I went into Heir of Storms not knowing what to expect but I loved the description and wanted to dive in! The elemental magic of our main character, Blaze, was fascinating. She has been hidden due to the devastating storm she brought on the night of her birth. This storm destroyed cities and took many lives and so she has been sequestered for 17 years. She’s what they call a Rain Singer. Because of her magic, she is an heir to the Aquatori throne while her twin brother has the expected elemental fire magic and is an heir to the Ignitia throne. In this fantastical world, thrones are fought for and not inherited. When I read this, I expected something similar to the Hunger Games. But this book put a new spin on games and trials while also having that familiarity that we all have come to know and love. The trials themselves are for 4 thrones and 4 heirs fight for their right to each throne. I won’t spoil anything by sharing details of the other magic in this book, but it’s definitely something you’ll want to read about for yourself! The magic system felt really well thought out and I loved the lore. I started to feel really connected to Blaze as I read this book. She is a character that keeps their strength quiet and isn’t overbearing like other FMC’s and I loved that about her. She’s definitely determined with some fierceness to her, but also emotional and raw and real at the same time. Her character arc and growth was wonderful to see unfold. This book also has elements of found family, a hint of romance, political schemes, lots of emotional moments, and many twists combined with shocking reveals! Overall I really think this is a great book to kick off this new series! I personally loved this book and would recommend it to anyone who loves unique magic and games and trials!

Thank you so much to Macmillan Children's Publishing Group and NetGalley for the ARC in exchange for my honest review.

4 ⭐️ for this author’s debut YA book!

absolutely adored our storm weaver fmc, blaze harglade and her journey so much. i also quickly fell for the mmc that i will not name to avoid spoilers 🤭

there were a couple of times where the plot got a bit slow but the castle setting + the fun side characters made it super hard to get bored!

🔥 unique elemental magic
🌊 trials to compete for the crown
🍃 lots and lots of ballroom scenes
🌬️ themes of overcoming grief and loss

(this book is perfect for you if you love these things!)

Heir of Storms has the feel of a slow-building fantasy with a lot of potential. The elemental magic, layered politics, and hints of deeper conflict definitely set the stage for an epic story—but this first book reads more like setup than a full journey.
Our feisty FMC seems like she’s on the edge of a big transformation, and while there are some strong moments, the pacing is pretty slow overall. It spends a lot of time world-building (which I typically love) but sometimes at the cost of your attention span. I will say, the writing is solid, the world is creative, and it feels like things could really pick up in the next book. As a series opener, it didn’t completely hook me, but I’m curious to see where it goes from here. If book two delivers on the potential, this could be a series worth sticking with.

Thank you so much to the author, publisher, and NetGalley for this arc opportunity!

5 stars and my thanks to Netgalley and the Publisher for the eARC!

Summary: The very day Blaze came into the world, she almost drowned it. A Rain Singer born into one of the most powerful fire-wielding families in the empire, Blaze's birth summoned a devastating storm that left thousands dead. She's been hidden away ever since with a dark secret: the same torrential power that branded her an outcast disappeared that fateful day. And she’s not sure she wants it back.
When an unexpected invitation arrives for Blaze and her twin brother, Flint, to compete as future rulers of the empire, she’s suddenly thrust into the limelight again -- and into battle. Threats abound at the Golden Palace, where intrigue and romance await with not one but two handsome suitors: the enchanting Crown Prince and a dangerously alluring newcomer at court.

What I loved: The writing! It was so quick and fun to read with all of the characters feeling like their own. The only exception being the two mean girls, Ember and Marina, being a little too similar in their meanness. They and the other E names kind of blended together and it got confusing at times.

What I didn't like: The love triangle that seemed a little too similar to every other YA fantasy with one. One love interest is the Highest of High Royals and the other is the Bad Boy of All Bad Boys. It got annoying at times, but I think the book found it's footing.

I cannot wait for the next book!

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ -Fierce beginnings, elemental power, and a storm worth chasing

Heir of Storms opens with a bang—literally. The very first moments of Blaze’s life are marked by a catastrophic surge of power that reshapes the world and casts her into the shadows. Seventeen years later, she’s pulled back into the light—and the line of succession—by an invitation that thrusts her into a deadly contest for the throne. The catch? Her magic has vanished, her past haunts her, and nothing in this empire is ever what it seems.

