Scan barcode
literary_steph's review
3.0
Runa is studying to be a runecaster, like her talented sister, Sýr, but Runa doesn't take interest, she daydreams of her own adventures outside the village. There is also this mysterious moonstone that is important for their village survival. When her village is attacked and her sister is kidnapped by an evil witch, Runa embarks on a quest to rescue her sister. Along the way she meets a half human/half elf and a Valkyrie and the three form an odd team of sorts and somewhat comical one.
I really enjoyed that the book draws inspiration from Nordic mythology, the themes of sisterhood and friendship. I felt Runa could have been more relatable because of her insecurities, quirkiness and as the reluctant Chosen One. Unfortunately it did not deliver. There wasn't enough emotion and deliverance in the writing. The quest she embarks had potential for great world building, but it was lackluster. This leads me to the pacing, it didn't seem to flow well for me to stay engaged or care what was really going on. It was as if I was just skimming the surface or watching afar.
Overall it is a good story if you enjoy Nordic mythology, sisterhood, friendship and a magical quest.
I really enjoyed that the book draws inspiration from Nordic mythology, the themes of sisterhood and friendship. I felt Runa could have been more relatable because of her insecurities, quirkiness and as the reluctant Chosen One. Unfortunately it did not deliver. There wasn't enough emotion and deliverance in the writing. The quest she embarks had potential for great world building, but it was lackluster. This leads me to the pacing, it didn't seem to flow well for me to stay engaged or care what was really going on. It was as if I was just skimming the surface or watching afar.
Overall it is a good story if you enjoy Nordic mythology, sisterhood, friendship and a magical quest.
amreader77's review
5.0
I loved this book. It was original, exciting and really moving in parts. Highly recommended!
booksnbeanies's review
5.0
The moonstone boosts the power of whoever is wielding it so that they can help keep their clan prosperous, but during every red moon, it must be taken to moonwater to be recharged and for runecasters from different clans to fight for it. Runa’s sister Syr is the current holder of the moonstone but it’s power is fading because the red moon is near. When a witch from another clan comes to take the stone she puts Runa’s clan into a dreamlike state and kidnaps Syr. Runa must build up the courage and confidence to make it to moonwater and save her sister and her clan.
Can I have the next book now, please? I absolutely LOVED this book. I was honestly in a kind of reading slump when I started this book, but once I began reading it I was unable to put it down. Sometimes with fantasy books/series there’s a lot of overlapping and similarities to other books/series, but luckily that was not the case with this book. I felt this book was totally original and loved every bit of it. I really enjoyed the Norse mythology and the way the magic was portrayed. I also liked all of the different species/creatures. I think the author did an amazing job with this book and I’m already looking forward to the next book.
Runa is the main character of this story. She looks a lot different from the people in her clan, so she doesn’t really fit in. She is super close with her sister Syr who is helping her learn how to use her runes. Runa sometimes goes into these dream-like states which she calls her ‘sickness.’ This ‘sickness’ makes it hard for Runa to have confidence in herself.
Syr is the holder of the moonstone. It was passed down to her whenever her and Runa’s mom died after giving birth to Runa. Syr takes care of Runa since they are basically all each other have.
While I was reading this book, I kept thinking I knew what was going to come next, but most of the time I was wrong, and to me, that’s what makes a great book and the author definitely nailed it with this one. I have read almost all of Brooke Carter’s books and have never been disappointed, so if you have not checked out her books I highly recommend doing so. I would recommend this book to anyone looking for a new fantasy series or anyone just looking for a good book.
Thank you, NetGalley and Orca Books Publishers for this ARC in return for an honest review.
Can I have the next book now, please? I absolutely LOVED this book. I was honestly in a kind of reading slump when I started this book, but once I began reading it I was unable to put it down. Sometimes with fantasy books/series there’s a lot of overlapping and similarities to other books/series, but luckily that was not the case with this book. I felt this book was totally original and loved every bit of it. I really enjoyed the Norse mythology and the way the magic was portrayed. I also liked all of the different species/creatures. I think the author did an amazing job with this book and I’m already looking forward to the next book.
Runa is the main character of this story. She looks a lot different from the people in her clan, so she doesn’t really fit in. She is super close with her sister Syr who is helping her learn how to use her runes. Runa sometimes goes into these dream-like states which she calls her ‘sickness.’ This ‘sickness’ makes it hard for Runa to have confidence in herself.
Syr is the holder of the moonstone. It was passed down to her whenever her and Runa’s mom died after giving birth to Runa. Syr takes care of Runa since they are basically all each other have.
While I was reading this book, I kept thinking I knew what was going to come next, but most of the time I was wrong, and to me, that’s what makes a great book and the author definitely nailed it with this one. I have read almost all of Brooke Carter’s books and have never been disappointed, so if you have not checked out her books I highly recommend doing so. I would recommend this book to anyone looking for a new fantasy series or anyone just looking for a good book.
Thank you, NetGalley and Orca Books Publishers for this ARC in return for an honest review.
darkandsteamylit's review
3.0
I received an ARC from the publisher in exchange for an honest review. Thank you Orca Book. The opinions in this review are my own thoughts and feelings.
To be honest I’m not sure how I’m feeling about this one completely. I liked it, I didn’t love it, but I’d like to continue the story to see where it goes.
The synopsis pulled me in with the mythology and this aspect of the story was what held my attention.
Our MC Runa is the village weirdo, which means she’s the “chosen one”. She has an older sister who is taken by a witch for her power. Runa sets out to save her sister and her clan after the witch, Katla has a neighboring clan invade. Runa’s whole clan is under a spell that may not be broken until the witch is killed.
