Heir of Storms

Storm Weaver #1

by Lauryn Hamilton Murray

Red Queen meets Shadow and Bone in this explosive start to a YA romantasy trilogy about dangerous magic, forbidden love, and a cut-throat competition for the throne in an empire where crowns are not inherited—they're won.

"This is going to be huge.” —Laura Steven, #1 New York Times–bestselling author of Our Infinite Fates

The very day Blaze came into the world, she almost drowned it. A Rain Singer born into one of the most powerful fire-wielding families in the empire, Blaze's birth summoned a devastating storm that left thousands dead. She's been hidden away ever since with a dark the same torrential power that branded her an outcast disappeared that fateful day. And she’s not sure she wants it back.

When an unexpected invitation arrives for Blaze and her twin brother, Flint, to compete as future rulers of the empire, she’s suddenly 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 the enchanting Crown Prince and a dangerously alluring newcomer at court.

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.

A Macmillan Audio production from Roaring Brook Press.

Genres: Fantasy, Young Adult, Romantasy, Romance, Young Adult Fantasy, Magic, Fantasy Romance

Audible Audio

First published June 3, 2025

About the author

Lauryn Hamilton Murray grew up in Scotland writing stories about sad girls, secrets and storms. She holds a BA Hons in English Literature from the University of Stirling and a Masters in Creative Writing from the University of Edinburgh. She is happiest when reading in the sun and hiking with her dogs, Huxley and Ziggy.

Reviews

[jenny reads a lot · Rating 5 out of 5]

I stayed up till 4am devouring this book! You won’t want to put this one down!

If you love YA fantasy, especially if 2010s YA fantasy was your jam, this is going to feel like a warm hug BUT it’s a warm hug from a new friend you’ve not yet been physical with. It’ll feel comforting and safe, while still feeling new and exciting.

My absolute favorite things about this book and what really sets it apart from other YA fantasy is the portrayal of loss and grief, the way emotions are represented, the family forward narrative, and the quiet strength in the FMC.

If you’re not a fan of “powerless” FMCs I implore you to still give this one a shot - I’m confident you’ll appreciate the way it’s handled!

What’s to love…
- Chosen one (honestly one of my FAVS)
- Elemental magic
- trials (that are trial-hater approved!)
- love triangle (done well I promise - it’s juicy in the best kinds of ways!)
- family forward story
- portrayal of grief and loss
- feminine rage + and a bit morally gray
- great world building + interesting magic system
- fast-paced
- unique take on the "powerless" FMC

Lukewarm Thoughts…
- Some might find this a tad predictable - I actually don’t mind that, especially in YA novels - but I know some find it frustrating.
- I saw a few reviewers say that all the females relationships are negative and hateful and while I do think the rivalry between the FMC and Ember & Marion, etc could be seen as that typical “woman against woman” trope we do not love, I’d like to point out that there are even more positive female relationships, but since the hatred is so strong with the villainous females its easy to get blinded by it.
- I absolutely adored the connection to her powers that is revealed BUT I would have liked to see her struggle a bit more with learning to regain them and use them.

I feel pretty certain that some people are going to say this feels too much like what we’ve already seen but I’m going to disagree now and LOUDLY…

Just because this story has elements & tropes from popular books does NOT mean it is not a wholly new and original story!!!!

4.5⭐️| TikTok | IG |

Audio Narration: 5/5
Excuse me, this narration has no business being this FREAKING GOOD! The infliction, the pacing, the pausing, everything is perfect! The narrator sounds perfectly age appropriate, young enough to be believable as a teen without being awkwardly high pitched (a common fault with YA audiobooks imo).
I was immediately sucked in and didn’t stop listening all day (sorry not sorry my plans for the day lol). Definitely recommend the audiobook!

Thank you NetGalley and MacMillian for sending this book for review consideration. All opinions are my own.

[Gillian · Rating 4 out of 5]

“Storm Weaver. That is what they call me. The girl who wove the storm that shook the world.”

4.5 stars!

This book was great! This was an engaging, fast-paced and immersive young adult fantasy about power, family, magic, and finding your place in the world. Heir of Storms follows Blaze who brought a devastating rain storm when she came into the world and has hidden away ever since. Now Blaze and her twin brother Flint have been chosen to be in the trials to decide the next rulers of the world. Blaze must fight for survival and along the way she learns more about herself.

I was completely transported into this unique and enchanting world from the very beginning. The author was able to bring the setting and characters to life in a very engaging way. The pacing was very well done throughout, it wasn’t too fast or slow. The plot was also very interesting and engaging. There were many plot twists that were very shocking and kept me on the edge of my seat. The writing was descriptive and immersive. The writing made me feel that I was experiencing every moment and emotion that the characters felt. In addition, the world building was excellent, the author spent a great deal of time explaining the history of the world and the languages. The magic was very interesting, including magic that makes storms, waves, fires, ice, earthquakes, rain and more. The characters were relatable and compelling. I loved Blaze, she was brave, resilient, powerful, caring, and protective of her family. I love the scenes with her younger brother Renly, she was so protective and sweet to him. Blaze’s character development was great, I enjoyed seeing her realize how powerful she is and learning to trust herself. I really liked Renly, he was sweet, funny, hyper and friendly. I liked Flint, Blaze’s twin brother who was charming, funny and outgoing. I liked Hal a lot at first, but I wasn’t a huge fan of what he did to Blaze. Fox was an interesting character, I hope we learn more about him in the next book. The romance in the book started off great and the chemistry was well done, but then the romance went downhill. I did enjoy the focus on the plot and the characters instead of the romance. The ending was so shocking and action-packed. I can’t wait to read the next book!

I recommend this book to anyone who loves fantasy, excellent world building, unique magic and great characters.

[🌺 Hannah 🌺 (very busy) · Rating 5 out of 5]

UPDATE: 💜💜HAPPY RELEASE MONTH!! 💜💜 updating that this came out on June 3rd and I saw it today in Barnes and got so excited!! This is still my top read of the year and had so much fun reading!



6 stars. That is all. 😭♥️✨⭐️

Thank you SOOOO much to Macmillan Children’s Publishing Group | Roaring Brook Press and author Lauryn Hamilton Murray for an ARC of Heir of Storms. Publication date is June 3, 2025… trust me, this is one you do not want to miss.

This story completely swept me away. It follows Blaze, a Rain Singer born into a powerful family of fire wielders. She has been hidden away for 17 years after her birth caused a devastating storm that destroyed cities and took countless lives. Her twin brother, Flint, is an Heir to the Ignitia Throne, while Blaze is tied to the Aquatori Throne.

In this world, thrones aren’t inherited, they’re fought for in high-stakes, magical trials between four Heirs per throne, each representing a different elemental power. You’ll have to read to discover the other two thrones and what powers or elements they can wield!

I went in expecting something vaguely Hunger Games-esque, but Heir of Storms blew all my expectations out of the water (pun intended) 🌊⛈️The magic system is rich, the lore is intriguing, and the trials are completely original. Every piece of this world feels fresh and carefully crafted.

Blaze is one of the most compelling FMCs I’ve read about in a while and is such a powerful main character. She’s fierce and determined, but also raw and vulnerable in a way that felt so real. She displays so many emotions that I think a lot of women will relate to….feeling locked away or feeling like she can’t express what she’s really feeling. But as we learn, her emotions are actually her greatest strength. She grows so much over the course of the story and starts to find her place in this new, complex world she’s been thrust into.

