I received an e-ARC from the publisher in exchange for an honest review. Review and Blog Tour can be found on *Milky Way of Books*

I have known Cora Carmack by her NA series. So imagine my surprise when I found out that she was going to publish a fantasy series!

Roar takes place in a brutal world, ruled by storms which seem to be alive and wreck havoc everywhere they move. The come in kinds too!

Aurora is the daughter of the most powerful royal family but she has no magic power to control storms. Oh and her mother has arranged for her to marry into another powerful family. Her husband to be may be a little mad too.

The plot and the world-building are very well written. I loved all the characters mentioned, especially Locke. He is a hell of a storm hunter! As also the band which Aurora joins, disguised. The dynamics, the world even the emotions of the characters, all were freshly written and full of many feels! Though both Locke(s), the husband and the storm hunter, who I hope to have no relation later in the books, seemed to have a streak of alpha male in them, it was Locke the storm hunter who didn't go, stifling Aurora and her need to learn more about the storms.

The ending and the reveal of the main villain were kind of a cliffhanger and it left me wanting more! I am officially very hooked in this series!

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

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

Roar by Cora Carmack is amazing. I’ve been a fan of Carmack’s for awhile and she writes some of my favorite new adult books. Roar is Carmack’s first young adult novel and she definitely launched with a bang!

Aurora is the princess of Caelira. She only wishes she was capable of the power her mom has. Instead of protecting her Kingdom, Aurora has to hide during the storm attacks so no one will know that she does not have the power that a princess of Caelira should have. Now Aurora’s mother is trying to marry her off to Cassius, a prince from another land. Cassius has his own devious plans. When Aurora begins to catch on and she follows him to a place no prince or princess should go…her life changes. That is where Roar’s adventure begins.

Carmack’s plot is grand. She writes it oh so well. The reader doesn’t get the whole plot at once which is something that I really like. We get a slow reveal as the story continues on so the reader gets to feel some suspense and anticipation. This story and the characters grip your attention and draws you into this beautiful world. Oh Course, Carmack leaves you wanting more!

One thing I absolutely love about this story is the uniqueness. Storms have personalities and hearts. People fight these storms because they are deadly. I really liked the Elemental power and the magic that is in this story.

The storm hunters are amazing. I love this ban of misfits. They care about each other even when it is hard to show it. It truly is something to have a group of people that have your back. Even if they are tough on each other, they still take the time to teach.

The writing is amazing. The characters are written extremely well. I feel like you can’t ask for a better book. So far there are no love triangles but there is at least two swoon worthy men. Aurora/Roar is one of the best female characters ever. I am really looking forward to book two.

You Don’t Want to Miss Roar by Cora Carmack!!!

***Warning: This review contains some spoilers. ***

Wow, ROAR is the high fantasy young adult book that I did not know I had been yearning for. Everything from the elaborately described world and clothing all the way to the unique Stormling magic had me hooked. And OHMYGOD, do not get me started on the well-developed and fantastically written characters. With every page scorched with complex characters and enthralling scenes, I highly recommend that you pick up ROAR and prepare yourself for an action-packed journey that follows a heroine worthy of all the praise.

In regards to Roar, our main character, she is not set up as the literary snowflake: a character that is special and is destined to save the world. Honestly, she is a princess that knows she is supposed to hold an innate, ancestral power. She knows that she is supposed to have the gift of a Stormling, allowing her the ability to protect her kingdom from the wreck of storms, but for some reason her powers have remained dormant. Roar is often depicted as innocent and inexperienced, but she is also feisty and headstrong. I really liked that she initiates and holds strong to the idea that she must work hard and go beyond the palace walls to understand her powers (or lack of). Instead of waiting for her powers to come to her, she goes out to find them. YES *air fist pump*!!!

