Roar: A Stormheart Novel

I pre-ordered this book back in October, and have been counting down the days till it's release. I just happened to check edelweiss, and there it was, waiting for me.
I have been in a major book slump. By this time last year I had read 50 some books. I have read half that this year. This book pulled me out of it. This story is so unique. It has a beautiful setting. I loved every character. The heroine is fantastic and brave, and grows so much. The hero is even better. The villain? There could be 2, but one of them I'm desperately hoping will redeem himself. I can't wait for this book to come out so I can read it again.

I loved the pacing, world building, and characterization. Characterization is probably Carmack's hallmark, but I was pleasantly surprised by the world building that I thought was detailed but easy to follow.
*SLIGHT SPOILER* Carmack even got me to like Rora, even though the had 2 of my pet peeve traits: 1) a crippling lack of self confidence 2) maintaining lies. She manages the first one by showing how Rora's insecurity mostly lies in the one area she's been raised believe that matters, that all her other achievements are meaningless without. The second actually still has me peeved because the readers actually get teased towards the end.

If there's anything negative to say it's that I was expecting a self contained story, and instead I have to wait for the next installment.

This book was everything from beginning to end!

I loved every part of this book from the characters to the world building and the love interest.

That ending made me feel all kinds of feels and I wish I had the next book in my hands right now.

I only have one regret and it is having to wait a whole year for the next book.

This was definitely one of my favorite reads for 2017.

*this book is not for everyone, you either hate it or really love it. Just a small warning.*

Pros: an interesting mesh of fantasy & steampunk elements in a coming of age story. The story has a very unique mythology that I wish had been explored more. Fantastic secondary characters & a compelling & sensitive female lead.

Cons: the romance is very sappy even though the two characters involved are very like-able. The story does end abruptly, almost as soon as it really sucked me in & made me a believer it was over. I guess always leave them wanting more, which this book definitely does. I really wish that some characters had been fleshed out more (Nova & Cassius) and less time spent on the hormone laced inner monologues of the love interests.

All in all a solid addition to the YA genre & I will definitely be picking up the sequel when it comes out next year.

***Review posted on The Eater of Books! blog***

Roar by Cora Carmack
Book One of the Stormheart series
Publisher: Tor Teen
Publication Date: June 13, 2017
Rating: 4 stars
Source: ARC sent by the publisher

Summary (from Goodreads):

In a land ruled and shaped by violent magical storms, power lies with those who control them.

Aurora Pavan comes from one of the oldest Stormling families in existence. Long ago, the ungifted pledged fealty and service to her family in exchange for safe haven, and a kingdom was carved out from the wildlands and sustained by magic capable of repelling the world’s deadliest foes. As the sole heir of Pavan, Aurora’s been groomed to be the perfect queen. She’s intelligent and brave and honorable. But she’s yet to show any trace of the magic she’ll need to protect her people.

To keep her secret and save her crown, Aurora’s mother arranges for her to marry a dark and brooding Stormling prince from another kingdom. At first, the prince seems like the perfect solution to all her problems. He’ll guarantee her spot as the next queen and be the champion her people need to remain safe. But the more secrets Aurora uncovers about him, the more a future with him frightens her. When she dons a disguise and sneaks out of the palace one night to spy on him, she stumbles upon a black market dealing in the very thing she lacks—storm magic. And the people selling it? They’re not Stormlings. They’re storm hunters.

Legend says that her ancestors first gained their magic by facing a storm and stealing part of its essence. And when a handsome young storm hunter reveals he was born without magic, but possesses it now, Aurora realizes there’s a third option for her future besides ruin or marriage.

She might not have magic now, but she can steal it if she’s brave enough.

Challenge a tempest. Survive it. And you become its master.

What I Liked:

I've read several of Cora Carmack's New Adult novels (her Losing It series, specifically), and I've had pretty good success with those books. When I saw that Cora would be publishing a YA novel - her YA debut - I was pretty thrilled! Especially after reading the synopsis, and then seeing the cover of this book. I had high expectations for Roar, and my expectations were met and exceeded.

Aurora Pavan is the heir to the throne of Pavan, daughter of many powerful royals... and a magic-less Stormling. She and her mother have hid this for years, isolating Aurora from everyone. But as she is now eighteen, and the Rage season is coming, they can't hide Aurora for much longer. The solution? Arrange a marriage with the second son of the King of Locke - Prince Cassius, the cold, hard young man with more Stormhearts than a second son should ever have. When she follows him one night, Aurora discovers a black market full of magic, in which people are buying and selling storm magic, thanks to storm hunters. Aurora may not have her own true Stormling magic, but she can learn and obtain this storm magic. This way, she can take control of her destiny.

Usually I don't love it when books have long synopses, like the one we see on Goodreads and on the back cover of this book, but I actually really appreciated that long synopsis. On the surface, this book isn't complicated: girls has to get married, girls finds a new option to be free, girl runs away, girl hides who she is to her new friends, girl learns about her power... and then the ending of the book, which I won't spoil. There is a lot more going on than meets the eye!

Aurora (or Rora - or Roar) is a complicated girl. Yes, she is a princess and therefore much more privileged than most of the common folk in her country who are poor and destitute and often denied citizenship (a fact that Aurora doesn't know). But Aurora is lonely and she is forced into this arranged marriage for her safety. She hates that she has no choice, but she also wants to live. Aurora has a temper and sometimes she gets too upset and too impulsive and is too reckless. But she has a good heart and she defends and protects herself well.

Prince Cassius is more complex than the cruel, hard villain that we expect him to be. I still don't like him and I'm still very convinced that he is a "villain" archetype, but we really get to understand what his motives are, and why he is so desperate and angry. He does terrible things to Rora (mostly manipulative), and I can't like him because of those actions. But I can appreciate how Carmack dug into his character and made him more than just a villain, in terms of character archetypes.

I should mention that there are five key POVs in this book: Rora's, Cassius's (occasionally), Nova's, Locke's, and Evil Dude (I won't say much about him). Nova is Rora's childhood friend and maid (yeah that's a little strange, I know), and Locke is... Locke. Incredible storm hunter, and Rora's love interest. Though he is so much more than a love interest.

You can probably already tell, but Locke is my favorite character of this book. He and Rora go toe-to-toe in nearly every scene of this book, which is so fun to watch. He is equally as stubborn as she is, and he is just as used to getting his way. A big difference is that he is a natural, commanding leader, and he is in charge and used to being in charge. He has great instincts and he is very clever. Rora should have trusted him more initially! He is very smart and intuitive, and also protective and a good man. He is strong-willed too, hence the clashes.

Seriously, Locke and Rora were so fun to watch. They butt heads on every page - which isn't surprising, because their personalities are like fire and ice. They're similar, and yet so different. Rora is fire, with her temper, and Locke is ice, with his cool facade and worldly experience. The romance was steamy and explosive! With all of the bickering and banter and constant arguments, you know the romance was going to be on fire. This romance was also hate-to-love (sort of), which is my favorite. Locke and Rora are so great together!

No love triangle! It might seem that way, because Rora is contracted to marry Cassius. But she loathes him (and for good reasons), and he doesn't really care about her either (she is a means to an end, for him). And then Rora falls for Locke (and vice versa) and it's legit. Of course, Locke is in the dark about who she is but... anyway, no love triangle in this book. I don't really get the sense that Carmack will work a love triangle in the next books, but who knows? I hope not.

The world-building of this story is amazing! I personally haven't read any YA fantasy like this - in terms of the storms and stormhearts and storm magic. Usually it's the elements (earth, fire, wind, water), and you can kind of see the elements play a factor, but in the storms. I can't wait to see more about the storms in the next book! And of course, I would like to see more of a high-stakes aspect that YA high fantasy often has - but we see the beginnings of this type of plot, with the introduction of the Evil Dude who is planning the destruction of kingdoms.

Most of this book deals with Rora running from Pavan and joining Locke's storm hunting team, in which she learns a lot about storm hunting and survival. No one knows who she is, not even Locke. But towards the end of the book, Rora knows she must make a choice. This book honestly didn't have a ton about the storms and magic and whatnot, or the political situation. BUT I think Carmack is setting up all of that for the next books. This book barely scratched the surface of Rora and Locke's story, and so I'm looking forward to seeing more about the storms, the Evil Dude, Locke's past, Rora's reveal, the political situation in Pavan, even Nova's situation. Suffice it to say, I need more!

What I Did Not Like:

Sometimes Rora and her temper got on my nerves, especially when she was a little mean to Locke and then didn't apologize for what she said - and yet he basically groveled and went above and beyond, whenever he messed up. I think an important part of being such a strong and independent female is that you should own up to your mistakes. A lot of YA and adult female authors like to have these strong female protagonists in their book and a male who caters to the female. BUT, I these female protagonists should own their mistakes, apologize, and not act so superior. Just like how the authors have the male acting.

Right?

Would I Recommend It:

If you like YA fantasy romance, this is a great start to the series! I might recommend waiting though, because I'm always wary of YA fantasy series these days. Love triangles seem to be reemerging in YA in general, and I personally am not a fan - though I don't think Carmack will be going that route, in this series. But again, who knows. THIS book was good. Hopefully the rest of the series is. The world-building of this book is very unique and so intriguing - honestly I would recommend this book based on the world-building alone!

Rating:

4 stars. A story as beautiful as its cover! I can't wait to read the next book! And also check out its cover. I hope the cover is just as stunning!

Roar, is the story about Aurora "Rora" / "Roar" Pavan who is set to take the throne from her mother, but is not exactly qualified to do so. For generations, the Pavans have been Stormlings, protecting their city from storms with their magic and then reaping it. But, Rora doesn't have that magic. And no one but her mother and her know about it. Not even her betrothed. It's a well kept secret and Rora's life revolved around keeping it. But, then, she meets a group of Storm Hunters who weren't born with magic, like Aurora, but know how to gain it still. So, of course, she accompanies them on various quests to attain magic of her own,

What I absolutely love about this story is the world building and the fantasy and magic that surrounds it. It is absolutely fascinating and completely incredible. I love how all the elements have significance and the way that Carmack has written the world is tasteful and intriguing. It is this world building that has prevented me from giving the story a 2 star rating because it just that good. It is so well thought out and just generally so amazing. I love everything about it.

And then, there's the plot. The plot is so intriguing and layered. Twists and turns at every unexpected moment had me hooked into this story and I couldn't put it down even if I wanted to. It was amazing to read as the plot unfolded, as it grew and so many new things came to light. Amazingly written.

The main issue that I have in this story is the characters and the romance. Rora, though fierce and independent, comes off as whiny in many parts. And then, there's the habit of loosing her breath over any man who provides her with an ounce of attention. I don't like that about her at all. I mean, I get that she hasn't had much of human interaction in the eighteen years of her life, but she is so naive. She trusts any man who says something nice about her. That is not the way a princess should behave, especially when she is about to take the crown. And, then, she didn't tell her mother when she ran off with the Storm Hunters in search of magic. Her mother was so desperate for a miracle, she would have agreed to let Rora go without any objections, but Rora still didn't tell her about it, leaving behind, a palace in uproar over their missing princess. That is just plain stupid.

Then, there's Locke. When he meets Rora, he insists that she reminds him of his sister who he lost when he was young. But, then, he ends up falling for her. What is with that? I mean, either she reminds you strongly of your sister or you have romantic feelings for her. Their whole first encounter, Locke was comparing Rora to his sister once in every few minutes and then he ends up falling for her, which I don't like. And, then, he's this domineering, overpowering, overprotective guy who thinks that Rora needs to be protected from everything and then he basically starts controlling her life. Rora even matches her own self worth with what he might think of her which is so wrong on so many levels.

So, yeah, the characters and romance were very off putting for me, but the plot and world building are amazingly well thought out. So, there's that. It was kind of disappointing, especially because the blurb was so good and I had been anticipating this one for a few months now. However, it is a decent read if you overlook the character flaws so, I would recommend it if you're a fantasy fan, basically for the sheer genius in world building.

Roar by Cora Carmack
2.5 Stars

Characters:

Aurora- You never knew who you were getting with Aurora. Would it be Aurora, Rora, or Roar?! (you’ll see if you read it)

Nova- Nova was the superstar in my eyes. I wanted more of her and less of everyone else lol!!