I became so attached to not only Blaze, but the all of the characters. River, Ren, MOUSE (who completely stole my heart), Elva, Kai, Elaith, Hal, Spinner, even Fox. The evolution of Blaze’s relationship with her grandmother was beautifully done. And the history she uncovers about being the Storm Weaver and her connection with Fox… jaw. dropped. Especially that secret library visitor!

I NEED the second book ASAP. Blaze is ready to risk everything for the people she cares about, and I have to know what happens next 💛 I’m 100% along for the journey.

Things I ADORED about this book:
•The unique, immersive trial system
•A fun magic system
•High-stakes political schemes/elemental battles
•Deep, powerful emotions
•So many twisty, shocking reveals
•An unexpected (potential) love interest with just the right amount of mystery and tension (is he good? evil? I need to know!)
•An incredible found family dynamic that made me feel all the things

This book has it ALL. I laughed, cried, gasped, and literally couldn’t put it down. Heir of Storms is an unforgettable ride from beginning to end, and I genuinely believe it’s going to be one of the biggest hits of the year. I am counting down the days until the sequel.

Romantasy fans, do yourselves a favor and add this to your list immediately. It’s magical, emotional, fierce, and so worth it 🫶🏻

[Nilufer Ozmekik · Rating 4 out of 5]

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ Fierce beginnings, elemental power, and a storm worth chasing

Heir of Storms opens with a bang—literally. The very first moments of Blaze’s life are marked by a catastrophic surge of power that reshapes the world and casts her into the shadows. Seventeen years later, she’s pulled back into the light—and the line of succession—by an invitation that thrusts her into a deadly contest for the throne. The catch? Her magic has vanished, her past haunts her, and nothing in this empire is ever what it seems.

From the start, this story pulses with tension. The stakes are high, the political landscape is treacherous, and the magic system—centered on elemental affinities—is both elegant and immersive. The idea of a court where each throne is earned through magical mastery, not birthright, sets the stage for an exhilarating competition laced with secrets, sabotage, and the threat of war.

Blaze herself is a heroine you grow with. She’s not fearless—but she’s determined. Her relationship with power is complex, and her hesitations feel earned. She's constantly pulled between expectation and identity, and her growth is gradual in a way that feels realistic for a girl who’s been defined by a single moment her whole life. I appreciated that her arc didn’t rush toward perfection; instead, we watch her learn, doubt, stumble, and rise again.

The supporting cast brings color and tension to the palace halls. Her twin brother Flint adds warmth and humor to the mix, while two very different romantic interests complicate matters further—but thankfully, Blaze’s focus remains centered on survival, self-worth, and strength. The romance adds sparks, but never overshadows the bigger themes of power, legacy, and rewriting the narrative others have imposed on you.

Though the pacing wavers in parts—particularly in the middle act—the explosive final chapters ramp up both emotion and intrigue, leaving no doubt that this is just the beginning of a much bigger story. There are rich hints of deeper worldbuilding still to come, and I’m eager to learn more about the politics, magic, and history that shaped this realm.

In short: Heir of Storms is a confident debut that blends emotional stakes with elemental magic and courtly competition. Fans of slow-burn transformation, lush YA fantasy settings, and heroines who earn every ounce of their strength will find plenty to love here. It’s not perfect, but the potential crackles on every page.

A huge thank you to NetGalley and Macmillan Children’s Publishing Group | Roaring Brook Press for providing this digital reviewer copy of one of the year’s most anticipated fantasy releases. I’m deeply grateful for the chance to read and share my thoughts on this fierce, imaginative debut.

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[✨Julie✨ · Rating 4 out of 5]

✩ 4 stars ✩

What to Expect:
➼ Elemental Magic
➼ Court Intrigue
➼ Trials for the Crown
➼ The Chosen One
➼ Prophecies
➼ Love Triangle
➼ Family Dynamics
➼ YA Romantasy
➼ Narrated by Isis Hainsworth
➼ First Person POV

This was one of the best YA Romantasies I’ve read in a while. It was honestly pretty predictable and there were a lot of similarities to other stories out there, but I thought this author handled those familiar elements better than most.

I particularly enjoyed the FMC’s relationship with her twin brother. They are both participating in the trials that will determine who will rule, but they never at any point felt like they were on opposing sides. Especially considering the other losses they had experienced as a family, I really appreciated how steadfastly loving and supportive they were of each other. The love triangle was also really well handled. I won’t give details because I don’t want to give anything away, but I will say that this love triangle was very different from most I’ve read.

The overall pacing of the story and plot progression kept me invested all the way through. Considering the way the story ended and the fact that the FMC is still learning about and coming into her powers, the stage is set for a very interesting book two! Fingers crossed that the author can keep up the momentum. 🤞🏻

✼　 ҉ 　✼　 ҉ 　✼　 ҉ 　✼　 ҉ 　✼　 ҉ 　✼　 ҉ 　✼

Pre-read: Forbidden love & cut-throat competition for the throne?

Say less 🤌🏻

≪ ◦ ❖ ◦ ≫

Connect with me on Instagram

[liz ౨ৎ · Rating 5 out of 5]

➸ 5 stars

“Here, crowns are not inherited—they are won.”

𓈀 𓄹𓂃 thank you to netgalley and the publishers for the advanced readers copy!!

🌊 elemental magic
⚡️ a competition for the throne with trials
🌊 love triangle
⚡️ court intrigue and lore
🌊 secrets and twists

“But every trial, whatever form it may take, is designed to target weakness. To trick you. Break you. Victory is hard-fought. Play to win, by all means. But make no mistake, the real game begins when the winners take their thrones.”

okay wow, i LOVED this!!! this story had me hooked from the very beginning and enjoyed every second!!! the elemental magic system was so fun to read about and the entire trials and competitions had me utterly entertained!!! they’re definitely one of my favorite plot lines in young adult fantasy’s and i just had so much fun reading!!! the twists and turns were jaw dropping yet predictable at the same time and sue me but i ate it up!!!!

“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.”

i will say the characters were my FAVORITE. blaze’s development was AMAZING!!!! seeing her find and grasp a hold of her power, leads to control it (find herself after everything) was perfect!!! i also have to mention her relationship with flint; truly one of my favorite sibling dynamics i’ve read about!! i also have to put it out there that i ship flint and sheen THE HATE TO LOVE POTENTIAL IS SOOOO THERE!!!!

𓈀 𓄹𓂃

the love triangle was done SO WELL!!!! usually this trope has me pounding my head of the fucking table but this one was just different and i really like how it turned out!!

“His is the kind of beauty one might call devastating. The kind that almost hurts to look at.”

fox was MMMMMPH oh that man had me geeking. the arrogant (and in this case a bit sadistic) yet charming and flirty character will do it for me EVERYTIME. their first meeting had me giggling and screaming!! the banter between blaze and fox was just SOOOO FUN!!! ALSO… the way he’s always secretly looking out for her AND THEN PROTECTING HER with no hesitation OH MY GODDDD i loved!!!!

