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Runes #6
Legacy of the Runes
Inscribed Viking axe head. Good condition. Probably late 9th century. This was it, his passport to the past.
Storm Berger has never forgiven himself for his younger sister Madison's disappearance. Suspecting she's travelled back to the ninth century in the footsteps of other family members, Storm can only make sure she's safe by going after her.
Raised unconventionally as her father's only child, Freydis has never been content to simply accept her fate. So, when she's promised in marriage to a tyrant, she's determined to find a way out of the arrangement. Help comes in the form of a mysterious and attractive stranger stranded on her island's shores: Storm.
The only way Freydis can truly be free is for Storm to marry her himself. But that would mean entwining lives that, until now, have been separated by centuries. . .
Storm Berger has never forgiven himself for his younger sister Madison's disappearance. Suspecting she's travelled back to the ninth century in the footsteps of other family members, Storm can only make sure she's safe by going after her.
Raised unconventionally as her father's only child, Freydis has never been content to simply accept her fate. So, when she's promised in marriage to a tyrant, she's determined to find a way out of the arrangement. Help comes in the form of a mysterious and attractive stranger stranded on her island's shores: Storm.
The only way Freydis can truly be free is for Storm to marry her himself. But that would mean entwining lives that, until now, have been separated by centuries. . .
Kindle Edition
Published August 15, 2024
About the author
Christina Courtenay
37 books377 followersChristina Courtenay writes historical romance, time slip and time travel stories, and lives in Herefordshire (near the Welsh border) in the UK. Although born in England, she has a Swedish mother and was brought up in Sweden – hence her abiding interest in the Vikings. Christina is a former chairman of the UK’s Romantic Novelists’ Association and has won several awards, including the RoNA for Best Historical Romantic Novel twice with Highland Storms (2012) and The Gilded Fan (2014) and the RNA Fantasy Romantic Novel of the year 2021 with Echoes of the Runes. Christina is a keen amateur genealogist and loves history and archaeology (the armchair variety).
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Displaying 1 - 26 of 26 reviews
August 25, 2024
3.7 Stars
One Liner: Slow-paced but entertaining
When Storm Berger’s younger sister, Maddie, disappears, he blames himself for it and decides to travel back in time to search for her. After all, it’s not the first time someone in their family has time-traveled.
Freydis was her father’s pet and was raised like a boy. However, his death changed her life. At eighteen, she has no freedom and has been offered to a tyrant as a bride. She needs to find a way out. Meeting Storm gives her hope but will he be the one to help her?
The story comes in the third-person POV of Strom and Freydis.
My Thoughts:
So, this is the last book of the series and reads perfectly well as a standalone. I didn’t read any of the previous books and didn't find it hard to follow this one.
The process of time travel is explained well but kept brief. This isn’t the first time someone in the MMC’s family has done it (the previous books belong to the other characters who went back in time).
Freydis’s character arc is very well done. She is a combination of confidence and vulnerability, naïve but eager to learn. Her thoughts and actions fit her age (eighteen).
Storm’s character is good as well. I did find it a bit off at times that he was just twenty-one but tried not to let it bother me. Some of his actions align with his impulsive nature but he has enough endearing qualities to make up for it.
Joalf is a great side character. I loved his role in the FMC’s life. Sutr, the raven is my favorite, of course! A raven that talks and loves treats? Sign me up!
The dialogue was a bit off at times. Nothing major but I did wonder a few times if that’s how they talked back then.
The setting is great. I could visualize the rocky buildings, the cliffs, the seaside, and the wintry chill that seeps into the bones. Brrr! Freezing!
The romance is decent with some sprinkle of external threat and a bit of miscommunication thrown in. While there is no explicit third-act breakup, there is some tension. It aligns with their characters, so I didn’t mind it much.
The book ends with an epilogue for the series. This might be the only part where readers like me may feel overwhelmed with all the names and details. Since we don’t have to remember any of it, that’s fine.
There’s a bonus short story too, a quick piece for another person from the same family and involves the time-traveling love story. You can read it or skip it. I read it.
To summarize, Legacy of the Runes is an entertaining romance with two characters bonding across different centuries and finding love with each other.
Thank you, Rachel's Random Resources and Headline Review, for eARC. This review is voluntary and contains my honest opinion about the book.
#NetGalley
One Liner: Slow-paced but entertaining
When Storm Berger’s younger sister, Maddie, disappears, he blames himself for it and decides to travel back in time to search for her. After all, it’s not the first time someone in their family has time-traveled.
Freydis was her father’s pet and was raised like a boy. However, his death changed her life. At eighteen, she has no freedom and has been offered to a tyrant as a bride. She needs to find a way out. Meeting Storm gives her hope but will he be the one to help her?
The story comes in the third-person POV of Strom and Freydis.
