Her Hidden Fire

by Cliodhna O'Sullivan

Perfect for fans of Powerless, Lightlark, and Red Queen, this heart-pounding romantasy forces a girl to make an impossible watch the boy she loves get exiled for lack of magic, or pass her formidable powers off as his own.

In a world where dragons soar through the skies and magical abilities are an elite privilege, the ruling family of Ailm’s Keep is on a Can their son Ionáin prove that he can channel magic, or will his entire family be cast out in disgrace?

Éadha, a servant girl who loves Ionáin, is shocked to discover shortly before the test that she can wield magic herself. It’s extremely rare for a girl to have this talent, especially outside the few great Families. At Ionáin’s moment of truth, when it's clear he is about to fail, Éadha makes a desperate gamble to save him from humiliation by pretending her magic is his, forfeiting her own claim to power.

Her decision sends them both to an academy of magic, where she must shield her secret from every grim Master and scheming apprentice—especially the handsome but enigmatic Gry. As Éadha enters this whirlwind of patriarchy, class, heartache, and jealousy, she also learns about magic’s terrible cost—the human price that Channellers willingly pay to maintain their power.

How far would you go to empower the one you love?

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

Kindle Edition

Expected publication March 3, 2026

Reviews

[jenny reads a lot · Rating 4 out of 5]

Dragons + magic + kissing, set in a unique world!

Actually there was SO much f-ing kissing but never with the right guy!

This was a wild ride, a bit slow to start but picked up at 40% and then I stayed up till 2:30am to finish.

This is a rare occasion where I think it’s worth it to stick it out through the slower start. The middle is moving and the pay off at the end is worth the mild slog at the start. The potential for the rest of this series has me screaming “I NEED THE NEXT BOOK NOW,” despite knowing this book isn’t even released yet.

The folklore, the world, and the magic were interesting and felt fresh enough. I won’t detail specifics (potential spoiler) but I will say the author does some really cool things with the magic and the book itself feels like an allegory for a major real world problem.

Overall I had a really great time with this book and I’m definitely continuing

I do think this book has a few problems and I’m actually hopeful it’ll get a few more editing adjustments prior to pub. One of my biggest issues was repetition in the prose. We’d be told something, then told again a few paragraphs later. I am reading this quite early though (6 months prior to pub) so I’m curious to see if these will be caught as something to edit out or if it’s intentional repetition for the age rage (12+).

Whats to love…
- love triangle (I’m sat for this resurgence in these)
- interesting world, magic, folklore
- DRAGONS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
- hidden powers, secrets, and lies
- political intrigue
- Corrupt governments
- ridiculously passionate kissing
- utterly HATEABLE villains

Whats not to love…
- repetitive prose
- overly descriptive at times (do we need to know so many physical details about every single person we encounter?)
- all that kissing made the kiss that we want to happen lose a bit of its specialness

4.25⭐️| IG | TikTok |

Thank you Penguin for the gifted book. All opinions are my own.

[Emily Azevedo · Rating 5 out of 5]

This fantasy novel delivers a rich blend of worldbuilding, courtly drama, and political maneuvering. The author skillfully crafts a realm where shifting alliances, hidden agendas, and the struggle for power feel just as dangerous as any battle fought with steel.

The characters are layered and morally complex, each driven by ambition, loyalty, or survival. Protagonists are rarely purely heroic, and antagonists are never wholly villainous—everyone operates in shades of gray, making their choices both believable and compelling. The political intrigue drives the story forward, with betrayals, secret pacts, and unexpected twists that keep the reader guessing.

[tiana ♡]

pre-read notes:
ARC received! You had me at dragons + magic academy 💛

[Brian Snyder · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book had great pacing for the story. I'm excited to read the next book!

[Lexie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thank you NetGalley for an ARC of this book!

I was a little apprehensive about the Powerless comparison because I don't like books that read as a list of tropes. However, I also don't take book comparisons too seriously because I've found comparisons to other popular books to only be ~40% accurate. I do think the Powerless comparison wasn't very accurate because technically the general idea of people with magical powers vs people without was there but there really wasn't anything in common. I can see the appeal of Powerless because of it's trope-y writing but this book didn't really seem to have tropes.

