Heir of Storms (Storm Weaver #1)

When 17-year-old Blaze Harglade was born, she summoned a storm that ravaged the kingdom and marked her as a Rain Singer, one of a rare group of water wielders. She’s also an outlier in her family’s long line of fire manipulators, which includes her twin brother, Flint. Now, despite her powers being dormant and unable to conjure more than a drizzle, the gods select Blaze to compete in the Choosing Rite, a contest to determine the ruler of each elemental throne. But living at the Golden Palace with her fellow competitors proves even more treacherous than the life she’s had thus far as a social pariah. If she wants a shot at the throne and survival, she must balance magical training with vengeful opponents and rival suitors, including handsome crown prince Haldyn Castellion and his mysterious earth-wielding half brother Fox Calloway. While the plucky, self-doubting protagonist; fast-paced twists; and tantalizing undercurrents of romance and danger are standard for the genre, debut author Murray’s lush, confident prose distinguishes this impressive series opener. The fully fledged worldbuilding and complex magic system provide an intriguing backdrop against which Blaze’s journey toward self-actualization unfolds. The twins have olive skin; the supporting cast is intersectionally diverse. Ages 14–up. Agent: Catherine Cho, Paper Literary. (June)