My Thoughts:
So, this is the last book of the series and reads perfectly well as a standalone. I didn’t read any of the previous books and didn't find it hard to follow this one.
The process of time travel is explained well but kept brief. This isn’t the first time someone in the MMC’s family has done it (the previous books belong to the other characters who went back in time).
Freydis’s character arc is very well done. She is a combination of confidence and vulnerability, naïve but eager to learn. Her thoughts and actions fit her age (eighteen).
Storm’s character is good as well. I did find it a bit off at times that he was just twenty-one but tried not to let it bother me. Some of his actions align with his impulsive nature but he has enough endearing qualities to make up for it.
Joalf is a great side character. I loved his role in the FMC’s life. Sutr, the raven is my favorite, of course! A raven that talks and loves treats? Sign me up!
The dialogue was a bit off at times. Nothing major but I did wonder a few times if that’s how they talked back then.
The setting is great. I could visualize the rocky buildings, the cliffs, the seaside, and the wintry chill that seeps into the bones. Brrr! Freezing!
The romance is decent with some sprinkle of external threat and a bit of miscommunication thrown in. While there is no explicit third-act breakup, there is some tension. It aligns with their characters, so I didn’t mind it much.
The book ends with an epilogue for the series. This might be the only part where readers like me may feel overwhelmed with all the names and details. Since we don’t have to remember any of it, that’s fine.
There’s a bonus short story too, a quick piece for another person from the same family and involves the time-traveling love story. You can read it or skip it. I read it.
To summarize, Legacy of the Runes is an entertaining romance with two characters bonding across different centuries and finding love with each other.
Thank you, Rachel's Random Resources and Headline Review, for eARC. This review is voluntary and contains my honest opinion about the book.
#NetGalley
August 18, 2024
I absolutely adore Christina’s Runes series and am sad that this is the final book. I would love to revisit the family in a few years to see how they are all getting on in the ninth century!
As soon as I started the book I was transported back to the Viking world.
Storm feels responsible that his younger sister disappeared without trace a few months ago, but the family is known to time travel and he is convinced that is what she has done. Finding his own magical object he travels back to the ninth century to find her and make sure she is ok.
We travel with Storm as he quickly settles into his new life, saving a girl from marriage to a particularly nasty man, and accidentally finding himself married.
I just love Christina’s writing which completely absorbs me, and I love reading about life in the ninth century. I enjoyed seeing the dramatic difference with how we live now through the eyes of a woman Storm brings back to our time too! We take so much for granted.
I’ve thoroughly enjoyed every book in this series and am excited to read what Christina writes next.
As soon as I started the book I was transported back to the Viking world.
Storm feels responsible that his younger sister disappeared without trace a few months ago, but the family is known to time travel and he is convinced that is what she has done. Finding his own magical object he travels back to the ninth century to find her and make sure she is ok.
We travel with Storm as he quickly settles into his new life, saving a girl from marriage to a particularly nasty man, and accidentally finding himself married.
I just love Christina’s writing which completely absorbs me, and I love reading about life in the ninth century. I enjoyed seeing the dramatic difference with how we live now through the eyes of a woman Storm brings back to our time too! We take so much for granted.
I’ve thoroughly enjoyed every book in this series and am excited to read what Christina writes next.
August 21, 2024
Disclaimer: I received a free copy of Legacy of the Runes in exchange for an honest review. Thanks to Rachel’s Random Resources, and the author herself, for facilitating!
Rating: 3.5 stars out of five
Content warnings: Scenes of battle (non-graphic), scenes of birth (non-graphic), parental abandonment, mentions of a villainous character’s previous wives having taken their own life.
This book is the finale of Courtenay’s Runes series, following a family who find themselves able to time travel to the Viking age via magical artefacts. It does serve a purpose of drawing their wider story to a close – but, as with Whispers of the Runes, it works perfectly well as a standalone.
Apart from the fact I really enjoyed Courtenay’s previous book, another thing that drew me to reviewing Legacy was the fact that the time traveller in this was twentysomething male Storm Berger – unlike most other books in the timeslip genre, where the time traveller is female.
This meant the book instantly had a fresh perspective – even more so when you consider how Storm is far more aware of time travel than other protagonists, due to his family’s experiences. As much as I love a fish out of water trope (something this book also had), I was pleasantly surprised to see Storm prepare so meticulously for his trip to the past – for example, buying heaps of metal bangles to use as currency.
Though Storm comes to the Viking age with one clear goal in mind – locating his sister – that’s soon upended when he is rescued from a skirmish by the nonconforming Freydis.
Freydis is an outlier from the beginning – a young woman who’s more at home on the battlefield than as a potential wife. Freydis isn’t just a “strong female character” who’s in this book for the sake of it, but whose personality has clear roots in both her late father, and her surrogate father figure, Joalf.
