Blaze, the last Storm Weaver born into a family known for fire magic, has always felt like an outsider. However, when the Gods choose her as a potential heir to the throne, she is thrust into a brutal competition where the stakes are high, the dangers real, and the line between friend and foe is anything but clear.

Their names are so silly.

At its core, “Heir of Storms” feels like a retelling of “The Hunger Games”, but with an elemental twist. The familiar structure of a reluctant heroine, a deadly contest, and an uncaring audience is present, yet the world-building here is what makes it just a bit different. The concept of elemental courts is interesting, especially the unique exploration of water magic. However, while Blaze’s role as the last of her kind has immense potential, the story doesn’t fully delve into the significance of her powers or how she ended up so different in the first place. We are left wanting more depth into her backstory and the weight of her rare abilities. The destruction she is capable of is hinted at but never fully explored at least not on her own merit in the later half of the book, leaving the reader to question how truly unique and dangerous she might be in this high-stakes game.

The romance, while somewhat predictable, is a welcome addition to the plot. It feels natural within the context of the story and serves as a potential grounding force for Blaze in a world where allegiances are fickle even if things may not be as clear cut as they seem. While the trials themselves are entertaining, they often feel watered down, lacking the true intensity you might expect from such a high-stakes competition. However, Blaze is very easy to root for as a character, which makes it easy to overlook the relative ease of her journey through these challenges.

One of the main drawbacks is the underdevelopment of its secondary characters. The supporting cast feels like they’ve been pulled from a checklist: the charming brother, the mean girl rival, the nice guy with a bad boy foil. While they serve their roles, none stand out in a meaningful way, and at times I honestly forgot who was who. In some instances, the dynamics felt shallow, leaving the potential for richer relationships largely untapped.

Not a bad book but a weaker version of something I’ve read before, that being said I think there is plenty of room for this story to grow into something unique and I really hope it does.

**special thanks to the publishers and netgalley for providing an arc in exchange for a fair and honest review**

Fantasy politics and clean romance lovers - here you go!! This was a lot of fun and I really enjoyed it!

Thank you to NetGalley for this eARC gifted in exchange for my honest review.

5/5 STARS!!!!! I finished this book about 2 days ago and it has found a way to consume my every thought. Heir of Storms was so beautifully written and the world building was out of this world. This book was filled with magic, trials, romance, plot twists, grief, and all the feels. I know that i just finished the book but I already want to re-read it. I can't wait for book two.

The world of The Heir of Storms has an interesting power structure. One people(with power), four elements(earth, air, fire, water), one ruler for each element. Every generation there is an eclipse which marks the end of one each rulers reign and the search forn the next four rulers. Four people of each power are chosen by the gods to fight for the next right to rule. There is more but this is just one of the things this book is about.

The Heir of Storms stars a woman born of a family of Fire whose cry at birth brings about a great and powerful storm that changes the world. She is the Storm Weaver, the only of her kind, able to call the rain. She is a young woman cloistered from the world, hated and feared for the storm her first cry called. Does she have what it takes to save it? Read the book. Haha.

The only reason I dont give 5 stars is because this book left a lot unanswered. And my guess would be it it because it sets itself up to be the first of a series. I still enjoyed the read enough to get very caught up in the story.

I LOVED how addictive this book was. It reminds me of Powerless in some ways, a page-turning romantasy you won't put down. However, I did have a few problems connecting with the MC Blaze, which is why I don't find myself thinking about this novel often. Still, I loved the world Murray has created, and I can't wait to see what they come up with next!

I think what sets this "romantasy" read aside from the many we see out today is the balance of themes Lauryn Hamilton Murray includes. First and foremost, this is an epic fantasy story of loss, self-discovery, deception, mystery and power. There is a romantic theme between some characters. Yet it's not the sole focus. I loved that. How many great romantasy books have we read that don't even introduce the FMC/MMC love interest until the second book in the series? This book sets a great foundation for the character relationships to develop naturally instead of forcing a happy ending before the characters and plot are ready for that.

