Her Rising Flame

The second book in the searing HER HIDDEN FIRE romantasy trilogy, perfect for fans of S. F. Williamson, Lynette Noni and Samantha Shannon. 
 
What happens when a girl escapes her fate? 
 
The hunt begins. 
 
Éadha has narrowly escaped the cruel grip of the Master Channellers on the back of a dragon. Forced to the very edge of the world she knows, to a place of long-held secrets, she must create a new life for herself - in ways she'd never imagined. 
 
Ionáin must come to terms with the fact that he has no power, nor did he ever. Deep into the Fodder holds, he faces the stark reality of what it means to be an enemy of the Masters, and tries to make sense of what happened with Éadha. 
 
Gry must walk the careful balance between protecting his Family's secret legacy and being true to his feelings. With his newly revealed abilities, he must train with the Masters he despises and hope to find some way to undo the very system that makes him elite. 
 
Told from these three perspectives, HER RISING FLAME is a whirlwind sequel of world-shattering secrets, heartache, and the terrible consequences of power. 
 
What would you sacrifice for love?

Clíodhna O’Sullivan is a writer based in Co. Louth, Ireland. She works part-time as a legal counsel. In the last few years, she has taken part in several writer events, including as a panel moderator at a Terry Pratchett conference in DCU and panellist at the Cymera festival in Edinburgh. She’s reasonably fluent in German and plays in a band, Molasha (you can find them on Spotify!). She is married with three children, one of whom is autistic, as well as far too many cats and a dog.

The second book in the searing HER HIDDEN FIRE romantasy trilogy, perfect for fans of S. F. Williamson, Lynette Noni and Samantha Shannon. 
 
What happens when a girl escapes her fate? 
 
The hunt begins. 
 
Éadha has narrowly escaped the cruel grip of the Master Channellers on the back of a dragon. Forced to the very edge of the world she knows, to a place of long-held secrets, she must create a new life for herself - in ways she'd never imagined. 
 
Ionáin must come to terms with the fact that he has no power, nor did he ever. Deep into the Fodder holds, he faces the stark reality of what it means to be an enemy of the Masters, and tries to make sense of what happened with Éadha. 
 
Gry must walk the careful balance between protecting his Family's secret legacy and being true to his feelings. With his newly revealed abilities, he must train with the Masters he despises and hope to find some way to undo the very system that makes him elite. 
 
Told from these three perspectives, HER HIDDEN FIRE 2 is a whirlwind sequel of world-shattering secrets, heartache, and the terrible consequences of power. 
 
What would you sacrifice for love?

Clíodhna O'Sullivan

Pacey and gripping at every turn, this is a thrilling fantasy about power and patriarchy.

The Bookseller, featured as "Book of the Month"

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.

Riveting, romantic and thought-provoking, this chunky YA fantasy interrogates patriarchy, power-hoarding and the myths by which injustice sustains itself.

O’Sullivan deftly interweaves Irish-mythology-inspired worldbuilding with dystopian fantasy trappings to deliver an intriguingly dark romance.

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.

O’Sullivan’s Irish-inspired fantasy creates a lush landscape filled with magic and deceit that readers will be eager to uncover. Highly recommended.

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.

Anna Bonet, "The 14 best new children's books for spring 2026"

THE NO. 1 INTERNATIONAL BESTSELLER! 
"A thrilling fantasy about power and patriarchy" - The Bookseller's Book of the Month 
 
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.

Clíodhna O'Sullivan

Praise for Her Hidden Fire

Pacey and gripping at every turn, this is a thrilling fantasy about power and patriarchy.

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.

Riveting, romantic and thought-provoking, this chunky YA fantasy interrogates patriarchy, power-hoarding and the myths by which injustice sustains itself.

Pacey and gripping at every turn, this is a thrilling fantasy about power and patriarchy.

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.

Riveting, romantic and thought-provoking, this chunky YA fantasy interrogates patriarchy, power-hoarding and the myths by which injustice sustains itself.

Pacey and gripping at every turn, this is a thrilling fantasy about power and patriarchy.

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.

Riveting, romantic and thought-provoking, this chunky YA fantasy interrogates patriarchy, power-hoarding and the myths by which injustice sustains itself.

Books by Clíodhna O'Sullivan

Series by Clíodhna O'Sullivan

Her Hidden Fire

Follow penguin

Follow ladybird

Follow puffin

Sign up to the Penguin newsletter