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4.07 AVERAGE
4.07 AVERAGE
adventurous
emotional
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
adventurous
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
N/A
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
adventurous
mysterious
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
This was a solidly written YA fantasy, but nothing more. The story was utterly predictable, filled with well-worn character tropes.
We have our heroine, Blaze, a 17-year-old who’s been hiding away her entire life. Born into a royal family of fire-wielders, she’s the odd one out — a Rain Singer with water-based abilities. In infancy, she accidentally created a devastating storm that drowned the empire and led to many deaths. Riddled with guilt and determined to live a peaceful life when she comes of age, she’s surprisingly chosen to enter the Choosing Rites — a competition between young royals for the empire’s four thrones.
Blaze very much fits the mold of the precocious heroine. Yes, there’s the interesting aspect of her guilt and her overwhelming powers, but that element — along with the hatred people feel toward her as a result — is something the author introduces early on and then largely forgets for a good portion of the plot.
She’s bookish, withdrawn after years of isolation. Unsurprisingly, she’s embroiled in a love triangle between two brothers who follow an all-too-familiar formula in YA fantasy romance.
There’s Hal, the good-looking, respectful, and sweet heir of his kingdom. The instant connection she feels with him felt a little too rushed. There were barely any meaningful scenes developing their relationship before she suddenly declared herself in love with him.
Then there’s Fox, the darker, illegitimate Prince brother, who’s your typical bad boy type. He’s reckless, snarky, and of course, only reveals his softer side to the FMC. I had to suppress laughs at his scenes because he felt like an amalgamation of every “bad boy prince” trope I’ve ever read. There isn’t a hint of originality to him (or Hal, really). If you’ve read Red Queen, you’ll feel the familiarity of this romantic dynamic between the three.
The plot was serviceable — not original, not especially compelling. There’s a vague prophecy Blaze doesn’t believe in, and Fox keeps mysteriously saving her. The trial scenes, which should have been tense or exciting, mostly fell flat.
Where the author shined most was in writing the dynamics between the competitors. The scenes at balls and other gatherings were fun enough, and Blaze’s relationships with her brothers were reasonably well done.
On a format note, I listened to this as an audiobook. The narrator was well-cast — she sounded convincingly like a teen heroine and gave a nice range of distinct voices to the other characters. It added a lot of dimension to the story.
All in all, people looking for an easily digestible YA fantasy romance with fun, familiar tropes will find what they’re looking for in Heir of Storms. But readers craving originality or a truly gripping plot may walk away underwhelmed.
Thank you to NetGalley and Macmillan Audio for the ALC in exchange for my honest review!
On a format note, I listened to this as an audiobook. The narrator was well-cast — she sounded convincingly like a teen heroine and gave a nice range of distinct voices to the other characters. It added a lot of dimension to the story.
All in all, people looking for an easily digestible YA fantasy romance with fun, familiar tropes will find what they’re looking for in Heir of Storms. But readers craving originality or a truly gripping plot may walk away underwhelmed.
Thank you to NetGalley and Macmillan Audio for the ALC in exchange for my honest review!
adventurous
emotional
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
adventurous
mysterious
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
N/A
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
I thoroughly enjoyed this as the start to what looks like a really promising trilogy! For the first 60%, I was hanging out in solid 4-star territory, feeling like I was waiting for the action to really kick off—and when it did, I was all in. This one leans more on plot and character development than romance (which I love—court politics and magical intrigue > forced flirting any day). We’ve got elemental trials, secret powers, a “chosen one” setup, and plenty of fantasy world-building to sink your teeth into. I will say, I’m very glad the FMC finally came into her own, because I was getting real tired of the weakling shit—once she found her spine, I was rooting hard. The ending set the stage perfectly, and book 2 is officially on my TBR. There is a lot of potential here!
adventurous
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
Heir of Storms already had that angsty, magic-laced, high-stakes fantasy vibe I live for, but the audiobook? Took it to another level. The narration gave the main character so much depth—it felt like she was breathing right into my ear (but, like, in a not-creepy, emotionally-destroying kind of way).