In reference to the romance aspect of ROAR, I was deeply in swoons and sighs. I really enjoyed the chemistry between Roar and Locke, a character who has the gift of Stormling magic but was not born with it. Locke gives Roar hope that she can awaken her innate power, but more importantly I like that he challenges her mentally, physically, emotionally, and magically. One of my favorite parts of watching their friendship grow is that they are both stubborn characters, so of course, I fell in love with their banter and arguments. And as this fantastical story unfolds, their friendship also starts to twist into something new.

At the beginning of ROAR, I thought there was a love triangle brewing, but thankfully that theory is washed away. But I still wasn’t 100% on board for a feisty friendship to twist into a romantic relationship. Do not get me wrong, I love stories that encompass romance and hot, swoony scenes, but once these two characters, Roar and Locke, become something more than friends, their chemistry became irritatingly fluffy. Locke’s ability to challenge Roar slowly fades and I honestly was not a fan that once the kissing scenes start, he begins to coddle and become overly protective of Roar. UGH, no! Yes, she is often portrayed as vulnerable, but come on Locke, Roar is not defenseless; she is bold and fierce–there is lightning in her heart and she is ready to strike.

Not only are the main characters well-developed, but the side characters are also unforgettable. Roar is surrounded by all walks of life. And on her journey of discovery, she is given the chance to befriend a group of unique and crazy bandits: a witch, a trickster, and a stealthy spy, to name a few.. These individuals challenge Roar and give her an outlet to explore the world outside the palace walls with a new lens.

Another raving part that I liked about ROAR is the ending. Usually fantasy books end in a gut-wrenching cliffhanger; instead, ROAR ends with hope and a swift glance at an upcoming battle. AHHH!!! So if you are ready for one of the most well-thought out series littered with secrets waiting to be uncovered, a book with the strongest storms to battle along with many twists and turns, I highly recommend ROAR as your next read. Prepare yourself for an addicting read of perilous magic, steamy kissing scenes, and a group of outlaws worth cheering for.

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!

I don't read a ton of fantasy books, but when I saw the cover for Cora Carmack's Roar I knew I had to read it. I didn't even read the blurb, I just added to my TBR. Once I started reading this story though, I was instantly drawn in and didn't want to put it down. This was a great first book in the Stormheart series, and I am looking forward to reading more.

Aurora comes from an old Stormling family, and as the sole heir of Pavon has been groomed to rule. But she doesn't have any storm magic, so her mother decides that an arranged marriage is the perfect solution. Prince Cassius is chosen as he has the ability to help her protect her people with the magic she lacks, but Aurora doesn't want to marry him the more she learns about him. So when she stumbles upon a black market selling storm magic and she meets a handsome storm hunter that was born without magic and now has it, she realizes that she just might have another option.

Roar is on the YA side, and at times the characters definitely act like it. While I did like them, I felt like a lot of what they did was stereotypical childish behavior and at times that annoyed me a bit. I still liked the characters and was interested in seeing how things would play out though and luckily it didn't deter me from continuing on. I really liked the interactions between Rora and Locke, and it was what had me really enjoying this book. Their banter was great, and I didn't want to stop reading once I had started. While things were definitely on the insta-love side, I felt like they had a great connection. I will say though that Cassius also felt like he could definitely be an option for Rora, with the tension between them leading up to a possible triangle in the next book. I'm not entirely sure where I stand yet on that side of things, but the one thing I am sure of is that I can't wait to find out what happens next.

As this is the first book in a fantasy series, there is a bit of world building that sometimes can drag the story down a bit. But I found this world fascinating and it wasn't too much to get through. Cora Carmack has created a unique and captivating world, full of interesting characters and I am absolutely looking forward to more. If you are a fan of fantasy novels, you will definitely want to give this one a shot. Even if you aren't a big fantasy fan though, I think that a lot of readers will really enjoy this story and it is one I would recommend.

**ARC Provided by Inkslinger PR**

I devoured Cora Carmack’s new YA book. I thought it was quite original and you get sucked right in from the beginning. I was used to reading her contemporary book and I wasn’t sure whether or not I was going to enjoy this book as much as I did with her other books, but I don’t even know why I worried, because Cora can write just about anything.