“Where others look, I see. And I see you, Storm Weaver. I see all of you.”

this man gifted her TWO kittens. one for her little brother because she didn’t have a gift for his birthday and one for her because it was the same color as her eyes. HER EYES!!!! he went out of his way to help her, but they aren’t friends right? they don’t like each other right? THEN WHATS THIS!!!!! oh my gosh i loved the kitten chapter!!!

“I thought it would be appalling, hurting someone like this. It ought to be. But if anything, it feels powerful. Almost intoxicating. There’s a sense of justice to it—tormenting the tormentor. Watching him suffer the consequences.”

“Through the sea of drunken revellers, a pair of eyes finds mine.
The Earth Cleaver is grinning. There is no surprise written across his features, only amusement. Amusement and satisfaction and something else, something like … pride.”

oh how i loved seeing blaze find her power and become more confident in herself!! and fox was always watching her and loving every second!! ik that mf was eating it up everytime blaze gagged someone because i sure was!!

“Well, that’s certainly one way to thank me.”

the hedge maze scene with the masks WAS SOOOOO TENSION FILLED AND SOOOO GOOD!!!! i knew it was him from the start and i was jumping and grinning from happiness I ATE IT UPPPP!!! and so did they goddamn my jaw was on the floor

“Fine. But no talking.”
“As you wish. Although I must say, you look particularly lovely this evening.”
“I mean it.”
“As do I. Positively bewitching.”

“You know, if you’d wanted me up against a wall, you need only have asked.”

“Beautiful. Delicate. Surprisingly lethal.”
“It was a gift.”
“I wasn’t talking about the dagger.”

THAT DAGGER TO THROAT SCENE???!!!?! AHHHHHHH IT GETS ME EVERY TIMEEEEE matter of fact that entire chapter my jaw was on the fucking floor I WAS GAGGEDDDDDD IT WAS TOO GOOD. THE TENSION?! EEEEEEEEEK!!!!!!

“How long were you waiting to do that?”
“Around about the moment you drew this pretty little blade on me.”
“Then what took you so long?”
“Oh, Storm Weaver. There’s just something about you holding a knife at my throat that makes my blood run hot.”

just rereading that quote has me hehe-ing I NEED MORE OF THEM!!!!

“Fox is looking at me. He is always looking at me.”

𓈀 𓄹𓂃

“Remember who you are.
It was never a question of forgetting, but of believing. And here, in this moment, I have never felt more like myself.”

oh my god the ending was CRAZY!!!! everything that went down had my shocked and i am so excited to see how this series continues!! this book was so much fun and easily became one of my favorites!!

[kitkat (semi-hiatus ♡︎)]

4 stars
release: june 03 2025

Heir of Storms is a YA fantasy book that will be sure to keep you on the edge of your seat. We follow Blaze, the lost storm wielder, as she navigates court life and faces new challenges. I would elaborate further, but I’m afraid I’d give something away because there were so many plot twists, and I was there for it! There were a couple times where I was able to predict what would happen from very early, but there were several plot twists that came out of nowhere and surprised me. When I first started this book, I almost gave up on it because Blaze was sulking a lot, and it felt like a pity party. Luckily I kept reading, and I had the best time watching Blaze find peace with who she was. I did have an issue with the trials, elements of which were very expected, and did not feel very original to this book. Overall, Heir of Storms is a fast paced fantasy with trials and lost magic.

Features-
- Enemies to lovers
- Lost magic
- Trials
- Prophecies
- Brotherly love triangle


~currently reading~
oh ffs did she kiss the wrong brother?? i think i like him better anyway
~
as much as i love hal, there’s something up with him but idk what it is and it’s driving me crazy
~
love triangle alert?????

~preread~
red queen meets shadow and bone?? i’m sold.

>> thank you to netgalley and the publisher for an arc - all thoughts are my own <3

[ray ౨ৎ (ia) · Rating 4 out of 5]

edit 06/03/25: happy release day<3

3.75 stars ! ♛ ⊹ ࣪ ˖
⤿ ya fantasy ┆13+┆violence

જ⁀➴ thank you sm netgalley and the publisher for providing me with the e-arc in exchange for an honest review

for fans of…
✧ found family
✧ love triangle
✧ trials
✧ chosen one
✧ elemental powers
✧ cliffhanger
✧ interesting take on powerless fmc

overall thoughts ! ☔₊˚⊹ ꒱
ummm guys, i genuinely think this is gonna be the next ya fantasy hit!! it was really engaging and the ending was soooo suspenseful 🤭 although, the beginning and middle of the book was boring due to the pacing being off and the book starting to get repetitive. however, it was so refreshing to finally find an original plotline in a new release. also, this book is marketed as red queen x shadow and bone and i definitely agree, it also reminds me of throne of glass without the assassin part.


synopsis/plot ! 🧿 ₊˚⊹ ꒱
when blaze was born she conjured up a storm that shook her country, obstacre, killing hundreds. also, on top of that, she was granted water powers, making her an aquatori, unlike her twin brother who can throw fire balls as an ignitia like the rest of her family. for seventeen years she’s stayed confined in her grandmother’s palace, but it didn’t matter, because now she can’t summon anything more than a light drizzle. but when she is chosen by the gods as an heir to fight for the aquatori crown she’s thrust into an unknown world of training and love. as blaze learns how to control her powers she also learns that there’s a powerful threat lurking around in the palace


worldbuilding ! 🪻₊˚⊹ ꒱
the beginning was pretty confusing because all these made-up fantasy terms were thrown around and we didn’t get explanations until later or not very thought-out info dumps 😭 once you get past the 20% mark it starts to make more sense tho, so when you’re reading hang in there, just wait til you get past the exposition!! i appreciate how the author gave the trials a purpose and it wasn’t forced like sm fantasy books with the trial trope. also, there were only three trials and they were each a month apart so if you don’t like trials because of repetitiveness don’t fear bc it’s subtle honestly 🫶🏻


romance ! 🔮 ₊˚⊹ ꒱
…did not serve i fear. the love triangle was so unnecessary, even tho it was barely there it was so annoying. at least it wasn’t the main event. this is not a romantasy but the love triangle was brought up a lot towards the end!!


characters ! 🫐 ₊˚⊹ ꒱
⤿ blaze. love love love her!! we stan her in this household. imagine mare, alina, and celaena minus the cocky and pick me aspect (aka basically the perfect combination). also gotta praise how blaze has her big empowerment moment without having to be the stereotypical powerful fmc almost literally every fantasy series has. like can we normalize having someone learn her powers and going through training instead of already being abnormally good at it?? and here’s another small detail: instead of blaze being nice to her servant it isn’t made as a big deal. like it’s just the bare minimum instead of something to make the fmc more appealing like in the selection. idk why but that just stuck out to me

⤿ haldyn. honestly even after that ending i still adore him. he’s such a cutie patootie and i still think he genuinely cares about blaze 🎀

⤿ fox. i think the author was trying to portray him as morally grey but i wouldn’t let this dude come anywhere near me. he’s so annoying and icks me out. i would roll my eyes whenever he spoke 😒😒


content warnings ! 🌊 ₊˚⊹ ꒱
language ⋆ it just implied stuff like “i said a word grandma would scold me for” or “i made a vulgar gester” besides the word wh0r3 used a couple of times

spice ⋆ just some talk of side characters sleeping around, and the fmc has an intense kiss with someone

violence ⋆ dueling, killing/slaying, hurting people

lgbt ⋆ side characters are gay & married, boys kissing boys, etc.

