Palmer Pickering's Blog
April 30, 2022
New review for Light Fighters
Reviewed By Asher Syed for Readers’ Favorite
Light Fighters by Palmer Pickering is a speculative dystopian science fiction space opera and the second book in the Star Children Saga, preceded by the award-winning first book in the series, Moon Deeds. The series revolves around multiple point of view characters but the central plot follows twins Cassidy and Torr after Earth was aggressively colonized and its residents subjugated under a hostile technocrat autocracy. Earth's moon remains free and upon escape to the moon, Star Children Cassidy and Torr rest their hopes for survival on finding the ancestral, mythical Star People; a needle in a haystack against the massive macrocosm of space and its vast array of worlds and civilizations. Pickering surprises with a very welcome Star People point of view prologue before transitioning back to those desperate to find them. Over the course of the following three distinct and interconnected parts, the twins fight against separation, violent capture and an incredibly daring escape even with their Shaman capabilities hamstrung; a man named Ridge with abilities of his own is a hired hand to the grotesque leader Balthazar and is forced to check his ambivalence when push comes to shove; and the continued search for the Star People.
Palmer Pickering left readers of Moon Deeds with an entire universe of untied strings in a cliff-hanger ending. It was well written, thorough and wildly entertaining, but in hindsight I'd have preferred to start the series now that Light Fighters is out. I only bring this up so that Star Children Saga fans—and I count myself among them—can rejoice in the knowledge that the sequel concludes without those major hang-ups. For those who are considering the series, this is an excellent time to jump on the bandwagon. I can vouch that there will be exactly zero disappointment as you blaze through books one and two. Pickering is a master of character development and world-building, wielding her pen with skill enough to make even the most vile characters [we're looking at you, Bathy] come across as authentic. Every character has their flaws, and the greyest of them are in Ridge. He's got a tiny conscience but the rest of him is self serving to a degree that Han Solo would appreciate, so witnessing his evolution is the best part of the book for me. As for the many cultures and civilizations Pickering produces, keep your notepad handy because this book may require notetaking in the beginning. I was particularly fascinated by the Murians and the Tegs, but the levels of ingenuity of all races we meet is phenomenal. This is, as was its predecessor, a book worth the time commitment. As Ridge says, “Slow and steady wins the race.” Very highly recommended.
Light Fighters
Light Fighters by Palmer Pickering is a speculative dystopian science fiction space opera and the second book in the Star Children Saga, preceded by the award-winning first book in the series, Moon Deeds. The series revolves around multiple point of view characters but the central plot follows twins Cassidy and Torr after Earth was aggressively colonized and its residents subjugated under a hostile technocrat autocracy. Earth's moon remains free and upon escape to the moon, Star Children Cassidy and Torr rest their hopes for survival on finding the ancestral, mythical Star People; a needle in a haystack against the massive macrocosm of space and its vast array of worlds and civilizations. Pickering surprises with a very welcome Star People point of view prologue before transitioning back to those desperate to find them. Over the course of the following three distinct and interconnected parts, the twins fight against separation, violent capture and an incredibly daring escape even with their Shaman capabilities hamstrung; a man named Ridge with abilities of his own is a hired hand to the grotesque leader Balthazar and is forced to check his ambivalence when push comes to shove; and the continued search for the Star People.
Palmer Pickering left readers of Moon Deeds with an entire universe of untied strings in a cliff-hanger ending. It was well written, thorough and wildly entertaining, but in hindsight I'd have preferred to start the series now that Light Fighters is out. I only bring this up so that Star Children Saga fans—and I count myself among them—can rejoice in the knowledge that the sequel concludes without those major hang-ups. For those who are considering the series, this is an excellent time to jump on the bandwagon. I can vouch that there will be exactly zero disappointment as you blaze through books one and two. Pickering is a master of character development and world-building, wielding her pen with skill enough to make even the most vile characters [we're looking at you, Bathy] come across as authentic. Every character has their flaws, and the greyest of them are in Ridge. He's got a tiny conscience but the rest of him is self serving to a degree that Han Solo would appreciate, so witnessing his evolution is the best part of the book for me. As for the many cultures and civilizations Pickering produces, keep your notepad handy because this book may require notetaking in the beginning. I was particularly fascinated by the Murians and the Tegs, but the levels of ingenuity of all races we meet is phenomenal. This is, as was its predecessor, a book worth the time commitment. As Ridge says, “Slow and steady wins the race.” Very highly recommended.
