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The Grimoire Saga #1
Lichgates
The final page will leave you breathless.
When Kara Magari uncovers a secret door in the middle of the forest, she discovers (and trips through) a portal to a hidden world full of terrifying things: Ourea. She just wants to go home, but the natives have other plans for her. She clashes with immortal shapeshifters, is carried off by a dragon, nearly dies on several occasions, and somehow becomes the master of an ancient book of magic called the Grimoire. Every time she thinks she's safe, her new "friends" show their true colors.
Kara needs an ally, or she might not survive Ourea's monsters. She drops her guard when Braeden, a native soldier with a dark secret, vows to keep her safe. And though she doesn't know it, her growing attraction to him may just be her undoing.
For twelve years, Braeden Drakonin has lived a lie. The Grimoire is his one chance at redemption, and it lands in his lap when Kara Magari comes into his life. Though he begins to care for this stranded girl, there's something he wants more. He wants the Grimoire.
Welcome to Ourea, where only the cunning survive.
----------------
Novels in the Grimoire Saga:
Lichgates (#1)
Treason (#2)
Heritage (#3)
Illusion (#4)
When Kara Magari uncovers a secret door in the middle of the forest, she discovers (and trips through) a portal to a hidden world full of terrifying things: Ourea. She just wants to go home, but the natives have other plans for her. She clashes with immortal shapeshifters, is carried off by a dragon, nearly dies on several occasions, and somehow becomes the master of an ancient book of magic called the Grimoire. Every time she thinks she's safe, her new "friends" show their true colors.
Kara needs an ally, or she might not survive Ourea's monsters. She drops her guard when Braeden, a native soldier with a dark secret, vows to keep her safe. And though she doesn't know it, her growing attraction to him may just be her undoing.
For twelve years, Braeden Drakonin has lived a lie. The Grimoire is his one chance at redemption, and it lands in his lap when Kara Magari comes into his life. Though he begins to care for this stranded girl, there's something he wants more. He wants the Grimoire.
Welcome to Ourea, where only the cunning survive.
----------------
Novels in the Grimoire Saga:
Lichgates (#1)
Treason (#2)
Heritage (#3)
Illusion (#4)
414 pages, Paperback
First published October 1, 2011
About the author
S.M. Boyce
27 books793 followersBoyce is known for action-packed epic fantasy, powerful heroes, and riveting magical stories filled with twists and intrigue. And, of course, a bit of humor sprinkled through it all. Pick up your kindle and get lost in the journey.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 614 reviews
May 25, 2012
First reads winner.
In the opening book to the trilogy written by S.M. Boyce, a girl hiking through the mountains stumbles into the world Ourea. Kara, finding a Grimoire with untold magic and the ability to answer any question asked if it, is almost immediately captured and thrown together with a subhuman type creature named Braeden, on the run from his dark inheritance.
I read another review saying that if this book isn't for you, you'll know with the first 50 pages. Well, it wasn't for me and I didn't make it past 46. From the very beginning, although showing no technical fault regarding grammar, the characterization is cliche (a prince casting off a dark background, an unreasonable cruel king), and the main character doesn't appeal to me. She just rolls with the flow, with several references to her dead mother. Meanwhile, the transitions are choppy, and information that could be weaved into the story (Kara's mother is dead) is just flung into your face from page one. The main problem to me, however, was lack of author voice and reliance on cliche. All of the sentences read like a line from any one of a hundred romance/paperback fiction novels. Overall, I think the author has a ways to go insofar as distinguishing their style as theirs.
In the opening book to the trilogy written by S.M. Boyce, a girl hiking through the mountains stumbles into the world Ourea. Kara, finding a Grimoire with untold magic and the ability to answer any question asked if it, is almost immediately captured and thrown together with a subhuman type creature named Braeden, on the run from his dark inheritance.
I read another review saying that if this book isn't for you, you'll know with the first 50 pages. Well, it wasn't for me and I didn't make it past 46. From the very beginning, although showing no technical fault regarding grammar, the characterization is cliche (a prince casting off a dark background, an unreasonable cruel king), and the main character doesn't appeal to me. She just rolls with the flow, with several references to her dead mother. Meanwhile, the transitions are choppy, and information that could be weaved into the story (Kara's mother is dead) is just flung into your face from page one. The main problem to me, however, was lack of author voice and reliance on cliche. All of the sentences read like a line from any one of a hundred romance/paperback fiction novels. Overall, I think the author has a ways to go insofar as distinguishing their style as theirs.
July 30, 2015
4 I want a Flick Stars
Overall, the story is great and I'm hooked. A few things that kinda put me off though is all of the descriptions which I thought took away from the story a bit.
But I understand why this had to happen in the first book - This is setting the stage for the rest of the series and now that we know who Kara is and what all the kingdoms look like in our imaginations, I'm hoping the next book is more plot.
I can't wait to get to the next one and hopefully find out how Kara's family is somehow tied together.
Overall, the story is great and I'm hooked. A few things that kinda put me off though is all of the descriptions which I thought took away from the story a bit.
But I understand why this had to happen in the first book - This is setting the stage for the rest of the series and now that we know who Kara is and what all the kingdoms look like in our imaginations, I'm hoping the next book is more plot.
I can't wait to get to the next one and hopefully find out how Kara's family is somehow tied together.
February 26, 2013
I did not make it very far in this book, and despite the fact that it gets great reviews and I should have liked it, I did not. The characters did not make sense and I did not care to know them, the world building seemed formulaic. It bored. I just was not buying in like I do when I love a fantasy novel. Maybe this book is meant for a different group of readers. I found myself rolling my eyes over and over again. I knew when I was dreading to sit down and read more, and I was putting off reading it, I had to say "uncle" and quit. Maybe later I can give it another chance and be more open to the story, but for right now, it is just not the book for me.
April 13, 2012
edit: You can also find my review here http://jacitamati.blogspot.com/
I started reading this book slowly, so I could enjoy in it longer. But today I started reading it and I totally lost myself in it. Before I could stop myself I finished this book and 3 hours just passed like that. I feel like I woke up from a dream.
At the beginning of the book it reminded me of Narnia and then I thought it has some connections with The Lord of the Rigs, and also I could see some stuff I saw in books for kids or somewhere when I was little. At some point I stopped thinking about that and then I realized that this book has it own story. Everything fits in its place.
Here you'll find some new species like Isen, yakona and the Blood, but your attention will be on two people (well technically one of them is Blood) Kara and Braeden. So basically this book has three main things that I like in books: fantasy, magic and romance. But not that romance that they're dying for each other and that they can't live without each other and bla bla bla. Here you'll be fascinated with Ourea and its Kingdoms.
I really hope that one day this book is going to be published and translated so I could read this to my kids before they go to sleep, I’m sure they’ll have sweet dreams. Now I can’t wait for the second book. Just tell me if there is a line where I can wait to be sure to get it.
I started reading this book slowly, so I could enjoy in it longer. But today I started reading it and I totally lost myself in it. Before I could stop myself I finished this book and 3 hours just passed like that. I feel like I woke up from a dream.
At the beginning of the book it reminded me of Narnia and then I thought it has some connections with The Lord of the Rigs, and also I could see some stuff I saw in books for kids or somewhere when I was little. At some point I stopped thinking about that and then I realized that this book has it own story. Everything fits in its place.
Here you'll find some new species like Isen, yakona and the Blood, but your attention will be on two people (well technically one of them is Blood) Kara and Braeden. So basically this book has three main things that I like in books: fantasy, magic and romance. But not that romance that they're dying for each other and that they can't live without each other and bla bla bla. Here you'll be fascinated with Ourea and its Kingdoms.
I really hope that one day this book is going to be published and translated so I could read this to my kids before they go to sleep, I’m sure they’ll have sweet dreams. Now I can’t wait for the second book. Just tell me if there is a line where I can wait to be sure to get it.
July 28, 2012
I just finished this and all I can say is "Whoa".
I was in a bit of a block and wasn't sure if I was gonna be able to get into this right now. Thankfully, I was surprised when I was sucked right into it from the beginning. There was no boring getting into the story beginning. The author tosses your ass right in the deep end from the get go. Loved it!
The characters and creatures of Ourea are nothing short of spectacular. They each have their own little quirks and surprises for you. I like the thing going on between Kara and Braeden. It's a bit heartrending from both sides. Will they be able to bond or will it never happen? Will she find someone else for her? She trusts Braeden and it would seem a shame to lose that for her on top of everything that she is going through. Will she make other vagabonds or will she stay the way and never make any? So much can happen from here on out. Crap, so much has happened by the last page! I simply cannot wait for the next book, Treason, to come out this fall. I will defintely be putting aside time for it. I just have to know happens next!
I was in a bit of a block and wasn't sure if I was gonna be able to get into this right now. Thankfully, I was surprised when I was sucked right into it from the beginning. There was no boring getting into the story beginning. The author tosses your ass right in the deep end from the get go. Loved it!
The characters and creatures of Ourea are nothing short of spectacular. They each have their own little quirks and surprises for you. I like the thing going on between Kara and Braeden. It's a bit heartrending from both sides. Will they be able to bond or will it never happen? Will she find someone else for her? She trusts Braeden and it would seem a shame to lose that for her on top of everything that she is going through. Will she make other vagabonds or will she stay the way and never make any? So much can happen from here on out. Crap, so much has happened by the last page! I simply cannot wait for the next book, Treason, to come out this fall. I will defintely be putting aside time for it. I just have to know happens next!