TWS: grief, death of parent (on-page), death, murder



one more thing! 💌
thank you joni for br’ing with me!! absolutely loved hearing ur thoughts + so glad we enjoyed it equally. can’t wait to br with you more in the future<3

“they tend to overlap, beginnings and endings. whether peaceful or painful, they always leave their mark.”

“it’s easy to play the game when you make the rules.”

“one should not fear the future, one must seize it.”

“they tend to overlap, beginnings and endings. whether peaceful or painful, they always leave their mark.”

“i’m the girl who wove the storm that shook the world. and i’m coming for my crown.”

[Maeghan &#x1f98b; HIATUS on & off · Rating 5 out of 5]

« Sometimes, we must lose our footing in order to find balance. »

Brilliant. Absolutely brillant. I wish I could read this for the first time again.

🌧️ Elemental magic (my favourite)
🌧️ AMAZING character ARCs
🌧️ Love triangle (a *very* well done love triangle, believe me)
🌧️ Don’t trust what you see
🌧️ Trials
🌧️ Finding who you are after forgetting yourself
« Some see emotion as a hindrance rather than a strength. But that is because they forget how powerful emotions can be. Never underestimate the way you feel. »

The characters 🔥!! I loved this book so much I don’t even know what to say. This book is why I ADORE Fantasy. The twists and turns. The sibling bond??? Everyone who knows me knows that my little brothers are everything to me so this hit home.
« Because it’s frightening, looking at someone and knowing that there is nothing - nothing - you wouldn’t do to keep them safe. »

Some twists really shocked me to the point I had chills and went back a few pages thinking - wait, did I miss something??? It was DELIGHTFUL. The character development Blaze goes through is incredible. Our girl really went through it and found herself through all of this and I was here for it.
« I was always meant to be more than that. »

Please bring more Fantasy like this, thank you 🥰
PS : I have the Fairyloot edition and it is one of the most breathtaking books they’ve ever done.

—-• Additional favourite quotes
« To feel is to be alive. And I swear to you that no matter what, it is better to feel everything than to feel nothing. »
« But strength, like weakness, is a choice. »
« It’s just that people wear their hurt differently. Nobody hurts the same. »
« You of all people should know there’s a difference between who you are and who people say you are. »
« Remember who you are. »
« I am the girl who wove the storm that shook the world.
And I’m coming for my crown. »
« It’s the same way my mother looked whenever my father walked into a room. As though she were lit up from within. »

[Sarah · Rating 1 out of 5]

well this is a book plucked straight from 2016 from the no-chemistry love triangle to the egregious r@cism, everything is outdated and gross. I don't think we should be calling indigenouspoc characters "savages" in the year of 2025, but that's just me. some of y'all love a racist Mary-sue as your main characters and that's your right. the handling of slavery is also incredibly offensive and shallow. but anything to further the narrative of a white savior. I also hated both of the love interests. if I wanted to read a poorly written love triangle I would read red queen or powerless, which this book greatly rips off, names and all. but whereas Roberts and averyard bring chemistry to their romances, this one is bland and predictable, almost ai in how formulaic it is

frtc when I get time off school

[joni ౨ৎ · Rating 4 out of 5]

જ⁀➴ 3.75 stars ⋆⭒˚.⋆

arc review 💌
release date: june 3


⁀➴ 𝐰𝐡𝐚𝐭 𝐭𝐨 𝐞𝐱𝐩𝐞𝐜𝐭
⤷ trials 
⤷ competing for the crown 
⤷ twists 
⤷ 2 prince love interests (who are half brothers…)
⤷ finding your powers 
⤷ enemies to allies to strangers (not lovers yet)

buddy read with the sweetest girl ray 

⋆ ˚｡⋆୨୧˚ 𝐦𝐲 𝐭𝐡𝐨𝐮𝐠𝐡𝐭𝐬
thank you to raincoast for sending me a physical arc of this!!! so grateful 🤍

this is book 1 in the storm weaver trilogy - a romantasy series ‘red queen x shadow and bone’ both of which i haven’t read so i can’t compare. 

for a fantasy i was actually quickly able to grasp the understandings of the power and magic systems(?) in this world. blaze almost drowned the world when she was born with her storm powers but ever since she hasn’t done more than a few drops of rain. she thinks she’s powerless. her brother flint, has fire powers - just like the rest of her family. 

the royals in their world are chosen by fighting for the crowns with a set of trials. 

i didn’t particularly like blaze at the beginning but by the end she was the most tolerable character, a strong one too. 

for this being a romantasy - the romance sucked. like so bad. most of you guys know i loved powerless and usually love flirty guys. in this story it’s obvious who the real love interest is once you meet him, and he’s not all that. he reeks of arrogance and very unpleasant. neither of the princes won my heart 🥲 

i will be continuing this series (and hopefully get arcs for the rest of them?!) because this ended on a somewhat cliffhanger and i just want to see how the romance plays out now that we have an obvious love interest.

the overall plot was fairly entertaining, as i binged most of this in a single night. 


my sister read this right after me so we talked about it and both agreed the romance sucked (she is 12 for reference) 

her thoughts: 

4 stars

the characters felt kind of stupid

they had good arcs and personalities 

the plot was fun but the ending wasn't my favorite. it did surprise me tho

the violence was detailed and kind of uncomfortable. 

the romance sucked and it shouldn't be called a romantasy. fox was weird and haldin was boring. 

i wouldn't exactly recommend this book but i need to continue the series. 


⋆ ˚｡⋆୨୧˚ 𝐜𝐨𝐧𝐭𝐞𝐧𝐭 𝐰𝐚𝐫𝐧𝐢𝐧𝐠𝐬
13+ 
⤷ mature 11-12 year olds can read

violence: trials have combat, injury of a side character kind of gory 

swearing: b*tch, etc 

other: side lgbt characters - mc’s brother appears bisexual, one queen is lesbian & married, boys kissing etc 

spice: no spice but a descriptive make out session for 1-2 pages, 1-2 small kisses


﹏﹏﹏﹏﹏﹏﹏

⋆ ˚｡⋆୨୧˚ 𝐨𝐯𝐞𝐫𝐚𝐥𝐥
this was an alright fantasy book, not my fav or anything memorable but worth reading. this would help with slumps I feel!!

im hoping the rest of this series is better because it does have the potential to be amazing

﹏﹏﹏﹏﹏﹏﹏


𝐩𝐫𝐞 𝐫𝐞𝐚𝐝 ౨ৎ
haven't read a fantasy in a minute and this sounds so good?!! buddy reading with the sweetest girl ray


thank you so much to raincoast for sending me a physical arc of this book!!

