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Star Children Saga #2

Light Fighters

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Sequel to Palmer Pickering’s award-winning Moon Deeds
Dark Science-Fantasy
Adult Content: 18+

“Enthralling.”
- A. Muir

“This is one of the best fantasy books I’ve read in a long time.”
- T. Govender

In Light Fighters, Cassidy and Torr are trying to survive on the moon while facing threats from all sides. As their shamanic heritage surfaces and they hone their magical skills, they are hunted for their power, escalating into a tension-filled game of cat and mouse.

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.

Meanwhile, we learn that while the twin Star Children are hoping to find the Star People, the Star People of Turya are desperately seeking the Star Children as well. Their stories interweave as the mythology of the Star Children unfolds.

A compelling expansion of the Star Children Saga.

Trigger Warnings:
This book is intended for mature adult audiences. It deals with some difficult topics and contains graphic depictions of human trafficking, violent sexual assault, and substance abuse.


*******************

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, Balty] 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.

796 pages, Paperback

Published March 1, 2022

3 people are currently reading
94 people want to read

About the author

Palmer Pickering

5 books171 followers
Palmer 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.

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Displaying 1 - 30 of 74 reviews
Profile Image for Rafa.
77 reviews120 followers
September 25, 2022
*Thanks to the author for sending me a copy*


WHAT A BOOK!!!
This series has been a favorite one since I read the first installment and the wait has been agonizing!!
This book was hugeee and I couldn't be happier!
Looking forward to more.

P.S. might write a more detailed review as soon as I am done enjoying the book in mind on my own.
Profile Image for Kitty G Books.
1,695 reviews2,968 followers
October 2, 2022
*Trigger warnings: Adult content, Rape, Kidnapping, Drug Abuse, Torture, Violence and more.*

I was very excited to go back to this world as I thoroughly enjoyed book #1 and although this one takes a very different course (it’s waaaay more adult in tone and content) I still found it a fun (maybe not fun as many of the themes are pretty horrible) and compelling story.

We pick up straight after the end of book #1 where Torr is searching for Cassidy as she’s gone missing. We follow both of them as characters so we can see the search Torr initiates and also the horrible situation Cassidy has ended up in. It’s not a read for the faint of heart as it’s got lots of really nasty characters, and they are mean and shitty and filled with malice. Cassidy and Torr are still pretty naive to a lot of the ways of the Moon, but they have to learn fast and adapt.

What I liked best about this is that it’s easy to read because the events are dramatic and gripping. We see various people visiting the moon or making their livelihoods there and the way that they interact with the twins gives a wonder understanding of the whole of the Stars rather than just the immediate surroundings. We know that the moon is just once facet of the story and the other characters Cassidy and Torr chat with in life and in dreams/visions gives us some context for where the saga may be heading.

I found Cassidy easier to relate to as she is forced into some hard spots and she really has to fight to like herself and to learn how to survive after she’s seen and done some things she deems awful. Her story in this book can only be called tragic as she’s put into various awful scenes and I feel that was a little bit for the drama, but a lot to force her to grow and to confront her powers which by the end of the story she has begun to unlock and study.

Torr is a bit harder for me to get behind as he feels more closed off in general, but when he’s been on the moon a while he realises he does need to start to interact with people and let them into his life. I liked seeing him open up a bit and again he faces some pretty tough challenges which see him start to uncover and develop his powers too.

The overall battle for the moon becomes a larger part of this with the politics of food scarcity and space and territory constantly shifting and being controlled by certain individuals. We follow the group of the Light Fighters who are being put together by Torr and his friends, and we also follow a sub-story about the illegal occupation of the craters on the moon which we know the twins have the deeds for. There’s a lot of shifting powers about to happen and the energy is tense and ripe for conflict.

I did find that for me personally I didn’t mind the directions the book took, but I felt as though the sheer amount of things that the twins have to face felt a little much. I think maybe some of it could have been cut down or put into another book as this felt a little bloated for how far the overall plot gets developed, and I wanted to see a bit more of a fast pace at times.

In the end, I’m keen to see where book #3 goes and wondering how long the Saga will be as at the moment we’re still focused on the moon and if we’re going to the stars then there’s a lot more to come! 4*s but do note the trigger warnings as this won’t be a series for everyone!

