Heir of Storms

By Lauryn Hamilton Murray

Reviewed by Alison McCaffrey

At the end of Heir of Storms, the debut YA Romantasy from Scottish author Lauryn Hamilton Murray, one thing was left wanting – what happens next?? Luckily, this moody, intense and captivating story will continue in Tides of Fortune, due overseas in June 2026, though there is no Australian date yet.

Blaze was the second-born twin in a powerful Ignitia family of fire, but her birth conjured a destructive storm across the five lands of Ostacre. She is a Rain Singer, a rare bearer of ancient magic that hasn’t been seen for generations. Isolated until her seventeenth birthday, Blaze is introduced to the most powerful magic families of the realm, including the Emperor’s son who takes an immediate interest. An eclipse announces the Choosing Rite, trials to decide the next Council of kings and queens when the Emperor’s title is passed to his firstborn son, and Blaze isn’t surprised when her twin brother is chosen. But her place in the Rite shocks everyone.

Blaze is thrust into life at court, uncertain about the Crown Prince’s attention, ill-equipped to face the trials without understanding her magic, and suddenly face-to-face with the Earth Cleaver, the only person more feared than her. Drowning in an ocean she should be able to control, the trials progress and she is pulled deeper into the unfamiliar and mysterious world. Blaze must decide if she will give up as expected, or fight for a title and find a way to solve a mystery that keeps getting bigger.

Lauryn Hamilton Murray has built a beautiful, complex world of magic and intrigue, solidifying the story behind the romance. Heir of Storms is a wonderful example of how to begin a strong fantasy series, with relatable characters, intriguing places and elemental magic that doesn’t feel too farfetched. An excellent read for all YA ages, though the romantasy genre may mean the following book is better suited for older YA readers.

 Penguin 2025

Lauryn Hamiliton Murray