nights you still remember. I am running out of words to use for them besides precious, but I treasure them.
Overall,
You will get caught up in The Electric Heir whether it’s the themes, the precious characters, or the amazing world building. If you haven’t read The Fever King, go pick it up – you won’t regret it. The Electric Heir tackles important issues of survival, abuse, and trauma. It is a sequel that will put a smile on your face, tears on your cheeks, and warmth in your heart.
Find The Electric Heir on Goodreads, Amazon, Indiebound & The Book Depository.
Giveaway
The giveaway ends March 15th and is for US only!
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