*Thanks to the author for sending me a paperback although I did end up reading the kindle version which I purchased for myself*
Profile Image for CallahansBooks.
113 reviews12 followers
October 27, 2022
Space opera: this is a thing? Space opera is a thing! And if LIGHT FIGHTERS is any indication it’s a thing I’ll most certainly revisit. Dystopian with high stakes and a shockingly adversarial lunar setting, this story was as electrifying as the book was thick.

My copy clocked in at 778 pages, a formidable brick requiring a big deep breath before starting. As the magical skills of Torr and Cassidy ineffably fight their way to the surface, the two heroes find themselves beset by threats both obvious and insidiously latent.

The world introduced to readers in Book One, MOON DEEDS, takes some getting used to. It is perilous and vast, filled with layered players whose true motivations unfold amid cruelty and suspicion.

With Cassidy missing, Torr spends a lot of Book Two navigating slippery power dynamics—naturally a bit guarded, he must learn to lead as he struggles to master his own fantastic powers. Make Superman confused by his own eye lasers and put him in charge of an underdog militia: suddenly body slamming Lex Luthor isn’t so simple.

LIGHT FIGHTERS is a tremendous achievement in imagination and world building. The story is fully immersive with persistent action that is sure to evoke strong emotional reactions. In the creation of an aggressively entertaining sci-fi universe, the author’s ambitions are achieved. To Book Three and beyond, the stars are the limit.
Profile Image for Janny.
Author 106 books1,959 followers
Read
July 26, 2024
Light Fighters picks up were Moon Deeds left off, with our heroine, Cassidy fallen afoul of a truly ugly situation. The horrors of confinement, and sexual assault at the hands of a predator open the threads of a conspiracy wider than anyone grasps. Palmer Pickering does not flinch from the ugly, or from the response of human complacency when society would rather embrace the status quo, when life is hard, and look the other way. And life on the moon colony is extreme, with earth in the hands of the enemy and supply lines being manipulated by the hands of the greedy.

This is a story about a survivor, and family ties tested and tried, where friends might not have their friends interests in mind, and psychic traps and witch craft flourish hand in hand with trafficking and black market deals. This read is an altogether unusual mix of moon colony tech, apocalyptic hardship and privation, crystal and herb magic, and spirit shamanism - with a blend of interplanetary culture and friends coming together to survive what shapes up to become a tale of survival spanning worlds.

If you enjoy an imaginative blend seldom seen in the field, and you enjoy a story of young people finding their way, sometimes doing the right thing, and sometimes, falling short, with ambition mixing with drug addiction and the impacts of post traumatic stress - Palmer Pickering does not pull her punches, or hesitate to grab the reader, literally, by the throat.
Profile Image for S.
236 reviews5 followers
June 14, 2022
Thank you, NetGalley for the advanced copy of Light Fighters by Palmer Pickering.

This is an absolute gem of a book. It is a wonderful read and it is long, but in the end, it is worth it. The writer is well one of my new authors that are on my "will always buy" list. Sci-Fi readers will love this book (maybe I am just behind in that area). The character development and world-building are amazing. That is a major thing for me. It was also done very well.
Profile Image for Dom.
Author 1 book608 followers
March 31, 2025
There were some parts that worked well for me here, but also some parts that didn't work so well, and sadly those parts took up a lot more of the book. I tend to need some fast pacing in a book, although hopefully overall it will be balanced. The large part of Light Fighters was devoted to events that were too slow paced for my tastes, and so it was an uphill struggle for the other elements of the book to fight back. Pickering's writing is fluent and expressive though, so even during those slower parts that I didn't like so much, it was easy enough to keep turning the pages.

I thought there were too many named side characters who didn't always need to be listed, but there were also some new characters introduced who shook things up nicely (or not nicely at all, depending on which character it might be!). Cassidy had a really bad time of things in this book, but despite her being a queen of bad decisions, hers was the story that was the most interesting to me, and contained more of those parts (towards the end, just to be clear) that I enjoyed.

