Roar

April 15, 2017
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)

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May 1, 2017

Gr 8 Up-Princess Aurora is the only heir to the Pavan throne. She was born a Stormling, the youngest member of a family whose line carries the magic necessary to defeat the destructive magical storms that threaten her country during the Rage season. But Rora hides a terrible secret: she was born without the storm-fighting gifts. Now the young woman is faced with a marriage to a man who does not love her-but whose Stormling talents are meant to cover for her own lack. She strikes out to make her own way in the world and gives herself a new name: Roar. In the world of YA fantasy, Rora's lack of talent is a welcome change and allows the character's will and intelligence to take center stage. Carmack's background as a romance writer is evident in Rora's slow-burning scenes with her betrothed, Cassius, and her fellow storm-chaser Locke, but her prose is denser than that of many of her YA contemporaries. The story moves at a more leisurely pace; this book will appeal primarily to hard-core fantasy fans, although lovers of romance may also find a lot to enjoy. VERDICT A good crossover choice for libraries looking for more traditional high fantasy novels with strong female protagonists and a large dose of romance.-Bobbi Parry, East Baton Rouge Parish School System, LA

Copyright 2017 School Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

May 15, 2017
Grades 8-11 In a fantasy world where magic is real, those without magical powers must hide their flaw in order to gain power. Aurora Pavan is the only surviving child of one of the oldest aristocratic Stormling families, but she lacks the family's inherited gift: magic to control the violent storms that threaten her kingdom. Aurora's widowed mother tries to marry her off to a handsome, brutish Stormling prince with exceptional magical powers, but Aurora disguises herself and runs away, taking the name Roar. She immediately meets an even handsomer (and kinder) man with magical powersa storm hunterfrom whom she learns that magical powers can actually be stolen if you've got the courage. For the romance readers, there's plenty of detailed descriptions of broad, manly chests, beautiful clothing, and injured maidens swooning into the strong arms of their caring love interests, although Carmack does take pains to make Roar strong, intelligent, and brave. A sequel is sure to follow, given the abrupt cliff-hanger ending.(Reprinted with permission of Booklist, copyright 2017, American Library Association.)