4.07 AVERAGE

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.

Expand filter menu Content Warnings
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

Thanks to NetGalley and Roaring Brook Press for allowing me to read this book.

Heir of Storms is a story about Blaze, who on the day she was born summoned a storm so terrible it flooded the realm and killed people. Blaze was born into a family of fire wielders. So not only is she an outcast because of her actions as a baby, but also because her magic sets her apart in her family.

Magic is a big part of the political system in this world. A crowned ruler rules the magic wielders for each element: earth, air, fire and water. With the emperer having the ability to wield light, but also all other elemental magics. Every 25 years, 4 heirs for each element are chosen to compete in trails to be the next King or Queen of that element. And it just so happens that Blaze and her twin brother Flint are chosen.

What I really liked was how fast paced the story was. I read it in 2 days! I never got bored, and always felt that the story was progressing. The action sequences were always engaging. I would say the romance feels more like a sub-plot than the main plot but that was fine with me. There are a lot of characters in the story, but I never felt lost or confused about who was who.

I was surprised at a few of the twists at the end. It was a fun read and I'm early awaiting the next book!
adventurous emotional hopeful mysterious medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven: A mix
Strong character development: Yes
Loveable characters: Yes
Diverse cast of characters: Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus: Yes

Heir of Storms Book Review 🦇

If you could see the past or future, would you look?❓ 
 
The very day Blaze came into the world, she almost drowned it. A Rain Singer, Blaze's birth summoned a devastating storm that left thousands dead. She's been hidden away ever since, until an unexpected invitation arrives for Blaze and her twin brother to compete as future rulers of the empire. Suddenly, she's thrust into the limelight again -- and into battle. Threats abound at the Golden Palace, where intrigue and romance await with not one but two handsome suitors: the enchanting Crown Prince and his dangerously alluring half-brother. As Blaze explores her untapped power, she discovers the throne may be within her grasp. But in order to take it, she’ll have to leave behind the stories that others have told about her, and find the courage to write her own. 🦇

What a rush! SO much happens in the last few chapters and I'm still reeling. Let's break it down. 💜

✨ Characters (4/5): I absolutely adore watching Blaze not only come into her power, but HERSELF. Her confidence grows with every page as she learns not to let anyone else define who she is and what she's capable of. 

✨ Plot and Pacing (3/5): I'm afraid a few readers will abandon this story while it's in the first act. Don't! Every puzzle piece builds until the end. If you're a fan of Chosen Ones seizing their destinies, you're gonna want to stick around for the entire trilogy. 

✨ World-Building (4/5): There's SO much to this world-building that's left untapped until the third act. I'm intrigued and eager to learn more. Loved the Avatar the Last Airbender -like fight scenes, though (and hoping for more!).

✨ Romance (4/5): If you were a fan of the love triangles in Red Queen or TOG, this is the book for you. Unfortunately, anticipated a lot of what was to come the moment we met Blaze's love interest, but it's still all well executed. I'm DYING for more of Blaze's love story, but there's so much more going on that it's more icing than the cake!

✨ Mystery/Suspense (3/5): There's always some truth in legends and lore. A few clues were sprinkled throughout the story, allowing for a natural build, but too much was revealed in the last few chapters (those reveals should have been paced out).

✨ Tone/Prose (3/5): The story's best lines are in the dialogue, while some points of exposition are too long, causing snags in the pacing. Many quotes are repeated internally as Blaze puts puzzle pieces together, which is a bit excessive and unnecessary. 

Recommended for fans of Red Queen, TOG, Avatar the Last Airbender, and Threads That Bind. 🦇 

The Vibes ✨
Young Adult Romantasy
First in a Trilogy
Trials
Power Over the Elements
Royals
Grief and Loss
The Chosen One
Love Triangle (Between Brothers!)
Slow Burn

🦇 Major thanks to the author and publisher for providing an ARC of this book via Netgalley. 🥰 This does not affect my opinion regarding the book. #HeirofStorms

💬 Quotes 
It hurts, knowing that they look at me and expect more. They expect cloudbursts and flash floods and downpours and rainstorms. But I am only drizzle.

