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Rune
Rune wants only one thing from the gods: the heart of a boy who already claims to love her. She wants it enough that she’s willing to make a deal with a god to keep it.
The deal is simple: the heart of the boy, and in return, Rune will make this god revered among the clan.
Then, out of nowhere, the boy proposes to Rune’s sister instead.
In her anger, she renounces the gods. But the gods have plans of their own. They snatch Rune from earth and throw her in Asgard, claiming her as their lost goddess and drowning her in a world of dangerous power. It’s clear a god is pulling the strings here, but Rune can’t guess who, or what her role is in their games. Desperate, she strikes a second deal with a god—one who might be as broken and twisted as she, and quite possibly more capable of breaking her heart than anyone. As her Viking past finds a way into Asgard, it’s clear that someone’s heart will be slaughtered. She can only hope to be long gone before it all crashes down.
A standalone fantasy for lovers of the fake engagement trope, shields and axes, or poison in teacups.
COMING APRIL 8, 2025
(Some arcs have been sent)
The deal is simple: the heart of the boy, and in return, Rune will make this god revered among the clan.
Then, out of nowhere, the boy proposes to Rune’s sister instead.
In her anger, she renounces the gods. But the gods have plans of their own. They snatch Rune from earth and throw her in Asgard, claiming her as their lost goddess and drowning her in a world of dangerous power. It’s clear a god is pulling the strings here, but Rune can’t guess who, or what her role is in their games. Desperate, she strikes a second deal with a god—one who might be as broken and twisted as she, and quite possibly more capable of breaking her heart than anyone. As her Viking past finds a way into Asgard, it’s clear that someone’s heart will be slaughtered. She can only hope to be long gone before it all crashes down.
A standalone fantasy for lovers of the fake engagement trope, shields and axes, or poison in teacups.
COMING APRIL 8, 2025
(Some arcs have been sent)
400 pages, Paperback
First published April 8, 2025
60 people are currently reading
1551 people want to read
About the author
Victoria McCombs
15 books700 followersBest-selling author of Oathbound and Mortal Queens from Enclave Publishing.
Victoria McCombs is the author of The Storyteller’s Series, The Royal Rose Chronicles, and the fae dynasty duology, with hopefully many more to come. She survives on hazelnut coffee, 20-minute naps, and a healthy fear of her deadlines, all while raising four wildlings with her husband in Omaha, Nebraska.
Victoria McCombs is the author of The Storyteller’s Series, The Royal Rose Chronicles, and the fae dynasty duology, with hopefully many more to come. She survives on hazelnut coffee, 20-minute naps, and a healthy fear of her deadlines, all while raising four wildlings with her husband in Omaha, Nebraska.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 139 reviews
May 20, 2025
man when am I going to find out I’m a goddess??
October 5, 2023
When this surprise showed up on my doorstep. I was SHOOK. Victoria can do no wrong. 5⭐
While the blurb hasn’t been released yet, everything in my review will be made known in the blurb.
𝚜𝚙𝚘𝚒𝚕𝚎𝚛 𝚏𝚛𝚎𝚎 𝚛𝚎𝚟𝚒𝚎𝚠
This book was so good. The pacing was spectacular, the character development was golden and the descriptions were divine. Victoria can do no wrong.
At the beginning of the book, Rune is physically weak and emotionally drained, but not in an annoying whiny sort of way. The book is split into five Acts and it’s perfect. There’s a fantastic amount of background information that makes you hate the chieftain's son for proposing to her sister instead. But Rune is diligent and never gives up.
After she’s taken up to Asgard, she works hard to return to her clan and set things right between her and her sister. Instead, it’s much harder to escape Asgard than she thought, so she has to play the part of the goddess they believe she is. Rune’s character was believable and relatable.
Now, let’s talk about MMC, Ve. Picture Jason Momoa but with the heart of a teddy bear. He goes from having a guarded heart to having a heart to guard. Rune and Ve are beautiful and I want more of them.
Read Rune if you like:
-Viking fantasy
-Norse fantasy
-Fated lovers
-Fake dating
-Found family
-Sibling bonds
** This book was gifted to me by the author, but this review is entirely honest and completely my own opinions.
While the blurb hasn’t been released yet, everything in my review will be made known in the blurb.
𝚜𝚙𝚘𝚒𝚕𝚎𝚛 𝚏𝚛𝚎𝚎 𝚛𝚎𝚟𝚒𝚎𝚠
This book was so good. The pacing was spectacular, the character development was golden and the descriptions were divine. Victoria can do no wrong.
At the beginning of the book, Rune is physically weak and emotionally drained, but not in an annoying whiny sort of way. The book is split into five Acts and it’s perfect. There’s a fantastic amount of background information that makes you hate the chieftain's son for proposing to her sister instead. But Rune is diligent and never gives up.
After she’s taken up to Asgard, she works hard to return to her clan and set things right between her and her sister. Instead, it’s much harder to escape Asgard than she thought, so she has to play the part of the goddess they believe she is. Rune’s character was believable and relatable.
Now, let’s talk about MMC, Ve. Picture Jason Momoa but with the heart of a teddy bear. He goes from having a guarded heart to having a heart to guard. Rune and Ve are beautiful and I want more of them.
Read Rune if you like:
-Viking fantasy
-Norse fantasy
-Fated lovers
-Fake dating
-Found family
-Sibling bonds
** This book was gifted to me by the author, but this review is entirely honest and completely my own opinions.
April 4, 2025
Genre: YA Fantasy
Format: eARC
Cautions: frequent violence, death
Favorite quote: “I was far too broken to reassemble the same way as before. However I’d fit back together—I’d be different.”
Review:
Long have I been obsessed with the what-ifs and deep questions, dark fantasy stories that break your heart before they bring you to a satisfying end, the supernatural and mysterious—and mythology. But growing up as a PK, I spent so much of my life feeling like none of that was okay. Like I wasn’t okay. So many voices spoke to me like I was all wrong.