From the start, this story pulses with tension. The stakes are high, the political landscape is treacherous, and the magic system—centered on elemental affinities—is both elegant and immersive. The idea of a court where each throne is earned through magical mastery, not birthright, sets the stage for an exhilarating competition laced with secrets, sabotage, and the threat of war.

Blaze herself is a heroine you grow with. She’s not fearless—but she’s determined. Her relationship with power is complex, and her hesitations feel earned. She's constantly pulled between expectation and identity, and her growth is gradual in a way that feels realistic for a girl who’s been defined by a single moment her whole life. I appreciated that her arc didn’t rush toward perfection; instead, we watch her learn, doubt, stumble, and rise again.

The supporting cast brings color and tension to the palace halls. Her twin brother Flint adds warmth and humor to the mix, while two very different romantic interests complicate matters further—but thankfully, Blaze’s focus remains centered on survival, self-worth, and strength. The romance adds sparks, but never overshadows the bigger themes of power, legacy, and rewriting the narrative others have imposed on you.

Though the pacing wavers in parts—particularly in the middle act—the explosive final chapters ramp up both emotion and intrigue, leaving no doubt that this is just the beginning of a much bigger story. There are rich hints of deeper worldbuilding still to come, and I’m eager to learn more about the politics, magic, and history that shaped this realm.

In short: Heir of Storms is a confident debut that blends emotional stakes with elemental magic and courtly competition. Fans of slow-burn transformation, lush YA fantasy settings, and heroines who earn every ounce of their strength will find plenty to love here. It’s not perfect, but the potential crackles on every page.

A huge thank you to NetGalley and Macmillan Children’s Publishing Group | Roaring Brook Press for providing this digital reviewer copy of one of the year’s most anticipated fantasy releases. I’m deeply grateful for the chance to read and share my thoughts on this fierce, imaginative debut.

DNF at 40%. Thank you NetGalley and Macmillan for a digital arc.

I was intrigued with the concept of this book - elemental powers, trials and a main character who as a newborn unknowingly causes a tragedy that goes on to haunt her throughout her life. Unfortunately the execution of it felt lacking. The characters didn’t have a connection with each other. The politics of the world had so much potential but felt flat. There was more middle school bullying than actual tension, stakes and consequences.

I hope this book finds its intended audience, it just was not me.

3.5⭐️

Blaze was born into a family known for their fire magic and was named with the expectation that she’d inherit the same power. But when she was born, a violent storm began and didn’t stop for days. Her mother eventually realized Blaze was the cause and took her outside, and the storm ended. Instead of fire, Blaze had water magic. The storm caused a devastating flood and many lives were lost.
Since then, Blaze has lived with heavy labels:

• Murderer
• Changeling
• Freak

In this world, those in power are chosen by the gods. Four are chosen for each element: fire, earth, water, and wind. Sixteen heirs go through trials, and the winner from each group becomes the leader of their sect. Both Blaze and her twin are chosen as heirs, setting the stage for a high-stakes competition.

I really wanted to love this book, but I ended up feeling pretty underwhelmed. The pacing dragged, and I was bored for much of it. Serious topics like slavery and the trafficking of children were mentioned but not explored in any meaningful way, which made them feel like an afterthought.
That said, the ending picked up and held my attention. It gave me hope for the rest of the series, so I plan to continue reading. I’m curious to see how the story develops from here.

Thank you to NetGalley and Macmillan Children's Publishing Group for the ARC of The Heir of Storms by Lauryn Hamilton Murray.

This was so good! Thank you so much for the opportunity to read it. I already can't wait for book 2!

Thank you to Macmillan Children’s Publishing Group/Roaring Brook Press and author Lauryn Hamilton Murray for an eARC of Heir of Storms.

I ATE this book UP!! I put off all my adult responsibilities to read this book. I am a high school English teacher so I love being able to find new YA books for my classroom, and this book will absolutely be sitting on my classroom shelves!!

