Nine months after the events of Tree Magic, Rainbow is struggling to come to terms with how she's changed. Her bond with trees has grown and she's found a way to work with them. But Amrita's warnings about a Tree Slayer are gaining strength and Rainbow can no longer ignore them.
To protect France's woodland, she'll need to save the One Tree, although its whereabouts remains a mystery. To find it, Rainbow will have to leave everything she knows and loves. It will be her greatest challenge yet - but she cannot succeed alone. She'll have to enlist the help of Eole, an enigmatic scientist and sceptic.
Rainbow's journey through mountains and forests will increase her understanding of the tree world and of herself. But her life is at risk. Does she have what it takes to face the Tree Slayer? And can she trust Eole, who has powers of his own?
Hi! I'm Harriet and I live in France, where I write novels & short stories and blog about life in France. I have a French partner and two teenage daughters.
My debut novel, Tree Magic, was published by Impress Books in 2017 and has received some great reviews on Amazon. The second edition was published in June 2020, ready for the sequel, Tree Slayer, which came out in October 2020. The third book in the trilogy, Tree Sacrifice, will be out in September 2021.
My short stories have won places in the Segora International Writing competition and Living Magazine competition. I was shortlisted in the Bath Short Story Award 2017, Sunderland/Waterstones award and Iceland Writing Retreat competition and longlisted for the Fish award. You can read a selection on my website.
I love reading literary fiction. There are some wonderful lit fiction novels being published in the YA arena at the moment.
A huge thank you to Harriet Springbett, Impress Books and Love Books Tours for letting me be part of the blog tour.
Synopsis:
Rainbow has changed a lot over the past 9 months. Although these changes can be a struggle, her bond with trees have strengthened and she has found a way to utilise her gift and work with them. When Rainbow receives warning that a Tree Slayer is becoming strong, she has to act fast and make a stand to protect her beloved trees. To protect France’s woodland, Rainbow must find the One Tree, but its whereabouts is a mystery. She is faced with her greatest challenge yet, to leave everything behind, enlist the help of a mysterious soul mate because she can’t do this alone and face her greatest challenge yet. Rainbow knows this puts her life at risk, but she has no other choice, she must face the Tree Slayer.
Review: Tree Slayer is the second book in the Tree Magic series and I couldn’t wait to get stuck back into Rainbow’s story. These books really appeal to my nature loving side and the first book Tree Magic really helped me to zone out, so I hoped Tree Slayer would also give me this opportunity. I also have to say, the front cover is just as stunning as the first book!
The prologue was very useful, it reminded me of where we finished off in the first book and helped me to pick right back up. The author’s lovely writing once again helped me to visualise everything that I was reading and, in the end, I found that I liked this book just as much as the first! I felt Tree Slayer had more of a nature feel than Tree Magic which I loved. We meet Eole in Tree Slayer and he is a character that finds comfort in nature. Something I can relate to which made him feel real. Despite this it did take me a little while to understand Eole, he is unique character and I was very interested to see how his story would develop.
The story is shared between Rainbow’s and Eole’s perspective so you are given the opportunity to feel and see things from their points of views which helped me connect with them both. I could really feel Rainbow’s feelings, both her ups and downs but at times I wanted to reach into the book and give her a shake. Her one downfall of her character that frustrates me is how quick she is to jump to conclusions. I really wanted to bang her and Eole’s heads together at times, but I feel that is what makes Rainbow who she is, it shows she is only human after all.
Eole kept me interested throughout, at times he had me feeling baffled with his way of thinking but he was extremely clever and I actually learnt a few things from him. I really liked how he developed, you could see him change and who he was in the end was a huge different from where he started which was refreshing to see.
I did find the build up to be quite long, but the climax made it worthwhile and I loved how the story came together. Harriet’s writing is beautiful throughout and some of the parts of the story are quite thought provoking. This book is a young adult read, but just like Tree Magic it is a book anyone can enjoy. It is unique, perfect for nature lovers and a good way to escape reality for a little while.
Tree Slayer, the second novel from Harriet Springbett, carries on from where book one, Tree Magic, left off. Rainbow, a young girl who has an extraordinary bond with trees, is about to take her Baccalaureate exams at lycee in Cognac, when a huge storm hits the west of France, felling hundreds of trees. Despite the reservations from those around her, and her plans for the future, she knows her destiny lies with finding her soulmate in the Pyrenees and working together to defeat the Tree Slayer. Eighteen-year-old Eole is happiest when he’s alone, with his dog, on the high pastures of his beloved mountains. This summer too much has changed in his life for him to cope with. He has lost his friend Tintin, who was helping him prepare for university, his mum has something to tell him about his past and then he meets Rainbow. Tree Slayer is their journey through France; two slightly different teenagers, who must understand each other’s gifts and learn how to work together on a mission to save the trees.
