From the Publisher
I am typically not a fantasy reader, but Roar convinced me to read more. Cora Carmack created a beautiful world and I felt like I was transported to Pavan with her vivid descriptions of the city. I was left wanting more and I can't to find out what happens with the rest of her characters.”—Chelsea Riela, New York Public Library
“In her electrifying YA debut Roar, Cora Carmack creates a stormy fantasy full of adventure featuring a charismatic ensemble cast. Roar introduces YA readers to Cora’s signature talent for balancing authentic characters and a captivating romance, this time set in a striking new world that will sweep readers away.”—Mary Hinson, Irving Public Library and Mary Had A Little Book Blog
JULY 2017 - AudioFile
The first book in a new fantasy series deals with sentient weather—and its good and evil manifestations. It’s a compelling plot, but the author’s choice not to use contractions in the dialogue makes the conversations seem stilted—a problem that is even more noticeable in audio, especially in the many heated emotional exchanges. Notwithstanding this, narrator Soneela Nankani ensures that the story’s flow is hardly disturbed. Her perfect pacing and timing, in particular, help to enliven a one’s listening. She makes wonderful use of delicate British accents in the female cast. Her males are mostly in the voice of the story’s narrator but work well. And she’s masterful in the pronunciation of real mouthfuls of original place names. Can’t wait for Book 2. M.C. © AudioFile 2017, Portland, Maine
Kirkus Reviews
2017-03-29
Carmack introduces weather magic and a girl who will go to great lengths to reclaim her power in the first of the Stormheart series.In Aurora's world, magical storms strike with ferocity, and only a few are born into the magic to combat them. As the sole heir to her kingdom, Aurora is expected to keep the storms at bay. The only problem? She has no magic. With storms fast approaching, Aurora's mother, the queen regnant, orchestrates an arranged marriage between her daughter and a powerful prince from a neighboring kingdom. When the prince deceives her, Aurora is desperate to find a way out of the marriage while still ensuring her kingdom's safety, when she stumbles upon an illegal market where she finds that magic can be learned. Hoping to return with new abilities, Aurora leaves home and joins up with a band of storm hunters. Her quest brings many unexpected surprises, and it is a race against time, as her kingdom is under attack. Carmack introduces an exciting new world that contains intriguing magic and complex social structures, but the worldbuilding feels incomplete. The magic is at times difficult to grasp, and a romantic storyline distracts from the action. While readers are introduced to a number of interesting characters, they unfortunately remain in the peripherals. Aurora is a white 18-year-old; her intended, Cassius, is likewise white. While leaving readers with many questions, Carmack creates enough suspense that they'll be scrambling for the sequel. (Fantasy. 14-18)
