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"Driven by tragedy one girl fights for justice and change."
October 2025 Book of the Month
What an apt title for this stunning new verse novel from the multi award-winning Manjeet Mann! This is undoubtedly a book which roars; the author’s shock, passion and outrage can be felt in every beautifully placed word.
In the author’s note at the end of the book, she recounts her horror upon coming across a UN report about the rise of witch- hunting in India, with more than 2500 acts of violence associated with it since the year 2000. What was even worse, was to discover that almost all the victims were lower caste, continuing the systemic oppression that they have faced for centuries. Also systemic is the treatment of women more generally and she was inspired by the real-life story of Sampat Pal and her pink sari wearing gang fighting for justice for abused women and of Phoolan Devi, India’s ‘Bandit Queen’ who became an MP.
All these important threads weave into the remarkable story of Rizu, born to privilege in Delhi, who has an accusation of witchcraft concocted by her previous best friend Sonu, over boyfriend issues. With Rizu’s life in danger, her father fatally shifts the blame to Jaya, Rizu’s gentle servant companion. Rizu cannot live with the guilt of witnessing Jaya’s death.
Empowered by ghostly ancestral voices and ancient myth, she runs away and joins a vigilante group of women and her search for justice becomes ever more violent until she eventually repents and looks for a more positive way forward. She discovers her old enemy Sonu has also dramatically changed her life in response to the tragedy of Jana and together they start cooperating in building schools for the poorest children.
The novel ends with an empowering epilogue poem which is an encouragement to us all to change the world ‘because even the smallest ripple can become a wave and every whisper a roar’ This novel is such a powerful advocation of standing up to oppression that it cannot help but leave a lasting impression on the reader.
An empowering novel of resistance inspired by the true story of Sampat Pal and the Pink Sari Gang from the multi-award-winning author of Run, Rebel and The Crossing
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This book is like a legend. An amazing story with a seed of truth in the middle.
I loved Roar. This book is like a legend. An amazing story with a seed of truth in the middle.
Roar is about a rich girl who manages to turn herself into a warrior, when her friend is killed in a witch trial. She bursts into a fiery ball of fury. She has fallen out with her best friend, so she goes to seek out the only person she thinks will help her - the fearsome warrior Shalini and her pet tiger Rama. Rama soon starts following her around and she realizes that Shalini isn’t seeking justice and is just looking for fame.... Read Full Review
An inspiring novel perfect for girls with big dreams. A must-read.
I loved Roar. It's an inspiring novel, perfect for young girls just starting out on their lives into their teenage years. The story is about a rich girl who stands up for what's right and learns that even the smallest ripple can make a big difference. The way Rama turns to Rizu shows that even the most loyal friends can still twist and turn their lives away and towards you. Jaya stood out to me the most in the way she fought for the life she deserved till her final breath.
I like the way that it is written in verse because the meaning behind the story has more of an impact this way. The novel tackles difficult subjects which other books do not always do. Manjeet Mann has really captured emotions and woven them into the story really well.... Read Full Review
People are stronger together but sometimes people think women are less strong, this books proves that’s not true. A great book for anyone who wants to be inspired to be brave!
I found this book very interesting because her life is so different from mine.
The writer is very good at creating a world in my mind. It was exciting, scary and never knew what would come next.
I read this on my own for the most part but I shared it with my mum too because it was very good. The way it is written sometimes feels like a poem or song.
I loved when the women joined up together. People are stronger together but sometimes people think women are less strong, this books proves that’s not true.
I think this is a good message for all girls and boys.... Read Full Review
An empowering novel of resistance inspired by the true story of Sampat Pal and the Pink Sari Gang from the multi-award-winning author of Run, Rebel and The CrossingRizu lives a comfortable life in the gated middle class suburbs of Delhi; her biggest worries are getting her homework done and keeping up with the mean girls at school. That is, until she's accused of being a witch and the hysteria that follows triggers a chain reaction that ends in tragedy and life as she knew it changes forever.Alone and fearing for her life, Rizu runs away and joins a group of pink sari wearing, stick wielding women, known for their revenge vigilantism.
The LoveReading4Kids Editorial Team have read and reviewed Roar and determined it is suitable for children aged 13-18 years old
Roar features in the following genres: Featured Books for 13+ readers, Featured Books for Young Adults, Books of the Month, Books Reviewed by our Reader Review Panels, Recommendations, Star Books, Stories about Family and Friends, People / Places, Children’s / Teenage fiction: General, modern and contemporary fiction, Children's and Young Adult Fiction, Children’s, Teenage and Educational, Children’s / Teenage: General interest
Paperback. £8.99, down from the £9.99 cover price. In Stock.
Roar was written by Manjeet Mann and published by Penguin Books an imprint of Penguin Random House Children's UK
Roar has 402 pages
£8.99, reduced from £9.99. In Stock.
