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4.07 AVERAGE
4.07 AVERAGE
adventurous
dark
emotional
hopeful
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
MORE MORE I want MORE!! Absolutely devoured this book, could not put it down. If anything, this world and characters have so much potential I wish it could be adult instead of YA; because it’s YA there are parts that are simplified or explained easily/predictably instead of earned but that is the only critique I have. So invested, so good- I need book two immediately.
*uncorrected ARC from NetGalley
Thank you to Lauryn Hamilton Murray, Roaring Book Press, and NetGalley for this ARC. All opinions are my own.
Okay, this book was fire (pun intended). It had all the classics of fantasy I’ve always loved (challenges! Magic! A morally gray character with unclear intentions! A big ol twist at the end) and I barely wanted to stop to sleep before getting back to it. This would be perfect for another who loved Throne of Glass or the Red Queen series, or is in the mood for some mystery and magic and intrigue with dynamic characters!
POV: single first person
You can expect: magic, competition for the throne, found family, friendship, mystery.
Rep: queer side characters
Spice: 0
CW: murder, violence
Okay, this book was fire (pun intended). It had all the classics of fantasy I’ve always loved (challenges! Magic! A morally gray character with unclear intentions! A big ol twist at the end) and I barely wanted to stop to sleep before getting back to it. This would be perfect for another who loved Throne of Glass or the Red Queen series, or is in the mood for some mystery and magic and intrigue with dynamic characters!
POV: single first person
You can expect: magic, competition for the throne, found family, friendship, mystery.
Rep: queer side characters
Spice: 0
CW: murder, violence
📖arc review: heir of storms by lauryn hamilton murray
⭐️rating: 4/5
🌿genre: ya fantasy
💌my thoughts: thank you so much to roaring book press & lauryn hamilton murray for this ARC via netgalley!
i really enjoyed this one!! it was such a solid ya fantasy & sucked me in immediately! the worldbuilding was so intriguing and easy to understand but always kept me on my toes.
i loved our fmc and how she continued to find herself and become more confident. i love the feminine rage!!!
i normally don’t like a love triangle but this one was very well done and i didn’t find myself dreading it which is a big plus. there is also a lot of found family and just great side characters which i really appreciate!
overall if you want a fun ya romantasy with feminine rage & elemental magic give heir of storms a try as it is OUT NOW!!!
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
It was a very good read! Honestly what I wanted from a YA fantasy with the 4 elements as main powers.
I have to be honest Blaze wasn't doing it for me at the beginning, with her way to always lowering her head, never fighting back, let people bash her. But I just so much enjoyed her growth!! Both on the personality side and with her powers, it was very nice to follow her evolution with her power, her doubts, her trials and errors, her way to discover more about her powers and herself, how strong she can be.
I also enjoyed the general plot with the trial, even if it was kind of a cliché and the trials felt a bit rushed (but they were interesting). But there were just a good balance between power, rythm, revelations, and big ending. And such an ending! I had my doubts, but I have to say I couldn't guess how everything would have been rolling.
I will definitely continue on the series!
I have to be honest Blaze wasn't doing it for me at the beginning, with her way to always lowering her head, never fighting back, let people bash her. But I just so much enjoyed her growth!! Both on the personality side and with her powers, it was very nice to follow her evolution with her power, her doubts, her trials and errors, her way to discover more about her powers and herself, how strong she can be.
I also enjoyed the general plot with the trial, even if it was kind of a cliché and the trials felt a bit rushed (but they were interesting). But there were just a good balance between power, rythm, revelations, and big ending. And such an ending! I had my doubts, but I have to say I couldn't guess how everything would have been rolling.
I will definitely continue on the series!
Heir of Storms was an amazing YA romantasy with morally complex characters, political intrigue, elemental magic, forbidden love, and a cut-throat competition for the throne. Blaze is born into the most powerful fire wielding family in the empire. But she’s a Rain Singer, able to control and summon water. On the day she was born, she summoned a terrible storm that left thousands dead, and she’s hated for it. She hasn’t been able to use her power ever since, and she’s been hidden away her entire life.
On the night of their eighteenth birthday, Blaze and her twin brother Flint are chosen to compete as future rulers of the empire. Each of the four courts has four potential heirs and they must battle each other in three challenges. The victor of each element becomes that court’s king or queen and serves directly under the emperor. Blaze moves into the palace and is thrust into a vicious battle for power, and as she learns to use and summon her forgotten gifts, she finds her own strength and the will to become who she wants.
Isis Hainsworth does an excellent with the narration, and I adored her accent! It made listening to the audiobook so engaging and she truly brought the character of Blaze to life!
