Roar
by Cora Carmack
Book: Stormheart #1
Publisher: Tor Teen
Pub Date: June 30, 2017
Genre: Young Adult
Format: Print
Source: Publisher
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.
My Review: Aurora is ready
to be queen. She has everything she needs to rule and keep her kingdom going.
Well....everything except true love and magic. Without any magic, she can't
really protect the kingdom like her mother can. They still aren't sure why she
doesn't have any magic, but Aurora can get magic another way. Another tough
part about not having any magic....is having to marry someone because they do
have magic. Normally, she would be able to get married when she was ready and
found her true love, just as all before her have done. But since her situation
is different, she must marry someone she does not know.
Unfortunately, Aurora
doesn't hit the jackpot. The one she is meant to marry, doesn't really care for
her. Instead he plays with her mind and emotions. He and his family just want
to take the throne and rule her kingdom. Aurora wasn't sure what she should do
when she found out...but she follows her betrothed to a market....everything
changes. She meets a group of people who have magic. They learned it, stole it,
and can control it.
That night Aurora decided on
what needed to be done. She will go back the next night and join them. Run off
with them on their journey and learn how to get magic of her own. With her own
magic she can take over her kingdom and do it on her own. At least that is the
hope.....but it won't be easy. She will need the help of her friend Nova to get
out of her home and make it seem like she's been kidnapped....
Aurora arrives and convinces
the group to take her with them. Train her, let her be one of them. And soon
they agree...now she is being trained by Locke. She didn't really know what to
expect once they set off. She at least has Honey, her horse with her. Honey
means a lot to Aurora and having her there will make her feel less alone. But
then she didn't expect to like Locke...even fall in love with him. Find out she
can call storms, even control it and somehow have it burn underneath her
skin....
As far as the story goes, I loved it. I loved
the idea of stormlings, the character development, the details, pace, etc. A
series I can't wait to finish!
My Rating:
✪✪✪✪