There are some pretty dark parts here which will not be to everyone's tastes (and are not to mine), so although I don't normally comment on them, I would recommend checking the content warnings before reading, if that's something you're minded to do.
Profile Image for Marilyn.
754 reviews55 followers
February 23, 2023
This was a much darker story than the first book. I was a bit perplexed with the opening chapters about the supernatural beings that were observing what the Star Children are doing. But as the story progressed, I was understanding.
There are some very cruel and serious events that happen in this story which you should be aware of, in case you have any triggers. These warnings are good to have. Cassidy goes through a very rough time of physical and emotional abuse.
All of the characters are well established now and I feel very comfortable being around them. Although I was a little bit surprised about who the betrayers were. Most of the bad guys are not grey at all. The only one who seems to have a bit of a conscious is still unforgivable.
We see more of Torr and Cassidy’s magical abilities here. It is very fun to watch them unfold and be realized.
The story was exciting and action packed until the end. Not everything is roses and rainbows because we do lose some people.
Hopefully there will be payback and vengeance in the next installment.
2 reviews
April 8, 2022
Whether you've read the first book or not, Light Fighters will become a cornerstone in the futurist fantasy genre for you. This book is the opposite of a fast read, but you'll still wish it was longer. Here are some considerations:

- Cons -

1) Significant length. The storyline is masterfully done, but (like Gorgeous George R.R. Martin) Pickering doesn't take any shortcuts when it comes to length.

- Pros -

1) Pickering has created a world that shapes deep and interesting characters... characters you literally love and literally hate.

2) Pickering's scenes and set pieces further the story in ways that are unexpected yet plausible in context. It's an immersive ride. Turning the last page feels like the end of a great journey.

3) Light Fighters' subject matter is anything but light. For those who read the first book.... prepare yourselves. The most pivotal scenes spur serious thought, and that's a rarity these days.
Profile Image for ⚡eli⚡.
395 reviews25 followers
June 12, 2022
Thanks to Palmer Pickering, NetGalley and Mythology Press, for the advanced copy in exchange for honest review. All thoughts are my own and left voluntarily.

This is sequel to Palmer's award-winning Moon Deeds (Star Children Saga #1). It's lengthy read, but honestly - it's worth your time if you love Sci-Fi and Fantasy. Pickering has crafted great character development and lush world-building. She has gifted us characters with more depth, ''grey-ness'' and is not afraid to show their flaws. I enjoyed dialogs between Cassidy and Torr, while they experienced thrilling and dangerous events,

I can't write more of my thoughts here without spoiling this compelling story, but this is masterful work in it's own right and genre. I really enjoyed it, thank you Palmer Pickering! <3
Profile Image for K.D. Marchesi.
Author 1 book89 followers
May 31, 2024
4.5 Stars rounded up.

Palmer Pickering is a master of a slow detailed filled burn with heavy action that hooks you in. For an 800 page tome I could not put Light Fighters down!

More coherent thoughts to come!

Check your trigger warnings on this one folks, there are some characters that you’re really going to hate!
Profile Image for Gwyn.
3 reviews1 follower
May 17, 2022
Light Fighters is an edge of your seat story that further takes you into the saga of the Star Children. Without giving anything away, this is a definite 'must read' for anyone who has read Moon Deeds, and for anyone who loves the Scifi and Fantasy genres.
Profile Image for Cathryn Melani (cat.inspired).
496 reviews21 followers
October 31, 2022
Firstly a massive thank you for my amazingly chunky copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

Light Fighters is book two in the Starchildren saga and I was really keen to read this after book one.

It does have several TW I want to mention first, (rape, kidnapping, human trafficking, addiction) not present in book one, so do keep this in mind when picking this up. This series is definitely an adult fantasy read.

Tor and Cassidy are Twins, born on earth, yet believed to be the legendary star children. Twins born only once in a millennia who will save a world they do not remember. Moon Deeds saw them flee earth to the moon when war broke out and ended on a brilliant cliff hanger.

I'm loving this series. It really is fantastic on epic story building proportions.

I need to say how utterly brilliantly the author world builds. The depth, detail and complete out of this world way in which she creates the characters and different aspects of this book is quite simply amazing.

Light Fighters (well both books) explore and reel you in to some pretty amazing dystopian / fantasy / alien worlds.

There is throughout that sense of fate, destiny, ancient magick binding the twins and those around them to their path. As their journey continues, you see more and more of their destiny and powers as it overlaps with the dangers and hardships they face on the moon, as well as a look at the world they need to save.

I found the darker content of this book, mainly Cassidy's story, a tougher read than the rest, but that being said it definitely added to the story and book / characters development. A real look at the darker side of humanity. And the strength. It's definitely something to be aware of when going in.

You do need to read book one first I'd say. There is just too much going on not too.

Im desperately hoping that book three, Anaximenes is out very, very soon, as that's going to be a definite must read book for me.
Profile Image for Charletta Barksdale.
Author 2 books10 followers
July 28, 2024
First I want to apologize to the author for the late review because it’s definitely well deserved and worth full recognition of a well written series.

