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. 

𑁋

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.