4.0 ⭐️

Thank you to Netgalley and Penguin Random House UK Children’s for this eARC

I’m in two minds about this book. On the one hand, I was thoroughly entertained, literally devouring it over the course of a few days, on the other, it did feel like something I’ve read before. That is not to take anything away from the book or the author, it’s very well written and well worth anyone looking for a solid YA Romantasy to give a go, but it does have the same sort of plot points and story structure as a lot of what’s already popular.
I think if you’re into the genre and looking for an easy, enjoyable read, it’s worth giving a go, and I will definitely be looking out for book two in the series.

A compelling YA fantasy debut with rich worldbuilding, emotional depth, and a fierce, unforgettable heroine.

Heir of Storms draws readers into a vivid elemental world where power, family, and identity collide. Blaze’s journey — from isolated outcast to reluctant contender for the throne — is both heart-wrenching and empowering. The story balances political intrigue, emotional stakes, and magic effortlessly, with pacing that keeps the pages turning.

The worldbuilding stands out, particularly the thoughtful use of maps and geography in shaping culture and conflict. Themes of grief, belonging, and self-discovery are woven beautifully into the narrative. There’s even a love triangle, but it’s nuanced and far from formulaic.

I’d recommend this to fans of Shadow and Bone or A Darker Shade of Magic. A strong start to a series I’ll definitely be continuing.

Rating: 4.5/5 stars.
Thank you to NetGalley, Penguin Random House, and the author for the ARC!

Great worldbuilding and fantastic characters in this. The storm abilities were explored well and i loved the buildup of the plot, it was well paced which built excitement. The main character was interesting and had good characterisation which ended really well for the story.

A YA fantasy with trials? That's all I needed to know, and this book gave me exactly what I wanted.
In the world of Heir of Storms, those born with powers have either powers of fire, air, water or earth, with these powers passed down through families. Enter our main character, Blaze, born to a powerful family of fire welders... except that she is born with water powers, and her birth brings a devastating storm to the country, earning her the hatred of her nation. So, she hides away from the world, until it is time to decide the new rulers of their country, and Blaze is selected as one of the candidates for the water throne
After being summoned to the castle, Blaze has to learn to control her long-suppressed powers, while making allies and enemies among the other candidates (and, of course, some romantic connections too...).

The world, the characters, the story, the writing... This book was an excellent debut, and I'm already excited to read the rest of the series!

Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for access to this eArc!

This had everything I loved in a YA fantasy! Non stop twists and turns, I devoured it in a couple of sittings.

The world building was incredible, the plot was superbly paced and it had just the right amount of romance.

Elemental magic is always my favourite and the system in this was really well done.

Can’t wait for more from this author.

I devoured this. Heir of Storms kicks off with Blaze who’s been hidden away for 17 years after a wild surge of elemental power,suddenly being named as one of the heirs to the Aquatori throne. In this world, thrones aren’t handed down, they’re earned through deadly magical trials between four elemental heirs, including Blaze and her twin brother.

The stakes? Literal life or death. She’s thrown into a brutal competition, surrounded by enemies, political games, and secrets that threaten to unravel everything she thought she knew. Blaze’s story grabbed me right from the start and didn’t let go. She’s been through hell, honestly and watching her go from overlooked and underestimated to someone who steps into her own power? Obsessed.

Tropes and themes I loved:
🌊Trials! One of my fave tropes lately
🌊Elemental magic
🌊Twin Dynamics
🌊The Chosen One
🌊Love triangle (this was done SO well)
🌊Political scheming

The world is so easy to sink into, the pacing never drags, and some of the twists? Didn’t see them coming at all. Blaze isn’t the loudest or flashiest heroine, but she feels real. She’s soft and emotional and still manages to be strong as hell. That balance was everything.