I really enjoyed being back with Rainbow and much as I loved Tree Magic, this book is even better. There is a little bit of magic in every page as Harriet pushes the boundaries of reality in a totally convincing way, and challenges what we perceive to be normal. So much thought has gone into the words, descriptions and characters, especially the logic that makes Eole tick, resulting in a book that opens your mind to an alternative way of thinking. I wish I’d read it in my teens, not that I didn’t enjoy it now, I loved it, but I know it would have been one of those special books of my childhood that would have stayed in my memories forever. I can’t wait for book three in the series.
Any 14-18-year-old with a healthy imagination will, I’m sure, love this book, (as well as Tree Magic), but I’d encourage you to read it too, whatever your age. We are never too old to get lost in a world where trees can talk and those special enough to hear them have a message for us all.
Tree Slayer follows on from the events of the first book, Tree Magic. Rainbow is getting used to her ‘new’ way of life and building her affinity with trees. But when a huge storm blows in and damages lots of trees, she finds out that there’s something bigger than her…..something threatening her and the trees. She must find her other half, destroy the Tree Slayer and save the trees before it’s too late…..
I absolutely loved this – probably more than the first, and that’s all down to Eole who I adored. It was good being back with Rainbow/Mary but I do find her a little annoying at times; and Christophe drives me nuts, so it was nice to have a new, fantastic but complex character thrown into the mix. He has his own issues and emotional backstory and is a fantastic, and loveable character. It was so lovely to watch him develop throughout the story. And I love Hestia – she’s a fantastic, refreshing and rebellious character!
The story is full of beautiful trees and magic, with the key underlying story of the importance of trees in the world, I love both Rainbow/Mary and Eole’s gifts which fill the story with wonder. Their adventure is brilliant. I thoroughly enjoyed going on it with them, and experiencing it from both their points of views (which are very different!). It kept me hanging on right till the very end, never sure what would happen next and whether they would both make it out alive, and complete their mission!
This is a young adult novel, but adults will like this just as much. It’s easy and enjoyable to read and follow, and the story line is fab. If you’re looking for your next read which weaves the real world with a hint of magic, then you should check this out. Highly recommended by me. I can’t wait to read the final book in the trilogy now!
Tree Slayer is book 2 in the Tree Magic trilogy and it moves the story along, deepens the mythology at its centre and develops the character of Rainbow/Mary into a more rounded person.
The introduction of a new character, Eole, who Rainbow believes is her soulmate, brought the story in new direction. Their combined fight against the Tree Slayer and the search for the One Tree who they are tasked with saving, created a complex and unique plot for this instalment.
Along with Rainbow’s ability to sense the feelings of trees and heal them, Eole adds his magical powers into the mix. When faced with the full potential of what Eole can do, Rainbow starts to second guess her belief he is her soulmate and worries that he might in fact be the Tree Slayer she was sent to destroy.
I give this book 🌟🌟🌟🌟. I found the narrative imaginative, beautifully written and easy to visualise. Eole was a very interesting character and comes with his own personal backstory and journey. He added a good balance to the story opposite Rainbow. The only reason this wasn’t a 5🌟 read was I felt the story dragged a little from time to time and wasn’t as gripping as the first book. I did love it though and eagerly await the final chapter of this magical series.
So I read Tree Magic last year (the first in the series, this is the second) and I must admit that I didn't remember it that well. I remembered some bits about it and I remembered it being magical and definitely one of my favourite books of last year, but past that, I didn't remember a lot of details. But they all started coming back to me as soon as I started reading, and there are a helpful few reminders to jog your memory written within the first chapter.
I believe Eole is a new character and I absolutely loved him. I have an Autistic brother and he really reminded me of him. His special skill fit really well with the story.
I compared the first book in the series to being like something Disney would create and I still very much felt that with this book. Tree Slayer is divided into five books; I preferred the first two books where Eole and Rainbow's stories were mostly separate. The adventure and then all the environmentally friendly stuff wasn't really for me but I'm definitely not put off from reading Tree Sacrifice. However I am annoyed at Rainbow's romance situation...