Locke- Locke had great potential but felt kind of “meh” at times.

Cassius- Am I supposed to be swooning over him? Because……..it’s not happening

Quotes:

“And I am here with you. If you have questions, ask them. If you have fears, shed them. If you have doubts, give them to me and I will crush them beneath my heel. If you need help, I will provide it. Even if you only need someone to yell at, I can be that too. And when the time comes that you need someone to trust, I will be that person. I promise.”

^ this quote had me swooning guys. Hope my future husband puts this in our vows lol.

Overall:

This felt like one big prequel for the next book. The font was ridiculously tiny and the book was still 378 pages. Each time I read this for any significant amount of time, it would result in a headache or migraine. They should’ve made this a thicker book with larger font or cut down the pages.

As I said, this felt like a prequel and that everything that happened was just a set up for book two. If felt like too much was going on but at the same time that nothing was going on. How is that possible you may ask? Well, we had several characters, several towns/places, we had to learn an entire new vocabulary/terms/background to go with this unique story line, etc. BUT at the same time we were in this traveling scene for most of the book.

I did love the uniqueness to the plot. It was original and very interesting. I think it could’ve been executed a bit better but overall, it was nice to see new stories. This book had tendencies of feeling like information overload. We had so much to learn because we were starting with such an original story. I kept thinking “let’s get going already!”.

If you know me, you know i’m a huge romance lover. I love reading romance in my books, whether it’s the main focus or just a subtle addition. I wasn’t feeling it in this one. I didn’t feel the connection between the two characters like I knew I was supposed to. I had no one to root for because I honestly didn’t see any of the characters as a potential couple. What romance did occur was very lackluster in my opinion. It felt forced and disingenuous.

Overall, this had a great base. I was very intrigued to learn more and the ending made me want to continue BUT it’s hard to love a book when you only love the idea of what it COULD be.

Firstly, let me just state that a three star review means that I did like the book; it wasn't awe inspiring; it didn't amaze me, but I was entertained and I enjoyed the basic story.

What confuses me is that Cora Carmack is actually a contemporary romance author but I felt that she really struggled with the romance and it's progression in this one, and yet the fantasy world building and plot were right on target.

There's a decent magic system and the way that the storms are built and act and the way that both the Stormlings and the hunters fight the storms was highly entertaining and intriguing.

The world of Caelira has been extremely well thought out - history, geography, politics, culture and customs.

Where I really struggled though was in the characters and their development and especially with the romance. Why were all the characters so darned attractive? Why were all the males so overwhelmingly alpha? Why couldn't the romance be compelling?

I did appreciate that Aurora/Rora was so dedicated to her position and that she actually seemed passionate about being able to protect her people.. She had learned how to fight in a way that was realistic and that I respected her for, yet I found myself wishing for a slightly stronger heroine; someone I could really root for and get behind.

I get it, I do - Rora had been sheltered for so much of her life out of necessity to hide her secret. She was essentially a Rapunzel without the tragic backstory, however I felt irritated by her petulance and her inability to own up to her mistakes. I was also irritated with her fascination by the male of our species - not once, but <i>twice</i> she was in insta-lust and I was just wishing for some depth and genuine attachment.

I can see where Carmack was coming from with Locke and Rora but it just didn't translate well for me. She was the 'tortured heroine' with a secret past that had kept her from having any form of romantic relationships prior to this book. He was the 'alpha hero', driven and assertive and he had total control - until he met Rora. She was the 'fish-out-of-water' in completely new territory but determined to prove herself worthy. They were constantly arguing and in conflict with each other which was probably meant to create chemistry convey attraction. There was even the compulsory 'I-love-him-but-I-can't-let-him-get-close' trope. It was just - <i>NOT GOOD</i>. I'm sorry, I just wasn't a fan of the romance.

The multiple POV's where also problematic for me because there's some of his thoughts that I would rather not have known! Instances where he was distracted by her femininity and his arousal - his attraction to her could have been conveyed in a way that really ramped up the chemistry between them, some more showing rather than telling of internal thoughts: Slight hitches in breath or sideways looks but instead we got an internal monologue that was, quite frankly, a turn off.

Let's not forget the outright nauseating shows of alpha-maleness.

<blockquote><b>
After the tenth or so time she had tried and failed to keep from falling against him, he was out of patience. Wrapping the reins once around the pommel so he didn’t lose them, he reached both hands back to grip her thighs, well above her burns, and tugged her forward. She squeaked in response, her fingers tangling in the leather straps and holsters that crossed his abdomen. He would be lying if he didn’t admit that he got pleasure out of both her outraged cry and the feel of her surrounding him.
“There,” he said, his voice low so that only she could hear. “We’re touching. I can feel you, all soft and warm against my back.” He heard her sharp intake of breath behind him, and he could swear her fingers tightened on the holster around his midsection. “You can feel me, and the world has not descended into flame again.” Though there was plenty of heat moving down his spine.
“You are such an ass!”
He smiled. “Probably.”
“Definitely.”
“Yes, but I’m an ass who gets what he wants.”
</b></blockquote>

Am I shipping this guy with Rora? Ehhhh, no. Why would I?

Prince Cassius was to me, probably the most complex character because he was a little mysterious and ambiguous and darkly tempting with his flashes of personality and the possibility that he could be morally grey instead of completely painted black.

And yet, despite the flaws and the problems I faced in the characters and the romance, I was charmed by the tenacity of our princess, I savoured the unique and well thought out fantasy world and I was fascinated by the storms and the stormhearts as well as the side stories of the elemental magic that seemed to be popping up. I'll definitely be continuing the series when the sequel is available.

<blockquote><b>
This world will make you a victim every chance it gets. Don’t let it.
</b></blockquote>

Where do I even begin? I mean, this book promised storm magic and action and conflict and romance and everything I could possibly want from a YA fantasy and it delivered.

Okay, I totally freaked out about the storm magic on its own because I love storms. So obviously that just covers half my adoration for this book on its own.

This is the first I’ve read of Cora Carmack’s work and it was a winner. The idea alone, coming from someone who reads more fantasy than any other genre, was beautifully rich and unique. I thought the idea of a world essentially controlled by storms and the Stormlings who can protect the people from them gave the book that original edge that you need to stand out in the genre.

And, oh hey, my second most read genre romance made an appearance in the subplot. I will say that I wish that world could have come out a bit more in the story because once the romance was introduced it fell to the wayside just a bit. I can’t say I minded terribly since I’m such a sucker for romance and gotta ship those characters, right?

And these were shippable characters. I think Carmack really brought Rora to life and gave her a strong growth throughout the story. She’s not exactly weak at the beginning, but definitely naive and sheltered, so it was interesting to see those flickering embers you see beneath the surface catch hold and bloom into a bonfire by the end. Rora truly becomes a force to be reckoned with. I was a bit worried about her character because I’ve read so many fantasies with a heroine who goes from 0 to 60 and suddenly becomes amazing at everything…but Rora didn’t. She struggled, a lot, and is still growing as a person which also sets the book up perfectly for a sequel.

She’s paired against the two Lockes, by which I mean Cassius Locke…and, well, Locke. That’s his name. It confused me for a bit at the beginning but clicked pretty quick. Cassius was the bad boy you can’t help but love but also know isn’t good for you. Except he’s not all bad and there’s much more to him than meets the eye (as in, I want more!). Locke is much more down to earth. He wants Rora to be safe above all else. With the band of storm hunters he acts as a sort of captain of, they teach Rora about life outside of Stormling protection. Which was a lovely group dynamic, by the way. I love reading about bands of people from all different backgrounds going on an adventure together and they did exactly that.

There was a lot going on in Roar and I don’t want to say too much without spoiling anything BUT I will say this: prepare yourselves for a magical storm of action and swoon-worthy romance sure to be a favorite of all YA fantasy readers. Plus the set-up woven through the story as well as brought into light at the very end has me beyond ready for the sequel because YOU CAN’T JUST LEAVE IT LIKE THAT! Such cliffhanger. Much wow. Need book two!

I started Roar in the afternoon and finished it the next morning. I slept only under protest. For me, this book was an I must find out what happens next kind of book, and there are two reasons why: the freaking WORLD-BUILDING and the freaking SLOW-BURN ROMANCE OMG. You come for the cover (O-M-G ISN'T THAT ONE OF THE BEST COVERS YOU'VE EVER SEEN), you stay for the world-building and slow burn romance, and at the end you get HYPED because all of that beautiful world-building leads to a FANTASTIC ENDING.

Look, the plot is slow. Many of the characters are stock characters, or a step away from stock characters. BUT THE WORLD-BUILDING IS SO FASCINATING THAT I DID NOT EVEN CARE. I JUST ROLLED MY EYES A LITTLE AND MOVED ON.

Caelira (where this story is set) is fascinating - everything is storm-based, with seemingly sentient storms that aim to kill. And it isn't just thunder and rain and snow - there are hurricanes and twisters and FIRESTORMS too - and they are all terrifying. There's even a malevolent fog. Like... anything that takes things that are borderline scary with regular nature and then makes that phenomenon both sentient and evil is A-OK in my book.

There are witches. There are people with magic that dictates what sort of storm they can control. There are Stormlings - the elite nobles, the most powerful storm-fighters, AND OBVIOUSLY SUPER CORRUPT - who protect their subjects from storms while simultaneously driving them into the mud with their cruel laws. It was great! It was fun! It was a little horrifying! It was different!

Well, it was different but simultaneously reminiscent of Brandon Sanderson's Stormlight Archive - I think purely because the natural phenomena take up SO MUCH SPACE in your mind when you read both Roar and the Stormlight Archive.

I loved the slow-burn romance (although it was part slow-burn and part insta-love?? which I love??). I loved the wicked prince (but is he really so wicked??). And I loved Roar, her journey from being book-smart and powerless and not-street-wise to the powerful and knowledgeable and in-control person she is at the end.

Sure, there were some cringey tropey parts in this book. READ IT ANYWAY. I think the ending sets up Book 2 for the type of relationship conflict that I absolutely despise, but I don't care. I'M GOING TO DEVOUR BOOK 2 ANYWAY.

I, for one, think this book deserves 5 out of 5 stars.

I'd recommend Roar to any world-building fanatics, people who love reading Big Fantasy Stories for the sake of the overall story, and people who are okay with the characters being vehicles to push the story along. Recommend to people who like stories where we only get GLIMPSES of the BIG BADDIE, and to people who are fine with a healthy amount of gore.

Don't recommend to people who need their characters to be The Entire World and the Moon and the Sun and Stars. (That's a thing. I didn't just make that up...) Don't recommend to people who hate books with gorgeous covers.

Cora Carmack weaves a captivating and complex world of magic and mayhem in this must-read Y.A. fantasy, Roar.

“You are lightning made flesh. Colder than falling snow. Unstoppable as the desert sands riding the wind. You are Stormling, Aurora Pavan. Believe it.”

Aurora, also known as Rora and Roar, is the princess of a powerful kingdom. One that can control the skies itself. Born without that magical ability though, Aurora has had to live her life behind closed doors. Never allowing anyone close for fear that they'll learn her terrible secret. Allying herself with another powerful kingdom in marriage is the only way to protect her people when her mother is gone. When she learns that her intended is keeping his own dangerous secrets though, Aurora questions all that shes been told and embarks on an unimaginable journey of wonder and discovery.

With rich story-telling, a dynamic setting, and alluring characters I was immediately drawn into the pages of Roar. Told in third person, through varying characters, readers get a comprehensive view of the story. The mythology captured my attention right away. Stormlings, people that are born with the ability control the storms, at their own peril, to protect others. Stormhunters, those that are born without magic but who don't let that stop them from taming the beasts with sheer determination. And then the storms themselves, seemingly insentient beings of nature who's sole purpose is destruction. It put to mind one of my favorite series, the Weather Warden series by Rachel Caine. Gripping and imaginative.