Some of the side characters completely stole the show and I love that for me. I cannot believe this was a debut. Heir of Storms absolutely slapped, and book 2 can’t come fast enough.✨

This book had me hooked from being to end.
I loved the world building and elemental magic system. I really enjoyed the trial aspect of the story it reminded me of divergent but with magic.
The relationship between Blaze and her brothers is sweet and wholesome and their love for each other never wavers.
The story is full of twists and turns that keep you gripped and wanting more.
I can’t wait for the next book and hope we get to visit more of the other lands and see certain relationships develop.

This was entertaining from start to end. Although elemental magic isnt exactly new, the world still felt unique and the characters felt real. I loved Blaze and her brothers and I was rooting for her the whole time. The plot was plotting from start to end but I couldn't guess where all of it was going. The end left me really excited to read the sequel. I really hope we get more of Fox and the other countries in the sequel.

Thank you to Netgally and Penguin Random House UK for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.

I was so blown away by this book! The world building is vivid and original, especially the elemental magic system, which feels fresh and really well thought out. Blaze is such a compelling lead - strong, flawed and easy to root for - and the emotional depth of her journey really pulled me in.
The story balances action, love, and twists so well, and I loved how the stakes kept building without ever feeling overwhelming. It's one of those reads thats hard to put down and even harder to forget. A fantastic debut!

This was a goood YA book! It’s got the formula to be the book of the summer. Fast-paced, strong romance and enjoyable plot!

I was sucked into the story almost immediately, the world building is thought out and put together very well.
Were reading about or MC as she enters tournaments to compete for the status of ruler.

We’re watching as she experiences turbulence, enemies, treats, power training, and romance whilst struggling with her power and identity at times.

I felt like some parts were very cliche and predictable, there’s training scenes that just screamed fourth wing x divergent time.

I loved the banter and growth between characters, especially the romantic interest.

Despite feeling too familiar with the story as it’s really nothing original (sorry!) that can work in its favour, I think anyone can enjoy this as a new or experienced YA romantasy reader. Tropes are executed well and still feel fresh.

4 ⭐ thank you Netgalley for an eArc
Now time to wait for book

If you like the Hunger Games and anything elemental, then this book is for you!

I was gripped and pulled into this book, beautifully written and at times made cry. The main female character Blaze, is very relatable for me, as someone who has faced a lot of criticism, judgement and many trying/difficult times and situations.
You join Blaze through the trials of the Choosing Rite, Where crowns are earned not inherited. Blaze is the 'odd' one out in her powerful family who are known for their fire. Blaze is a Rain Singer and one of the four heirs to the Aquatori throne, she's thrust into the view and claws of many people who hate her and want her dead. Blaze is a fierce, lovable main character who just wants to be accepted for who she is.

This book has a great magic system, a trial system that is immersive, emotionally raw and vulnerable moments, found family, plot twists, betrayal and jaw dropping moments...

If you have ever been the odd one out, the outcast, struggled to express your feelings/emotions properly, have faced the cruelness and unfair judgement from other poeople for things that aren't in your control. Then drop everything and read Heir of Storms!
The pure emotions you'll have reading this, brings forth the determination to not let those kind of people bring you down and have power over you and your life. Hate does not win.

Bring on book two!!!!

R E V I E W

Heir of Storms by Lauryn Hamilton Murray

☆☆☆☆.5

Advanced Reader Copy graciously provided by Penguin Random House UK Children's via Netgalley

For a young adult fantasy, I found this book surprisingly gripping. For this author's debut novel, I found this book quite remarkable. Evocative of Throne of Glass, The Hunger Games, and with a bit of The Wind Weaver thrown in for good measure, Heir of Storms is a thoroughly addictive fantasy read and has successfully delivered a new literary world that I can't wait to return to.