This book is for all those herbalist, shaman, star seeds, empath, light workers healers, spiritually seeking, looking to read an inspirational story centered around reality, fantasy of what life could be or become. With an opened mind you to may pick reality and find yourself submerged into the story as if it was truly real

It’s a full roller coaster ride that’s suspenseful, sinister, emotional and OH! so real. It makes you appreciate the small necessities that some of us ignore today. The characters were emotionally fit to entertain throughout each chapter. But, the what if this happened for real, became the eye opener, that pressed the walls beyond being opened minded to you just excepting different. Being willing to change rather it’s religion, purpose, life obstacles and realized that anything can change in a snap. Nothing is forever or permanent and this books puts it all into perspective.

I truly enjoyed the plot between made up space community, spiritual leaders, magic, crystals, dreams that brought fantasy to life between the physical and spiritual worlds. I would love to see the series adapted into a film and looking forward to the next read.
2 reviews
July 22, 2022
An Amazing Sequel!

The book “Light Fighters (Star Children Saga Book 2)” is the second part of “Moon Deeds (Star Children Saga)”. It is an incredible ride. In Moon Deeds, the character of Cassidy was a happy go lucky innocent girl. In this continuation of the Saga, we see Cassidy’s innocence going away, and how much she struggles to overcome the notion that life is never simple. Every step, she takes, as hard as it can be, is a rough lesson about trusting her inner voice against all odds. Her brother Torr evolves too. While learning how to use his powers, he lets down his guard, emotionally, allowing others to reach him. Pickering created a whole fictional universe that sounds very plausible. Even though the story is kind of lengthy, I got hooked in every chapter with the tension created between the characters, wondering what was going to happen next. I can’t wait for part three!
Profile Image for Loz Darwin.
86 reviews7 followers
July 30, 2022
Well blooming hell Palmer Pickering has done it again.
An absolutely cracking sequel to Moon Deeds which left you on a nail biting cliffhanger which is dealt with in a much darker way in this second book. Violence both physically and mentally are dealt to the twins but they have happy moments too.
The characters development has been so good, a more mature Cassidy shines through and a Torr who is beginning to believe in both himself and the magic needed for them to be Star Children.
It's been interesting finding out more about Jidna/Ridge.
Ends with the perfect opportunity for book 3 which I hope to read soon.
Thank you so much Palmer Pickering and Mythology Press for my copy 😍
Profile Image for K.J. Simmill.
Author 10 books145 followers
May 1, 2022
Pickering is an expert scene setter, she builds the worlds, lure, and history one word at a time like an artist's brushstrokes to create vast, rich, and vibrant worlds, filled with deep characters, interesting quests, magic, twists, and a quest passed down by fate itself for the very survival of all.
Profile Image for Renee Winter.
465 reviews18 followers
September 5, 2022
Read the series in order as to not be lost. Love this series! Great science fiction! Excellent characters who are so human they become real to readers! Good story plot. A long read but so worth the time! Thanks #netgalley and #IBPA for the eARC in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are mine.
Profile Image for Lori Watson.
121 reviews1 follower
January 5, 2023
Sooo well written. Great characters carried over from Moon Deeds but with so much more... well, character. Bad stuff happens...a lot...and it isn't all resolved with unicorns and moonbeams (I do like unicorns and moonbeams however). Everything...setting, technology, personalities, storyline, all of it has been super-enhanced since moon deeds, and I absolutely loved moon deeds.

This was the first staying-up-till-3 book I've read in a long long time. Can't wait for the next one.
Profile Image for Marcia - itsabookthing2021 .
788 reviews19 followers
December 30, 2022
Light Fighters is book 2 of the Star Children Saga and follows on from Moon Deeds (book 1).

After reading Moon Deeds I could not wait to dive back into this world. Though its not a quick read - the book is 796 pages long!
Either way, massive book or not this is an incredible ride and one that I recommend you take.

The characters developments since Moon Deeds have dramatic effects in Light Fighters. Cassidy in particular is no longer naive and innocent. She is faced with challenges and struggles, the need to trust her own instincts is paramount. Her growth is apparent and just like Torr she's learning herself worth.
Tor has grown dramatically he's no longer shutting off his emotional side, he's letting people in. He's also growing in his magic.
You can see the growth in the characters which is great, making them life like makes them relatable and likeable.
It also gives the reader a sense of the story growing.. Which it obviously is but it's more conceivable when the characters are also growing.