[Lauren Taylor · Rating 2 out of 5]

Heir of Storms was not for me. I still want to start with some of the positives as I do think there is an audience for this book.
If you liked Powerless by Lauren Roberts you’ll probably like this. This story follows a girl who has undeservedly earned a reputation as a murderer as she discovers who she is and what the world may need from her. The magic systems is based on the typical elements (fire, water, earth, air) as well as light. There is some (minimal) political intrigue, and though the world is small in this installment it has potential to be a complex and interesting world in the future books. People who are just hungry for the next romantasy and enjoy a more formulaic book may enjoy this. I also think it is important to note that this is a debut author, so some of my gripes to come may be remedied in future books as writing is hard and can take time to craft.
So why the low rating?
1. It was painfully repetitive. I understand this book is YA, but YA readers do not need to be reminded about the world a million times. They are intelligent and need to hone their reading skills. For example, the prologue is pointless. Everything we learn in the prologue is explained in the first chapter. This book is in first person, and if the prologue was in third person to show us the world’s reaction to what happened, it would have been really interesting. Instead it felt like the author didn’t trust the reader to understand what was happening.
2. This may not be a deal breaker for many, but I couldn’t get over the naming conventions. Our main character and her brother are from the Fire wielding family and their names are Blaze and Flint. Everyone is named like this. It isn’t a huge deal in the grand scheme of things, but I found it incredibly distracting.
3. It was predictable. This may be a pro for a lot of people, but I want to be on the edge of my seat. From pretty early on I was able to guess who the bad guy was, who the love interest was, and what the events of the book would be.
4. Somethings just didn’t make sense. Without spoilers are times at the party in the beginning people (Ember) should not be where they are. There is also a plot point with emotions that feels unlikely to me.
5. I’m so over girl hate in books. Yes, to be fair, Blaze (the MFC) does interact with other girls just fine, but there are two that share animosity with her for seemingly no reason. One of these characters is from the water group, and she is referred to as “fish bitch” more than once. It didn’t add anything to the story and felt very early 2000s. With this, we are told calling this group “fish” is derogatory, yet it is done constantly and that just felt…icky.
6. Blaze pretends to make decisions, but really she just does what she is told the whole book. She isn’t moving through the story or changing events. Everything is just happening by to her. I’m not a fan of that.
7. This was such a small part of the book, but at one point Blaze equates being disabled with being damaged. it isn’t something that is ever addressed or that she learns from. This is very harmful to the disability community, even just in passing.

Thank you netgally for an eARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.

[Booksblabbering || Cait❣️ · Rating 4 out of 5]

A very addicting YA romantasy that I was surprised to enjoy as much as I did.

Blaze is the first Rain Singer in years, born into one of the most powerful fire-wielding families in the empire. She is a pariah, her birth having resulted in a devastating storm that drowned the empire.
She has spent 17 years hidden away until she is chosen to participate in the Choosing Rite, a deadly competition in which the most gifted young Etheri battle for each of the four thrones.

There’s a charming, enchanting Crown Prince and a dangerous bad boy newcomer at court, both secretly making plays for Blaze.

I forgot how much Young Adult can engage me and keep me glued to the page.
The banter was great with the side characters (particularly Blaze’s twin brother, Flint). There is a found family aspect you tend to find with YA.

‘Some see emotion as a hindrance rather than a strength,’ he says quietly. ‘But that is because they forget how powerful emotions can be. Never underestimate the way you can feel.’

There are secrets and a hidden past and treasures. A version of the chosen one troupe. There are balls, trials, training, bullies, kittens.

It isn’t anything insanely unique. The characters were very common to the genre, however the writing and pacing kept me turning the pages - as well as any charming, funny appearance of Flint.

Arc gifted by Penguin Random House.

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[Jena · Rating 3 out of 5]

Heir of Storms follows Blaze, a girl with elemental magic, as she navigates a deadly tournament for the throne. The story itself reminded me of many others I'd read before, particularly Red Queen, and the writing felt a little too blunt and on the nose for my liking. Still, I had a fun time with this book. I definitely wouldn't say that this is the most groundbreaking novel, but it was a good time nonetheless. If you liked Red Queen, you will probably enjoy Heir of Storms, as they are low key the same story. Still, sometimes that's what you want. A nostalgic, enjoyable, easy read.
Thank you to MacMillan Audio for the audio ARC in exchange for an honest review!

[rubi · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5 stars
I read for 6hours today and my eyes are tired af. rtc!!

the way half of this book was just her attending balls and wearing the same blue dress.

it was a page Turner and defo a solid debut but second book need to step up the game, it will make or break the series.

I liked that the trials weren't that stretched also the siblings bond was a breath of fresh air. Also the mmc doesn't have much depth yet but he is interesting enough overall it felt a bit hurried, we didn't get to meet the characters that well and they lacked depth and motives, hating just because of competition? that's just lazy.

overall it was a fun read, def look forward to next book!

[Mai ༊*·˚ · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 ★— 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!

[Emily-Rose At The Rose House · Rating 3 out of 5]

“I am the girl who wove the storm that shook the world. And I’m coming for my crown.”

2.5 ⭐️ rounded up

This took me over 3 months to finish which speaks for itself. 🥲

[Kelsey S · Rating 2 out of 5]

▹My ⭐ Rating: ★★.5 out of 5
▹Format: 📱 eReader
▹TL;DR Review: I don’t know what to say. I didn’t like this book and wanted to quit it several times and probably should have. I’m sorry to those that loved it…please skip my review if you did…

─────────────────────────

○★○ What to Expect from This Book: ○★○

– About: Blaze is born to a house of fire but she weirdly only yields water. So much water, in fact, that she causes devastation when she enters the world. She and her twin brother, Flint, are then years later thrust into the Choosing Rite to battle against other elemental house heirs to see who will take the crown. But along the way, Blaze learns who she can and cannot trust as she finds out more about her power.
– Location: Fictional realm
– POV: Single first-person
– Spice: No-to-low spice (no explicit scenes, kissing at most)
– Tropes: elemental magic, deadly trials, coming of age, outcast FMC, slow burn, morally gray love interest, politics and monarchy
– Triggers: slut-shaming (-ish), slavery, ableism, bullying, slurs (yes, this is a fantasy, but they use “savages”), estranged parent/abandonment, death of a parent
– Representation: olive-skinned FMC

─────────────────────────

↻ ◁ || ▷ ↺ 1:00 ──ㅇ────── 4:12

Now Playing: Set Fire to the Rain by Adele

╰┈➤ ❝But there’s a side to you that I never knew, never knew; all the things you’d say they were never true, never true; and the games you’d play you would always win, always win❞

─────────────────────────

★○ If You Like the Following, You Might Like This Book ○★

➼ Romantasy that leans more to fantasy than romance
➼ Searching for lost artifacts that hold the key to (I’m assuming) everything about the realm you live in

─────────────────────────

⍟»This or That«⍟

Character Driven—————✧——————Plot Driven
Insta Love/Lust——————————✧—Slow Burn
Sweet—✧——————————Spicy
Light/Fluffy—————✧——————Heavy/Emotional

─────────────────────────

🎯 My Thoughts:

I went into Heir of Storms hoping for a lush, politically charged fantasy with a powerful elemental magic system and a heroine to root for. Unfortunately, it just wasn’t a fit for my tastes—but I’m glad others have found something to love in it.

While I appreciated the concept—a girl ostracized for her rare powers stepping into a magical rite of succession—I struggled with the execution. The pacing felt uneven: the first third builds up Blaze’s suppressed magic, but when she finally unlocks it, it happens abruptly and without real stakes or setbacks. I didn’t feel the emotional payoff.