After her birth caused a cataclysmic event, 17-year-old storm wielder Blaze Harglade has been kept secluded from the world; a world that both fears and hates her in equal measure for the devastation she unknowingly wrought. But when an eclipse heralds a change in the ruling leadership, Blaze is surprised to learn that she is an heir, one of four potentials chosen to battle it out for the water throne. Alongside her fire-wielding twin brother, heir to the flame throne, Blaze is thrust into a perilous competition she is ill prepared for. Forced to navigate the insidious imperial court, Blaze begins to realise the only way out is through and that the power she once cursed, the power she hasn't been able to claim since the storm that nearly drowned the world, may not be gone after all.

Despite the familiarity of this narrative, which is very reminiscent of early Sarah J Maas, there were still surprises in store in this twisting tale of elemental magic. I enjoyed watching Blaze come out of her shell, though I would have liked to see her struggle more initially in the pursuit of her magic. I appreciated the friendships that developed amongst Blaze and the other champions, though the 180 degree switch in those that lost their place in the competition seemed a little unrealistic considering the bonds that existed for some of them before.

All in all, a fantastic fantasy debut that will leave many people eager to get their hands on the sequel.

I absolutely loved this book! It scratched a Sarah J Maas itch. The characters, the pacing, the backstory - all fantastic. I can't wait for the sequel!

“A strong opener to a magical world”
The writing in this caught me from the first, it's so descriptive and full of emotion that I just couldn't put it down until I was a good chunk of the way through. Blaze is an engaging main character with a deep guilt to her just for being alive, but she builds her courage and tenacity throughout the trials. This is truly Hunger Games meets Throne of Glass with a world that is so intricate. I can't wait for the next installment.

Elemental magic and a set of competitive trials for the crown? Sign me up 👑
I had a great time reading this book! I absolutely love elemental magic in fantasy, and I haven't read a book containing it in ages so I found this really refreshing, especially because I found the magic system to be well thought out.
I loved how Blaze's training at the palace was as much of a character growth journey as it was learning about her magical power potential. Overall, this was an action-packed YA fantasy with a few surprises along the way, and I am very much looking forward to reading more from this series 🩷

Wow what a book I need book 2 like now this second!
Lets begin with the magic system in this book & what a magic system it is! the 4 elements fire, water, air & earth are the magic system & long lines of generations have held these powers & every 25 years on the eclipse 4 teenagers are chosen from each elemental family to go head to head in 3 trials to see who will be the king or queen of their element & have a seat on the council so now lets talk about the story!
The moment blaze came into the world a deadly storm appeared that caused death & mass destruction & this storm only stopped when Blaze mother took her into the storm & held her tiny hand up to the sky & with that the storm weaver was born, however, Blaze was not meant to be born with this power she was meant to have the power of fire like the rest of her family & her twin brother flint,so she has been hidden away from the rest of the world. Fast forward 17 years & its Blaze & flints nameday & their grandma has thrown them a massive ball with the most important people in the kingdom in attendance, Blaze is dreading it as shes lived in isolation & managed to block her powers & while at the ball she does everything she can to escape however, something happens that ignites her powers & then later that evening the eclipse happens & both Blaze & flint are summoned to take part in the trials, flint for the heir of fire & Blaze for the heir of water. We see Blaze come out of her shell once she arrives at the golden castle especially when she forms a relationship with Prince Hal, the sweet future king, she also forms an unlikely friendship with Hals half brother & badboy Fox but is there more to Hal & Fox? Soon the trials begin & these trials are so good they are like a mix of the triwizard tournament from harry potter & the hunger games & each trial has you on the edge of your seat. However, in between the trials other things are happening & secrets are been revealed that you dont see coming & this all leads to an ending that makes you gasp & go omg!!
The writing in this book was easy to follow which made it an easy read & all the characters were likeable even the bad ones, I loved the sibling relationship between Blaze & flint & the banter between the different characters. I would definitely recommend this to anyone who wants a fantasy that has you gripped from the prologue & is easy to read!

Loved this book. It had a slow start but picked up quickly. I was hooked. Can’t wait for the next one!!