She brings you into this world where most people seem to believe that this world is separated by people with magic and those who don't have it. As the heir of Pavan, it comes to her to protect the Kingdom, but she doesn’t have the magic to do so. When an arranged marriage by her mother is about to bound Rora to a man she can’t seem to trust, she finds elsewhere a way to keep her from marrying the Stormling Prince.

Upon her meeting with Locke, a storm hunter, everything she believed she knew was shattered and she had to realize that a lot of this world is yet unknown to her or was. Realizing that she could find a way to access the magic she seems to be denied embarks her into a journey along with Locke and the rest of the hunters under a false identity, Roar. What starts as a simple purpose for Rora turns into more as she discovers more about herself.

Rora’s character is smart and brave. Upon learning that she didn’t have the magic inside of her to repel the storms, she buried herself in books to learn as much as she could from them, from the world, etc. She learned to fight so she would never be helpless. She is can be weak and strong at the same time and I think that we can all relate to her at some point as she is on the road to discover her limits and try to reach beyond them.

Romance you ask? Well... Rora and Locke argue a lot during the book (okay the whole book), but there is something that always pull them together. They complement each other perfectly even if they don’t always see eye to eye.

All the characters bring as new dimension to the story and I enjoyed them all, from the good to the evil ones; not one seemed to be out of place. I really hope the next book will explore more in depth some of these characters.

Even if the book centers on Rora, a lot more is going on and you will stay hooked until the end. The book leaves us hanging with a need to get our hands on the next book. I’m willing to bribe her with anything to get my hands on the second book, just saying ;)

Roar by Cora Carmack is a very vibrant book with characters that are interesting and engaging and Aurora (Roar) is first among them.

Aurora is the heir to her kingdom and she should be destined to protect her people from fearsome storms. Only problem is, she has no magic. When the prince her mother arranged for her to marry, Cassius, turns out to have ulterior motives, she sets out to find another solution for her problem. She is ready to fight for her future and for her kingdom.

Locke is a storm hunter, with a hidden and tragic past, who is leery of the inexperienced Roar, but there was an instant attraction he cannot deny. As we progress through the book more and more is revealed, and what you think at first rapidly changes and then changes again.

Ms. Carmack has created an engaging novel that was hard to put down at times. One thing I came away with while reading Roar was that it was fun! The world it takes place in is well-developed and the magic is a bit different, but Roar exploring further into the world she thought she knew just grabs you and doesn't let go.

Overall, Roar by Cora Carmack is a great novel. So if you are looking for a romantic fantasy with a new world to explore, Roar is one book you don't want to miss. I very much recommend.

(I voluntarily reviewed an ARC of this book I received for free from the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for my open and honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.)

I'm having a hard time rating this one, wavering between 3 and 3 1/2 stars. The world created here is interesting, but even after almost 400 pages of it there's a whole lot I still don't "get" about the storms, the stormhearts, the various people who fight/tame/control/call/are destroyed by them. Toward the end some things became more clear, but others? Still not. I'll freely admit, though, that this could at least partially be me.

We see events from 5 different POVs, which felt like a bit much--especially when so many of the POV switches were so sudden. I found myself having to back up and re-read a sentence or two nearly every time, because it wasn't immediately obvious that we were seeing a new person's perspective, and that made the reading experience feel a bit choppy. Again, this could be me, but it made reading the book feel like more work than it had to be.

Aurora/Rora/Roar's not one, but two instances of insta-love (no, it's not really a love triangle as I'd originally feared, but might be later? Hard to say for sure) felt a bit silly, and so did her feeling of insta-betrayal from one of them (justified? Maybe. Probably. But honestly, the jury's still out on that one, as far as I'm concerned--I have a feeling there's more good in him than not...though yes, I could be totally wrong here. Actually, I'm not a huge fan of either of the love interests at this point, so...) I did like how she tried to take things into her own hands, but from the beginning I couldn't help but feel that there had to be a better way to do it. Given what we learn toward the end, that feeling appears to be justified, so...

