Review: Roar by Cora Carmack

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

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. 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.

If you know anything about me, you’ll know that I’m all about world building, intriguing magic systems and atmosphere. You can bet that Roar had my name plastered all over that gorgeous cover. Why, oh why did it take me so long to get around to reading this? Full of danger, mystery with black markets, steamy romance, plenty of action and a truly brutal magic system, I was 100% on board with Roar from page one and it’s quickly becoming my latest obsession. I mean – these people are magical storm hunters. Enough said.

Before I get into the characters and what-not, I have to talk about the world building which goes hand in hand with the plot because gosh darn, Roar has one seriously cool but darn ruthless setting.

Roar is set in Gaelira. Shrouded in lore, mythology and turbulent storm magic, Gaelira was once a wildland of tribes from which kingdoms were eventually forged. But Gaelira is plagued by the Rage season; violent tempests and magical storms that wreak havoc across the wildlands. These maelstroms actually have consciousnesses and hearts with the power to literally obilterate villages and pillage kingdoms. The only people who can harness this power and control the storms are the Stormlings.

Enter our protagonist, and Pavan’s crown princess; Aurora. Aurora has lived a sheltered but isolated life in the palace. While she’s brave, stubborn and quick with a blade, Aurora can also be rash and impulsive, and has yet to show a trace of the Stormling magic which runs deep in her blood. As the rage season looms ever closer, Aurora is forced to desert her kingdom to escape an arranged marriage and take the Stormling power for herself. Add a band of rouge storm hunters and you have the makings of an epic Twister-esque quest across the unclaimed territories beyond Pavan’s stronghold.

Sounds pretty darn cool right?

Besides our kick-ass but flawed protagonist, we have some seriously swoon-worthy love interests [yes – plural] to add to the mix. Now, I have seen some reviews that claim the romance is a love triangle. This could be a matter if opinion, but I don’t really find that to be the case so please don’t let that deter you from a truly epic adventure. While Aurora entertains the idea of Cassius as her arranged husband-to-be, she instead chooses to forsake her marriage and take her future into her very capable hands. Speaking of Cassius, I know he’s probably not going to be Aurora’s end game. I think that ship well and truly sailed. But man am I a sucker for anti-heroes and morally gray characters and Cassius is no exception. In hindsight, Cassius really stole the show. I got major Darkling vibes from him and can’t wait to see more of him in Rage because honestly? Cassius in all his cunning glory needs more of the limelight.

On the other side of the spectrum we have the noble, though ruff and rugged Locke. Can I just say that I was so here for Locke and Aurora’s sizzling chemistry because damn they got very steamy. You can practically feel the electricity simmering between this ship as they argued and bantered back and forth. Very swoon-worthy indeed. But, despite their initial attraction, Roar isn’t an insta-love romance. Aurora and Locke match wit for wit with their verbal sparring and let me tell you – it’s a beautiful slow burn journey. let’s just say I was practically screaming when they finally admitted their feelings.

Bottom line – you need Roar in your life because this book makes for a seriously unique story world. Part Throne of Glass, part Twister, I’m already counting down the days till August when I can get my hands on Rage which promises even more action, suspense and epic storm hunting.

 

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