Heir of Storms is a fun new romantasy trilogy. The characters are really interesting, and I appreciated the world-building as well. The book was slow in some places, but the ending really made up for it. I am very excited for the next book.

Thank you to the publisher for the e-copy. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

I wasn't sure what to expect from this book at first, but I liked it much more than I anticipated. The main character's name, "Blaze," almost made me want to write her off, but the elemental names remained a theme throughout the book, and even if somewhat cheesy on some levels, they did end up making sense. It was very reminiscent in parts of Avatar: The Last Airbender (which I loved) and stories with deadly challenges thrust upon the main characters, like The Hunger Games (which I also loved).

Who the real villain turned out to be was a bit predictable for me, but I liked it, and the romance actually turned out to be more interesting than I expected, and also NOT what the entire story was about, though it had some lovely moments. I also appreciated the depiction of family, the complications and love that come with it, and how bonds can be twisted by grief. Overall, I think it was great! And I can't wait for the next one.

Thank you NetGalley, Macmillan Children’s Publishing Group and Lauryn Hamilton Murray for the opportunity to review this book. All opinions are my own.

I found this book to be fine. It doesn’t break boundaries or do anything new. The rest may sound a bit harsh, so TLDR - it just is tropey with a predictable story. The magic is interesting though! This will work for someone but just wasn’t for me. If you want to know why, continue reading. I rounded up because I do think this will really work for some people. Maybe I’m just too old for this book.

You have four crowns ruled by one emperor. Wind, water, earth and fire ruled by a light wielder. Every 25 years or so an eclipse happens and the current rulers are replaced by teenagers. Hmm, yeah that makes sense. Especially since the emperor can only be replaced by his eldest son so you best hope he is old enough to rule. Or hope that he even has one at all. There is no mention of what would happen if that was the case. Anyway, Blaze is a young girl with the rain magic born into a family with fire magic. Magic that is extremely powerful but disappears on her as a baby. So her family decides the best thing to do is to help her figure out how to find her magic again, find others to help teach her how to use this magic that is foreign to them and are generally supportive. NOPE. This does not happen. Instead, they decide to keep her prisoner within her house while her twin brother runs the country doing whatever he wants. You want to talk about a character I didn’t like, it was her brother. He is not only her brother, but her twin, and he never fights for his sister. When she does eventually leave her house and join society, it's even more obvious how much he was allowed to learn and do and at no point does he ever feel remorse. I guess maybe this does truly represent a teenage boy? Anyway, we get a competition between teenagers where the winner becomes the ruler of their crown/magic. And of course we must have catty, nasty girls because why not? Even adults blame Blaze for not being able to control her magic when she wasn’t even a day old. Those without magic are mentioned. They have no representation within the government and are generally looked down on. Blaze as a main character is ok until she starts to treat another character the same way others have treated her for her entire life. How she regains her magic doesn’t really require much effort after years of it being repressed. Then we have the obvious love triangle. If you don’t have this one figured out then you haven’t read many YA stories. There is a lot about the world that is introduced but not much of it is explained. We get mentions of other countries and magics that exist and a plot that obviously continues into the next book so maybe more will be fleshed out later. I think this had good promise but so much of it frustrated me that I had a hard time seeing the positives.

subverts the path of typical tropes by taking them in different directions. amazed and in awe. the world building is especially interesting and honestly the biggest WOW factor of this one.

i just hope this doesn't remain one of those underrated fantasies of this year and blows up instead 🫶

Heir of Storms is the story of Blaze, who despite growing up in a family with affinity for fire power, shocked everyone as a baby by conjuring an incredibly powerful storm. Now as a teenager, she is invited to compete to become the most powerful water wielder in the land. The book has a really fun world of elemental magic (I described it to someone as "the Avatar: The Last Airbender" kind of magic in a romantasy setting), and I did enjoy that the author clearly was raised on 2000s YA fantasy, and has some homage to those tropes in a very fun way.

Maybe I'm a little too old for YA novels when I start to be so interested in the stories of the adults in the book - and this book had some fascinating stories. Our main character, Blaze, was raised by her grandmother, who remains incredibly feisty as she trains her grandchildren into power. From her trainer, River, to several of the older men she meets around the palace, the older characters feel very lived in and fascinating. I wanted to hear more about the stories we hear scraps of - about past wars and politics. I thought they were better rounded than some of the other YA characters. Blaze is bullied by a couple of mean girls, and I wish we had gotten a bit more than the glimpses we receive as to why these girls are so afraid and jealous of Blaze. Similarly, Blaze's twin brother Flint was a well rounded character - someone who hides behind his trauma with jokes and partying, and doesn't always appreciate the importance of pure grit.

I was always someone who was a little skeptical of love triangles, and I do appreciate that Blaze is not someone who is overly impressed by the two brothers competing over her - she's not willing to compromise her moral standards or her goals for anyone, which I enjoyed. I also thought the author resolved it in a neat manner, while shining a spotlight on a character who would have been the protagonist in another version of this story.