Also massive appreciation yet again to the cover for being so damn beautiful. This is a very easy world to get lost in.
Having read Tree Magic I was intrigued as to what would happen to Rainbow next so I couldn’t wait to take part in the book tour for the sequel. In Tree Slayer Rainbow and Mary are now one. This still brings it’s own problems as Rainbow and Mary continue to internally battle with their differing thoughts and personalities.
Rainbow is now working with her powers and working with Thierry a tree surgeon. She is studying for her exams and now has a boyfriend, Christophe. However, she has a new mission to save Amrita Devi, the tree spirit. Amrita’s message to Rainbow is that it is Rainbow who must defeat the tree slayer and restore Amrita’s strength. It’s during this journey that Rainbow comes across Eole a scientist who has gift of his own. Is Eole the person she is looking for that can help her on her mission.
I really enjoyed reading more about Rainbow and the introduction of new characters in Eole and his family. Rainbow’s character has developed significantly since Tree Magic. She’s now accepted and harnassed her gift and in some way has become Eole’s mentor. It was nice to see the interaction between Rainbow and Eole as they are completely different. Rainbow is spiritual and drawn towards nature whereas Eole is scientific and has a very logical way of thinking.
I was excited to see that there is a third book in the series which I can’t wait to read. If this sounds like a book for you then I would definitely get yourself a copy of both Tree Magic and Tree Slayer.
I received a gifted copy of this book for an honest review.
After throughally enjoying book one, I had to read this one book two to see what would happen next. Another brilliant, different read. Unique. Magical. Full of fantasy... My imagination went wild. I really hope for more of these books because I've not read anything similar before. I would highly recommend if you're looking for something different but brilliant. Rainbow is faced with the tree slayer... Can she defeat the slayer? Can she save the trees? She may need some help but as we saw from book one she is one determined girl who loves trees. I love her. I loved it all! Really enjoyed it. I could stay in her world forever because lets be honest its miles better than ours currently. A well deserved four stars from me. Highly recommend. I want more.
Thank you to the author and Love Books Tours for the copy of this book in return for my honest opinion.
As part of a trilogy, I would highly recommend reading Tree Magic first to really understand Rainbow’s journey so far. I was excited to get a place on this tour having enjoyed Tree Magic so much and I’m glad I did. Harriet Springbett has a way of taking words, adding a touch of her own magic, and laying them on the page to form a lyrical prose which I thoroughly enjoyed.
I liked Eole but was a bit on a knife edge as I wondered if he would end up betraying Rainbow (I’m not telling)! I also enjoyed seeing Rainbow’s powers flourish and her confidence grow.
I’d recommend this for teenagers and adults who love to bring the magic of nature into their life.
I don't often read sequels, so it's taken me a long time to read this following on from Tree Magic, which I thought was sublime. There's much to love about this too. And it was great to be back in the hands of a writer who you can trust to deliver a satisfying, pleasurable and informative experience. For me, it wasn't quite as sublime as Tree Magic, however I loved learning about rural life in the Pyrenees and there was plenty of fabulous description of the natural world - sky, storms, trees, and a satisfying plot. An enjoyable sequel, and I look forward to completing the trilogy with Tree Sacrifice, at some later date.
After reading Tree Magic earlier this year, I was delighted to have the opportunity to read the next book in the series, Tree Slayer. I just love the cover - purple is my favourite colour and this a really gorgeous design. The story doesn’t disappoint. We revisit Rainbow, nine months on and she shows how she has grown and developed. This book is a really well crafted story, a perfect follow on from Tree Magic, the same descriptive writing and strong characters. A compelling tale of magic and strength. Loved it. A great read
I gave this one 3.5 stars, I am so pleased I got a spot on the book tour to review the sequel to tree magic as I loved the first one and wanted to see how Rainbow’s story continued. It did not disappoint, and was full of the same magic and mystical qualities as the first book. I loved the continuation of Rainbow’s journey and the development of her gift, and also the introduction of a new character Eole who I thought was a great addition to the book. I won’t say too much more as I will keep my review spoiler free but it was a great sequel and I can’t wait for the third in the series! 🌳🌲🌳🌲
It was enjoyable. I kind of got confuse with the characters but before I read this book I did buy the first book. And I thought it was interesting. I enjoyed the story and the plot. Especially regarding the magic of the tree and the magic within herself. Her journey helps her develop throughout the story and it’s nice to see the development.