Sabaa Tahir with Kiersten White

National Book Award winner and New York Times bestselling author SABAA TAHIR joins Library Shop SD and Meet Cute Bookshop to celebrate the release of Empire, the conclusion to the gripping Heir Duology. She will be in conversation with fellow New York Times bestselling author KIERSTEN WHITE.

Attend with Book

Full event information below. Please read in full before you make your purchase.

This is a book-bundled event that includes the authors’ conversation, an audience Q&A, and a book signing. A book purchase is required to attend. Your book is your “ticket” to the event, and your online purchase adds you to the guest list.

ABOUT THE BOOK:

The gripping conclusion to the action-packed, ruthless, and romantic fantasy duology that began with Heir, from the #1 New York Times bestselling and National Book Award – winning author Sabaa Tahir.

A falling empire.

An ancient evil.

A lost homeland.

A lie that could destroy the world.

In the crumbling Martial Empire, crown prince Quil Farrar and his aunt, Empress Helene, are losing a war against the vicious Kegari horde. Quil’s armies dwindle, his faith falters, and the woman he loves vanished months ago, leaving him brokenhearted. Torn between his duty to his people and his desire to discover Sirsha’s fate, Quil embarks on a dangerous quest for aid — from the most treacherous of allies.

Sirsha Westering finds herself tethered to Div, an ancient evil unleashed by a terrible tragedy. Div delights in tormenting Sirsha, hungering for her magical heart. Even as Sirsha struggles for control of her own fate, she is desperate to shield Quil from Div’s destructive power. But Div won’t release Sirsha without a fight. To earn her freedom, Sirsha must uncover Div’s past — and face horrors in her own.

Cero bet-Dafra, former right hand of the Kegari leader, Aiz, now finds himself pitted against her. As Aiz slips further into violence and delusion, Cero must discover if his people have any hope of a future or if they’re condemned to an unending cycle of violence. His journey will force him to confront hidden truths, ancient secrets, and a lie that could destroy the world.

In Empire, Sabaa Tahir returns to the expansive world of fury and vengeance of Heir, weaving a story of legacy and rebellion, loyalty and freedom, and what it means to confront the monsters that lurk within us all.

ABOUT THE SPEAKERS:

Sabaa Tahir is a former newspaper editor who grew up in California’s Mojave Desert at her family’s eighteen-room motel. There, she spent her time devouring fantasy novels, listening to thunderous indie rock, and playing guitar and piano badly. Her #1 New York Times bestselling An Ember in the Ashes series has been translated into more than thirty-five languages, and the first book in the series was named one of TIME’s 100 Best YA Books of All Time. Tahir’s contemporary novel, All My Rage, won the National Book Award for Young People’s Literature, the Michael L. Printz Award, and the Boston Globe – Horn Book Award for Fiction and Poetry. Visit Sabaa online at SabaaTahir.com and follow her on Instagram @SabaaTahir

Kiersten White is the #1 New York Times bestselling, Bram Stoker Award-winning, and critically acclaimed author of dozens of books for readers of all ages, including The House of Quiet, the And I Darken trilogy, the Sinister Summer series, Star Wars: Padawan, Hide,Mister Magic, Lucy Undying, and The Fox and the Devil. She lives in San Diego with her family and their surly tortoise, Kimberly. Visit her online at kierstenwhite.com and @authorkierstenwhite on Instagram.

TO ATTEND:

There are 3 ways to attend this event, and each bundle is the price of 1 copy of Empire inclusive of tax:
- Earlybird VIP Bundle: Includes 1 book and 1 entry into the event with 1 signing line ticket. Earlybird VIPs will also receive limited-edition swag and priority access to the signing line. You will pick up your book and swag at the event.
- 1‑Book, 1‑Seat Bundle: Includes 1 book and 1 entry into the event with 1 signing line ticket. You will pick up your book at the event.
- 1- Book, 2‑Seat Bundle: Includes 1 book and 2 entries into the event, plus1 signing line ticket. The two attendees must check in together. You will pick up your book at the event.
When you buy your bundle, please select “pick-up” at checkout (as opposed to shipping). No physical ticket is needed for entry. Each Empire book bundle purchase adds you to our guest list. Your books will be available for pickup at the event.
** PLEASE NOTE: Event bundles are non-transferable. If you cannot attend the event, please contact us for a refund or to have a signed book made available for pick-up or shipping. Event bundles are non-refundable within 72 hours of the event beginning. **

SIGNING LINE:

Each signing line ticket allows one (1) person signing line access.
- Please note that a 1‑Book, 2‑Seat Bundle allows only one (1) person access to the signing line. If both attendees would like signing line access, you will need to purchase two 1‑Book, 1‑Seat Bundles.
Earlybird VIP Bundle purchasers will receive priority access to the signing line. For all other attendees, signing line order will be according to the time of your check-in at the event. You will receive your signing line ticket during check-in.
Sabaa will personalize the copy of Empire included with the admission bundle.
- She will also sign (but not personalize) 4 additional books. You can bring your copies from home, or buy books at the event on 10/1/26. Sabaa’s other titles will be available for sale. If you want to request a specific title, you can always call the store during open hours to have a copy put on hold for you.
There will be no posed photos with Sabaa during the signing line. A bookseller will be on hand to take candid photos with each attendee’s phone/camera.

EVENT DETAILS:

LOCATION: The Shiley Special Events Suite, 9^th floor of the San Diego Central Library @ Joan Λ Irwin Jacobs Common.
EVENT START TIME: The author conversation will begin at 6:30 pm.
- Doors open at 5:45 pm.
PARKING INFO: There is paid parking available on-site using the underground parking garage 301 N. 11^th Ave.
- Because this event is after the library’s regular hours, parking validation isn’t available. For more information on parking at the Central Library, go to: https://www.sandiego.gov/public— library/central— library/parking
RIDESHARE INFO: For rideshare and drop-off, please use the after-hours entrance by the Auditorium, near the intersection of K Street and 11^th Ave.
ACCESSIBILITY: The venue is wheelchair accessible. If you would like to reach out regarding specific accommodations, please email us at events@libraryfoundationsd.org

Signed Books for Non-Attendees

If you can’t attend, you can still order a signed (but not personalized) copy of EMPIRE from the purchase page. Following the event, we will ship your book directly to you at any address in the United States, or hold it for you at the Library Shop Central location for an in-person pick up. Please note: if you cannot attend the event, it’s important to select the option which reads “Book Only (Not Attending).” If you don’t want your “Book Only” order signed at all, you can pick it up at any time after the publication date on 9/22/26. If you DO want your “book only” order signed, it can only be picked up or shipped to you after the event. Orders placed online with shipping will receive a notification at the time that the item ships.