Heir of Storms is the kind of book that pulls you in and refuses to let go. The contrast between the main male characters is absolutely addictive— ruthless and threatening, kind and protective. Their opposing natures create a tension that crackles on the page, making every interaction feel electric.

Our FMC is written with such raw intensity that you don’t just read her emotions—you feel them. Her struggles, her triumphs, her heartbreaks—they all resonate in a way that makes her journey unforgettable.

The plot is packed with action, gripping character dynamics, and trials that kept me completely immersed. The elemental magic and mysteries are woven in beautifully, adding layers of wonder and danger. And the way family ties shape the story gives it an emotional weight that makes every twist even more powerful.

This is a YA fantasy that demands to be devoured. If you love The Wind Weaver, The Hunger Games, or Shatter Me, prepare to be obsessed.

I feel lucky this year; so far every book - especially ARCs - of which I had only medium expectations has thus far been a true surprise - Heir of Storms might just even the biggest yet! At first glance, it's quite trope ladden, and while I confess that there were a few elements I did not enjoy, the final product as a truly enganging new start to a YA fantasy series of which I can't wait to see where it goes next.

Blaze is born to a world where everyone of her kind has powers - earth, fire, wind and water. Only when she was born, her powers brought on a storm that drowned thousands of lives and cities in the kingdom. After the storm passed, her family kept her away from the public eye and she grew up in fear of her own power which has been dormant since that first fateful storm. As she comes of age, she becomes involved in the competitions to earn a crown as one of the ruling council, drawing her out of her secluded life and right into the heart of the kingdom.

Before I get to good - because there is a lot to say - let me quickly address the less good. I found the naming of characters quite uninspired. You'd have the the characters with water affinity named Marina, River, Hydra whilst the ones with fire are called Flint, Ember etc - you get the point. Additionally, there's a bit of name-calling such as Fish Bitch which felt both juvenile and also inappropriate in the greater picture of the plot. As previously mentioned, there were quite a few familiar tropes and that made some aspects predictable. For example, there are four different crowns and four contenders for each of them - once we'd been introduced to all 16 contestants I knew exactly who would win and which order [and all my predictions came true]. There are also plenty of characters where you just know from the start if they are good or traitor to be, who is a love interest or just a distraction from the true one etc.

However.

Despite some of its predictablity and common tropes, Heir of Storms surprised me multiple times, especially for the final 25%. The tropes are both familiar and well done and then just completely turn around on you. There are so many directions this could now take for the sequels - I feel as though the author has taken common tropes, shook them up a bit and built such a solid foundation for what may be a truly great fantasy trilogy.

Being advertised of having a hint of The Hunger Games, there's definitely something to it; while this is a wholly different setting, more akin to high fantasy, there's a similar pattern. The 16 contestants are chosen through an event who then get brought to the central Kingdom. Once there, they are assigned a trainer and cheperone who essentially works on all the glamouring up, because of course there are plenty of balls and socialising for these potential rulers to be. The trials are broken into parts but there's still a certain sense of similarity. That's just about where the similarities end, though.

As for the kingdom and the worldbuilding itself, the ruling system is truly original and interesting. There are four ruling kings or queens who serve the Emperor. However, these seats of power are changed in a somewhat regular patern, largely based on not wanting an aging ruler on the throne. All four kings and queens are changed at the same time once the trials take place. This includes the emperor, albeit he is the only one who passes his throne to a direct heir. Why am I harping on about this? I think it's a very unique system and one of which the origin in more than fishy. There are other lands and peoples. There's slavery, stolen heirlooms, scheming schemers and plenty of people with their hidden agenda. Whilst this first volume largely focuses on the trials, it is clear that there is a much larger picture of how this world works and I desperately want to see where this all leads in the following instalments.