Initially, I wasn't going to request this book but the references in the blurb to a patriarchal society got me excited because I love feminist-rage books and critiques of the patriarchy. Having a fantasy book also based off of Ireland was definitely a unique choice as the generically British and French fantasy settings, or German if the author is feeling spicy, tends to get a little dull.

There's a helpful pronunciation guide in the beginning that I liked as well as a handy little map too. Starting the book out with an established romantic relationship was definitely a refreshing choice. I like seeing characters with a clearly defined love interest rather then the angsty and overdone will-they-will-they-won't. I loved how the relationship between Éadha and Ionain was done! It was so different and refreshing and they actually felt like people with personalities outside of each other. I didn't like though, that Éadha kept it a secret that she was a Channeler and was faking Ionain's powers from Ionain as I feel like it would have been much more interesting had they been plotting together.

The writing style was definitely very interesting. It actually reminds me of The Luck Uglies in that it's very fantastical and easy-to-read but with a certain grittiness to it. The world-building was fascinating too. There are layers of patriarchy, class, and privilege that feel all-too-real like the way that using channeling literally drains energy out from innocent people (I saw that coming but the metaphor was done so beautifully) so that the powerful (and rich) could benefit.

I will say that I wish the differences between a Keeper and a Channeler were explained a little better. I wasn't exactly sure what exactly a Keeper was and what powers they have that made them different and weaker then Channelers.

TW: Sexual Assualt

The sexual assault plotline was so raw and realistic that I was tearing up. Especially Éadha's feelings of shame and trauma afterwards. When Hera tells Éadha not to blame herself for wearing a pretty dress, it literally made me cry.

[L.A. Montgomery · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoyed reading Her Hidden Fire! A fantasy story set in a Irish-like world, filled with dragons and magic. It was slow to start out, but the final half made me glad that I stuck with it! The author does an amazing job of making the story both relatable and heart wrenching.

The main character, Éadha, was very easy to root for. She had a strong spirit, and cared deeply about others. She constantly questioned the unjust norms of her society, even when she later paid the price for it. Her bravery and courage throughout the story was inspiring. My only complaint with her was her initial choice in men! (She deserved so much better!)

I can't wait to read the next two books!

Thank you Penguin Teen for an ARC of this book! All opinions are my own.

[Charley · Rating 4 out of 5]

I absolutely adored this book!! Such a unique fantasy system, I loved our range of characters (one of which I hope we see more of in the next book 😉). Any fantasy with dragons immediately catches my eye!! I immediately want to move on to the next book, I hope November comes around quick so I can get my hands on it!!

[lillian]

Dragons. Magic. Kissing. Need I say more? Her Hidden Fire is one hell of a debut from Cliodhna O’Sullivan. Althoughhh, everybody’s name has diacritical marks (HELP). This is when I skip them over and make up my own pronunciations haha. Like “oh yeah, that’s Edna!” Besides my inability to pronounce anything, I highly recommend this to any romantasy lover. O’Sullivan is one to watch! 🐉💛

[Julia · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thank you PenguinTeens for sending me a free copy of this book.

This book was sooooo good!! It was fast-paced and had a great plot! The descriptions were detailed and intriguing. This book could’ve had another 100 pages and I still wouldn’t be satisfied. I really hope there’s a sequel…

The plot was great but I wish that some of the interactions with characters (like the baby dragon) had more details. I kinda felt that she glossed over what happened.

The characters were also well developed. Éadha, the main character, had great character development. She starts off thinking that her whole life is dependent on Ionáin (her childhood friend) but as the story progresses she becomes her own person. Gry had a big part in this. Gry becomes the love interest and encourages her to see herself positively. We’re not even going to talk about Senan. He’s a jerk. Ionáin is also a jerk regardless of his good intentions but he is redeemed at the end.