There is a degree of mutual pining between Storm and Freydis from the start – despite the fact that Freydis is engaged and Storm here for other reasons. It extends through a good portion of the first act, but one stand out moment occurs when Freydis encounters Storm bathing in the sea – think Colin Firth emerging from the lake in Pride and Prejudice!
For his part, Storm is drawn to Freydis via a combination of happenstance and chivalry. Those two things are also what send both characters tumbling from close platonic acquaintances into a marriage of convenience – my first exposure to this trope. Though I feel that part of Storm and Freydis’ relationship was done well, I personally felt like they went from friends to true lovers a bit too quickly – meaning I wasn’t begging for them to get together as much as I was with Sara and Rurik in Whispers. It also sometimes meant that Storm seemed to forget that he had travelled in order to find Maddie.
However, one part where I definitely think the romance plot succeeded was in how it developed Storm and Freydis individually. In the modern day, Storm sees relationships as fun, but Freydis awakens a protective desire in him, and a deep integration in Viking culture, both of which he didn’t expect.
Freydis, meanwhile, learns to soften her heart to the concept of a relationship – though her constant wondering about whether Storm loved her did get annoying, I did enjoy seeing this usually unflappable warrior blushing to within an inch of her life!
Both Freydis and Storm were also sources of much of the humour that’s sprinkled throughout the book. Storm does not mince his words when it comes to his opinion of Freydis’ mother (something I’m inclined to agree with). And then there were all the instances of Freydis adjusting to the modern day – it was fascinating to see things that we take for granted, like car travel, from a Viking perspective.
As with Courtenay’s previous books, the setting is supremely well researched. Storm travels around several Viking settlements – and each one is described vividly, as are the day to day cultures and interactions.
This instalment in the series also carries forward the strength of the supporting cast. Joalf trains Freydis in fighting without question when she’s young, and that respect continues as she grows into a woman. There’s also another loveable animal companion in Freydis’ raven Surtr.
Though Freydis’ father has passed away years prior to the book’s beginning, his advice to her – “Take charge of your own destiny” — weaves itself throughout Legacy of the Runes.
Storm and Freydis find themselves breaking away from the expected paths to be with those they love. This joins their stories with those of Storm’s other family members, perhaps even more than the time travel – and though their wider story has come to an end, the bonus material at the end of the book hints that there may be more left to explore.
Legacy of the Runes may not be as complete as an individual marriage of convenience story, but for fans of the Runes series, this book provides a fitting farewell.
Rating: 3.5 stars out of five
Content warnings: Scenes of battle (non-graphic), scenes of birth (non-graphic), parental abandonment, mentions of a villainous character’s previous wives having taken their own life.
This book is the finale of Courtenay’s Runes series, following a family who find themselves able to time travel to the Viking age via magical artefacts. It does serve a purpose of drawing their wider story to a close – but, as with Whispers of the Runes, it works perfectly well as a standalone.
Apart from the fact I really enjoyed Courtenay’s previous book, another thing that drew me to reviewing Legacy was the fact that the time traveller in this was twentysomething male Storm Berger – unlike most other books in the timeslip genre, where the time traveller is female.
This meant the book instantly had a fresh perspective – even more so when you consider how Storm is far more aware of time travel than other protagonists, due to his family’s experiences. As much as I love a fish out of water trope (something this book also had), I was pleasantly surprised to see Storm prepare so meticulously for his trip to the past – for example, buying heaps of metal bangles to use as currency.
Though Storm comes to the Viking age with one clear goal in mind – locating his sister – that’s soon upended when he is rescued from a skirmish by the nonconforming Freydis.
Freydis is an outlier from the beginning – a young woman who’s more at home on the battlefield than as a potential wife. Freydis isn’t just a “strong female character” who’s in this book for the sake of it, but whose personality has clear roots in both her late father, and her surrogate father figure, Joalf.
There is a degree of mutual pining between Storm and Freydis from the start – despite the fact that Freydis is engaged and Storm here for other reasons. It extends through a good portion of the first act, but one stand out moment occurs when Freydis encounters Storm bathing in the sea – think Colin Firth emerging from the lake in Pride and Prejudice!
For his part, Storm is drawn to Freydis via a combination of happenstance and chivalry. Those two things are also what send both characters tumbling from close platonic acquaintances into a marriage of convenience – my first exposure to this trope. Though I feel that part of Storm and Freydis’ relationship was done well, I personally felt like they went from friends to true lovers a bit too quickly – meaning I wasn’t begging for them to get together as much as I was with Sara and Rurik in Whispers. It also sometimes meant that Storm seemed to forget that he had travelled in order to find Maddie.
However, one part where I definitely think the romance plot succeeded was in how it developed Storm and Freydis individually. In the modern day, Storm sees relationships as fun, but Freydis awakens a protective desire in him, and a deep integration in Viking culture, both of which he didn’t expect.
