Saekonari Raajali may be the heir apparent to the Elysian Empire's throne, but it is hard to tell by the way her mother, the Empress, treats her. Saekonari tries every method she can to impress her mother, but despite her best efforts, she only earns her mother's anger. Tired of her mother's overbearing behavior, she escapes from the palace with her sentinels, Amie and Esme, and attempts to help her friend, Zarek Deutreux Trace, recover his lost memories. The young princess quickly discovers there is more to the empire's dealings than meets the eye. Only time will tell if her quest succeeds in A.D. Aelin's Reveries of an Heir.

A.D. Aelin's Reveries of an Heir is the first book in the 13th Heir series, which explains the intricate world-building used to bring the narrative to life. Each planet features a unique race with its own names and languages. The author emphasizes this when Saekonari switches languages to talk with the characters she meets. Even more impressive are some of their laws of succession on the planets, which are as brutal as they are intriguing. The dialogue is lively, with Zarek's snarky comments and witty retorts often popping up to lighten the mood when it gets too dark. What stands out in the narrative style is how the author subtly inserts clues into the dialogue, hinting at the true motives of the members of Saekonari's inner circle. Aelin combines these elements with intense, detailed fight scenes and a fast pace that action and science fiction fans will enjoy.

Reveries of an Heir by A. D. Aelin follows Saekonari Raajali, heir to the Elysian throne, who escapes the palace and a restrictive mother, after the death of her father, responding to threats identified through intelligence networks. She searches for Zarek Deutreax Trace, a trusted ally who has disappeared along with his sister Alexi, entering multiple worlds to prevent harm to friends and innocents. On Solaris, a high-profile murder leads to the discovery of horrific abuses. On Invicta, an extraction plan comes into play for a critical reunification. Saekonari also infiltrates the Ulisirach citadel in the hopes of recovering a memory artifact tied to galactic politics and the security of her companions. Throughout all these missions and more, Saekonari is faced with crisis after crisis in the pursuit of harmony among her people and realm.

A. D. Aelin’s Reveries of an Heir offers a fantastic novel, and is completely different from a lot of the science fiction that I've had land in my lap recently. Aelin keeps the actual science in their science fiction, and we see Saekonari cataloging chemosynthetic flora and studying sulfur-secreting plants, which I found aided massively in world-building beyond the tech components. The settings are spectacular. We find ourselves in a beautifully imagined, altered jungle, where blue vegetation glows under pink light, and where a Ryunaga child shows off their manipulating abilities. In Neo Uxar, Aelin is almost cinematic in describing the city’s spiral walkways and pod towers, heartened by children in need, which harnesses the story to its humanitarian messaging. Overall, Reveries of an Heir is a brilliantly and richly inventive read, and I look forward to seeing where Aelin takes us next in book two of the 13th Heir series. Very highly recommended.

Reveries of an Heir is the first novel in the 13th Heir series by A. D. Aelin. The story follows Saekonari Raajali a.k.a. Sae. She is a young woman born to rule an interstellar empire and raised to embody perfection as the future Empress. Her life of strict duty unravels when she discovers her father has died. That event destroys her faith in everything she’s ever known. Amid the chaos, she finds solace in Zarek Deutreax Trace, a man who sees her as more than an heir. But when Zarek’s memories of her are erased and scattered across the stars, Sae makes a fateful choice. She decides to abandon her throne, disobey her mother, and search for what was lost. Her journey through distant worlds and forbidden truths sets off a chain of events that will alter the course of the universe itself.

Author A. D. Aelin did a fantastic job of building a believable yet imaginative world where Sae, Zarek, and others live. Sae is a compelling protagonist whose immense power is initially restrained by her own rigid devotion to duty and expectation. Sae’s internal struggle to be both the perfect daughter and an independent being is handled exceptionally well. She is a complex and relatable heroine, someone I could relate to and like at the same time. I enjoyed the emotional and romantic dynamic between Sae and Zarek. Their connection is unique, and I loved it. The narrative skillfully uses the cosmic setting to explore universal themes of choice, destiny, and the search for a feeling of belonging. The immediate threat posed by the Empress’s displeasure and the mysterious, memory-stealing enemy adds a thrilling layer of intrigue. This is an incredible start to a series that I know will be fantastic. I cannot wait to read what happens next!

Reveries of an Heir is the engaging first book in the 13th Heir series by A. D. Aelin, an imaginative tale that blends science fiction, fantasy, and romance. Saekonari Raajali is destined to be a powerful heiress, and all she wants is to be the perfect daughter by making her mother proud. Then her father dies, and everything changes. She is forced onto a narrow, predetermined path. Zarek Deutreax Trace boosts her confidence, seeing her worth when she doubts herself, and standing by her. Then his memories of her are taken away and scattered across the universe. Desperate to reclaim her destiny, she defies interstellar law, venturing into the outer universe and risking everything, including her relationship with her mother. Faced with daunting challenges, can she forge her path and find the love that might be her destiny?

Reveries of an Heir is daring, defying conventional norms. A. D. Aelin develops a compelling heroine in Sae, and thrusts her into a personal crisis that forces her to make impossible choices. The story answers a simple question: What would you do if the man you want to spend your life with suddenly lost every memory of you? This is the situation that gives fire to the narrative, and you find yourself on an adventure with the heroine, confronting her past, navigating new worlds, making new allies, and drawing the ire of the Empress against her. The writing is gorgeous and the worldbuilding is immersive. There is a lot to be said about this captivating tale, but it is mainly the character development, the excellent storytelling, and the phenomenal conflict that drive the story forward at a fast pace.