December 9, 2011
Wow! What a creative mind. I’ve had the opportunity to get to know S.M. Boyce the past few months and I can tell you, it doesn’t end here. Her mind is constantly teeming with new ideas.
The reader gets a great taste of that in Grimoire: Lichgates. Every chapter is filled with new and unique monsters, races, or lands. No orcs and elves here.
The one area I enjoyed most, which just so happens to be the area I had the biggest issue with, is her dialogue. It’s quirky, funny, and really gives the reader insight into the characters. There just wasn’t enough! I didn’t expect the Grimoire: Lichgates to be as full of dialogue as a thriller or mystery, but I feel it’s one of Boyce’s strong points. I really wanted to see more.
The descriptions could have been cleaned up a little. This is hard to explain. While grammatically correct and full of amazing details, I just wish it were more precise. This can be a delicate balancing act for any author in the fantasy genre and I’m sure S.M. Boyce will only get better in her future work.
I look forward to the rest of the trilogy and can’t wait for Boyce to come into her own. She’s close now and I can only see her getting better.
The reader gets a great taste of that in Grimoire: Lichgates. Every chapter is filled with new and unique monsters, races, or lands. No orcs and elves here.
The one area I enjoyed most, which just so happens to be the area I had the biggest issue with, is her dialogue. It’s quirky, funny, and really gives the reader insight into the characters. There just wasn’t enough! I didn’t expect the Grimoire: Lichgates to be as full of dialogue as a thriller or mystery, but I feel it’s one of Boyce’s strong points. I really wanted to see more.
The descriptions could have been cleaned up a little. This is hard to explain. While grammatically correct and full of amazing details, I just wish it were more precise. This can be a delicate balancing act for any author in the fantasy genre and I’m sure S.M. Boyce will only get better in her future work.
I look forward to the rest of the trilogy and can’t wait for Boyce to come into her own. She’s close now and I can only see her getting better.
May 14, 2012
Read more (http://cjlistro.blogspot.com/2012/03/...)
Newsflash: YA high fantasy is alive and well, and it’s all right here in Lichgates. From the first chapter, I knew this was a keeper. Boyce throws you right into the action without any slow buildup, letting you figure out background details as you go along. Kara, her main character, is a realistic, bright girl with a kind heart and a good brain--but she’s far from perfect, so don’t go worrying about Mary Sue’s. Braeden is the perfect romantic foil. He has a good heart and good intentions, but he can’t quite let go of his own agenda. And guess what!? NO insta-romance! That’s right, folks. These characters meet each other and do not immediately fall in love. I almost did a jig of joy at my computer.
But you want an original high fantasy world, you say? Look no further! Boyce has created one of the most original fantasy worlds I’ve ever read. I’d be so bold as to say that the originality of her world could be put up there with my hero, Diana Wynne Jones. As soon as you dive into Ourea, you know this isn’t any medieval European knock-off. With Bloods who can psychically control their whole kingdom’s bloodline, soul stealers, shape-shifting muses, charcoal-skinned smoky Stelians, cobblestones that make faces, and dog-horses that walk through walls--it's not your average Tolkien knockoff. I admit a surge of jealousy as I got deeper into Ourea and realized how well-crafted it was!
And the plot? Don’t worry. Boyce keeps you on your toes. Sure, I could nitpick about a few slow bits or a few strange names here and there, but what’s the point? When it comes down to it, Boyce knows how to keep a reader enthralled. Right from the start she pulls you in, and never lets go. Something is always going on, and every time Kara’s life gets too quiet, something else happens to complicate it. Murder, court intrigue, magic, soul stealing, war--take your pick. Kara is such a sympathetic character that you must keep reading, just to know that she’s okay in the end.
So my advice? Pick up a copy of Lichgates and clear your calendar, because you won’t want to put it down. Lovely author, great plot, realistic characters, unique world--YA high fantasy is back, my friends, with a book and a bang.
Newsflash: YA high fantasy is alive and well, and it’s all right here in Lichgates. From the first chapter, I knew this was a keeper. Boyce throws you right into the action without any slow buildup, letting you figure out background details as you go along. Kara, her main character, is a realistic, bright girl with a kind heart and a good brain--but she’s far from perfect, so don’t go worrying about Mary Sue’s. Braeden is the perfect romantic foil. He has a good heart and good intentions, but he can’t quite let go of his own agenda. And guess what!? NO insta-romance! That’s right, folks. These characters meet each other and do not immediately fall in love. I almost did a jig of joy at my computer.
But you want an original high fantasy world, you say? Look no further! Boyce has created one of the most original fantasy worlds I’ve ever read. I’d be so bold as to say that the originality of her world could be put up there with my hero, Diana Wynne Jones. As soon as you dive into Ourea, you know this isn’t any medieval European knock-off. With Bloods who can psychically control their whole kingdom’s bloodline, soul stealers, shape-shifting muses, charcoal-skinned smoky Stelians, cobblestones that make faces, and dog-horses that walk through walls--it's not your average Tolkien knockoff. I admit a surge of jealousy as I got deeper into Ourea and realized how well-crafted it was!
And the plot? Don’t worry. Boyce keeps you on your toes. Sure, I could nitpick about a few slow bits or a few strange names here and there, but what’s the point? When it comes down to it, Boyce knows how to keep a reader enthralled. Right from the start she pulls you in, and never lets go. Something is always going on, and every time Kara’s life gets too quiet, something else happens to complicate it. Murder, court intrigue, magic, soul stealing, war--take your pick. Kara is such a sympathetic character that you must keep reading, just to know that she’s okay in the end.
So my advice? Pick up a copy of Lichgates and clear your calendar, because you won’t want to put it down. Lovely author, great plot, realistic characters, unique world--YA high fantasy is back, my friends, with a book and a bang.
February 9, 2012
Anybody who has ever met me knows that what I like about books are characters. I still like plot-driven books, but I really enjoy well-rounded characters with some complexity.
S. M. Boyce has succeeded, in the best of ways, to create a complex, mysterious world that is peopled by complex characters that pop off the page and spark. The main character, Kara, is a young woman who stumbles on a hidden world, through a gate that separates our world from the world of Ourea. There she finds out that she has a destiny that she never knew. The adventures that happen to her are both exciting and , at times, harrowing and dark.
This story is an exciting, epic fantasy that will draw you in with its complexity, and with warm you with its humor. If you were looking for a fantasy novel, the first part of a trilogy that is different from the rest, S. M. Boyce has created that world. If you have been looking for a story with characters that feel so real they could be your friends, S. M. Boyce has created those characters
Ms. Boyce is so creative that you will wish you could have just an ounce of it for yourself. I have had the pleasure of getting to know S. M. Boyce and she is not done here. She’s just getting started. The finish of this book made me wish she was done with one of the others. (I’m desperate, Boyce! Hook me up! )
Do yourself a favor and buy this book. If you like epic fantasy, I would recommend this book with 6 stars. Unfortunately I can only give it five.
S. M. Boyce has succeeded, in the best of ways, to create a complex, mysterious world that is peopled by complex characters that pop off the page and spark. The main character, Kara, is a young woman who stumbles on a hidden world, through a gate that separates our world from the world of Ourea. There she finds out that she has a destiny that she never knew. The adventures that happen to her are both exciting and , at times, harrowing and dark.
This story is an exciting, epic fantasy that will draw you in with its complexity, and with warm you with its humor. If you were looking for a fantasy novel, the first part of a trilogy that is different from the rest, S. M. Boyce has created that world. If you have been looking for a story with characters that feel so real they could be your friends, S. M. Boyce has created those characters
Ms. Boyce is so creative that you will wish you could have just an ounce of it for yourself. I have had the pleasure of getting to know S. M. Boyce and she is not done here. She’s just getting started. The finish of this book made me wish she was done with one of the others. (I’m desperate, Boyce! Hook me up! )
Do yourself a favor and buy this book. If you like epic fantasy, I would recommend this book with 6 stars. Unfortunately I can only give it five.
March 11, 2012
I bought the novel Lichgates (Book One in the Grimoire Trilogy) about two weeks ago. All I knew at the time was the brief synopsis given on Amazon, and that I liked the author, S.M Boyce very much.
Here is the tale, and I warn you now, I cannot do it justice in one measly paragraph:
“Kara Magari is just a regular girl on a hike. One day she chooses to take the way less traveled by (not always the best idea Mr. Frost) and stumbles through a Lichgate. What is a Lichgate you may ask? It is a portal, wormhole, trapdoor in this world, leading straight through to another one. The world of Ourea. She finds herself in a library, and curiosity prods her to investigate the one book that will change her life forever. The Grimoire. The note attached seals her fate.
“From the moment you read these words, you will be hunted.”
Kara begins the journey through Ourea. Quickly meeting Braeden Drakonin, a Blood Prince to an Evil King. Braeden is looking for a way out, a true escape from his father’s grasp since he has been lying and hiding since he was twelve years old. “
My immediate thought, ‘here we go, another forbidden romance’.
I’ve never been happier to be wrong in my life!
