A fantasy-forward YA romantasy with elemental powers, power trials to win positions on a royal court, siblings that are not rivals, mysterious magical objects, a charming prince whom the protagonist has eyes for, and a potentially morally grey character that may be getting under the protagonist's skin when he isn't getting on her last nerve all combine for this first book in a promising series. There were certainly predictable aspects to the story, but it was still an amusing read. Blaze is a likeable character who grows up in seclusion as punishment for something that occurred at her birth but is suddenly thrust into a competition that elevates her to prominence and perhaps royalty. Of course, she needs to master her magic first. Her party boy brother is among the other competitors as is the prince's enigmatic half brother. Parties, training, and challenges keep the story to a good pace up to the ending that opens up a bigger quest that points to the next book in the series. I'm excited to continue with Blaze on her ongoing adventures.
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.

I love a good deadly trials book and this book was just that. A magic system that was intriguing and captivating, enemies to lovers, and banter. Everything i want in a good romantasy. This is definite must read!

𝐀𝐑𝐂 𝐑𝐞𝐯𝐢𝐞𝐰 𝐨𝐟 𝐇𝐞𝐢𝐫 𝐨𝐟 𝐒𝐭𝐨𝐫𝐦𝐬

This is the perfect proof of why I love YA books the most!! From the very first page, 𝑯𝒆𝒊𝒓 𝒐𝒇 𝑺𝒕𝒐𝒓𝒎𝒔 had me hooked with its unforgettable characters, intricate worldbuilding, and just the right amount of mystery and tension. This book delivers everything I adore about the genre while setting up a story that promises even more to come.

The story itself revolves around Blaze, born into a prestigious fire-wielding family but cursed (or blessed) with water powers. Her birth caused destruction and tragedy, making her an outcast in her own home. When she and her brothers are called to the Choosing Rite—a series of deadly trials to decide the empire’s next rulers—everything changes. The trials are brutal and bring alliances, rivalries, and betrayals into sharp focus. They force Blaze to push past her limits, discover the truth about her powers, and uncover mysteries that hint at even greater challenges to come.

That said, I’ll admit the plot itself didn’t hold my full attention—not because it wasn’t good, but because I was so enthralled by the cast of characters. Blaze’s relationships and interactions stole the show for me.
Blaze and her twin brother Flint are the absolute heart of this story. Their bond is so strong and full of love, teasing, and unshakable loyalty that it’s impossible not to root for them. Beyond her bond with her brothers, the friends Blaze makes during the trials, Elaith and Kai, are fantastic additions. Spinner and Sheen—two enigmatic “Eyes” of the Emperor, also stood out as did Elva —a seemingly powerless servant with a haunting past. (I have a soft spot for quiet characters that are usually being overlooked).
These characters felt so rich and real, each with their own personalities and histories that made me desperate to learn more about them.
Even the rival or enemy characters, like Ember and Marina, had layers of potential. Whether they’ll become more wicked or evolve into allies (or perhaps even get redemption arcs!), I’m eager to see where their stories lead.

The two main male characters in Blaze’s life, Crown Prince Haldyn and his half-brother Fox, are as different as night and day, yet both are captivating in their own ways. Haldyn is charming and honorable, the picture-perfect prince, while Fox is darker, mysterious, and undeniably alluring. Blaze finds herself caught between them, and it seems like a classic love triangle at first, but as the story unfolds, it becomes clear that it’s something much deeper—and far from predictable.
Both characters have unique and individual connections with Blaze, and while there are subtle hints of romance, it’s never the main focus of the plot. The romance in this book is subtle, mature, and deeply rewarding. It doesn’t rely on easy resolutions or quick declarations, but rather on growth, understanding, and chemistry that simmers just below the surface.

What I truly appreciated was how maturely these relationships are handled. Blaze’s initial feelings for one character are rooted in her yearning for kindness and connection, but what begins as potential romance evolves into a genuine and respectful bond. It’s not a story of heartbreak or bitterness, but rather a transition that feels natural and healthy—more like a meaningful shift from one kind of relationship to another.
The best part is that Blaze’s journey isn’t about falling quickly or easily; it’s about exploring her emotions thoughtfully, leaving plenty of room for her relationships to develop naturally over time.

