The Roar Review
Mika Smith and his twin sister Ellie are born into a world without trees, animals, or open space. After the horrific Animal Plague, the entire human population has been crammed behind The Wall, a gargantuan structure that covers the northern half of the world to keep the animals out. But even here, humans continue to face problems. Mika and Ellie are part of the first generation of children born since the Animal Plague, and they, like many of this generation, have been classified by the government as “mutants.” In their home city of London, humans are divided sharply along economic lines: The rich live in the Golden Turrets, a gorgeous metropolitan paradise, while the poor must survive in The Shadows underneath, living in tiny apartments and eating mold.
After Mika and Ellie turn 11, Ellie mysteriously disappears. She is declared dead by the police, but Mika refuses to believe it. He can feel that Ellie is still alive, somewhere. His parents want him to face reality, but his counselor, Helen Green, seems to believe him. Meanwhile, at school, a new program is introduced called “Fit for Life.” Organized by the Youth Development Foundation, students are ordered to drink a concoction called “Fit Mix” and do strenuous physical fitness. After school, a new video game is introduced called “Pod Fighter,” a virtual reality game where children learn to pilot advanced aircraft and obliterate targets. Those who become especially good at the game can win extravagant prizes, including an apartment in the Golden Turrets.
Mika reacts to the program with suspicion. He can’t explain why, but he already knows that its true purpose is not child fitness. When he explains this to Helen, she hints that playing along with the program might be the best way to find his missing sister. When Helen also disappears, Mika becomes determined not only to play along but also to win the Pod Fighter competition. If he can do that, he is certain he will be able to find Ellie again. With the help of his friends Kobi and Tom, along with a beautiful gunner named Audrey, Mika begins to clear each stage of the competition, each time getting closer to finding out the secret that has kept Ellie away from home for more than a year. In the end, he is forced to confront the myriad of lies upon which his world has been built.
The Roar is a well-crafted science fiction novel that not only meets expectations of the genre but also offers insight into the environmental and economic struggles of our society. Emma Clayton is a skillful writer who crafts her world with detail and care, introducing a complex alternate reality slowly over the course of the novel, which makes it both engaging and easy to comprehend. Most important for young readers, The Roar is exciting and fast-paced, with plenty of hooks to keep them eager to know what happens next. The only downside of the book is that the ending was clearly devised with a sequel in mind, so readers will be unsatisfied with the conclusion and waiting for the sequel.
Because of the complexity of the plot, The Roar would be best suited to a teenage audience, from 12 to 18 years of age. The protagonists are 12 years old, but the issues that they confront are difficult and dramatic, making it suitable for older readers. The Roar is an outstanding choice for young adult readers who crave an exciting and meaningful story, especially fans of science fiction and video games.
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