Freydis, meanwhile, learns to soften her heart to the concept of a relationship – though her constant wondering about whether Storm loved her did get annoying, I did enjoy seeing this usually unflappable warrior blushing to within an inch of her life!
Both Freydis and Storm were also sources of much of the humour that’s sprinkled throughout the book. Storm does not mince his words when it comes to his opinion of Freydis’ mother (something I’m inclined to agree with). And then there were all the instances of Freydis adjusting to the modern day – it was fascinating to see things that we take for granted, like car travel, from a Viking perspective.
As with Courtenay’s previous books, the setting is supremely well researched. Storm travels around several Viking settlements – and each one is described vividly, as are the day to day cultures and interactions.
This instalment in the series also carries forward the strength of the supporting cast. Joalf trains Freydis in fighting without question when she’s young, and that respect continues as she grows into a woman. There’s also another loveable animal companion in Freydis’ raven Surtr.
Though Freydis’ father has passed away years prior to the book’s beginning, his advice to her – “Take charge of your own destiny” — weaves itself throughout Legacy of the Runes.
Storm and Freydis find themselves breaking away from the expected paths to be with those they love. This joins their stories with those of Storm’s other family members, perhaps even more than the time travel – and though their wider story has come to an end, the bonus material at the end of the book hints that there may be more left to explore.
Legacy of the Runes may not be as complete as an individual marriage of convenience story, but for fans of the Runes series, this book provides a fitting farewell.
July 30, 2024
The final book in the runes series and Christina Courtenay takes us out with a captivating insight into the 9th Century.
Storm hasn't forgiven himself for the night his sister Maddie disappeared so sets out on a quest to time travel to Iceland in a bid to find her.
AD897 and Freydis has been banished to a cousins settlement by her Mother. Betrothed to Ingolf she wishes she could escape.
The God's collude so Storm and Freydis paths meet.
I've loved this whole series, it's obvious how much research has gone into the writing of this novel. It brings to life the viking period. Its raw and genuine and very descriptive.
Storm hasn't forgiven himself for the night his sister Maddie disappeared so sets out on a quest to time travel to Iceland in a bid to find her.
AD897 and Freydis has been banished to a cousins settlement by her Mother. Betrothed to Ingolf she wishes she could escape.
The God's collude so Storm and Freydis paths meet.
I've loved this whole series, it's obvious how much research has gone into the writing of this novel. It brings to life the viking period. Its raw and genuine and very descriptive.
November 13, 2024
Fabulous escapist read
Satisfying conclusion to an excellent series. Courtenay's immaculate research lifts these books to another level. Thoroughly enjoyed the story and was swept up in Storm's epic journey.
Satisfying conclusion to an excellent series. Courtenay's immaculate research lifts these books to another level. Thoroughly enjoyed the story and was swept up in Storm's epic journey.
September 27, 2024
Legacy of the Runes is the last book in the enthralling Runes series of time travel novels based to a large extent around one family's adventures in the present and the past. This final episode features Storm, the son of Mia and Haakon Berger.
Storm is still blaming himself for the disappearance of his sister, Maddie, from Dublin. She was meant to stay at home while he went out, but when he returned, she was gone without a trace. Storm and his parents have a suspicion – Maddie has travelled to the past. Aware of his parents' blame, even though it's unspoken, Storm decides to go after her. Tracing her last sighting, he plans to follow on her trail. But first, he needs an item – one with the particular Old Norse sentence that he must say in order to be catapulted into the distant past.
When he eventually finds the artefact through rather dubious channels, he finds that the spell works, and he arrives in Dyflin under Viking rule. But no one appears to remember Maddie, until he receives a hint from an old crone, who suspects Maddie has travelled by ship to distant Iceland, with a stranger.
Deeply concerned, Storm books himself on a ship north, despite the approaching autumn with its gales and storms. As they pass by the Orkneyjar islands, they are chased by pirates, and shipwrecked ashore a small island. The locals come to their aid in fighting off the pirates, and he finds himself pairing up with a young woman who fights like a man.
With no wood to repair their ship until the spring, Storm and the ship's crew are stuck. Intrigued by Freydis, who was sent to the island by her cold fish of a mother, he befriends her and her only friend, elderly friend, Joalf. And her pet raven, Surtr!
But when Freydis is supposed to marry a powerful man on the islands, Ingolf, whose wives have died under suspicious circumstances, Storm becomes involved in saving her.
As their feelings for each other grow, will they manage to escape the clutches of the intended? And will Storm ever make it to Iceland? Well, read the book to find out!
~~
Legacy of the Runes is a thrilling adventure featuring 9th century Vikings. You are bound to wonder what could possibly happen next, when Storm is stranded, but Ms Courtenay weaves a clever web of unexpected circumstances that has you turning the pages fast.