But once again, it’s the side characters and their relationships that had my whole heart. From sibling bonds to rivals-turned-friends to friends-turned-enemies, the connections between the characters felt raw and real.
What really blew me away was the reveal of a forbidden romance I didn’t see coming but absolutely adored. These two characters seemed so unassuming at first, but their story is sweet, bittersweet even, with one of them making heartbreaking decisions to protect the other. It’s such a tender subplot that added so much depth to the narrative.

The book ends with so much promise for the future. You can feel it—that this is just the beginning for Blaze, her friends, and even her rivals. The characters are poised for incredible growth, and the story is ready to explode into something even bigger. I can’t wait to see where the next book takes us, because if this cast of characters was this good already, I can only imagine how much more we’ll get in the sequels.

4.75/5 stars for me—while the trials were well-written, they’re not my favorite trope, which made me connect less with parts of the plot. The risk didn’t always feel high enough, so at times the trials came across more like an intense training camp than genuinely dangerous challenges. I also found myself wishing Blaze’s journey to master her powers had been stretched out a bit more across the series. There’s so much potential in her struggle and growth, and while I understand that book two will bring new challenges and obstacles, I would have loved to see her journey of self-mastery take a little more time to unfold.

That being said, the incredible characters and relationships more than made up for it. With the promise of what’s to come, I’m absolutely desperate to continue this series!
𝑯𝒆𝒊𝒓 𝒐𝒇 𝑺𝒕𝒐𝒓𝒎𝒔 has left me ready for the storm ahead, and I can’t wait to dive back in.


Thank you SO much for the ARC!

I have a feeling "Heir of Storms" is going to be THE romantasy of 2025. This book has it all: enemies-to-lovers romance, deadly trials, elemental magic, and witty banter that left me wheezing. I'm OBSESSED with this book. 5/5 stars!

It's official: "Heir of Storms" is among my top three favorite books of the year (and as someone who reads over 175 books a year, that's saying something). I LOVE how this book takes famous tropes and uses them to create something new. "Heir of Storms" follows Blaze, one of four people with water magic chosen to compete for the crown. The trials help raise the stakes, but more than that, they highlight Blaze's personal growth. The trials aren't a marketing ploy to attract fans of "The Hunger Games" and "Powerless"—they actually matter to this story.

And speaking of the story, there are sooo many plot twists that I didn't see coming! The way everything ties together for an explosive ending is nothing short of a masterpiece. I want to reread this book again and again to see if I can pick up on the clues leading to the grand reveal. It makes me appreciate how incredible Lauryn Hamilton Murray's writing is for her to pull everything off.

I also really like the characters. Writing a strong female character can be tricky—nobody likes a passive character, but you also don't want someone so powerful that their success feels unearned (I'm looking at you, Captain Marvel). "Heir of Storms" has multiple powerful women, and they're written so well! I also like how this book focuses on different types of strength. Some of the trials involve riddles, while others challenge the characters to overcome their inner demons. It makes for a more complex (and compelling!) story.

Finally, I have to talk about the romance. THE ROMANCE! "Heir of Storms" has two love interests—a golden prince and his mysterious half-brother. I'm usually not a fan of love triangles, but this one had me hooked! I don't know what sorcery the author used to make me root for BOTH love interests, but I was invested! I laughed at the witty banter, gasped during a grand reveal, and had a minor heart attack during the coronation scene. This book kept me guessing until the end, and I can't wait to see how the relationships progress in book two.

In case it isn't clear... I LOVE this book. It's my new YA romantasy obsession and one of my favorite books of the year. I can't wait for "Heir of Storms" to come out on May 6th so I can share it with my friends and fellow bookworms. 5/5 stars and a shiny recommendation. Run, don't walk, to get your copy!

I received an ARC courtesy of the publisher; all opinions are my own.

this book was a powerless copycat in the worst way. the writing was terrible, 10/10 would not recommend