Aurora herself was an imperfect heroine with a heart of gold and a strength that surprised even herself. I really enjoyed the growth of her character and the vacillating niches of her personality that were represented in each of her names. Aurora was the cultured and confident princess, while Rora was more of the scared little girl hiding inside. Roar was the brave, inquisitive young woman full of determination but also constantly learning from the world around her. I think Roar was the true character of the story and I saw her as the potential for Aurora. Then there is Cassius, someone who is definitely not what he seems and whom I still have many questions about. He's Aurora's intended, the heir to another throne; a powerful and sometimes brutal Stormling. I'm looking forward to learning more about him, I think he might surprise us. And we can't forget about Kiren, A.K.A. Locke. Fierce and lovable, he's the kind of hero that arouses the butterflies in your stomach. Each character, including many more that I haven't mentioned, are completely organic. I can't say that there was one that didn't capture my attention.

With an abundance of action and intrigue to keep the plot moving along at a steady clip, a burgeoning romance that was well balanced with the conflict in the story, and vivid world-building, Roar was a delightful read and one of my favorites of the year. A definite recommendation for young adult fantasy fans and just flat-out good!

What an intriguing and uniquely captivating story by Cora Carmack.

I loved that I was immediately drawn into this amazing world. The story had my attention from the very beginning. I liked how stormlings capture storms and put them in stones and are able to harness the heart of a storm. I found the use of the magic or storms was different in a very welcome way. The world was fascinating in that the townspeople were subject to the whims of storms and tornadoes and they needed the protection of stormlings to keep them safe. Then there's the wildlands where storms wreck havoc on anything and everything destroying entire villages. I loved it all.

Then there's Princess Aurora who has no stormling power and is betrothed to marry and prince from Locke to hide the fact that she wields no power of her own. When she discovers she cannot trust Cassius, she flees with a Duke and his mysterious crew. It is with them that she hopes to learn to gain power of her own to help her kingdom and create her own destiny.

I really liked Duke and his crew. Jinx and sly may have been my favorites, but Ransom was also very fun. They were all carefree and fun characters. I liked that different circumstances brought them together and how they have their own specialties when it comes to storms. They work extremely well together and take in Roar a.k.a. Aurora as a apprentice you could say. It is with Locke that she learns her training. They argue nonstop and butt heads throughout their entire journey. At the same time their feelings for one another only grow stronger. Beyond the magic and romance I felt a sense of mystery in the story as well. Roar has strong reactions to storms as they approach and Locke and Duke can't seem to figure out why its happening. It begs the question if there is more to Aurora than she knows. Also, Cassius seems to be harboring his own secrets and his fear of a storm lord leaves much to debate and question. It all makes for a really good story that I couldn't help but enjoy.

My only issues with this book and I can't really complain is that sometimes I didn't know how I felt about Roar. She comes off as a knaive and overly sheltered princess who never had any friends growing up. She is sheltered from things that go on in Pavan and around the world. She turns away from Cassius because she believes he is using her and tried to manipulate her for the throne. So she immediately becomes distrustful of Locke and believes everything he does is to manipulate her. As she wants to learn everything there is about his crew, she lies and does everything she can not to tell them about herself. Something that she does internally struggle with. I love Cora Carmack as a romance author and I had not problems with the romance in this book, I just felt a little annoyed that Roar and Locke spent all their time arguing with each other. I enjoy a strong female character who isn't a pushover and speaks her mind, but I would have liked some of their arguing to be more of funny/sarcastic banter that was more lighthearted than antagonistic. I really loved Locke and that he is the leader of everyone and the one each person turns to, especially when caught in a storm. I would have liked his character to more levelheaded when it came to Roar. With her around he completely disregarded the safety of his crew to stay with Roar. Which I felt clashed with the type of character I felt him to be. He became enraged and violent when anyone questioned her place among them and whether she was trustworthy. He acted this way even early on and I thought it was a bit much. So as you can see I had some problems with the romance but it does not take away from how good this book truly is.

I really liked this book and the wait was well worth it. This book does almost suddenly end and kind of on a cliffy so I've very upset I have to wait for the next book. But I can't wait to get my hands on it. I certainly need more Roar and Locke because that ending was very, very good.

Roar started off slowly, but before long I was completely enamoured by the story. I personally love stories where elemental powers are part of the lore. Roar had a similar, yet unique take on those special abilities.

There are people in the world, called Stormlings, who are able to use their affinities to battle storms. In this land, those abilities relate to the storms that plague the kingdoms and towns. A Stormling may have an affinity for sky fire and be able to battle lightning - or they may have an affinity for tornados. Many battle storms not only to protect their lands but in the attempt to gain more affinities. If strong enough, a Stormling could take the heart of the storm (which manifests as a rock or gem) and use it to channel their abilities.

Aurora is the future Queen of Pavan, but she has yet to show any hint of the power needed to protect her people. As a result, her mother sets up an arranged marriage with the second born son of a neighboring kingdom. Not all is as it appears and Rora sets out to discover the truth. She soon learns that Stormlings are not the only people with the ability to fight storms and realizes that she must learn from these storm hunters so that she can avoid the path her life is currently on.

Aurora begins the book as a strong female character despite the fact that she is forced into a more meek, agreeable role in order to secure the marriage, so it may not seem that way. Although she has not been able to access the magic her blood should give her, she has not rested on her laurels. Rora occasionally trains with the guards in swordsmanship, reads whatever books she can get her hands on, is quite skilled in a number of languages and can chart her course by the stars. While she is not the typical heroine we might expect to save the day, she does grow over the course of the novel and will continue to do so in the second book.

As the majority of the book does not take place in the palace, we do not see much from the Locke family but I am incredibly intrigued by their familial relationships and the Prince himself. He is a dark, strong and imposing figure who is out to claim the throne - but may be less ruthless than he seems. While we do not such much of him, I expect there will be a lot more character development in the second book and I'm looking forward to that.

Locke, the storm hunter, was probably my favourite main character - although I loved the storm hunter crew as a whole. They had such unique personalities, tales and roles in the group and who wouldn't join a group of storm hunters? That would be amazing. Anyway, Locke started to remind me after a while of that over-protective Fae male personality that we see so often in Sarah J Maas' books (which can become tiresome) but his storm hunting prowess won me over. The author wrote each storm, its feeling and the hunters fighting it so brilliantly that those were definitely my favourite scenes in the novel.

This book seemed to set up the world, the magic system and the main characters well but leave plenty of room for development. We don't even see the character who is likely to be the villain until about 75% of the book is over. I'm intrigued by the villain's story and abilities, and can't wait to see where it goes in the second book.

The world is what drew me in and kept me wanting more, despite the cliches, tropes, and mid-level character development. The romance itself was probably the most off-putting because it was so unbelievable to me. It's not necessarily the chemistry and interactions between the two, but rather the way the author writes the male's point of view. To me, it just didn't sound like a guy was thinking those thoughts. Both of her main male characters became almost immediately obsessed with Aurora, wanted to protect her at any cost, thought about her all of the time, etc. As I mentioned before, that overprotective Fae male mentality. While it may seem sweet that they want to be protective, it borders on being too much (and sometimes crosses the line), which is not a healthy relationship dynamic to romanticize. I don't want to give more specific examples and spoil anything. This is not to say that men cannot be emotional and effusive because they can, but for me, just the way that it was done didn't read authentically. Those were the times I felt most drawn out of the narrative.

This book ends with the type of cliffhanger that most books should end on. You are not utterly destroyed and heartbroken that the author has ended this book with such big questions and yet the next is not due out for another year - you are completely in love with the story and the final scenes just make you excited to continue reading.

For me, the book was a little slow to start but once Rora goes on the journey with the storm hunters I think the book picks up a lot. I've seen a few people put the book down because they couldn't get into it and I would just recommend trying to push through a little longer and see if that changes for you. This is an upper-YA novel that I would recommend to ya/teen readers who enjoy fantasy and character growth in their novels.

Roar is another book that caught my attention with it's cover. Hello, it's gorgeous! I swear that the people who make all these fabulous eye porn covers need a paycheck raise. Roar could have been awful for all I knew when I bought it. I didn't even look at a review, I bought it strictly because of that cover.

Side note - Publishers pay your cover people more!

When I first started reading this, I was terrified of a love triangle. If you have glanced through any of my reviews, you know I detest them. Thank the Lord of literature that I was wrong. I was so excited for three seconds about Cassius, but that went down hill pretty dang fast and we also met Locke.

He never stood a chance.

The world building is just how I like it. There's enough that I get to imagine it for myself, but not much that it takes a hour to read one paragraph from the all the details. It's impact, hard, mysterioius, and gritty. I was and am still just as interested in looking more about it as I am in the characters.

Aurora AKA For a AKA Roar is a great character. She starts out small and timid and over the course of the book she starts to discover am about herself and exactly who she is. She is courageous and kind of heart. She also has themat bit of sass that I love in characters. I am excited to see who she grows into as the series continues .

We also have Locke and his very merry gang of storm hunters. He is great. They are great. They each have their own personal depth with brings so much more to the story. I adored their interactions and comradery. Locke isn't too bad himself. I definitely don't have a book crush on him or anything like that. (Sarcasm, in case you missed it.) Let's just say he really won me during a rain storm. We are talking notebook level of rain storm amazingness.

The main down fall was that when the clouds finally parted on so many things, it was over.

You see what I did there?

I wanted more.. I want more..

I can't wait for Rage to get here.
You should probably check this one out.

Firstly, I would like to thank the TorTeen publisher for sending me this book for review! Honestly, after I got the email back saying that they’d gladly send it to me for review, I had a mini freakout and excitement session. I was shouting and screaming in my house for a good ten minutes before my family started walking in through the doors. Now, let’s actually start this review.

Cora Carmack is one of my new favorite authors. I absolutely LOVED her writing style, and I loved the way she plotted out the story, as well as put together the characters. Roar, otherwise known as Aurora or Rora, is completely relatable. Even though I’ve never been shut in a castle to keep one of the biggest secrets of my life, I have felt the need to be something different, to do something different. Also, I loved how she went knew exactly how to plot a kidnapping. It almost seemed as if she had done it dozens of times before!

I was actually surprised that she almost went along with the wedding. I honestly thought she would be on the fence about the whole thing. I mean, I knew I was on the fence, just hearing Cassius speak. I’m going to be serious and say that, even though he seemed like a nice guy in the beginning, I still wanted to beat the living crap out of him. He just gave me that weird feeling, the one that I knew could not be trusted, and I was right.

Now, there are way more characters in this book than I originally thought there would be. First of all, I have officially fallen for Locke. Here, let’s put it this way. Rhysand is still my book husband, but Locke can be my book boyfriend. If y’all haven’t read it, I’m telling you, you need to. This book is worth every single penny in the world, and that is a lot of pennies. I do not kid around, I absolutely loved this story.

I loved how it included different racial backgrounds, witches, magic, and most importantly, STORMS! Those of you who know me, you know why I got so eager to read and review this book. Back before I fell in love with writing, I wanted to be a storm chaser. I wanted to be near a tornado as it tore through a field, tossing its rains and winds at my being. That would be one of my backup plans if I can’t be a writer, which would really break my heart, but I would deal with it.

If you haven’t read this book, I highly suggest doing so. Everything about this book will pull your emotions out of your heart and into thin air. It will make you laugh, whimper, cry, scream, rage, and so much more. I give this book a 5/5 star rating for the amazing details, the FEELS, the characters, the plot, etc. Everything about this book amazed me, and I seriously want and NEEEEEEEED the next one in my hands immediately!

Thanks to MacMillan-Tor/Forge for the free review copy in exchange for my honest opinion.

I'm going to go out on a limb here and say that this book is one of my top YA fantasy reads ever! I'm not an expert in this category by any means, I'd say I'm still pretty new to the genre, and I have not even read the Harry Potter series, (how's that for a ringing endorsement!) But this book really captured my imagination and kept me enthralled from beginning to end, and I cannot wait to see what happens in the next installment!

World building - fantastic! Characters - also fantastic! Pacing and action - perfect! Steam level - holy smokin' bonfires! (Actually, if you're in the position of being a parent, wondering whether this book would be an appropriate read for your child, I would consider this upper YA, maybe closer to NA. I would not want my 12 year-old daughter reading it, for example. Maybe when she's fifteen or so!) "Roar" has really got everything I'm looking for in order to bestow a five star rating. I finished it months ago, and I still remember certain plot elements and the things that I felt while reading as if it was yesterday. I'll keep this review short and sweet, because honestly, the best thing to do is just read it - and then recommend it to all your friends! And then wait on pins and needles for the sequel!