As one adventure chases another, you are rooting for Freydis in particular, as the unfair situation she finds herself in tugs at the heart strings. Why does her mother, in Norway, send her away from her own home? Is her step-father really such an ogre? And how can she escape the grasp of the sinister Ingolf?
Freydis is a clever, feisty female, raised by her father to fight, and imbued with a strong sense of independence. But at her mother's cousin Assur's home, she must learn to be a proper female. Hating those chores, but acquiescing, has her quietly planning her future. But Assur's choice of a husband for her, out of his debt to Ingolf, finally gets her moving, with Storm's and Joalf's help. She's a really likeable character, and easy to root for, though her insecurities about Storm – so different to her outspoken self – are at times a little annoying.
Storm, on the other hand, I found too superficial. He comes into his own during his journey, but there's a remaining sense of unreliability about him that he can't seem to shake off. But we mustn't forget that both Storm and Freydis are still very young, and the sudden responsibility they have to face (he in particular) is certainly challenging, especially from a 21st century point of view. Yet I still think his character needed more development.
The adventures they share are intriguing, and the fast pace keeps you reading. However, I found the ending quite rushed. The reason for Storm's journey – finding his sister, Maddie – plays just a tiny part near the end, and it left me wondering if there should have been more about Iceland, and Norway.
There were also a couple of loose ends in the plot I'd have liked to have seen wrapped up neatly. The fate of some characters seems to be open. However, I won't give away any spoilers, except: what happened to poor Surtr? I really liked the bird. (Note: Ms Courtenay has since written a special epilogue about Surtr, to be found on her website.)
Equally, the epilogue is meant to bring everyone together, years later, with all their children – but, somehow, it didn't fit in with the rest of the novel. The sudden focus on the offspring was a bit strange, as this is the last book in the series. They won't feature again. To me, the epilogue felt like ticking a box, rather than giving the reader a final chance to enjoy a gathering with the family. It was telling us about them – where they lived, how many children they had, what they did – not actually 'being' with them.
Still, Legacy of the Runes is a riveting romantic adventure about two young people from different times who are thrown together in a maelstrom of events outside their control. Both cope well with the situations thrown at them, and the clever plot twists keep you turning those pages.
I'm sad to see the end of this utterly unique and compelling series of novels, but I thoroughly enjoyed reading each book, and I can highly recommend them all.
Storm is still blaming himself for the disappearance of his sister, Maddie, from Dublin. She was meant to stay at home while he went out, but when he returned, she was gone without a trace. Storm and his parents have a suspicion – Maddie has travelled to the past. Aware of his parents' blame, even though it's unspoken, Storm decides to go after her. Tracing her last sighting, he plans to follow on her trail. But first, he needs an item – one with the particular Old Norse sentence that he must say in order to be catapulted into the distant past.
When he eventually finds the artefact through rather dubious channels, he finds that the spell works, and he arrives in Dyflin under Viking rule. But no one appears to remember Maddie, until he receives a hint from an old crone, who suspects Maddie has travelled by ship to distant Iceland, with a stranger.
Deeply concerned, Storm books himself on a ship north, despite the approaching autumn with its gales and storms. As they pass by the Orkneyjar islands, they are chased by pirates, and shipwrecked ashore a small island. The locals come to their aid in fighting off the pirates, and he finds himself pairing up with a young woman who fights like a man.
With no wood to repair their ship until the spring, Storm and the ship's crew are stuck. Intrigued by Freydis, who was sent to the island by her cold fish of a mother, he befriends her and her only friend, elderly friend, Joalf. And her pet raven, Surtr!
But when Freydis is supposed to marry a powerful man on the islands, Ingolf, whose wives have died under suspicious circumstances, Storm becomes involved in saving her.
As their feelings for each other grow, will they manage to escape the clutches of the intended? And will Storm ever make it to Iceland? Well, read the book to find out!
~~
Legacy of the Runes is a thrilling adventure featuring 9th century Vikings. You are bound to wonder what could possibly happen next, when Storm is stranded, but Ms Courtenay weaves a clever web of unexpected circumstances that has you turning the pages fast.
As one adventure chases another, you are rooting for Freydis in particular, as the unfair situation she finds herself in tugs at the heart strings. Why does her mother, in Norway, send her away from her own home? Is her step-father really such an ogre? And how can she escape the grasp of the sinister Ingolf?
Freydis is a clever, feisty female, raised by her father to fight, and imbued with a strong sense of independence. But at her mother's cousin Assur's home, she must learn to be a proper female. Hating those chores, but acquiescing, has her quietly planning her future. But Assur's choice of a husband for her, out of his debt to Ingolf, finally gets her moving, with Storm's and Joalf's help. She's a really likeable character, and easy to root for, though her insecurities about Storm – so different to her outspoken self – are at times a little annoying.