In this book filled with Norse mythology and Viking warriors, hard questions, and imperfect characters who love deeply, and through Victoria McCombs’s incredible storytelling ability, I found a voice that said I wasn’t.
💫 “You were never a waste.”💫
While I’ve been rediscovering who I am and finding the joy in my faith once again, this book and characters—especially Rune, Tova, Balder, and Ve—opened their arms wide, as if to say, “We get it. All who don’t feel like they belong are welcome here. We’re in this together.”
Books that make me feel seen are a rare gift, and this one is truly exceptional. I think all of us can identify with Rune’s struggle with feeling out of place and her desperate quest for belonging. Maybe we even see hints of our own dreaded imposter syndrome and comparison traps in her struggle in her relationship with her gods-blessed sister, Tova.
💫 “Because I am no one,” I said. “And she is everything.” 💫
In Rune’s world of Vikings and Asgard, something is always happening. Trickery, games, and threats abound. But where there’s intense edge-of-your-seat action, there’s also deep, melt-your-heart love. Not just romantic love, either, but that of blood and found family too.
With near-perfect pacing, witty writing, a creative premise, and well-crafted prose, McCombs leads readers on an adventure of the heart and soul that heals and moves just as much as it entertains.
Over three days, I lived a lifetime with Rune and her friends. I laughed, cried, smiled, and most importantly, felt a little better, a little lighter, and a little more encouraged, seen, and empowered when I reached the final page.
Rune is a book of depth and lightness that can encourage all of us. One that says life is hard, but along the way, maybe we’ll find new places to belong and new people to love and be loved by. One that says maybe one day, our healed hearts may even see some beauty—no matter how small or simple—in the places and people we’ve left behind. That maybe one day we’ll find that we belong, exactly as we are.
💫 As a note, I received an ARC from BookSirens, but I wrote this adoring review because I wanted to, not because it was required. All opinions stated here are my own.
Format: eARC
Cautions: frequent violence, death
Favorite quote: “I was far too broken to reassemble the same way as before. However I’d fit back together—I’d be different.”
Review:
Long have I been obsessed with the what-ifs and deep questions, dark fantasy stories that break your heart before they bring you to a satisfying end, the supernatural and mysterious—and mythology. But growing up as a PK, I spent so much of my life feeling like none of that was okay. Like I wasn’t okay. So many voices spoke to me like I was all wrong.
In this book filled with Norse mythology and Viking warriors, hard questions, and imperfect characters who love deeply, and through Victoria McCombs’s incredible storytelling ability, I found a voice that said I wasn’t.
💫 “You were never a waste.”💫
While I’ve been rediscovering who I am and finding the joy in my faith once again, this book and characters—especially Rune, Tova, Balder, and Ve—opened their arms wide, as if to say, “We get it. All who don’t feel like they belong are welcome here. We’re in this together.”
Books that make me feel seen are a rare gift, and this one is truly exceptional. I think all of us can identify with Rune’s struggle with feeling out of place and her desperate quest for belonging. Maybe we even see hints of our own dreaded imposter syndrome and comparison traps in her struggle in her relationship with her gods-blessed sister, Tova.
💫 “Because I am no one,” I said. “And she is everything.” 💫
In Rune’s world of Vikings and Asgard, something is always happening. Trickery, games, and threats abound. But where there’s intense edge-of-your-seat action, there’s also deep, melt-your-heart love. Not just romantic love, either, but that of blood and found family too.
With near-perfect pacing, witty writing, a creative premise, and well-crafted prose, McCombs leads readers on an adventure of the heart and soul that heals and moves just as much as it entertains.
Over three days, I lived a lifetime with Rune and her friends. I laughed, cried, smiled, and most importantly, felt a little better, a little lighter, and a little more encouraged, seen, and empowered when I reached the final page.
Rune is a book of depth and lightness that can encourage all of us. One that says life is hard, but along the way, maybe we’ll find new places to belong and new people to love and be loved by. One that says maybe one day, our healed hearts may even see some beauty—no matter how small or simple—in the places and people we’ve left behind. That maybe one day we’ll find that we belong, exactly as we are.
💫 As a note, I received an ARC from BookSirens, but I wrote this adoring review because I wanted to, not because it was required. All opinions stated here are my own.
December 8, 2025
A Nordic mythology Viking adventure with a strong sister bond plus a fake dating trope was not something I ever thought I needed but WOW this book is PHENOMENAL!!
March 11, 2025
This! This is now my favorite Victoria McCombs book! I’ve read and loved The Royal Rose Chronicles and the Mortal Queens Duology, but this story trumps them all. Ancient history and mythology are my jam. I especially gravitate towards Vikings and Norse. But I am also a sucker for YA fantasy, with great story telling and sweet slow burn romance. And this one fit the bill perfectly.
Rune is the second daughter and the weakest of all her sisters. She may be weak in body, but not in spirit. Training relentlessly with her older sister Tova, she strives to please her family and the gods. Rune is also in love with Trig, the son of the clan’s chieftain.
When Trig and his father summon Tova for a marriage pact, Rune’s hopes and dreams are destroyed. Her faith is shattered. Her heart is broken. Cursing all she has known, Rune defies the gods eating from the sacred grapes. In the midst of her grief a stranger arrives and mistakes her for the lost god Astrid. He steals her away to Asgard to reunite her with her family and meet the fiancé that was promised to her from birth.
Rune must play along to survive, but sooo finds that her sister and her former love have entered Asgard and out their lives in danger. Rune must outwit the gods to save those she loves, in hopes of returning home.
This was fantastic! Victoria’s books are the best because she writes YA that is truly YA and it doesn’t suffer from being over simplified or boring. Some YA will bore you to tears. But hers are always action packed and gritty, yet clean and appropriate for all ages. The romance is 🤌🏻
Thank you @victoria_mccombs for the advanced copy. All opinions are my own.
Rune is the second daughter and the weakest of all her sisters. She may be weak in body, but not in spirit. Training relentlessly with her older sister Tova, she strives to please her family and the gods. Rune is also in love with Trig, the son of the clan’s chieftain.