I went into this book expecting the typical trials and tribulations that many YA novels have, but Blaze swept away all of my expectations. Blaze is a FMC that anyone can get behind. She is a storm wielder born into a family of fire wielders. She has been kept locked up in her grandmother's estate for 17 years until the gods select her as an Heir to fight for one of the thrones in the kingdom. Blaze went into the trials intimidated and believed she would never live up to the other Heirs or that she would become the thing everyone feared about her.

I am so thankful for being able to read an advance copy of this book, but how frustrating it is to have to wait who knows how long for the next! If you have not pre-ordered this book, you need to go and do that NOW! I have been telling everyone at my school to grab this book when it releases! This is the first book in a romantasy trilogy that you do not want to miss!

I had a really hard time putting this down! I think it's going to be the next Red Queen series!

It had so much intrigue in this and even after I've finished, I have so many questions left unanswered that are leaving me a little desperate for book 2. They're setting the world up so well as we only got a little portion of the land in this book, with lots of hints to the other areas and I just know they're going to be explored in the sequels.

There are some swoony romance scenes and some mild tension and kissing, but perfectly YA suitable.

The magic competition was really unique because there are four different elemental thrones and four people vying for each one. It was neat to see the characters train and learn how to use the different types of their magic. Blaze has some hurdles to overcome with a large destiny ahead of her and she works so hard to get where she is by the end!

Read if you love
-Elemental Magic competitions for a throne
-Mystery
-Unanswered questions that leave you needing more
-Courtly intrigue
-Forbidden love

Thank you Fierce Reads for reaching out with an eARC of this book. My thoughts are entirely my own.
Finish date: 5/14/25, Release date: 6/3/25

This is hands down the best book I've read this year. It was so addictive. I loved the world building and the characters. The magic was so fun and I can't wait to see it expand in future books. The elemental powers were reminiscent of Avatar the Last Airbender (My favorite tv series) but had it's own fun way of expressing it. Blaze is a powerhouse and I can't wait for even more character development. And don't even get me started on Fox 😍 My only regret? Not starting this book during a time where I could sit and binge it all in one sitting. Because this week has been so insanely busy that I've hardly had time to read, and it was agony not being able to continue when I wanted. Thank you so much to Macmillan Children's Publishing Group for the ARC copy. I can't wait to go buy the physical copy in a few weeks! This was a 6/5 star read for me. I'm dying to get the next book

This was a very well written book that is easy to comprehend and is well paced. I was very intrigued by the premise and especially with the incredibly fascinating world Murray has written. I would say that I expected Blaze to have more of an ice-queen personality and feel more rage, but instead she feels a lot of remorse and guilt. I also would like to add that I would appreciate books that would have enemies that weren't women just for the sake of it. I found some of Blaze's casual nemeses to be women who were jealous or power hungry, and I would rather them have a proper goal for doing so. But other than that I found Blaze to be a compelling protagonist who I find lot of readers would relate to. She begins with someone who has low self esteem and not much skill to upholster herself with, but grows into her own and has a steady support system.

I absolutely ADORED this YA novel. The writing is extremely visual and beautiful. I felt like I could see everything going on at all times as I made my way through the story. It was a wonderful spin on trials and houses. I also really love Hal, the prince. I never saw the twists coming. I can't wait to dive into the next one and get more of Fox. His dark persona mixed intelligence was a lot of fun. I also loved the fmc and seeing her growth throughout book 1.

This plot really has depth and great tension. I am dying for more.

I highly recommend to fantasy lovers who like a little twisted romance but the main story was fantasy and the trials and a few interesting plot twists.

I am so very sad to say, I am DNF’ing one of my most anticipated books of the year. This has every single thing I love in fantasy books including elemental magic which is always a hit for me. I had to go back reread the first 5 chapters because I was so lost and couldn’t connect with the characters or world building. After that I felt like I had my footing with this book. Then at halfway through I still felt like this had gone nowhere and I genuinely wasn’t interested in the slightest. I have seen mixed reviews on this so I am unsure if it is worth sticking it out but I don’t like to waste my time on a book I already know I’m not enjoying. I think the writing probably just wasn’t for me and with how many books I read, it’s really easy for me to know when to call it quits.