Kara is strong. She has been through a lot but is never a wilting flower. She accepts her new role, but not so readily a completely new destiny. People get hurt, people die, and sometimes the bad guys get the upper hand. Instead of a romance novel, we get a love story. An honest to God, love story played out in every facet possible. Kara and Braeden struggle with having lost the people they loved most in their worlds. At its core, Lichgates is about loving your Kingdom, your home, your people, your ways, and figuring out how to love yourself when you feel broken beyond repair.
This book is very fairytale-esque but not of the Disney kind. It is fast paced, a constant adventure which is exceptionally rare for a first novel. Hell, it’s rare for any novel at all! It splinters into so much detail that I wouldn’t truly know where to begin describing the trials the characters must go through.
Together Kara and Braeden take a heroic journey. The story is an epic tale woven intricately and exceeding all expectation. I was instantly transported to my childhood bedroom. Reminded of the first time I ever read of the Great Aslan and his land of Narnia. The moment when I was nine and decided, I would cure my fear of water, for one day I would be The Lady of the Lake, and know Arthur and his Knights.
This story is rare, and I found myself feeling blessed to have gotten to read it. I truly believe it will be considered a ‘Classic’ in years to come. I have no trouble imagining my daughter one day wanting to be Kara, keeper of the Grimoire, as I once yearned to be Viviane of the Lake. To know there are writers out there still capable of producing such legends, simply makes me believe in the magic that books fundamentally are.
I tip my hat to Boyce, and I beg her to hurry up with the second installment!
I hope there are Unicorns.
July 12, 2012
Lichgates, Part 1 of the Grimoire Trilogy captivated my imagination from the moment I began reading.
I am a big fan of epic fantasy. Feist's RiftWar, Tolkien's Lord of the Rings, and similar stories with vast new worlds to discover have been a staple of my reading experience since I was a teenager. My true favorites, however, have been the epics that brought a person from our world and dropped them into the middle of the fantasy world. Lichgates compares well with such greats as Alice in Wonderland, The Chronicles of Thomas Covenant, and even The Wizard of Oz.
The main character, Kara, is a college student from our world who accidentally (or maybe not so accidentally) finds her way into Ourea. This new world does not have real humans, instead it has several competing races. One race, the yakona, is comprised of many variations of humanoids from winged bird-men, to water breathing fish people. Each variant group of yakona has their own kingdom that lays separate from the others. They remain hidden and secluded as a security measure...to protect them from the evil yakona of The Stele.
Kara is joined by the rogue heir to the Stele throne, Braeden, as the adventures unfold. But action and magic are only part of the amazing story. Political intrigue, espionage, romance, and mystery elements all appear within these pages. There is something for almost any reader. In addition to all of this wonderful content, the book is geared to a Young Adult audience, so violence, language, and 'adult' situations are kept to a level that is appropriate for most readers!
Kara is written so well. Readers see her inner insecurities, vulnerabilities, and fears while also witnessing her strong resolve to keep them hidden from the denizens of Ourea. I particularly enjoyed her adamant stand against the misogynistic cultures she runs into in the yakona kingdoms. Kara realizes that she is a complete outsider and fights her fears to portray a strong front in her relations with the kings (Bloods) and representatives of the yakona world.
A new favorite for me! I can't wait for the next book in the Trilogy! Highly Recommended!
I am a big fan of epic fantasy. Feist's RiftWar, Tolkien's Lord of the Rings, and similar stories with vast new worlds to discover have been a staple of my reading experience since I was a teenager. My true favorites, however, have been the epics that brought a person from our world and dropped them into the middle of the fantasy world. Lichgates compares well with such greats as Alice in Wonderland, The Chronicles of Thomas Covenant, and even The Wizard of Oz.
The main character, Kara, is a college student from our world who accidentally (or maybe not so accidentally) finds her way into Ourea. This new world does not have real humans, instead it has several competing races. One race, the yakona, is comprised of many variations of humanoids from winged bird-men, to water breathing fish people. Each variant group of yakona has their own kingdom that lays separate from the others. They remain hidden and secluded as a security measure...to protect them from the evil yakona of The Stele.
Kara is joined by the rogue heir to the Stele throne, Braeden, as the adventures unfold. But action and magic are only part of the amazing story. Political intrigue, espionage, romance, and mystery elements all appear within these pages. There is something for almost any reader. In addition to all of this wonderful content, the book is geared to a Young Adult audience, so violence, language, and 'adult' situations are kept to a level that is appropriate for most readers!
Kara is written so well. Readers see her inner insecurities, vulnerabilities, and fears while also witnessing her strong resolve to keep them hidden from the denizens of Ourea. I particularly enjoyed her adamant stand against the misogynistic cultures she runs into in the yakona kingdoms. Kara realizes that she is a complete outsider and fights her fears to portray a strong front in her relations with the kings (Bloods) and representatives of the yakona world.
A new favorite for me! I can't wait for the next book in the Trilogy! Highly Recommended!
April 19, 2012
What a fun adventure Kara's journey turned out to be. She's smart and sassy and this is how she looks to me:
Next is Braeden in one of his many forms:
Having just lost her mother, Kara is looking for an escape. When she goes hiking one fine afternoon and stumbles on a lichgate her life turns upside down. She is immediately drawn into an adventure of a lifetime and doesn't look back, well, mostly. She is trapped by a book that makes her its guardian. Along with the book comes a lot of responsibility, and I don't blame Kara for not wanting it. Kara faces many obstacles along her journey. I admire her spunk and resilience especially considering all she had to put up with from species she couldn't have previously immagined.
This story has more of an epic fantasy feel with rich description between vivid action. Boyce paints the world of Ourea with delicate strokes. Kara and Braeden are fun to follow and each brings an important roll to this story. I have to admit I wanted more romance, but that's just me. We do get a little toward the end, but I wanted more, dang it. As to the story as a whole, my only complaint is that a few things came too easily to Kara. I don't do spoilers, so you will just have to see if you come to the same conclusion. This wasn't much though, and it didn't detract from my enjoyment of the book. Overall rating 4.5 shining stars. I can't wait to see what happens next.
Next is Braeden in one of his many forms:
Having just lost her mother, Kara is looking for an escape. When she goes hiking one fine afternoon and stumbles on a lichgate her life turns upside down. She is immediately drawn into an adventure of a lifetime and doesn't look back, well, mostly. She is trapped by a book that makes her its guardian. Along with the book comes a lot of responsibility, and I don't blame Kara for not wanting it. Kara faces many obstacles along her journey. I admire her spunk and resilience especially considering all she had to put up with from species she couldn't have previously immagined.
This story has more of an epic fantasy feel with rich description between vivid action. Boyce paints the world of Ourea with delicate strokes. Kara and Braeden are fun to follow and each brings an important roll to this story. I have to admit I wanted more romance, but that's just me. We do get a little toward the end, but I wanted more, dang it. As to the story as a whole, my only complaint is that a few things came too easily to Kara. I don't do spoilers, so you will just have to see if you come to the same conclusion. This wasn't much though, and it didn't detract from my enjoyment of the book. Overall rating 4.5 shining stars. I can't wait to see what happens next.
August 11, 2013
What? That was it? As I read this book I was mentally debating whether it would end up with three or four stars, but then it didn't . . . end, that is. It just stopped. Okay, I understand that authors and publishers all lean toward the multivolume work these days--call it the Lord of the Rings Syndrome--but this wasn't so much a book as an extended introduction. Nothing much was resolved.
Worse, while the story was pretty standard modern fantasy, I never really connected with the protagonist or any of the rest of the cast. Our Heroine kept making the same, stupid mistakes and being miraculously saved by contrived escapes, most of which did not depend on her wisdom or worthiness but pure dumb luck. Dumb she did well.
Two stars was a gift.
Worse, while the story was pretty standard modern fantasy, I never really connected with the protagonist or any of the rest of the cast. Our Heroine kept making the same, stupid mistakes and being miraculously saved by contrived escapes, most of which did not depend on her wisdom or worthiness but pure dumb luck. Dumb she did well.
Two stars was a gift.
April 4, 2015
Alice in Wonderland meets Lord of the Rings
Kara literally falls down the “rabbit” hole and from there has all manner of creature and kingdoms to contend with as she makes her way through the lichgates of Ourea.
As with my favorite sci fi stories, there’s much more going on beneath the surface of The Grimoire. Once Kara is chosen as the new keeper of the Grimoire she becomes a vagabond and envoy to all the kingdoms of Ourea. Her mission of peace and discovery (just where does she belong and what is her purpose?) takes her on a grand adventure to many kingdoms where she struggles with the cultures and customs of exotic species.
I love that Kara is always wanting to wear pants when many of the kingdoms are trying to get her into a dress. This is an adventure with a 21st century twist.
The Grimoire is perfect for all genders… and species. (LOL) It’s told from the POV of Kara and Braeden who are thrown together from the moment they are both captured. Braeden struggles as much as Kara to fit in since escaping his father’s rule and the atrocities of his people.
The writing is flawless. The kingdoms and surrounding landscapes breathtaking. The Grimoire is a piece of imaginative genius that bedazzles from the moment Kara falls into the land of Ourea.
Kara literally falls down the “rabbit” hole and from there has all manner of creature and kingdoms to contend with as she makes her way through the lichgates of Ourea.
