Review for "Heritage"

"Heritage" is the third installment in S.M. Boyce's 'Grimoire' saga








Shades of twilight encompass the cover. A man with solid black eyes pierces the viewer over the title. Beneath a darkened forest floor is broken by the beautiful bright vision of green trees and brilliant water that appears through a stone archway.
Kara Magari is still coming to grips with her heritage, a history that includes Ourea and a less than desirable ancestor. She struggles to control her powers since becoming awakened as an Isen, a soul sucking creature that people across the lands fear and hate. In the aftermath of last battle and all its failures, Braeden struggles with his place in the kingdoms and the inner demons that still torment him.

What I liked:

• Ourea is back and just as beautiful and conflicted as ever.
• Kara's character is evolving, becoming deeper and richer, losing her innocence in a progression that feels completely natural. She no longer needs to be lead and protected by everyone she comes in contact with.
• The glimpse into Kara's ancestry is beautiful evocative and incredibly scary.
• Other characters are also in the midst of a full growth spurt, coming into their own as heroes and villains.
• Kara and Braeden finally cement their relationship.

What I disliked:

• The book seemed to be shorter than its predecessors but its possible that I just devoured it that quickly.
• Even though alot of things happen that will eventually move the story along its intended route, this installment feels a little empty compared to the others.
• I for one felt a little robbed of the promised grand battle between Braeden and his father.

'Heritage' shakes up the world of Ourea. It feels like a grand chess match where the pieces are being carefully brought into play. Growth seems to be the theme throughout the book. I find it titillating that at the end of the book we know so much more about the state of the world than our hero and heroine do. At the moment 'Heritage' is available online for $4.99. The fourth installment in the saga is already in the works and set for a Summer 2014 release date, 'Illusion', and in the meantime I'll be anxiously awaiting its arrival. You can find out more about the other books in the series and the author at www.smboyce.com


5 out of 5 crowns

Recommended for fantasy lovers. It is absolutely necessary to read the first two books in the series before reading this one.







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."