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Lichgates

(The Grimoire Saga #1)

S.M. Boyce (Goodreads Author)

3.90 · Rating details · 2,858 ratings · 601 reviews

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 ...more

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Paperback, 3rd, 414 pages

Published October 15th 2011 (first published October 1st 2011)

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· 2,858 ratings · 601 reviews

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Jul 29, 2015 Carol (StarAngel's Reviews) Allen rated it really liked it

Shelves: cliffhanger, 4-or-more-stars, fantasy

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 ...more

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May 24, 2012 Kori Morris rated it it was ok

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 ...more

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Feb 26, 2013 Susan rated it it was ok

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 ...more

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Feb 20, 2012 Tanja (Tanychy) St. Delphi/James rated it it was amazing · review of another edition

Shelves: fantasy, my-little-library, favorites, arc-galleys

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 o ...more

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Jul 22, 2012 Nicole Peterson rated it it was amazing

Recommends it for: Fantasy Readers

Recommended to Nicole by: ARR thru The Nexus Group

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 thin ...more

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Oct 29, 2011 Kirkus MacGowan rated it really liked it · review of another edition

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 reade ...more

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May 13, 2012 C.J. Sarcasm & Lemons rated it it was amazing

Shelves: high-fantasy, reviewed, fantasy, young-adult

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 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.
...more

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Feb 08, 2012 J. Sharp rated it it was amazing · review of another edition

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 sh ...more

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Mar 05, 2012 Jessica Fortunato rated it it was amazing · review of another edition

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, ...more

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Apr 25, 2012 Stephen rated it it was amazing · review of another edition

Shelves: other-dimensions, favorites, series-i-want-to-continue, epic-fantasy

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 Wonderl 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!

...more

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Mar 15, 2012 Christie Rich rated it it was amazing

Shelves: new-adult-title

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 responsibil ...more

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Jun 22, 2013 Ron rated it it was ok

Shelves: fantasy, ebook

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 a ...more

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Apr 21, 2012 Nikki Jefford rated it it was amazing · review of another edition

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 ...more

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Oct 29, 2011 Rich Weatherly rated it it was amazing · review of another edition

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 ...more

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Feb 19, 2012 Robert Zimmermann rated it it was amazing

Shelves: favorite-books-of-2012, signed, have-in-colorado

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 wai 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. ...more

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Apr 26, 2012 Melissa (The Reader & The Chef) rated it it was amazing · review of another edition

Shelves: kindle, review

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 usua 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...
...more

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Jun 20, 2012 Leah rated it it was amazing · review of another edition

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 th 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.
...more

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Feb 18, 2012 Wendy rated it really liked it · review of another edition

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 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. ...more

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Mar 15, 2012 Tess rated it really liked it · review of another edition

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 t ...more

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Feb 02, 2012 Kayleigh Grian rated it it was amazing · review of another edition

Shelves: reviewed, gifted-won, ebooks-owned, physical-books-owned

*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 el ...more

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Jul 05, 2014 Dusty Holloway rated it it was amazing

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 lik ...more

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Feb 21, 2012 Noree Cosper rated it it was amazing · review of another edition

Shelves: fantasy, great-books-from-great-authors, new-adult

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 doe ...more

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Nov 03, 2012 Bethany rated it it was amazing

Recommends it for: anyone who wants to read some awesome fantasy!

Shelves: awesome-fantasy, magic, netgalley

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.

F ...more

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Nov 01, 2012 Emerald Barnes rated it it was amazing

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, s ...more

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Oct 29, 2011 Becky rated it it was amazing

Shelves: favorites, paranormal-fantasy

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.

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May 04, 2012 mar rated it it was amazing

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.

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Sep 25, 2017 Rebecca rated it it was amazing · review of another edition

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.

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Aug 24, 2014 Monica rated it really liked it

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 pro 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. ...more

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Apr 29, 2012 Ray Bliss rated it really liked it

Shelves: reviewed-first-reads

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 mas ...more

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Oct 29, 2011 Shawn Wickersheim rated it really liked it · review of another edition

A richly detailed, wildly imaginative, fantasy adventure with a cast of unique and interesting characters. I look forward to reading more by S.M. Boyce.

I know, I know, this is in no way a long review, however, I'm better at discussing a book with someone rather than 'reviewing' it. I guess it comes from working at a bookstore. Yes, I can give customers a 'quick' review of a book, but I'd rather 'talk' books with someone.

What did you think about the dialogue?

Overall, I felt it was some of the b ...more

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