As with my favorite sci fi stories, there’s much more going on beneath the surface of The Grimoire. Once Kara is chosen as the new keeper of the Grimoire she becomes a vagabond and envoy to all the kingdoms of Ourea. Her mission of peace and discovery (just where does she belong and what is her purpose?) takes her on a grand adventure to many kingdoms where she struggles with the cultures and customs of exotic species.
I love that Kara is always wanting to wear pants when many of the kingdoms are trying to get her into a dress. This is an adventure with a 21st century twist.
The Grimoire is perfect for all genders… and species. (LOL) It’s told from the POV of Kara and Braeden who are thrown together from the moment they are both captured. Braeden struggles as much as Kara to fit in since escaping his father’s rule and the atrocities of his people.
The writing is flawless. The kingdoms and surrounding landscapes breathtaking. The Grimoire is a piece of imaginative genius that bedazzles from the moment Kara falls into the land of Ourea.
November 17, 2011
Imagine a fantasy novel with a taste of Lord of the Rings, Narnia and Harry Potter. You might sense the influences that must have guided debut author S.M. Boyce. From beautifully crafted descriptions and exposition to action packed thrills, it's all there: fight scenes that work, magic, shape shifting creatures, time-shifts and a cast of likable good guys offset by terrifying opponents.
Main character Kara Magari stumbles on an ancient book while hiking on a mountain trail. The talking book, the places it leads her, and the characters will transform her life. Kara is bright, witty and funny. To survive she will need all of those attributes and the help of loyal friends. Part of the problem is she can’t be sure who is friend or foe.
As the latest Vagabond, the World of Ourea is in her hands. It is said the first Vagabond was murdered for attempting to unite a shattered world. Now, Kara has the same assignment.
Main character Kara Magari stumbles on an ancient book while hiking on a mountain trail. The talking book, the places it leads her, and the characters will transform her life. Kara is bright, witty and funny. To survive she will need all of those attributes and the help of loyal friends. Part of the problem is she can’t be sure who is friend or foe.
As the latest Vagabond, the World of Ourea is in her hands. It is said the first Vagabond was murdered for attempting to unite a shattered world. Now, Kara has the same assignment.
August 8, 2016
The Grimoire: Lichgates is the first book in The Grimoire Trilogy. In this first book the author, S.M. Boyce, throws Kara (the main character) and the reader into an entirely new work called Ourea. To get to this world, Lichgates are necessary. They are portals linking our world to the dangerous, yet beautiful, kingdoms of Ourea. They are scattered all over both worlds and it is through one of them in the Rocky Mountains that Kara stumbles.
Upon falling into an underground library, Kara finds waiting for her an old red leather book. The book is very magical. On it is a necklace with a pendant that looks like four crescent moons configured in the shape of a four-leaf clover. This book is so magical that there are blank pages throughout, but when asked the right questions the pages flip to a sections and words appear with an answer.
This book is one of Kara’s only defenses against what lies in wait for her in Ourea. Upon opening the book, she has become the center of every kingdom’s focus; she is the Vagabond. Her purpose in this strange world is to reunite the four kingdoms in peace, fulfilling the goal of the first Vagabond who died a thousand years before.
This concept really caught me from the beginning. Like I said I was hooked from reading the first chapter alone. It takes a lot to do that with most books. Part of what kept me reading was the fact that this book doesn’t wait to get the reader into the action. There is no lead in chapters, no foreshadowing, no mercy. Kara is hiking one minute and in Ourea fighting for her life the next. Every time throughout the book it seems that there will be some time to relax (for the characters and readers alike) something happens. It’s almost impossible to put this book down. Lucky for me I was able to force the book down, which allowed me to savor every experience it held; there are many.
I loved many elements of this book. First off the setting made me want to visit Ourea. I know this is impossible (not only because it’s not a real place) because if I went there, I’d most likely die (more on that soon.) Ourea is like the worlds of most fantastical stories. It has it’s beautiful landscapes, luxurious castles, and even a dreary kingdom no one wants to acknowledge. It’s landscapes include forests, a kingdom nestled on top of a vertigo inducing multi mile high cliff, and even a kingdom found in a magical dome on the bottom of an ocean guarded by sharks. And it’s not just the places themselves that I fell in love with, it’s the way Boyce’s words describe them. I can’t do it justice in my own words, you’ll have to take my word for it or read the book. Her words paint a picture of every aspect allowing the reader to soak in the images.
The setting wasn’t the only exciting part of the book. There are also the various creatures of the land. To mention a few there are griffins, dragons, something Kara says is similar to a squirrel, and one of my favorites a flaer named Rowthe. I liked him a lot because he’s a huge dog like creature. Of course he has a unique ability, but I’m going to let you find that one out, it’s just really cool.
The characters Kara encounters are very hard to figure out. This helps the story be what is it more than anything else. The Grimoire from the beginning warns Kara that she can’t trust anyone in Ourea. A lot of the times it seems like the characters can be figured out and trusted, but then there’s either a subtle or drastic hint to the contrary. As a reader I was always jumping to conclusions about a character only to change my opinion soon after. I’m still waiting for a character to make a turn for the worse, but we’ll see if that happens.
Kara’s journey takes the reader all over Ourea and she meets a variety of good and evil. She even has encounters with the evil King, Blood Carden. He is the father of Kara’s companion Braeden. I guess I should have mention him by now. Carden is the ruler of the Stele, the banished kingdom who reeks havoc on Ourea even through a banishment. Braeden, his son, escaped from his father’s kingdom twelve years earlier and has been hiding elsewhere ever since. But the ever present questions in my mind was whether or not he was one to be trusted. When would the evil in his blood consume him, if at all? For most of the book I kept liking and trusting him, but wanted to keep an eye on him for Kara’s sake (not that I could have helped here, that’s just silly she’s in a book.) There is also a growing connection between Kara and the mysterious Braeden which leads to some complications in the relationship of him as protector and one of her few friends.
To wrap this up, The Grimoire: Lichgates is on my top five favorite books I have read this year and possibly in recent years. I keep reading great books so this list should be extended to at least ten. I loved the story, I loved the setting, I loved everything about this book. The only problem that I had with it is that I didn’t have the next book to read. I only hope that the day comes when I can read book two, then book three, sooner than it will.
Upon falling into an underground library, Kara finds waiting for her an old red leather book. The book is very magical. On it is a necklace with a pendant that looks like four crescent moons configured in the shape of a four-leaf clover. This book is so magical that there are blank pages throughout, but when asked the right questions the pages flip to a sections and words appear with an answer.
This book is one of Kara’s only defenses against what lies in wait for her in Ourea. Upon opening the book, she has become the center of every kingdom’s focus; she is the Vagabond. Her purpose in this strange world is to reunite the four kingdoms in peace, fulfilling the goal of the first Vagabond who died a thousand years before.
This concept really caught me from the beginning. Like I said I was hooked from reading the first chapter alone. It takes a lot to do that with most books. Part of what kept me reading was the fact that this book doesn’t wait to get the reader into the action. There is no lead in chapters, no foreshadowing, no mercy. Kara is hiking one minute and in Ourea fighting for her life the next. Every time throughout the book it seems that there will be some time to relax (for the characters and readers alike) something happens. It’s almost impossible to put this book down. Lucky for me I was able to force the book down, which allowed me to savor every experience it held; there are many.
I loved many elements of this book. First off the setting made me want to visit Ourea. I know this is impossible (not only because it’s not a real place) because if I went there, I’d most likely die (more on that soon.) Ourea is like the worlds of most fantastical stories. It has it’s beautiful landscapes, luxurious castles, and even a dreary kingdom no one wants to acknowledge. It’s landscapes include forests, a kingdom nestled on top of a vertigo inducing multi mile high cliff, and even a kingdom found in a magical dome on the bottom of an ocean guarded by sharks. And it’s not just the places themselves that I fell in love with, it’s the way Boyce’s words describe them. I can’t do it justice in my own words, you’ll have to take my word for it or read the book. Her words paint a picture of every aspect allowing the reader to soak in the images.
The setting wasn’t the only exciting part of the book. There are also the various creatures of the land. To mention a few there are griffins, dragons, something Kara says is similar to a squirrel, and one of my favorites a flaer named Rowthe. I liked him a lot because he’s a huge dog like creature. Of course he has a unique ability, but I’m going to let you find that one out, it’s just really cool.
The characters Kara encounters are very hard to figure out. This helps the story be what is it more than anything else. The Grimoire from the beginning warns Kara that she can’t trust anyone in Ourea. A lot of the times it seems like the characters can be figured out and trusted, but then there’s either a subtle or drastic hint to the contrary. As a reader I was always jumping to conclusions about a character only to change my opinion soon after. I’m still waiting for a character to make a turn for the worse, but we’ll see if that happens.
Kara’s journey takes the reader all over Ourea and she meets a variety of good and evil. She even has encounters with the evil King, Blood Carden. He is the father of Kara’s companion Braeden. I guess I should have mention him by now. Carden is the ruler of the Stele, the banished kingdom who reeks havoc on Ourea even through a banishment. Braeden, his son, escaped from his father’s kingdom twelve years earlier and has been hiding elsewhere ever since. But the ever present questions in my mind was whether or not he was one to be trusted. When would the evil in his blood consume him, if at all? For most of the book I kept liking and trusting him, but wanted to keep an eye on him for Kara’s sake (not that I could have helped here, that’s just silly she’s in a book.) There is also a growing connection between Kara and the mysterious Braeden which leads to some complications in the relationship of him as protector and one of her few friends.
