Recommended Read: Lichgates (Grimoire Saga)

Lichgates: Book One of the Grimoire Saga by S.M. Boyce

My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Book Description from Amazon

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 nothing to do, 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.

Welcome to Ourea, where only the cunning survive.

What I thought of ‘Lichgates’

Highly imaginative, Lichgates delivers Kara into a new world of magical books, legendary creatures, shape-shifters and diverse civilisations. Rich in detail, Boyce creates a colourful and vivid story which pulled me along relentlessly as Kara’s journey progressed.

Kara’s relationship with Braeden – despite his ulterior motives and his desperation to be free of his heritage – is at times amusing and sweet. Other relationships convey real sadness and poignancy.

I was delighted to see a favourite crystal featured in the book! Other scenes were – to me, at least – reminiscent of our own series (or works-in-progress!), but I won’t reveal those because I try to recommend books without giving away spoilers!

Lichgates is skilfully written, too, which really does make a difference. It’d make a fabulous and magical film. I’m definitely a fan of this series – the sequel awaits!

You can connect with S. M. Boyce on Twitter.

So, have you read Lichgates? Did you like it as much as I did? If you haven’t read it, do you think you will now? It’s currently FREE on Amazon, by the way! 😀

~ Joanna

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