My rating: 5 stars!

Roar was one of my highly anticipated reads of 2017 and I’m happy to say it didn’t disappoint. I’ve never read anything by Carmack but I’ve heard great things about her new adult series and was excited to finally check out her novel and what better way then to check out her debut novel, Roar.

2017 seemed to be the year of high fantasy and science fiction but most of the Young Adult novels released started to blend and bleed together. They were too similar to one another that it was difficult to set itself truly apart. Roar didn’t have this problem, as there are very few elemental novels on the market. The concept of the Roar was unique and refreshing. My favorite aspect of the novel was the world building. The Lands of Caelira consisted of different kingdoms, each family of nobility descended from a Stormling (those with the power to weld storms or any element such as rain, fire etc). The book was center around Aurora Pavan, a princess and heir to the Pavan Kingdom. Unlike the other kingdoms’ heirs, Aurora had no stormling abilities and the only way to protect her kingdom was to marry into another stormling family. Upon meeting her betrothed and learning more about him and his plans; Aurora fleed the kingdom and joined a group of storm hunters. She hoped by capturing her own stormhearts, she would have the power to protect her people and be the queen she was destined to be.

I loved how independent Aurora was, like the whole princess that can save herself and didn't need a prince or man. Which isn’t to say there isn’t a prince or man vying for Aurora’s hand. Aurora may not have had any powers but what she lacked, she made up for in brains and skills. Not only was Aurora extremely book smart, can speak five languages, but she can also fight as well and is skilled with swords and bow and arrows. Locke, one of the love interest was your typical alpha male. And at first I thought it was all swoon worthy but as the book progressed Locke just became more dubious. He was very protective and possessive of Aurora to the point where it was creepy and bothersome. Since I’m pretty sure this novel played out over the course of a few days, I thought that was just falling too fast. And although, his behavior got uncomfortable, it didn’t take away from me enjoying the story.

Roar is an excellent start to a new series and I really enjoyed it. I can’t wait to see what happens next for Aurora ‘Roar’ and the storm hunters…Especially when she can no longer hide her identity! All in all, great world building, characters and writing. I highly recommend it!

To be honest with the previous books of the author I had bad experiences. Neither of them took me off my feet but the cover of this book just bought me. It’s beautiful and inviting so after I read the synopsis I got into the mood to read it. Even if with a bit of reluctance but decided to give it a chance.
The book started out really strong and promising but unfortunately along the way it kind of falls apart. I don’t mind the fact that it uses couple of ideas that you can basically find in every YA fantasy. namely the runaway princess, arranged marriage, some kind of outstanding ability or the lack of it on the part of the main character I think if they work why not use them and also there is not as many unique ideas in the world as many books come out nowadays. If it’s written creatively and well then I read it without a complaint. So I didn’t have any problem with this and I even found the world building and the whole magical thing created around the basic story interesting and well thought out. My problem rather was with parts of the plot line and the personality of the main character.
The world the author created for this story is quite impressive but not developed to the smallest detail. I would have liked if I get to know more about the hierarchy of things and the political parts of the little kingdoms. The world building mostly concentrates on the magical element of things and even if it’s intriguing I felt sometimes it overwhelms the plot I thought some of the political or conquering parts would have been more interesting. At least for me.

The plot itself is pretty complex mainly because of the various points of views all off them representing a different storyline, place or side of the political hierarchy. You could even say that it’s a bit all over the place but I liked it, didn’t exactly understand the importance of all of them yet but liked it nonetheless.
However I also think that the whole storyline got a bit boring around the beginning where it started to concentrate more strongly on Roar journey with the hunters and namely more on her feelings and inner turmoil and not on the action part of her learning. Around the last couple of chapters it started to get more interesting again but it was too little too late in my opinion.
There are quite a few different characters in the story and almost all of them have unique past and personalities. Ironically I liked almost all of them expect Aurora. Lucky me.
Aurora just pissed me off. Yes I normally would like a strong character that is willing to sacrifice things to learn and became better but she just didn’t do it for me. I saw her as a slightly pampered princess who desperately wanted to meet the expectations of her mother but instead of fighting to find a way to do it she sat back and let herself be alienated from others and did everything to hide from her shortcomings. Instead or learning politics and leadership to compensate her lack of magical talent she only read about the basics of a magic she supposedly never going to have and rode her horse. I liked that she learned to fight and protect herself but she is not outstanding in that aspect either. Instead she waited until the last moment and run away to find a solution when it was already late. Not to mention she doesn’t considers the consequences for her kingdom, her mother, her friend she just thinks that if she can somehow learn the magic she never had then everything is going to be alright. I also didn’t like her naivety or innocence. I mean she sees a handsome guy and she became a blushing, awkward, fumbling girl who can’t even function anymore. Also she didn’t have one subtle bone in her body. She is just wallowing in her emotional turmoil all over the place. She also annoyed me how she wanted to be a master hunter in one day, she is rash and pushy. I just simply didn’t like her.
The thing is that I found the other characters more interesting. I think that all of the hunters has really interesting personalities and their stories about their past was quite interesting. My favorite character probably was Cassius. He is string willed, wild and has a bit of a scary, aggressive streak but he also honestly wanted Aurora and liked her from the beginning. He also was mostly honest with the girl and tried to help her out as much as he can. I liked the banter between them and I liked his personality over all. I think he has a lot of potential for future books.
Locke wasn’t a bad character either but he was a bit too sweet for my liking. He is strong but too soft towards Roar/Aurora. Somehow she mesmerized him. For a minute I was afraid of a love triangle but in the end it didn’t came to fruition but in the next books anything can happen.
I’m not in love with this story but apart from the struggle of the main character it was enjoyable. I probably will read the next book because I have hopes for it based on the events that happen in the background.

The cover looks spectacular. If you own the book yourself, or if you see it in a bookstore somewhere, just take it and feel it. Yes, feel it. It's embossed in a beautiful way that gives the cover just that little extra and makes it even more special.

When I read the blurb the first time - and the second time - it sounded like an adventurous journey in which the protagonist, Aurora, needs to learn to carve her own path. To stop depending on others to decide what is right and what her life should look like. Since this is something that a lot of people have a problem with at one point or another during their lives, I was intrigued!

The first couple of chapters felt a little all over the place to me, in a way that there was a whole new world that I just didn't get yet. So many different kinds of people and storms that I had to reread certain parts to be sure I was taking it all in correctly. This is personal, so don't let this scare you into reading the book! Later on this wasn't a problem anymore, at all. I was reading and reading and kept on reading!

This of course means that Cora Carmack succeeded in writing her story fluently and made it a pleasant and enjoyable read. Everything - from characters to surroundings and situations - is beautifully described and that does a lot of good things to a story.
The way Cora Carmack switches points of view is amazing. Each time it felt just right to have a different point of view. To be able to have that timing just right, as an author, is an amazing quality to have.
Before I realized I was already half way the book and mad about it too. It felt like I was going to finish the book too quickly. I wanted more of Aurora already!

"You are exactly where you are supposed to be. And I am here with you. If you have questions, ask them. If you have fears, shed them. If you have doubts, give them to me and I will crush them beneath my heel. If you need help, I will provide it. Even if you only need someone to yell at, I can be that too. And when the time comes that you need someone to trust, I will be that person. I promise."

How right I was. I did finish the book way to soon. I wanted it to be longer, be more. Unfortunately, all books have an end. Even more unfortunately, this one ended way too soon for my liking.

I will be looking forward to a sequel of Roar and most definitely have it pre-ordered. I can't wait to dive back into the world of the Stormlings.

If you love a world of magic, nature and adventure with a glossy cherry of romance on top, you should at Roar by Cora Carmack to your TBR!

A definite 4,5/5 for this wonderful book.

Kathy

I received this book in June's FairyLoot box, which I purchased myself. This is my honest review for which I am not being compensated in any way. All opinions are fully my own.

Aurora Pavan looks the part of a powerful princess from one of the oldest Stormling family lines. Everyone expects Rora to soon take up her mother's mantle as queen using her abilities to control and dispel dangerous storms that plague all of Caelira to protect their kingdom. It has been this way since the first storms appeared generations ago.

No one knows the dangerous secret Roar and her mother have been keeping. Rora has no storm magic.

An arranged marriage to a ruthless Stormling prince from a neighboring kingdom can help Rora keep her secret and her kingdom safe. But Cassius Locke is dangerous and the more Rora learns about him the more she fears marrying him on any terms.

Legends tell of how the first Stormlings claimed their magic by facing storms and stealing their hearts--something she learns may still be possible from a storm hunter who reveals that he too was born without magic but has it now.

Determined to finally choose her own fate, Rora sets out to face a storm--and her future--on her own terms in Roar (2017) by Cora Carmack.

Roar alternates close third person point of view between key characters including Rora and Cassius among others. Quotes from Caeliran legends and songs help to expand the world. Carmack's fantasy debut begins with a fascinating premise where storms plague the kingdoms of Caelira and only a select few can control them. Unfortunately the full potential of this premise is never quite realized.

You can see Carmack's roots in contemporary romance here with Roar's focus on interpersonal relationships over external details that would help to clarify the setting and magic system. Centering relationships from the beginning of the novel also leads to a slow start as Rora builds up to her storm hunting adventure.

Roar is a sexy, dramatic high fantasy that will appeal to readers who prefer character-driven books. Readers looking for a sweeping romance and adventure will be eagerly waiting for the sequel.

Possible Pairings: Brightly Woven by Alexandra Bracken, Truthwitch by Susan Dennard, The Queen of Blood by Sarah Beth Durst, Throne of Glass by Sarah Maas, Snow Like Ashes by Sarah Raasch, Under the Never Sky by Veronica Rossi

There’s something magical and intense about the weather and all the crazy things Mother Nature can do to this world. That is what drew me to this novel – how all sorts of weather phenomenons can be intertwined into a fantasy world to create a whirlwind of dangerous and electrifying adventure. And Roar did not disappoint in the least.

Aurora is the princess of her kingdom with all sorts of expectations placed upon her to have the talents of the Stormling, those who can fight the deadly storms thrust upon the lands. Instead she finds herself living a lonely existence, unable to get to close to anyone in case they were to find out her secret, that she does not have the magic of the Stormling despite her royalty status. Determined to find her own magic and break away from an arranged marriage, Rora runs off with storm hunters with the hopes to someday return and be her own force to reckon with.

What makes this story so amazing was how the author worked her magic to create such a clever and interesting spin on what storms could do, how they were alive. It was so unique and unlike anything I’ve ever read and I found it completely fascinating. The more Roar, as she is known to the storm hunters, discovers about the magic of storm hearts and about herself in relation to them, the more I wanted more of this world and everything in it. I often found myself in awe with how certain aspects came together and each time made me fall more and more in love. All the characters were well done with layers I enjoyed peeling back piece by piece. There was one particular hunter she was drawn to, and him to her as well, that added an element of romance to an already captivating story. The sparks between Roar and Locke smoldered from the get go until they caught fire!

The series is off to a phenomenal start and I’m already enthralled and craving more! There’s so much left to discover and secrets to unearth. This is absolutely a must-read!

Roar is a great new fantasy from Cora Carmack. Combining two of my favorite things, elemental magic and a knife wielding lead who can stand her own.

In many ways I loved Aurora aka Rora aka Roar. She is fierce. Even though she seems to be lacking in typical Stormling magic, she doesn’t let herself become crippled by it. She has learned how to fight and become an expert in knives. The things I struggled with her though was the childish way she handles Cassius and her kingdom. She should have confronted Cassius instead of running off and not even thinking twice about the possible peril she left her kingdom in. How often did she think of Nova and worry about her? It also bothered me that she seemed to fall for the first cute guys that look her way. It was just a weird pet peeve for me about her. I do really like her though and I think she is going to be amazing in the next book. I can’t wait to see what she can do, she definitely grows as she journeys to find her own answers. The thing about her is that even when she is at her lowest, she’s not helpless.

I love Nova! It’s hard to go on much about her without giving things away. She is definitely someone that I hope to see play an even stronger role as the story continues.

