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4.06 AVERAGE
4.06 AVERAGE
adventurous
mysterious
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
Blaze, a rain singer born into a powerful fire wielding family must come to terms that her very birth caused a devastating storm that left many dead. To protect her and others, her family has kept her locked up until her debut. Shortly after her debut, her fire wielding twin brother and her are selected as Heir's to compete to be the next generation of leaders.
This book is an adventure through self discovery, learning how to gain and control your own powers, and how to deal with those trying to make you feel inferior. Not only does the main character Ember learn a great deal about herself, but she also starts learning the secrets of the empire that she lives in and is fighting to help rule.
I really enjoyed the world building, the self discovery Ember went on through the book. The amount of romance was also well done, and didn't take away from the overall story, but enhanced what a seventeen year old girl may be going through. It was also written appropriately for a true YA book. There were some twists, that I wasn't quite ready for near the end of the book, and make me even more excited to read the sequel whenever it is released.
Thank you NetGalley and Macmillan Children's Publishing Group/Roaring Book Press for the advanced reader copy in exchange for an honest review.
This book is an adventure through self discovery, learning how to gain and control your own powers, and how to deal with those trying to make you feel inferior. Not only does the main character Ember learn a great deal about herself, but she also starts learning the secrets of the empire that she lives in and is fighting to help rule.
I really enjoyed the world building, the self discovery Ember went on through the book. The amount of romance was also well done, and didn't take away from the overall story, but enhanced what a seventeen year old girl may be going through. It was also written appropriately for a true YA book. There were some twists, that I wasn't quite ready for near the end of the book, and make me even more excited to read the sequel whenever it is released.
Thank you NetGalley and Macmillan Children's Publishing Group/Roaring Book Press for the advanced reader copy in exchange for an honest review.
adventurous
challenging
emotional
mysterious
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
Wow! What a unique and very captivating book! I was hooked from the very beginning and enjoyed every part of this book.
I thought the magic system was written really well. I liked that the magic was strictly elemental but there was different aspects to each element making them unique and interesting to learn about. I also really enjoyed having the lands and people separated by their magic.
I also really enjoyed the politics of this world. Having to compete for a specific role is starting to become very common in fantasy books so I was glad that this author was able to make the competition unique and interesting.
I thought Blaze’s character development was fun to read, to see her go from scared and isolated to confident and forming friendships and bonds was a fun journey to take.
You’ll enjoy this book if you like:
•Elemental Magic
•Political Competition
•Morally Grey MMC
•Weak to Strong FMC
•YA
I thought the magic system was written really well. I liked that the magic was strictly elemental but there was different aspects to each element making them unique and interesting to learn about. I also really enjoyed having the lands and people separated by their magic.
I also really enjoyed the politics of this world. Having to compete for a specific role is starting to become very common in fantasy books so I was glad that this author was able to make the competition unique and interesting.
I thought Blaze’s character development was fun to read, to see her go from scared and isolated to confident and forming friendships and bonds was a fun journey to take.
You’ll enjoy this book if you like:
•Elemental Magic
•Political Competition
•Morally Grey MMC
•Weak to Strong FMC
•YA
adventurous
emotional
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
Blaze was born wrong. And the entire world blames her for it.
Upon her birth, a terrible storm decimated the world around her, with thousands left dead. She is the Storm Weaver, inheriting a legacy of a people long thought lost. And despite her being a newborn when the storm came, everyone hates her for the destruction her birth caused. She's been hidden away for her entire life, when, shortly after the celebration of her and her twin brother Flint's 17th Name Day, they both get selected to become Heirs--candidates for royal leadership to serve the Emperor, sentenced to compete in three trials that could kill them, or condemn them.
I'm going to stop there, because there's so much incredible story that I don't want to risk giving away, but... holy crap. This was so good. I cannot wait for the next book.
I was enchanted with this book from the first sentence. The characters are fleshed out and grounded, and the magic of the world somehow feels both like old hat and entirely unexpected. There are a lot of fantasy books out there that feature games or trials, and plenty with elemental powers, as well. Somehow this book made both tropes feel new again. The nuances to the elemental courts' powers, which I'm sure we'll get further into with the books to come in the series, are really interesting. The lore of the world itself is so clearly full of mystery and there is so much more to learn. I feel like I can anticipate some of what's to come, but we only get teases of possibilities. It's both the best and the worst, as all I want to do is read the next installment.
I'm so excited to delve into this world more with the next book. Even with a young protagonist, she's been through enough that it's clear she has a more mature angle on the world around her, and I think is as prepared as anyone can be for whatever insanity is waiting around the corner. I'm so excited to be waiting with her.
Thank you so much to NetGalley and Roaring Book Press for an digital ARC of this book in exchange for my honest review!
Upon her birth, a terrible storm decimated the world around her, with thousands left dead. She is the Storm Weaver, inheriting a legacy of a people long thought lost. And despite her being a newborn when the storm came, everyone hates her for the destruction her birth caused. She's been hidden away for her entire life, when, shortly after the celebration of her and her twin brother Flint's 17th Name Day, they both get selected to become Heirs--candidates for royal leadership to serve the Emperor, sentenced to compete in three trials that could kill them, or condemn them.
I'm going to stop there, because there's so much incredible story that I don't want to risk giving away, but... holy crap. This was so good. I cannot wait for the next book.
I was enchanted with this book from the first sentence. The characters are fleshed out and grounded, and the magic of the world somehow feels both like old hat and entirely unexpected. There are a lot of fantasy books out there that feature games or trials, and plenty with elemental powers, as well. Somehow this book made both tropes feel new again. The nuances to the elemental courts' powers, which I'm sure we'll get further into with the books to come in the series, are really interesting. The lore of the world itself is so clearly full of mystery and there is so much more to learn. I feel like I can anticipate some of what's to come, but we only get teases of possibilities. It's both the best and the worst, as all I want to do is read the next installment.