Intriguing worldbuilding aside, I enjoyed the writing and it was quite a quick read for it's reasonably high page count. However, another highlight were the characters (despite my dislike for their names). Blaze was such a great character to follow. Characters kept from the social eye who are suddenly thrust into the world are by no means uncommon, but Blaze is one of the few where I felt like it is truly well portrayed in her personality. As an introvert, I found her super related - she showed genuine fear of suddenly finding herself in large crowds, I'd absolutely join her in hiding underneath a table. Despite her obvious fear, hiding behind friends and family and running from social situations as much as she can, she is by no means a weak character. She is vulnerable but she faces her fears. She doesn't enter the plot all powerful but works and trains for all she has, and it was very satisfying to follow her journey of finding herself and her pride.

From major to minor, I also enjoyed most of the remaining cast. Blaze has such a lovely relationship with both her twin brother Flint [the extrovert to her introvert] as well as their little brother Renly - I'm sure there's more to tell of their story too. I was also surprised by the loving relationship they have with their grandmother who I was expecting to be a bit more of a dragon. There is also a slave girl, Elva, who we don't see all that much of but who I've grown fond of. Slowly but gradually, Blaze also forms friendships during the trials - some are genuine, some I don't quite trust and others I suspect are yet to be.

While things are still very much up in the air, I also truly enjoyed the romance. Crown Prince Hal was almost too kind to be true - he is the character that makes you wonder, is he just dull or does he have an agenda? I thought I had him figured out but he was far from what I expected him to be. On the flip side, his half brother Fox was very much what I expected him to be, and yet there is also still so much room for his story. I ended up truly enjoying both Hal and especially Fox - I have high hopes for both of them in the sequel and also wish to just simply see more of their brother dynamics.

With the exception of a few small things that rubbed me the wrong way [naming and name-calling], this was such a surprising great read that goes well beyond what the initial premise promises. I am very much looking forward to seeing where this takes us next. Small brownie point: there's a cat!

Firstly, I’d like to say thank you to netgalley and the publisher for gifting me this ARC in exchange for an honest review!

this had everything I love in a YA fantasy and sometimes I just think YA fantasies hit different and this book is the perfect example of why.

this drew me in immediately. the writing is so easy to get into and also to lose yourself in. I found that I was reading this book and not realising how much time had gone by and how much I’d read because i was that immersed in the writing and plot.

the tropes in this plot, like the beloved trials trope, are sometimes popular tropes but I think they’re done uniquely with fun changes and twists. this book definitely felt fresh to me while still reminding me of things I’ve loved previously. I especially found the magic system immensely interesting as well as the whole “heir” scenario and how royalty is passed on. I really enjoyed Blaze’s journey with her power and also how she dealt with emotions from events prior to the main timeline of this book.

I loved the parts of history we got too and would have enjoyed even more depth with that, but I feel like that might be developed in later books so I’m looking forward to finding out even more about this world and its past.

there were so many vivid characters in this which I absolutely love. so many characters to love and also some to despise which is always fun and adds different dynamics to the story. the RAGE I felt at some of these characters oh my gosh…
but it’s confirmed that I’d like to be besties with Blaze and Flint and I absolutely love Blaze’s relationship with her younger brother Renly, he’s the cutest aw.

I won’t go into too much detail with the romance aspects of this book for various reasons BUT I will say it had me swooning, giggling, gasping…the whole works. I think there’s a great potential for a romance here.

so many times the plot went somewhere I wasn’t expecting with certain characters or mysteries and I ate it up every time. I wouldn’t say much was predictable at all to me so it kept me on my toes and kept me very engaged and excited throughout, wondering what was going to happen.

the way this ends is cause for a sequel IMMEDIATELY. my jaw was honestly on the floor. I shall be waiting desperately as I really really enjoyed this one and can see this being a series I fall in love with even more as we continue!

Thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for this ARC copy. I completely devoured this book, I could not put it down. I loved all the characters and that the plot wasn't too predictable, but I particularly liked the romance. This book ticked a lot of boxes for me as a fan of The Hunger Games and I found the plot to be fast moving and exciting. 5/5 stars - I can't wait for the next book!

3.5 stars

‘Some see emotion as a hindrance rather than a strength,’ he says quietly. ‘But that is because they forget how powerful emotions can be. Never underestimate the way you can feel.’