Overall, this book was great and I would definitely recommend!! 😃

[The Fabled Librarian🖤 · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thank you NetGalley and Penguin books! If Her Hidden Fire were a romantic candle, it’d be one of those that smells like moonlight and dragon smoke—and probably burns your fingertips if you’re not careful. This is a romantasy that asks: how far would you go to elevate the one you love—especially when it comes at your own expense?
The Setup
Éadha, a lowly servant girl pining for her childhood friend Ionáin—the heir of the ruling family—discovers a truth that flips her world: she is the rare Channeller, not him. That means she’s the true magic-wielder, while he, shockingly, isn’t. It’s a magical twist that sends them both reeling.
The Sacrifice
At Ionáin’s magical trial—a moment that determines his family’s fate—Éadha stakes it all. She pretends her power is his. In doing so, she saves his house from disgrace, but relinquishes her own claim to the prestige and safety she deserves. Talk about giving someone your spark… literally.
Hidden Lives at the Academy
Escorting her secret into a magical academy, Éadha walks a tightrope. She plays the understudy as a "Keeper" while cheering a clueless Ionáin forward. Oh, and there’s Gry—the cryptic, swoon-worthy fellow apprentice—throwing shade with his allure and possibly reading her every secret under those "handsome but enigmatic" looks.
The Dark Undercurrents
Here’s where the fantastical turns bitter: Channellers draw power from Fodder—life-force siphoned from the disenfranchised. Éadha’s gaze opens wide to the price of her gift: a society built on extraction, pain, and hidden cruelty. Her sacrifice becomes moral fuel—not just romantic, but revolutionary.
Final Staccato Thoughts
Power + Privilege: It’s never just about who has magic, but at whose expense—rich vs. servant, hidden vs. heralded.
Love, Rewritten: Éadha’s choice reframes love from a fairy-tale glitter to a torch she carries for others—even if it burns her.
Gry’s Subtext: He’s the “mystery level infinity” guy whose broody side-eye makes you question if he’s ally or mirror to her suppressed power.
Cost of Magic: This book isn’t fantasy lipstick—it peels back the myth of magic and shows the blood beneath the shimmer.

[Shh... One More Chapter · Rating 4 out of 5]

Her Hidden Fire was a compelling read that drew me in with its atmosphere and steady, simmering tension. The world is vivid, the tone dark and intriguing, and I found myself invested in the plot as it unfolded. The pacing worked well overall and enough mystery to keep me turning pages, with satisfying reveals along the way.
I especially enjoyed the characters and their relationships, which felt layered and emotionally grounded. There’s a depth to the storytelling here that kept me hooked, and the writing itself has a cinematic quality that made the world easy to picture.
There were a few slower patches, but nothing that took away from my enjoyment just enough to place this at a strong four stars rather than a full five. I’m excited to see what this author does next.
Thank you to NetGalley and Viking Books for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.

[Chloe · Rating 5 out of 5]

I AM COMPLETELY AND UTTERLY IN LOVE WITH THIS BOOK. It made me ache from the inside out. The forbidden love that creates a pull to do the unthinkable, until the pressure becomes unbearable and you must face the question of whether it can withstand the strain. THE DRAGONS, something so subtle, but incredibly important and always there. The magic system that upholds power, and those that are fighting, in their own ways, to bring that power away from those who have warped it for their own gain.

This book is incredible. It is everything fantasy is supposed to be, and I love it with my whole entire heart. It is a gut-punch, but is is one that that is so spectacular.

[Stephanie Ogden · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was slow and I just felt terrible for the FMC the entire book. I really wish the magic was more explained, you just kind of get thrown right into it.

I really wish we could have gotten more scenes with the dragons. The FMC never want to let go the first love interest was infuriating seeing as he definitely didn’t act like he loved her back.

[Amy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Due the reading slump because I. Am. Obsessed. Immediate 5 stars and if someone says it has flaws I don't caaaare.

We have a really unique magic system. We have dragons. We have some extremely messed up conditions to achieve said magic. What's not to love? That said, what really drew me into this book was how emotional it made me. And by that, I mean the absolute rage I felt reading certain interactions and conversations with certain characters. I'm also mad about that little redemption arc at the end that triggered my empathy. I was not ready to feel forgiveness because I'm a salty bitch. It's very rare for me to be emotionally triggered by a book, but this one did it. And that always makes me want to give a book all the stars.

My only complaints (which aren't even real complaints) were what felt like the abrupt end (cliffhanger, I get it, but I selfishly wanted more closure) and the aforementioned redemption arc because after all my rage, I (also selfishly) didn't want it to just fizzle out. So, like I said, they're not even real complaints, I just want more. And I don't know how I'm going to be able to wait however long for book 2 because I need to know what's happening.

[Autumn · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was a quick read for me. The first half was slower than I was expecting but the world building and political intrigue kept it interesting. This is a book you want to hold out and finish on for sure. The magic system was unique and the characters were varied. It didn’t feel like a cookie cutter Romantasy. And I’m excited to see where it goes next.

