When I first heard about Roar I literally did a happy dance. I have been a fan of Cora Cormack others book for quite sometime now so I was so excited to see what she would do next .When I got the chance to read this book early I was so happy and I cracked open this book as soon as I could. It was fantastic !

In this book we follow Aurora on her quest and omg was this was one thrilling adventurous ride . I love Aurora so much, I loved how determined she is to be the driver of her own fate. Watching her go on this journey had me feel so many emotions I was happy at parts , worried at others and surprise at some, there was not dull moment in this stories I was constantly kept on my toes . Right at the minute where I thought this book could not get any cooler , Its as if Cora Cormack whispered to me here is something else to blow you mind lol . I love the romance in this book and I wish I could say more about it but what I will say is there where some scenes that definitely had me fanning myself lol . I was so fascinated by the world this book is set it and I always wanted to know more , the world building was fantastic. I could go on and on about the manly things I love about this story ,Roar was a unique , magical , fierce , addicting story and I loved every single word .I was so happy to go on this adventure with Aurora and after the ending of this book I am so very eager to get my hands on the next book in this series. If you love all these things in your stories you should definitely get a copy of this book as soon as you can .

*Book Received in Exchange for Honest Opinion/Review*

This book was a stunning, artistic masterpiece as Cora Carmack debut, yes you read that right, DEBUTS her young adult novel, Roar. This book had me captivated by the very first page. I was enthralled, I couldn't put it down. From the vivid imagery to the minor details, Cora transported me to the wildlands and I never want to go back.

Aurora was exquisite, from her self doubt battling with self confidence and every insecurity in between she had me cheering her on and questioning her sanity at the same time. A certain someone had me swooning over and over again, for a moment I was certain Cora was going throw a love triangle at me but I should have known better to expect the unexpected. The characters are complex, charismatic, and multi-dimensional, which was a concern because there are a hell of a lot of characters. Fret not, they are easy to follow and easy to love...well most of them anyways.

The ending left me with a million questions and a desperate need for the next book...books? How many are in this series, 3? 4? Please don't go all Sarah J. Maas on me with a 10+ book series...my heart can't handle the wait. I am bewitched by this magical land and I, like Aurora, want to learn more. I want to know everything, who is the Stormlord, who is Cassius, who is Duke, what the hell is Aurora?! This is an absolute must read and if this is only Cora's debut into the young adult world, I truly can't wait to see what she writes next.

The book started a little slow and I was impatient for the tale to get moving, however these chapters were necessary to set the scene and build the world that Aurora lives in.

Once the story gets underway it moves with a good pace, the plot twists and turns and had me gripped until the last page. I thought the characters were all well written, the book focuses mainly on Aurora/Roar and Locke, and to some extent on Cassius also. I felt you got to know Roar and Locke really well, and both of whom were very likeable and well written characters.

Aurora is a princess and has been kept very sheltered from real life and an awful lot of truths about the land in which she lives, magic and storms. She has had to hide a HUGE secret, which has meant keeping her distance from just about everyone. On top of that her whole life seems to have been decided for her, with no-one being interested in what she wants. Locke lives a life that Aurora never knew existed, not until she found her safe, if very restricted, life possibly under threat.

And then there is Prince Cassius, is he a bit bad with a good heart or is he just out and out bad? This wasn’t answered in the first book, but I’m sure over the remaining instalments we will find out his true character. He is another keeper of a lot of secrets though. I’m also wondering what will happen when Locke discovers Roar’s secret, and how it will affect her place with the storm hunters. And who is the mysterious Stormlord?

I do like some romance in the books I read, so I personally didn’t find it annoying or too much. I liked the extra depth it gave both the characters and the story line.

The quality of writing in the book is very good, and whilst the main characters and the book genre is YA, as a reader in my later 40’s I still enjoyed this tale. I haven’t read anything by Cora Carmack before, but I will be making sure I complete this series.

Roar is the first book in the new YA fantasy Stormheart series.

The book is told in multiple 3rd person POVs.

