Book: The Lost Heir (Wings of Fire #2) by Tui T. Sutherland
Let me start with this: If you thought The Dragonet Prophecy (Book 1) was a whirlwind of mystery, destiny, and dragon drama, buckle up—because The Lost Heir is about to dive deeper (yes, prepare for ocean puns!) and hit you with even more intrigue, betrayal, and aquatic adrenalized excitement.
The Lost Heir takes things up a notch—actually, several notches. It's the kind of sequel that takes the foundation laid by its predecessor, and says, "That was fun. Now let’s set everything on fire and see what happens!"
At the heart of it all is our favorite aquatic princess—Tsunami of the SeaWings. If you've ever wanted to meet a character who can literally make waves, both in water and in life, Tsunami's your girl. She’s fierce, impulsive, and completely unapologetic. And let’s be honest: we all need that kind of energy sometimes, right?
Splashing into the Plot (Expect Many Puns)
The Lost Heir wastes no time plunging (yes, more water puns!) us into the heart of the SeaWing kingdom. Tsunami, freshly reunited with her mother, Queen Coral, quickly discovers that royalty isn't all it's cracked up to be. Not only is she struggling to adjust to her new royal status, but there's a darker current underneath it all—like the suspicious deaths of SeaWing heirs before her. Coincidence? I think not.
Sutherland weaves a tale of intrigue that would make even the most cunning politicians sweat (we're looking at you, Queen Coral). If The Dragonet Prophecy was about dragons with a shared destiny, The Lost Heir is about dragons with a shared trust issue. And, honestly, who could blame Tsunami for feeling like she's swimming in dangerous waters with every step she takes?
Tsunami's growth as a character is remarkable—her brash confidence gets tested in ways that feel both genuine and dangerous. As she grapples with questions of loyalty, identity, and family, we’re reminded that even the toughest dragons can have vulnerable sides.
Family Drama, but Make It Royal and Scaly
One of the standout themes in The Lost Heir is the concept of family—what it means, how it defines us, and what we owe to those we’re connected to. Tsunami’s reunion with her mother should be a joyous occasion, but it’s anything but. There’s something cold about Queen Coral, and I’m not just talking about her icy underwater palace. It's that calculating, I'm-the-queen-so-I-know-best vibe that makes Tsunami question if 'royal blood' is really all it’s cracked up to be.
One of the most memed and quoted moments in Book 2, showing Coral's and Tsunami's relationship
And who wouldn’t? Imagine finding out your long-lost mother is the ultimate helicopter parent, but with claws. And honestly? It adds layers to Tsunami’s struggle. Can you imagine growing up with the weight of destiny on your shoulders, only to find out your biological mother is... well, not exactly mother-of-the-year material?
I found Queen Coral’s and Tsunami’s relationship especially intriguing, how Queen Coral was so excited and happy to have her back - until well, I can’t give it away, but something changes in their relationship, and not in a good way. It made me realize Queen Coral does love her kids, but perhaps in not the typical way.
In later books, we even see that she couldn't care less about her sons, in comparison to how she treats her daughters. This absolutely has to do with how the dragon world works - only queens rule, not kings, so you often will only see the male royalty left as a side note, rather than front and center.
This tension gives the book a much darker tone than The Dragonet Prophecy. Where the first book was about destiny, this one’s about trust—and betrayal. I found myself constantly wondering who was hiding what, and by the time the plot twists came, I was just as breathless as Tsunami herself.
The SeaWing Kingdom—A World Within a World
Another area where The Lost Heir shines is its world-building. Sutherland goes all out to introduce us to the SeaWing kingdom, and it’s breathtaking. From the royal palaces hidden beneath the ocean to the intricacies of SeaWing politics, the underwater kingdom is as enchanting as it is perilous.
You’ll get to see the importance of the SeaWing scrolls, which are not just important to their history but to Queen Coral herself. She is both a ruler and an author, meticulously chronicling her own reign—and if that doesn’t say "ego trip," I don’t know what does.
Tsunami and Starflight reading the scroll The Lost Princess by Queen Coral
The underwater setting also adds a fascinating new layer to the action. It’s one thing to have dragons battling in the air or on land, but underwater? It’s a whole different ball game (or water sport, I suppose). The mechanics of fighting and survival in a submerged world are a fresh twist, and Sutherland handles it with ease. The action sequences are pulse-pounding and beautifully described—just try not to hold your breath when you’re reading them!
My favorite part of this world-building is that SeaWings have a whole other language that only they can understand and use, Aquatic. SeaWings have strips of bioluminescent scales that can light up in different combinations to mean a certain word, and that way, they can converse efficiently and effectively underwater. Think Elvish, but better, because only you and the people can use it. Imagine the advantages it gives in battle, the secret communication they could have while the other dragons just think their scales are acting up.
Character Development: Tsunami's Journey
If there’s one thing I appreciate about Tsunami, it’s her consistency. She was bold and brash in Book 1, and that hasn’t changed. But now, we get to see more of her vulnerabilities. She may have the heart of a warrior, but there’s a lot of self-doubt swirling around inside her—and who wouldn’t feel that way when your entire life changes overnight?
Her impulsiveness—Tsunami is a walking (or swimming) lesson in 'act now, think later.' It’s like watching someone play a video game on hard mode—except Tsunami’s stubbornness is the joystick, and her decisions often lead to more 'uh-oh' moments than 'aha' moments.
