Series: Grimoire Saga
Book: Lightgates
Author: S.M. Boyce
Book Synopsis:
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.
Book Review:
If you know me, you know that my dream is to become
an author one day. Lichgates is the embodiment of the stories I try to write.
Boyce created a world that is all her own. It’s full of fascinating people,
including a very strong main character named Kara. She is everything that a
leading female should be: strong, opinionated, and, of course, in trouble. This
was one of those books that you can easily get lost in for hours, or in my
case, a few lunch periods. Lichgates not only followed Kara and Braeden on their
journey throughout Ourea but also delved deep into the history and politics of
the realm, something that a lot of fantasy novels lack these days. Personally,
I’d put this one up there with Eragon, Harry Potter, and Percy Jackson.
Favorite Quotes:
“I’m here to take you home. Your father
wants to talk to you, especially since you let him think you were dead for
twelve years. I’m fairly certain sons aren’t supposed to do that to their
fathers”
“You alone decide where to go next. There is always a
choice.”
“Maybe you’re so good at listening that you have no idea
when to speak.”
“There are dragons and monsters. Of course this thing can
take us through walls.”
“Forgive but never forget.”
“Don’t let others speak for you, or you will lose your voice
forever.”
“’We were expecting someone, uh- taller.’ ‘No, you were
expecting a big burly man,’ she corrected. ‘I’ve heard this already.’”
“I’d hoped you all had grown a little wiser after a thousand
years.”
“I don’t even know what the word ‘normal’ means anymore’”
All In All: This book gets a five out of five. I absolutely
loved it and am already running around advising it to people.
Buy Links:
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Book: Treason
Book Synopsis
Kara Magari ignited a war when she stumbled into Ourea and found the Grimoire: a powerful artifact filled with secrets. To protect the one person she has left, she strikes a deal that goes against everything she believes in. But things don’t go as planned.
Braeden Drakonin can no longer run from who—and what—he is. He has to face the facts. He’s a prince. He’s a murderer. He’s a wanted man. And after a betrayal that leaves him heartbroken, he’s out for blood.
To survive, both Kara and Braeden must become the evil each has grown to hate.
Book Review:
There were a few words I thought of as I read this
book: betrayal, revenge, secrets, revelations, and more of the like. However,
only one phrase seemed to properly sum this book up: plot twists. So many plot
twists are thrown at the reader that, if it wasn't set up exactly the way it
is, could have become overwhelming. But Boyce wrote such an amazing second book
to the series that the plot twists, betrayals, and secrets only add to it.
Throughout this book, she shows great growth not only within Kara but also
within Braeden, and even Gavin. One of the most difficult things for any author
to do is to make the readers feel exactly what their characters are. I will
admit, I felt Kara's anger quite often throughout this book. It is a worthy
successor to Lichgates, delving ever deeper into the secrets and politics of
Ourea.
Favorite Quotes:
“None should endure mindless obedience. I won’t control you
as long as you don’t do anything stupid”
“You underestimate yourself. Don’t do that anymore. It
limits you.”
“Dearest little Braeden – You should keep better track of
your toys.”
“’So tell me, what do you have to live for in a world full
of loss?’ ‘Everything.’”
“You don’t have to be evil. You can be good, if you want.”
“’I thought you would have less’ – she paused – ‘skin’”
“I can save myself”
“I prefer real keys, but no, humans enjoy fixing things that
aren’t broken”
“Everything between those two is a sport. If they didn’t
duel each other, they likely made an event of seeing how many Stelians each
could kill”
“How many simply did as their Blood commanded in an effort
to survive?”
“Sometimes impossible just means you have to try harder.”
“Regret flared for a moment in Kara’s gut, but she refused
to show it. She straightened her back and met the queen’s eye.”
“Yakona are always late, Kara. It’s just our way.”
“Adele was too busy beating me senseless in our sparring to
ask for them. I was too busy healing myself to remember”
All In All: Again, definitely a book I would recommend. I
just learned that there’s a fourth book, and I’m going to have to go buy that
one too! It’s a series I believe everyone would be content reading more than
once.
Buy Links:
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Book: Heritage
Book Synopsis:
Kara Magari isn’t normal, even by Ourea’s standards—and in a world of shape-shifters and soul stealers, that’s saying something. To the royalty, she’s a loose cannon. To the masses, she’s a failure. But Kara’s arrival in Ourea started a war, and she’s going to end it.
An ancient isen named Stone takes an interest in Kara’s training, and it turns out he has more answers than he originally led her to believe. In an effort to unearth a secret that might end the bloodshed, Kara instead discovers an ugly truth about her family—and how much she has in common with an infamous mass-murderer.
Braeden Drakonin has slowly rebuilt his life after the betrayal that tore it apart. His father wants him dead, and frankly, his so-called allies wouldn’t mind that either. Private alliances are formed. Secrets are sold. Tension is driving the armies apart. A single battle will end this war, and it’s coming. Braeden may be a prince, but it will take more than that to survive. He must take the fight to his father’s door—and win.
Book Review:
At this point, I'm dying to tell you all absolutely
everything that happens in this book. But, I can't bring myself to spoil such a
great book for you. Much like Treason, Heritage comes with many revelations and
many more betrayals. However, it also showed a definite growth in many
characters: including Kara, Braeden, and even Gavin and Aurora. Throughout this
book, The Kirelm princess actually became my favorite character. She's evolved
so much, becoming more than what I had expected her to be. She's a very
empowering character, when you look at it, and it's an amazing thing that Boyce
is able to create so many powerful characters, that she can write so many
inspirational quotes. She is truly an exceptional author. The fourth book in
the series, Illusion, is at the top of my Christmas wish list (cough cough,
hint hint). I've truly enjoyed enveloping myself in the world of Ourea this
far, and as afraid of the beauty of the story ending, I'm equally as excited to
see how Boyce ties everything up.
Favorite Quotes:
"Her mentor threw a brick through her window to wake her up. the dramatic son of a -"
"He burped in answer. How charming."
"With each step, white light glimmered i nthe stone under his boot, and the air hummed as if he'd stepped on a piano key. He shook his head. Only in Ayavel would this sort of thing exist."
"'I'm here to kill you.' Her grandfather said. 'You aren't doing a very good job of it.'"
"Silly things, wars. They take up so much time/"
"She needed someone to empower her and believe in her. I'm proud of how you forgave her and risked everything to help her even when she didn't deserve that kindness from you."
"I may be Stelian, but I'm apparently not as heartless as you."
"Being feared shouldn't make her strong."
"'I don't trust isen.' Gavin said. Kara shrugged. 'You don't trust anyone, so that doesn't mean much.'"
"He pouted - full on pouted. A prince. Pouting."
"'What are you?' He asked, his red eyes wide. 'Efficient.'"
"The modest acknowledge their mistakes. The wise both confess to their failures and vow to never repeat them. But it takes a strong warrior to forgive herself as well."
"Uncertainty crept into his gut. Was that a no? Should he assume the smile meant yes? Or did all girls do this to mess with their men?"
"Deidre just sighed. Men."
"'What happened to the little girl I raised?'... 'She died in Carden's dungeon, Father.'"
All In All: I love this book. It's fair to say that I am addicted to the world within the pages, and if you haven't read it yet, well, you have no idea what you're missing out on.
Buy Links:
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.
Connect with the Author:
Giveaway:
One Lucky Winner will get a Signed Copy of Lichgates (Grimoire Saga #1) by S.M.Boyce.
Giveaway Open to US Residents Only.