Storm, on the other hand, I found too superficial. He comes into his own during his journey, but there's a remaining sense of unreliability about him that he can't seem to shake off. But we mustn't forget that both Storm and Freydis are still very young, and the sudden responsibility they have to face (he in particular) is certainly challenging, especially from a 21st century point of view. Yet I still think his character needed more development.
The adventures they share are intriguing, and the fast pace keeps you reading. However, I found the ending quite rushed. The reason for Storm's journey – finding his sister, Maddie – plays just a tiny part near the end, and it left me wondering if there should have been more about Iceland, and Norway.
There were also a couple of loose ends in the plot I'd have liked to have seen wrapped up neatly. The fate of some characters seems to be open. However, I won't give away any spoilers, except: what happened to poor Surtr? I really liked the bird. (Note: Ms Courtenay has since written a special epilogue about Surtr, to be found on her website.)
Equally, the epilogue is meant to bring everyone together, years later, with all their children – but, somehow, it didn't fit in with the rest of the novel. The sudden focus on the offspring was a bit strange, as this is the last book in the series. They won't feature again. To me, the epilogue felt like ticking a box, rather than giving the reader a final chance to enjoy a gathering with the family. It was telling us about them – where they lived, how many children they had, what they did – not actually 'being' with them.
Still, Legacy of the Runes is a riveting romantic adventure about two young people from different times who are thrown together in a maelstrom of events outside their control. Both cope well with the situations thrown at them, and the clever plot twists keep you turning those pages.
I'm sad to see the end of this utterly unique and compelling series of novels, but I thoroughly enjoyed reading each book, and I can highly recommend them all.
August 18, 2024
Madison disappeared during a visit to Dublin for a Viking re-enactment – and if you read Tempted by the Runes, you’ll know that she found herself in the ninth century, on a ship bound for Iceland. Her brother Storm is very familiar with the whole concept of time travel through the experiences of others in his family – and feels particularly guilty that, when she vanished, he was supposed to have been looking after her. He needs to know that she’s safe and well, and she’s distinctive enough – tall, with a mane of red hair – that he hopes he’ll be able to track her down. So, this time, it’s a visit he can prepare for – tracking down the inscribed axe he needs to make his journey, sorting out his wardrobe and weapons, ensuring he has the silver to hand to pay his way – but, on arrival, he’s rather sidetracked when he encounters the lovely Freydis.
Having been banished by her mother after the death of her father, she’s promised in marriage to a man with a fearful reputation – and, although her father brought her up with an unusual ability to fight for herself, there seems no way of escaping her fate. Until Storm – and they’ve been particularly attracted to each other – comes up with the perfect solution of marrying her himself. But, of course, her former husband-to-be won’t let her go without a fight – and then there’s the small matter of needing to find passage to Iceland to continue his search for Madison.
This was a strong and convincing love story, nicely emotional as Freydis questions Storm’s commitment and love for her, while he shows an unexpected depth of character in fighting for what he believes in. Both individuals are exceptionally likeable and beautifully drawn as we share their doubts and fears – and I especially liked Freydis’ fierceness, learning new fighting skills from her 21st century teacher to add to those taught by her father and reinforced by her faithful mentor. There’s the same depth of detail and research to the depiction of ninth century life (the blacksmithing, the weaving, the challenges in securing the materials to repair a boat…) that there was in all the other books in the series, with a well-drawn supporting cast – it’s a world I felt entirely part of for as long as I was reading – and more than a few well written moments of drama. There’s also an intriguing and timely excursion to the present day, when Freydis discovers the pleasures of chocolate, Coke and being called “baby”. And a nice heat to the story too, really well handled throughout – the way the attraction between Storm and Freydis developed into rather more was something I could really feel, and very much enjoyed.
But this book is the last – and as the conclusion to a long-running series, it really couldn’t have been better. If you’ve read the others, there’s an opportunity to discover the continuing stories of the other characters who’ve delighted along the way, with all the remaining threads tied in the neatest of bows – which made it considerably easier to say “enough” and set this one aside with a satisfied sigh. However uncomfortable you think you might be with the idea of time travel, especially to the Viking age, this series – with its extraordinary world-building and storytelling – is one I’d very much recommend to all, and I’ve loved every step of the journey.
Having been banished by her mother after the death of her father, she’s promised in marriage to a man with a fearful reputation – and, although her father brought her up with an unusual ability to fight for herself, there seems no way of escaping her fate. Until Storm – and they’ve been particularly attracted to each other – comes up with the perfect solution of marrying her himself. But, of course, her former husband-to-be won’t let her go without a fight – and then there’s the small matter of needing to find passage to Iceland to continue his search for Madison.
