Lichgates

Book One of the Grimoire Saga

De: S.M. Boyce

Narrado por: Kara Kovacich Stewart

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 12 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.

©2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015 Sarah Michelle Montee (P)2015 Sarah Michelle Montee

Great start to the series!

I decided to buy this first book again and do a re-read before listening to the second book. I did still think that the pacing in some parts of this book were a little slow, but overall I loved it, and I thought that Kara Kovacich Stewart did a fantastic job bringing these characters to life.

Here's my original review (from my first reading of the book - I think all of this still holds true upon a second "read"):

When Kara finds and opens a mysterious book, she doesn't realize that she has just become the Vagabond - fated to bring peace to the strange land of Ourea (or die trying). She suddenly finds herself thrown into a war between Ourean races that has been brewing for centuries - and not everyone wants her to live long enough to bring peace. Many of those who do, see her as a pawn who is to be used in their game of politics and revenge. Ourea is a frightening place and Kara would not be able to survive on her own. Luckily, she has Braeden to help her. But Braeden has his own reasons for wanting to protect Kara - he needs the Grimoire to escape his ties to the savage race that he is Heir to and to escape the father who has embraced that savagery.

The negatives:

Slightly slow start.
While there was plenty of action, even at the beginning of the book, for some reason it took me a little while to engage completely with the story. Ironically, I think that this may have been because of Boyce's rich story-telling style (which is actually a positive listed below). While her lush descriptions paint vivid pictures of the world she has created, it sometimes made the book feel just a little bit slow, especially at the beginning. Once I really got into some of the mysteries of Ourea, though, I was definitely engrossed.

What I Loved:
Unique characters and creatures.
Ourea is filled with a tremendous array of interesting characters and creatures. Each race of the people of Ourea (called the yakona) is very different and unique - the frightening gray-skinned, smoke-producing Stelian; the web-footed, blue skinned Lossians; the winged, silver-skinned, beautiful Ayavelians; and the human-looking Hillsidians. Then there are the soul-stealing isen and the shape-shifting Muses, along with creatures like gryphons, giant two-headed wolves... I could go on and on. Ourea is an amazingly unique fantasy world!

Vivid Descriptions.
Boyce describes her characters and landscapes in vivid detail. Sights, smells, textures - they're all described. As you read, you can really imagine yourself in Ourea!
Witty dialogue. I loved the witty banter, especially between Kara and Braeden. Several lines made me laugh out loud. Here's a favorite passage that's both witty and insightful and gives you an idea of Kara's personality:
"Look, Mr. Tall, Dark, and Dangerous, I'm already in as deep as a stranger can go. I've met royalty--sorry, Bloods--and I was chased by an army. I saw dragons. There's a vicious isen thing trying to kill me. My dad--" She stopped short, her breath hitching.
"Basically, you don't scare me," she went on. "You've got a troubled past, well so do I. Most people do. We do things we're not proud of, things we wish we could take back, but what's done is done and all you can do is try to redeem yourself in the present. So, cut the crap. I'm just trying to help you out."

Kara.
Kara is a great, strong female character who doesn't let anyone tell her what to do or how to feel. Even though she has been thrown into an impossible situation that she knows almost nothing about, she doesn't panic (well, not much). That doesn't mean she's not terrified - she is! Kara has some pretty significant issues haunting her from her past that she has to work through throughout the book, but that just makes her all the more interesting!

Braeden.
Braeden is an intriguing and complex leading man. He has spent his life fighting against his Stelian nature, trying to find a way to escape the blood ties that control him. Braeden originally wants to use Kara for her power over the Grimoire, but he eventually realizes that his feelings for her are stronger than his desire to protect his own interests. The problem is that he doesn't know that he will ever be able to control his darker side - and this side of him just might put Kara in even greater danger! I ached for Braeden and I so hope he finds his way to redemption. Meanwhile, I'm just enjoying his journey! The romance between Kara and Braeden is slow to develop - there's no insta-love here - which makes it much more layered and realistic.

I highly recommend Lichgates to fantasy lovers. This book is highly imaginative and full of magic and excitement! I'm now kicking myself for not requesting to review all three books in the series, since I'm dying to know what happens to Kara and Braeden next! 4.5/5 stars.

Simply excellent

Amazing fantasy world! My first read by a new (to me) author, it won't be my last read by this author.
Well written with well-developed characters, Boyce takes the time to develop her fantasy world in a manner that makes you want to read the next book. (RIP Marley January 20, 2014 - July 24, 2018).

A great beginning

I won a signed copy during a Facebook event but because I didn't want to ruin it I bought an ecopy and upgraded it to audio. My experience is based on the audio.

First I have to say that I was super excited to win a signed copy. There has been buzz around the internet about this series and I was thrilled to give it a go. I was listening to it at work and in the beginning things got a little confusing. I had to restart and go through the beginning and decided that I needed to listen to it at home. Once I got home and could completely concentrate it was a really good story. The narrator did a fantastic job and brought much emotion to the words. The writing was smooth and strong. I enjoyed the characters and the world building. I look forward to reading the next book in the series.

Immersive world & characters you really care for!

Would you listen to Lichgates again? Why?

Absolutely. As the journey into Ourea begins, all the tension - both fearsome & promising - builds deliciously. The sense that you're only glimpsing the first layers of this complex new set of interconnected peoples leaves little doubt that you'll find something you missed on your next read- or listen-through.

What other book might you compare Lichgates to and why?

That's tough, but perhaps a bit of The Wheel of Time. An exceptionally unique power is placed within a noble heart, someone that must learn what it can do, what it is for, who is enemy & who is friend...splendiferously :)

Have you listened to any of Kara Kovacich Stewart’s other performances before? How does this one compare?

I had not heard this reader perform an audiobook before. She has a gentle quality to her voice which is pleasant to listen to without detracting from scenes of high action & adventure.

Did you have an extreme reaction to this book? Did it make you laugh or cry?

There were times that were definitely poignant & funny! I did find my eyes misty on a couple of occasions, smiling for certain, rooting on my choices of romantic pairing/s (no spoilers!), & maybe even chuckling out loud.

Any additional comments?

I've read many works by S.M. Boyce & have found myself following each series with great anticipation of the next book to come. In fact, I've already got the Grimoire Series #2 Treason & #3 Heritage; #4 Illusion will be soon to follow their ranks into my audiobook library!

Saga of the kingdoms

Very good book set in another world. A young woman embarks upon an adventure filled with secrets and magic that she had never experienced before.