I'm excited to read the rest of the trilogy, and think fans of Leigh Bardugo and Lauren Roberts will enjoy this one.

I loved this book. It reminded me alot of a race for the crown between Lightlark and Avatar. It was well worth it. I love that there is no insta love in this. Yeah there are some fiery kisses but it focuses more on plot rather then falling in love. There is plenty of action as our heroin must use her wits to get through the three trials alive while figuring out her power that she thought was long gone.

4 stars

This was a fun read. I don’t think it’s comparable to Red Queen (which dealt with much more serious political themes) or Shadow and Bone (which was for an older audience imo). It felt more like Lightlark but if it was well-written and had a coherent plot.

Plot: Nothing terrible unqiue here, but I am a sucker for books with a series of trials. It was well-executed, if not the most original of plots. I did enjoy that there was some level of ending, even though it’s clearly setting up for a series.

Characters: I liked all the characters. They were all well-painted and sympathetic and felt their age. I was worried that Blaze's arc to get in touch with her feelings would be heavy-handed, but it was handled well. I liked that it wasn't the traditional expected love triangle and that the author played with tropes.

World-building: This is where the book fell down a little, but I will give it some grace as it's only Book 1. I do think the author needs to grapple with introducing slavery into this world, and it isn't just brushed under the rug in future books. There is a real problem with a society that condones this, and there needs be further exploration and reconing here.

WOW WOW WOW! I’m absolutely enamored with Heir of Storms — and I’m thrilled to know this will be a trilogy!

Blaze is the first Rain Singer/Storm Wielder in generations, born into a powerful fire-wielding family. Her birth triggered a catastrophic storm that nearly destroyed the empire, turning her into a hated outcast across the realms. After 17 years in hiding, she’s suddenly thrust into the spotlight when she’s chosen to compete in the Choosing Rite.

In this world, thrones aren’t inherited. Instead, four gifted individuals from each realm face off in three deadly trials, using their elemental magic to earn the right to rule their kingdom.

While the book definitely draws inspiration from familiar fantasy tropes, it still felt fresh and kept me turning the pages. The characters were well-developed, and I think we got just the right amount of backstory and growth to feel grounded going into book two.

I loved Blaze as a main character. After being isolated her whole life, she steps into a completely foreign world—one her brother, Flint, is already fully part of. But she faces it all with raw determination, vulnerability, and strength. She lets herself feel deeply and still keeps moving forward. That kind of emotional honesty in a female lead is so refreshing.

This story carries such an empowering message for young women: you can grow into your power even in a world that doubts you. Whether you’re surrounded by love, betrayal, competition, or friendship—you can and will rise.

In this book, you’ll find:
• Elemental Magic
• Intense Trials
• A Love Triangle
• Themes of Grief & Loss
• Well-paced Worldbuilding & Character Growth
• The Chosen One Trope
• Major Girl Power

Huge thanks to NetGalley and Macmillan for the chance to read this incredible story early!

Thank you Macmillan Children’s Publishing Group | Roaring Brook Press and author Lauryn Hamilton Murray for an ARC of Heir of Storms in exchange for an honest review.

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ (5 stars)
A thrilling, emotional debut I could not put down — and one that promises even more to come.

Heir of Storms had me fully in its grip from the first chapter. Blaze’s journey felt so personal and relatable—her fear of her own power, her desire to define herself on her own terms, and the weight of being misunderstood. Her voice was captivating, and I genuinely rooted for her every step of the way.

While the elemental magic system and political dynamics are still developing, there’s a strong foundation here that I suspect will be explored more deeply in future installments. There were some predictable beats along the way, but the world and characters still held enough mystery to keep me eagerly turning pages (and staying up way too late doing it).

The writing is heartfelt and promising. This author is clearly one to watch— crafting stories that are emotional, immersive, and so much fun to read. If you enjoyed Red Queen or Once Upon a Broken Heart, I think you’ll love this one.

It’s not every day I want a physical copy of an ARC I’ve read, but this one? Absolutely a shelf-worthy addition.

I'm pleasantly surprised by how much I enjoyed this! Again, I'm not a huge young adult reader anymore, but this was another example of very well-executed and not annoying 'young adult' language. I hate myself for not waiting to read it because now I have to wait for more. I loved that the throne is something fought for rather than handed down by the predecessor. It was a welcome change in the fantasy world, and let's be honest, who doesn't love a trial!? I'm guilty that if I'm IN, when there's a whiff of a magical trial. Also, Blaze (while I kind of hated the name, but that's petty) is a badass. I liked her a lot; she was strong, complex, and not annoying like a lot of main characters. She was written so well that I felt I knew her deeply.

Another addition to the ever popular deadly trials genre of YA fantasy! This one features court intrigue, elemental magic, and a slow burn romance, which will surely delight fans of the genre.