This book was heavily nostalgic for me, it reminded me of the great fantasy stories I read during my teenage years. As such I think it’s a wonderful example of young adult romantasy.
Despite seeing a few of the twists coming, I greatly enjoyed the flow of the story, of Blaze finding herself and growing into a strong young woman. The balance between action, romance, and respite was wonderfully construed, with the story ebbing and flowing beautifully. I cannot wait for the next instalment of this trilogy.

Thank you to NetGalley for the arc in exchange for an honest review.

HEIR OF STORMS BY LAURYN HAMILTON MURRAY: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

I decided to sign up for NetGalley and I do not regret it. This was so captivating and entertaining with lovable characters, a mysterious yet well developed magic system, and a cliffhanger that thrust a knife in my chest. I love the family dynamic between Blaze, Flint and Renly, and need more of the legitimate/illegitimate dynamic between Haldyn and Fox.

Heir of Storms is a lush and emotionally resonant YA fantasy that will appeal to fans of classic romantasy while still offering a fresh and compelling voice all its own. With echoes of the beloved 2010s fantasy era, this story feels like a comforting return to the genre, but with a modern twist that’s both thoughtful and invigorating. At its heart is Blaze, a seventeen-year-old Rain Singer born into a powerful fire-wielding family, whose life has been shaped by a devastating surge of power she unleashed at birth. After years in hiding, she’s unexpectedly drawn back into the empire’s spotlight through a deadly magical competition, the Choosing Rite, where young Etheri must compete for elemental thrones. What follows is a fast-paced, emotionally layered journey that explores power, identity, loss, and the quiet strength it takes to rise after being broken.

Blaze is a standout protagonist. She's fierce yet vulnerable, determined yet uncertain. Her struggle to understand her power, her place in the world, and the weight of her past mistakes is portrayed with sensitivity and nuance. This isn’t a story of instant transformation or flawless heroism; instead, it’s a slow-burning arc of resilience, where emotional depth is just as important as magical prowess. The narrative embraces feminine rage and grief without sensationalizing it, allowing Blaze’s emotions to be a source of strength rather than a liability. Her relationships bring a grounded warmth to the story, balancing out the higher-stakes intrigue of the trials and court politics.

The worldbuilding is immersive and richly developed, with an elegant elemental magic system and a political structure that adds tension and complexity. Rather than relying solely on spectacle, the trials are cleverly designed to challenge the characters' values and vulnerabilities, offering satisfying conflict even for readers who tend to shy away from tournament-style storylines. While the romantic subplot, featuring a love triangle between a noble prince and a mysterious outsider draws from familiar tropes, it’s handled with enough intrigue, emotional stakes, and character chemistry to feel engaging rather than formulaic. The romance adds sparks to the story without overwhelming the central narrative of growth, legacy, and self-discovery.

There are moments where the plot follows expected paths, and some secondary character dynamics fall into recognizable YA patterns. However, these familiar beats are elevated by strong writing, great pacing, and moments of genuine emotional impact. The story’s portrayal of female relationships is also worth noting offering several meaningful and supportive female dynamics that provide balance and depth.

The audiobook narration is exceptional and deserves special praise. The narrator brings a believable teen voice to Blaze, capturing both the vulnerability and determination of the character with natural inflection and emotional clarity. Distinct character voices and well-paced delivery make the listening experience immersive and thoroughly enjoyable.

In all, Heir of Storms is a confident, heartfelt debut that hits all the right beats for YA fantasy fans. It weaves together action, emotion, elemental magic, political intrigue, and complex character arcs into a story that feels both familiar and original. Readers who enjoy slow-burn character growth, morally gray decisions, and richly imagined worlds will find a lot to love here. While it may not completely rewrite the genre, it contributes something meaningful and memorable to it and leaves you eagerly anticipating the next chapter in Blaze’s journey. A strong recommendation for romantasy lovers and fans of emotionally driven fantasy narratives alike.