Thank you to NetGalley for providing an ARC copy in exchange for an honest review.

This was a really fun and interesting read. The book was well written and I enjoyed the pacing of the story along with the magic system and world building. I did struggle at the beginning, just because the the names of people/lands/courts bothered me, I can see what was trying to be achieved but for me, it made the book feel very young and childish. However, once the story took off, this became less of an issue.

I didn't particularly develop a strong attachment to the characters, but that may have been due to this first book seeming to be a strong foundation for the world building and less on character development, until the very end. Because of this, I will definitely still be picking up the next book to see if we delve more into the characters themselves and I look forward to seeing where the story goes! :)

4 stars

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for an early copy of this book!! it was so good! I loved the plot of this book and I read this in 2 days, it was that amazing!!

Such an enjoyable debut
I loved this book and can't wait for the sequel
The characters, setting and magic system were full fleshed out and the story had great pace.
Definitely recommend.

I loved this book. Heir of Storms delivers exactly what you want in a high-stakes YA fantasy: a powerful heroine trying to reclaim her place in a world that fears her, elemental magic with actual weight behind it, and a plot that grips you from chapter one and refuses to let go.

Blaze is one of those protagonists who sticks with you—not because she’s perfect, but because she’s not. Her birth brought death and disaster, and she’s spent her whole life being punished for it. She's been hidden, doubted, and blamed for things beyond her control, and now she’s being asked to fight for a crown in a cutthroat, almost gladiator-style magical competition.

What really worked for me was how much of the story is grounded in emotion. Blaze's power is tied to her feelings, which makes the magic feel lived-in and personal rather than just a flashy plot device. And Lauryn Hamilton Murray doesn’t just give her obstacles—she gives her history, grief, rage, guilt. You feel the weight of everything Blaze carries. You want her to burn it all down (or drown it, in her case) and rise stronger.

The palace intrigue is tight, the trials are brutal in the best way, and the love triangle… I didn’t know which way I wanted it to go. Both love interests are well-drawn and flawed in believable ways, and while romance is a part of the book, it never overshadows Blaze’s personal growth. Which, frankly, is the best kind of YA romance arc.

Honestly, this is one of those books that reminded me why I love YA fantasy. Yes, there are familiar tropes (the deadly competition, the hidden power, the “you don't belong here” girl who ends up shaking the empire), but it never feels tired. Murray breathes life into it with complex characters, emotional stakes, and some truly unexpected twists.

If you're into stories about reclaiming your power—especially when the world has tried to bury you—this one’s going to hit exactly the right nerve. I cannot wait to see where Blaze’s journey goes next.

I enjoyed this book, I felt the style and the plot itself wasn't in itself anything brand new or innovative (love triangle, light weirder, magic with political intrigue). The writing executed the plot well. I just felt the characters were a bit samey.

But I enjoyed reading it and it's what I expected it to be as it is a product of its genre (ya and fantasy)

This book follows Blaze, a girl who possesses immense water wielding powers, despite coming from a long line of fire wielders. Her birth resulted in a storm which nearly drowned the empire and killed thousands. But after 17 years of being kept hidden away, she’s thrust into the limelight when she’s selected to compete in the Choosing Rite, a series of trials to pick the future leaders of the empire.

💚 Likes 💚
- This book was incredibly well written!
- The plot was very engaging. I read this pretty much all in one sitting, a testament to how engrossed in the story I was!
- A great cast of characters. I felt like they all had very distinct personalities and added something to the story.
- The trials were very interesting. I thought they were generally well explained and I liked that we learnt how it all worked along with the character.
- The author did a good job of exploring Blaze’s motives and priorities. How her love for her family was often a driving force, her initial desire to blend in and be unseen, and the character development arc we see with her accepting and embracing her power.

💔 Dislikes 💔
- The pacing felt like it lagged/meandered ever so slightly in the middle.
- The ending felt a little rushed.

