Blaze was born to a family that wielded flame, but shortly after her birth, a storm began, and until her mother brought her into it, it raged and killed. Blaze was not like her family, but instead is the last storm wielder. Hated throughout the land, Blaze is kept hidden away until her birthday, when a large celebration is thrown for her and her twin. Shortly after an eclipse signals it is time to compete for who will take the 4 crowns and support the new emperor. But unlike her brother, Blaze has never trained with her gifts, and she thinks they are gone. When she is chosen to compete, she must get in touch with her gifts.

This is a stunning beginning to a series with a ton of potential. I look forward to seeing where Lauryn Hamilton Murray will take it from here.

This is young adult, and there is no real spice. the world-building was rather slow and came together more as the book progressed.

Thank you to Macmillan Children's Publishing Group, Roaring Brook Press, and Net Galley for the ARC. All opinions are my own.

Probably a 3.5 rounded up. This book gave me some mixed feelings but managed to be entertaining throughout so I was willing to overlook its flaws. I also hope that as Murray develop, those flaws can be outgrown.

Heir of Storms follows Blaze (yes, thats her name) a water bender born into a fire bender (no, they aren't really called benders but THEY ARE) family and at her birth caused a massive storm that ended up killing a bunch of people. Since then she hasn't had any access to her powers beyond a little drizzle. But when the eclipse happens, which signals a competition for the new leaders of the bender nations, Blaze is shocked to find herself in the running for the water throne.

Its a royalty competition with bending powers and honestly, I am such a sucker for these that I was totally drawn in. It managed to have enough original flavor and entertaining twists and turns (if not wholly unpredictable) to keep you turning the page.

My only problem felt like it was the pacing and the build up. The way scenes jumped almost felt like a cut screen, it was rather abrupt and didn't always sit well and how problems are solved or not was always a little jarring. The final battle felt a little bit like a let down after all the build up towards it. It also was painfully YA at times, which is fine! Its YA! but some of the teenage drama scenes had me thinking this would not be a functional form of government but they were pretty fun as teenage drama if not world leaders.

Overall, this was a light and fun YA fantasy novel that I definitely won't mind picking up the second for!

Heir of Storms is a YA chosen one fantasy with elemental magic and court politics and plenty of villains. There's a bit of a love triangle, but not for very long. This was a fast and interesting read. I have a huge problem with the writing though, and I'm going to honestly beg, Lauryn Hamilton Murray, stop ending chapters at the climax and starting the next one a significant time later. It's terrible writing, and I've seen it sadly before. The chapter should not finally get interesting after loads of rising action and then abruptly end, starting the next with "after I had some time to think about xyz." No. Show me what happened immediately after, don't tell me. I felt robbed of the satisfaction of watching the characters deal with fallout over and over again while reading this, and it ruined my experience of reading an otherwise solid YA novel. Please, please follow through in the next book and don't make the chapters feel like they were put on an assembly line after being mixed in a Yahtzee cup.
Back to the plot: there's some mythology, lots of ambiguously aged elders, predictable battles with impossible odds until they aren't, and a cliffhanger ending. There is barely any banter or romance, so don't expect it going in. Characterization really shines though. I'm not sure if it's because it relies heavily on known tropes (so handsome he hurts to look at with his corded muscles and green eyes iykyk), but regardless there is comfort in the known. I mostly enjoyed the more complex character relationships, even if they were predictable. There has been some criticism of some language being racist and ableist. The slavery aspect is dealt with poorly. Once a character is disabled, there does seem to be this idea he's "damaged," but I think there is space to course correct that in the next book easily. I hope to see all these issues corrected in the sequel.
Thanks to NetGalley and Roaring Brook Press for this ARC!

Thank you so much for this book in exchange for an honest review.
I absolutely devoured this one! This was such a good YA fantasy. I ate it up! Blaze and Hal were just so good! Loved it!

Yes yes yes! THIS. THIS is what I want in a YA fantasy. It had all the formulas while being it's own story.

For once I actually agree with marketing on this story being in the same vein as Red Queen, only this was so much better because there weren't long winded descriptions every other paragraph.

It was the perfect amount of world building and action. The romance is budding and the set up for the next book is golden. (Pun intended)

This is a phenomenal fantasy/Romantasy read! If you love Queen Elsa, with her extreme powers and having to hide from the damage they can cause, this is your FMC. If you want to see her enter trials of heirs among a variety of elemental powers. This is your read. The writing is excellent. It flows well, the world is nicely described, the characters all have their own complete personalities. This was a book I couldn’t put down and I would recommend it to anyone to read.