When Trig and his father summon Tova for a marriage pact, Rune’s hopes and dreams are destroyed. Her faith is shattered. Her heart is broken. Cursing all she has known, Rune defies the gods eating from the sacred grapes. In the midst of her grief a stranger arrives and mistakes her for the lost god Astrid. He steals her away to Asgard to reunite her with her family and meet the fiancé that was promised to her from birth.
Rune must play along to survive, but sooo finds that her sister and her former love have entered Asgard and out their lives in danger. Rune must outwit the gods to save those she loves, in hopes of returning home.
This was fantastic! Victoria’s books are the best because she writes YA that is truly YA and it doesn’t suffer from being over simplified or boring. Some YA will bore you to tears. But hers are always action packed and gritty, yet clean and appropriate for all ages. The romance is 🤌🏻
Thank you @victoria_mccombs for the advanced copy. All opinions are my own.
January 19, 2025
If Victoria McCombs writes it then I’m definitely going to read it! I LOVED Mortal Queens and Lethal Kings last year and Victoria has quickly become one of my favorite authors. Rune was such a fun and action-packed reading experience from beginning to end. The author immerses us in the fierce world of the Vikings, Norse mythology, and an epic Hunger Games-esque battle for survival.
The bond between Rune and her sister Tova is definitely a hallmark of this epic fantasy. The romance between Rune and Ve is also heartwarming. I really felt for Rune and enjoyed getting to know her as a character. She’s definitely relatable as she goes through heartbreak and disappointment while trying to figure out who she really is and where she belongs. I highly recommend this if you enjoy clean fantasy!
Many thanks to the author for a gifted copy of the book! All opinions expressed in this review are entirely my own.
Good to Know:
Descriptions of battles and fights to the death, kisses only romance, worship of Norse gods (Odin, Thor, Loki, etc)
The bond between Rune and her sister Tova is definitely a hallmark of this epic fantasy. The romance between Rune and Ve is also heartwarming. I really felt for Rune and enjoyed getting to know her as a character. She’s definitely relatable as she goes through heartbreak and disappointment while trying to figure out who she really is and where she belongs. I highly recommend this if you enjoy clean fantasy!
Many thanks to the author for a gifted copy of the book! All opinions expressed in this review are entirely my own.
Good to Know:
Descriptions of battles and fights to the death, kisses only romance, worship of Norse gods (Odin, Thor, Loki, etc)
April 8, 2025
Rune is a fast paced, action packed Viking story. Rune is a female Viking in a family with 5 sisters. She tends to be the one who struggles the most when it comes to fighting and her only desire is to prove her worth so that she can be with the one she loves from their clan. Rune has a strong bond with her older sister and will do anything to fight for and protect her family. When she is betrayed by the boy she loves as he proposes to her sister instead, Rune renounces the gods in Asgard, but finds out quickly that the gods are as powerful as legend has it and she is taken away Asgard and claimed as a missing goddess who they have been looking for since she was a baby.
Rune finds out that being in Asgard isn’t what it seems, and has to figure out who is a friend and who is an enemy. In spite of everything that has happened to her, Rune pushes to find out the truth and ultimately fights to get back to the family she loves.
This story is for those who love Marvel’s Viking characters with the fight and intrigue of the Hunger Games. With themes of family, sisterly bonds, loyalty, Viking and Norse mythology, it’s an action packed ride from beginning to end.
I received a complimentary copy of this book from Victoria McCombs. I was not required to provide a positive review. All opinions expressed are mine alone.
Rune finds out that being in Asgard isn’t what it seems, and has to figure out who is a friend and who is an enemy. In spite of everything that has happened to her, Rune pushes to find out the truth and ultimately fights to get back to the family she loves.
This story is for those who love Marvel’s Viking characters with the fight and intrigue of the Hunger Games. With themes of family, sisterly bonds, loyalty, Viking and Norse mythology, it’s an action packed ride from beginning to end.
I received a complimentary copy of this book from Victoria McCombs. I was not required to provide a positive review. All opinions expressed are mine alone.
April 23, 2025
This is the story about the girl that was raised to be a viking and have to dealt with the doubt of be the lost granddaughter of Odin. Rune is a character that have many struggles, always live in the shadow of her sister Tova and belives that do not deserve adoration. But when she meet Ve she understant that not all the gods are bitter and they can love her just like to way she is.
I really enjoy Ve journey to discover his place in the world, to find strength to be vulnerable and to trutly accept Rune.
I really enjoy Ve journey to discover his place in the world, to find strength to be vulnerable and to trutly accept Rune.
April 23, 2025
“Rune” by Victoria McCombs is an epic Viking young adult fantasy novel. Victoria McCombs is one of my favorite authors and I am so excited to share my review for her latest release. The world of “Rune” is filled with Vikings and gods and is so well written. In true McCombs style, the plot is fast-paced and filled with action. I got some “Hunger Games” vibes with the contests the gods held. Rune, our main character, is taken into the world of the gods, finding out she may be a lost goddess. I loved Rune’s character and that she deals with health issues. Rune is searching for belonging. This is a coming-of-age story for Rune as she comes to know who she is and of what she is capable. I loved the message of family, the complicated family dynamics, and the great sister bond. There is also a beautiful Christian allegory that is so well done, but also not in your face. I loved the romance and wanted more of it. Lovers of deals with gods, “Hunger Games” vibes, axes and swords, and the fake engagement trope will love this standalone fantasy!
Content: I give this a PG-to-PG-13 rating. Some examples of the content: a main character follows a pagan religion with rituals, sacrifices, a seer; violence; the word “bloody” is used; characters drink alcohol.
TW: childhood neglect; mention of child loss.
I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book which I received from the author. All views expressed are only my honest opinion.
Content: I give this a PG-to-PG-13 rating. Some examples of the content: a main character follows a pagan religion with rituals, sacrifices, a seer; violence; the word “bloody” is used; characters drink alcohol.
TW: childhood neglect; mention of child loss.
I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book which I received from the author. All views expressed are only my honest opinion.