Light Fighters
March 31, 2022
Moon Deeds' Protagonists Interview
Fun interview with Moon Deeds' Cassidy and Torr :-)
https://theprotagonistspeaks.com/2019...
https://theprotagonistspeaks.com/2019...
March 30, 2022
Tough questions re: Moon Deeds
Here’s an interview I did after releasing Moon Deeds. There were some tough questions in this one. Check it out.
https://medium.com/authority-magazine...
https://medium.com/authority-magazine...
March 25, 2022
Netgalleys are posted for Moon Deeds and Light Fighters
Moon Deeds and Light Fighters eBooks are now available on Netgalley for the next 6 months:
Light Fighters: https://www.netgalley.com/catalog/boo...
Moon Deeds:
https://www.netgalley.com/catalog/boo...
Light Fighters: https://www.netgalley.com/catalog/boo...
Moon Deeds:
https://www.netgalley.com/catalog/boo...
March 10, 2022
Sequel to Moon Deeds is available now!
At long last, the sequel to Moon Deeds is available: "Light Fighters"
Sequel to Palmer Pickering’s award-winning Moon Deeds
Description:
Cassidy and Torr are trying to survive on the moon while facing threats from all sides. The more they confront their enemies, the more they unlock their magical powers. The more power they gain, the more attractive a target they become for those who want the power for themselves.
Ridge is stuck between the sadistic Balty and the desire to control his own life. His magical gifts become entangled with those around him, pulling him between opposing forces. When his path crosses that of the Star Children, he must decide whose side he is on.
More info:
Light Fighters can be enjoyed as a standalone book, but for the best experience it's recommended to read Moon Deeds first.
The story picks up where the cliffhanger leaves off in Moon Deeds. We also delve into the long arc of the series--the Star People and the mythology of the Star Children--and learn more about some of the other alien planets and cultures. The magic systems get more intense, with plant spirit medicine, lucid dreaming, spirit animals and other shamanic tropes, clairvoyance, energy systems, and alternate realities/magical realism, etc.
Intense. Enthralling. Magical.
Please leave a review to help your Indie Author!! Much appreciated. :-)
Sequel to Palmer Pickering’s award-winning Moon Deeds
Description:
Cassidy and Torr are trying to survive on the moon while facing threats from all sides. The more they confront their enemies, the more they unlock their magical powers. The more power they gain, the more attractive a target they become for those who want the power for themselves.
Ridge is stuck between the sadistic Balty and the desire to control his own life. His magical gifts become entangled with those around him, pulling him between opposing forces. When his path crosses that of the Star Children, he must decide whose side he is on.
More info:
Light Fighters can be enjoyed as a standalone book, but for the best experience it's recommended to read Moon Deeds first.
The story picks up where the cliffhanger leaves off in Moon Deeds. We also delve into the long arc of the series--the Star People and the mythology of the Star Children--and learn more about some of the other alien planets and cultures. The magic systems get more intense, with plant spirit medicine, lucid dreaming, spirit animals and other shamanic tropes, clairvoyance, energy systems, and alternate realities/magical realism, etc.
Intense. Enthralling. Magical.
Please leave a review to help your Indie Author!! Much appreciated. :-)
January 17, 2022
Book Two of Moon Deeds Trilogy
"Light Fighters," Book Two of the Moon Deeds Trilogy and Star Children Saga is in final proofreading before desktop publishing. Should be available in trade paperback and ebook March 1st. Yay!!!!
