Review: Fantastic Boxed Set for a Wonderful Series
Rating: 5 out of 5
Date: 06 5, 2014
Hidden on Earth are Lichgates to the world of Ourea.  Twenty-year-old Kara Magari, unknowingly steps through one while hiking in the Rockies. In an attempt to evade an oncoming storm, she finds shelter behind a door that will lead her to a sunken library where she will become the keeper of the Grimoire, a 1,000-year-old magic book that belonged to the Vagabond.  Kara is his successor, and as the new Vagabond she must help Ourea, a world she doesn’t know, and its inhabitants find peace after centuries of conflict.  Many want to use her but there are few who want to help her...or at least seem too.  This includes Braeden, a 24-year-old Ourean, but he has been hiding who he is for half of his life and may have his own motives.  Should she trust him? Should she trust anyone?This epic fantasy, set in contemporary times (just not always on Earth as we know it), has everything that makes for a great tale: a well-paced plot you lose yourself in and read anxiously to see what’s next, a fantastic setting, a main character you root for, developed secondary characters, a potential and interesting love interest subplot, and a show-not-tell style of writing.I was immediately drawn to Kara.  She’s not a perfect person, who is, but she is the perfect character for the role that Boyce created. She’s unsure of herself and her capabilities, and it’s wonderful to see her grow as the saga progresses.  She’s sarcastic and stubborn but smart and thoughtful.  Braeden is equally not perfect, but just right for his character.  He’s strong and charming, but conflicted about who he is, where he belongs, and how he feels about Kara. His growth over the saga is also enjoyable to witness. Watching the two interact and react to one another is a treat. The supporting cast of characters are well written and it was nice to see how they fit into the overall saga. No one is extraneous, everyone plays a role, and that too is such a strength in this saga.Boyce creates a beautiful but dangerous world that I was thrilled to visit, emphasis on visit. The world of Ourea is richly described and the settings, as well as the action, are easily pictured, even sometimes down to the smells. Boyce then filled this world of Ourea with strong characters and a captivating plot that kept me up after bedtime.Each book is a story within a greater saga.  They have a clear beginning, middle, and end that leaves one satisfied but eagerly grabbing for the next book.Get ready for twists, turns, and jaw dropping moments. In other words, get ready for a serious book hangover.I'm anxiously awaiting Book 4.