December 11, 2024
4.5 stars
I really, really enjoy Victoria’s work. She really keeps me on my toes and constantly guessing and second guessing.
I thought I had the ending of Rune figured out as I approached the resolution, but WOW I was wrong. Victoria had me thoroughly convinced (I won’t spoil about what) but looking back, I see the clues.
Rune is a very active character who I really enjoyed getting to know. And Ve. 🤩 What a guy. I really loved his character arc too. So swoony!
I’m lowkey still pretty salty about Trig. That was a really mean thing he did, and if I was Rune I wouldn’t want to be anywhere near him after that.
Mythology in fiction is really interesting to read, and overall, I enjoyed the Norse inspiration. It made me feel extremely thankful that we worship One God, who doesn’t come down and zap us for making mistakes or not “performing enough.” Truly grateful for His love and the grace He offers.
I really, really enjoy Victoria’s work. She really keeps me on my toes and constantly guessing and second guessing.
I thought I had the ending of Rune figured out as I approached the resolution, but WOW I was wrong. Victoria had me thoroughly convinced (I won’t spoil about what) but looking back, I see the clues.
Rune is a very active character who I really enjoyed getting to know. And Ve. 🤩 What a guy. I really loved his character arc too. So swoony!
I’m lowkey still pretty salty about Trig. That was a really mean thing he did, and if I was Rune I wouldn’t want to be anywhere near him after that.
Mythology in fiction is really interesting to read, and overall, I enjoyed the Norse inspiration. It made me feel extremely thankful that we worship One God, who doesn’t come down and zap us for making mistakes or not “performing enough.” Truly grateful for His love and the grace He offers.
December 31, 2025
Disclaimer: I rated this book 4⭐️here on goodreads but I’m torn between 3.5 stars and 4 stars.
Content
A good bit of violence: several mentions of dagger throwing and killing with swords and axes. A major part of the book I would call Hunger Games meets Mortal Queens, so there is a good amount of killing to survive.
There are several kisses; at times characters put their hands in each other’s hair while kissing but that’s about it.
I would consider this book clean.
Age Recommendation: 13+
Whew! Let’s see if I can get the thoughts in my head down on here without going down a bazillion rabbit trails🤪
I think to keep this as organized as possible, I’ll just make a list of things I liked and didn’t like, with a summary at the end.
What I liked:
1. I enjoyed the Norse mythology. While this story didn’t necessarily expand my knowledge of Norse mythology, I enjoyed the setting and honestly the whole idea.
That being said, I found the plot line very similar to Mortal Queens, McComb’s other book. A 17 year old girl who thinks she is ordinary is taken to a magical/mythological place and has a stubborn confidence to rescue herself and everyone she loves and return to earth. All the while said FMC does not take into consideration the power of all of these magical/mystical beings she is working against and the experience they have, so she stubbornly plunges on with her plans and ends up having to use the help of someone already in this mystical/magical place. By default she falls in love, betrayals happen, and so on. The repetitiveness didn’t bother me, but I found it pretty noticeable.
But anyway, back to what I did like 🤭
2. I enjoyed the courage of our main character. She was not afraid to take risks to achieve what she wanted to achieve, and she has admirable loyalty towards her sister. I enjoyed Rune’s relationship with her sister and I loved that the relationship was based upon loyalty and compassion. I also loved the fact that Rune and Tova stay together despite their feelings of betrayal and bitterness towards one another.
3. I also enjoyed the side characters. I really liked Freya and Balder. (I hope I got their names right). Ve isn’t a side character, but I really admired his fierce love towards Rune and his loyalty.
What I did not like:
1. I felt like we jumped into the world of the gods’ rather quickly. The description of the world was wonderful but I felt like the back story needed some more depth. I would have liked the family tree between all of the characters to be a little more explained. I also would have liked to have seen more of Vel’s relationship with his father, mother and siblings. Plus, nothing was ever said about Rune’s parents! We never really figured out what happened with them, good or bad. We heard speculations, but nothing was ever set in stone.
2. While Rune’s courage is very admirable, at times it felt a little rash. I understand her determination, but at times it felt just a little unrealistic. I’m not sure what Norse mythology portrays eternity to look like but it seemed Rune had no fear of death. I would have loved a little more thought put into Rune’s decisions. I also would have loved more conflict. At times the plot felt very repetitive. The characters have a conflict but most always succeed and come out with injuries that can pretty quickly he fixed.
3. I also would have loved it if there had been more suspicion thrown on our villain. We never got to hear from the villain’s perspective, why they did what they did, or how they got away with it.
One other random thing I wasn’t a huge fan of was the fact that nearly the whole plot was Rune not confessing who she actually thought she was. Too many times in books our main characters hide something and hope that they will find the perfect time to confess all. Does this ever happen before problems arise?
I will say that a good lesson is embedded in this: lying never solves anything.
Overall I enjoyed this story. It wasn’t bad, it wasn’t great. It had loyal characters and an interesting premise but I think it lacked depth as far as the backstories go and it left out some explanations and some solutions to some crucial problems. I would still recommend it if you’re looking for a stand alone fantasy novel, but I wouldn’t expect it to be as well constructed or as thought out as Victoria McCombs other duology,
Mortal Queens.
Content
A good bit of violence: several mentions of dagger throwing and killing with swords and axes. A major part of the book I would call Hunger Games meets Mortal Queens, so there is a good amount of killing to survive.
There are several kisses; at times characters put their hands in each other’s hair while kissing but that’s about it.
I would consider this book clean.
Age Recommendation: 13+
Whew! Let’s see if I can get the thoughts in my head down on here without going down a bazillion rabbit trails🤪
I think to keep this as organized as possible, I’ll just make a list of things I liked and didn’t like, with a summary at the end.
What I liked:
1. I enjoyed the Norse mythology. While this story didn’t necessarily expand my knowledge of Norse mythology, I enjoyed the setting and honestly the whole idea.
