What do you think?
Rate this book
Tales of Temerity #2
The Swamp
A Seer, a Potion-Maker, a Fighter, and a Bard walk into a tavern…
Join our merry band of adventurers as they brave Level Two of the Dragon’s Crawl.
"Fear was a potent enemy, one she was unable to slay with the edge of a blade."
Join our merry band of adventurers as they brave Level Two of the Dragon’s Crawl.
"Fear was a potent enemy, one she was unable to slay with the edge of a blade."
698 pages, Paperback
Published April 1, 2026
About the author
Palmer Pickering
8 books198 followersPalmer has been writing fiction since she was eight. She received her BA in American Studies from Wesleyan University, with concentrations in Religion and Race Relations.
She currently works in Silicon Valley in the gaming industry and high tech. In addition, Palmer holds a certificate in Chinese Acupressure, is a certified solar panel installer, and studied Tibetan Buddhism with the 14th Dalai Lama.
She lives and writes in the magical redwood forest of the Santa Cruz Mountains, California.
She currently works in Silicon Valley in the gaming industry and high tech. In addition, Palmer holds a certificate in Chinese Acupressure, is a certified solar panel installer, and studied Tibetan Buddhism with the 14th Dalai Lama.
She lives and writes in the magical redwood forest of the Santa Cruz Mountains, California.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews
August 28, 2026
After chatting briefly with the author I was reminded the second installment to this series was out in the wilds now. Even though I've been struggling with my reads for almost the last year now, especially stories fantasy related I figured I'd give this one a shot.
I ended up picking up a both the Audible and Kindle copies so that I could following along with both when convenient and just listening to the audio when I couldn't sit down and read.
I'm glad I did. even with my fantasy read slump, I rather enjoyed this tale. Not to mention the LITRPG genre still isn't at the top of my favorites but I've now read a couple handfuls in the past two years that really landed well with me.
The cast of adventurers is mostly the same as book one with some new introductions here and there in this story. Of course we have a new level and environment with the swamp which created some unique situations for our crew.
There was some significant growth from the party members here with occasional flashes of their newbie status or youth shining through.
Even with the new foes introduced in this one, I have to say I'd be find with the game or its players eliminating the rat monkeys entirely one of these days! They were so frustrating even if I do understand their use by the dragons and their game.
All in all I'm really glad that Palmer reached out to me with the reminder allowing me to move this one up my TBR and dive into it's swampy muck! I'm still such a huge fan of her works regardless of the series or standalones that she has released. If you've not followed along with me reads over the last few years, several of her books would make my favorites lists.
If you aren't sure about the LITRPG genre as I was, you might want to give this series a try. Even though the "game" mechanics are still a large part of the story it doesn't bury us in stats and windows. It feels far more like a mythical game from fantasy stories long ago. That was always one of my biggest worries or hang-ups with the genre. Even though I'm a life long gamer, I always found it hard to lose myself in a story within a book when I'm bombarded with heavy game mechanics.
I ended up picking up a both the Audible and Kindle copies so that I could following along with both when convenient and just listening to the audio when I couldn't sit down and read.
I'm glad I did. even with my fantasy read slump, I rather enjoyed this tale. Not to mention the LITRPG genre still isn't at the top of my favorites but I've now read a couple handfuls in the past two years that really landed well with me.
The cast of adventurers is mostly the same as book one with some new introductions here and there in this story. Of course we have a new level and environment with the swamp which created some unique situations for our crew.
There was some significant growth from the party members here with occasional flashes of their newbie status or youth shining through.
Even with the new foes introduced in this one, I have to say I'd be find with the game or its players eliminating the rat monkeys entirely one of these days! They were so frustrating even if I do understand their use by the dragons and their game.
All in all I'm really glad that Palmer reached out to me with the reminder allowing me to move this one up my TBR and dive into it's swampy muck! I'm still such a huge fan of her works regardless of the series or standalones that she has released. If you've not followed along with me reads over the last few years, several of her books would make my favorites lists.
If you aren't sure about the LITRPG genre as I was, you might want to give this series a try. Even though the "game" mechanics are still a large part of the story it doesn't bury us in stats and windows. It feels far more like a mythical game from fantasy stories long ago. That was always one of my biggest worries or hang-ups with the genre. Even though I'm a life long gamer, I always found it hard to lose myself in a story within a book when I'm bombarded with heavy game mechanics.
September 21, 2026
The second book of The Tales of Temerity series is a welcome continuation of the story. Temerity and Half-Pint, joined by their friends Keenan and Tomasz brave alligators, thieving rat monkeys, pygmy imps and fellow adventurers in this Lit RPG-lite.
The book reads like a sidequest fantasy, straddling cozy and action sometimes at the drop of a hat. There's certainly plenty packed into the book's 680 pages, not least a plethora of full page bleed illustrations throughout the book.
I really liked the author's commitment to putting the actual craft of making a book like this to the front, with a steadfast anti-AI stance. Good.
Can't wait for the next book in the series!
The book reads like a sidequest fantasy, straddling cozy and action sometimes at the drop of a hat. There's certainly plenty packed into the book's 680 pages, not least a plethora of full page bleed illustrations throughout the book.
I really liked the author's commitment to putting the actual craft of making a book like this to the front, with a steadfast anti-AI stance. Good.
Can't wait for the next book in the series!
August 17, 2026
I really like Temerity. RPG isn't my go to, but dang it, I have fun in the Dragon's Game. Pickering does a masterful job of creating an interesting world to torment her characters. She's done an admirable job of creating a little found family crew to adventure together. I'm having fun and can't wait to go to the Pastoral Lands.
April 8, 2026
Great descriptions
The descriptions of the swamps were beyond awesome. The smells, the noises were amazing.
In the first book I struggled a bit with the concept of walking away from life to play a game. This book dealt with the guilt and homesickness and even the futility of that choice. I appreciated that and it left me free to enjoy the adventure.
The descriptions of the swamps were beyond awesome. The smells, the noises were amazing.
In the first book I struggled a bit with the concept of walking away from life to play a game. This book dealt with the guilt and homesickness and even the futility of that choice. I appreciated that and it left me free to enjoy the adventure.
May 10, 2026
I've been checking on and off for months waiting for this book two to come out. If that doesn't book one, I don't know what else will. Book two was just as much fun.
I love the relationship Temerity and Half Pint have. Can't wait for book three.
If you enjoy adventure, friendship, and good.old fationed sword swinging fun, this one's is for you.
I love the relationship Temerity and Half Pint have. Can't wait for book three.
If you enjoy adventure, friendship, and good.old fationed sword swinging fun, this one's is for you.
April 2, 2026
What great fun! A follow on from Dark Town and a wonderful one at that.
The next level bekons for Temerity and gang. An exceptional litrpg book, with in-depth world building and exiting interesting characters!
The next level bekons for Temerity and gang. An exceptional litrpg book, with in-depth world building and exiting interesting characters!
August 19, 2026
Sometimes it takes Temerity!
Couldn't put it down! Temerity's story just got better. Temerity is very relatable for me, and I enjoy the decisions she makes. Everything is surprising and interesting. Very unique.
Couldn't put it down! Temerity's story just got better. Temerity is very relatable for me, and I enjoy the decisions she makes. Everything is surprising and interesting. Very unique.
April 22, 2026
Excellent fantasy Fast paced with great expeditions that the team take and unexpected perils that keep you reading to find what happens next. Makes you want to read the next book in the series.
Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews