Saturday 9 November 2013

Review: Lichgates (The Grimoire Saga, 1) — S. M. Boyce

Kara Magari is about to discover a beautiful world full of terrifying things—Ourea.
Kara, a college student still reeling from her mother’s recent death, has no idea the hidden world of Ourea even exists until a freak storm traps her in a sunken library. With no way out, she opens an ancient book of magic called the Grimoire and unwittingly becomes its master, which means Kara now wields the cursed book’s untamed power. Discovered by Ourea's royalty, she becomes an unwilling pawn in a generations-old conflict—a war intensified by her arrival. In this world of chilling creatures and betrayal, Kara shouldn’t trust anyone… but she’s being hunted and can’t survive on her own. 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 human girl, there is something he wants more. He wants the Grimoire.





My Review:


First Impressions:  This book cover is gorgeous. It’s colourful, with a magical forest vibe and has a piercing stare. The synopsis sounds pretty good as well. While I was offered the ebook for free in exchange for a review, I would have definitely bought this book to try anyway!

I have to be frank, I thought this book was amazing. It isn’t often that you read a book where an author creates a whole new fantasy world where you feel like you’re actually there. Boyce doesn’t spare the indulgent descriptions and it is difficult to not get absorbed by this book. Every sense is engaged through words from the sweet floral scents to sour sweat. Due to the depth of this description it isn’t the sort of book I would recommend reading for short periods here and there, or while you’re being distracted, because you will miss out on the magic of this writing. I found it best to finish at a chapter as they are well spaced and a naturally good stopping point.

Strangely, I found myself never once wishing the book would slow down and explain some more, nor hoping it would speed up so it wasn’t so dull! It isn’t often I come across a book that has such good pacing. After a while the amount of events can seem exhausting (how does Kara keep going?), the references to adrenaline and her implied fitness/health explain most of that.

The characters are wonderful. None seem like a cliché, each seems to have been thought about and constructed as an individual rather than cast to fit a role. From my point of view, Kara is quite different from other heroines. She isn’t overly smart (which tends to be the go-to for physically weaker female characters), though she is brave, she isn’t fearless. She throws herself into the world of Ourea because the ties which held her to the world as we know it are severed. Despite this, she retains her individuality and doesn’t seek to conform with ‘allies’ or bow to the royalty of other races or even her predecessor.

This is an amazing fantasy novel in which nothing is rushed. The beauty of Ourea is potent, but its dangers are numerous. Our heroine has no metaphorical ‘rock’, her magic book is seen by others as a powerful tool, her companion is ultimately under the control of his father and the muses are equally restricted by their council. There’s magic, drama, romance, evil, action and adventure. These ingredients help make up this spectacular fantasy novel. There’s no doubt that I will be seeing this series through to the end!




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About the Author:
International Amazon Bestseller. Fantasy Author. Twitter addict. Book Blogger. Geek. Sarcastic. Gooey. Odd. Author of the action-packed Grimoire Saga.
S.M. Boyce is a novelist who loves ghosts, magic, and spooky things. She prefers loose-leaf tea, reads far too many books, and is always cold. She’s married to her soul mate and couldn’t be happier. Her B.A. in Creative Writing qualifies her to serve you french fries.
Boyce likes to update her blog a few times each week so that you have something to wake you up in the morning.


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Giveaway:
One Lucky Winner will get a Signed Copy of Lichgates (Grimoire Saga #1) by S.M.Boyce. 
Giveaway Open to US Residents Only.

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1 comment:

  1. Great review! I'm so glad you liked Lichgates so much :)

    ReplyDelete

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