“Storm Weaver. That is what they call me. The girl who wove the storm that shook the world.”

Heir of Storms follows Blaze, the last Rain Singer, who on the day she was born unleashed a deadly storm that decimated her world. 17 years later, Blaze has been kept away from the world that hates her. That is until she is summoned to compete for the crown. What will happen when Blaze has to choose between using the powers she fears or losing it all?

Heir of Storms feels like a classic YA fantasy featuring deadly trials, a heroine grappling with her powers, and a half-brother love triangle?! ***It’s YA - behave. 👀

“And what does it mean when - the most dangerous boy in all the realm asphyxiates your adversary in front of the entire palace, and then gives you a kitten? If only there were a book about these sorts of things. Then perhaps I’d find some answers.”

Ohhh I think we know the answer to this one.😉

Pick up if you enjoy:
🌊 Elemental magic
👑 Deadly trials
🌧️ Themes of grief and loss
🐈‍⬛ Kittens?!?

*There are a few more complicated and sensitive themes that I’d like to see explored more throughly in the rest of the series - which there is absolutely time for - and I’m curious to see where those plot points go.

Thank you to Macmillan Children’s Publishing Group, Roaring Brook Press and NetGalley for an advanced electronic copy in exchange for an honest review. Heir of Storms comes out on June 3rd.

This is a well paced book that does rely on some classic YA tropes but also bends them in some great ways. I appreciated that despite being the chosen one, Blaze does still continue to struggle with her powers. She is a little immature a fact explained by her unusual upbringing but this does also take away some of her autonomy along with how the heir system is designed. I do wish we had seen more of the moments where she fights against what is expected of her and her standing up for herself. That said she did still overall do well thrown into the competition and world of the royal court she had previously been shielded from. The other characters were well written and I enjoyed seeing the ways they played their roles in the competition it was interesting who sided together and how friendships formed despite the competition. It was also interesting to see the deeper secrets revealed through the course of the book. This also worked well with the pacing having the competition both move the more mysterious plot points along or hinder them at different points in the story kept me glued to the pages of the book. This book combines a lot of YA favorites well and I am really interested in learning more about this magic system and world in the next book.

This book was SO good! I honestly devoured it! I really liked the characters and the storyline. I will most definitely be reading the next book when it comes out. There were some things that felt a bit abrupt or like it needed a bit of polishing but it didn’t keep me from enjoying the storyline.

<i>Heir of Storms</i> is Lauren Roberts-esque and was incredibly fun to read! Cleaner in language (only a few usages of curse words) though not as clean in agenda, this book was surprisingly incredible. I don't usually like the sibling trope but this one was exceptionally well done. I haven't read an "elements-abilities" book in a long time but this one lived up to my expectations.

A big con for me was that gay characters were included. :/ They're minor, and only go so much as to say "he kissed him."

Other than that, I really enjoyed reading <i>Heir of Storms</i>. 😊

If you haven’t preordered this book yet: DO IT NOW. It will EASILY be one of the top 5 books of this year- if not the BEST book of this year. Blaze, the main character is strong, sassy, and sometimes insecure. Blaze would rather go to the library and read a book than attend a lavish party- and if that’s not relatable, I don’t know what is. Lauryn Hamilton Murray serves trial, action, drama, romance, banter, and a touch her (- or be rude to her) and die MMC. I LOVED that the world building and lore isn’t dumped all at once, but introduced throughout the book at very relevant points. I was never bored and I flew through the story as it held my attention from page one. My jaw was dropped for the last 10% of the book and I gasped too many times to count. This book is THE BOOK, an IT GIRL through and through .

Blaze has been locked away for seventeen years as a way to protect her. However, she knows that it's all a guise to make everyone around her feel safe after her birth brings about a violent rain storm that ended in death and tragedy for many. As she grows in rekindling her power and identity within it, other mysteries come to the surface, and her part to play has only just begun.

Not only is the story of Blaze facing her ability with water at front and center, but her new feelings towards some princely characters are set in motion and kept me guessing.

This storyline is compelling and weaves fantasy with a beautiful blend of romantic tension, mystery, and trials to secure the next royal council of the realm. I already cannot wait to read what comes next for Blaze and her newfound role.