Bunny's Reviews: Heliotrope Review Spotlight

We are thrilled to share the latest fantasy by Palmer Pickering, called Heliotrope! This one is for readers who enjoy magic, adventure and true fantasy!

Heliotrope is one of those epic fantasy novels that when you get your hands on it, you're immediately going to start drooling. The excitement is just going to start building up inside you before you even start reading it, and be the driving force as you dive deep into this novel. I hope you're ready for a good time, because this book is PACKING!

Heliotrope is a stand alone epic fantasy novel by Palmer Pickering. I would not at all be mad at this author if they decide to make this into a series. I'd devour it, because there is so much going on in this book.

Heliotrope begins with one of the main characters, Teleo. Teleo is a former soldier, but now he's a stone mason. He's doing beautiful work for the queen, but he has no idea that he's about to find himself in the crosshairs of a coup that threatens the entire kingdom. He's older and has suffered much loss with the deaths of his wife and daughter. His son? Stolen away and missing. When he sees a young boy being used and abused by the yardmaster for training, he makes an appeal to take him as his own. Not everyone is pleased, but it lays the groundwork for what is to come later.

The drama takes a minute to begin to build, but when it does things really hit the fan and are off to the races. This book will keep you page-turning and wondering - what is going to happen next?! There will be more characters that come into play and who will further engage you.

Wondering when the title will come into play in the story? You will not have to wait long! It comes pretty quickly which is really surprising! I was like "oh wow! That was fast!" LOL! I loved it though and it absolutely piqued my interest in learning more about them. It's nice to know that Teleo has some knowledge about the heliotropes, and is intent on "caring" for the one he finds. It's really intriguing and something else that will push you to dig deeper into the story.

There is violence and gore in this book, but it's not overdone. Readers who don't mind it will enjoy how it adds to the storyline. If it makes you a bit squeamish, you can always skim those parts, but it's not overly done if that is something you're fearful of.

This book is an absolute must read for fantasy lovers, but just make sure you don't have a lot of plans because when you start this book you're not going to want to put it down. I can't wait to read what comes next from this author.

5 out of 5 stars.

Thank you to the author, Palmer Pickering, and R&R Book Tours for the opportunity to read and review this book! I look forward to what comes next!

Heliotrope (Sword and Sorcery)

Publication Date: November 23, 2022

Genre: Adult Fantasy/ Epic Fantasy/ Magic

Teleo is a retired soldier descended from Mages, who were cast out of power generations ago. After years of war and sorrow, he wants nothing more than to live a quiet life on his farm and work his stonemason’s craft.

His wife and daughter had been murdered during a war raid several years earlier and his young son stolen by the enemy side. He spent years unsuccessfully searching for his son and returned home broken-hearted. At the local castle, he comes upon a war orphan stolen by his side from the enemy and rescues him from abuse, adopting him as his foster son.

Teleo is working as a mason at the castle when he finds himself in the middle of a coup. This launches a journey to protect his new family, uncover the secrets of the ancient ways, and reclaim the magic of the Mages.

TW: Battles, violence, blood and gore

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About the Author

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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