That being said, I found the plot line very similar to Mortal Queens, McComb’s other book. A 17 year old girl who thinks she is ordinary is taken to a magical/mythological place and has a stubborn confidence to rescue herself and everyone she loves and return to earth. All the while said FMC does not take into consideration the power of all of these magical/mystical beings she is working against and the experience they have, so she stubbornly plunges on with her plans and ends up having to use the help of someone already in this mystical/magical place. By default she falls in love, betrayals happen, and so on. The repetitiveness didn’t bother me, but I found it pretty noticeable.
But anyway, back to what I did like 🤭
2. I enjoyed the courage of our main character. She was not afraid to take risks to achieve what she wanted to achieve, and she has admirable loyalty towards her sister. I enjoyed Rune’s relationship with her sister and I loved that the relationship was based upon loyalty and compassion. I also loved the fact that Rune and Tova stay together despite their feelings of betrayal and bitterness towards one another.
3. I also enjoyed the side characters. I really liked Freya and Balder. (I hope I got their names right). Ve isn’t a side character, but I really admired his fierce love towards Rune and his loyalty.
What I did not like:
1. I felt like we jumped into the world of the gods’ rather quickly. The description of the world was wonderful but I felt like the back story needed some more depth. I would have liked the family tree between all of the characters to be a little more explained. I also would have liked to have seen more of Vel’s relationship with his father, mother and siblings. Plus, nothing was ever said about Rune’s parents! We never really figured out what happened with them, good or bad. We heard speculations, but nothing was ever set in stone.
2. While Rune’s courage is very admirable, at times it felt a little rash. I understand her determination, but at times it felt just a little unrealistic. I’m not sure what Norse mythology portrays eternity to look like but it seemed Rune had no fear of death. I would have loved a little more thought put into Rune’s decisions. I also would have loved more conflict. At times the plot felt very repetitive. The characters have a conflict but most always succeed and come out with injuries that can pretty quickly he fixed.
3. I also would have loved it if there had been more suspicion thrown on our villain. We never got to hear from the villain’s perspective, why they did what they did, or how they got away with it.
One other random thing I wasn’t a huge fan of was the fact that nearly the whole plot was Rune not confessing who she actually thought she was. Too many times in books our main characters hide something and hope that they will find the perfect time to confess all. Does this ever happen before problems arise?
I will say that a good lesson is embedded in this: lying never solves anything.
Overall I enjoyed this story. It wasn’t bad, it wasn’t great. It had loyal characters and an interesting premise but I think it lacked depth as far as the backstories go and it left out some explanations and some solutions to some crucial problems. I would still recommend it if you’re looking for a stand alone fantasy novel, but I wouldn’t expect it to be as well constructed or as thought out as Victoria McCombs other duology,
Mortal Queens.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
January 19, 2025
4.5⭐
I absolutely devoured this delightful story! The romance was so sweet, and the tidbits of faith were such a beautiful reflection of faith in God. There are so many important lessons that one can learn through Rune.
The only reason I didn't give 5 stars is simply because there were a couple things at the end that I would've liked to see rather than hear about, but nothing major nor anything that made the plot less than fantastic. Just a personal preference ☺️
I absolutely devoured this delightful story! The romance was so sweet, and the tidbits of faith were such a beautiful reflection of faith in God. There are so many important lessons that one can learn through Rune.
The only reason I didn't give 5 stars is simply because there were a couple things at the end that I would've liked to see rather than hear about, but nothing major nor anything that made the plot less than fantastic. Just a personal preference ☺️
Read
March 18, 2025 I have enjoyed several other books by this author, but this one did not seem up to par with her others. I may reread it one day so that I can come back to this review and be more specific, but for now I will just leave this review without a rating so as not to bring the overall rating down. It seems like others are really enjoying it, so maybe it's just a me-thing.🤷♀️
February 26, 2025
*Thank you, Victoria McCombs, for this digital ARC!*
I think I have a new auto-buy author! I’ve heard A LOT about Victoria McCombs’ books and how incredible she is, and she blew me away! This is the first book I’ve read by her, and I’ll definitely be picking up her backlist. Her writing is so captivating. Once I got past the first few chapters, I was hooked. I went into this blindly, so I knew nothing about the plot, but I was able to easily piece the storyline together and understand the mythology element effortlessly. Sometimes mythology confuses me, but this was written so well. The plot twists blew me away, and the foreshadowing was impeccable. The fight scenes in this book were done amazingly. They were so detailed and intricate. It was really impressive to read. The world-building was amazing. It was fun to explore Asgard with Rune and fall in love with it with her. The characters were impeccable. All of the main characters had realistic backstories and struggles that they worked through as the book progressed, and it made me appreciate some of the harder-to-love characters. Rune was so lovable and relatable. She struggles with self-worth and feels secondary to her sister, so seeing her build confidence throughout the book and find her fitting was inspiring. She was still strong despite the struggles thrown her way, and I loved seeing her creatively think through trials. She was very selfless and loving towards everyone she met and those who wronged her. Ve was so perfect. Seeing him fall in love with Rune was so wholesome. I wish we learned a little more about his character because he was so much fun. He has a tough exterior but a soft and caring side that balances out Rune’s fighter side. He gives Rune a lot of stability and support, which helps her grow as a character. They brought out the good in each other. I liked seeing Tova and Trig throughout the book. They grew on me a lot, and I appreciated how supportive they were towards Rune despite their past. I can’t wait to read more of Victoria’s books. I wish this was a series because I wanted to stay in this world and the characters.
There were a few kisses and descriptive scenes of violence.