I was already intrigued by the world-building and the unraveling secrets, but hearing the story told with that kind of vocal nuance? Game-changer. The narrator captured every ounce of defiance, vulnerability, and raw power in the MC, and I genuinely don’t think I would’ve connected as hard without that performance.
Plot-wise, it’s everything I want in a fantasy with court intrigue, stormy powers (pun intended), and the kind of slow-burn tension that makes you internally scream. But the audio made the emotional beats hit harder. If you’re the kind of person who rewinds dramatic moments just to hear the line delivery again? Yeah. You’re gonna be very happy.
Would’ve been a solid 5 stars, but there were a couple moments that dragged just a tiny bit in the middle—but honestly, the narrator’s delivery carried it through.
Bottom line: Listen to this if you want to feel like your main character just came alive and is dragging you through a storm with her. I regret nothing.
adventurous
funny
mysterious
reflective
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
adventurous
hopeful
inspiring
medium-paced
💫 Tropes You’ll Find:
🌪️ Elemental Magic
👑 Chosen One
🏰 Hidden Heir
💔 Love Triangle
🗡️ Political Intrigue
🎓 Magical Academy Vibes
🌪️ Elemental Magic
👑 Chosen One
🏰 Hidden Heir
💔 Love Triangle
🗡️ Political Intrigue
🎓 Magical Academy Vibes
📝 Review:
Heir of Storms is a book I know I would’ve absolutely loved in high school—it has that classic YA fantasy energy with an exciting magic system and a heroine coming into her own power. That said, as an adult reader, it felt a bit too young for me to fully connect with. The romance, in particular, didn’t quite land—the love interests felt a little flat and underdeveloped.
The magic system was one of the highlights—creative and immersive—but I struggled to stay engaged overall. I was gifted the audio ALC, and unfortunately, the narration didn’t click for me either, which made it harder to stay invested.
adventurous
emotional
mysterious
fast-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
I am like many who seem to have devoured this book and am sitting awake feverishly at 530 in the morning, literally unable to put this book down until I finished each and every single page. What an absolute TREAT, what a blazing comfort from start to finish.
This book feels like a call to the heyday of books from the early 2010s and before in the best possible way. Blaze is the unlikely somehow gorgeous "but, ME?!" heroine who finds she does indeed have the strength she never knew but always hoped she had - and yet this felt fresh and welcome, like a brand new take on an old favorite. Murray has a gift for writing in a drivingly poetic way that keeps you entranced, and I absolutely ate up the vivid descriptors used to bring the world alive.
The lore in this has to be my favorite part of the story. Murray gives you enough with each mention to explain a shadow of a hint, and leaves you frantically turning the pages to find the next tidbit. I truly love that she didn't give us all the answers in this - it's clear she's planning to expand even further in the future of this kingdom, and the most difficult part of receiving the book early is absolutely going to be that I now have a wait beyond waits to find out what happens next 😭
I cannot explain how much of a hold this is going to have on me, but I know it's going to be intense. Do yourself a favor and treat yourself to this story, and this world.
Thank you TRULY to NetGalley and the publisher for the opportunity to read and review this title!!
This book feels like a call to the heyday of books from the early 2010s and before in the best possible way. Blaze is the unlikely somehow gorgeous "but, ME?!" heroine who finds she does indeed have the strength she never knew but always hoped she had - and yet this felt fresh and welcome, like a brand new take on an old favorite. Murray has a gift for writing in a drivingly poetic way that keeps you entranced, and I absolutely ate up the vivid descriptors used to bring the world alive.
The lore in this has to be my favorite part of the story. Murray gives you enough with each mention to explain a shadow of a hint, and leaves you frantically turning the pages to find the next tidbit. I truly love that she didn't give us all the answers in this - it's clear she's planning to expand even further in the future of this kingdom, and the most difficult part of receiving the book early is absolutely going to be that I now have a wait beyond waits to find out what happens next 😭
I cannot explain how much of a hold this is going to have on me, but I know it's going to be intense. Do yourself a favor and treat yourself to this story, and this world.
Thank you TRULY to NetGalley and the publisher for the opportunity to read and review this title!!