The main character is Princess Aurora (also known as Rora and Roar). She is 18 years old. Most of the other narrators are around 20. So this leads me to my first dilemma. Is this book really YA? The author calls it upper YA. And while I will agree the content does read like upper YA to me... I also feel like 18 and 20 year old narrators isn't really YA.

I really enjoyed this world and found it very intriguing. It is all about storms. There are Stormlings, people who can challenge these storms (they are born with magic). And storm hunters, who are born without magic.

When the book begins we find out that Aurora is the heir to the kingdom of Pavan. She is supposed to marry Cassius Locke the prince of another kingdom. I found the beginning to be very interesting.

There were a bunch of different POVs, including Rora, Cassius, Nova (a maid) and Locke (a storm hunter). I did enjoy getting all of the different POVs. It was just a bit unusual to have various POVs in the same chapter.

Rora was an interesting character. I liked her and enjoyed seeing her learn and take a journey throughout the book.

I also really liked Rora's friend Nova. I wish that we had heard more from her and I hope that we will see her in the next book.

Did I like the romance? I wish that I could say that I loved it. It wasn't bad. But the book does feature multiple cases of insta-love. Hopefully the romance aspect will improve in the next book.

One thing that I found a bit confusing was the name Locke. It was a kingdom (where Cassius was Prince). Cassius's last name was Locke. Also many of the soldiers were referred to as Locke soldiers. And also the storm hunter was named Locke.

Roar does not end with a cliffhanger, which should make some people happy. But personally I really wanted a big reveal at the end followed by a jaw dropping moment. The end does make the reader curious for the next book. There were definitely some interesting discoveries towards the end. But I just wanted more.

Overall, the book definitely kept my interest. And I really did like the concept of storms and people chasing them. But I found the epilogue a bit confusing. I do want to see what will happen next. And I still have some unanswered questions that I will hopefully get the answers to in the upcoming books.

*In the advanced reader's copy the book changes POVs mid-chapter with no indication of there being a different narrator. This was a bit confusing. However, I went to Chapters (book store) to see the finished copy. In the finished copy there are huge spaces when the POV changes, which will make it much easier for readers.

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.

This was the perfect YA debut for one of my all time favorite romance authors. It left me begging for more and I cannot wait to see where they rest of this story goes. You can see my full review on the blog.

For a more in-depth review watch: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CF8xf...

I received an eARC of this book through Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.

Aurora is the Princess of Pavan and as such she is from a long line of Stormlings. Aurora's family has been able to hold onto their throne because of their ability to defeat storms that attack their kingdom. However, Aurora does not have this power. Aurora's mother, desperate to hide her daughter's deficiencies, has arranged a marriage with another Stormling family. As Aurora learns more about her fiance she begins to dread her marriage and desperate to find another way to protect her people discovers a group of hunters who have skills which allow them defeat the storms. Can Aurora learn the hunters secrets to save her kingdom and herself?

I had big expectations for this book because I am a fan of Carmack's other books but "Roar" just didn't work for me. I found the whole story to be very confusing. I never really understood what exactly the storms were and how they were sentient. The narrative bounced around and I was never quite sure who's point of view I was reading. Plus, the story is inundated with so many characters I found it difficult to keep everyone straight. The story is original and I haven't seen anything similar before but the characters and world building never lived up to the unique concept.

This book was amazing! The world that Cora Carmack has created is the most unique and fascinating one I've read this year.  I just loved the whole storm magic idea, both how they come into being and how the stormlings and storm hunters destroy them. I can't say much more than that without giving away some important plot points, but the world building was what kept me turning the pages late into the night. The writing was also well done.  Even though they have their own words for the storms in this world, you could understand exactly what they were about.  

The characters are also quite amazing.  Aurora, also known as Roar, was a little bit weak and annoying at first. She was a very sheltered princess because of her mother wanting to protect her and protect her secret.  But when she breaks loose from her life she truly comes into her own.  She is not afraid of taking risks when they are needed, and she knows how to take care of herself.  Her attraction to Locke, the storm hunter she runs away with, is also well done.  She is attracted to him but she doesn't let that interfere with her training or her thirst to really learn about her kingdom. Their romance does get pretty hot and steamy towards the end though.