Thank you for the pronunciation guide or I would’ve been creating names up as I went.

Thank you NetGalley and Penguin Young Readers Group. All opinions are my own.

[Lex]

This was heavy for a YA, but I really enjoyed it

A critique of patriarchal society and the subjugation (literally and metaphorically) it demands, and how one yields, or learns a new way of power

I liked the main character's fire (haha) and the descriptions of the magic were beautiful (silver fish! such a lovely choice!)

Why are we doing all this for a man girl x

[Tiera Aubrey]

Sadly DNF'd at 10% - the writing style felt clunky to me and I couldn't connect with the MC.

🌟Thank you Netgalley for the ARC in exchange for an honest review!🌟

[Morgan · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.75 in actuality.

really really fun!! perfect for fans of shadow and bone and the red queen.
thank you to PRH for the arc!

[Kris · Rating 3 out of 5]

arc received. my opinions are my own.

thank you netgalley for this arc. I am sure this will appeal to more than a few folks. The elements are there that usually make me five star a book - dragons, an academy, hidden powers - but the sum total just wasn't there for me when they all added together.

[Hayley Fountain · Rating 4 out of 5]

I received a free copy from Goodreads. I enjoyed this book. I liked the magic system and the dragons (which will hopefully feature even more in the next book). The main character is very strong and courageous, but I hope she ends up with the right person in the next book. She deserves better than how she was treated by someone who was supposed to love her.

[Shiane Whelan · Rating 4 out of 5]

Elements of Irish magic and myth mixed with dragons?? My exact kind of book. I need the sequel immediately

[Tabitha · Rating 5 out of 5]

The most empowering story I have read in a long time! A classic tale of a FMC holding herself back and not seeing her value until her rage overtakes her and she has no choice but to stand up for justice.

A new magic system, a whole new world built, and characters developed so deeply you can’t help but become enmeshed in the story as if you are right there with them. The characters are full of life and so easy to love (or hate). The magic system is complex but also simple, and simultaneously horrifying. The world is deeply complicated and toxic and at some point I truly felt like there was no hope. But of course, hope always arrives and it was done so beautifully.

I don’t want to give anything away, but I do have to say I am already on the edge of my seat for the next installment!

[Hillary · Rating 4 out of 5]

Super into the magic training secret badass theoretical dragon tie in situation, but...this got muddy in the middle. Lots of making out with no action? Characters with deeply ambiguous desires? Mkay, we'll see about you book two.

[Christine · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for an early copy of this book! Below is my honest review.

I was thinking about DNFing this one because the first half is pretty slow. Also, the formatting of this arc made it easy for me to get distracted (super long paragraphed, sentences that are cut in the middle, etc.). But I’m glad I’m pushed through because I made it to the end and can say I quite enjoyed it! There is a love triangle in here so if that’s not your jam, maybe go away because it’s one of those “seriously, go with the other guy because this guy is being dumb and I don’t know what you see in him” situations. Otherwise, the world was interesting. The magic system is easy to understand. I’m excited for this next book!

[Matthew Gold · Rating 4 out of 5]

*Thank you Penguin Young Readers Group for an eARC in exchange for an honest review*

I really enjoyed this book and thought that the last 70% of the book was really well done, had a good amount of excitement, twists, and character development. I also really appreciated the dragon connection without overdoing it like some books try to that are not necessarily meant to. My main personal critique is that the first 30% of the book was very slow and it took about that long until I was fully engaged with the book. Beyond that, I loved the characters and story and I am excited for the next one whenever it comes!

[Shannon A · Rating 5 out of 5]

A Romantasy set in a fantasy-Ireland full of magic, betrayals battles for power we find a young man set out to save his family from a future that forces them to give up their place and home. Unknown to him, his childhood friend sets out to protect him, but at what cost? This is a world where the truth can be dangerous if discovered, friendships are tested and choices can change everything.

I loved this!

Now I must wait for the next two in the trilogy!

[Phoebe · Rating 3 out of 5]

Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for the ARC.

3.25 stars rounded down. Despite the utterly generic summary and absolutely atrocious comps that seem to be picked from whatever's popular on Booktok (Lightlark, Powerless, and Priory, really?), I actually enjoyed myself more than I expected going in. The writing is, for the most part, pretty competent and flows smoothly, which was pleasantly surprising for a debut and carried me through most of the book, despite the storm of cliches.