I expect this to be a tik-tok sensation because of the action and story. Warning - You have to stick with it and get past the first 20-30% of the book while the world building is being done, it's a bit confusing with the fantasy terms that aren't really defined. But, if you hang in there past that road bump you are set to go for an amazing ride! This trilogy promises to be one that will become an instant favorite of many people.

Thank you to Macmillan Children's Publishing Group | Roaring Brook Press and Lauryn Hamilton Murray for the gifted eARC of Heir of Storms! All opinions are my own.

I’m quite literally reeling. This book is a wild, electrifying ride. The opening was a bit of a slow burn—as fantasy often is while laying the groundwork—but once it picked up, I devoured it. And I’m vibrating with excitement for this book to hit shelves so I can scream about it and start theorizing with the rest of you!! I know this book is going to take the world by storm (pun 100% intended).

I’m normally a tough critic when it comes to comparisons to popular books but man, Red Queen was right on the money!! And not in a spoilery way, this book is 100% its own– in the way that I think fans of Red Queen will be feral for Heir of Storms!

There’s so much to love: the slow drip of secrets that kept me desperate for answers, the banter, the emotional arcs, the found family dynamics that hit in all the right places. Please please please, read it. Then DM me so we can talk theories because I am quite literally going insane.

P.S. I am so psyched that this book is getting a Fairyloot special edition! I can’t wait to see the design💙

Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️/5

My review was posted to Goodreads on 5/24/25.
My Instagram review was posted on 6/21/25.
My Amazon review will be posted on 6/3/25.

“Heir of Storms” follows Blaze, a young woman born into a royal family blessed with power over fire, but Blaze has the power to call storms. She is haunted by the destruction and death from a storm she caused as an infant which killed thousands of people. Every generation, there is a competition among each of the royal elemental families to choose their heirs. Instead of competing against her fire-starting family members, Blaze must fight for the throne of the Aquatori, who have power over water. She works to grow her power, and the prince starts to show an interest in her; however, she is drawn to another competitor who caused a devastating earthquake as a child, much like her own storm.

This is yet another addition to the YA “fantasy competition to earn a throne plus love triangle” genre, and frankly, I don’t think it has much to add. A magic system based on the four elements has been done many times, as has a love triangle between a kind but bland man and a dark, mysterious, morally gray one. I couldn’t find Blaze especially compelling, but there were many supporting characters around her that I did enjoy more. It’s not a bad read by any means, it just didn’t have anything new to say.

I was offered this ARC on NetGalley due to a previous review I left for another book and I’m so grateful! All opinions are my own and unbiased.

This is an absolutely phenomenal debut and I’m already itching for the next instalment when (at the time I finished this) the first one isn’t even officially out yet!

I do think Flint is kind of a little bitch who shoves everything under the rug and I do think Blaze really should be more upfront with her brother and friends about her cousin and the vile things she says… because seriously, what the hell. Elaith is 100% right about Ember, and I genuinely hope she gets what’s coming to her… no redemption arc, please. Same for Marina. And Cole? Fuck you dude.

I loved the flow, the writing, and the plot. It was engaging and intriguing, and kept you turning the page. A super refreshing tale of finding yourself, getting past old traumas and giving yourself grace and acceptance. After being thrust into not only the unknown, but a freaking trial, with no idea what she’s doing—thanks for the prep grandma—she manages to keep her head above water and hold her own. Despite starting out hiding under tables, behind her brother, or with the Prince, she grew to be able to take her own stand. It was great to see her discover herself, her powers, and gain a voice of her own, shedding the confines of the words others had labeled her, her entire life.

Also, I knew I’d love Fox from the moment he appeared. And Hal? I respect the hustle, but come on dude.

I can’t wait to jump back into this world in book 2!!!

I also cannot wait to get my hands on the Fairyloot version of this in June. If you’re hesitating on this book, trust me… just go for it, you won’t regret it.

Big thank you NetGalley and to the publisher for the chance to review this book pre-release. Unfortunately this one just didn't land for me, I think I was out of the target age group that could truly appreciate the love triangle and magic system that we were given. I'm sure that many will love this story, but I had to DNF at 20%

Rating: 4/5
I received an eARC for my honest opinion

In this world the thrones aren’t inherited, they are fought for in a high-stakes magical trials between four heirs. Each throne represents a different elemental power, but there is other power out there.. I guess you will have to read the book to find out what their powers are.

