{"id":649,"date":"2025-05-30T00:37:56","date_gmt":"2025-05-30T00:37:56","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/mjpankey.com\/?page_id=649"},"modified":"2026-07-08T23:53:18","modified_gmt":"2026-07-08T23:53:18","slug":"books-2","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/mjpankey.com\/?page_id=649","title":{"rendered":"Books"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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“Pankey delivers a fantastical adventure<\/strong> of mortal rebellion and divine games. Recommended!”<\/p>–Historical Novels Review<\/strong><\/cite><\/blockquote><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Epic of Helinthia Series<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
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When a tyrant seizes the throne, the gods on Olympus fall silent, and the island of Helinthia descends into decay.<\/h4>\n\n\n\n

Anassa Iptys’ glorious city burns. Forluna escapes with the rightful heir, a descendent of Apollo, and hides him away. But the new Anax, Charixes, is relentless. He will not rest until his hands are drenched in their blood.<\/p>\n<\/div>

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Under Charixes’ rule, the gods abandon the island, and a devastating famine ravages the population. Desperate to win divine favor and end Charixes’ cruelty, Dargos persuades Kelric and Gadnor to join him in rebellion. They embark on a quest to rally support for war, leaving Dargos’ sister, Gonivein, safe behind the walls of Shallinath.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

But the Anax’ spies have been watching, waiting for the right opportunity to strike. Capturing Gonivein is the devastating blow Charixes needs to crush all opposition to his tyranny.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

To defeat him, they need the gods on their side. The heir of Apollo can bring them back.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

There’s just one problem: only Forluna knows where he is, and she has vowed to take her secret with her to the Underworld.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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“MJ Pankey’s Epic of Helinthia<\/em> is the work of an author whose adroitness with prose, dialog, and characterization makes this an irresistible addition to the genre of the pseudo-historical novel<\/strong>.” <\/p>\n\n\n\n

–Craig Jones, IndieReader<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

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“From its harrowing first chapter to the firm, inspiring final lines, Epic of Helinthia<\/em> is a memorable, high-stakes adventure<\/strong>–the first in a trilogy of fantasy novels in which mortals and immortals clash over the future of the island they all hold dear.” <\/p>\n\n\n\n

–Foreword Clarion<\/em> Reviews<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/div><\/section>\n\n\n\n

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“An amazing debut <\/strong>filled with gods and goddesses, heroes and villains, love and loss, blood and tears: everything a fantasy novel needs to keep readers turning the page late into the night<\/strong>!”<\/p>\n\n\n\n

–Maria V. Snyder, New York Times Bestselling author of The Poison Study<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n<\/div><\/section>\n\n\n\n

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“In Epic of Helinthia<\/em>, MJ Pankey flawlessly combines the magic and mythology of ancient Greece<\/strong> with the richness and scope of the epic fantasy genre<\/strong>. With a fabulous cast of characters, breathless action and a driving plot, this adventure is not to be missed.” <\/p>\n\n\n\n

–A.D. Rhine, author of Horses of Fire<\/em> & Daughters of Bronze<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n<\/div><\/section>\n\n\n\n

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“Epic of Helinthia<\/em> is a page-turner of an epic-fantasy debut!<\/strong> Inspired by ancient Greek culture and mythology (and well-researched, too), this story is rich with political intrigue, plot twists, and betrayal, oh my! Can’t wait to see what happens next!” <\/p>\n\n\n\n

–Sharon Lynn Fisher, author of Salt & Broom<\/em> & Grimm Curiosities<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n<\/div><\/section>\n\n\n\n

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“The deft composition of intricate plot, engaging characters, and brisk pace lures readers in like the strings of Apollo’s lyre<\/strong> and refuses to let them go.”<\/p>\n\n\n\n

—The Bookish Historian<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n<\/div><\/section>\n\n\n\n

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“Epic of Helinthia<\/em> by MJ Pankey will leave you aching for more<\/strong> from the world of Ancient Greece…” <\/p>\n\n\n\n

—Immersed in Books<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n<\/div><\/section>\n<\/div><\/div>

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