The main character, Eadha, is kind of exactly the type of heroine people used to lambast YA fantasy for having - she is *very* passive, has a super special secret power, and spends 90% of the book obsessing over a boy (while caught in a love triangle, of course) - but because of the writing, I found myself not minding that too much...to an extent, at least. Eadha's passivity makes sense for her character for most of the book - she's a teenager who's never really lived for herself, or even knows who she is outside of Ionain, and I'm sure this will resonate for a lot of teen readers. Her arc then, obviously, is mostly about her learning to not live in someone else's shadow and claim her own power for herself, which *can* work and I was open to, but man, it takes a *long* time for Eadha to start showing any growth. Mainly it all happens towards the end of the book, right before a climactic fight. Part of the problem is that Eadha suppresses her emotions a lot (which she understandably has to, given the setting) and part of the problem is...the writing, which I know I just praised, but does start to have problems towards the last half of the book. The society Eadha lives in, specifically the one on the Channelers' islands, feels extremely dystopic to a horrifying degree once she's fully brought into it, but the writing somehow makes it so that Eadha's growing horror and rage feel very muted and distant, which is strange because I felt her other emotions were conveyed pretty well in the rest of the story. This kind of makes it feel like she doesn't care as much as she should and makes her sudden rebellion against the Channelers' way at the end feel maybe less cathartic than it was supposed to be. I wish the author had *really* leaned into the horror because the circumstances she presents are so dark, they actually remind me a little of Blood Over Bright Haven, and that agonizing feeling of constantly wanting to scream, to rage but having to smother it on account of your life would've really enhanced the themes in this book for me.

Another problem I had with the writing was that twists and revelations also felt underwhelming. Not that they weren't foreshadowed well but again, Eadha's reaction to them was too muted to really feel anything. I don't even think we really get to see her live reaction to learning the exact origin of her powers, which feels like a missed opportunity. Additionally, Eadha's inevitable confrontation with Ionain was handled very swiftly and the reader (and characters) aren't given enough time to sit with the consequences before they all get swept up in the climactic battle, which again feels like a waste. I mean, I assume it'll probably be explored more in the next book but here, all the emotional build-up just kind of fizzles out. Eadha's connection with the dragons also felt very fast and I feel like we could've spent more time with what, exactly, it meant in the context of the worldbuilding. Also, again, Eadha's reaction to that revelation felt bizarrely absent. In fact, she seems terribly *in*curious as to the why and how.

As for the romance...hmmm. I didn't *not* enjoy it. I thought Ionain and Eadha's prior relationship as life-long friends felt established well, though it gets a little shaky throughout the course of the story because Ionain insisted on playing along with the elite and making it seem like he didn't care about Eadha to protect her while Eadha insisted on bulldozing through his attempts. To be fair, it is supposed to be a little blurry whether or not Ionain is doing this solely for Eadha and it is also understandable that Eadha doesn't want to be kept like a secret but it did verge a little bit on melodrama. I also liked Eadha's relationship with Gry but I wish there'd been a tad more development. As it was, it felt like they had a really good basis as friends but then kind of skipped that stage and dove into romance. Did not help that Eadha again plays the YA protagonist where she's weepy and utterly torn between these two and has explosive, life-changing kisses with both of them. Still somehow better than some romances I've read though.

Also everyone is raving about how the book has dragons but they appear only like 4 times and one of those times is an illusion. Not enough dragons for this book to be marketed with them.

Anyways, despite my criticisms, I did like the writing and the overall worldbuilding, so I'm open to picking up the sequel.

[Lindsay · Rating 3 out of 5]

Story: ★ ★ ★ ⯪ ☆
Age appropriateness: ★ ★ ☆ ☆ ☆

Ordinarily, I don't like to break my reviews down like this, but I was incredibly torn on how to rate Her Hidden Fire! The back of this ARC clearly states that this is meant to be a teen read, appropriate for ages 12 and up. For the most part, the book reads as an average to above-average teen read, as advertised. It has an okay plot and an exciting, satisfying ending, but the dialogue often felt forced or robotic. The main character, Éadha, and her initial love interest Ionain are believable teens trapped in an impossible situation, but every other character feels like a caricature used to make a point: the monologuing evil villain Masters, the heroic Mr. Perfect Gry, the mean girls, etc. In the gaps between those caricatures, there are some plot holes and missed opportunities, but Éadha and Ionain provide an engaging, complicated story that was enjoyable to read.