Locke is also a strong character. He is charming and attractive and very protective of Roar, which gets him into trouble sometimes.  I really like how even though he isn't the head of the band of storm hunters, he is their leader when they are fighting the storms.  He is sensitive to everyone's moods and feelings and really works hard to keep the group together. 

The band of hunters is an interesting mix of misfits.  I especially liked Jinx, the Earth witch.  She has some fascinating powers including growing plants when they need to eat.  How cool is that?  I also liked, Duke, who is the oldest and the one that brought the band together and taught them how to hunt.  The rest of the group was were also fiercely loyal to each other and extremely brave when they were fighting the storms.

Prince Cassius was an interesting character.  He at times was devious and conniving, but I also think that he was trying to make things better.  His father and brother are the true villains in this part of the story.  I think there is more to Cassius than we know at this point. 

Although the romance plot line is pretty typical of this genre and the princess running away from a bad marriage is getting a little cliched at this point, the world that Cora Carmack has created overrides all of that.  This is a great read from beginning to end and I can't wait to see what happens next.

"Challenge a tempest, survive it, and you become its master." - The Tale of Lord Finneus Wolfram
Cora Carmack's Roar is churning with intriguing danger and crackling electricity like the storms it seeks to conquer in its pages. The idea of a world so wrought with storms that they must be challenged to be defeated, and that there are humans capable of wielding their power has a great promise for action and magic. And that's exactly what you get as this journey begins.

Aurora comes from a long line of Stormlings, who reign over lands as royalty and offer protection to its citizens. Rora, however, has no magic of her own and must marry a Stormling Prince from another land in order to preserve her family name. And if her secret, her familial shame of being born without magic is discovered before the marriage, all could be lost. A chance meeting changes Rora's story, the very possibility for being the princess that her mother and people have always needed her to be. Can she challenge a storm to gain her own power?

" And what you said earlier, about feeling like you were in the wrong life? I've felt that too. Felt it right up until the moment I decided to stop trying to run from storms and hunt them instead. I know what it looks like when someone finds the life they were meant to have."
This world immediately had me tangled into it's effortless dialogue, beautiful world-building and strained relationships. The storms themselves are mesmerizing in their description, being nearly sentient in their ability to seek out and destroy. Having lived to long in an area that has unpredictable, and at times extreme, weather... I could feel and appreciate the temperament of the different storms meandering through the pages. And all the while, I still felt a greater connection of the tempests with the plot itself. Each incident leads you to dwell on the delicious suspicions that surround their magic and Aurora's magic-less body. The aptly named Rage season exposes the readers to a gambit of emotions, from anger to despair, playfulness to wanting--it is a non-stop thrilling ride through the cities and wildlands of Caelira as Aurora seeks answers and confidence.

"Sometimes she was Aurora. Confident. Clever. Cultured. Sometimes she was Rora. Afraid. Alone. Ashamed. And more and more, she was Roar--bold, brash, and increasingly baffled by the situation in which she found herself."
I particularly enjoyed the multiple POV in this book as more and more interesting characters were introduced, including a stunning villain who wields terrible power and yet we have to wonder what their true motivation is... is their ill-will justified in some odd way? And can anyone stop the oncoming destruction? I feel like everyone has a back story in this world, and it is welcome. The more Roar, the better. 

I cannot wait to see how the rest of Carmack's series unfolds! This first book in the left me wanting more and more. Her practiced hand at building romantic tension shined in the later chapters, reminiscent of some other recent popular YA/NA crossovers (but without heading into NA territory). Highly recommended read for those who love fantasy, adventure and romance. Eagerly waiting for the next chapter.

Well! I'm pleased to report I really enjoyed this book. Not that I thought I wouldn't, but it was different to what I thought. Some of it good, some of it not quite so good.