Overall, this was a very strong start to the series! I will be impatiently waiting for the next book to be released so that I can see where the series goes next!

Thank you to the author, publisher and NetGalley for the ARC.

I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own. - Freya, arc & monthly book box pick reviewer (athenafreyag on Instagram)

Heir of Storms is a very compelling YA fantasy with elemental magic, a heroine who discovers herself, and a lovely sister-brother relationship! It seriously surprised me by how compelling it is! I could not put it down, people!!!!

Blaze is our main character, a girl whose birth brought deaths and destruction, a girl who was hidden away to be forgotten, a girl who is despised by countless people. My favourite thing about Blaze was actually how good of a sister she is. She takes care of her little brother who hasn't known either of their parents and of her twin brother who is an aloof troublemaker who knows how to have fun. I loved how the author portrayed Blaze's low self-confidence and self-esteem. I loved how hard she tried to train and how hard she tried at anything she did really. What I disliked was that she, out of all people, should have known that believing name-calling and rumours was dangerous and unfair. How she judged Fox just because of what she heard and the nicknames people assigned to him was ludicrous, given the main point of her character arc was the dozens names they called her (none of them nice)). Yes, it is a YA novel, but Idk, I kept feeling that she should have known better. Also, she never really criticized how Fox could travel the world, even though he also brought destruction, or how her own twin could do anything he wished because her grandmother allowed it while she hid Blaze away. She complained but didn't really do or say anything about it.

One love interest is Hal, the Crown Prince. He was the perfect charming, handsome prince, and I kept feeling how there should be more depth in him. I kept waiting for a shoe to drop lmao. But I also had a feeling that he wasn't evil, so Hal kept me on my toes! I kept guessing and theorizing, and how wrong my theories were haha It doesn't happen often so kudos to the author for a grand plot twist!!

We also have Fox who expresses his interest in a mysterious but clear way. I loved how irreverent he was, how clearly he saw things. I LOVED HIM!! He is by far my favourite character in the book. Powerful and confident, and yes, he likes winning, and I just found him so natural, so deeply portrayed. Did I mention I love him??? Nobody touch him!

I also liked the rest of the cast. I enjoyed the friendships and the family dynamics, even though I don't believe that Blaze's family treated her right. I loved the training sessions, the plot twists that are in fact unpredictable, and I loved the compelling writing!! The worldbuilding was nice, but it's really nothing we haven't seen before (sorry!). While I can honestly say that I loved everything, I can also honestly say that there wasn't anything new or groundbreaking in the worldbuilding. Hence, my 4 stars! I struggled a lot with my rating because I wanted to see something new but didn't, and despite that, I still LOVED every second of this book because hello, a powerful girl who rises above the bullying and namecalling?! Yes, pretty please!

This book is the June YA monthly book pick for a UK monthly book box company, and I don't know if I will renew. I need to be careful with how many SE I get...

Am I desperate for book 2? YES I AM! Not all books need to be groundbreaking, after all. Readers just need to enjoy it!

2.5 stars

I like some elements of this book and can see the appeal, but I think at this point I have read too many YA fantasties with these tropes to be able to enjoy them. It is a familiar story in a lot of ways and also was heavy on info-dumping about the world. I highlight world building points for new series I start, and I found myself highlighting most of the first few chapters.

That being said, the main character is someone I liked and the world itself was a beautiful one. I always like elemental magic. The dialogue also flowed nicely and there were a few great quotes that I loved.

I really thought I was going to love this book, but I just couldn’t connect with it, I just couldn’t connect with the characters or the storyline. I really wanted to but couldn’t I can’t even remember what I read. Whether it was to ya for me I don’t know.

Thank you netgalley for the advanced copy of this book.

First off one word- wow. This book was absolutely amazing. I couldn't put it down and I know this book is going to live in my mind rent free. I'm so excited to continue this series!

EASY 5 stars!!!

“Where others look, I see. And I see you, Storm Weaver. I see all of you.” 🥺

I loved EVERYTHING about this book. What a wonderful debut novel from Lauryn Hamilton Murray. An absolutely wild journey of emotions, power, friendship, family, love, trials and legacy.