To wrap this up, The Grimoire: Lichgates is on my top five favorite books I have read this year and possibly in recent years. I keep reading great books so this list should be extended to at least ten. I loved the story, I loved the setting, I loved everything about this book. The only problem that I had with it is that I didn’t have the next book to read. I only hope that the day comes when I can read book two, then book three, sooner than it will.
June 9, 2012
I love discovering new worlds! Adventures, missions, you name it, everything that has to do with a hero or in this case, a heroine, to bring balance to the world. One of the things that I enjoy to see is how that person struggles to understand the new “world” in which she finds herself, who tries to use magic, to survive in a totally different atmosphere from the one she’s used to and to learn how to get along with it.
The story starts when Kara is hiking in an unfamiliar path, a routine she usually does to keep herself from thinking about her mother’s death caused by a car accident. She comes up short when she finds a gazebo called a “Lichgate” where she takes a minute to rest and to explore this new find. Coming across with a door, and having no alternative than to go through it when an electric storm makes its way fast, she falls rather roughly into a room where she finds a book which changes her life drastically.
The Grimoire knows everything you need to know about Ourea, a magical world filled with creatures unknown to the human world, divided into kingdoms where a Blood (royalty) reigns. This book was created by a man who called himself the Vagabond, who wished to pour all of his knowledge about this world and to try and bring peace among the Blood’s kingdoms. It would also serve as a guide to that person who is worthy to be the new Vagabond once its owner would pass away. This is a very ingenious book, I mean, you could practically ask it any question and it would answer straight away by turning its pages to show the right answer. It’s also the home of a large amount of "pets" that the past Vagabond gathered through his travels.
Having been chosen by the Grimoire itself, indicates that Kara is a very capable person to bring stability to the world of Ourea, she has the power within herself, even though she doubts it.
I like the way she thinks and her sudden decisions, although sometimes she may be a bit stubborn, thus getting her into minor problems, but I think she just fights and stands for what she believes in. Not everyone can manage such a thing when difficult situations arise.
Now Braeden, my favorite character of the book, is quite a charming fellow. Okay, he may have anger issues, his true form is a terrifying creature with red eyes and when he’s near his father he might get controlled by him and probably attempts to kill you, but other than that, he is an awesome guy! He can change forms, fight well and even though he comes from the darkest creatures, his heart is noble. He’s perfect for Kara, right?
The relationship between Braeden and Kara was a great addition to the story. Each character had their own conflicts and it was nice to read how even though they are very different, they do well for each other. And the best part, their “love interest” is not overwhelming throughout the book, you know it’s there, but it doesn’t distract you from what’s going on.
I highly anticipate reading the sequel, I want to know what’s going to happen, for this is a book that I will reread again soon, to find more details that I might have overlooked in my desperate attempt to know Kara’s and Braeden’s next move.
S.M. Boyce, thank you for this great adventure and the opportunity to enjoy it! I now find myself wondering if there is a Lichgate nearby...
The story starts when Kara is hiking in an unfamiliar path, a routine she usually does to keep herself from thinking about her mother’s death caused by a car accident. She comes up short when she finds a gazebo called a “Lichgate” where she takes a minute to rest and to explore this new find. Coming across with a door, and having no alternative than to go through it when an electric storm makes its way fast, she falls rather roughly into a room where she finds a book which changes her life drastically.
The Grimoire knows everything you need to know about Ourea, a magical world filled with creatures unknown to the human world, divided into kingdoms where a Blood (royalty) reigns. This book was created by a man who called himself the Vagabond, who wished to pour all of his knowledge about this world and to try and bring peace among the Blood’s kingdoms. It would also serve as a guide to that person who is worthy to be the new Vagabond once its owner would pass away. This is a very ingenious book, I mean, you could practically ask it any question and it would answer straight away by turning its pages to show the right answer. It’s also the home of a large amount of "pets" that the past Vagabond gathered through his travels.
Having been chosen by the Grimoire itself, indicates that Kara is a very capable person to bring stability to the world of Ourea, she has the power within herself, even though she doubts it.
I like the way she thinks and her sudden decisions, although sometimes she may be a bit stubborn, thus getting her into minor problems, but I think she just fights and stands for what she believes in. Not everyone can manage such a thing when difficult situations arise.
Now Braeden, my favorite character of the book, is quite a charming fellow. Okay, he may have anger issues, his true form is a terrifying creature with red eyes and when he’s near his father he might get controlled by him and probably attempts to kill you, but other than that, he is an awesome guy! He can change forms, fight well and even though he comes from the darkest creatures, his heart is noble. He’s perfect for Kara, right?
The relationship between Braeden and Kara was a great addition to the story. Each character had their own conflicts and it was nice to read how even though they are very different, they do well for each other. And the best part, their “love interest” is not overwhelming throughout the book, you know it’s there, but it doesn’t distract you from what’s going on.
I highly anticipate reading the sequel, I want to know what’s going to happen, for this is a book that I will reread again soon, to find more details that I might have overlooked in my desperate attempt to know Kara’s and Braeden’s next move.
S.M. Boyce, thank you for this great adventure and the opportunity to enjoy it! I now find myself wondering if there is a Lichgate nearby...
July 3, 2012
My Review: 5/5*
Amazing, amazing, amazing! I am SO glad that I requested a copy of this to review: a book hasn’t captured me so much since Rowling’s Harry Potter. The book tells the tale of the twenty year old figure of Kara Magari and the shocking world she stumbles upon unexpectedly on one of her many hikes. She is thrown into the wonderful, dangerous and beautiful world of Ourea: a world in which she now carries the heavy responsibility of restoring the world’s peace. She has been chosen as the new Vagabond.
Throughout the book, we are introduced to many of Boyce’s creatures: yakon, races which make up Ourea, isen, the soul stealers, and the drenowith, the muses. These characters make up the hierarchical world of Ourea in which Kara must travel and battle against in order to complete her task. We are introduced to three of the ‘worlds’ within Ourea on Kara’s journey in which she is given the task of uniting the Bloods (what would be a King) to the same cause as that of the Vagabond herself and the skewed motives of the Blood, Gavin – that of war against the Stelian race.
This novel absolutely blew me away. Boyce manages to capture the magic of this world perfectly, making the reader aware of the dangers surrounding the task forced upon Kara. The characters themselves are far from transparent allowing me to completely empathise with the struggles facing both Kara and Braeden. The relationship which develops between these two characters is strong and unwavering. The trust issues held by Kara was refreshing to read, so different from the majority of books that I have read lately in which the female protagonist instantly trusts the new male figure which comes in their lives. The struggle captured between both characters is hypnotic as we watch Kara struggle to adjust to this new world and her new responsibilities, and Braeden struggle to fight his what seems to be inevitable rise to become the Blood of the land in which Ourea is hoping to war with.
The main thing which relieved me with the book, as I will admit that I had my worries upon reading that Kara was now to be the next Vagabond, that she did not dwell on the fact that she was now given this role. Boyce successfully provided the right amount of confusion, frustration and terror into her discovery, but kept the figure of her protagonist as a strong, feisty figure who isn’t afraid to stand up for what she believes in. Kara, despite being in an unfamiliar world, never once succumbs to the ‘proper’ rules of the world and maintains her modern-world female attitude: her biggest rebellion being that of continuing to wear trousers. This may seem as something trivial but this is just the beginning of the readers introduction to the strong, passionate figure of Boyce’s heroine.
This book was truly incredibly and I don’t feel that my review or any review can do it true justice. I cannot wait to read the second book of this trilogy: Treason.
Amazing, amazing, amazing! I am SO glad that I requested a copy of this to review: a book hasn’t captured me so much since Rowling’s Harry Potter. The book tells the tale of the twenty year old figure of Kara Magari and the shocking world she stumbles upon unexpectedly on one of her many hikes. She is thrown into the wonderful, dangerous and beautiful world of Ourea: a world in which she now carries the heavy responsibility of restoring the world’s peace. She has been chosen as the new Vagabond.
Throughout the book, we are introduced to many of Boyce’s creatures: yakon, races which make up Ourea, isen, the soul stealers, and the drenowith, the muses. These characters make up the hierarchical world of Ourea in which Kara must travel and battle against in order to complete her task. We are introduced to three of the ‘worlds’ within Ourea on Kara’s journey in which she is given the task of uniting the Bloods (what would be a King) to the same cause as that of the Vagabond herself and the skewed motives of the Blood, Gavin – that of war against the Stelian race.
This novel absolutely blew me away. Boyce manages to capture the magic of this world perfectly, making the reader aware of the dangers surrounding the task forced upon Kara. The characters themselves are far from transparent allowing me to completely empathise with the struggles facing both Kara and Braeden. The relationship which develops between these two characters is strong and unwavering. The trust issues held by Kara was refreshing to read, so different from the majority of books that I have read lately in which the female protagonist instantly trusts the new male figure which comes in their lives. The struggle captured between both characters is hypnotic as we watch Kara struggle to adjust to this new world and her new responsibilities, and Braeden struggle to fight his what seems to be inevitable rise to become the Blood of the land in which Ourea is hoping to war with.