Lauryn does an amazing job of character introductions, most leaving you wonder, "can I trust this person?" The answer is most likely maybe, but probably not.

My only qualm with the story is the sense of irony the FMC doesn't seem to grasp in regard to how she treats a specific character. I know that is probably what the writer intended, but it was difficult to read.

I don't feel it necessary to reiterate to book blurb, you can read it for yourself. I just wanted to highlight my favorite aspects of this book!

I highly recommend Heir of Storms by Lauryn Hamilton Murray!

Thank you Netgalley for the opportunity to read this book early in exchange for an honest review!

4.5/5

I’ve avoided YA for a while because in my last few ventures into the genre, it felt as if “young protagonist” became something of a veiled excuse for poorly written characters. However, this was the perfect book to get me out of that slump!

✔ Blaze’s growth and struggle to figure out her powers was very well-written and felt earned. She didn’t become a powerhouse overnight - she actually had to work for it.
✔ In general, Blaze was an excellent protagonist (except her name). She has this quiet strength that makes her very readable and sympathetic as a main character.
✔ Within the cast of characters, there are a lot of representations of what strength is, particularly strength in female characters. Though there were some stereotypically antagonistic female characters, there was also excellent representation of women as friends, mentors, and leaders.
✔ I don’t normally like love triangles but I really liked this one. There was something really authentic about how each relationship developed - crushes, hurt feelings, but avoiding insta-love.
✔ I’m very intrigued by how the magic and history of this world is set up and I’m rather eager to learn more. Lauryn Hamilton Murray did a great job of feeding the lore throughout the action but keeping enough back that there was a sense of more to discover.

✖ Some parts of the story were a little bit predictable but that didn’t detract from my overall enjoyment.

5/5 stars!

I’m really excited to grab my own copy of this book on release and I will definitely be watching this author for further works.
Thank you to NetGalley and Macmillan Children's Publishing Group for an ARC in exchange for an honesty review.

With a dash of mystery and drama, this book was lighthearted and entertaining. The worldbuilding was enjoyable, and the story's inventive approach to power dynamics impressed me. Overall, the story moved along at a nice pace!

Rating-
5/5 stars

Genre-
Romantasy

Age Rating For It-
14+ because there is some violence not too much or too gory violence or anything though and there is some romance and kissing and stuff but nothing more than kissing.

Tropes-
Enemies to lovers
Love triangle
Chosen one
Trials
Forbidden love

Quotes-

“Make no mistake, the real game begins when the winners take their thrones.”

“She bore the boy who broke the world.”

“‘You have already decided that you will not succeed, and I will not attempt to convince you otherwise,’ he says softly. ‘But strength, like weakness, is a choice. I trust you will make the right one.’”

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

“Fate has many faces, my darling one. Make sure you look them all in the eye.”

“I am the girl who wove the storm that shook the world. And I’m coming for my crown.”

“This is only the beginning, little dove.”

“Never doubt the tides of fortune, whether they break or bind.”

Thoughts/Would I Recommend This?-
I honestly loved this book so much! I thought it was well paced and that the world building in it was so great! I thought all of the characters were different and had their own personalities and interest, and that they all weren’t just copy and paste versions of each other (which is always great). This book was just so great and just made me itching to read the next one! I would totally recommend you all look into this book and check it out!!

This book was amazing! It was a lot better than I thought it would be. The world building was really good and the romance was a great side plot

Thank you NetGalley for the ARC

This book was Powerless meeting Hunger Games meeting Shadow and Bone. I really enjoyed it.

During the birth of the FMC she caused a rain storm and then a flood that destroyed and killed so many within the realm. Because of that she was locked away and always felt like an outsider for something that happened when she was literally not even a day old.

The FMC really had to go through a transformation to become the powerful Queen that she is. The fact that she was born into a house of fire AND A TWIN but was a water wielder set her apart. But throughout the book she really proved herself. I never hated her as a main character which says something. I enjoyed all of her interactions with the other side characters. And I enjoyed how she just fell in with the good people. She then learned not to define herself based upon one thing that happened during her birth.

