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.

Thank you so much to Netgalley and the Publisher for an advance eARC of this book to read. I honestly had a great time, this YA fantasy had me hooked and I read it within a day.

What to expect:

Multiple love interests
Humans with powers
Trials
Court politics

This book focuses on Blaze a Storm Welder, a Rain Singer whose birth triggered a deadly storm which killed thousands. Hidden away from the hurt and anger of the population for 17 year Blaze is thrust back into the world when the gods choose her to be one of 4 heirs to compete for the water Elemental crown.
The writing in this book hooks you in, and the story leaves you not knowing who to trust. I really enjoyed Blazes journey. She started off naive and a little sheltered because of her upbringing, but soon she was discovering herself and her powers and making friends, (and enemies) along the way.
The love interest(s) were great well rounded characters and I can't wait to see how this develops in future books.
While some of the plot was a little predictable it really was an enjoyable read and I'm looking forward to the next book in this trilogy!

Highly recommend for anyone interested in YA fantasy, court politics and intrigue, Elemental Magic done in a new way, trials and mystery.

I really enjoyed this book, devouring it in almost one sitting. I usually dont connect with female main characters, often finding them irritating or too tropey (either they are mega powerful and angry or weak and helpless) but Blaze was a nice balance. She had the potential to be incredibly powerful, but fear has put a damper on her powers. She has a strong personality without being rude or catty. She was just a great MC to read about. I liked all the side characters, her brothers, the Prince and Fox. the story had some good twists, and unexpected romances are starting to blossom.
Overall, it's left me very excited to read more in this series! I think it's going to be a really good one!

I LOVED THIS SO SO MUCH!!!! THIS BOOK IS SO GOOOOD. I NEED BOOK TWO.

this book. just wow. its easily my fav read of 2025 so far, by literal miles.
I LOVED THIS SO SO MUCH!!!! THIS BOOK IS SO GOOOOD. I NEED BOOK TWO.

this book. just wow. its easily my fav YA read of 2025 so far, by literal miles.

Lauryn has written a wonderful debut, reminiscent of the golden years of YA (looking at you, 2010s). The worldbuilding is extremely well written - a book that has perfect EVERYTHING.

Seriously, this is THE BOOK to read this summer. Element based magic, reclaiming power, and accepting yourself - taking control of your life rather than being caught by how people view you.

Blaze lets her reputation stand in her way, which, fair, her birth meant death. But once she accepts thr fact that she couldn’t control it, and faces it head on - learning control instead of simply allowing her power to fade away, suppressed? She’s unstoppable. And she’s coming for her crown.

Thank you to the publishers and Netgalley for approving me to read this book, I’m rating it 4.5 stars rounded to 5.

Did someone say incredible??? Because I am. This is a great first book in the story, we get great world building with unique magic systems in relation to the gods and the differing kingdoms. The characters and the hierarchies within the kingdoms are complex, but intriguing.

I am such a fan of a book with trials and this didn’t miss the mark, it creates a premise you may have read before but makes it fresh with our naive yet courageous FMC and the side characters we meet with many different intentions.

I love that despite how dangerous and engaging the core plot is, we get these revelations that come to the surface as our FMC explores new territory piecing together secrets long buried.

I highly recommend this for fans of YA fantasy.