I think I have a new auto-buy author! I’ve heard A LOT about Victoria McCombs’ books and how incredible she is, and she blew me away! This is the first book I’ve read by her, and I’ll definitely be picking up her backlist. Her writing is so captivating. Once I got past the first few chapters, I was hooked. I went into this blindly, so I knew nothing about the plot, but I was able to easily piece the storyline together and understand the mythology element effortlessly. Sometimes mythology confuses me, but this was written so well. The plot twists blew me away, and the foreshadowing was impeccable. The fight scenes in this book were done amazingly. They were so detailed and intricate. It was really impressive to read. The world-building was amazing. It was fun to explore Asgard with Rune and fall in love with it with her. The characters were impeccable. All of the main characters had realistic backstories and struggles that they worked through as the book progressed, and it made me appreciate some of the harder-to-love characters. Rune was so lovable and relatable. She struggles with self-worth and feels secondary to her sister, so seeing her build confidence throughout the book and find her fitting was inspiring. She was still strong despite the struggles thrown her way, and I loved seeing her creatively think through trials. She was very selfless and loving towards everyone she met and those who wronged her. Ve was so perfect. Seeing him fall in love with Rune was so wholesome. I wish we learned a little more about his character because he was so much fun. He has a tough exterior but a soft and caring side that balances out Rune’s fighter side. He gives Rune a lot of stability and support, which helps her grow as a character. They brought out the good in each other. I liked seeing Tova and Trig throughout the book. They grew on me a lot, and I appreciated how supportive they were towards Rune despite their past. I can’t wait to read more of Victoria’s books. I wish this was a series because I wanted to stay in this world and the characters.
There were a few kisses and descriptive scenes of violence.
January 27, 2025
Thank you to the author for a review e-copy of this novel but all opinions and thought are my own.
Rune is the second daughter of a Viking family with six daughters. The oldest daughter of the family has the mark of Odin and therefore gets all the special treatments. Rune and the clan leader’s son are in love, but yet he asks her sister to marry him-at his father’s urging. Rune runs away and when she does she finds out there is more to her story…
This book was different for me. I struggled with how to rate it because of the mythology aspect. However, I did see elements of Christian faith and truth woven in. “”How do you know what a tender hug from us feels like if you’ve never sought it out? How do you know what our whispers sound like if you don’t know our voice? Spend time with us and you will know it when we move.“” (McCombs 271) This is a quote from the novel which I think shows a spiritual truth taught in the book. Ultimately, I thought it was well written and it was a good story so I gave it 3.5 stars. This author alway keeps my attention. I don’t know how well it will go over in the Christian community as a whole, even as fantasy, because of the Norse mythology aspects.
Ultimately, I would recommend this book to people who secure in their Christian faith. I feel that someone- perhaps a new Christian- might be confused by this book.
Rune is the second daughter of a Viking family with six daughters. The oldest daughter of the family has the mark of Odin and therefore gets all the special treatments. Rune and the clan leader’s son are in love, but yet he asks her sister to marry him-at his father’s urging. Rune runs away and when she does she finds out there is more to her story…
This book was different for me. I struggled with how to rate it because of the mythology aspect. However, I did see elements of Christian faith and truth woven in. “”How do you know what a tender hug from us feels like if you’ve never sought it out? How do you know what our whispers sound like if you don’t know our voice? Spend time with us and you will know it when we move.“” (McCombs 271) This is a quote from the novel which I think shows a spiritual truth taught in the book. Ultimately, I thought it was well written and it was a good story so I gave it 3.5 stars. This author alway keeps my attention. I don’t know how well it will go over in the Christian community as a whole, even as fantasy, because of the Norse mythology aspects.
Ultimately, I would recommend this book to people who secure in their Christian faith. I feel that someone- perhaps a new Christian- might be confused by this book.
August 11, 2025
I loved this story concept but have one big critique- this book is seriously too fast. As one who usually champions efficient storytelling, I cannot emphasize enough how much this book actually needed more pages to slow down moments. Characters and situations changed way too suddenly and conveniently. The “slow burn” romance that is advertised is lightning fast. If you’re trying to get into fantasy this would be a good entry point, but those who want more development might be a bit disappointed by the rushed pace.
October 2, 2024
OK, buckle up for a four-star review with a serious rant because this book should’ve been five stars but it hit one of my major pet peeves (and a minor pet peeve). I’m gonna mark this as a spoiler just in case. ⚠️
So the plot of this book is fantastic. You take Norse mythology and mix it with a little bit of Hunger Games and it’s YA magic. I like the characters, I like the plot, and I like the writing.
Where it fell short.
Number one pet peeve. It has a weak ending. I despise a week ending and this one had so much potential! It had drama, and I was waiting for a really good culminating moment and instead, we got an epilogue. The story wasn’t complete for me. I would have been thrilled to find out it had a sequel that would dive into the betrayal plot.
Next, my minor pet peeve is the timeline. The entire story takes place in under two weeks but also deals with topics like heartbreak and falling in love and I just feel like the length of the book easily could’ve gone up by just 50 pages, but given us a lot more time to see the characters grow and fill out the plot of this love story.
But overall, four star read. I really enjoyed it and this book would be an incredible film adaptation. I would also love to see this author branch into adult fantasy.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
So the plot of this book is fantastic. You take Norse mythology and mix it with a little bit of Hunger Games and it’s YA magic. I like the characters, I like the plot, and I like the writing.
Where it fell short.
Number one pet peeve. It has a weak ending. I despise a week ending and this one had so much potential! It had drama, and I was waiting for a really good culminating moment and instead, we got an epilogue. The story wasn’t complete for me. I would have been thrilled to find out it had a sequel that would dive into the betrayal plot.
Next, my minor pet peeve is the timeline. The entire story takes place in under two weeks but also deals with topics like heartbreak and falling in love and I just feel like the length of the book easily could’ve gone up by just 50 pages, but given us a lot more time to see the characters grow and fill out the plot of this love story.
But overall, four star read. I really enjoyed it and this book would be an incredible film adaptation. I would also love to see this author branch into adult fantasy.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
May 26, 2025
I read this in a few days and was quickly wrapped in the story. It's a bit bloody and action filled. (it's vikings) But I enjoyed it overall. Mortal Queens & Lethal kings by Victoria will always have my heart but I enjoyed this new flavor of story! Give it a try if you want clean fantasy with Greek gods and fake engagement.
March 19, 2025
Thank you to BookSirenrs, to the author, Victoria McCombs, for providing me with this e-copy in exchange for an honest review.