The world building as I said with book 1 is amazing, the whole concept is believable.
The length of the novel is a good slog but it's a fantastic page turner, the chapters grab you and don't let go taking you on an epic adventure. This is where the author is at their best, they know how to write an epic journey and keep the readers engaged.

The ending! It gives way to the possibility of a book 3 and if so, then I can not wait to read more.
Profile Image for Ishani.
98 reviews7 followers
September 18, 2022
"When the dragon flames Born of the king star Reach through the skies We fall upon the sacred ground
Where our Children return Those who left us long ago
To travel to the stars They ride the light to join us now
With tales of woe and glory"

This book is a wonderful adventurous book that defines the life and responsibilities of the star children named Cassidy and Torr who fought to save the universe and their people.

They got magical powers as more as they defeat the negative or evil opposition they will become more and more powerful.

It's not just a book, it's a saga where you will get to read lots of things. The Author has also provided maps related to the book in the very beginning which is quite helpful for the readers.

Although, it's a little long book you will get lots of pleasure to read this. Suggesting this book to you.
Profile Image for Chad.
553 reviews35 followers
August 11, 2022
Once again Palmer Pickering caught me by surprise with this one! I found this series on NetGalley just simply browsing. Both books one and two were there so I grabbed them in anticipation of getting to them over a couple of months. I ended up getting ahead of my July TBR so went ahead and started and finished book one last month. I really enjoyed it! So much so that I only waited a week before diving into book two. I was going to hold off because I knew I wouldn't finish it before I had another reading obligation at the beginning of August. I did get half way through and hit the pause button on this one to take care of the other read. As soon as it was done I got right back to Light Fighters!

Palmer did warn me before I began book two that there were some triggers and the story was a bit darker than book one. We've even had a brief conversation about the main trigger (rape) since finishing the book. I don't think it's one to scare away the general reader but for someone who has been through such a tragedy it might be difficult for sure. The incident itself is described fairly graphically but what kept pulling at my heart strings was that the aftermath of that incident continues to surface throughout the story in book two. It never ruined the reading experience for myself it only created more sympathy for her and hatred toward the one who did it to her.

Now onto my usual review. Obviously as previously mentioned this was not a book or series I had heard much buzz about prior to picking it up. I honestly picked them up initially just because the author's name sounded familiar to me and I found out that she hangs out in some of the discord channels that I do. I honestly didn't even know she was an author. I just thought she was another reading lover like so many of us are. I couldn't be more pleased that I took the chance and picked these up. The books are amazing and I've gotten to know the author quite a bit more and it sounds like she has a lot of work yet to come on this series and others!

The pacing was on par or perhaps even slightly better than how I felt towards book one. We definitely have some highs and lows in the story but I didn't feel at any given time that parts I were reading were a slog or boring though. It's almost like it was on a curve with medium pace being the low and then escalating to high from there. I felt that the ending of book one seemed a bit more fitting and less abrupt than book one which was a relief for sure! We were left with such a cliffhanger in book one but this one finished smoothly and simply left me wanting more!

The world building picks up considerably in book two as well. Obviously in book one we learned quite a bit about Earth and it's moon because that is where the story takes place. In this one we still continue to learn more about these two environments but the world itself is beginning to open up more as the characters and story starts to learn more about the History of previous Star Children as well as another planet that we are taken to for the first time since arriving on the moon. This new planet was very fascinating along with it's inhabitants. We also learn much more about Gabira's cave this time around as well!

The character development is great as well. I honestly think its the characters that keep brining me back wanting to keep reading and turning the pages in Light Fighters. We continue to see both Torr and Cass struggle to learn what they are capable of and test the limits of their strength. We also see some supporting characters perform some highly questionable things in book two! And then there is Ridge, I honestly think he is one of if not my favorite character. But as I told Palmer he frustrates me so much! He has many opportunities to try and do the right thing. Often times he does, but then when I think he's becoming one of our protagonists, he goes against that grain again. I still think he is good at heart and look forward to seeing where his story arc ends up eventually.

If you haven't been able to tell yet, I've fallen in love with this series! This truly is one of those rare reads that finds a way to combine science fiction and more traditional fantasy together. I love the space travel along with the more mystical shaman aspects sprinkled throughout. I've grown attached to so many of these characters. I will say the author isn't afraid to break your heart or make you feel for a character before they are either no longer around or they do something to disappoint you. These moments don't go unexplained though. They are eventually explained quite well as to why these moments happened. As of writing this review Light Fighters is currently my favorite read of 2022!!! It actually ranks up there as one of my favorite reads of all time.