Cassius really intrigues me. We get to see his point of view at times and so you know what he’s actually thinking. There is so much more to him than what his family is and I think that brought about some of my frustration with Aurora.

I also love Locke. He is very good hearted and kind. He has seen tragedy and has a need to protect people. He immediately takes to Roar thinking she is someone in distress. Again there are things about his relationship that bother me. The way that he gives her trust and he doesn’t receive it back would be one of them. Although the way he treats her and the way he cares for her is amazing.

Jinx is another great character and strong female. I’m was always happy to hear her banter along with the rest of the Storm crew.

I love the magic system!! I find the different types of storms and the way they act fascinating. It’s not too much information. We get to learn right along with Roar which makes things less confusing. There is so much to it and it’s pretty cool. There is also a little bit a religion that goes with it as well that was interesting. There is some great world building as well, as they travel around the land.

The perspectives change from character to character. As new characters come in they also get added to the mix. For the most part i was okay with this. At times though it would take me a second to readjust my brain to whose perspective we are in. Especially when a new character is added much later in the story.

I was really excited for Roar and I’m so glad it lived up to my expectations. I can’t wait for the next book.

I received an advanced copy from Tor Teen in exchange for an honest review.

I’ve been very excited for this book ever since I got approved to be on the list to receive a finished copy before its release. I’ve never really read anything by Cora Carmack, but this synopsis and the GORGEOUS cover blew me away.
Aurora’s mother has decided to set her up with a dark Stormling prince that isn’t the typical prince type you read in fairytales. He has a dark personality and, when Aurora learns about his plans to take the throne, she runs off to a market where she discovers a team of women and men that hunt storms and control them with Stormhearts. She meets Locke and he is set to train her to become a part of their time, all the while hiding the fact that she is a princess with the ruse of Roar.
There is so much that I want to talk about with this book without giving away too much!

I want to talk about Aurora aka Rora aka Roar. Yeah, she has a lot of names. However, under her alias Roar, she is someone that a young girl can definitely look up to. She has such a strong heart that she is willing to face anything, no matter the harm that comes with it. These storms are connected to her as she struggles to find her true calling in her family, whether or not she is a Stormling. Her journey with this hunting team is amazing to read about, too. She isn’t the kind of girl that winces at dirt on her hands. Hell, there is a scene where she gets covered in mud to complete an obstacle course and she is LAUGHING WITH DELIGHT! This is the kind of girl, the kind of PRINCESS, that we can look up to and admire. You will want to be Roar after reading this book.
So, Locke. You’ll be kind of wary about this guy only because of his name. His name is actually the same last name as that dark prince mentioned above. But, I’m going to tell you now that it is just a nickname because he came from Locke. It’s also a place. Anyway, Locke is almost described and imagined as that one guy with long hair that is undeniably sexy. You’ll agree with me when I say he is a total book boyfriend; a total babe. He is the stubborn male, of course. He definitely has some secrets that are actually heartbreaking, but he is much wiser than he appears to be. He is also protective of the band of hunters that he normally leads.

So, we are going to talk about his relationship with Roar. This is what I am leading into.

The moment they meet, the tension is there. You know, the good kind. I wouldn’t call it insta-love. It’s that kind of thing where there is an obvious connection as it builds through the chapters. These two are comfortable with each there whether they can admit it or not. Locke actually challenges Roar to reach a strong potential, like when he trains her. He likes to make her run and race her. Also, he is the kind of guy that has a foot in his mouth. So, their conversations sometimes end in arguments. But, they can’t stay away from each other. Correction: LOCKE is the one that can’t stay away from her. Roar is trying hard to stay independent due to the fact the dark prince, Cassius, really broke her trust in people. However, their connection is really something that can’t be ignored. It’s as if their relationship is meant to be the kind of thing where they make an excellent team against these storms. It was really amazing to read. It’s definitely a relationship that you’ll want to see survive.
Now...the ending. So, normally in novels that feature a character hiding their true identity, their real identity is normally announced or accidentally revealed to their love interest, a friend, more than one person, etc. We are used to seeing that in the first book of a series, you know?

I don’t consider this part too much of a spoiler. But, I just want you guys to be aware how epic the second book will probably be because of this: Aurora’s real identity (you know, she is a princess) is NOT revealed to the band of hunters, especially Locke, in this book. When you reach the end of this book, it is still kept a secret. And that actually scares me. There’s a girl named Sly in the book that really believes Aurora has a secret. But, what really scares me is how Locke will feel when he finds out about this. It’s kind of like a TV season cliffhanger at the very last episode of said season. It ends in a weird place, yet the secret or major thing won’t be revealed until the next season, early in the first few episodes. So, I believe the secret will finally be revealed in the second book, of course, and it will probably be early on. You know how there is normally tension between love interests throughout most of the second book in series for some awful reason? Yeah, the secret will cause this tension and a questioning of trust. I honestly believe, in my opinion, this is what will happen. And it will drive us crazy. Am I right, Cora?
I need the second book. Like magically written already and in my mailbox. I’ll sell my soul for it.

Cora Carmack nailed it with her first foray into Young Adult Fantasy. I’ve been a fan of Carmack’s for years, as her New Adult books are everything I look for when I read NA. Roar, book one in the Stormheart, series is what I’ve come to love about YAF with a strong heroine, magical worlds, and things not what they seem.

The most important thing an author needs to do when writing fantasy is to create a world that the reader can connect with. Carmack does this nicely, bringing the people and dangers of Caelira to life. We live in a world where storms can kill and Carmack takes that a step further in this book, making storms an enemy that must be defeated and the people who can do it powerful leaders in more ways than one. When Aurora is born without the magic she needs to lead and protect her people, she’s forced into an arranged marriage, but when she discovers that magical abilities aren’t as cut and dry as she’s been taught, it changes everything and sets her on an adventure that alters her life.

Aurora is a heroine that I found myself loving as much as I did Katniss or Tris. Though naïve, she’s been taught to trust no one and to keep her emotions in check by her mother, the queen. She discovers an inner strength she didn’t know she had and acts on it, perhaps a bit impulsively, but as a young woman who has decided it’s time to take charge of her own life. A bit reckless for sure, Aurora nonetheless is determined to be the leader her country needs. I loved her spirit, ability to adapt, and her quick wit. But, perhaps it was her capacity for empathy that moved me the most.

The book opens with Aurora’s betrothal to Prince Cassius who, unlike Aurora, has the magic to protect the land of Pavan. Cassius is secretive, manipulative, and powerful, yet Aurora has no choice but to marry him if she wants Pavan protected from the coming storm season. Despite all this, she finds herself attracted to him, hopeful that their marriage can be a true partnership. His betrayal sends her literally into the arms of Locke, a storm hunter that holds the answers to Aurora’s prayers. Moody and a powerful hunter, Locke reluctantly takes Aurora under his wing. As Aurora learns of the world outside of Pavan, she and Locke fight their attraction to each other. Not quite a love triangle and not the insta-love I’ve seen some reviewers suggest, Aurora’s experiences with both Cassius and Locke felt natural to the story, something I’d expect from a young woman’s first experiences with the opposite sex.

Roar is filled with action that plays out in the mind of the reader as easily as it does on page. I loved the imagery of the hunters standing in the eye of the storm, reaching out to touch its magic. When we eventually see someone reach for a Stormheart, the soul of the storm and where it’s magic is centered, it’s gripping. I felt it as surely as if I were standing there myself. Aurora’s emotional reaction to the storms is just as powerful.

I really enjoyed Roar and my only complaint was that it got off to a slow start. I found that it took me awhile to really engage with the characters and I often found excuses to not pick it back up. Then, suddenly I couldn’t put it down, my heart was racing, and I might have shed a tear or two. Carmack surrounds the main cast of characters with a great supporting cast that I would’ve liked to get to know better. And, despite a big reveal, don’t expect all your questions answered. Roar ends in a cliffhanger as it’s book one in a trilogy.

4 Stars for Roar. Heat level: 1.5.

I received this book from the author and InkSlingerPr in exchange for honest feedback.

Title: Roar (Stormheart #1)
Author: Cora Cormack
Publisher: Tor Teen, 2017 (June 13)
Genre: YA Fantasy

**I received a copy of this book free from the author in exchange for an honest review**

This review can be found on TeacherofYA dot Wordpress dot com, TeacherofYA’s Tumblr, or my Goodreads page

My Review:

First off, I want to say thank you to Cora for making me a member of her street team for ROAR! It has and still is an amazing experience. We had fun being “Stormlings” and I was on my own mini-team, the “Snowstormlings,” which had great members who worked their butts off helping promote this amazing book.

I wanted to get this posted yesterday (as well as a BookCon recap in which I tell all about meeting Cora in person), but my internet has been wonky. On top of that, I’ve been invited to attend ALA, which I was definitely not expecting, and though funds are extremely tight from the NY trip, I have a great couple of friends who really want me to go. So not only have I been unpacking still, getting reviews written, and trying to balance life back in “non-book world,” I’m venturing off again next week!

Anyway, let’s talk about Roar, the book that if you haven’t heard of yet means you live under a rock.

Let’s start with the AMAZINGLY WONDERFUL COVER I LOVE!!

On the Team, I won a Canvas Print of the cover scene! I love it!

Probably one of my favorite covers of all time. And I’m not just saying that. I may be a little biased, but I think it’s stunning.

There have been amazing graphics too, and I’m so jealous of some of my fellow Stormlings’ abilities with creative stuff.

Anyway, let us dive in to the amazing book, shall we? I’ve missed writing reviews for you guys! (You know I’m not a blurb person and that I prefer to do my own recaps…so here I go!)

Aurora Pavan comes from a prominent Stormling family: Stormlings have the ability to control storms and as storms are sentient, they have hearts. Most members have an affinity from birth: Aurora’s mother has an affinity for skyfire, and as the only living heir, Aurora is rumored to be quite powerful. As she readies herself for a wedding to Prince Cassius, she hopes to join the two royal lines before the storm season hits.

Because Aurora is hiding a deep secret: she has no magic.

She needs a good marriage to ensure someone can help control the dangerous storms that ravage the lands of Caelira. And Cassius is quite capable. And handsome, and charming. And he seems to want Aurora very much.

When Aurora overhears Cassius discuss how easy Aurora is to manipulate, she knows Cassius is up to no good. Though she must marry him to protect her secret and the lands, as well as the throne, she follows him one night to a black market filled with illegal magic. Bottled storms, stormhearts, and magic are all on display in a secret world Aurora never knew existed.

When she runs into a group of Stormhunters and learns that not only Stormlings have the ability to calm the skies, Aurora realizes she has an out: if she was not born with magic, she can steal it for herself and come back to claim the throne without having to marry.

Locke, one of the Stormhunters Aurora meets, sees the fear in her eyes. He knows she is running…he does not know why, but he can sense the pretty girl is in trouble. When he asks her name, all Aurora can get out is “Roar.” He is drawn to the little frightened spitfire of a girl:

'Her tone was so fierce he nearly believed her, but he hadn’t read her wrong out there. He and fear were old friends. It had taken his parents’ place to raise him when they died, and he recognized the foul taint when he saw it. Even now, it lingered about her hunched shoulders and danced over her whitened fingers as they gripped her forearms . . .

If he hunted down the demons of every wayward girl, he wouldn’t have time to hunt a single storm. But there was something about her. Her look of wonder at Etel’s booth had caught his eye. The defiant way she stood her ground and made him acknowledge her as more than a little girl . . . that was when she got her hooks in him. She might appear fragile, but there was fire in her. And he definitely knew she was no little girl. He could still remember the feel of her pressed up against his side as he led her through the market.'

Is It Classroom-Appropriate?

I hate doing this segment when I love a book but know it’s just not right for the classroom. The novel isn’t dirty, there’s not a lot of cussing, drug use, etc. However, besides the exemplification of perfect prose, there’s really no educational value to the story. The magic system is interesting, the world building is right on, and there’s an omniscient narrator (not my fave choice for POV but whatev). It’s a wonderful read. But I just can’t see any classroom uses for Roar.

I do think it’s a good book to keep on the shelf in a classroom library: fans of epic/high fantasy will love the intricate story, and it reminds me of The Kiss of Deception by Mary E. Pearson. There’s a heavy focus on romance (which you know I don’t mind), and it’s definitely a page-turner…but I just can’t see a lesson plan utilizing it.