This was a strong and convincing love story, nicely emotional as Freydis questions Storm’s commitment and love for her, while he shows an unexpected depth of character in fighting for what he believes in. Both individuals are exceptionally likeable and beautifully drawn as we share their doubts and fears – and I especially liked Freydis’ fierceness, learning new fighting skills from her 21st century teacher to add to those taught by her father and reinforced by her faithful mentor. There’s the same depth of detail and research to the depiction of ninth century life (the blacksmithing, the weaving, the challenges in securing the materials to repair a boat…) that there was in all the other books in the series, with a well-drawn supporting cast – it’s a world I felt entirely part of for as long as I was reading – and more than a few well written moments of drama. There’s also an intriguing and timely excursion to the present day, when Freydis discovers the pleasures of chocolate, Coke and being called “baby”. And a nice heat to the story too, really well handled throughout – the way the attraction between Storm and Freydis developed into rather more was something I could really feel, and very much enjoyed.
But this book is the last – and as the conclusion to a long-running series, it really couldn’t have been better. If you’ve read the others, there’s an opportunity to discover the continuing stories of the other characters who’ve delighted along the way, with all the remaining threads tied in the neatest of bows – which made it considerably easier to say “enough” and set this one aside with a satisfied sigh. However uncomfortable you think you might be with the idea of time travel, especially to the Viking age, this series – with its extraordinary world-building and storytelling – is one I’d very much recommend to all, and I’ve loved every step of the journey.
August 15, 2024
Another gripping and intriguing novel by Christina Courtenay, the Queen of Travel Time to Viking Age Romance, the Empress of Travelling to Another Era and How-to-learn-about-Viking-Everyday-Life
I travelled in time and space reading these novels, met people from a different historical time and who more sophisticated than most of the people of the Dark Age.
There was a moment when I realised, I was reading about people who live at the time of Charlemagne, and I was immersed in their life and their stories.
This is as entertaining and compelling as the other, I loved the relationship between Storm and Freydis and was glad to catch up with the other characters.
Maybe one day I will find a magical artifact who will make me travel back in time and meet a fascinating guy from another age. I hope it will also reduce my anagraphical age as the average age was around 50 and I could be dead and it would quite unfortunate.
All this blah blah to avoid the sad news that I had to say goodbye and it left me with a serious case of book hangover.
I learned a lot about Viking and their everyday life, this a well researched series and I loved the historical side, the humour, and the great characters.
Goodbye Rune series, welcome to the next
Highly recommended.
Many thanks to Headline and Rachel’s Random Resources for this ARC, all opinions are mine
I travelled in time and space reading these novels, met people from a different historical time and who more sophisticated than most of the people of the Dark Age.
There was a moment when I realised, I was reading about people who live at the time of Charlemagne, and I was immersed in their life and their stories.
This is as entertaining and compelling as the other, I loved the relationship between Storm and Freydis and was glad to catch up with the other characters.
Maybe one day I will find a magical artifact who will make me travel back in time and meet a fascinating guy from another age. I hope it will also reduce my anagraphical age as the average age was around 50 and I could be dead and it would quite unfortunate.
All this blah blah to avoid the sad news that I had to say goodbye and it left me with a serious case of book hangover.
I learned a lot about Viking and their everyday life, this a well researched series and I loved the historical side, the humour, and the great characters.
Goodbye Rune series, welcome to the next
Highly recommended.
Many thanks to Headline and Rachel’s Random Resources for this ARC, all opinions are mine
August 15, 2024
It was wonderful to return to the Viking era, but it was also bittersweet knowing that this was probably my final visit. I have absolutely adored my trips to the ninth century; I have loved them all.
This time, we are following Storm, whose sister Madison disappeared when he was supposed to be watching her when their family visited Dublin. Storm is sure that she has somehow managed to find her way back in time. If you’ve read the rest of this series, you’ll already know that Storm’s family have also travelled back.
There was a different feel to this story as Storm had planned his visit with the finest detail and planned for each eventuality, or so he thought. What he could never have envisaged was meeting Freydis and becoming captivated by her. However, their meeting was just the start of this wonderful story that I inhaled in just a couple of sittings.
Storm is a terrific character, and from his appearances in earlier stories, he always seemed unfocused and more interested in a good time than taking responsibility for his actions. The shock of losing Madison was the catalyst for his development into a man.
Freydis is a sympathetic character. Her father's death devastated her and started a sequence of events that would lead to her being discovered by Storm and needing to fight for her freedom. Thankfully, her father didn’t raise her to be helpless, and she has plenty of tricks up her sleeves.
Christina Courtenay creates and develops her characters and settings with such accurate imagination and thorough research that I could almost feel the biting cold and the heated attraction between Freydis and Storm. I do recall briefly meeting Freydis in an earlier book and wondering what had happened to her. I should have known that her story would be completed and not left as a loose thread.
Legacy of the Runes is the perfect conclusion to this gorgeous series, and I can wholeheartedly recommend them all. The romance is beautifully described and had me, once again, dreaming of my own Viking.
