Book Review: Her Hidden Fire by Cliodhna O'Sullivan

Title: Her Hidden Fire
Pages: 448
Publication Date: March 3, 2026
Publisher: Viking Books for Young Readers
Genres: Young Adult Fiction / Fantasy / Romance
Synopsis:

In a world where dragons soar through the skies and magical abilities are an elite privilege, the ruling family of Ailm’s Keep is on a Can their son Ionáin prove that he can channel magic, or will his entire family be cast out in disgrace?

Éadha, a servant girl who loves Ionáin, is shocked to discover shortly before the test that she can wield magic herself. It’s extremely rare for a girl to have this talent, especially outside the few great Families. At Ionáin’s moment of truth, when it's clear he is about to fail, Éadha makes a desperate gamble to save him from humiliation by pretending her magic is his, forfeiting her own claim to power.

Her decision sends them both to an academy of magic, where she must shield her secret from every grim Master and scheming apprentice—especially the handsome but enigmatic Gry. As Éadha enters this whirlwind of patriarchy, class, heartache, and jealousy, she also learns about magic’s terrible cost—the human price that Channellers willingly pay to maintain their power.

How far would you go to empower the one you love?

LINKS: Goodreads | BookBub | Amazon

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Her Hidden Fire is an intriguing and unique debut by Cliodhna O’Sullivan. The worldbuilding and magic system were rich and atmospheric and immediately pulled me into the story. The hierarchy of Channellers and Keepers, the tension surrounding the Reckoning, and the political and school intrigue were all layered and immersive, and I like how the story combines political pressure, hidden magic, and an academy setting that gives off major dark academia vibes.

Éadha was such a great protagonist! She’s smart and brave, and I love how much she grows by the end of the book. Loyal and self-sacrificing, her choices often focus on others, like Ionáin, as well as the limits of her station and societal dictates, but little by little, she starts questioning what she wants for herself. Oof. She really goes through it, and there are some parts that were tough for me to read. I would definitely suggest checking out the trigger warnings before starting this one. There are a lot of odds stacked against her, and though she makes mistakes and struggles with guilt, shame, fear, and doubt, she also becomes stronger and more self-aware. The only thing I wished was that she stuck up for herself more with one of her love interests. He didn’t treat her well for a good part of the story, and I couldn’t understand why she kept sacrificing for him considering how her treated her.

The love triangle was probably my least favorite part of the book, but that is more of a personal preference since it’s never been a trope I enjoy. In this particular triangle, there’s one clear better choice. One love interest is more giving and kind, while the other seems very selfish and doesn’t treat Éadha well. I already have a favorite, but Éadha doesn’t, and I’m a little curious to see how the whole thing plays out.

The book also has an interesting plot with hidden powers, a patriarchal system riddled with secrets, lies, and manipulations that serve the societal elite. There are also a few twists and revelations about characters and how the magic works in this world, which added some interesting layers and thought-provoking messages to the story. Overall, I think this is a strong debut, and I’m definitely curious to see where the series goes next.

Special thanks to NetGalley and Viking Books for Young Readers for providing me with a copy of the book. All thoughts are my own.