The main thing which relieved me with the book, as I will admit that I had my worries upon reading that Kara was now to be the next Vagabond, that she did not dwell on the fact that she was now given this role. Boyce successfully provided the right amount of confusion, frustration and terror into her discovery, but kept the figure of her protagonist as a strong, feisty figure who isn’t afraid to stand up for what she believes in. Kara, despite being in an unfamiliar world, never once succumbs to the ‘proper’ rules of the world and maintains her modern-world female attitude: her biggest rebellion being that of continuing to wear trousers. This may seem as something trivial but this is just the beginning of the readers introduction to the strong, passionate figure of Boyce’s heroine.
This book was truly incredibly and I don’t feel that my review or any review can do it true justice. I cannot wait to read the second book of this trilogy: Treason.
February 28, 2012
This book is an enchanting high fantasy that draws on the essence of both The Neverending Story and Alice in Wonderland, plot devices from Stargate SG-1 and Narnia, and a quest like that of Luke Skywalker's. One of my first thoughts while reading it was if I were a filmmaker recreating this story, I would treat it in a matter similar to Watership Down...showing the human dimension in live action, and Ourea's scenes animated (Final Fantasy style at that). Simply, it would be very hard to render a world as beautiful as the one Ms. Boyce has created on Earth. Soaring towered cities...one of them UNDERWATER. Even the elements that are brutal are beautiful.
The author balances the wonder out by injecting a healthy dose of humanity at its worst. None of the people trust each other, as main character Kara discovers early on. In what I consider the strongest scene of the book, a slender queen on an afternoon stroll finds herself face to face her people's worst enemy...a man easily four-times her size and she battles him with wits and steel. Lorraine is beautiful, wise, capable of unconditional love and forgiveness, but beneath her skin, she is ruthless as her opponent. Every ruler of Ourea is, because every throne requires it.
But, Lichgates is not without its problems. The ratio of narration to dialog (with far more narrative) is unusual in a Young Adult novel. I also found the chapters to be unbalanced. The main character's struggle with guilt and death is appropriate, and expertly handled by the author, as are the philosophical questions regarding free will and genocide. But as the story requires introducing the reader to settings, races, creatures, magic, all while following the main character on a quest that runs parallel to this, plus rounding out an number of characters, the author was almost required to "tell" much of the story opposed to "show" to get it all in a YA length story. I felt a bit let down by how quickly events and discoveries came. Also, in the prose, there are brilliant passages that ignite all of the senses, followed by sections I refrained from skimming. They didn't hold my interest, but because the author drops very subtle hints, I was concerned that I'd miss something important.
At the end, I was very happy to have picked up this book and delighted with the story when I finished it. My quibbles with the prose could be fixed in a another round of editing, but I feel it would be a shame for another reader to pass the story by because I feel that way. I am looking forward to the next book in The Grimoire story.
The author balances the wonder out by injecting a healthy dose of humanity at its worst. None of the people trust each other, as main character Kara discovers early on. In what I consider the strongest scene of the book, a slender queen on an afternoon stroll finds herself face to face her people's worst enemy...a man easily four-times her size and she battles him with wits and steel. Lorraine is beautiful, wise, capable of unconditional love and forgiveness, but beneath her skin, she is ruthless as her opponent. Every ruler of Ourea is, because every throne requires it.
But, Lichgates is not without its problems. The ratio of narration to dialog (with far more narrative) is unusual in a Young Adult novel. I also found the chapters to be unbalanced. The main character's struggle with guilt and death is appropriate, and expertly handled by the author, as are the philosophical questions regarding free will and genocide. But as the story requires introducing the reader to settings, races, creatures, magic, all while following the main character on a quest that runs parallel to this, plus rounding out an number of characters, the author was almost required to "tell" much of the story opposed to "show" to get it all in a YA length story. I felt a bit let down by how quickly events and discoveries came. Also, in the prose, there are brilliant passages that ignite all of the senses, followed by sections I refrained from skimming. They didn't hold my interest, but because the author drops very subtle hints, I was concerned that I'd miss something important.
At the end, I was very happy to have picked up this book and delighted with the story when I finished it. My quibbles with the prose could be fixed in a another round of editing, but I feel it would be a shame for another reader to pass the story by because I feel that way. I am looking forward to the next book in The Grimoire story.
March 16, 2012
First posted here: http://tessmw.blogspot.com/2012/03/li...
If you are ready to get yourself lost into a world of fantasy this book is for you!
Boyce does not waste any time jumping right into Lichgates. I don't think I was prepared to go head first into the story which left me a little frazzled and confused at the beginning, but then when Braeden came on the scene everything cleared up! (Welcome to My Pathway to Books where you will always hear about the Hot guy in the story :D ) I really loved the relationship that Kara and Braeden had. Braeden was very protective of Kara, but unlike other stories I've read it was more of a "we know each other's secrets so we better trust each other" type of relationship which may or may not turn into something more...
S.M. Boyce has a way of lacing words together in an intricate pattern that I have never seen before. The way she describes parts of the story is in such detail that you can't help but immerse yourself in the book which makes the world building all the more real. This book will become a part of you when you read it, and the world of Ourea will become your world. Even though it has some of the strangest policies and characters, Ourea is so believable!
Kara is almost forced to become this peacemaker and go on this quest to find harmony in a world that she just found out about few days prior. She gets hit with many many obstacles on the way especially while she is trying to harness her full power as the Vagabond! Kara turns out to be quite the heroine during this journey, and she handles all these situations she is thrown in as such!
I recommend this books to anyone who wants a great fantasy read! Especially since there are SO many ways to win it on this blog tour! You can go enter My Pathway to Books giveaway for this blog tour below, you can enter to win one of the 75 ebooks S.M. Boyce is giving away, you can enter to win the Grand Prize, or you can do all three!
If you are ready to get yourself lost into a world of fantasy this book is for you!
Boyce does not waste any time jumping right into Lichgates. I don't think I was prepared to go head first into the story which left me a little frazzled and confused at the beginning, but then when Braeden came on the scene everything cleared up! (Welcome to My Pathway to Books where you will always hear about the Hot guy in the story :D ) I really loved the relationship that Kara and Braeden had. Braeden was very protective of Kara, but unlike other stories I've read it was more of a "we know each other's secrets so we better trust each other" type of relationship which may or may not turn into something more...
S.M. Boyce has a way of lacing words together in an intricate pattern that I have never seen before. The way she describes parts of the story is in such detail that you can't help but immerse yourself in the book which makes the world building all the more real. This book will become a part of you when you read it, and the world of Ourea will become your world. Even though it has some of the strangest policies and characters, Ourea is so believable!
Kara is almost forced to become this peacemaker and go on this quest to find harmony in a world that she just found out about few days prior. She gets hit with many many obstacles on the way especially while she is trying to harness her full power as the Vagabond! Kara turns out to be quite the heroine during this journey, and she handles all these situations she is thrown in as such!
I recommend this books to anyone who wants a great fantasy read! Especially since there are SO many ways to win it on this blog tour! You can go enter My Pathway to Books giveaway for this blog tour below, you can enter to win one of the 75 ebooks S.M. Boyce is giving away, you can enter to win the Grand Prize, or you can do all three!
June 11, 2012
*Disclaimer*: I did win a free copy of this book from the author during a Twitter event. This however did not influence my review in any way.
In her debut fantasy novel, The Grimoire: Lichgates, S.M. Boyce successfully engages the reader in a wonderful yet at time terrifying new world, Ourea. Kara Magari has no idea of the journey she faces when she first discovers a magical book that transports her to Ourea. After losing her mother, Kara must deal with the fact that her father (and everything else she’s known and loved) is gone as well. Throughout her adventures in Ourea, Kara meets quite the cast of characters, some who are delighted that there is now a new Vagabond (Kara), and others not so much, but all of which seem to have an agenda of their own.
Boyce does such a wonderful job at creating a world that at times I forgot it wasn’t real. While reading, I began to understand the culture, the politics, and even in some ways the very magical essence of Ourea. And while I wouldn’t want to take on the new responsibilities Kara must deal with, at times I was definitely envious of her chance to see some of the beautiful sights that this world bestowed. There were only a few times where I would get lost in the details and descriptions, though I’ll admit this may be more to do with staying up way past my bedtime to see what happened next, rather than due to any flaw in the writing.
The dialogue between the characters is often witty and the banter between Kara and Braeden made me laugh many times. The only time the dialogue ever seemed awkward or forced, was when it fit the situation which made the scenes all the more realistic.
The only complaint that I had upon finishing the novel was that it simply wasn’t long enough. I wanted more and am eagerly looking forward to the next two books. In the mean time, I intend to read Lichgates at least once or twice more!
In her debut fantasy novel, The Grimoire: Lichgates, S.M. Boyce successfully engages the reader in a wonderful yet at time terrifying new world, Ourea. Kara Magari has no idea of the journey she faces when she first discovers a magical book that transports her to Ourea. After losing her mother, Kara must deal with the fact that her father (and everything else she’s known and loved) is gone as well. Throughout her adventures in Ourea, Kara meets quite the cast of characters, some who are delighted that there is now a new Vagabond (Kara), and others not so much, but all of which seem to have an agenda of their own.
Boyce does such a wonderful job at creating a world that at times I forgot it wasn’t real. While reading, I began to understand the culture, the politics, and even in some ways the very magical essence of Ourea. And while I wouldn’t want to take on the new responsibilities Kara must deal with, at times I was definitely envious of her chance to see some of the beautiful sights that this world bestowed. There were only a few times where I would get lost in the details and descriptions, though I’ll admit this may be more to do with staying up way past my bedtime to see what happened next, rather than due to any flaw in the writing.