"And I see you, Storm Weaver. I see all of you.”

The kiss. It’s better than before. Better than I could have imagined. Every nerve ending in my body is alive with it. Stars are born and burn and light up the sky with it.

“Oh, Storm Weaver. There’s just something about you holding a knife at my throat that makes my blood run hot.”
adventurous emotional mysterious sad 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: Complicated

Heir of Storms 
by Lauryn Hamilton Murray 
Storm Weaver #1 
YA Fantasy 
NetGalley eARC 
Pub Date: Jun 3, 2025 
Macmillan 
Ages: 14+ 

Born into the most powerful fire-wielding family, Blaze is an outcast. Instead of summoning fire, the day she was born, she brought a storm that almost drowned the world. For seventeen years, she has been hidden away at her grandmother's home to protect her from those who wish revenge for the deaths she caused as a newborn. 

Her twin brother, though, is expected to become the next king of the fire wielders. Blaze, on the other hand, plans to escape into the other worlds on her eighteenth name day, but a day after her first public appearance, her storm singer mark glows, and with her brother, who's fire mark also glows, are whisked away to the Golden Palace to compete against others to claim the throne of the element they wield. But the power she almost destroyed the world with is gone; only a drizzle of rain remains. 


This book is similar to other 'game show' type books, and it grabs the reader really quickly. There are a lot of backstories/history drops, but most of them flow with the story, integrating smoothly with what is going on and why certain things are important. The only things I think are missing are a little more of Blaze's childhood and a little more depth to the world. 

This did remind me of the Hunger Games and H.P., but this had its own spin, and I enjoyed it. There was action, suspense, but the 'twist(s) at the end; one I had already guessed, and the other, I had the feeling something was off... 

Blaze is a great character, one who struggles with everyday life because of one event that she had no control over, which condemned her. Who can't relate to that!? 

There is violence and blood, but it's not that gory, and some other things that some may find offensive if they take it out of context. There is romance, but it is age-appropriate and not explicit, so it's suitable for readers fourteen and older. 

I liked the book and can't wait for the next. 

4 Stars 
emotional mysterious reflective tense medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven: Plot
Strong character development: Yes
Loveable characters: Yes
Diverse cast of characters: No
Flaws of characters a main focus: Complicated

This book has everything you love in a YA fantasy:
- Elemental magic meets deadly trials
- A heroine with a troubled past who learns to find both her power and her confidence
- A handsome golden boy prince (and his dark, brooding and dangerous half brother)
- Secrets hiding deep within the walls of a castle begging to be uncovered

In an empire with four realms, each blessed with magic to control one of the elements, Blaze Harglade is born with the power to call the rain and create deadly storms. But here's the thing–she comes from one of the most powerful fire-wielding families. After spending her entire life holding back her magic, she finds herself called to compete to become a future ruler of the empire, alongside her twin brother Flint, and she’s forced to confront her power, and her past.

This was a great entry into a new series, and I'm really looking forward to the future books. We got a great introduction to the magic system, as well as the politics of this world. There were some good twists that surprised me, and I enjoyed how Blaze grew her power throughout the trials. As the trials went on, there was a deeper magical mystery happening under the surface, which set things up really well for the next book. I'm also very excited to see how the potential romance develops, which I'm hoping will come into play even more as the story continues. 

"Fate has many faces, my darling one," she says. "Make sure you look them all in the eye."

A big thank you to Macmillan and Netgalley for sending me an eARC to review!

I devoured this book. I already can't wait for book 2!! I love everything about it from the characters, the story and the world building. So many questions were answered but there are so many left to be answered in book 2! 

I loved Fox and wanted more of him. He reminded me of Jack's from OUABH. Hopefully, we will see more of him and his development in the next book.

The same with Flint. It might because there were so many characters, that the side characters didn't get enough development or page space. Cole was the same. All of a sudden he was her main enemy, even though Amber and others were there first! 

I loved her grandmother and River. I just can't wait for the next book!!