The Grimoire Trilogy

Lichgates by S. M. Boyce

My rating: 4 of 5 stars


I received a free copy of this book for my honest review.

This was certainly an original story and that is one thing I look for in a good read. There were certainly influences from Narnia and LOTR but it was just that. Boyce has created a new world with new creatures, characters, and lands.


Kara, who has recently lost her mother, finds a lichgate while hiking in the woods that leads here to the land of Ourea. Here she finds the Grimoire and becomes the Vagabond. Kara is your typical college Sophmore dealing with not a typical amount of grief. Upon being thrown into Ourea she quickly learns to adapt and begins to find her way in this new world coming across both friends and enemies, and learning that not all is as it seems to be.

It took me a bit to get into this story, I think because there was so much going on that it was hard to get into the flow of it. But once I did, I really enjoyed it. I loved the description of the different kingdoms and the different races,as well as the animals she has encountered. The characters also seemed very brought to life and made flawed decisions as we all do. (Altho I never understood Kara's aversion to dresses) The relationship between her and Braedon seemed more legit than in most YA romance. There is a spark between them but its not like they are rushing into it. Its more like they are trying to stop it. I'm curious to know what will happen with these two.

The bad guys in this are certainly true to form. They fit all the requirements of well made bad guys. And some of them are very conflicted, you can tell they are this way because they feel like its the right decision for their kingdoms.

Overall, it was a good read that I would recommend to anyone who loves a good fantasy tale. And I am certainly looking forward to the next in this series. I want to see more of Kara, Braedon, and Ourea.



View all my reviews