Thank you to Entangled Teen for providing me with an ARC. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

(As spoiler free as humanly possible)

Concept: I loved the concept of integrating the roaring 20s known for speakeasies and mobsters with mythology and monsters. A young agent from the BOI (Bureau of Investigation) is sent to capture a siren. The novel has an air of mystery and suspense tangled up with all sorts of monsters and mythological creatures. The story is told from multiple points of view. Each chapter is titled after the point of view, not by name but by role in the story.

Mythology: I like the incorporation of sirens in this world and the twist Duga puts on their abilities, like the ability to not only control people, but objects as well.

World building: The book opens with a glossary of 20s terms. I honestly had fun reading through each definition, it was a good initial impression of the world we are about to enter.
Duga’s world building really draws you into the story. From mobsters to gunfights to romance and the use of 20s slang you are completely immersed into Colt and Eris’s world.
Roaring is a standalone book and only around 300 pages, but it doesn’t feel fast paced.

Reread?: Roaring was a short and easy read. I personally enjoyed the author’s style and descriptive language. My eyes were glued to the page and I couldn’t put it down. I would definitely read it over again.

I highly recommend reading while listening to Spotify’s 1920s Instrumental playlist!

(Also that gorgeous cover!!!)

*Update*: Roaring is now one of my favorite books, I love it so much.

Available August 3, 2020

This book was everything I didn’t know I needed! I loved it so much and wish there was more! This book has 2 POV’s, The Siren and The Agent and the author weaves this story together beautifully. I loved all the details about the 1920’s and the cities they travel to. I haven’t picked up a fantasy book in quite awhile and I’m so glad I read this one! Only thing I would change was to have more of a slow burn between the two main characters.

Eris is a siren in hiding. She has a long, dark past and it’s safer for her, and anyone who might hear her voice, for her to stay silent.
Colt (great name!) is a BOI agent who hunts not only gangsters but monsters too.
Monsters have been created for years by unethical means of attaching monster parts (claws, wings, scales etc) to a human. Usually a non-suspecting orphan child. Eris is a monster and Colt is out to end monsters, even if he might be one himself.
Eris and Colt go on one adventure after another. It’s set in the 1920’s so bootlegging and flappers are in full swing. I wish the story would’ve had more on the era but it was still a fun read. It was unique and kept my interest throughout. Colt is lovable from the start with his flawed way of thinking and mysterious character. I would’ve also loved a side story or flashback of Colt to learn more about him. This is a stand-alone and the ending was done very well. I would’ve read book 2 if it was a series. And can we talk about that cover? Gah, it’s beautiful! But is it supposed to be a certain character? I’m still not sure!

I really wasn't sure if I was going to like this book but I was pleasantly surprised! It was a quick read and held my attention. I really enjoyed the main characters throughout the book even when I was frustrated by the plot. I am notorious for skim reading just to find out the ending. This really was a great book!

I want to share the first thing I appreciated about the novel is there’s a unique and super helpful glossary of words at the beginning of the novel. It really sets the tone for the story. set in the 1920’s (*ahem* the ROARING twenties). 😜 And the cover is GORGEOUS! Looks like it won’t be printed, and only sold digitally, so I can only imagine how beautiful the cover of the physical book would look like.😍

The novel is written in first person, which I love! AND also written in different points of views! YES extra points, my favorite type of narration.

The story itself is full of amazing detail, and world building. HOWEVER I didn’t connect with the characters the way I was hoping for, I think especially since the novel is written in first person, which usually gives the reader the perspective of the character. I get attached quickly, and I think in this case there was too much going on.

I enjoyed the detail, but it felt a little unbalanced with how little we got to know the characters.

It’s a fantasy filled with all your favorite monsters, and mythical creatures,

It’s definitely worth a cozy night in to read, I recommend it to anyone who loves fantasy novels, and a touch of mythology, a whole lot of it!😁

I really enjoyed this one. It was full of amazing Characters and world building.
I want to thank netgalley for giving me an e arc to read and review.

Eris has always been told by the woman who raised her never to use her voice. She knows what happens when she does – people are compelled to do what she says, no matter what the consequences are. Working at a speakeasy as a singer and barmaid, everyone knows Eris sings but doesn’t speak. Until one night when she finds herself in a position where she can’t help it.

Colt is a monster hunter and has been handed the job of tracking down the only Siren in the world, after another agent is sure he spotted her in a bar. What Colt originally sees as a simple straightforward mission, becomes anything but when he meets the Siren.