Blaze as a protagonist didn’t resonate with me. Her development felt flat, and her emotional reactions didn’t always feel earned or believable. The love interest was another sticking point—I found it hard to root for the romance because of what he does (can’t say bc of spoilers).

There were many characters, courts, and class structures introduced, which made it hard to stay grounded. Characters like Ember and Marina blurred together, and some political scenes left me zoning out instead of intrigued. I also didn’t connect with the world’s mythology or the Eye subplot.

I loved the cryptic old man in the library—I loved the mysterious mentor figure and the atmosphere there. The writing has moments of beauty, and I can see how readers who enjoy slow-burn romantic fantasy with elemental magic might connect more deeply with this than I did.

[Tina ♥ Bookaholic · Rating 4 out of 5]

Mein Gott, was für ein Buch! 😍 Ich habe Heir of Storms wirklich verschlungen, obwohl ich zuerst etwas skeptisch war, aber mit jeder Seite bin ich tiefer in diese magische Welt versunken. Es hat mich sehr gefreut, endlich mal wieder eine spannende High Fantasy Geschichte in den Händen zu halten, in der nicht der Spice dominiert, sondern die Geschichte und die Entwicklung der Figuren im Vordergrund stehen.
Was mir sofort gefallen hat, war die Welt mit ihrem Magiesystem. Detailreich, gut durchdacht und gleichzeitig faszinierend, dass ich ständig weiterlesen musste, um noch mehr darüber zu erfahren. Allein die Art, wie die Magie hier funktioniert und welchen Einfluss sie auf die Figuren und die Handlung hat, war genau mein Ding!

Besonders ans Herz gewachsen ist mir aber die Hauptfigur Blaze. Sie beginnt die Geschichte so zerbrechlich, so zurückgezogen, weil sie von vielen für etwas beschuldigt wird, wofür sie gar nichts kann. Das hat mir beim Lesen richtig wehgetan und man hat mit ihr mitgefühlt. Daher hatte sie aber auch eine große Entwicklung vor sich. Es war schön zu sehen, wie sie nach und nach an Stärke gewinnt, ihr eigenes Potenzial und somit auch ihren Selbstwert erkennt. Solche Figurenentwicklungen liebe ich ja!
Und dann die Nebencharaktere: Flint war einer meiner Lieblinge, mit seinen lockeren Sprüchen und Humor, aber doch einer verletztlichen Seite, die er dahinter versteckt. Und Renly, einfach nur Zucker. 🥰 Aber auch Fox, dieser typische „morally grey“-Charakter, hat mich recht schnell für sich gewonnen, obwohl lange nicht klar war, ob er oder Hal der Love Interest ist. Hal war ja ganz nett, aber war mir zu wenig vielschichtig und nun ja, ehrlich gesagt etwas zu langweilig. Umso zufriedener war ich daher mit dem Ende, denn ich bin mir sicher, dass Fox auch in den kommenden Bänden noch eine große Rolle spielen wird. Team Fox also! 😉 Und ihr?

Was ich ebenfalls sehr mochte: Es war wie oben erwähnt mal wieder eine Fantasygeschichte, in der die Romance nicht so extrem im Vordergrund steht. Einerseits super erfrischend, andererseits (weil es ja ein Jugendbuch ist) fast schon zu wenig für meinen Geschmack. Hier hoffe ich sehr auf die Fortsetzungen, dass es da noch ein bisschen mehr knistert. 💕

Besonders spannend waren die Prüfungen, die die Figuren bestehen mussten. Bildgewaltig und mitreißend beschrieben, dass ich mich direkt mitten im Geschehen gefühlt habe. Generell ist der Schreibstil von Lauryn Hamilton Murray wunderschön: detailreich, atmosphärisch, aber nie zu viel oder gar beschwerend, wie ich es von anderen High Fantasybüchern kenne. Man fliegt nur so durch die Seiten. Echt, Hut ab. Und das bei einer so jungen Autorin, wow!

Einziges kleines Manko: Manche Dinge waren dann doch etwas vorhersehbar, und das letzte Fünkchen Überraschung hat mir gefehlt. Aber das ist Jammern auf hohem Niveau, denn insgesamt war es eine tolle, packende Story, bei der ich es kaum erwarten kann, zu erfahren, wie es weitergeht.
Eine faszinierende Welt, eine starke Hauptfigur mit toller Entwicklung, liebenswerte Nebencharaktere und ein bildhafter Schreibstil. Von mir gibt es 4 Sterne und eine klare Leseempfehlung! Ich freue mich schon riesig auf die Fortsetzungen. ✨

[millena ★ · Rating 3 out of 5]

I wanted to love it so much but something was missing. The plot is predictable and some parts feel like a mix of other books but it was still creative enough to keep me hooked from start to finish. I liked the characters (especially the sibling relationship) but I feel like Fox needed more development, when he first appeared I felt like he was going to be my favorite (maybe he still is) but then he barely shows up and only in really quick scenes, since he’s an important character AND one of the love interests, I was expecting more from him.

Now about Blaze…… 🫠🫠 I thought I was going to absolutely love her but I ended up disappointed, I didn’t connect with her at all but I think that might change in the next book. I also hated how she spent the entire book treating Fox the same way people treat her, even though he told her multiple times that she, of all people, should know how others twist and exaggerate things about them.

Overall I thought the book was okay, it has the potential to be better in the sequel so I’ll probably be reading it. Thanks Netgalley & Macmillan for the arc 💜

[Brittany · Rating 4 out of 5]

4 Stars ✨

YA Fantasy

Weave the Storm. Win the Crown. 👑

“I am the girl who shook the world, and I’m coming for my crown”

Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for this advanced audio copy of Heir of Storms in exchange for an honest review.

Blaze is the last surviving Rain Singer in the empire of Ignitia. When she was just a baby, she summoned a storm that caused major destruction and casualties. She has since lost her abilities and has had kept a low profile for the last 17 years, until a special eclipse happens, marking her destiny. She is summoned to the capital to compete for the throne. As she begins to train, she must face her past and court challenges. During the trials, Blaze will be forced to embrace who she is and hopefully find her power once again.

This was such an entertaining and enjoyable read. It felt fresh and new, unlike a lot of the same repetitive fantasy stories bleeding through the genre lately. I found the pacing perfect, heavy on plot, with a dash of slow burn romance. The world building was good, although, I did find myself wondering about a few things, feeling it could have been fleshed out a little more. The characters were diverse and interesting. I really liked the family dynamic between Blaze, her grandmother and brothers. Their relationships were sweet and they were anchors for each other. My favorite character was the brooding Fox, and I can’t wait to find out more about him! Overall, I had a good time with this one. It was different, clean, and entertaining. For me, that makes a good book. I am looking forward to reading the next in the series! Would recommend.

Audio 🎧 Narration 5/5 ✨
Narrator : Isis Hainsworth

The narrator was perfect for this story, with a unique voice. She did a great job with all the change in characters and spoke clearly. She gave the FMC life with her inflections and sounded around the age Blaze would have been making her an excellent choice for this audio.