This was an uncorrected proof copy in digital format so there were no divides within the chapters and that made things a tiny bit confusing, there's a few switches of POV but I kept missing the beginnings and having to go back again once I realised. Other than that they worked well, Though I found I wasn't that interested in what was going on in Pavan, not really. Of course, I am NOW, but unfortunately the book ended and I don't get to find anything else out until book 2...

This book has a sort of love triangle. Sort of, but not quite. I was really torn to start with too! Usually guy number 1 is just an obstacle and I never like him even when I'm meant to but I really felt for Cassius! I'm sure there's more to him than we see and I really felt that he wasn't as bad as he seemed and that given the chance we'd see a better side to him. I'm still holding out for that, he could be useful...

The other side of his triangle is Locke, which was so very odd. Prince Cassius is Cassius Locke because that is the name of his country. Locke is named so because that is where he was born so it was almost like they should be brothers and I found that a little distracting, to be honest. But I got over it quickly.
Locke (the person, not the prince or country) was an interesting character. I think I was expecting a lot from him as he's the love interest and I'm not sure he's done it quite yet. I'm hoping he'll pass the test, but with it coming at the start of book 2 it's likely he'll be a child about it....
I felt their relationship was a little cliche, they were attracted to each other so they argued etc etc. But I did like how Roar dealt with him after the firestorm! Too often that kind of situation is used to passify, instead she responds with "You still did not ask." and it was just fantastic.
Princess Aurora, Rora, Roar. It's true. she had a reason to have all the skills she did, the fighting was a little odd however as there were no women in the military - at least that we saw - but it still felt like she had a little too many. I'm not sure if I picked up on that because so many people complain about this now, or if it's because I felt it was actually a little too easy for her. She also went from really trusting to closed off quickly too, but then I guess there was a reason for that too. Other than that I quite liked her. It was subtle but I think she actually changed quite a bit and I'm looking forward to seeing where this new development takes her next. I kind of hope this is only going to be a duology, but book 2 done well could support a book 3, maybe.

There were a few odd things that went on that didn't quite make sense, things that happened that should have been noticed and weren't, favourite things missing etc that MAYBE were able to be explained away but maybe not. Also Nova's change in attitude seemed quite sudden too but her situation is a little dire so I can forgive her hat I guess.

This sudden new look at the world is really quite fascinating and I can't wait to find out more in book 2! I wonder how well it will go down and how well the people involved will hold their own and I hope book 2 comes out really soon because I need answers!!

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.

Quick word: A book to read absolutely.

This book is fantastic! Just plain fantastic.

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!

Caelira is a land besieged by powerful storms and people's only hope of survival is to band together in towns protected by Stormlings, powerful magic wielders who are able to keep those storms at bay. As the princess of Pavan and heir to the throne it is Aurora's job to keep her hometown safe but even though she's from one of the most powerful Stormling families she has never been able to use magic against even the weakest storm. The queen has managed to keep Aurora's lack of magic a secret but in order to protect the future of their city she has arranged a marriage for her daughter to a powerful Stormling prince from a neighbouring kingdom. At first Aurora is resigned to the idea of marriage but the more she learns about her future husband the more she fears for her future. When she discovers that there may be a way to earn the magic she needs to protect herself and her city she knows she has to risk everything to follow her dream. If only she can be brave enough to face the storms she might be able to learn to control them.

As a fan of Cora Carmack's new adult romances and a lover of YA fantasy I added Roar to my wish list as soon as I heard about it. I was curious to see how she would do witting such a different type of story and I have to say I was really impressed. I'll admit I was a bit nervous when we were given not one but two serious cases of insta-lust in the early chapters but I was already hooked enough to look past that and I'm very glad I did. While Aurora does have a strong attraction to two very different guys thankfully the whole book doesn't revolve around a love triangle and there is much more going on than meets the eye.

When Aurora, or Roar as she comes to be know as, leaves everything she knows behind to go with the Storm Chasers she quickly starts to come into her own. In some ways she's led a very sheltered upbringing and is naive to the way people live outside her city but she's been trained from a young age to be a queen so she has a lot of knowledge and she's a very fast learner. She's also determined, she doesn't want to fail her queen or her people and she fights hard to be accepted by the Storm Chasers so that they'll teach her how to master the storms. No matter what challenges are thrown at her Roar never gives in and I really admired her spirit.