This was a such a great debut! It had everything I could have asked for in a YA romantasy. The world was vibrant and well developed, the plot was fast-paced and filled with high-stakes action, threats, political maneuvering, and betrayals, and the romance was completely swoon-worthy. Blaze has two suitors, and I definitely had a clear favorite, but I don’t want to give anything away. I absolutely loved it and can’t wait to see what happens next in the trilogy!
Thank you to Fierce Reads, Macmillan, Macmillan Audio, BookSparks, Lauryn Hamilton Murray, and NetGalley for the ARC, ALC, and finished copy.
📔 Heir of Storms
✏️ Lauryn Hamilton Murray
📆 June 3, 2025
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️✨
READ IF YOU LIKE:
🌊 YA romantasy
🌊 elemental magic
🌊 deadly competition for the crown
🌊 court politics
🌊 morally complex characters
🌊 forbidden love
*Connect With Me*
https://instagram.com/shanisshelves?igshid=OGQ5ZDc2ODk2ZA==
https://www.tiktok.com/@shanisshelves
On the night of their eighteenth birthday, Blaze and her twin brother Flint are chosen to compete as future rulers of the empire. Each of the four courts has four potential heirs and they must battle each other in three challenges. The victor of each element becomes that court’s king or queen and serves directly under the emperor. Blaze moves into the palace and is thrust into a vicious battle for power, and as she learns to use and summon her forgotten gifts, she finds her own strength and the will to become who she wants.
Isis Hainsworth does an excellent with the narration, and I adored her accent! It made listening to the audiobook so engaging and she truly brought the character of Blaze to life!
This was a such a great debut! It had everything I could have asked for in a YA romantasy. The world was vibrant and well developed, the plot was fast-paced and filled with high-stakes action, threats, political maneuvering, and betrayals, and the romance was completely swoon-worthy. Blaze has two suitors, and I definitely had a clear favorite, but I don’t want to give anything away. I absolutely loved it and can’t wait to see what happens next in the trilogy!
Thank you to Fierce Reads, Macmillan, Macmillan Audio, BookSparks, Lauryn Hamilton Murray, and NetGalley for the ARC, ALC, and finished copy.
📔 Heir of Storms
✏️ Lauryn Hamilton Murray
📆 June 3, 2025
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️✨
READ IF YOU LIKE:
🌊 YA romantasy
🌊 elemental magic
🌊 deadly competition for the crown
🌊 court politics
🌊 morally complex characters
🌊 forbidden love
*Connect With Me*
https://instagram.com/shanisshelves?igshid=OGQ5ZDc2ODk2ZA==
https://www.tiktok.com/@shanisshelves
adventurous
challenging
emotional
hopeful
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
When Blaze was born, the world drowned. She was born a rain Singer, and brought devastation to the Lands. Shunned for an event that was completely out of her control, Blaze lives a relatively sheltered life and hides the secret that she can barely weild any power. When she is chosen to fight for the crown, she's thrown into the limelight, and catches the eye of the crown prince and his Bastard brother , another powerful outcast. I cannot wait for this story to continue. The Narrator, Isis Hainsworth, does a magical job bringing all these characters to life and keeping me thoroughly engaged in the story. I hope she sticks around for book two! A wonderful debut!
Ok I TOTALLY loved this! Heir of Storms took many of my favorite tropes and did them really well. High stakes trials, princely brothers, corrupt politics, the slowest burn romance, delightful banter, and an FMC who digs deep to find out she’s strong. Blaze seemed more emotionally mature than many other young FMCs which is refreshing. The magic system is unique too. So much happened in the last few chapters I had to lift my jaw off the floor. I will be all over the rest of this series.
Thank you to Macmillan Children’s Publishing for the ARC!
Thank you to Macmillan Children’s Publishing for the ARC!
adventurous
challenging
inspiring
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
I devoured this book. Parts of it were a bit predictable to me but reading it was cozy and a nice visit to YA trials fantasy. Blaze is a relatable FMC as she grows throughout the book.
It was a great introduction to this world and the characters - it has me hooked for the next installment of the trilogy!
Key tropes: trials, chosen one, elemental magic, female rage, court intrigue, and deception.
Thank you NetGalley for the electronic copy of this book. All opinions are my own.
It was a great introduction to this world and the characters - it has me hooked for the next installment of the trilogy!
Key tropes: trials, chosen one, elemental magic, female rage, court intrigue, and deception.
Thank you NetGalley for the electronic copy of this book. All opinions are my own.
I had soooooo much fun reading the ARC of this book! Elemental magic, secret history, ancient talismans, forbidden love, competitions for the throne, corruption, adventure, and more! Literally all of the things!
adventurous
mysterious
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated