HEIR OF STORMS (Storm Weaver series, 1), by Lauryn Hamilton Murray, Roaring Brook Press, June 3, 2025, Hardcover, $20.99 (young adult, ages 14 and up)
Magic, court intrigue, forbidden romance and a deadly competition for the throne come together in Heir of Storms, an exciting YA debut from Lauryn Hamilton Murray.
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 secret: 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 suitors: 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. —Synopsis provided by Roaring Brook Press
Heir of Storms is the first book in Lauryn Hamilton Murray’s YA fantasy Storm Weaver trilogy. And if the second two books are anything like the first, they’re sure to be stunners.
Told in first-person, Heir of Storms follows Blaze from the moment she’s marked for greatness through the end of the Choosing. Blaze has spent her life feeling guilty for bringing great rains at her birth — something she had no control over. Now, she’s not only expected to harness that power but to embrace it.
Blaze is a strong protagonist. She’s smart and driven and has a solid support system. In her Hamilton has crafted a character you want to see succeed. Blaze’s growth throughout the novel is convincing, as is that of supporting characters who I hope to see more development from in the following books.
Heir of Storms is an immersive read that you won’t want to put down. There are a number of twists that you won’t see coming, which makes it that much more enjoyable. I am looking forward to the rest of the trilogy.
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