In this book you will meet Blaze, who has not had an easy life from the moment of her birth. You see the night that she was born, she started a horrible storm that killed a lot of people. She has been hidden most of her life, and didn’t mind living like her twin brother was better with people and everyday life anyways. However, everything changes after their seventeenth birthday when they both get called to fight in the magical trails to represent the different elemental powers.

I found the plot of this book to have been fun and engaging, I thought the pace was great and I didn’t have a hard time understanding the history of the world and the characters. I liked that there was a plot twist in the book, and I could start seeing the buildup to the twist, but I didn’t know it would be that character. I loved that this book had a love triangle and let me tell you I was rooting for the bad boy and not the good boy lol, and now I don’t know who to like lol. I liked that the author made characters who were likable, and a few of them had some great development, while others we will have to wait to see what they will do next. I really liked Blaze a lot, she is a strong character, but she isn’t. You will have to read it to understand, she has to work hard for her strength, and she has to battle with the powers that were given to her at birth and all the hurt that her powers caused. I love that she didn’t just give up, she worked harder and trained more. I found the side characters to have been great, they complemented the main characters well. They added to the great banter, the grand reveal at the ending, and just really helped to make this book amazing. Now about that grand reveal… I really want book 2 to see how this is going to end up.

I want to thank NetGalley and Macmillan publishing for the opportunity to review this book.

This book sounded just like my sort of thing. I love Red Queen, love triangles, trials. It makes me so sad that I didn’t love this book.

I do think the world building was very interesting. I loved the elemental magic and the mystery of Blaze’s magic. However the character Blaze I did not enjoy. I found her to be a bit annoying and I didn’t like the way she treated Fox. There was also a certain plot twist I wasn’t a fan of (if you’ve read the book I’m sure you know what I’m talking about).

I think this book has a lot of potential and I am interested in where the story goes in book two, I just wish a few things were different.

I found the world building very interesting and also the trials. It did give some Hunger Games vibes and maybe some Kiera Cass the Selection series as well abit minor influence. I was totally on board to give this book a 5 star until the last maybe 100 pages. There is a reveal that really hurt me as a reader. about one of the MC of the story. Also I think the other big MC isnt introduced until 1/2 through book i felt he was not developed as much. Also I thought the book was a bit cut short in parts. I know I need to reread for more understanding of the "eyes". I see the attempt at a love triangle but not sure if i am fully behind saying there is one until book 2.

If I read book 2 will depend on time i have when it came out. I thought it was interesting and a fun story. Just a lot of emotions and a lot to unpack.

I wish to thank NetGalley and the author for allowing me to get this arc to review.

DNF at 10% - This young adult story is going to find its audience, but they also need to be young adults. Those standard tropes adults recognize in YA fantasy are all there - elemental magic and complimentary naming traditions (fire mages have names like Blaze and Ember), a love triangle, a deadly competition for the throne. Tropes and character archetypes (not-like-the-other-girls heroine, stereotypically suave and evil villain) are a little too on the nose for me. This just wasn't one that held my attention since I'm outside the target age bracket.

This book was hard to put down but also hard to comprehend at times, it that even makes sense. I loved seeing how the characters relationships developed and the overarching plot of the story but the magic system/politics were a little bit hard to follow at times.

The world building was very hard to grasp and made it hard for me to get into the story. I do feel that the book has potential and I enjoyed it once I got past that.

I love it, I love it, I love it.
Give me the second one immediately please!
Everything was fantastic- the magic, the people, the plot!

First off, I would like to thank the author for sending me this book at no charge for my honest review.

I loved this book and can't wait for the 2nd one to come out.

This is a fantasy about 5 relems that need new Heirs to take over, so they have a battle for all elements Earth Fire Wind Water and Light. Only those who can use their powers the best will win.

But it is also a coming of age and found family too. Blaze and her brother are chosen to fight for both water and fire. Blaze, who has been locked up her whole life due to an event that happened when she was a baby, now must learn how to use her powers while also learning how to live outside of her palace home. For her whole life she has never been able to use her powers and no one understood why. Until she found that her powers are melded to her emotions. As she grows into her powers she is also making new friends and enemies.

Will she win the crown? Will she fall in love with the Heir of the kindoms? I guess you will have to read it to find out.

Heir of Storms has everything I should love. I love the idea of elemental magic, competitions and chaperones, and politics. But I just needed a bit more. It was like a spark that needed to be lit. It starts off with a bang and then I felt like the tension loses some steam as the competition gets started - which seems like it would ramp it into high gear? I loved the idea of the courts, magic, and their hatred of her, but I found that it lacked some depth and felt a bit too fast paced. The amount of characters we have to get to know in terms of the court of the world, could get overwhelming at times.