A reoccurring theme for me at the moment, but I need the next book IMMEDIATELY. What do you mean I have to wait?!

Also, as a young woman myself navigating grief, any author that uses these emotions to demonstrate power instantly gets bonus points from me. Blaze you are everything ⛈️🩵🦊

What an excellent start to this series! I was immediately captivated by the magic system, world building and intriguing cast of characters. Blaze is a great FMC with great character development throughout. The final act was flawless and with that shocking ending I am very excited for the next book!

I actually really enjoyed this book! Definitely worth adding to my shelves! Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for a copy of this book.

I need book two right this damn minute.

The characters, the magic system, the love triangle, the end - I enjoyed every single moment of this book and honestly couldn't put it down. I didn't expect to enjoy it as much as I did.

While the story does focus on trials that the main character has to compete in (something that is done to death at this point), there is so much more happening. The rich world building, layered history and the mystery that needs to be unravelled meant that I was never sure exactly what was going to happen next.

This is all combined with the main character, Blaze, figuring out exactly who she is, what power she has and how she can and should use it.

Beyond the story, the pacing was excellent without losing too much of the world building and at no point did things drag. I was shocked to find I'd read over half the book in a day and am so excited to see where this story goes.

Heir of Storms by Lauryn Hamilton Murray is a stunning fantasy that kept me completely captivated from start to finish! The world-building is rich and immersive, and I loved how the magic system was so unique and well-developed. The characters are full of depth, and the protagonist’s journey is both compelling and emotional. The mix of adventure, suspense, and complex relationships made this book hard to put down. The plot is packed with twists that kept me guessing, and the slow-burn romance added an extra layer of excitement. If you love epic fantasy with strong characters and an unpredictable story, this is a must-read!

*Thank you to the publisher and Netgalley for an early copy of this book in exchange for an honest review*

Thank you to NetGalley, the author and publishers at Penguin Random House, for the opportunity to read this book.

When Blaze was born 17 years ago—one of a pair of twins to one of the most powerful fire-wielding families—the world was struck by a violent storm that destroyed cities, claimed lives, and altered their reality forever.

Blaze, the last Rain Singer, had unknowingly summoned the storm. Since then, she’s lived in reclusion, blamed by the world for the devastation. But everything changes when she's chosen to participate in the Choosing Rite, a competition to select new Kings and Queens for each elemental throne.

This was such a fun book, filled with interesting characters and a well-developed, well-paced plot. There are some unexpected twists and surprises, though a few aspects were predictable.

I loved Blaze and the journey she embarks on—one of freedom and self-discovery. Her compassion, especially for the serfs, reveals how empathetic and kind she is, despite being scorned by a world that holds her responsible for past tragedies.

Her twin brother Flint provides much-needed comic relief. It’s impossible not to love his personality, witty banter, and fierce loyalty to Blaze. Their sibling bond adds a beautiful emotional depth to the story.

While there’s a subplot of romance, I appreciated that the book doesn’t centre on it. Instead, it focuses on friendships, sibling love, the importance of family, and Blaze’s journey to understand her powers and emotions. The author explores themes of loss, guilt, and grief beautifully, tying them meaningfully to Blaze’s magic and the burden it carries.

Yes, it includes familiar YA tropes—balls, dances, trials, and elemental powers—but I was never bored. I was completely immersed and engaged from start to finish.

There’s still so much we don’t know, and I can’t wait to dive deeper into the world, spend more time with the side characters, and see how the relationships—especially with one of the MMCs—develop after that ending.

I’m genuinely impressed by the author's storytelling skills and reason for writing this novel. Her words in the acknowledgements really resonated with me:
“It’s a real privilege to write for young adults. I never needed books more than during adolescence. Being a teenager is tough. It’s a state of constant emotional whiplash. (...) I wanted to create a way in which pain could become power, so I wrote a story about a girl who can turn sadness into magic.”

I can’t wait to read the sequel and follow this author's journey.