To once again use a bit of Palmer's own words, if you think you'd enjoy an epic fantasy built into a science fiction story, this might be right up your alley!
Profile Image for Kalpanaashri.
63 reviews7 followers
August 29, 2022
I am back with yet another review! I am so glad to have received this book from the author Palmer Pickering and extremely grateful to Booktasters for introducing me to such an amazing author and her works!!

Genre:
Fantasy, Sci-Fi, Adventure, Series

Plot:
Twins Cassidy and Torr escaped to the Moon with an intent to find a way to bring their parents and save everyone from Tegs’ invasion. In their journey as their powers as Star Children get awakened, the stakes suddenly got higher. Not only do they need to protect their loved ones, but they also need to face threat from every side. With their shamanic heritage attracting everyone’s attention and their need to hone their skills with danger lurking, will Cass and Torr be able fulfil their destiny as Star Children?

Review:
This book, a sequel to the first part Moon Deeds, is like an adventure waiting to be embarked upon. Honestly, it felt like I dived into rabbit’s hole and did not want to stop reading. If the first book felt like sci-fi with sprinkling of magic, this book is full of magic with bit of technology dusted! I don’t know how the author did it, but I was blown away! I wasn’t expecting what awaited me in this book! Putting this book away to concentrate on my daily mundane tasks was the toughest part. Literally, words fall short to describe how happy and emotional I felt while reading this book!

Right in the beginning, the author gave beautiful illustrations of different key places in the book. It added so much so value in understanding how it would have looked. The sheer amount of hard work just amazed me. In this book, the author slowly builds the magical side of the story painstakingly and beautifully. Shedding light upon the prophecy, the people who wait for Star Children, it becomes so interesting straight from the beginning. As the story progresses it got bit traumatic, strong, emotional, sometimes bit light-hearted and romantic but sometimes truly painful. What I loved the most about this book was the way author able to balance everything without any one particular topic becoming overwhelming.

With respect to characters, more and more characters are introduced in the story. It can get bit overwhelming, but the way author has written ensured that I could keep up with the storyline. The character development of Cassidy, Torr and Jasper has been brilliant. Particularly Cassidy’s journey managed to tug my heart. The sensitivity with which her character is developed while addressing emotional, confusions and turmoil of others surrounding her is commendable. It feels so real despite being a work of fiction.

The emotional journey mixed with curiosity and excitement, made it quite an interesting read. Although the book becomes bit tedious (more than the first book), I wouldn’t want any bit to be chopped off. All the events in the book felt essential somehow. The ending was slightly bittersweet with so much more anticipation for the third book in this magical series Star Children Saga: Anaximenes. I seriously can’t wait to read the next book!!

Please don’t miss this series for anything! It’s truly magical. If you want to spend your precious money, invest in these books. You won’t be disappointed at all. In fact, I would love it if Hollywood was to make a faithful adaptation of this series (Marvel movies’ scale)!
Profile Image for The Difference Engine.
112 reviews5 followers
October 25, 2022
🇬🇧📚 Book Tour Review 📚🇬🇧

#️⃣ 2022 Tour Number: 60
#️⃣ 2022 Books Read: 92/30
🌟 Rating: 📓📙📘📗 (4/5⭐)
🔲 Book Title: Light Fighters
🔲 Star Children Saga: Book Two
🖋️ Author: Palmer Pickering @lioncutcat
Publisher: Mythology Press
🎭 Genre: Fantasy
📖 Format: 📖
📄 Pages: 778
📢 Tour: @lovebookstours
📅 Tour dates: 7th October - 3rd November  2022
📅 Review date: 25th October 2022

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💻📖🎧 Book format & quality 💻📖🎧
Softback book with glossy cover and back. Thick pages.

🌻SpLD comments (from a dyslexic)🌻
Bright white paper, the contrast between text and paper was high and the font was hard on the eyes. The author did make the chapters short which made reading this in bursts much easier on my dyslexic brain.

🎨 Artwork🎨
I absolutely love the artwork and print on the cover.

✒️ Style & Plot 📉
A fantasy which will keep you enguaged every step of the way. A truly enthralling book. The book definately works well as a stand alone but I can assure you, if you enjoy it book 1 is a must read! The author has an excellent way of building the world and developing the characters through the book. Some parts are quite dark but the author portrays the events very well.

📖 Read more 📖
Yes.....