I also loved the Storm Chasers, they're a diverse group who have been together for a long time and work really well together. They're a well oiled team and some of them aren't too happy about adding a new member but they gradually come to respect Roar as they spend time together. I loved the banter between the whole group and the brotherly bond between Locke and Ransom. I'll tell you right now I'm totally on Team Locke and I'm going to be seriously unhappy if a love triangle forms in the sequel!

Although the attraction between Roar and Locke is pretty instant it takes time for them to open up to each other and become friends let alone anything more than that. There is lots of delicious flirting and they spend a lot of time at loggerheads but the chemistry is there right from the beginning no matter how hard they both try to deny it. Locke is that great kind of hero who is able to put is protective instincts to one side and help the heroine learn how to look after herself, he trusts Roar to hold her own and follow his lead in dangerous situations and allows her the freedom to make mistakes when her life isn't on the line. I think they make a fabulous couple and I'm definitely rooting for them even though I was disappointed that Roar wasn't more honest with him and the rest of the group a little earlier in their journey.

Obviously I love the characters but it was the world building that fascinated me most in this story. The idea of storms being practically alive and of being able to tame them by stealing their heart was totally unique to anything else I've read and the scenes where the Chasers are facing tornados or hurricane winds were incredibly well written. The plot is much more complex than you first think too, there are a lot of hints and I'll admit I guessed a few of the twists before they happened but there were plenty of surprises along the way and I'm definitely curious to see how things progress in the next book. Roar totally lives up to it's stunning cover and I can't wait to spend more time in this world.

This is the first book of Cora's that I have read and I loved it! I fell in love with all the characters and can't wait to see what happens next. I am going to go back to your first book and work my way thru.

Highly recommend!

Roar is the absolutely breathtaking latest release by Cora Carmack and is guaranteed to excite fans of Maria V. Snyder, Kristin Cashore and Sarah J. Maas! Readers will find themselves immersed in a thrilling world of magic, storms and powerful individuals, mingling romance and danger with exhilaration and excitement!

The land of Caelira is ruled by powerful and magical storms, capable of shaping or toppling cities. Aurora is the heir to the Pavan throne and is a member of one of the oldest and most powerful Stormling families, but for all her ancestors’ abilities, Aurora’s own powers are non-existent. Despite being brave, intelligent and having been trained to be the perfect queen, Aurora is missing the magic she’ll need to keep her people safe, leaving her only one option; Aurora will need to marry someone capable of fighting the storms that threaten Pavan. But Aurora’s betrothed is a dark, seemingly cruel man who cannot be trusted, and with the wedding only around the corner, Aurora loathes being manipulated. So when a chance encounter with a storm hunter in a black market that trades in storm magic sees Aurora discover a second option to her seemingly hopeless situation, Aurora decides the best way to avoid her arranged marriage is to obtain magic of her own….even if she’ll need to leave Pavan to do it…..

Having finished Roar, I find myself breathless. And still so lost within this bewitching tale. Cora Carmack so thoroughly drew me into this vivid and powerful world of storms and storm magic that I’m finding it hard to believe Rora and Lockes first tale has come to an end. Roar was everything I love about fantasy and has me completely sucked into the characters’ lives and their stories.

Introducing her readers to a striking and expressive land ruled by dangerous kinds of storms and inhabited by individuals able to tame them known as Stormlings, Cora Carmack really manages to entrance her readers. Everything you can think to love about a well written and well depicted fantasy tale is there; forbidden romance, electric chemistry, excitement, adventure, daring battles, witty humour and banter….it’s all there! Roar is fantasy at its best and I guarantee you’ll find something to love.