Along the way she meets a fallen Valkyrie, Oski, who is our non-binary character. What got me with this was Oski never made it known that they were a they not a her/him. Our MC just referred to them this way. It felt very odd or just didn’t flow for me. It wasn’t forced just odd feeling to me.
Next, Einar meets the two. He is our resident half-elf and pretty boy from the neighboring clan that invaded Runa’s. She tries to murder him on the spot, when he explains that Katla has his whole clan spelled. Oski is able to read thoughts of others and knows he is telling them the truth.
The 3 go on this quest together to find what each of their hearts desire.
This story at its core is about family love and those relationships and bonds. Secondary are the bonds of friendship and love.
I wasn’t to sure about this book until about 15 chapters in, I know why didn’t I DNF it?...Well yes it has a slow start and I got bored at times, but something told me to push through. I am glad I did because it got interesting in the middle with Runa’s runes, the relationships she was forming, and the mystery surrounding her. Those 3 things kept me invested.
Things I didn’t like, the way the non-binary character was kinda just thrown in and felt weird to me. It had an incredibly slow start for me, and Runa’s change wasn’t gradual as she started to fine out more about her past and herself. It felt like she went from unsure and meek to bam I’m all powerful. But the slow start was the worst part for me.
But I still felt a 3/5 stars was what it deserved. The writing is light, unfortunately the names are hard to pronounce. I just said yada yada in my head when I have no clue how to pronounce them
To be honest I’m not sure how I’m feeling about this one completely. I liked it, I didn’t love it, but I’d like to continue the story to see where it goes.
The synopsis pulled me in with the mythology and this aspect of the story was what held my attention.
Our MC Runa is the village weirdo, which means she’s the “chosen one”. She has an older sister who is taken by a witch for her power. Runa sets out to save her sister and her clan after the witch, Katla has a neighboring clan invade. Runa’s whole clan is under a spell that may not be broken until the witch is killed.
Along the way she meets a fallen Valkyrie, Oski, who is our non-binary character. What got me with this was Oski never made it known that they were a they not a her/him. Our MC just referred to them this way. It felt very odd or just didn’t flow for me. It wasn’t forced just odd feeling to me.
Next, Einar meets the two. He is our resident half-elf and pretty boy from the neighboring clan that invaded Runa’s. She tries to murder him on the spot, when he explains that Katla has his whole clan spelled. Oski is able to read thoughts of others and knows he is telling them the truth.
The 3 go on this quest together to find what each of their hearts desire.
This story at its core is about family love and those relationships and bonds. Secondary are the bonds of friendship and love.
I wasn’t to sure about this book until about 15 chapters in, I know why didn’t I DNF it?...Well yes it has a slow start and I got bored at times, but something told me to push through. I am glad I did because it got interesting in the middle with Runa’s runes, the relationships she was forming, and the mystery surrounding her. Those 3 things kept me invested.
Things I didn’t like, the way the non-binary character was kinda just thrown in and felt weird to me. It had an incredibly slow start for me, and Runa’s change wasn’t gradual as she started to fine out more about her past and herself. It felt like she went from unsure and meek to bam I’m all powerful. But the slow start was the worst part for me.
But I still felt a 3/5 stars was what it deserved. The writing is light, unfortunately the names are hard to pronounce. I just said yada yada in my head when I have no clue how to pronounce them
alyram4's review
3.0
Closer to 3.5/5 stars.
I liked the overall story, but I did feel like it dragged. I didn't like it enough to round up, even though there are some really great moments here that I enjoyed. I found the character development to be a bit meh. I would've liked to know more about the characters, especially since the worldbuilding is really well done.
I liked the overall story, but I did feel like it dragged. I didn't like it enough to round up, even though there are some really great moments here that I enjoyed. I found the character development to be a bit meh. I would've liked to know more about the characters, especially since the worldbuilding is really well done.
ericadeb's review
2.0
It was an enormous struggle to finish this book. The pacing was terrible, the main character was not particularly likable and sensitive topics we were handled with very little sensitivity. If I heard the main character refer to herself as a freak one more time I may have lost it.
mrjesse's review
3.0
I did enjoy reading this book, but I found the end slightly confusing. Also, Runa is seventeen?! I thought she was, like thirteen! That surprised me a lot. She didn't really seem seventeen at all.
jaskr's review
3.0
It had plenty of great ideas and was written wonderfully but fir some reason it was not linking together for me. It just turned out very....meh.
But that's just me, it might be great for you. Give it a shot and see what you think.
But that's just me, it might be great for you. Give it a shot and see what you think.
1morechapterplz's review
3.0
I did enjoy reading this book, but I found the end slightly confusing. Also, Runa is seventeen?! I thought she was, like thirteen! That surprised me a lot. She didn't really seem seventeen at all.
diversify_your_shelf's review
3.0
*3.5 stars*
This was a really fun book! I had recently taken a course that discussed Nordic myths so it was so fun to read a book that incorporated them (and was written in the last few centuries). There was good LGBTQ+ representation and a non-binary character (which we don't get often enough)!
The plot was good and the story was strong-- the one thing that could have been improved is that in dialogue and descriptors people tended to say precisely what they mean. In writing the idea of 'show don't tell' is brought up wayyyy too often but I think that is the main problem here. But even with that the story was an enjoyable one and the conclusion was quite fun.
This was a really fun book! I had recently taken a course that discussed Nordic myths so it was so fun to read a book that incorporated them (and was written in the last few centuries). There was good LGBTQ+ representation and a non-binary character (which we don't get often enough)!
The plot was good and the story was strong-- the one thing that could have been improved is that in dialogue and descriptors people tended to say precisely what they mean. In writing the idea of 'show don't tell' is brought up wayyyy too often but I think that is the main problem here. But even with that the story was an enjoyable one and the conclusion was quite fun.