Tides of Fortune

Storm Weaver #2

by Lauryn Hamilton Murray

"Bears all the hallmarks of addictive YA fantasy. . . This is going to be huge.” —Laura Steven, #1 New York Times-bestselling author of Our Infinite Fates, on Heir of Storms

Return to the spellbinding world of Heir of Storms in the explosive second installment to the Storm Weaver trilogy, perfect for fans of Red Queen, Throne of Glass, and The Rose Bargain.

Having survived three treacherous trials to win her crown, Blaze is now Queen of the Aquatori. But before she can take the throne, she must set out to find the Eye of the Soul, one of the realm’s most powerful weapons, before another claims its power for themself.

Her journey will take her deep into the forests of Ostacre and into a temporary alliance with the infuriating but undeniably compelling Fox. She can’t help but feel drawn to him. . . but can she trust him? Fortune favors the brave, but will it protect the Storm Weaver on her most dangerous mission yet?

Narrated by not just Blaze, but her brother, Flint, and the newly-discovered Shadow Magi, Elva, the epic journey that began in Heir of Storms continues in the sweeping adventure of Tides of Fortune.

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

480 pages, Hardcover

Expected publication June 2, 2026

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

[🌺 Hannah 🌺 (Fable link in bio)]

OMG OMG OMG I GOT THE ARC 😭🥹💚 Heir of Storms is in my top 5 reads of this year and I AM SO EXCITED FOR BOOK #2!

Tysm to author Lauryn Hamilton Murray, NetGalley, & Macmillan Children’s Publishing Group for an ARC in exchange for an honest review 💚 pub date is July 21, 2026.

[Amber]

I only just finished book 1 and I miss Fox 😭

I wonder if her dad will get back from buying milk in this one

[jenny reads a lot]

I don't think you understand how much I LOVE a quest!

I cannot wait for this book! I'm ready!

| IG | TikTok |

[ray ౨ৎ]

so excited for this but i absolutely hate fox with a burning passion

[Natalia · Rating 5 out of 5]

I can’t wait until next year to see the next book. I can’t, i just can’t. Heir of storms will be one of my favorite books of the year. It helped me through my massive book slump that I had since Onyx Storm. And for that I gave it 4.75 stars.

If you like Hunger Games but want it with magic and not just magic but element magic (water, fire, air and earth). If you want a morally grey mmc, trials, slow burn. Well Heir of Storms if for you.

I’m so excited to read the second book of the series: Tides of Fortune. I need to see more of the characters, specially Fox and Flint and what this next adventure is going to be in terms of everything!

[Alexa · Rating 4 out of 5]

I had the opportunity to read the ARC of Tides of Fortune and Lauryn Hammilton Murray really delivered!

In Tides of Fortune, we get to see Blaze interact with the outside world for the first time as she searches for the Eye of the Soul. This book is fast paced and we immediately dive into Blaze's mission and challenges. What I really appreciated was we also got to lean into different perspectives from key characters like Flint, Blaze, Spinner, Elva, and Hal. Having all of these new narrations really developed the entire story.
Lauryn Hammilton Murray did a great job weaving action packed stories of the past, present and future and you really started to understand the full extent of Blaze's purpose.

I am obviously also a fan of romance and we definitely get to see all of these relationships develop. Not only with Fox, Hal and Blaze, but we also experience unexpected twists and turns in the love lives of most of the characters. I definitely recommend!.

[Sam · Rating 4 out of 5]

3-3.5 ⭐️ rounded up

First of all thank you to Macmillan, Roaring Brook Press, NetGalley, Lauryn Hamilton Murray for the eARC, all opinions my own.

I enjoyed Tides of Fortune, though to be honest not as much as Heir of Storms (which I also reviewed as eARC). I’m still interested to see where the series goes and will definitely read the conclusion of trilogy when it comes out!

In terms of plot Tides picks up where Storms left off, Blaze on the run from King Balen following his attempted coup of sorts. She embarks on quest to find the missing Eye of the Soul, before Balen can get his hands on it. The book also features POVs from Flint (meh) and Elva (more please!).

I continue to really like Blaze and her journey from hidden, kept alone her life to, potential heir, to Queen (and more…). Her growth and relationship with Fox was great though I didn’t like how the book left it (more in spoilers below). Getting Elva’s POV was also great, though I wish we gotten more of it and that we’d get more than surface level of her relationship with Hal. Flint on the other hand was boring. Ostensibly his POV is to show his growth from assumed heir to learning who he really is. Except he spends 90% of his POV wallowing without any real self reflection. Him finally admitting to that he can’t conjure (not really a spoiler) isn’t because he has truly grown (because he really didn’t for long time). But I just found him boring, lacking any self awareness, and kinda dumb (sorry Flint). If he gets some real growth in next book I’d be happy to have some POV but also would be happy without it.

Now for some spoilers as to rationale behind my score so be warned.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
The main reason for my low score after liking Blaze and Elva so much is because very little actually happens in the book and there are long stretches without any action and then small incidents (even the battle in Brava is over before it begins). In the end we get very little from Balen aside just he’s evil and knows Demari. However in terms of overall plot the only thing in different place from end of book 1 is Blaze’s knowledge of her power/history, Fox’s return (which we all knew was happening so not really change), and court uniting (a bit) behind Hal.

