Monday, September 3, 2018

Roar (Stormheart, #1) by Cora Carmack

Narrated by Soneela Nankani
Synopsis (via Goodreads): In a land ruled and shaped by violent magical storms, power lies with those who control them.

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

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

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

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

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

๐‘‹

Brace yourselves... I wish there had been less kissing. Gasp! I know! Now, I am a huge fan of having sexy scenes in books. In fact, there are times when I grab a book specifically for its romance. However, when Aurora kisses someone, she does it in excruciating detail. 

For example:

He would rub his hands up her arms.
Elaborate kissing.
He would run his hands down her arms. 
Elaborate kissing
Her hand would find the hair at the nape of his neck.
Elaborate kissing. 

In fact, they didn't actually kiss that often -- two or three times -- but those moments went on and on. It was only a minor irritation, but I wish the author had left a little more to the imagination, or allowed them to explore other parts of one another. I think it's because we're in Aurora's head for the entirety of the book, and she overthinks everything.

A few other things that irked me were the ending and Aurora's inability to trust. She kept so many secrets! It kept people from getting close and being able to help her. As for the ending, it passed in a blur. There were so many conversations that needed to be had, plans to be made... but no. We go from Point A to Point B in just a few pages, and then the story ends. To be continued...

Despite all of this, I really enjoyed the book. I loved the concept and how it was executed. I thought the potentially sentient storms, magical or natural, were fascinating. Their ability to wreck havoc, and do it with a purpose, was new and captivating. At first I had no idea how the author planned to battle storms, but even that was written in a way that was believable and left me feeling satisfied.

I really liked Nova as a character and wish she had been more involved in the story. She was crucial to a lot of plans, but she's also largely ignored for most of the book. I wish she had left with Aurora and had a chance to discover herself and her magic. I think she has more to offer the story, so I hope she's a more prominent character in the next one.

Like I said before, I really enjoyed Roar. Less kissing and a more fleshed out ending would have made me happier, but I'll live. I'm also counting on there being fewer secrets in the next one, which will also make me happy. The world-building and the characters were amazing. I loved her new group of friends and comrades, and I'm anxious to see how their relationships will change once they know she's a princess and a Stormling.

I recommend this one if you're looking for a fun fantasy with a barely-there romance (slow burn), and a girl trying to discover who she is while simultaneously creating her own path in life.

28 comments:

  1. Magic >> yes! Slow romance >> No! But this one really had me curious plus I'm loving the cover, so I'll definitely check it out ;)

    xx
    Vanessa @ Blushing Geek

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    1. I'm in love with the cover! I think the story is only going to get better with the next book, and I cannot wait to read it! I also believe I'll enjoy it more once everything is out in the open and people have to deal with everything they know. I hope you like it! :)

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  2. I like the idea of the storm magic and that cover is very Dany from Game of Thrones!

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    1. You're right! She does look like Dany! All you have to do is sub storms for dragons. ;)

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  3. Eek... I've been on the fence about this one. I think it's time for me to just donate my copy. I don't think this will be for me.

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    1. Was it the drawn out kissing scenes that decided for you? It was frustrating because I felt like those moments got too much attention when others should have gotten more. It was occasionally an unbalanced see-saw of content, but was overall a very enjoyable read. I always wanted to go back to the story and finished this one in no time!

      I think you should at least try the first 50 or so pages to see if it's a good fit. <3

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    1. Whoo! Let me know what you think when you have a chance to read it. :)

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  5. LOL how funny about the kissing scenes! I do want to read this one so I'm glad I had this review to prepare myself for the over done kissing. ;)

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    1. Haha! It was a minor and infrequent irritation, so it didn't really detract from the overall story. I just felt like I was stuck in those moments a little too long. I wanted to get back to the storms and secrets. The storms were fascinating, and I loved learning about them. The secrets were a tad frustrating, because I felt they had earned her trust and she still wasn't willing to share with them. I hope you enjoy it!

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  6. I hat when an author throws in so much detail that it disrupts the story.

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    1. If the author had shortened those scenes, or allowed the characters to do more than kiss, I don't think it would have been as frustrating. It's just... there's only so many ways you can describe two people kissing.

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  7. Ack the kissing thing seems... yeah overdone. And a pet peeve of mine is when people don't communicate- I always think okay if I would say something in this situation, or it seems like most people would, then the character should too, unless there's a really good reason? If they don't just so the author can keep things dramatic or whatever, it irks me. :)

    Having said that ha ha, I'm glad this was otherwise good. Sentient storms is a cool idea! I always like elemental type abilities anyway.

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    1. I do that! I try to put myself in the character's situation before judging their decisions too harshly. However, with that being said... she totally should have told them she was the princess and heir to the throne. Maybe not at first for obvious reasons, but when they constantly risk their lives for her, and train her to be a storm hunter, she should have shared more of her past. They earned her trust, but she didn't want to give it. At the end, she kept trying to get her secret out, but something always got in the way. I wanted to scream, "Just spit it out already!"

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  8. Why have I seen this book literally on every website I go to?

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    1. Hah! I'm not sure... I borrowed the audio book from my library, but then won a physical copy in a giveaway. :)

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  9. I had read really bad reviews for this one when it first came out so I skipped it. I do love her contemp series though.

    Karen @ For What It's Worth

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    1. The reviews I read were mostly negative, but the ratings were high... it was really confusing, so when I won a copy in a giveaway, I thought I'd give it a shot. It was an enjoyable read -- Aurora just overthinks most things, and that made the story feel long. I loved the cast of characters, though. They were so fun to interact with!

      I haven't read the author's contemporary series, but now I want to! <3

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  10. I totally get how those descriptions of the kissing would be annoying to read! I'm glad you enjoyed the book overall though!

    --Sam @ Sharing Inspired Kreations

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    1. Haha -- thanks! It was just excessive, in my opinion. It was a sloooow burn romance, so I was happy when they finally kissed, but then it wouldn't end... ;)

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  11. Despite my rabid love for Cora’s contemporary books, I decided to give this one a pass. But reading this I’m starting to waver. Had to laugh at the kissing critique, though. LOL Being in Aurora’s head while kissing sounds like a bit much. Ha! Glad this one was still mostly a hit! I just love a good secondary cast!

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    1. I haven't read her contemporary series, but people keep telling me how great it is! I guess I'll need to get to it soon...

      I'm happy to make you waver. ;) The concept is fascinating and I love it, but the romantic aspects I'm less enthusiastic about.

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  12. Great review Lindsi! And I think we had some of the same feelings about this one - I didn't LOVE it, but I enjoyed it and I thought the world building was great and unique. I also thought it was strange that for a romance author the romance and the kissing turned me off!!! Ha ha.

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    1. Right? I was totally turned off by their romance. I just wasn't feeling it! Like, I adore the two of them together and think they make a great team, but their kissing was exhausting.

      I really enjoyed it for the most part! Loved the concept!

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  13. I really loved this book---I know that some other bloggers weren't fans, but I was on board the whole time. I do get what you mean about the kissing though!

    Nicole @ Feed Your Fiction Addiction

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    1. I really enjoyed the story! I think the author has written something really creative, and I cannot wait to see what happens next.

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  14. Another book I have on my kindle... I'm glad I held off reading it though. I think reading it closer to book two's release will be better for my sanity!

    It's good to know you enjoyed it despite some issues. ๐Ÿ™‚

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    1. Haha -- that might be a good idea! I really wish I had the second book right now. The first one ends right before she spills her secret, and I'm really to see the fallout.

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― Marissa Meyer, Heartless