Utilizing some very unique and intriguing storm magic, Roar also features a stellar heroine in Rora; Roar, Rora, Aurora….however you wish to think of her in your mind. I think of her as Rora myself. Personally, I felt she was a strong main character and liked the fire we find within her. There are some aspects of life she is inexperienced and innocent too, but I like that she wanted to fight to help her people as well as find a better option to her own personal situation. She took chances and risks and was willing to venture into the unknown. A well balanced main character, I can only imagine where Cora Carmack plans to take Rora in the future!

Roar unfolds in the third person and follows a number of different characters, although Rora’s voice is the most prominent, alongside Locke’s, who is the male lead and Rora’s love interest in the novel. Locke is capable and commanding; a strong male lead who compliments the story and the heroine perfectly. Locke’s voice was enjoyable to follow and I find him very swoon-worthy—a good trait in a fantasy tale. He’s protective and caring while also managing to be confidant and occasionally arrogant and cheeky on occasion.

The romance between Rora and Locke is one of my favourite kinds of romance; slow building but electric with plenty of sexual tension and chemistry. It’s evident both characters are attracted to each other, and I loved watching Cora Carmack develop their relationship as they fought the attraction and feelings that were growing between them. I loved watching them begin to care about each other and fall in love over time. I don’t know where Cora Carmack plans to take the series, but I’m one hundred perfect behind Rora and Locke as a couple!

Vivid and magical in so many ways, Roar was a sensational start to Cora Carmack’s Stormheart series and filled with tangible characters, a mysterious and forward moving storyline and the best kind of forbidden romance, Roar cements itself as one of my favourite reads of 2017 and leaves me absolutely dying for more!

This world will make you a victim every chance it gets. Don’t let it.

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!

My recent fantasy obsession led me straight to this gorgeous book, and I was so excited to have the opportunity to read it. I tried not to get my hopes too high. Expectations have a way of dooming you to be disappointed when you let them run away with you. But when I started to flip through the first pages of this story, almost immediately I knew that I had something special in my hands. This tale of scheming royalty, courageous hunters, and the contest for power and survival will not be easily forgotten.

I was swept away to the fascinating Pavan Kingdom, where Aurora's powerful Stormling family rules and protects from the terrifying deadly storms that plague them. Storms that hold magic, and have the power to infect the mind, sending its stunned captors to their doom.

A Stormling Kingdom is seen as the only hope for survival in this brutal land. Stormling magic is passed along the rulers' bloodlines, it dispels the storms with the aid of Stormhearts. These are the stones and gems that amplify their power, or give them affinities. The more Stormhearts that are collected through the generations, the stronger their power is that they wield.

Rora is next in line to inherit the crown, and at eighteen, her time in seclusion has come to an end. For years, she and her mother, Queen Aphra have kept an alarming secret that threatens to tear their safety apart at its seams. Rora holds no magic, and unless she marries immediately, there will be no one to take over her mother's storm duties when she is succeeded.

She may have been young and sheltered, but that didn't mean she was unintelligent. She spent her childhood studying, training, and preparing herself to be a strong and self-reliant woman. It took great courage to face her uncertain future for her family and her people. Because no one was to be trusted with her secret, her only friends were her books for many years. She yearned for a grand adventure her whole life, but her upcoming nuptials would soon kill that dream stone dead. At least, that's what she thought.

After accidentally stumbling upon a black market filled with possibilities she wasn't prepared for, she hatches a daring plan to shake off the chains of matrimony and take the power back that had been lost to her for so long.

Locke is a nineteen year-old hunter, and at first very much against her joining them. She's inexperienced and naive to the dangers that she'd be up against, and he doesn't want her death on his hands. Tragic events from his past have made him a very protective person, and he knows this girl has trouble written all over her. He just doesn't know the depths of the mysteries that she conceals.

With any good fantasy book, you need exceptional world building, and an original plot. This book had those in spades. This world BLEW ME AWAY with it's uniqueness and violent beauty. The varied storms that could level an entire population in a heartbeat could also provide incredible power. The storm hunters that Rora encountered and joined were a very detailed, well developed group of secondary characters. Each with fascinating backstories and engaging personalities. It was action packed, with more than one chilling adversary pitting themselves up against the princess and her new friends.