This book needed to advance plot more, how does Balen know things he does, more about him. When big bag spends too long just moving off page it ends up feeling detached. More political moving from Hal/Elva’s story in terms of finding traitors and securing allies. I was excited in the beginning but barely anything comes from it. Again Flint’s story basically advanced nothing until May the very end but even then wasn’t at all necessary.

Finally, minor pet peeve, if you are going to mention names of places in references to geography or other cities/towns, lands, then they need to be labeled on map. Hopefully map tweak might be possible before release.

Again despite all that I like Blaze and Elva and will be excited to see how story concludes in finale of trilogy.

[Brittney · Rating 5 out of 5]

Tides of Fortune by Lauryn Hamilton Murray

⚡ Fantasy · Elemental Magic · Slow-Burn Tension · Quest Vibes

If Heir of Storms revived your love for YA fantasy, then Tides of Fortune is about to own your entire 2026 TBR. This sequel explodes back into the world of the Aquatori with higher stakes, new magic, deeper lore, and even messier feelings...exactly what a second book should deliver.

Blaze survived the trials. She earned her crown.
But ruling? That’s a whole different battle.

Now she’s racing across the realm to find the Eye of the Soul, a legendary weapon that could change everything. The journey drags her into ancient forests, deadly mysteries, and yes, a dangerously compelling alliance with Fox. Their chemistry? Chaotic. Sharp. Impossible to ignore. The definition of slow-burn yearning.

And with new POVs from Flint and Elva, the world expands beautifully. More secrets. More magic. More threads to unravel.

Expect:
💧 elemental magic at its peak
🌿 enchanted forests + quest tropes
🔥 morally grey Fox testing your loyalty
⚡ sibling dynamics that hurt in the best way
🌪️ nonstop adventure and tension
✨ a slow burn that teases and torments

If you love:
✨ Red Queen politics
✨ Throne of Glass epic quests
✨ Shadow & Bone magic + danger
✨ morally grey MMCs
✨ trial-born heroines stepping into their power

…then the Storm Weaver trilogy NEEDS to be on your shelf.

I’m already feral for the Fox–Blaze–Flint dynamics, and this sequel promises pure YA fantasy adrenaline.

#TidesOfFortune #StormWeaver #Fantasy #ElementalMagic #QuestFantasy #LaurynHamiltonMurray #BookSeriesWeLove #SlowBurnFantasy #FantasyReaders #2026Reads #Macmillan

[Annabelle · Rating 4 out of 5]

I may have been drawn to Heir of Storms because it teased a magical competition but the quest in the sequel delivers as much adventure and suspense. Tides of Fortune opens up the action on multiple fronts with several POV characters telling their story. Blaze, Flint, and Elva all share their exploits and their romances. Fox turns up to push Blaze's buttons and join her in seeking the Eye of the Soul. Their journey is never boring and they make some interesting discoveries along their way. Flint finds his own peril and romance, perhaps the playboy has met his match. Then there is Elva who is navigating her way through her feelings for Hal and exploring her own powers. All three characters eventually find their ways and reunite, but it is clear that the story isn't over and I am excited to see how this wraps up in the third instalment of the Storm Weaver trilogy.
I received access to this eARC thru NetGalley (for which I want to thank NetGalley and the publisher, Macmillan Children's Publishing Group -Roaring Brook Press) for an honest review. The opinion expressed here is my own.

[Alexa · Rating 4 out of 5]

In Tides of Fortune, we get to see Blaze interact with the outside world for the first time as she searches for the Eye of the Soul. This book is fast paced and we immediately dive into Blaze's mission and challenges. What I really appreciated was we also got to lean into different perspectives from key characters like Flint, Blaze, Spinner, Elva, and Hal. Having all of these new narrations really developed the entire story.
Lauryn Hammilton Murray did a great job weaving action packed stories of the past, present and future and you really started to understand the full extent of Blaze's purpose.

I am obviously also a fan of romance and we definitely get to see all of these relationships develop. Not only with Fox, Hal and Blaze, but we also experience unexpected twists and turns in the love lives of most of the characters. I definitely recommend!.

[Kate B · Rating 4 out of 5]

⭐️3.5/5
🌶1/5

I was excited for this book and while it wasn't bad, I didn't enjoy it as much as I hoped I would. This book had a lot of talking and memory flashbacks and not as much action and high stakes as I usually like. The ending was also predictable so I wasn't shocked. I would still recommend this book if you enjoy a good, basic YA fantasy book.

**Thank you to NetGalley and Lauryn Murray for allowing me to read this book before it's published for my honest review**

[elle · Rating 5 out of 5]

this book made me almost throw up. i just need blaze to be happy for once in her life PLEASE !!!!! her growth along with fox throughout this whole book was heart wrenching and beautiful and i loved it so so much and then suddenly shes the most powerful being ever and their love may or may not be fake ! so when does the next one come out hm?

[Reviewer King · Rating 5 out of 5]

FOX AND BLAZE ENDGAME LETS GOOOO also i cant wait a year for the next book 😭😭😭😭