The dialogue between the characters is often witty and the banter between Kara and Braeden made me laugh many times. The only time the dialogue ever seemed awkward or forced, was when it fit the situation which made the scenes all the more realistic.
The only complaint that I had upon finishing the novel was that it simply wasn’t long enough. I wanted more and am eagerly looking forward to the next two books. In the mean time, I intend to read Lichgates at least once or twice more!
January 16, 2022
Good read thus far. I'm still wondering who Kara can trust, but she's stepping up and making decisions on her own which is comforting. This is an odd world but I think the animals in it are awesome.
July 27, 2014
This book actually put me in mind of the Fablehaven books, except a little darker and grittier.
Things I loved:
*The story was smooth flowing. There were no jerky starts and stops. Everything blended seamlessly.
Kara. She's a girl with a lot going on in her mind and heart. She can't escape the past, and it drags at her relentlessly. In her efforts to unite the people, she's met with derision, hate, trickery, treachery, and abuse, and yet she perseveres. There's something to love about a girl like that.
*Braeden. A man who hates what he is, is ashamed of his past and the blood that runs beneath his skin, and who tries relentlessly to forge a path for himself that doesn't include his families bloody history. His character is complex, some pleasant, and some not so pleasant, but you root for him just the same. You think you've got him figured out, what makes him tick, and then something happens, and you're not so sure.
*The world S.M. Boyce has created. Fantasy worlds should be complex (in my opinion) but not so complex that you need a detailed flow chart just to begin to understand it. This author has created a world from the ground up: creatures, languages, powers, foods, smells, sights, sounds, that make you feel like you're there. You're in the story.
*Finally, the struggle. In all books, in all good stories, there must be conflict. The best conflict is both internal and external, and again this author did a fabulous job of making that real for the reader. You feel Braeden's shame, and Kara's pain from her past. You feel the battles. Every one. Her action scenes are incredibly vivid, and she does a wonderful job of pacing. My only gripe in the book, was that I prefer more romance, but as I haven't read the next two books in the series, I don't know if that progresses more. I also loved the fact that it was a clean read. Five stars for Lichgates!
Things I loved:
*The story was smooth flowing. There were no jerky starts and stops. Everything blended seamlessly.
Kara. She's a girl with a lot going on in her mind and heart. She can't escape the past, and it drags at her relentlessly. In her efforts to unite the people, she's met with derision, hate, trickery, treachery, and abuse, and yet she perseveres. There's something to love about a girl like that.
*Braeden. A man who hates what he is, is ashamed of his past and the blood that runs beneath his skin, and who tries relentlessly to forge a path for himself that doesn't include his families bloody history. His character is complex, some pleasant, and some not so pleasant, but you root for him just the same. You think you've got him figured out, what makes him tick, and then something happens, and you're not so sure.
*The world S.M. Boyce has created. Fantasy worlds should be complex (in my opinion) but not so complex that you need a detailed flow chart just to begin to understand it. This author has created a world from the ground up: creatures, languages, powers, foods, smells, sights, sounds, that make you feel like you're there. You're in the story.
*Finally, the struggle. In all books, in all good stories, there must be conflict. The best conflict is both internal and external, and again this author did a fabulous job of making that real for the reader. You feel Braeden's shame, and Kara's pain from her past. You feel the battles. Every one. Her action scenes are incredibly vivid, and she does a wonderful job of pacing. My only gripe in the book, was that I prefer more romance, but as I haven't read the next two books in the series, I don't know if that progresses more. I also loved the fact that it was a clean read. Five stars for Lichgates!
March 20, 2012
Premise: When hiking in the Rocky Mountains, Kara Magari steps through a magical portal that takes her to the hidden world of Ourea. She becomes the master of the Grimoire, a book that will answer any question she asks of it. Now, as the Vagabond, Kara must unite Ourea while everyone in it seeks to use her to their own ends or kill her if they can't.
The Good:
Worldbuilding: First let me say that as a child I always daydreamed of traveling to another world and having adventures there. Not only does this book do that but it does it well, so it holds a special place in my heart. Not only that but Boyce twists the old myths of muses and demons into new races. Ourea is a beautiful vibrant world I enjoyed exploring throughout the story.
Characters: I grew to love both Kara and Braeden as the story progressed. Kara is strong of heart despite her past scars. I loved her intelligence and snark, even though that got her in trouble a lot. Braeden has scars of his own that he tries to overcome. He hides it well with his charm though. He had some of the best lines in the book. Even the villains were well rounded. They were not evil just because. Each had their own goals and reasons.
Story: Wow. Adventure, intrigue, and a little bit of romance. This story has it all and it is just beginning. This trilogy has the beginnings of an epic.
Pacing: It started a little slow, but soon picked up. By the last 100 pages I could not put the book down.
The Bad:
The first few chapters dragged a little for me but not enough for me to stop reading. They soon gained momentum.
Overall: Get this book. This is the Neverending Story for a new generation.
The Good:
Worldbuilding: First let me say that as a child I always daydreamed of traveling to another world and having adventures there. Not only does this book do that but it does it well, so it holds a special place in my heart. Not only that but Boyce twists the old myths of muses and demons into new races. Ourea is a beautiful vibrant world I enjoyed exploring throughout the story.
Characters: I grew to love both Kara and Braeden as the story progressed. Kara is strong of heart despite her past scars. I loved her intelligence and snark, even though that got her in trouble a lot. Braeden has scars of his own that he tries to overcome. He hides it well with his charm though. He had some of the best lines in the book. Even the villains were well rounded. They were not evil just because. Each had their own goals and reasons.
Story: Wow. Adventure, intrigue, and a little bit of romance. This story has it all and it is just beginning. This trilogy has the beginnings of an epic.
Pacing: It started a little slow, but soon picked up. By the last 100 pages I could not put the book down.
The Bad:
The first few chapters dragged a little for me but not enough for me to stop reading. They soon gained momentum.
Overall: Get this book. This is the Neverending Story for a new generation.
November 4, 2012
OK...
I recieved a copy of this book from Netgalley on behalf of Immortal Ink Publishing.
Now, I assumed this was a new book, it being on Netgalley and all. But, I've come to learn that that isn't always the case. Lichgates was apparently published in October of 2011, which baffles me because I DON'T UNDERSTAND HOW I HAVEN'T HEARD OF IT!!!
This book was tremendous. Yes, tremendous! It's been out for a year and I've somehow missed it. But, no matter. I've found it now and that is all that matters.
First off, I have to tip my hat to S.M. Boyce. She has not only created a wonderful series, but she has filled it with great characters, imaginative creatures and a world you'll enjoy being sucked into. This was a great fantasy novel. It had everything. The ideas behind the different people of Ourea were original and anything but boring. The grimoire itself was a unique and interesting concept.
I loved Kara as a character. She was strong, but she didn't totally lack a soft side. I liked that she didn't lean to one extreme. She was balanced, which was refreshing. Braeden's character was interesting as well. I loved the fact that his 'struggle' was actually a really big thing and not trivial like so many other YA novels where the characters problems are not as big as they make them out to be. His story has that overall theme of overcoming evil and the idea that no one can be all bad. I personally love the guy. I can't wait to read the next book and see where the story takes these two lovebirds ;)
This is a definite five star book with two thumbs way up!!!
I recieved a copy of this book from Netgalley on behalf of Immortal Ink Publishing.
Now, I assumed this was a new book, it being on Netgalley and all. But, I've come to learn that that isn't always the case. Lichgates was apparently published in October of 2011, which baffles me because I DON'T UNDERSTAND HOW I HAVEN'T HEARD OF IT!!!
This book was tremendous. Yes, tremendous! It's been out for a year and I've somehow missed it. But, no matter. I've found it now and that is all that matters.
First off, I have to tip my hat to S.M. Boyce. She has not only created a wonderful series, but she has filled it with great characters, imaginative creatures and a world you'll enjoy being sucked into. This was a great fantasy novel. It had everything. The ideas behind the different people of Ourea were original and anything but boring. The grimoire itself was a unique and interesting concept.
I loved Kara as a character. She was strong, but she didn't totally lack a soft side. I liked that she didn't lean to one extreme. She was balanced, which was refreshing. Braeden's character was interesting as well. I loved the fact that his 'struggle' was actually a really big thing and not trivial like so many other YA novels where the characters problems are not as big as they make them out to be. His story has that overall theme of overcoming evil and the idea that no one can be all bad. I personally love the guy. I can't wait to read the next book and see where the story takes these two lovebirds ;)
This is a definite five star book with two thumbs way up!!!
November 13, 2012
Lichgates by S.M. Boyce follows two characters, Kara and Braeden, during a journey in Ourea, a world tied to Earth through lichgates - or gates to other worlds.
While out hiking one day, Kara accidentally finds herself walking through a lichgate and falling into a hole in the earth where limbs began grabbing her. She falls into a library, with no doors, and the only furniture is a desk and chair with a red bound leather book sitting on the desk. Curiosity overcomes her, and she opens the book, sealing her future with something that she doesn't want. She is now the Vagabond of Ourea. It is then that she meets Braeden, and they are thrown into a journey together. One they'll never forget and one that includes trying to bring peace back to Ourea instead of war. But can they do it?