Content ⚠️
No language
Kissing only
Mentions of same sex couple
(mentioned only no details)
Mild Fantasy/trial violence
Drinking (one character is mentioned as being drunk)
Death of a parent

[littlefox (not as active) · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5 stars

A big thank you to Netgalley and Roaring Brook Press for sending me this ARC in exchange for an honest review!
Expected Publication Date: June 3rd, 2025

Heir of Storms is a fun, action-packed fantasy that hits the ground running with high stakes from the beginning. The world building is reminiscent of popular fantasy series but has just enough of its own flair to be original. I also really loved how even though there is a love triangle, Blaze's character arc isn't dependent on which man she'll choose. The book focuses more on Blaze confronting the Storm Weaver narrative and trying to make a name for herself, which I adore. This might be one of the few romantasies that doesn't revolve around the romance - it has just enough to be a significant plotline, but not too much that it overshadows the fantasy plot.

A great read and I can't wait to read the next book!!

[Kris · Rating 1 out of 5]

Received an ARC for this.

Quite frankly I'm bamboozled by all these 5 star reviews because surely this must be the first book you've ever read ?

If you want to pick up this book because you crave a fantasy novel - the world building is shallow and the magic system as basic as it can get with the four elements. A quick look at the map shows segregation at its finest that is at no time in the book explained at all. Places are so poorly described that I don't have any Idea what anything looks like and the "trials" are laughable. They range from wordle to listening people insult you (which also doesn't make sense because the contestants know they are about to enter a trial and then act shocked when dead relatives tell them they suck and can't seem to figure out that that's fake???)

If you want to read this because you want a romance - the love interests have no character traits except Bad Boy/Good Boy. The chemistry is non existed with the MC. It seems like there is instant attraction for no reason with both love interests and its kind of funny when there is supposed to be a sad breakup scene because I could just not believe that these two characters were in love with each other since they talked like twice before the aforementioned incident.

Other than that almost every other female character hates the MC and is a bully because she is "different". The MC has a typical white saviour complex where she's the only one acknowledging the morality of slavery but ultimately still uses them as it benefits her. The pseudo activism and feminism is really off the rails with this one. Other than that I could not tell you a single thing about Blaze except for she likes her family ? She has zero interests and hobbies. The only thing mentioned once is that she loves learning languages and yet we never read about her practicing and her trips to the library aren't there to enforce characters traits but act as a plot device though the voice of a wise old man. The same goes for Fox and Haldyn. Fox acts like a stereotypical "don't touch her or you're dead" bad boy but actually commits crimes throughout the book but oh it's fine and he's actually nice because HE GIVES THE MAIN CHARACTER A KITTEN. Dude.

On an unrelated note; this book is really funny as an oracle. my friends and I asked a question and opened blind a random page and sentence and some of these answers were spookily accurate

[Muffinsandbooks · Rating 4 out of 5]

4,5⭐️
L’univers ? Aussi original qu’immersif. Le système de magie ? Très intéressant et bien exploité. Les personnages ? Attachants et oscillants avec le morally grey sur certains aspects, ça les rend travaillés et intéressants, je dis oui. L’intrigue ? Accrocheuse, addictive, là encore, je dis oui !
Le côté « épreuves » est bien mené et ajoute un petit plus à l’histoire, mais c’est aussi et surtout l’intrigue autour de la magie, de ce que Blaze va découvrir, de ce que ça implique, des intrigues politiques et celles de cours… ça donne un ensemble de plein de points certes classiques en fantasy YA, mais DAAAAMN c’était efficace ! Pile poil ce qui me plait dans ce genre et effectivement, ça l’a fait pour moi : excellente lecture et un très bon début de saga… j’ai hâte de pouvoir découvrir la suite 👀

[꒰ l y d i a ꒱ · Rating 4 out of 5]

❀° ┄───╮
honest review
╰───┄ °❀

thanks to netgalley and author/publisher for this arc in exchange for an honest review!

✨✨✨✨ - 4.4 rounded to 4

𝓸𝓿𝓮𝓻𝓪𝓵𝓵:
💣 violence: 6.5/10 (dueling, killing, graphic fight scenes, hit in the face by fireball, lots of gore)
🌶️ spice: 2/10 (kissing, nothing else I remember…?)
🤬 language: 5/10 (b**ch [used in a nickname], gods d*mned, p*ss, freak, wh*re)
➕ other content: 5/10 (grief, death of parent, details about injuries, derogatory name(s) for a group of people)
👩🏼 age rating: 14+

𝓽𝓻𝓸𝓹𝓮𝓼:
↠ enemies-to-lovers
↠ trials
↠ competing for throne(s)
↠ love triangle (w/ two half-brothers)
↠ elemental powers
↠ found family
↠ romantasy

**spoilers ahead!!**


𝓬𝓱𝓪𝓻𝓪𝓬𝓽𝓮𝓻𝓼:

blaze:
↠ she’s lwk relatable since she was trapped for 17 years in one place and I feel her 😭
↠ she was giving paedyn from powerless by telling her serf (slave) to call her blaze and not miss (but also I love that since they shouldn’t be treated as less <33)
↠ “’but I’m tired.’ ‘tough.’ ‘and I wanted to read my book.’” REALLL 😄
↠ she is kinda dumb tho like it was obvious some of the stuff was from one of the brothers, most likely fox, like read the signs babe

hal:
↠ bro what is his name, like ewww 😖
↠ guys, he smells like citrus/wood/earth, just like every other male 💀
↠ he’s legit so nice tho like how he treated blaze’s serf (lwk forgot her name oops) and how he didn’t want what happened to his mother to happen to her <33
↠ I thought I liked him, but then it turns out he used her to get into her rooms to be with his love

fox:
↠ he was kinda creepy like the things he was doing? *shudder* “where others look, I see… I see all of you.” 👀
↠ mr. tall dark and mysterious in the flesh tho 🤭
↠ I want him to give me gifts <33 😍


other people 😜:
↠ PREACH RIVER!! “…and we will embrace it, with open minds and closed mouths.” PERIODDD 🫡🙂‍↕️
↠ I totally called who the old man in the library was, like I won’t lie it was lwk obvious and idk how blaze didn’t realize, but main characters can be stupid ykkk? 😄
↠ brooo the cliffhanger with the old man at the end of chapter 47?? would’ve been a great ending to the book, esp since it’s a series so take the hint for the next book lauryn! 🤪
↠ also loved her grandma, like what a cutie 🩷 plus she’s like so strong mentally and physically strong like yes babe 💪


𝓸𝓽𝓱𝓮𝓻 𝓽𝓱𝓸𝓾𝓰𝓱𝓽𝓼:
↠ okay her writing?! its BEAUTIFUL 🤌✨ like the descriptions?! omgoodness I can picture what’s going on! I usually hate reading long descriptive paragraphs, but I will read these 🤭
↠ wait, so I’m still confused on what Eyes are like what do they do and what’s so special abt them? why were they separated from people who have the same ability as them??
↠ the water portals and the things you can do with them were giving kotlc with sophie and her teleporting
↠ okk so I usually don’t like reading abt like politics in books, but this one? I was so willing to read it bc it wasn’t like paragraphs long 😰 instead you got the info you need at the time and nothing extra 😊

𝓮𝓭𝓲𝓽𝓸𝓻𝓲𝓪𝓵 𝓷𝓸𝓽𝓮𝓼:
**the copy I received was not finalized but these were some of the mistakes I caught**
↠ missing punctuation
↠ nothing else that I remember!