I cannot with this book. My heart… 😭 This book had me constantly guessing what would happen next, and I loved it so much! But I need the second book! I need to know what happens after, how their life continues—I NEED IT.
I struggled with the first 30 pages and almost DNF’d it, but I’m so glad I didn’t! This book is a clean romance with fake engagement, finding family, unraveling secrets, and fighting for survival, all wrapped up in a really engaging plot.
All throughout, I kept guessing what would happen next, but Victoria had us on edge the entire time with Rune’s journey. I kept wondering, how much more can Rune take?! and just hoping Victoria would be kind to her. And in the end, I’m so happy with how it turned out.
Rune got on my nerves sometimes—especially with how she refused to believe she could be a goddess. Like, girl, come on!!! I get it, she’s had a tough life, and it was hard for her to believe it was real, but I hated how she was always doubting herself and waiting for them to find out she wasn’t immortal (or… maybe she is? 👀).
Ve. Ohhh, I love that man. He’s sweet, caring, and sees the best in Rune. I was mad at him for just standing by at the end, but I get that it was a shock for him too. Their fake engagement was destined to turn into real love from the start (I mean, they were betrothed in the womb—read the book for details!).
Tova is such a sweet sister and always there for Rune. I didn’t love that she kept her feelings a secret, but that’s up to her. And Trig... ugh, I have a love-hate relationship with him. At first, I adored him, then I hated him for breaking Rune’s heart and choosing Tova (complicated situation—read the book!). But I love how it all played out in the end, and all of them (Rune, Ve, Tova, and Trig) had real character growth.
The writing is simple and easy to read. At times, I got lost in how much time had passed, but I quickly got used to it. My biggest problem? I was so excited to see what happened next that my eyes kept skipping ahead! 😂
And that ending! I LOVED that they got a happy ending (I swear I spent the last 15 pages pacing around my house from excitement). But this could so easily be a duology! I need to know what happens next—how will they explain everything to the gods? What will happen with Aegir (read the book to understand why this is a big question!)? What will they do next? What about Tova and Trig’s future? There are so many unanswered questions.
And in case it wasn’t clear from my review… READ THIS BOOK. Thank you.
I cannot with this book. My heart… 😭 This book had me constantly guessing what would happen next, and I loved it so much! But I need the second book! I need to know what happens after, how their life continues—I NEED IT.
I struggled with the first 30 pages and almost DNF’d it, but I’m so glad I didn’t! This book is a clean romance with fake engagement, finding family, unraveling secrets, and fighting for survival, all wrapped up in a really engaging plot.
All throughout, I kept guessing what would happen next, but Victoria had us on edge the entire time with Rune’s journey. I kept wondering, how much more can Rune take?! and just hoping Victoria would be kind to her. And in the end, I’m so happy with how it turned out.
Rune got on my nerves sometimes—especially with how she refused to believe she could be a goddess. Like, girl, come on!!! I get it, she’s had a tough life, and it was hard for her to believe it was real, but I hated how she was always doubting herself and waiting for them to find out she wasn’t immortal (or… maybe she is? 👀).
Ve. Ohhh, I love that man. He’s sweet, caring, and sees the best in Rune. I was mad at him for just standing by at the end, but I get that it was a shock for him too. Their fake engagement was destined to turn into real love from the start (I mean, they were betrothed in the womb—read the book for details!).
Tova is such a sweet sister and always there for Rune. I didn’t love that she kept her feelings a secret, but that’s up to her. And Trig... ugh, I have a love-hate relationship with him. At first, I adored him, then I hated him for breaking Rune’s heart and choosing Tova (complicated situation—read the book!). But I love how it all played out in the end, and all of them (Rune, Ve, Tova, and Trig) had real character growth.
The writing is simple and easy to read. At times, I got lost in how much time had passed, but I quickly got used to it. My biggest problem? I was so excited to see what happened next that my eyes kept skipping ahead! 😂
And that ending! I LOVED that they got a happy ending (I swear I spent the last 15 pages pacing around my house from excitement). But this could so easily be a duology! I need to know what happens next—how will they explain everything to the gods? What will happen with Aegir (read the book to understand why this is a big question!)? What will they do next? What about Tova and Trig’s future? There are so many unanswered questions.
And in case it wasn’t clear from my review… READ THIS BOOK. Thank you.
March 31, 2025
I haven't read many Viking books, nor ones about Norse mythology, so this book was very interesting! I think because I wasn't super familiar with the lore, it took me just a little bit to get into, but once I got my bearings, I was fully invested and flying through the pages. I ended up loving it. It's one of my favorites that I've read this year. The worldbuilding was fantastic. Vivid and Immersive. And the characters were great. Fully fleshed out and dynamic.
Rune was a very sympathetic character. At the beginning of the story, it seemed like nothing was going her way. She couldn't seem to catch a break. But I loved how determined she was. She was fierce and spirited and never backed down. It was great to watch her come into her own and discover her true self.
This was exciting and action-packed. The pace steadily climbed until it reached its peak at the thrilling conclusion. This book is going on my favorites shelf. I loved it so much and highly, highly recommend it!
I received a copy of this book and voluntarily reviewed it. All thoughts and comments are my honest opinion.
Rune was a very sympathetic character. At the beginning of the story, it seemed like nothing was going her way. She couldn't seem to catch a break. But I loved how determined she was. She was fierce and spirited and never backed down. It was great to watch her come into her own and discover her true self.
This was exciting and action-packed. The pace steadily climbed until it reached its peak at the thrilling conclusion. This book is going on my favorites shelf. I loved it so much and highly, highly recommend it!
I received a copy of this book and voluntarily reviewed it. All thoughts and comments are my honest opinion.
October 15, 2024
“Astrid’s statue stared back at me as I stole another sliver of the life that should have been hers”
Book 📚: Rune by @victoria_mccombs
Genre: YA Fantasy
Format: eARC (I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily. All opinions are my own)
Release date: April 2025
Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
WOW…were do I begin with this book. This book is about a FMC by the name of Rune who is a Viking trying to find a place in her world in the shadow of her sister. While she is renouncing the norse gods, Rune runs into one herself and is taken from the land she calls home.