Roaring is set in the 1920’s, with the slang and lingo to match (thank you to the author for the glossary of terms at the front of the book. I knew some of the lingo, but not all and it was really helpful!). I loved the way those distinct terms were used, it really drew me in to the flapper era and set the scene. I wasn’t sure how a Siren story would work without the typical ocean setting, having the Siren living amongst monsters and mobsters instead, but it absolutely did! Told in alternating points of view, between Eris and Colt, this story was so much fun. The idea of humans being ‘spliced’ for want of a better word, with mythological creature parts was so interesting and unique and had me captivated the whole way through. The characters well well rounded, the scene descriptions were fantastic and the story was highly entertaining.

I get the feeling this is going to be one of those books that will miss out on the hype it deserves, so if you’re a fan of the Monsters of Verity series or urban magical realism, I’d absolutely recommend getting your hands on a copy of Roaring!

ROARING takes place in the 1920s- with a twist. Monsters, sirens, minotaurs, basilisks, and more, exist, and they are woven with the mobster scenes. The book alternates perspectives between The Singer (Eris) and The Agent (Colt). Eris knows that she is different, and this is why she does not speak except to occasionally sing at the speakeasy where she works. When a man she cares about steps up to protect her from some Harvard boys that feel entitled to her body, she uses her voice to save him.

In doing so, she sets off a chain of events that reveal a larger plot. Colt works for the Bureau of Investigation (BOI) that hunts down dangerous monsters- and they are definitely interested in stopping the last siren. When they think that they may have found her, Colt, who is immune to a siren's voice, is sent to get her.

What I loved: The time is well built including slang of the 1920s, and the world building around the monsters is really interesting and adds an unique new twist on the historical fantasy plot. The book moves quickly with a lot of action as the events spiral once Eris begins to learn about who she is.

What left me wanting more: There's some heavy instalove here, and a lot of dangerous scenes with back-and-forth saving that move a little too fast for my taste. I would have liked to slow it down and get a slower taste for what is going on and who Eris and Colt are.

Final verdict: ROARING would be great for people who like historical fantasy with fast-paced plots full of action.

Please note that I received an ARC from the publisher through netgalley. All opinions are my own.

This was a roaring good time! I absolutely loved this story! The romance, the adventure, and the action! It has so much and is told so beautifully. This was an absolute great thrilling read! The chemistry between the two characters was amazing and I loved that you got to read both their POVs. The world building was good and the plot was great and fast paced! Seriously such a great time. I don’t think I can stop smiling after finishing this fun book. It mixes monsters with monsters and holy heck was it such a fun combination! The characters growth in the story is well rounded and the end wraps up really well. Please go check out this sweet and thrilling romance read!

A really fun, thrilling, exciting and interesting read. I had an enjoyable time reading this and it held my attention the entire way through that I finished it within the day!

I wanted this book to totally grip me. I assumed it would because of the synopsis. And, while it was in no way a bad or unreadable book, I just didn't feel the pull towards the characters or the story.

Eris is a siren. Colt is an investigator who hunts down monsters... He is immune to Eris's ability and when he goes into the smoky club she works at to take her down, he assumes that she is just another monster. Soon, he learns that she is just a girl with a powerful ability that she takes no joy in using (unless of course it is to make abusive men stop hitting their wives). Along with getting to know her better, the two find it very hard to fight the physical attraction. Soon, he is only wanting to protect the girl. In their travels, they uncover a twisted plot involving a vampire and her experiments on children, among fighting off a cast of other supernatural creatures.

This was fun, but it just didn't wow me.

“Colt Clemmons is an agent in a specialized division within the Bureau of Investigation—one that hunts down not just mobsters, but also monsters.

For reasons that are kept top secret, Colt is the only person who can resist a siren's voice. But he's never had a chance to test this ability. The last siren left in the world mysteriously disappeared years ago.

Then one night, with a single word, she reveals herself. It seems too good to be true.

And it is. Because nothing about this siren—her past, her powers, or her purpose—is what it seems...”

Captivating is the word that keeps coming to mind when I think of Roaring by Lindsey Duga. Honestly, everything about this book captivated me from the very beginning.

Roaring is set in the Roaring 20’s, which just happens to be my favorite decade to read about in historical fiction. Add in mythological creatures and mob bosses, well I was hooked from the start.

“Sin replacing virtue. Lust replacing chastity. And if this made us sinners, I wouldn’t walk through the gates of hell—I’d run through them.”