My favorite part of Her Hidden Fire was the portrayal of a system meant to convince and charm its participants into believing there is no other way of life, that nothing can be done to fix it. The inhuman ways the Masters destroyed dissent and the persuasive rush of power that came with privilege and obedience was laid out in the open, and I hope that young readers are able to apply their understanding of these dynamics to our own world and see the injustices around them. Like Éadha, hopefully they find ways to persevere and resist. It's really an important story, beneath the magic and madness.

What, then, is my hang-up with the age range this book is being advertised to? It isn't the plot, but the language used to describe it. About 50/70 pages in, I started to get the uncanny feeling that I was reading romantasy smut. Smut without sex, smut that had been aged down to get advertised to a wider audience. This book has all the usual call-signs of the adult genre: Ionain's kisses "claim" Éadha, "her desire roared," it was "raw hunger suddenly unleashed" by the "sensuality of his mouth"... Like, the following is a word-for-word excerpt from this ARC:

“Now his mouth left hers but only to kiss the sensitive skin around her mouth with soft, trailing kisses, as if he was intent on claiming every part of her, and she wanted to cry aloud at the sheer, teasing pleasure of it.”

This isn't even the most egregious example, too; the magical school for teens is referred to multiple times as a "mating zoo" and one character even suggests that the boys be matched with multiple girls in order to "fix the breeding problem." We need to be real here: this language is used in popular romantasy smut books not because it is just how romance is, but because it is meant to be titillating. It is kink. Now, I am not kink-shaming. This kind of writing is great, when appropriately labeled. But this sort of language - a "mating zoo" for teens!!! - should not be advertised to children as young as 12.

I am not preaching that these kinds of books shouldn't be made, nor that these books should be banned, nor that teen books shouldn't contain mature topics. In fact, there are several mature scenes with sexual tension and sexual trauma in Her Hidden Fire, but they are treated with the gravitas they deserve, and so do not vex me like the kisses do. Love is not the same as dominating, uncontrollable lust. Maybe if there was a subplot where Éadha learned the difference, I would feel differently. But no, her feelings for Gry are almost identical to those with Ionain.

There is something to be said about children getting their hands on books that are too sexy for them before it's appropriate. Children will always find ways to do that, and it isn't necessarily a bad thing for them to explore and try to read books things that were astronomically inappropriate. My problem is with the publisher's decision to market this book to children as young as 12, simple as.

In short, I did enjoy this book, but I felt super icky reading the kiss scenes knowing that this was being advertised to children. I would recommend this book for young adults who want an exciting piece of romantasy sans the spice. Thank you to Viking Press and Penguin Teen for supplying my work with this ARC!

[Renaye · Rating 4 out of 5]

I’m glad to have ended 2025 and entered into 2026 with this book. I found it to be fresh, compelling, and filled with equal parts love, hope, and feminine fury, all of which combine to forge a unique story about humanity—the sacrifices we make for those we love, and how willing we must be to fight for a different, fairer world.

Éadha loves Ionáin, the boy she has grown up with in Ailm’s Keep, a boy she has known as far back as she can remember. Soon, he will undergo his Reckoning, where it will be determined whether he has the Channeler gift; if he doesn’t, his family will lose their noble status and Ionáin will be sent elsewhere. Éadha may never see him again. For a couple generations now, the Ailm family has failed Reckonings, and it is suspected that they will fail again, but when Éadha has a chance to save the boy she loves—and his family—from downfall, she takes it. Now both are off to brave the next two years, where Channelers and Keepers are taught to hone their abilities and safeguard the system that has endured for hundreds of years.

Éadha becomes stretched thin in her efforts to pass her classes and protect Ionáin, and there are other apprentices for whom the training is no game. Their very lives depend on the delicate inner workings of the system, where power and influence are valued above all else. Éadha has stumbled into a board with pieces and players she doesn’t understand, but she must find her way quickly before both she and Ionáin suffer the repercussions of withholding the truth from the Masters. It doesn’t take much time for Éadha to realize she’s not the only one with a secret to hide, and that another apprentice, one with power that calls to hers, could help her rip open the biggest lie in Domhain.