Her internal struggle—balancing her desire to protect her friends with her new responsibilities as a princess—is both relatable and heartbreaking. She’s torn between two worlds: the world of the dragonets, where she’s part of a team, and the world of royalty, where she’s expected to stand apart, above, and beyond.
Above: A conversation with the other dragonets, and one of the most iconic quotes of the series
This push and pull makes Tsunami one of the most dynamic characters in the series. Sutherland doesn’t shy away from letting her make mistakes—big ones—but each one feels like a step forward in her growth. And as readers, we get to grow with her.
I’m not quite a warrior by any means but I do understand what it’s like to have self-doubt, as I believe most people do. We can all relate to Tsunami’s internal struggles, and watch her grow throughout the series, which honestly to me, is the best part of any series, the character growth book over book.
The Intrigue of Power and Betrayal
One of the central themes of The Lost Heir is the idea of power—who has it, who wants it, and what they’re willing to do to keep it. The SeaWing kingdom is rife with political intrigue, and Tsunami quickly finds herself in the middle of it all. Queen Coral’s reign is far from stable, and there are threats lurking around every corner. But the real question is: can Tsunami trust anyone in this world?
The theme of betrayal runs deep in this book, and it keeps the tension high throughout the narrative. As Tsunami uncovers more secrets about her family and the kingdom, she’s forced to confront the harsh reality that not everyone is who they seem to be. It’s a lesson in trust—who deserves it and who doesn’t—and it adds a layer of suspense that keeps you on the edge of your seat.
Who’s killing off the SeaWing heirs? It’s the question that had me turning pages faster than a dragon can take flight. I mean, Tsunami’s entire family tree is in shambles, and someone’s holding the ax. Trust? What trust? In this book, everyone’s got a secret agenda, and it feels like even the fish are whispering conspiracies.
The mystery of the dead SeaWing heirs is one of the most compelling aspects of the book. It’s a dark, chilling subplot that hangs over the entire story, and Sutherland keeps you guessing until the very end. The reveal is shocking, but it’s also deeply satisfying, tying together the threads of betrayal, power, and family in a way that feels both inevitable and heartbreaking.
Villains and Suspense—Who’s the Real Enemy?
I won’t spoil too much, but let’s just say that the mystery in this book is juicy. There are so many layers of deception, secret plots, and dangerous players in the SeaWing court that you’re never quite sure who to trust. I loved how Sutherland keeps the tension high, dropping just enough hints to keep you guessing without revealing the full picture too soon.
Also, there’s one villain in particular that really stands out—a certain dragon whose presence looms large, even if they're not always front and center. Their motives are unclear, their methods are ruthless, and by the end of the book, you’ll be both fascinated and horrified by their actions.
It was that villain that I was most interested in, both their backstory and what led them down such a path of evil. They are still one of my favorite villains in the series, also due to an excellent MAP that was animated to one of my favorite Billie Eilish songs, and well, I’m quite easily swayed when it comes to Billie. Also, they have one of the coolest character designs and some of the best fanart to boot.
Themes of Power and Responsibility
Another layer that The Lost Heir adds to the series is its exploration of power and responsibility. Tsunami’s journey isn’t just about claiming her birthright—it’s about learning what it means to lead. There’s a real tension between the “heroic” notion of leadership she’s always dreamed of and the harsh reality she now faces.
As Tsunami grapples with her role, Sutherland weaves in themes of responsibility, sacrifice, and the weight of expectation. These aren’t easy concepts for anyone to handle, much less a dragon who’s still figuring out who she is. It’s these themes that elevate the book beyond just a fun fantasy romp—it makes you think about what it means to lead and who deserves to hold power. These questions impact Tsunami’s personality for the rest of the series—she realizes that royalty isn’t like the scrolls her mother wrote to boost her own ego.
When I first read this book, I felt connected to Tsunami, as I remembered my own experiences - and mistakes in leadership roles. It’s never easy, it takes a lot of responsibility and you have to be able to satisfy everyone, not necessarily make them happy all the time, but you do have to ensure their needs are met. Then, on top of that, Tsunami is the SeaWing princess, and the eldest to bat, the other SeaWings expect her to be the queen when she’s older, so she has great expectations laid on her.
Conclusion: More Than Just an Adventure
In conclusion, The Lost Heir is a sequel that not only lives up to the promise of Book 1 but surpasses it in many ways. The stakes are higher, the characters are more complex, and the world-building is richer. Tsunami’s story is both thrilling and emotional, packed with twists and turns that will leave you eagerly reaching for Book 3. While Book 2 is not my absolute favorite in the series, it did cement my love of the books, and kept me racing to grab the next book.
Whether you're a fan of dragons, royal intrigue, or stories about finding your place in the world, The Lost Heir has something for everyone. Plus, the underwater battles? They’re the cherry on top of an already spectacular book.
If you haven’t read it yet, what are you waiting for? Dive in, and prepare for a wild ride.
A bit of a side note, I always stole the books from my brother when he borrowed them at the library, at first it was because I had already read my other books(I’m a bit of bookworm) and I was bored; I didn’t think I would actually like them that much, and here I rest, five years later writing this blog. And to my brother: Sorry, but the dragonets were calling, and I had to answer. Maybe one day I’ll stop stealing your books. Maybe.
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