This was so good! I loved the elemental magic and that you immediately know what your element is when your born. I loved the trials aspect also and how they were training then and not just throwing them into the fight. I also loved the descriptions of the gowns and the doublets and all the balls. It was sweet and then I was surprised by the love triangle when it's literally in the synopsis. I liked and disliked who won each element, and I know she did that on purpose, but still I was not happy. But it made sense as to why it ended the way it did and I cannot wait for the second one!

The premise of this book drew me in. I love elemental magic and was very much looking forward to reading it. Sadly I made it to about the halfway point and felt like I wasn't being drawn to pick it up. I didn't feel connected to the story or the characters. The plot felt super slow and nothing truly exciting or engaging had happened. There is a new character introduced around this point that I think was probably the most interesting so far. But for me, it wasn't enough to continue reading at this time. I think that this book will be a big hit for many readers, it just didn't click for me.

This is a classic YA fantasy with a love triangle, a tournament, found family, and a heroine with deadly powers and dead parent trauma. It’s incredibly readable and should be safe for young YA readers, but still hold appeal for adults as well.

Blaze, the FMC, is extremely sheltered, ostracized, and emotionally scarred. She’s a likable character, as is her good-natured brother Flint. It’s harder to judge Hal, the golden boy of the love triangle, and Fox, the bad boy. That’s likely a question for book 2. However, I can say I enjoy the complexities of Fox’s character.

The magic system is intriguing, and aspects of the story call to mind other great books of the genre (namely, Shadow and Bone and Red Queen). The formula of this book is somewhat rote: you’ve got a trial, a ball, another ball, another ball, then another trial, etc., but I do enjoy competitions and party scenes. Book 2 seems like it will be quite different after an explosive ending, and I’m curious to see where the journey leads.

*I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

Heir of Storms by Lauryn Hamilton Murray is an exhilarating ride from start to finish! With rich world-building, a compelling magic system, and plenty of twists, this fantasy is impossible to put down. The enemies-to-lovers romance is packed with tension and chemistry, adding so much depth to the story. The plot kept me on the edge of my seat with unexpected surprises at every turn. If you love high-stakes fantasy with unforgettable characters and intense romance, this is a must-read. I can’t wait for the next book in the series!

What an explosive start to the series! Every part of Heir of Storms, from the wonderful characters to the compelling plot was utterly amazing. I love the magic in particular (it's the best part, okay!), especially Blaze's magic. I love the concept, and the way the author connected the growth of Blaze's magic to the growth of her character was nice. Something that stood out was how well built the world was, with no info dumps (at least not particularly noticeable ones) or superfluous details. The world felt lived in, with its own history and cultures.

The characters were also well written. They had personalities and desires, things that motivated them. They had lives of their own, which is always a delight. I especially liked Flint and his relationship with Blaze. Their supportive but teasing sibling relationship was the highlight of the book! I also really loved the emotions. Blaze feels so deeply, despite (or perhaps because of her) pushing her emotions down for so long. Everything becomes so much more significant because of her emotions, and the book became more intriguing as well. The plot, while not the main attraction, was still noteworthy. The author blended things very well. While some areas could use some more development, that is to be expected considering that this is only the first book in the series. All things considered, this was a solid first book. Fans of simmering romance, interesting characters, and elemental magic will definitely enjoy Heir of Storms.

Biggest thanks to the author, Macmillan Children's Publishing Group, and Netgalley for gifting me this ARC for a honest review! All opinions expressed are my own.

3.5 stars!

I feel a little sad because I didn't seem to love this as much as other readers, and I think ultimately it might've just read a bit too young for me. I always eat up a book with trials and competition, but the plot felt very predictable. What I did really love was the relationship between the siblings, and I am intrigued to see how that ebbs and flows due to various plot points, but at the same time there were no standout characters who I felt like I really needed to come back to.

That being said, I will definitely be continuing this series as I was intrigued by where the plot is moving and this was a quick and easy read!

Thank you to Netgalley and Macmillan Children;s Publishing Group for an ARC in exchange for an honest review!

This is such a great debut and such a promising start to a new series!
This tells the tale of Blaze who inherited the magic to call storms and with her birth called a storm large enough to devastate the kingdom and kill an unprecedented number of people. Since then she has grown up in isolation and with no power. Now she is being called to compete to be the heir of her kingdom. This has a bunch of good twists and turns, mysterious heroes and a great setup for an interesting world. I can't wait for book 2 and to see where this goes!

Also this is rumored to be in an upcoming Fairyloot box!

Thank you to net galley and the publisher for the advance reader copy! All opinions are my own.

Heir of Storms is a young adult book full of magic (elemental), romance (slow burn), and court intrigue with trials. I genuinely feel as though the author did a good job of blending the action of the trials with the political aspect of a complex court. At times it reminded of The Last Airbender mixed with The Hunger Games, so anyone who likes those will enjoy this.

Thank you Netgalley and Macmillan Children's Publishing Group for an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.

Heir of Storms by Lauryn Hamilton Murray is an underrated gem for lovers of elemental magic, competition arcs, and young adult slow burn romantasy. visually this book is stunning and the prose within delivers on the promise of cover that drew me in. I can't wait to get my hands on more books by this author.