Quotes like this had me dying for more. Eris and Colt were brilliant MCs. I couldn’t get enough of their chemistry. I adored all of the characters, even the supporting characters were interesting!

The plot was intriguing and such a refreshing difference from the norm that the YA genre has found itself in. I genuinely loved every second of this book. I look forward to reading more from Lindsey Duga.

I give Roaring by Lindsey Duga 5 stars!

All of my thanks to Netgalley and Entangled Teen for allowing me to review this arc in exchange of an honest review.

One really fascinating tale set in the 20s. The book begins with a glossary to help the reader. Eris is a mute by choice and safety. Using her voice can destroy and save. Colt works for an elusive monster fighting agency. When they meet, they each have to change their way of thinking and how they see themselves. Not your typical romance nor adventure but it is an excellent read.

I received an ARC of ROARING by Lindsey Duga through NetGalley. Eris’ story of being a siren in the 1920s is captivating. Her struggle between doing what she can to protect herself or protect others is a powerful character arc.

Eris was taken from an orphanage to be turned into a monster (the last siren) then kidnapped by the person, who would then raise her, to ensure the safety of everyone that could hear the siren’s voice. But when an incident occurs that forces her hand, her peaceful (although isolating) world is shattered. She is abducted by Colt who has the mind boggling ability to not be effected by her voice.

Colt is an agent of the Bureau of Investigation that hunts down monsters to protect civilians. But Eris quickly realizes there is something off about him.

Eris and Colt’s story is told in alternating POV format. The ending of every chapter causes you to want more. Beautifully written with so many vital decisions to be made it is a must read!

ROARING is a mixture of Not Even Bones and Bonnie and Clyde set in the 1920s with main characters that exude goodness.

I was given a free copy of this book in exchange for my honest review. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

I just recently found out about the historical fantasy genre and I am LOVING IT. The 1920s was such a fun era, and Roaring definitely made that known. Roaring follows Eris, the last siren, and Colt, the agent sent to capture her. The two set off on an unexpected adventure as Eris and Colt both learn that being a siren doesn’t automatically make you a monster.

I loved the 1920s aspect of this book. I thought Duga did really well with her research to get the lingo down. I also liked the characters and thought they had really good chemistry together. I liked that Colt had a little more to discover throughout the book, which helped with some twists and turns.

My only complaint is that I wanted more with the epilogue! Or some more information about what was happening with our two lovebirds.

I would definitely recommend this if you like fantasy but you want lots of romance mixed in. It’s a nice, easy read that’s good to dive into after a long day.

I really liked the 1920's Chicago/NY setting. It took me a little while to be pulled into the story, but I definitely found myself invested about a third of the way in.

Eris is a siren, but she doesn't know it. All she knows is that she manipulates people if she speaks to them. Anyone who listens to her follows her orders, so she prefers to stay mute. She was told that people were after her and she had to stay quiet. Eris works at a speakeasy run by Madame Maldu and Stanley. Madame is basically a foster mom to Eris. There are parts of her life that she can't remember, but she does remember being on the run with Madame.

Colt works for the Bureau hunting monsters. He has been looking for the lost siren for a long time. Her power is dangerous and he believes it isn't safe to have her out in the world. Monster parts have been showing up in the US for awhile. Humans have been modified with the parts and they become the monsters. Things like vampires, werewolves, dragons, sirens, kraken, etc, are all real. It's pretty obvious early on that Colt isn't' quite human, but he hates monsters and thinks they're dangerous. But the Bureau does employ monsters as hunters. Their strength and power help when coming face to face with another monster. Colt finds out about Eris and goes to capture her. What he finds is a sweet girl with a kind heart. He can't look at her as a human, but he struggles to see her as a real monster. Colt starts to question things while there are multiple groups of people hunting Eris. Her creator is looking for her and there is no good reason for it. Colt ends up betraying the Bureau and goes on the run with Eris. While in Chicago, they find out a lot of information about how the monsters are genetically created.

I thought Eris was such a great character. She was a monster, but all she wanted was to live a simple, good life. Colt was set in his ways, but he started to open his eyes to the world around him. Their romance was a big part of the story, but not the whole thing. The monsters and the genetics were a very big part along with the mystery of who made Eris and why did they want her back. And then I really liked all the 20's speak, clothing, speakeasies, and the lack of new technology. It felt good to escape the modern time and the problems we have right now.

I gave this book 4 stars. Thank you to Entangled Teen and Netgalley for my review copy.