I really want to read the second book and that's the problem with getting is ARC! This book isn't even out yet and I want to know what happened!!!

I love the world building and how the side characters were actually really important in her progression to self discovery.

Really happy with this book!

3.5 stars

This has a lot of promise and most of the characters are interesting enough for me to continue reading. The plot in my opinion could’ve been stronger but the writing was immersive enough that I could vividly imagine being in the different locations. If you love powerless, you’ll like this.

I wanted to love it so much but something was missing. The plot is predictable and some parts feel like a mix of other books but it was still creative enough to keep me hooked from start to finish. I liked the characters (especially the sibling relationship) but I feel like Fox needed more development, when he first appeared I felt like he was going to be my favorite (maybe he still is) but then he barely shows up and only in really quick scenes. Since he’s an important character AND one of the love interests, I was expecting more from him.

Now about Blaze…… 🫠🫠 I thought I was going to absolutely love her but I ended up disappointed, I didn’t connect with her at all but I think that might change in the next book. I also hated how she spent the entire book treating Fox the same way people treat her, even though he told her multiple times that she, of all people, should know how others twist and exaggerate things about them.

Overall I thought the book was okay. It has the potential to be better in the sequel so I’ll probably be reading it. Thanks Netgalley & Macmillan for the arc 💜

I knew right from the prologue that I was going to enjoy this book, and I love when I become hooked that quick! It felt a little predictable and very expected for a YA fantasy, but I didn’t see that as a bad thing. There is elemental magic (which I’m a sucker for), great world building, and it’s fast paced. I adored the storyline and I loved the sibling banter that was in this book.

I can’t wait to read the rest of this series, and I can see this becoming very popular very quick!

I absolutely loved this book! The character development was great without being too wordy and drawn out, even for some of the smaller roles. I could say the same thing about the world building. Sometimes I find myself struggling to get through fantasy but this book reads so well; I devoured it. Five out of five and I will be impatiently waiting for the next in the series.

This was amazing! So glad I had the opportunity to read this early but sad it means I have to wait even longer for the next book.

I loved this book!!! Absolutely amazing. The mfc I has been hidden from the world in the hopes they would forget her birth caused the death of their families. One night that changes as she is chosen to compete in the trials for a throne. Her powers growing stronger and her heart on the line this book has everything. Thank you netgalley and macmillan children’s publishing group for the arc. This is my honest opinion and can’t wait for book 2

Think of all of your favorite YA romantasy books. Now reflect on all of your favorite YA authors. Is both HEIR OF STORMS and Lauren Hamilton Murray’s name on those lists? I can almost guarantee they will be after you’ve read this book.

How Lauryn Hamilton Murray managed to debut on the literary scene with a title as flawless as HEIR OF STORMS is beyond me. Holy sh*%*+%#t this book is good. Wait, strike that. “Good” is too weak of a word to describe this gorgeously written, pulse-racing and heart-wrenching affair. Riveting, rollicking, ridiculously readable — no, those are not quite right either. Flawless? Addictive? Unputdownable? That’s better.

Perhaps there is no one simple word that describes a book like this. Maybe the best way is to describe how reading it makes you feel. Breathless and with butterflies — like that moment you realize you are in love for the very first time. As if the very sky opened itself up just for you.

This is one of those very few instances when I wish I hadn’t read HEIR OF STORMS so far ahead of its publication date. Primarily because there’s nothing I could want more than to read the next book.

What are you waiting for? Read this.

Thank you NetGalley for the e-ARC.


I was locked in from the prologue. Hadn’t even gotten to the first chapter yet and I knew it was going to be good. And I was not disappointed. The characters, the world, the world building was all so interesting. Definitely got the Last Airbender vibes with the different courts having different elements. The games and trials aspect was great. The one critique I might have is the ending felt a little rushed. A little more could have been added or just waited to put it in the next book but it’s not that big of an issue to me. I’m invested. This book isn’t even out yet and I’m ready for the next one!!!!

this book was fun and whimsical with a side of drama and mystery. i would definitely recommend to a friend and the cover is so beautiful!