So I think unless you’re using it for a college writing example, I would leave it for outside reading. .

That’s no reflection on the story, as you know.

Age Range

So there’s no Lexile score for Roar. I don’t think it’s necessarily inappropriate for younger readers because though it is steamy, nothing torrid happens…but I wouldn’t also give it to a MG reader. I would probably stick with teen readers only for this novel: there is a lot of heat between the characters, and I definitely felt it! Whew! Cora knows how to write a scene!

Definitely makes your heart race, and I love that about Roar. But I would keep the kiddies away and stick with about 15 and up, mainly for those scenes. If intense intimacy without sex scenes doesn’t bother you, then 13 and up is as low as I would go comfortably. Remember, this is my opinion only. I am also overcatious.

End Result:

I cannot wait for the next book. This book ends with a cliffhanger but not one that will make you pull your hair out waiting. I can’t stand those. I am eager to read Cora’s sequel, and I’m sure you will too if you read Roar. Luckily, you won’t go insane waiting until the next book because it ended in a comfortable spot for me.

I can honestly and comfortably give Roar ★★★★★.

5 stars!

Roar is an imaginative, unique, and beautifully written novel. It’s an addictive read that will keep you captivated from the first page and a fantastic start to a new series. The gorgeous writing flows effortlessly across the pages and vivid descriptions and immense emotion draw you completely into the story.

Aurora is a Stormling princess and the heir to the kingdom of Pavan. Facing an arranged marriage to strengthen the kingdom, she is dressed in jewels and lavish fabrics and is exactly who the people expect. Only, she has a secret, one that can ruin everything and cause the kingdom to fall instead of saving it.

Aurora's betrothed, Cassius, is not known for his kindness. He is cold-hearted and dangerous and Rora would do anything to stop this wedding if she knew of another way to save the kingdom, but Cassius seems to be her only answer. He has a plan that will change his life, if only it plays out the way he wants it too when he takes Aurora as his wife. He, too, harbors secrets though and will do anything to protect them.

Rora sets out to get some answers and finds herself in a dangerous situation. Locke comes to her rescue and he adds a whole other element to the story. Strong and menacing yet tender and soft, Locke intrigues Aurora, even more so after finding out he is a storm hunter. Little does she know that the moment they met, he would forever alter the course of her life by changing the way she viewed the world and giving her the hope that was lost long ago.

This story is amazing. It's a fresh fantasy that will take you on a wild ride through treacherous storms and blossoming love. The plot is creative and, though there is magic laced throughout, the characters are original, real, and relatable.

The more we get to know the main characters, the more their personalities unfold. They are complex and interesting, showing fantastic character growth, and I couldn't help but become fully invested in their lives.

Rora is a spectacular heroine. Things that she grew up believing are far from the truth and we get sucked into the reveals right along with her. I loved watching her emotions play out. She is confident and strong, smart and clever. She has a good heart and wants the best for her people. She is fierce and her unending drive to succeed was beautiful.

"She might appear fragile, but there was fire in her."

Locke is exceptional. A devastating past shaped the man he grew to be and trust does not come easy. He's got a huge heart and cares for the people in his life. His strength and perseverance is remarkable, especially when he fights for something or someone he holds dear. I loved how deeply he cared for Rora. His love is real and true, and he warmed my heart giving her his all.

"You are exactly where you are supposed to be. And I am here with you. If you have questions, ask them. If you have fears, shed them. If you have doubts, give them to me and I will crush them beneath my heel. If you need help, I will provide it. Even if you only need someone to yell at, I can be that too. And when the time comes that you need someone to trust, I will be that person. I promise.”

Even though there's an instant attraction between Rora and Locke, the story has a gorgeous slow burn romance and the build-up is utterly delicious. I felt what Rora felt. Every quickening pulse and breath-catching moment evoked the same response deep within me. The emotion shared between Locke and Rora was beautiful and the passion was realistic while still keeping it in the YA genre.

"She could lose herself in this man. She could shed more than just the sorrow that tried to smother her. In his arms, she could let go of everything. He even outdid the pull she felt to her home and the responsibilities that waited for her there. For this man . . . she could let go of Aurora and be only Roar."

Nothing is as it seems and this novel is full of twists and turns which are spectacularly crafted. Every part of the story was important and I loved the creativity as things transpired. This first installation provides an excellent setup for more magic, more romance, more action, and more angsty situations in the books that follow as secrets are revealed and Rora fights for what she believes in.

This story wowed me and I am still fixated on it days after turning the last page. I am desperate for more and can't wait to see the direction this series takes.

“My secrets are yours. Every one of them.”

Okay, let me just mention this first: How gorgeous is the cover?!
Now that we have that out of the way, let's get to what's between the prettiness:
Roar is Carmack's first fantasy and her first YA book as well. I adore her NA romances so I was amped to read this. I also had high expectations mind you!
The writing style is totally Carmack, and as I said, I love her stuff so it's just as expected to my liking.

The world building was interesting. I love the idea, love the details she added. Though I had loads of questions and in fact, I would have liked some more world building. It is however elegantly done, it's interesting and rather unique. Quite a few questions were answered and I anticipate to get more answers in the book... Well, done indeed

The character building, which is usually my favorite when it comes to Carmack books, was done well.

This has quite a big cast and is told from multiple POV. And here lies one of my issues with the book. I didn't like how the POV's suddenly switched. Sometimes in the middle of the paragraph. It could be a layout thing, I read the ARC after all and I hope they at least will add a return between POVs in the published books.
I didn't like Aurora, in the beginning, she was a whiner to be honest, that went on my nerves.
But she grew on me. A lot. As the story went on, I started to see her insecurities and understood where she was coming from.
In fact, I changed my view on several of the characters and I am quite invested in the crew. Saying that however I also have to mention that I am not a huge fan of the two male MCs. The Stormling prince fell too caricaturistic. And Locke, though I actually liked him, he was a tad too cliche most of the time.

The story line had me a wee bit divided. I enjoyed the book. I liked most of the plot. It was a bit predictable at times. But the romance was rather disappointing. It features not one, but two insta-loves.. And both were painfully cliche. Though I would have been fine with the first one, seeing as it evolved. But the second one kinda ruined it for me. Don't misunderstand me I am all for that development, it just way too cliche and way too predictable. I did like some parts of their relationship, just not the melodramatic overused romance cliches that were thrown in.
When it comes to the Stormling plots however, Cormack shines! I enjoyed all the action and I loved the little details we were given and how the story fell into place. I like the ending, even though it's wide open. I am left anticipating where this will go next!

So a fabulous start to a series: great world building, interesting storyline, interesting characters and a gorgeous cover
I can't wait for the next book!

Roar was such a fascinating and captivating book. I was sucked in from the first page of this book, and the ending left me eager for more.

The plot of Roar was unique and extremely interesting. I loved the concept of controlling storms and stealing the heart of the storm. Every time something new was revealed, I found myself becoming more and more fascinated with this story. The author created such an intricate and immersive world that I got lost in. I cannot wait to learn more about this new world in the future books. I WANT TO LIVE IN THIS MAGICAL AND AMAZING WORLD!

I also liked how much action this book had. The action involving the storms had me on the edge of my seat! As much as I liked the plot of the book, I did feel like some things got a little repetitive, but the book definitely held my interest as a whole.

The main character, Aurora, was such a delightful character. I was worried that she was just going to be an average special snowflake type character. I was extremely excited when she was so much more than that. She was such a kind, determined, tough, and smart character. I really connected with her and I was rooting for her the entire time. I ended the book feeling like I gained a new best friend.

There were also a lot of diverse and interesting side characters. Each character was unique and I ended up loving all of them. I loved the squad vibes that the characters gave in this book! I bonded with all the characters and they all have stolen my heart. I hope to learn more about the side characters in the next books because I think we have more to discover about them.

I especially fell in love with two of the main male characters in this book. They were both extremely swoon-worthy and wonderful characters. I don't want to spoil anything, but one of those males was a very morally gray character, which I was LIVING FOR. He was extremely cunning, and he gave me so many Slytherin vibes. He wasn't as prominent as I would have liked in this book, so I hope he plays a more important role in the upcoming books! I SERIOUSLY LOVE HIM SO MUCH.

I don't want to spoil anything about the romance in this book, but I really enjoyed the romance. At first, the romance felt a bit like insta-love because the characters seemed a bit obsessive, but then the romance actually slowed down. The romance then starting developing at a more believable pace and it became a lot more alluring. The romance was full of swoon-worthy moments and steamy kisses that made my heart soar. I am hoping to see it develop more in the next book. I WANT MORE KISSES!!!!!

But, also, I ship Roar with my Slytherin​ baby more so I am HIGHKEY hoping that happens in book two. *fingers crossed*

Overall, this was a fast paced and enchanting novel! I would recommend this to people who are looking for an intriguing fantasy filled with romance!

4 / 5 Fangs

MrsLeif's Two Fangs About It Book Reviews

*This ebook was given to me in exchange for an honest review. *

Princess Aurora is part of a powerful Stormling family. Her mother, Pavan's queen, is trying to prepare her daughter as well as she can, so when Aurora will inherit her title she'll know exactly what to do. Aurora has a secret, her storm magic hasn't manifested itself and therefore she's been living an isolated life, so nobody will find out she isn't able to protect her country. Her mother has arranged a marriage for Aurora, but the princess doesn't like prince Cassius, the man she's betrothed to. He's dangerous and darkness is surrounding him. He's supposed to be strong enough to take over the duty to protect the kingdom against the violent storms that are constantly raging there, but is that the only thing that matters? Aurora doesn't think she should marry him, but how can she get out of the arrangement?

Aurora follows her fiancé when he visits an illegal market. There she discovers that she's been lied to and that storm magic can also be acquired, it isn't necessary to be born with the gift. Those who are chasing the storms to reap their magic are called storm hunters and Aurora wants to be one of them. She can protect her kingdom by earning her own magic and that is what she thinks she should do. Will she succeed and how will Aurora be able to obtain the magic she needs to take care of her country?

Roar is a fantastic story. I immediately loved Aurora. She's brave, she can stand up for herself and she's incredibly smart. When she discovers she has to marry a man she doesn't trust, she tries to protect herself the best way she can and I admired that about her. She has everything it takes to be a good ruler, but she needs to discover who she is and what she can do before she's ready to take this position. I loved how Cora Carmack describes her journey from beginning to end. It's an amazing adrenaline rush and I couldn't turn the pages fast enough to see what would happen to Aurora and where her need to have an adventure to find herself would take her.

Cora Carmack has written a terrific page-turner. Her world building skills are magnificent and I loved the creative way she writes about magic. Her descriptions are dynamic and fierce and Roar is filled with many surprising twists and turns, which makes the story captivating and spellbinding. Roar has a fitting and gripping ending and I can't wait to read more about Aurora and her accomplishments. She's a brilliant main character and every other character in the book is multilayered and believable as well, which makes the story really fascinating. Roar is a strong beginning of the Stormheart series, it's enchanting, riveting, thrilling and intriguing. I highly recommend this phenomenal book.

The summary is quite comprehensive so I don’t need to explain the story even more. Aurora wants the best for her people, she has been protected all her life by her mother, and she hasn’t had any friends because nobody should know she had no powers. She now discovers another world that her mother probably knew. Aurora asks a lot of questions, about her future husband, the world outside the castle, about hunters and about magic.

I love Aurora, she’s naive at the beginning of the book but she knows how to defend herself and tries to learn all she can about magic. She isn’t afraid to train harshly and doesn’t let go by Locke. I like the way her mind works, I just have a little concern with her character because I like people to communicate between them and admitting the truth at some point. Hopefully this doesn’t spoil the next volume.

Locke is a storm hunter, he had no power and after chasing a storm everything changed. He was raised after the death of his parents by Duke, he taught him to become a storm hunter and now they are part of a hunter group consisting of Bait, Ransom, Jinx and Sly. I love Locke, he tries not to attach himself to Aurora but it is quite difficult for him. He cares and protects the people he loves.