But the Masters will do anything to protect their way of life.



So I did my best to summarize without spoiling, because there’s just so many threads to the story that it’s difficult to concisely weave them together into a smooth-flowing hook. But I tried. So anyway, to the good stuff.

This book is inspired a little by Irish geography and language. I really appreciated that the author is Irish (as far as I’m aware) and I liked the voice she brought to the story (for the most part). Reading Éadha’s story, it felt unique and refreshing, and I didn’t often get the sense of having read something too similar before, which was a delight in itself. Way too many books these days feel formulaic, lacking creativity and a break from those exhaustingly repetitive tropes. Thus, I was enjoying the respite.

I also find myself strangely pleased that by the end of this book, I really couldn’t decide which interest of Éadha’s is truly the best match, though I can say that I’m fine with being patient when it comes to finding out. There’s a specific pull to each, but I tend to lean more towards the power couple pairing. (I can’t tell whether or not this is a bad bias to have). Either way, I enjoyed that Éadha got a few chances to share kisses with her love interest. You rarely see that in YA books since they like to draw out the first kiss until at least mid-book. In this novel, love is traded and spoken of more freely, and I really appreciated that. It felt more holistic.

The magic system was interesting, and there were a few characters in the story that really helped Éadha when she was in trouble. Despite being a bit of a loner, she made an impact on the people she met and I’m glad that came full circle when she needed their help. I hope to see her continue to make friends in the next book, if there is a sequel in the works. She’s still got her work cut out for her if she wants to enact real change. This was a great start to her journey, though, and I’m interested to see what happens next for her.

4.5 stars. I’d recommend this book if you like tough characters, magic with consequences/stakes, academic/school settings, dragons, and romance with more than one interest.

Thank you NetGalley, and thanks to the publisher, Penguin Random House, for providing this ARC. I have read the entire book and this review is my own work without the support or use of AI.

[Kay · Rating 4 out of 5]

Her Hidden Fire follows Eadha, a common born girl in love with Ionian, the heir to their home, Ailm's Keep. In order to maintain their privileged status, ruling families must display the ability to "channel", or use magic, at least once in a generation. Due to Ionain's father failing to display the ability to channel, Ionain is under significant pressure to prove his abilities.
When Eadha discovers that she possesses channeling abilities, a rarity for commoners, and that Ionain is like his father, unable to use magic, she undertakes a desperate deception to make Ionain appear as if he is a talented channeler, all while hiding the depth of her own magic. When the two are whisked away to Lambay to train their abilities, their bond is tested by the horrors they discover lie behind their society. How far will Eadha go to maintain the lie, and at what cost?

This read was surprisingly dark, and honestly, much better for it. Her Hidden Fire tackles a number of heavy topics - patriarchy, classism, a slavery-esque abuse of others (particularly commoners) - but doesn't ever shy away from how awful it is. Very few of the major characters, even the villains, try to excuse it or wave it away, which made it all the more impactful. Even our "heroes" operate in something of a morally gray stance when there aren't easy choices to be made - it felt like a very realistic way to portray younger adults fighting against an entrenched societal norm.

On a similar note, though this book firmly lived in a fantasy setting (Irish-inspired, dragons, etc), there was a certain grittiness to the writing that added to the dark themes and made it a smooth read - I got through most of it in a single sitting!

Overall, I really did enjoy the story, which took a dark but new and refreshing spin on some classic female-rage style tropes, but I did have a bit of a bone to pick with Eadha in the first half of the book: choosing not to tell Ionain that he doesn't actually have the ability to channel was very clearly a large narrative choice that impacts how the rest of the story is written but I would have loved to see a version of the story where Ionain knew, plotted with Eadha, and ultimately had to fight the corrupting force of having the ability to channel. It was very frustrating to read from Eadha's POV when she is upset about Ionain's choices, yet keeps him in the dark, and he doesn't have enough information to make choices that would benefit Eadha. This issue got better as the book progressed, but it still felt like one of the major decisions I didn't entirely agree with, plot wise.

✨ 4 stars! ✨

Thank you to Netgalley and Penguin Young Readers Group | Viking Books for Young Readers for providing an ARC. All opinions and thoughts are my own.