I'm so excited to delve into this world more with the next book. Even with a young protagonist, she's been through enough that it's clear she has a more mature angle on the world around her, and I think is as prepared as anyone can be for whatever insanity is waiting around the corner. I'm so excited to be waiting with her.
Thank you so much to NetGalley and Roaring Book Press for an digital ARC of this book in exchange for my honest review!
adventurous
emotional
mysterious
tense
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
This review is for Heir Of Storms by Lauryn Hamilton Murray which releases in the UK on the 5th June! Thanks so much to Netgalley and Penguin for giving me an eArc copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.
I went into this book with little expectations or knowledge of what it was going to be about, and I absolutely loved it. I just saw a lot of hype around it in Booktok, and knew if I had the opportunity to read it I should!
The story focuses on Blaze, who is the first Rain Singer in years, born into one of the most powerful fire-wielding families in the empire. She is a pariah because as she was born, her powers caused a devastating storm that drowned the empire. I loved Blaze as a main character, as someone that resented their powers for the destruction they had brought, while still wishing she was as strong as she was back then.
You also see a great cast of characters, from the funny Twin brother Flint and the two love interests, Fox and Hal. It does end up as a little bit of a love triangle, but with plenty of twists and turns that keep you guessing the whole time who she’s going to end up with.
The story was thrilling and kept me on my toes the entire time, even if it was a little predictable at times. It was an easy and fast paced read and I honestly cannot wait to read the next in the series. I won’t say this is a world breaking story, but would highly recommend it to any YA fantasy readers outs there, you would enjoy it!!
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
*ARC courtesy of netgalley
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
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
4⭐️
'To feel is to be alive, Blaze. And I swear to you that no matter what, it is better to feel everything than to feel nothing.'
Wow, what an ending. I love it when books make you gasp out loud in shock.
My absolute favourite part of this book is the magic system. Elemental magic certainly isn't new, but I feel like it always comes with the connotation that you must learn to channel it without emotion. This book flips that and says no use it. Emotion is power, channel the right one with the right control, and you'll do amazing things.
This fits very well with the books plotlines around the main characters grief and the resentment she feels from others for actions she could not control. The quote at the start of this review hit me quite powerfully, and I think it will resonate with a lot of people. But we also look at family and friends and how they can impact her powers. Her relationship with her family is another favourite part for me, especially little renly. I love renly he's a sweetie.
In terms of the plot, I really enjoyed the trials and that they make even the reader consider how exactly you should tackle them. I did wonder for a while what the major arc for the entire trilogy was going to be, but that becomes pretty clear, and I'm very much looking forward to it. The twists were twisting very well.
But let's talk romance. I thought I knew where this was going and then something happened and I was like "wait that is better. I really like that." We have a golden light prince who is charming. We have an earth wielder with a big bad boy energy (he is a big vibe, I'm here for him). I'm intrigued to see where that whole situation goes.
I've gone with 4 stars because there were points that felt a little slow, and some of the romantic side of things got repetitive. A girl only needs so many golden flowers before it gets annoying. I would like to see a little bit more on how the other elemental powers work, too, since we dont get much of that close up.
I am definitely planning to continue with the series. I suspect big things for book two given how this one ends. I received an advance review copy of this book, and this review represents my honest opinion. Thank you to netgalley, the author, and the publisher for the opportunity to read this book.
'To feel is to be alive, Blaze. And I swear to you that no matter what, it is better to feel everything than to feel nothing.'
Wow, what an ending. I love it when books make you gasp out loud in shock.
My absolute favourite part of this book is the magic system. Elemental magic certainly isn't new, but I feel like it always comes with the connotation that you must learn to channel it without emotion. This book flips that and says no use it. Emotion is power, channel the right one with the right control, and you'll do amazing things.
This fits very well with the books plotlines around the main characters grief and the resentment she feels from others for actions she could not control. The quote at the start of this review hit me quite powerfully, and I think it will resonate with a lot of people. But we also look at family and friends and how they can impact her powers. Her relationship with her family is another favourite part for me, especially little renly. I love renly he's a sweetie.
In terms of the plot, I really enjoyed the trials and that they make even the reader consider how exactly you should tackle them. I did wonder for a while what the major arc for the entire trilogy was going to be, but that becomes pretty clear, and I'm very much looking forward to it. The twists were twisting very well.
But let's talk romance. I thought I knew where this was going and then something happened and I was like "wait that is better. I really like that." We have a golden light prince who is charming. We have an earth wielder with a big bad boy energy (he is a big vibe, I'm here for him). I'm intrigued to see where that whole situation goes.
I've gone with 4 stars because there were points that felt a little slow, and some of the romantic side of things got repetitive. A girl only needs so many golden flowers before it gets annoying. I would like to see a little bit more on how the other elemental powers work, too, since we dont get much of that close up.
I am definitely planning to continue with the series. I suspect big things for book two given how this one ends. I received an advance review copy of this book, and this review represents my honest opinion. Thank you to netgalley, the author, and the publisher for the opportunity to read this book.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death of parent
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
mysterious
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:
No
many thanks to netgalley for sending me this arc. and even more thanks to miss lauryn for writing this actual masterpiece. i love elemental powers, and i love deadly trials!! combining the two?? chef’s kiss! the world of ostacre is so interesting, the powers and hierarchy and everything is just UGH so good. please read this book!! that’s all i can say.
adventurous
fast-paced