Aurora has a trustworthy friend in the royal palace, Novaya, it’s she who will help Aurora to escape with the hunters. Novaya is a very interesting character, I appreciate her strength of character and I hope that her character will grow in the future.

Cassius is the future husband of Aurora, he hides many things and I don’t know yet what to think of him. I don’t think he’s naughty totally, I feel something good in him but am I right?

In any case one thing is certain, I loved this book, storm hunting is exciting, the characters are very well developed, I really managed to attach myself to them all and I cannot wait to read the second book and see what happens to everyone.

Cora Carmack has managed to write an exciting fantasy novel as I like and especially that we need right now to change our ideas.

**3.5 Stars**

With beautiful world-building and unique fantasy elements, Roar takes readers on a fantastical journey of storms and its storm hunters and Stormlings. Born without storm magic, Princess Rora’s landed in the toughest spot to protect her kingdom: arranged marriage. But what comes of it is a great adventure.

There isn’t a lot I can say because I don’t want to spoil the different elements in the book, but the entire process of magic and storms was truly very fascinating. There’s a whole host of secondary characters that encircle the story giving it depth and diversity, and I enjoyed their roles in the story and how they shaped Rora’s journey. Since it’s the first in a series, Carmack did have to set the scene and go into as much detail as she could in order to place us in this world, so it may seem like the story is a bit slow in parts, but aside from the necessary reasons for it, it was exciting and thrilling when the story became its own beast and ran away from her.

Rora’s sort of this naive noblewoman, one whom readers may have some trouble loving at every moment due to this, thrust into a world she never thought existed with a young man who both thrills and frustrates her to no end. At times their connection seemed forced or inorganic, but then it would fix itself in the next breath, which felt like growing pains of an author trying to figure out how to capture their ups and downs. It certainly didn’t stop me from reading or enjoying the story, it just would’ve been a stronger story had those growing pains not existed.

I’m greatly looking forward to the next installment to see where this cast of characters will lead us. Roar has some great twists and turns I didn’t see coming, but looking back on it there were little clues secretly placed throughout the book and I love that she alluded to them in varying ways. It’s such a unique premise for a story and world, one which I really loved delving into and learning all about. I know Carmack will find her stride in the next book since everything has been laid out, and I cannot wait to jump back in.

I received this book via ARC for an honest review.

I can’t believe how thoroughly Cora Carmack wrecked me with this book. Cora has been a genius in the romance genre, and I knew that the YA genre would be no different for her. In Roar, Carmack creates an entire cast of characters that you can’t help but love, including the antagonists and the minor characters. The entire “squad” of this novel was incredible.

The main characters are of course Roar and her male counterpart, Locke. Locke is a total book boyfriend; he still has me swooning. I could say so many things about Roar; she is incredibly brave and with her lack of power comes the strongest character in the series. I will leave it at that because I think the less you know about her going in makes her even more unshakable and gut-wrenching when you finally read.

For the other characters Novaya, Duke, Jinx, and Bait. Out of all of these characters, Bait is my favorite, which is saying something because I love me a good witch (Jinx). Bait was the adorably cute and epic ginger we’ve wanted, yet didn’t know we needed. How cute can ya get? I love that Bait. Jinx is actually my hero. Witchy and Bitchy and I love it.

The antagonists are interesting, but we don’t really know too much about them at this point. The anti-hero/villain is introduced right away with Cassius. He’s a conundrum for me because I love him, but I know I shouldn’t. He’s very much like the Darkling. I want him to make choices that are worthy of my strong female lead, but he’s making evil choices and not as good as the golden boy, Locke (or Mal in the Grisha trilogy).

The other antagonist is the mystical and mysterious force, which I won’t say much about because I don’t want to give anything away. However, I’m extremely intrigued by them, and I can’t wait to see more.The only true villain in this story, in my opinion, is the storm itself.

Carmack creates a rich and vibrant world with characters that make your heart pound and bring tears to your eyes. Roar is a true masterpiece.

The whirlwind of magic and storm is enriching and encasing in a way that will leave Roar lingering like a storm on the horizon.

★ ★ ★ ★ ★

What an amazing story!!! I absolutely fell in love with Aurora and Locke and couldn’t get enough of this world!! Aurora “Roar” Pavan is the heir to one of the oldest magical families whose main ability is controlling the violent storms that plague her land. Even though Aurora has not displayed any magical abilities yet, her family has decided to protect their kingdom by arranging her marriage to another powerful Stormling family. To keep her secret, Aurora must play along with the charade until she meets Locke, a young man who was born without magical abilities but now is able to harness the power that she seeks. Now, Aurora is willing to risk it all to learn his secrets and steal the magic she needs to have the freedom that she has always craved.

I can’t tell you how much I loved this book. Aurora was a heroine that you could instantly connect with because she was smart, brave and willing to do whatever she needed so she wouldn’t be trapped in a future she hated. She was born without magical abilities and thought that being married into another Stormling family would help protect her secret until she met Locke and the other storm hunters. I loved her journey over the course of this story because when we first met her, she wanted to hide with her books and just do whatever her family wanted her to do. By the end, she was the strong, fearless and determined young woman that she always imagined that she could be.

Locke. He was one of those heroes that you knew would always protect and care for Aurora every step of their adventure. I could see why Roar fell for him and even though he started thinking of Aurora as a sister in the beginning, that soon changed over the course of this book.

Roar is an emotionally-charged thrilling adventure that had me instantly hooked. Roar is the first book in the Stormheart series and I can’t wait to get my hands on the next book in the series. This book left me wanting more and I can’t wait to spend more time with these magical characters.

I received this free physical finished copy in advance from the publisher in exchange for my honest review.

Magic!
I absolutely love the world and the magic that defines the world in this story. It’s gorgeous! It’s well-developed. It’s unique and layered, and it’s utilized as a way to express the variety of cultures that make up the world of Caelira. Who knew there could be such intricacy in storms.

Slow Burn
This is not what I would consider to be a fast-paced story. The main plot really doesn’t kick up until about 1/3 of the way through the book and even from there it’s not speedy. Though, that’s not a bad thing. The story doesn’t focus on action and reveals so much as on the character development of Aurora and the other characters.

Multi POV
Okay. I gotta be honest with this one… I don’t like the choice to have the third person narrative follow multiple characters. Some obviously got more than others, but those who got only little snippets were… unnecessary, in my opinion. Yes, they offer insight. Yes, they help the development of the story. However, because the story is so character-focused, I would have much preferred to not have these extra sections. They just… distracted from Aurora and her journey.

Oo. That Ending
No spoilers, but I will say that I really like the way the book comes together at the end. I love the reveals and the way they start to trickle out in the last few chapters. They’re entertaining and realistic. They offer an enticement into the sequel (which I have no doubt there will be a sequel to this book!)

I've been meaning to try something by Cora Carmack for years because so many people rave about her New Adult books, but I just never quite got around to it. When I heard that she had a YA Fantasy coming out, I was immediately in. And I am SO glad I jumped onboard because this book was incredibly unique---lots of fantasy uses storm magic, but Carmack managed to come up with something fresh and new with this book. The storms are semi-sentient. And they are vicious. The only thing that keeps humanity alive is the existence of the Stormlings, who have magic themselves and are able fight back, sometimes dispersing the storms and sometimes capturing a stormheart and absorbing some of the storm's magic.

I adored Aurora (AKA Rora, AKA Roar), a princess who is desperate to hold onto her kingdom even though she has no magic herself. She has a fantastic combination of strength and vulnerability that makes her relatable. Her quest for magic is perilous, but she knows that her kingdom can't survive without it---and while she's willing to sacrifice her happiness for her people if she has to, if there's any other solution besides marrying Cas, she's desperate to find it. And then there's Locke, who's spent his whole life avoiding getting close to anyone because of a tragedy in his past. How could I not root for him and Roar to find comfort in each other? (By the way, I worried for a moment toward the beginning of the book that there would be a love triangle with Locke and Cas, but that isn't the case.)

There are some major twists along the way during this first book that made me incredibly excited to find out what's going to happen next. With its unique worldbuilding, action-packed plotting and complex characters, this series absolutely has me hooked!! I give this book 5/5 Stars!

***Disclosure: I received this book from the publisher via Inkslinger Blog Tours and NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. No other compensation was given and all opinions are my own.***

There are so many wonderful things I can say about this book, and it’s not because I adore Cora Carmack and I support and love everything she writes but because this book is so freaking good! I’m not one to start a new fantasy book, I usually just read the ones that belong to a series that I’ve already invested time in the past, I love fantasy but it always feels so daunting you know? Like getting to know new characters, new settings and it always seems like there a lot to learn but with Roar I had no hesitations.

One of the things I love about Roar is that you learn about this new world throughout the book which for me is the best way, there nothing more unappealing to me than reading 1 or more chapters with just the “you need to know all of this before you start reading” story. In Roar we learn about this new world through Roar’s life, we learn some things about the past and some about the present, leaving us always with a need to know more and more.

Now, here Cora introduces a really cool concept, one that I think is super original and one that got me thinking maybe I could be a Stormling too! So, we have people who can control/fight storms, all kinds of storms and to fight each one you need a special set of skills and equipment so we get introduced to a bunch of people that make it their life to fight these storms and contain their power.

The book if full of adventures and mysteries, there is so much I want to say but won’t because I think you should enter into this world with no spoilers so you can let yourself go by the amazing writing.

If you like a bit of romance with your fantasy, don’t worry in Roar we have plenty of that, some of the scene will give you butterflies in your stomach! Swoon swoon swoon!

So, to sum up, READ ROAR! You will not regret it, is an amazing first book in a series, one that is guaranteed to bring you back for the rest of the books, you also have, adventures, mystery, romance and cool magic!

Where do I begin?! I, obviously, LOVED Roar by Cora Carmack -- my last 5 star read was A Court of Mist and Fury when I read it in the Spring! This was one of the books of the month in July for my online book club, Buxom Book Beauties, and I am so glad it was, otherwise I am afraid this might have been added to my never-ending TBR list, not to actually be read anytime soon.

I was excited to dive into Roar after seeing it being promoted, pre-release, on social media. Based on the description, I felt like this read would be right up my alley, and boy, was I right!

I am going to be perfectly honest with you...prior to reading this book, I checked out some reviews, and not all of them were positive. Everyone is entitled to their opinion, and I am respectful of others' (as I hope others will be of mine), but I interpreted the book much differently than those people. I am glad I didn't let those reviews deter me from reading Roar.

Let me take a second to praise the stunning cover. I mean, JUST LOOK AT IT! The colors, the texture, the art itself -- this cover is beautiful and an absolutely perfect fit for the story contained within. Well done, Tor Teen!

I also want to shout out Cora Carmack for her writing style! I know she has been around the block, but this is the first book I have read by her. This also happens to be Carmack's YA debut. THAT shocked me because her writing was so fluid and captivating, and I never got the YA-rookie vibe. *Cue celebratory music: "All I do is win, win, win no matter what!"*

Onto the meat and potatoes...

Aurora, princess and sole heir of Paven from a long line of Stormlings, is not the person that every one believes her to be. She is keeping a secret that could greatly impact the future and safety of her kingdom. Because of her secret, her mother, the Queen, keeps Aurora sheltered (to the max!). Aurora tries to make up for her shortcomings by throwing herself into her studies and physical training. She devoted herself to every other aspect of being a princess, but that was not quite good enough. To protect the kingdom, the Queen arranged a marriage between Aurora and a strong, powerful Stormling; a prince from another kingdom. Enter Cassius.

If you were terribly sheltered, how do you think that would affect you? I believe this made Aurora extremely naive and her naivety influenced her thoughts and actions.

So, Cassius is an interesting character. I believe he was someone caught between a rock and a hard place. He wanted to please his royal family and do what's best for them, as he was told, but I also believe he has some morals, which may have caused a bit of an internal struggle. Now, I am not saying his moral compass always points due North, but I have this hunch that he does have some good in him. And, okay, he seems kind-of dreamy when he isn't being an ass, so I have my fingers crossed for some more of him in the series!

Now, the other male lead is Locke. I loved his story. I loved the mystery surrounding him. I loved the push and pull between he and Aurora. I LOVED HIM! The slow burn, though, nearly killed me! Why you gotta do that to me, Cora!?!