Kara has to overcome so many obstacles, including coming to terms with her past, learning how to trust, and learning that she can't always trust those she thinks that she can. Braeden has to deal with the same thing - except his past is tied to his future which is bleak at best.
I fell in love with this book quickly. Ms. Boyce definitely kept me wanting to know more about this book, and she did a wonderful job of creating a new world - a world full of strange beings and beings that I quickly fell in love with.
This book is definitely deserving of 5 Stars, and I strongly suggest picking up a copy today and reading it!
While out hiking one day, Kara accidentally finds herself walking through a lichgate and falling into a hole in the earth where limbs began grabbing her. She falls into a library, with no doors, and the only furniture is a desk and chair with a red bound leather book sitting on the desk. Curiosity overcomes her, and she opens the book, sealing her future with something that she doesn't want. She is now the Vagabond of Ourea. It is then that she meets Braeden, and they are thrown into a journey together. One they'll never forget and one that includes trying to bring peace back to Ourea instead of war. But can they do it?
Kara has to overcome so many obstacles, including coming to terms with her past, learning how to trust, and learning that she can't always trust those she thinks that she can. Braeden has to deal with the same thing - except his past is tied to his future which is bleak at best.
I fell in love with this book quickly. Ms. Boyce definitely kept me wanting to know more about this book, and she did a wonderful job of creating a new world - a world full of strange beings and beings that I quickly fell in love with.
This book is definitely deserving of 5 Stars, and I strongly suggest picking up a copy today and reading it!
January 30, 2018
This is one of the best, most interesting stories that I've read for a while. I loved the characters and the story itself was just awesome. Superbly written, it just flowed. I didn't want to put it down and I can't wait for the next book in this series!
Thanks to S.M. Boyce for following me on Twitter so that I could discover her works. I love finding new books and this one was definitely worth it.
Thanks to S.M. Boyce for following me on Twitter so that I could discover her works. I love finding new books and this one was definitely worth it.
June 11, 2012
This will be a really short review. I am out of the words, this is an amazing book full of imagination and mythical charathers. A story that you wish that never ends.
The main character Kara Magari while hiking stumbles into a hidden world called Ourea where her adventures begin to start.
For all of you who love dreaming, reading fairy tales and fantasy books this is a book for you.
The main character Kara Magari while hiking stumbles into a hidden world called Ourea where her adventures begin to start.
For all of you who love dreaming, reading fairy tales and fantasy books this is a book for you.
September 26, 2017
What an amazing, wonderful and frighting world to get lost in. I laughed I cried. A beautifully told story. Full of magic, conflict, and even a bit of romance.
December 11, 2014
This review was originally posted on Avid Reviews: http://www.avidfantasyreviews.com
I have not read a pure epic fantasy in quite a while now, but after picking up Lichgates I remembered what I love so much about the genre. In the first few pages of the novel Boyce shows us a typical “portal to another world” fantasy, but the story quickly changes when the protagonist, Kara, walks through a portal to the world of Ourea. Boyce’s world building is both detailed and imaginative, with every scene providing a new backdrop for magic, an abundance of unique creatures, and a chance for adventure. Though many of the themes and plot structures Boyce uses are common or cliched, her boundless imagination ensures that the heart of the story (the setting and characters) is quite distinctive. It is not everyday that you come across an author like Boyce who is able to express her creativity in her writing, to construct a world that is both foreign and fascinating, and is able to completely immerse the reader in the story through her own inventiveness.
Though I absolutely loved the imaginative world building, I found one of the best aspects of this novel to be the character development, and the dialogue between the two POV characters. Kara is a complex character, but it is actually the secondary POV character Braedan who is the most intricately crafted character in the story. Kara is often pulled along through the plot without much choice (though she does grow a lot by the end of the book), but Braedan’s motives are suspect from the very beginning, and it is his considerable strength of character, ambiguous though it might be, that stands out to the reader. The dialogue between the two protagonists is also incredibly engaging, and manages to bring the reader closer to both the characters and the story in general.
Lichgates is an extremely fast paced novel that will trap the reader’s attention from the very first chapter and hold it throughout the entire story. The book’s ending is especially exciting, and left me wanting to read the rest of the Grimoire Saga as soon as possible. Though the novel’s structure is built on commonplace genre tropes, the details of the story are extremely imaginative and adventurous. Lichgates is a pure adventure story, so if you are looking for a novel with intricate politics, a vast cast of POV characters, or a slower paced story built slowly on nuance, I advise you look elsewhere. However, if you are looking for high fantasy that is purely fun and adventurous; a story filled with magic and monsters, then I would highly recommend this novel.
My Rating: 7.5/10
I received a copy of this novel from CBB Book Promotions and the author in exchange for an honest and unbiased review.
I have not read a pure epic fantasy in quite a while now, but after picking up Lichgates I remembered what I love so much about the genre. In the first few pages of the novel Boyce shows us a typical “portal to another world” fantasy, but the story quickly changes when the protagonist, Kara, walks through a portal to the world of Ourea. Boyce’s world building is both detailed and imaginative, with every scene providing a new backdrop for magic, an abundance of unique creatures, and a chance for adventure. Though many of the themes and plot structures Boyce uses are common or cliched, her boundless imagination ensures that the heart of the story (the setting and characters) is quite distinctive. It is not everyday that you come across an author like Boyce who is able to express her creativity in her writing, to construct a world that is both foreign and fascinating, and is able to completely immerse the reader in the story through her own inventiveness.
Though I absolutely loved the imaginative world building, I found one of the best aspects of this novel to be the character development, and the dialogue between the two POV characters. Kara is a complex character, but it is actually the secondary POV character Braedan who is the most intricately crafted character in the story. Kara is often pulled along through the plot without much choice (though she does grow a lot by the end of the book), but Braedan’s motives are suspect from the very beginning, and it is his considerable strength of character, ambiguous though it might be, that stands out to the reader. The dialogue between the two protagonists is also incredibly engaging, and manages to bring the reader closer to both the characters and the story in general.
Lichgates is an extremely fast paced novel that will trap the reader’s attention from the very first chapter and hold it throughout the entire story. The book’s ending is especially exciting, and left me wanting to read the rest of the Grimoire Saga as soon as possible. Though the novel’s structure is built on commonplace genre tropes, the details of the story are extremely imaginative and adventurous. Lichgates is a pure adventure story, so if you are looking for a novel with intricate politics, a vast cast of POV characters, or a slower paced story built slowly on nuance, I advise you look elsewhere. However, if you are looking for high fantasy that is purely fun and adventurous; a story filled with magic and monsters, then I would highly recommend this novel.
My Rating: 7.5/10
I received a copy of this novel from CBB Book Promotions and the author in exchange for an honest and unbiased review.
May 10, 2012
The Grimoire: Lichgates (The Grimoire Trilogy #1) by S. M. Boyce
The Grimoire is a very imaginative writing that take the reader to another world which is part of our own, a hollow world setting. Kara, the protagonist, is quickly transported there from a Lichgate (wormhole/teleportation) which she travels through unbeknownst. She quickly discovers that she is now the keeper of a book (Grimoire) that holds all knowledge. Kara is known as the Vagabond as all the other races are blood bound to a master while she is not tied to anyone. From this very nature most of the other races don’t trust her at best and see her has a threat at worst. The leaders of the prospective races want to use her and her Grimoire for their own nefarious needs. She acquires a protector, Braeden, that is a believable character and they have good chemistry. However between Braeden, the book and other creatures Kara befriends it seems a little “deus ex machina” to me.
S.M. Boyce is a very detailed writer with great descriptions of everything and she manages to do this without being to wordy. I feel the one thing this book lacked though was some illustrations to go along with the rich and vibrant world that is presented. There are so many new races, locations and “things” for a lack of a better word that the pictures would have really been the cream with a cherry on top in regards to the book.
If you like action, adventure, a budding love interest, strong imagery, thoughtful world building and a great story; then you should go and get this book. I for one, look forward to the sequel.
I received this book for free from the author for a fair and honest review.
The Grimoire is a very imaginative writing that take the reader to another world which is part of our own, a hollow world setting. Kara, the protagonist, is quickly transported there from a Lichgate (wormhole/teleportation) which she travels through unbeknownst. She quickly discovers that she is now the keeper of a book (Grimoire) that holds all knowledge. Kara is known as the Vagabond as all the other races are blood bound to a master while she is not tied to anyone. From this very nature most of the other races don’t trust her at best and see her has a threat at worst. The leaders of the prospective races want to use her and her Grimoire for their own nefarious needs. She acquires a protector, Braeden, that is a believable character and they have good chemistry. However between Braeden, the book and other creatures Kara befriends it seems a little “deus ex machina” to me.
S.M. Boyce is a very detailed writer with great descriptions of everything and she manages to do this without being to wordy. I feel the one thing this book lacked though was some illustrations to go along with the rich and vibrant world that is presented. There are so many new races, locations and “things” for a lack of a better word that the pictures would have really been the cream with a cherry on top in regards to the book.
If you like action, adventure, a budding love interest, strong imagery, thoughtful world building and a great story; then you should go and get this book. I for one, look forward to the sequel.
I received this book for free from the author for a fair and honest review.
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