Warnings for blood, genetic modification, talk of orphans, gun violence, captivity, and a tiny amount of talk about abuse.

<i>Thank you to Entangled for providing me with a free e-copy of this ARC. All opinions are my own.</i>

<b>She's a monster. He's a monster hunter. It's the Roaring Twenties. I thought I would love this book so much more than I actually did.</b>

<b>See, this novel is fine. Just... fine. Excellent hook and concept but underwhelming in its execution. If you haven't read as many YA fantasies as I have then you might enjoy it way more.</b>

Eris is secretly a siren who works at a speakeasy. Colt is a junior FBI agent who hunts down mobsters <i>and</i> monsters. But as he's tasked to take her in, they learn that there are more than just two sides, and run away together to solve the mystery of Eris' past.

<b>WHAT I LIKED</b>
1. The worldbuilding. This is what initially drew me into the novel. <b>We've got gunfights, gangsters, and a star-crossed romance between a detective and his femme fatale.</b> Duga even uses extensive 20s slang for the full experience. Then add in the fantasy: gangsters hiring and smuggling magical creatures, secret experiments on human beings, the government chasing down the paranormal. <b>This universe is loads of fun.</b>

2. The vibes. See above. But I also liked how timeless the characters feel. Eris just wants to see the world and be free. Colt is torn between his heart and his duty. <b>You could easily age up the characters without realizing it. I liked the mature treatment.</b>

<b>WHAT I DIDN'T LIKE</b>
But you know, vibes and worldbuilding don't make a whole novel...

My main issue is that I didn't like the romance. Oh, I'm really sad about this one. <i>Enemies to lovers YA fantasy novel set in the 1920s</i> has my name on it. But <b>the pacing of their relationship was just so awkward. For an enemies to lovers romance that began with <i>betrayal</i>, there's a whole lot of rushing and instalove.</b>

Full disclosure: in order to apprehend Eris, Colt has to seduce her and pretend he's somebody he's not. Eris is instantly attracted and so is he. <b>It's a tough situation that makes space for some very intriguing internal character conflict and external "learning to trust one another again". But the author missed out on this opportunity.</b> Instead we've got half-hearted struggles like <i>oh he's my enemy but he saaved me!</i> or <i>she's a monster but she's DIFFERENT</i>. And then things go easy peasy between them. <b>That's what this novel lacks. Some more relationship build-up and conflict.</b>

<b>Since the relationship wasn't that interesting, I thought the fast-paced plot would draw me in, but that didn't work either.</b> The first two chapters were EXCELLENT. But I quickly lost interest afterwards. <b>In terms of the plot though I think that's just me. Not an objective statement.</b>

<b>TL;DR This novel is not bad. It is pretty fine. A solid 3 stars. But it's also underwhelming and I expected more, especially since the romance is such a big aspect of it.</b>

I'm in love with this book. Set in 1929, Roaring is a historical fantasy that is unique and wonderful. Eris, our female protagonist, works as a singer in a speakeasy. She's known for her beautiful singing, however, she never speaks. Colt, our male protagonist, is a monster hunter. When he shows up, Eris' life will never be the same. Her life changes when she discovers that she is a siren, and finds that Colt is immune to her siren song.

I enjoyed the concept of mob bosses in the 1920s that are altering human DNA to create human monster-hybrids. What a unique idea! The author did a fantastic job with developing well detailed characters along with a very interesting plot. I loved this book and recommend it to lovers of fantasy novels with a historical twist.

Thank you Lindsey Duga, Entangled Publishing, LLC and Netgalley for the opportunity to read this book in exchange for a fair and honest review.

I was really hoping to get a copy of this ARC so thank you NetGalley! This book was creative and different from the genres I gravitate towards. I throughly enjoyed the historical setting and the characters, especially the development! Solid read.

Roaring by Lindsey Duga is a unique book. I haven't read a historical fantasy book. Set in the 20's it all starts with Eris, a singer at a speakeasy who literally has no idea she's a siren, until a bar fight ensues, leaving a monster hunter named Colt hot on her chase. As the two "hate" each other, they eventually fall in love, and while their romantic journey is somewhat predictable... The world building was intricate and very nicely done. I felt like I was with the character's themselves. I would've enjoyed having a bit more details about the historical aspect of it (given it took place in the 20's), and the plot at one point was predictable. For a standalone book, the plot was a little too rushed and I think a sequel would've been nice, so you don't overwhelm the reader. Despite the plot being somewhat predictable, it did feel rushed in some parts, but overall it was a good book that I enjoyed.