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Her Hidden Fire
- Author
- Clíodhna O'Sullivan
- Narrator
- Evanna Lynch
- Publisher
- Penguin Random House Children's UK
- Publish Date
- 5 March 2026
- Run Time
- 11 hours 2 minutes
- Format
- Audiobook
- Genre
- Children’s / Teenage fiction: Fantasy romance, Children’s / Teenage fiction: Epic fantasy / heroic fantasy, Children’s / Teenage fiction: Magical realism / Magical fantasy, Children’s / Teenage personal and social topics: Diversity, equality, equity and inclusion, Children’s / Teenage general interest: Girls and women
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What to expect
THE NO. 1 INTERNATIONAL BESTSELLER!
If he has the ability to wield magical powers, everyone will rejoice – especially the girl who loves him. But what happens when they realize she has the gift?
Éadha (A-ya) has grown up in a deeply flawed society. In Domhain, power is drawn by elites from the life force of other, “lesser” people called Fodder. Those with this innate ability, the Channellers, have reshaped society to ensure their own high status and obscure the exploitative nature of their powers. Éadha, a lowly servant girl, is in love with her close childhood friend Ionáin, the son of the keep’s ruling family. But the fate of his family’s position rests on whether Ionáin has inherited a Channeller’s ability – everyone is tense, waiting to see the result of the assessment on his 17th birthday.
However, in a twist of fate, Éadha discovers that she herself contains this power … and Ionáin doesn’t. It’s unheard of – and dangerous – for a servant, especially a woman, to be a Channeller.
Instead, Éadha tricks everyone into believing her to be gifted only as a Keeper, a Channeller’s assistant who is less powerful but can manipulate the threads of power from Fodder. She is allowed to attend the Channeller training academy alongside Ionáin, who is – unbeknownst to him – being empowered by Éadha’s own gift. Here, she is caught up in a whirlwind of patriarchy and heartache, torn between her lifelong devotion to Ionáin and her undeniable attraction to the enigmatic Gry. She also learns a devastating lesson: the human cost of the Channellers’ power – and the lengths they will go to keep it.
"A thrilling fantasy about power and patriarchy" - The Bookseller, featured as Book of the Month
"Riveting, romantic and thought-provoking" - The Guardian
The first book in a searing new romantasy trilogy, perfect for fans of A LANGUAGE OF DRAGONS and THE PRIORY OF THE ORANGE TREE.
"A complex web of magic, feminism, sexual desire, Irish folklore and, of course, dragons – this will leave fans desperate for the next in the trilogy." - Daily Mail
© Clíodhna O'Sullivan 2026 (P) Penguin Audio 2026
Critics Review
-
Phew, a terrific read!
Daily Mail
-
Pacey and gripping at every turn, this is a thrilling fantasy about power and patriarchy.
The Bookseller, featured as "Book of the Month"
-
Riveting, romantic and thought-provoking, this chunky YA fantasy interrogates patriarchy, power-hoarding and the myths by which injustice sustains itself.
The Guardian
-
A complex web of magic, feminism, sexual desire, Irish folklore and, of course, dragons – this will leave fans desperate for the next in the trilogy.
Daily Mail
See more reviews See fewer reviews
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O’Sullivan deftly interweaves Irish-mythology-inspired worldbuilding with dystopian fantasy trappings to deliver an intriguingly dark romance.
Publishers Weekly, starred review
-
Brimming with intrigue, romance, and peril, this fast-paced fantasy sweeps readers into a world of impossible choices and breathtaking twists that will leave them racing toward the end. A lush and compelling debut.
Kirkus Reviews
-
O’Sullivan’s Irish-inspired fantasy creates a lush landscape filled with magic and deceit that readers will be eager to uncover. Highly recommended.
School Library Journal, starred review
-
O’Sullivan doesn’t shy away from exploring the human cost of magic and how far patriarchal societies will go to indoctrinate the next generation. This story will captivate any romantasy reader and have them eagerly awaiting the sequel.
Booklist
-
An excellent start to a new trilogy.
The i Paper
User Reviews
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Details
- Author
- Clíodhna O'Sullivan
- Narrator
- Evanna Lynch
- Duration
- 11 hours 2 minutes
- Release Date
- 5 March 2026
- ISBN
- 9780241790984
- Format
- Audiobook
- Publisher
- Penguin Random House Children's UK
- Genre
- Children’s / Teenage fiction: Fantasy romance, Children’s / Teenage fiction: Epic fantasy / heroic fantasy, Children’s / Teenage fiction: Magical realism / Magical fantasy, Children’s / Teenage personal and social topics: Diversity, equality, equity and inclusion, Children’s / Teenage general interest: Girls and women
Synopsis
THE NO. 1 INTERNATIONAL BESTSELLER!If he has the ability to wield magical powers, everyone will rejoice – especially the girl who loves him. But what happens when they realize she has the gift?Éadha (A-ya) has grown up in a deeply flawed society. In Domhain, power is drawn by elites from the life force of other, “lesser” people called Fodder. Those with this innate ability, the Channellers, have reshaped society to ensure their own high status and obscure the exploitative nature of their powers. Éadha, a lowly servant girl, is in love with her close childhood friend Ionáin, the son of the keep’s ruling family. But the fate of his family’s position rests on whether Ionáin has inherited a Channeller’s ability – everyone is tense, waiting to see the result of the assessment on his 17th birthday.However, in a twist of fate, Éadha discovers that she herself contains this power … and Ionáin doesn’t. It’s unheard of – and dangerous – for a servant, especially a woman, to be a Channeller.Instead, Éadha tricks everyone into believing her to be gifted only as a Keeper, a Channeller’s assistant who is less powerful but can manipulate the threads of power from Fodder. She is allowed to attend the Channeller training academy alongside Ionáin, who is – unbeknownst to him – being empowered by Éadha’s own gift. Here, she is caught up in a whirlwind of patriarchy and heartache, torn between her lifelong devotion to Ionáin and her undeniable attraction to the enigmatic Gry. She also learns a devastating lesson: the human cost of the Channellers’ power – and the lengths they will go to keep it."A thrilling fantasy about power and patriarchy" - The Bookseller, featured as Book of the Month"Riveting, romantic and thought-provoking" - The GuardianThe first book in a searing new romantasy trilogy, perfect for fans of A LANGUAGE OF DRAGONS and THE PRIORY OF THE ORANGE TREE."A complex web of magic, feminism, sexual desire, Irish folklore and, of course, dragons – this will leave fans desperate for the next in the trilogy." - Daily Mail© Clíodhna O'Sullivan 2026 (P) Penguin Audio 2026
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