To understand my opinion of Aurora, you have to know that I OFTEN find myself disliking female protagonists. I don't know why, but I just get annoyed with them. Celaena/Aelin from Throne of Glass and Blue from The Raven Cycle have been exceptions -- they're my girls! Maybe I just like the sassy ones?! Again, I don't know why I generally feel that way, but 9 times out of 10, that's the case. Aurora (...Rora...Roar) is one of the rare ones that I adored!

As I mentioned before, I strongly believe that being sheltered caused her to be horribly guileless and unworldly, but she comes into her own. Her character development is on point! I thoroughly enjoy seeing character growth based on a healthy mixture of positive and negative "life" experiences. She is strong, determined, very intelligent, and, yea, brazen!

I will not discuss the events that take place in Roar, because spoilers, but I will say that the story progresses at an even pace, leaving us with THAT ENDING! I thought the plot was original and well-driven. I absolutely cannot wait till the next book releases.

Overall, I know others found some faults, but I truly enjoyed Roar from cover to cover. I would definitely recommend this book, especially to YA fantasy fans. Now I need to get my hands on some more books by Carmack to fill the void until Stormheart #2 releases.

This book was SPECTACULAR!!! Roar is a book that needs to be experienced and not just read. The amount of emotion and excitement and suspense that was put into this book just had me on the edge of my seat and left me wanting more.

Aurora is a very unique character. From the moment I met her character, I was trying to figure her out. Throughout this book you can see Aurora's character growing in not just strength, but in wisdom and as a woman. She keeps her emotions reined in more because of what happened with Cassius and I don't blame her, but I don't know how she did that being around Locke day in and day out; that man was just too mysterious and broody and cute.

Cassius (to me) is a major influence and character in this book. He is out for himself and not a very nice person, but reading some parts in his POV, I think he cares about Aurora on some level, but he craves the power more.

Locke & his band of misfits (that is what I call them) were awesome. I loved the different personalities that everyone had, but they all meshed with each other and made a unique family. Everyone intrigued me and I want to know everyone's stories, and the glimpses that we got of Locke's past, I know it won't be a happy story.

The relationship between Aurora & Locke is like a game of tug-o-war. They are both trying to keep their distance and emotions need to go away, but there is a pull there and they can fight as hard as they want against it, but it just gets stronger everyday. I love these two characters together and I love how Locke is so protective and caring towards Aurora, now Aurora just needs to woman up about some things...

Overall, this is one of the best YA Fantasy book that I have read is a long while. I am so excited about the next book!!

From the start, I loved the characters and their interactions. Princess Aurora had my attention right away. She has spent the majority of her life hiding away from everyone, keeping a dangerous secret, no friends, only her books for company. Aurora longs for a life of adventure, but instead, she’s thrust into an arranged marriage with a neighboring prince. Cassius is charming, flirtatious, and a little bit dangerous. But as Aurora learns more about Cassius, she is more and more determined to not marry him. She instead joins a group of storm hunters, seeking her own path. It’s this motley group of hunters that I really fell in love with. Duke is the father-figure Aurora has always needed. He’s there to guide and listen. Jinx is the best friend and sister Aurora needs, teaching Aurora about magic in a way that could never be imagined. Ransom is the quiet, older brother, always there to protect. And then there is Locke. Fiercely independent, he takes Aurora on as a student, offering to teach her about storms and hunting them. He helps Aurora find her true self, all while flirting and falling for her. Locke is enough to make any woman swoon, especially a princess. Or this reader.

The various mysteries of Roar held me rapt throughout. Who is the Stormlord? And, more importantly, what is he up to? What happened in the Kingdom of Locke that Prince Cassius is hiding? Will we ever learn what Aurora’s stormling powers are? The pace and plot points kept me focus and interested throughout the book.

I struggled with the world-building in Roar. More than anything, it was an effort for me to understand how storms have feelings and hearts. Over and over, the characters are controlling the storms with magic and stormhearts. I can easily accept the magic of witches like Jinx, but the physical heart of storms baffles me.

Roar is a great first book, with characters I can’t wait to follow as the series progresses.

5 Stars for the characters. 3 Stars for the magic of storms. 4 Stars overall for Roar.

I received Roar free in exchange for my honest review. Thanks to author Cora Carmack, Tor Teen, and Ink Slinger PR for providing this opportunity.

Cora Carmack thrills in this new Young Adult Fantasy novel. It's no secret that Carmack is an amazing storyteller; from her swoony boys, to the headstrong yet relatable heroines. I know that after reading a book by her, that I'll be transported to into another world. And that's always welcome in my book.

If you couldn't tell before, I loved this. I liked the world building, the characters were all on point, and I look forward to being able to continue in a new series. Unfortunately, I didn't much care for the romance. Gasp! I know right, but I felt like Aurora was able to hold her own without any type of boy in the storyline. Yes, romance is nice to have but Roar is much more than that! It's all about a heroine we can relate to. Rora is strong, beautiful, vulnerable, and I liked her spunk. I think she's one of my favorite characters Carmack has ever written.

As I was saying earlier about the world building. I thought it was very well thought out and interesting. I loved the whole concept of storm magic. And once secrets start coming out, well it's only the beginning a wonderful ride. Now as I also mentioned before about the guys. While I didn't much care for them on a romantic level, I did very much like them as characters. The two boys in question are Prince Cassius and Locke. I liked them both for different reasons and even though one can be considered bad; I loved him all the more for it.

Overall, I think this is the start to something wonderful. Fans of fantasy, strong female leads, and romance will devour this book like there is no tomorrow. And then begging for the author to hurry up and write the next book! I'm not ashamed to admit that I'm going to be like that! This is a huge GO and no doubt on top of my list of what to read next.

pooled ink Reviews:
4.5 Stars

Honestly I wasn’t completely sold on the idea of storm-magic at first (as in when I read the book’s description) but I decided to go for it and oh my word, I am incredibly glad that I chose to do so because I was hardly two pages in before I fell completely captivated. Cassius definitely had a lot to do with that (lol), but I also liked Aurora right off the bat. And in fact, the whole idea of stormhearts and magic and storm hunters was surprisingly awesome, definitely unique, more detailed and intricate and thrilling than I had expected, and I ended up really loving the whole concept. ROAR pauses on the edge of a moment, teetering between the end of discovery and the beginning of destiny.

FYI: the romance is such a strong part of the story you have to be open to that fact before diving into this book. You definitely get a lot of action and adventure, but every page is also glossed with romantic tensions between Aurora and Locke. So if that’s going to annoy you because you just want warriors and destruction then maybe go for Nevernight instead. But if you like the seductive combination of romance and fantasy adventure (such as with A Court of Thorns and Roses) then this is definitely for you.

Crackling with an unceasing energy, burning with a heart-pounding romance, and fierce with a unique realm of magic and thrilling adventure, ROAR is a fantasy story that once begun is quickly devoured and leaving you restless for more. It is passionate, exhilarating, fantastical, and sure to mesmerize.

Read my FULL review on my Wordpress site: Pooled Ink

Roar is the first installment in Cora Carmack’s Stormheart series. What a ride it was!

The land is filled with all types and ferocity of storms and it’s up to Stormlings to protect their close community of people. Aurora has lived a sheltered life in Pavan preparing for the time when she takes her rightful place as queen. The problem? She holds no magic. And there might be more outside her world than she knows.

Roar is at its heart a coming-of-age story. Aurora is seeking a place to belong and it’s not until her future begins to be designated for her that she follows her own path. Aurora is very clever, and she’s tough, and she has this inner reservoir that’s untapped until her journey begins.

This story starts in a similar vein to other YA dystopians but quickly morphs into something else, something different. There are tears and heartbreak but laughter and friendship and truth as well. Once I started, I didn’t want to put it down. I couldn’t.

There’s always a new challenge plot-wise, but also a new challenge for Aurora personally. Then there’s the side cast with secrets of their own driving them—other motivations and hopes and dreams and fears—that round this story out. It’s a wicked awesome story line that keeps giving and giving. You can feel these storms on the horizon. You can anticipate the chaos produced on all fronts.

This YA stands out. It ends on a cliffhanger so be aware that you’re going to want to get your hands on the next asap. Any lover of YA will find something they can relate with, fear for, or cheer alongside and that leaves this read immensely satisfying.

5 stars!

Cora Carmack's 'Roar' was one of my most anticipated reads of 2017, ever since I finished a preview of it on NetGalley. However, this book turned out to be a roller-coaster ride for me.

SLIGHT SPOILERS.

Roar tells a story of a beautiful princess, who is about to inherit a throne from her mother in the kingdom of Pavan; a kingdom, like all others in the land of Caelira, riddled with extreme storms and natural phenomenon. There is just one tiny problem - Aurora (Rora or Roar) has no powers and cannot protect her kingdom from the storms. Her entire life has been spent hiding this shameful inability. But, her mother, Queen Aphra, comes up with a plan to marry Aurora to Cassius, the youngest son of the king of Locke, who is incredibly powerful.

Thus our story starts - a young, scared princess about to marry a powerful, handsome prince. I completely fell for Cassius within the first few pages. He is dangerous, and dark and mysterious and I had very high hopes for Aurora/Cassius relationship.

Alas, it was not to be - Aurora, after overhearing the plans of Cassius, decides to run away from home and join a group of storm hunters where she finds out that her entire life was a lie. Aurora learns that Stromlings (people who battle storms and have an affinity for them) are not the only people who can defeats them. She learns that with training and dedication she can hunt and control storms herself - so she sets out to train so that she may protect her kingdom without the need for Cassius.

SO far so good! A young woman, takes her life into her own hands and tries to change her circumstances.

That is before she meets Locke. Locke is a strong, fierce and gorgeous storm hunter who trains Roar. And of course, as the story goes, they hate each other at first but begin to fall for each other. I did not like Locke, he is controlling and possessive and just a typical alpha male. He constantly tells Roar that she cannot go into danger because she will hurt herself and goes around thinking statements like "If she was mine I would lock her in a house." I'm sorry, women are NOT possessions! I understand you want to protect her - then teach her to handle things, not try to coddle and diminish her! His treatment of Roar and Jinx (another female character) is so sexist that most of the time I wanted to slap Locke. This, however, should not come as a sock to me. Looking at Carmack's previous books - I can see that she loves to write the alpha male type. However, telling YA readers that it's okay for a male to diminish and control you is NOT okay. I honestly hope she gets rid of Locke or changes him completely in the next book. Locke is like Tamlin from Sarah J. Maas' A Court of Thorns and Roses - a controlling bastard.

Another aspect if the book that I found confusing was: there is a kingdom of Locke, a city of Locke, a prince of Locke, soldiers of Locke and then Locke himself. Are all the other names in fantasy takes? Sometimes I had to reread the sentence because I had no clue which Locke I was reading about.

Meanwhile - we find out that there is a Stormlord - a man who can call and manipulate the storms, going around and attacking kingdoms. I must say - the magic system and the storms were SUPERBLY done. Carmack clearly thought out the world that she created (even if she completely messed up the map - if it is a days ride from Pavan to Death's Spine - then the whole continent is only 3 days ride wide lol). I honestly loved the complexity, the different cultures, climates and abilities. Only because of the Stormlord and Roar and the magic - would I love to read the next installment in the series, I could forego Locke completely. And can we have Cassius back? He is a complex character that I loved to read about.

originally posted on bookwormsnook.wordpress.com

Hey book-dragons, so I did it I read another book and let's just say I love it very much. So let's dive right into the review.

Roar came out a few months ago, but just from reading what it was about, I know that I would love this book. And after time and time again of not ordering/buying this book i caved and got it. And boy was I glad.

I was instantly hooked with this story. Roar is an amazing character who is well kinda sad at first. She is forced to marry a man because she lacks the power to defend her home. But after finding the black market if you will she comes up with a different plan. You can steal magic form a storm. That is exactly what Roar needs to be able to protect her home form the rage season that is fast approaching.

I loved this book. I can't wait for the next one to come out and I just hope that they will send me an ARC when I ask for it cause I need it like yesterday. But if you like the sound of this book or are even interested I say give it a chance. I was so happy with it and I know I will be picking up the second one.

Till next time at the nook.

e.