The desire between these two provided just the right amount of kindling for this YA romance. Not too heavy, but it was smoldering throughout with angst and passion that you could really feel.

If you're looking for something different than anything you've read before, something that will keep you guessing, and completely addicted...look no further. This book had it all. In fact, my only complaint is that I now must wait in desperation for an undisclosed time until the next in the series. No news to speak of on when we can expect more. But you'd better believe I'll be first in line to take another exhilarating trip to the enchanting world of Caelira.

The first time I heard that this book was coming out and was written by Cora Carmack, I was already half in love with it. But now, after spending time reading it and rereading it, I am so head over heels for these characters and the plot itself.

Before getting to the heart of the book, I have to talk about the different point of views. There were multiple changes between key characters- Aurora, Nova, Cassius, Locke, and an unknown villain. Although the changes in narration did not come with warning or the telling of who was talking, it was a very smooth transition and I was able to tell who was talking at that point. This new take on change of view point / narration was amazingly well thought out and worked great.

The plot of Roar completely captivated me and had me coming up with all these different ways the book and characters could go. But at every turn I was caught off guard and amazed at where and how Carmack took the story. At the end of the book I'm still reeling from what was going down and desperately need the next book SOON!!!! because I really just want to know what's going to happen next!!

The romance was a nice element to add in Roar but not overwhelming of the story line, because basically this is a story about a girl trying to find out who she is first before anything else. Although the swoon worthy kissing, confessions, and tension scenes were GOLD. I just loved some parts so much that I was gushing for days after reading them. Like guys can you please just be this romantic!

Meeting Aurora (also known as Roara and Roar) I wasn't too sure what kind of main character she would be. Shy but then slowly comes out of her shell to be powerful, confident but shy at times, or sneaky with who she really was. None of these are right, well not completely . Because as I was reading Roar and going on this journey with Aurora, I found that she was all of these and more, so much more. Because as the book progresses Aurora learns who she really is and who she wants to be and who she has to be. But it seems that we will all have to wait for the next book in the Stormheart series to see who she chooses to be in the end, because her journey isn't over yet.



Favorite quote:

Do not fear the thunder, nor

the fire in the skies.

Rest little darling, and close

your tired eyes,

for up above us now in that

great, golden dome

A Stormling stands against

it all to protect our

sacred home.

-Pavanian Lullaby



"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 you need someone to trust, will be that person. I promise."

Roar was my first Cora Cormack read and I was blow away by her imagination with this fantasy read. It left me ready for, what I hope, turns into many more installments in this amazing series.
Aurora is our young royal heroine who, at just 18, is thrust into an arranged marriage with another royal family in the hopes that the storms that wreak havoc on their lands with be controllable. However, once she finds her betrothed in a situation that leaves her questioning his intentions she makes a decision that sends her, and by extension the reader, on a journey of emotion, self discovery and adventure. And for us romance fans, there is plenty of that too!
Fantasy novels are not usually my go to but I do enjoy them. And when I find a good one I’m always ready for more as soon as it’s done. Even though I wouldn’t call the ending a cliffhanger, it definitely left you wanting more and I can say that I am truly ready for more myself!
*Arc generously provided for honest review

Aurora lives in a world where towns are decimated by weather storms/beasts/creatures. She is the princess and set to protect her country, but she has never shown an affinity for magical powers or ability to control the storms. Rora is kept apart from others and is rushed into a marriage, to hide the fact that she doesn't have magic. Before the marriage goes through, she finds that her betrothed is using her and that she may be able to take some power for herself. Rora runs away and joins a band of storm hunters, where she becomes Roar, a young woman who will take her own power.

I was on the fence about this book, I wasn't a fan of the connections between romantic relationships and violence. However, there were several scenes and instances that were brilliant! The first scene when Aurora and her dress are described was amazing. The concept of Aurora and the stormhearts is fascinating. I am totally open to reading the next book in the series, though much of it didn't work for me....like all of the romance, I didn't feel pulled or compelled by any of the love interests.