She wakes up and is told she is the long lost goddess Astrid who was kidnapped as a toddler. The story follows her journey of being a “secret mortal” pretending to be a god. I won’t say much else or I will RUIN the book for you 😜
The twists and turns of the book and story of Rune herself was something I couldn’t put down. Rune’s story left me wanting more of her stories to continue. However, this is a standalone book 🥲
Add Rune to your TBR if any of the following intrigues you:
⚔️ Vikings
⚔️ norse gods
⚔️ fake engagement
⚔️ found family
Book 📚: Rune by @victoria_mccombs
Genre: YA Fantasy
Format: eARC (I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily. All opinions are my own)
Release date: April 2025
Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
WOW…were do I begin with this book. This book is about a FMC by the name of Rune who is a Viking trying to find a place in her world in the shadow of her sister. While she is renouncing the norse gods, Rune runs into one herself and is taken from the land she calls home.
She wakes up and is told she is the long lost goddess Astrid who was kidnapped as a toddler. The story follows her journey of being a “secret mortal” pretending to be a god. I won’t say much else or I will RUIN the book for you 😜
The twists and turns of the book and story of Rune herself was something I couldn’t put down. Rune’s story left me wanting more of her stories to continue. However, this is a standalone book 🥲
Add Rune to your TBR if any of the following intrigues you:
⚔️ Vikings
⚔️ norse gods
⚔️ fake engagement
⚔️ found family
August 20, 2025
I do not usually leave book reviews but I could NOT put this book down and I was up until midnight finishing it. I sincerely hope there is a sequel because I fell in love with the characters. After rating this book 5 stars, I went back and took away a star from other books that did NOT compare with this one.
I feel like it is rare to find a book where the plot has a BALANCE of a serious plot with a determined female character with romance. The sisters bond in this book was also great to read and I love how Rune’s priorities and personality never wavered.
I assumed this would almost be a Hercules story but I was so happy that this book turned into a plot I can’t stop thinking about!
I feel like it is rare to find a book where the plot has a BALANCE of a serious plot with a determined female character with romance. The sisters bond in this book was also great to read and I love how Rune’s priorities and personality never wavered.
I assumed this would almost be a Hercules story but I was so happy that this book turned into a plot I can’t stop thinking about!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
March 19, 2025
Perfect for the romance loving girlie that holds a torch for the Percy Jackson books of her youth.
I loved the opening line of the book.
This is first and foremost a sweet romance that takes place in Asgard surrounded by a cast of gods dressed in tunic & flowing dresses accented with an axe or sword.
The fierce sisterly bond between Tova and Rune was endearing.
This book explores themes of family and identity through the lens of being potentially adopted.
Great YA fantasy read suitable for 13+
I loved the opening line of the book.
This is first and foremost a sweet romance that takes place in Asgard surrounded by a cast of gods dressed in tunic & flowing dresses accented with an axe or sword.
The fierce sisterly bond between Tova and Rune was endearing.
This book explores themes of family and identity through the lens of being potentially adopted.
Great YA fantasy read suitable for 13+
April 14, 2025
I love a good viking story and I love Norse Mythology so this book was perfect for me!
The story of Rune is relatable but also a fun, fanciful story that has you guessing till the end.
Mccombs did a great job of capturing the Norse Gods and their ever changing temperaments as well.
If you have a viking itch that needs to be scratched, then this one will do it for sure!
It was also nice that this ended in a very satisfying way, especially for a stand-alone.
The story of Rune is relatable but also a fun, fanciful story that has you guessing till the end.
Mccombs did a great job of capturing the Norse Gods and their ever changing temperaments as well.
If you have a viking itch that needs to be scratched, then this one will do it for sure!
It was also nice that this ended in a very satisfying way, especially for a stand-alone.
January 21, 2025
Thank you for the e-arc
This one’s a page turner from the very beginning.
Rune’s a total vibe. Out here cursing the gods and eating their grapes.
Loved it!
This one’s a page turner from the very beginning.
Rune’s a total vibe. Out here cursing the gods and eating their grapes.
Loved it!
March 14, 2025
I loved this book! One of my favorite YA books. It was a fun easy read, but had enough depth to keep me thoroughly entertained.
May 2, 2025
This book made me cry in the best way possible.
March 2, 2025
Another Viking romance? Yes please — full review to come
June 8, 2025
rating: 3.95 stars
things i liked the viking aesthetic, the imagery, the ending (seriously, it was practically perfect for this story), the romance (absolutely so sweet), the prose (so pretty on multiple occasions)
things I didn't like the uses of modern slang (it was like a shock out of the book), the similarity to both mortal queens and the hunger games (it was alright, I'm not complaining that much, but it wasn't my favorite part)
overall, it was a fun book. i mostly enjoyed it, but there were a few minor things that kinda jarred the reading experience.
things i liked the viking aesthetic, the imagery, the ending (seriously, it was practically perfect for this story), the romance (absolutely so sweet), the prose (so pretty on multiple occasions)
things I didn't like the uses of modern slang (it was like a shock out of the book), the similarity to both mortal queens and the hunger games (it was alright, I'm not complaining that much, but it wasn't my favorite part)
overall, it was a fun book. i mostly enjoyed it, but there were a few minor things that kinda jarred the reading experience.
March 14, 2025
This book had everything I expected from a Victoria McCombs story!! Fast-paced adventure, intrigue, characters to cry over, and an epic setting.
I loved Rune! Her fierceness, her determination, and even her anxieties that plagued her made her all too real. The side characters were equally well-done, and I especially appreciated the sisterly bond and a great take on the “fake-dating” trope.
Oof! Now back to the real world!
I loved Rune! Her fierceness, her determination, and even her anxieties that plagued her made her all too real. The side characters were equally well-done, and I especially appreciated the sisterly bond and a great take on the “fake-dating” trope.
Oof! Now back to the real world!
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