🎙️ Favourite quote🎙️
" I believe I just made a hallucinogen"

❓Question for the author❔
With that ending, is book 3 on the horizon?

🤓 Author Synopsis 🤓
Sequel to Palmer Pickering’s award-winning Moon Deeds

In Light Fighters, Cassidy and Torr are trying to survive on the moon while facing threats from all sides. As their shamanic heritage surfaces and they hone their magical skills, they are hunted for their power, escalating into a tension-filled game of cat and mouse.

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.

Meanwhile, we learn that while the twin Star Children are hoping to find the Star People, the Star People of Turya are desperately seeking the Star Children as well. Their stories interweave as the mythology of the Star Children unfolds.

A compelling expansion of the Star Children Saga.

Adult content: 18+

🛒🛍️ Buy Links 🛒🛍️
https://www.amazon.co.uk/Light-Fighte...
Profile Image for Cindee Ketches.
259 reviews3 followers
August 19, 2022
4/5 Thank you to Net Galley and the publisher for the eARC in exchange for an honest review.

This the second installment of Palmer Pickering’s Star Children Saga and it is not a stand-alone. Much of the background given in the first book is needed for full enjoyment of this book. Where the first book may have been enjoyed by a YA audience, this is definitely an adult book which deals with the issues of kidnapping, rape, drug addiction, and prostitution.

Cassidy and Torr’s story continues where the first book left off. Cassidy has been kidnapped and Torr and friends are recovering from the beating they took trying to defend against her being taken. Cassidy shows her strength and maturity when dealing with her imprisoner. She bides her time working on her water scrying until an opportunity for a safe escape presents itself. Unfortunately, she has been forced into a drug addiction which is difficult to overcome.

Once back with the gang, everyone realizes that there is safety in numbers, and that every member must be ready to fight. Members of their group have different skills to offer and they embark on a training program where they teach and learn from each other to make everyone a capable fighter. Some of the descriptions of their training became tedious for this reader, but I’m sure others might find them fascinating. Much of the skill descriptions come into actual use later in the story.

It is becoming apparent that Cassidy and Torr are indeed the fabled Star Children. Torr discovers and develops his powers which become useful when he is scuttled away for his own safety by the Scrids (another alien race). Cassidy works through her addiction and also develops her unique powers. The twins are reunited at the end of this book where the story obviously will continue on in the third instalment of the Star Children Saga.

The world building continues to fascinate and the character development keeps readers intrigued. There are many other side stories to that of the main plot of the twins and the tale is progressing to what this reader expects to be a crescendo in the next book.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Profile Image for Kevin.
1,325 reviews88 followers
January 4, 2023
Light Fighters is the second installment in the science fantasy series Star Children Saga. Twin siblings and the prophesied Star Children Torr and Cassidy must reunite after the shocking ending of book one. Weilding their inherited shamanic magic, Cassidy must escape captivity and depravity while Torr gathers forces to form the Light Fighters, a militia of sorts to unite the people on their lunar colony.

The book is actually quite good and entertaining, but it is definitely way too long. At nearly 800 pages, maybe 300 pages could be removed without compromising the story at all (especially most of Part 2). There was just a lot of training, trading, and moon economics that could have been trimmed down. The chapters of alternating perspectives between Torr and Cassidy (plus some of the halfbreed Ridge) serve to make the book more fast-paced with none of their individual storylines ever taking the backseat but each still compellingly readable on its own.

We finally get to see what the prophecy is as well as what it means to be the Star Children. In the prologue, we are introduced to the “ancestor race” that they are destined to find. And in flashbacks, we get a glimpse of the past incarnations of the Star Children that failed. This really cleared up some questions and we finally understand the stakes. We finally get more of the magic that was promised in the first book.

Like the previous book, this is decidedly adult with even more mature themes and possibly triggering content including rape, drug addiction, and sex trafficking. Many of these Cassidy is subjected to, showing both the strength and weakness of her character. Meanwhile, Torr is still struggling with the stresses from war but grows as a leader and a force of personality.

Light Fighters is an intense scifi-fantasy sequel that improves on what came before and fleshes out its characters and backstory while admittedly overindulging on its length.

*I received a free copy of this book as part of a book tour.
Profile Image for Jithendra Jithu.
2,340 reviews122 followers
August 3, 2022
Light Fighters (Star Children Saga)

By

Palmer Pickering

Rating:5/5

Description:

In Light Fighters, Cassidy and Torr are trying to survive on the moon while facing threats from all sides. As their shamanic heritage surfaces and they hone their magical skills, they are hunted for their power, escalating into a tension-filled game of cat and mouse.