Gah. I just don't know. Honestly right now the two things that are most likely to have me picking up the next book in the series are wanting to see what will happen with Nova (Rora's childhood friend whose POV we didn't see nearly enough of) and the fact that things got really interesting at the very end. It's not a cliffhanger, per se, but it does leave you at a point where you want to find out more. So...we'll see. A definite...probably.

Maybe?

Rating: 3 stars / C+

I voluntarily reviewed an Advance Reader Copy of this book.

Happy book birthday! When I was selected to participate on the street team for Roar, I was so excited and ecstatic! This book was already one of my most anticipated of the year, but then I had the opportunity to share it in even cooler ways with even more people 🙂 Which is why my social media has been littered with references and reminders lately.
This book was everything I wanted and more ❤ I love weather-related magic, and the storm magic in Roar fulfilled this need perfectly. Cora beautifully describes a vast variety of storms, how they form, and how they affect the landscape and people living there. It was amazing how the magic blended with the world and the characters. I want to tell you all the things, but I’m worried I’ll spill all the fun and spread too many spoilers, so I’m going to share a few of my favorite quotes. (Warning: these come from the arc and may have changed in the final version, but I love them all the same!)
She felt as if she had stepped into the pages of one of her books.
People are not recipes to be carefully measured and mixed together. Life is imprecise and messy.
There were a couple of small things that felt off within the narrative. They aren’t terrible in any way, just something I noticed that felt like sharing. If you are unfamiliar with Cora Carmack, you should know that she has written mostly romance stories until Roar. You can definitely tell that she’s more adept at romantic writing instead of fantasy by the emphasis of details throughout the book.
There are multiple POV used, and sometimes it was hard to keep track of which characters knew the other characters’ motivations and who hadn’t put together all the clues yet. Otherwise, the pacing was pretty good and the characters and magic system were so much fun to read! I hope you check out all the fun stuff happening on social media this week, and don’t forget to enter the giveaways!!
7stormydays
SUMMARY:

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.

I love Cora Carmack, however I could not get into this book for some reason. Perhaps, not the genre for me.

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.

This Book. GAH. I don't think there are enough words in the dictionary to explain all the ways I loved this book!

Roar is the first book in the Stormheart YA Fantasy series written in multiple POV's about a land ruled and shaped by violent magical storms and the power that lies with those who control them.

The main character is Aurora, a princess whose lived a sheltered life and hides a powerful secret to keep the crown of Pavan. I adored Aurora, she was an incredibly smart and sweet girl who was also crazy stubborn and brave. While Aurora came off strong yet sheltered near the start of the book it was incredible reading her development into an even stronger and much more confident character. She has a good heart and wants the best for her, her mother and her kingdom and she's willing to do anything to make her own future and to make her mother proud.

There are numerous secondary characters in Roar that play important parts in Aurora's story but I think its best when you go in blind and learn about the characters as they appear. Roar is written in multiple POV's and each POV is a complex character who plays an important part of the overall storyline.

Roar was Cora's first YA Fantasy novel and I was incredibly blown away with how phenomenal it was. You could tell that every single word was written with so much love and passion and came directly from Cora's heart.

The world building in Roar was phenomenal and had me captivated from the first page. While there was so much detail to take in, it was at no point overwhelming and was easy to keep track of the characters, there relation to Aurora and the information you were given about the world and each character. The development of the plot and the main characters was perfect and I'm so desperate for the next book in the Stormheart Series.

This was a passion project of Cora's and she absolutely pulled it off. I have always been a fan of Cora's writing, she's an amazingly talented writer but she took Roar to another level. This is THE book. The one that's going to put Cora's name on the map and have her on every best list around.