𝓬𝓸𝓷𝓬𝓵𝓾𝓼𝓲𝓸𝓷:
this was a really good book! I loved how it was written and the pacing was great ✨😜 I would def rec this to anyone who enjoys romantasy with elemental powers, since the whole book is def based on the political system and how they choose the next person in power, but it was INTERESTING 🤗 add this to your tbr fs 💐



thanks for reading my review! 🫶🏼💜




❀° ┄───╮
pre-read
╰───┄ °❀

UHM SO WHY DOES THIS SOUND SO GOOD!! starting this soon hopefully 🤞🏼

[Billie's Not So Secret Diary · Rating 4 out of 5]

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

[nika.ex.libris · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thanks, NetGalley and Roaring Brook Press, for the eARC for my honest review!

So, this book's all about the four elements, and that's what made me want to read it!

When Blaze was born, she flooded the world—yep, she's the Rain Singer, so they hidden her away. Until... she and her brother Flint get an invitation to compete to become rulers of the empire. It's a battle not just for the throne, but for her heart too.

I love that the fmc doesn't have fire powers, and the mmc isn't fiery either! That already gives the book some points.

I was getting all the chills, like wow, the descriptions pulled me right into the story, and I was worried about everyone!

It's got vibes of The Hunger Games for the throne, the four elements like in Avatar, and the main girl reminded me of Katara. I liked how Flint treated his sister; his lines were awesome—I need more of him!

The love triangle, not typical ? I don’t remember seeing twists like these before, and I liked it since I'm not a huge fan of triangles.

Overall, it was an easy and enjoyable read, and I'm curious about what happens next.

• Sibling relationships (huge plus, total shock)
• Grief/loss (from multiple viewpoints)
• Four elemental powers
• Competition for the throne
• Love triangle

💡Idea: 4/5
🌡Emotions: 4,25/5
🗺Plot: 3,75/5
👥️Characters: 4/5

[˚୨୧⋆｡˚ ⋆ Val ˚୨୧⋆｡˚ ⋆ · Rating 4 out of 5]

I've heard this is a really good book, and I've been looking for a YA romantasy recently so hopefully it's good ! Also, I'M ALMOST THERE GUYS. 3 MORE DAYS TILL THE HOLIDAYS.

Oh my golly golly I JUST TURNED THE PAGE AND THERES NOTHING ELSE THERE. YOU CAN'T LEAVE US LIKE THAT ? Also I JUST REALISED THIS IS A) AN UNFINISHED SERIES B) THE SECOND BOOK HANS'T EVEN BEEN ANNOUCED YET OH MY GOD I'M GONNA CRY.

rtc

[Blue ✘]

DNF‎‎‎‎‎‎ ‎ ‎ ‎‎ ₊⊹⁀➴ 110 pages
─..★.──────────

I just don't think in 2025 we should be calling tribal communities 'savage'. I understand if it's the bias of the character that is saying it or thinking it (depiction =/= endorsement, a hill I will gladly die on), but that should be signposted. We should be able to tell it is the bias of the character and not the result of topics around non-western civilisations not being handled with care.

I also couldn't get past the way that the protagonist talks about slavery in this one. The first time our FMC meets a serf from the 'Otherlands' she jumps at the chance to have someone nearby that she can coax information from:

I have a part of the Otherlands right here in front of me. Perhaps, if I tread carefully, she will tell me about them. I am sure I could learn far more from this girl than any book or map.

A part of the Otherlands? A person. This is a person. Not an exotic amusement. The first thought she has, before she even knows the girl's name, is how can I use her? Blaze is an isolated teen who is eager for adventure and friendship, and I can see why she might view another young woman, in these specific circumstances, as an opportunity first and a human second. But it left an odd taste.

There was also a scene further in where a character, who is suspected of being a slaver, dresses up as a slave and it's framed as exciting and romantic. Again, this might be something that makes sense for Blaze, but all these things began adding up for me in a way that made me uncomfortable.

There was a large part of the story remaining when I put this one down and maybe the FMC goes through a personal development arc as she learns more about slavery and the experience of those who are imprisoned. And maybe the language used by her in both dialogue and narration evolves to reflect this, but for now I will be setting this one aside.

Thank you to NetGalley and Penguin for providing an eARC copy in exchange for an honest review.

Quotation accurate at time of review.

────── ⋆⋅☆⋅⋆ ──────
✦ Mood: romantic, coming-of-age, angsty

[Bookish ✨ · Rating 5 out of 5]

to👏🏻było👏🏻tak👏🏻świetne👏🏻
mój jedyny bol związany z ta książka to fakt, ze nie ma jeszcze drugiego tomu.
_____________________
„Dla wielu osób moje narodziny oznaczały smierć. Oznaczały utonięcie w deszczu, który przywołałam swoim oddechem.”

Historie młodzieżowe trafiają do mnie już coraz rzadziej, ale ta. Z czystym sumieniem mogę powiedzieć, że jest w 100% moja. Przepięknie zbudowany świat, bohaterowie, historia. Romans, który nie przyćmiewa całej fabuły?! Tak, to możliwe!😮‍💨

Nasza główna bohaterka swoimi narodzinami sprowadziła smierć na tysiące osób, a gdy po 17 latach w końcu debiutuje w towarzystwie, okazuje się, że została wybrana na dziedziczkę. I będzie walczyć o koronę z innymi dziedzicami. Tylko że Blaze skrywa mały sekret… jej moc odeszła wraz z burzą, którą sprowadziła te 17 lat temu.

System magiczny?! Cudo! Nie spotkałam się jeszcze z fabułą, gdzie bohaterowie nie dziedziczą tronu, a walczą o niego w magicznym turnieju. Oczywiście kibicowałam Blaze, bardzo szybko stała się jedną z moich ulubionych bohaterek. Autorka nie dawała jej wytchnienia ani na sekundę i Blaze na zmianę albo się szkoliła, albo brała udział w próbach, albo… chodziła na cudowne bale. Bale w fantastyce to moje guilty pleasure, uwielbiam o nich czytać, wiec możecie sobie wyobrazić jak byłam tutaj szczęśliwa!

Nie obyło się również bez trójkąta miłosnego (😉😉) i jako ze ja jestem naprawdę prostą dziewczyną, to swojego faworyta miałam odkąd tylko się pojawił. Dziedzic korony oraz tajemniczy nowicjusz? No, możecie się domyślić..
Generalnie każdy z bohaterów, czy nawet antybohaterów tej książki, jest tak wyrazisty i wielowymiarowy, że można wręcz z nimi odczuwać ich emocje. Widać i czuć, że autorka włożyła dużo serca w pisanie tej książki i tych postaci, że ja po prostu nie miałam szansy nie przepaść dla nich i dla tego tytułu.

Pióro Lauryn jest lekkie i przyjemne, że przez całą książkę się płynie, a potem chce więcej. „Zrodzona z burzy” to niesamowity początek dobrze zapowiadającej się trylogii romantasy i tytuł po który musicie sięgnąć. Historia Blaze wyciągnie Was z zastoju czytelniczego i nie będziecie się mogli od niej oderwać, a na końcu pozostaniecie z pytaniem: co dalej? 👀