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.

Meanwhile, we learn that while the twin Star Children are hoping to find the Star People, the Star People of Turya are desperately seeking the Star Children as well. Their stories interweave as the mythology of the Star Children unfolds.

A compelling expansion of the Star Children Saga.

Review:

👉Talking about the title of the book, the title of the book is really so interesting to read.

👉The cover is appealing and attractive as well.Writing style is quite appreciable .“Light Fighters” by Palmer Pickering is the second book in the Star Children Saga series and a perfect continuation of ‘Moon Deeds’ which I read last week. The story begins with the protagonists Cassidy and Torr facing threats from all sides on the moon, fighting for their lives and trying to survive.As the story moves forward, they both hone their magical skills. Then there’s Ridge stuck between Balty and the desire to control his own life. The story takes an interesting turn when Ridge encounters Cassidy and Torr- the Star Children. I won’t go into spoilers.

For book link:

https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/173256...

Wow! What a book! I am in love with the book

For complete read do order the book on @amazondotin @amazondotcom

👉I just loved reading the book and will recommended to everyone ....

Happy reading!..
Profile Image for Joi Review.
257 reviews6 followers
August 19, 2022
📘 LIGHT FIGHTERS- STAR CHILDREN SAGA: BOOK 2

AUTHOR- Palmer Pickering
PUBLISHER- Mythology Press
PUBLISHED ON- 9th March, 2022
GENRE- Sci-fi/ Fantasy Fiction
RATING- ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

" YOU HAVE TO BE ABLE TO GET UP
AND DUST YOURSELF OFF AND
ALWAYS BE GOING FORWARD "

ABOUT AUTHOR- Fiction writer since the age of 8, currently working in Silicon Valley & lives in California. Author is certified solar panel installer and holds certificate in Chinese Acupressure.

BOOK DESCRIPTION- Book is sequel to award winning MOON DEEDS.

BOOK REVIEW-

Torr and Cassidy, protagonist of our story from Moon Deeds, were on an intergalactic journey to ensure that earth is being saved from the dark forces and keeping their faith in hope to find the Star people of Turya.

Star Children are not satisfied with the stories that came before them. Cassidy and Torr are on their way to unfold the truth from the myth and during the journey they learned that while pushing against life they won't reach to roots of reality. Regardless they have to allow grace and power to lead the way. See how everything gets accomplished and how the miracle of life unfolds without dissatisfaction.

Storyline of their survival and learning on their journey to moon and the threatful circumstances there. They are being hunted for their power and magical skills. Ridge is stuck between the opposing forces and he must decide his side soon.
Will the Star Children be successful on their mission?

Join their journey on this fantasy land and unfold the truth with them.

WOW!! WHAT A BOOK!
I'm in love with this futuristic fantasy tale.
Grab your hands on this one asap and Book 1 in series too if you haven't read it yet.

*************************************
MAGICAL | MYSTERY | MYTHOLOGY
**************************************

ALL VIEWS AND OPINIONS ARE OF MY OWN AND HONEST.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Profile Image for Prashant Singh.
887 reviews32 followers
October 5, 2022
Continuing from the previous part, now that the Star Children are in the quest for their ancestors and their people. The Star people of Turya are waiting for the Star Children to come and save their planet and their people.As the planet was growing darker the only way to save it was for the Star Children to reunite with the Totem. Cassidy and Torr had their own significant roles in helping the Star people of Turya. They have always kept a connection through dreams and songs, but one day the connection between them broke suddenly.
Now not only are the Star people are looking for twins Cassidy and Torr, others with an intention to exploit the twins power have been on a witch hunt for these twins. Now with their power honing, the Twins must find a way to discover their ancestory and help their own people. On the other hand things are about to change for Ridge with his encounter with the Star Children.
This is a Sci-Fi Fantasy Saga that you would not like to miss. Not only was the first part exciting but now things are getting more serious. Packed with action, mystery, drama with a futuristic vibe I am pretty sure it will take you through a rollercoaster of emotions. Not only was I stuck to my seat, the plot constantly kept me anxious about how the story will progress further.The pacing if the story is perfect and the plot buildup is slow and descriptive. All in all, lots of respect and admiration for the author as she once again exceeded my expectations. I would definitely recommend this series to all the Science Fiction Fantasy lovers, do check out  "The Star Children Saga".
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