I couldn't recommend this book enough to everyone. Whether you are a fan of Cora's writing or a fan of YA Fantasy you will LOVE Roar! This book is captivating, phenomenal, full of secrets and so incredibly passionate. I'm so in love with this world and these characters and I'm so excited to see what Cora does next with this beautiful series. It was absolutely phenomenal! It deserves all the stars and is the best book I've read this year and probably last year too!

I absolutely loved this book. I could not put it down and did not want it to be over. From adventure to great characters to an amazing fantasy world to captivating romance, this book had it all.
The story moved along well from Aurora living a sheltered life as a princess with a big secret to keep to her journey to find herself and hopefully save her kingdom. The people she met along the way rounded out the story and added depth to the story.
The world created by the author was well-formed enough to follow along without spending too much time explaining arcane details. The reader was able to follow along very easily and not feel lost or confused.
The relationship between Roar and Locke was so romantic. It moved developed at a great pace and the reader really got to see their feelings grow and deepen. Locke and Roar were sweet and yet had a lot of chemistry, which definitely made them worth rooting for.
I loved the reveals at the end of the book, which explained several things about the story, but also left me ready for the next installment.
The only weaknesses I found in the book were the secondary characters of Nova and Sly. Nova was not very well-developed before we were supposed to be relating to her problems, so I had a hard time identifying with her. Sly was also not well-developed--all we really knew about her was that she did not like or trust Roar. I felt as thought I needed a little more from her.
Overall, this was an amazing book, and I could read it over and over. I would definitely recommend to anyone interested in YA, adventure, fantasy, or romance.

5 stars!

Roar, written by Cora Carmack, 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.”

*ARC generously provided by the author and Tor Teen via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review*

**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.

It is has been such a long time since I have YA, especially fantasy or paranormal. That being said, this definitely whet my appetite. I so want to read more. This story was unique and gripping and I could not stop reading.

I became so engrossed in this new world built by Cora, I lost track of time and reality. There are so many intricate details and characters to meet and you can't help wanting to know what is going to happen to them and how it is all going to play out.

I thought that the main character was very all over the place, but that makes sense, because I don't really think she knew herself. I also thought her journey was very intriguing and I am so excited to see where it goes and where Cora will take us next.

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.

I'm a fan of Cora Carmack's Rusk University series and so when I heard she was writing a YA fantasy I was definitely interested to see what she would do in that genre.

I'm not going to spoil it by going into the plot details, but I will say that Roar is an excellent start to this fantasy series. The first thing I look at when I'm reading fantasy/paranormal is the world building and Cora does a good job of weaving the world building into the story without knocking you over the head with it. That's a big plus.

Roar has a refreshing concept that deals with magical storms and their power. Since the power has value, there's a black market for it. There's quite a bit of action and I loved that, too.

Aurora is a strong willed female character and I liked her ... most of the time. The romantic elements while probably appropriate for the young adult reader, were a bit too insta-love for me and the "man as protector" type doesn't always appeal to me, but this didn't take too much away from the overall feel of this book, although it was a little cheesy in spots.

This is a great start to the series and I'm interested in seeing where things are going to go with the story and world.

An ARC was provided for review.

A fantastic magical journey

With her Debut YA fantasy, Cora Carmack takes us on a spectacular journey, where we follow a young princess trying to find her magic. As future queen with no magic that could be problematic. With the risk of someone finding out being to great, she sets off with hunters as she tries to find her magic in hopes of returning home with it.

From start to finished I was enthralled with this story. I'm talking heart pounding, gut-wrenching, could't put it down enthralled.

Roar's fight and fire had me rooting for her to find her magic from the get out. I truly felt something from every character, whether it be love, compassion, anger, distrust it was all there for me.

It was action packed and had it's soft tender moments as well. This book was everything I wanted and more! To say Cora Carmack knocked it out of the park with this debut YA fantasy is an understatement.

I can not wait to see what book two has in store for us.