This time, we are following Storm, whose sister Madison disappeared when he was supposed to be watching her when their family visited Dublin. Storm is sure that she has somehow managed to find her way back in time. If you’ve read the rest of this series, you’ll already know that Storm’s family have also travelled back.
There was a different feel to this story as Storm had planned his visit with the finest detail and planned for each eventuality, or so he thought. What he could never have envisaged was meeting Freydis and becoming captivated by her. However, their meeting was just the start of this wonderful story that I inhaled in just a couple of sittings.
Storm is a terrific character, and from his appearances in earlier stories, he always seemed unfocused and more interested in a good time than taking responsibility for his actions. The shock of losing Madison was the catalyst for his development into a man.
Freydis is a sympathetic character. Her father's death devastated her and started a sequence of events that would lead to her being discovered by Storm and needing to fight for her freedom. Thankfully, her father didn’t raise her to be helpless, and she has plenty of tricks up her sleeves.
Christina Courtenay creates and develops her characters and settings with such accurate imagination and thorough research that I could almost feel the biting cold and the heated attraction between Freydis and Storm. I do recall briefly meeting Freydis in an earlier book and wondering what had happened to her. I should have known that her story would be completed and not left as a loose thread.
Legacy of the Runes is the perfect conclusion to this gorgeous series, and I can wholeheartedly recommend them all. The romance is beautifully described and had me, once again, dreaming of my own Viking.
August 24, 2024
I have long been interested in learning about the Viking period and its legends, and really enjoyed Christina's previous books so it's a little sad that this will be the final one. Even if you have not read any of the previous books, you will have no problem reading this as a 'standalone', although I suspect you will end up wanting to read the previous ones as well. As always, the author quickly drew me into the 9th Century and Nordic life in that era, and the developing romance between Storm and Freydis is beautifully written. The research that has obviously gone into this and the previous stories in the series makes the reader feel that they are right there with the main characters, and the novel is beautifully written with the ring of authenticity.
This is a fitting and very satisfying conclusion to the 'Runes' series, and the family reunion in the, Epilogue is the 'icing on the cake.' Highly recommended.
This is a fitting and very satisfying conclusion to the 'Runes' series, and the family reunion in the, Epilogue is the 'icing on the cake.' Highly recommended.
September 4, 2024
This is the last book in the series (we're now out of family members to focus on), which makes me sad, but of course I'm glad to know what happened when Storm got his turn at living among Vikings in the 9th century, and I really like Freydis, the girl he met there (also, her raven is a funny kind of pet). I greatly enjoyed visiting the Orkney Islands (that's the main location) through their alternating points of view.
This book 6 is particularly linked to book 4 (Tempted by the Runes), as Storm's reason to time travel is to look for his sister Maddie, who's the heroine of that book, but still this story would work by itself if you wanted to read it first.
Note to other Kindle readers: like last time, make sure not to miss the bonus short story that starts after what's marked as the end of the book.
This book 6 is particularly linked to book 4 (Tempted by the Runes), as Storm's reason to time travel is to look for his sister Maddie, who's the heroine of that book, but still this story would work by itself if you wanted to read it first.
Note to other Kindle readers: like last time, make sure not to miss the bonus short story that starts after what's marked as the end of the book.
July 24, 2024
Storm has decided that the only place his missing sister can be is back in time. He has blamed himself for her going missing and knowing that his family are capable of time slipping he believes that is the only place she can be. With that intention he sets off back in time to search for her, but whilst there he encounters Freydis. Could it be that Storm may be able to save her from a bad marriage by marrying her himself.
This was a good time slip novel. Sometimes I noticed that Storm 'forgot' that this time frame was how women were treated, yet in other aspects he clearly had done research into the time period. Also the the writing style was a little stilted which meant that the story flow was less enjoyable.
This was a good time slip novel. Sometimes I noticed that Storm 'forgot' that this time frame was how women were treated, yet in other aspects he clearly had done research into the time period. Also the the writing style was a little stilted which meant that the story flow was less enjoyable.
August 16, 2024
I'm reviewing this via NetGalley, as part of a tour with Rachel's Random Resources.
This is the final book in the Runes series, and after finishing it, I do wish I had read the previous books too, as I enjoyed reading this as a standalone.
The story had a time travel element, so part of it took place in the Viking era, and part of it took place closer to the present day. Storm was a great protagonist; I found him very charismatic, and I really liked his energy.
The writing style wasn't too elaborate, but told a fast-paced, entertaining story. It was an awesome time-travelling adventure, and I enjoyed the romantic element of the storyline too.
Thank you to NetGalley, Rachel's Random Resources, and to the author and publisher, for the opportunity to read and review this.
This is the final book in the Runes series, and after finishing it, I do wish I had read the previous books too, as I enjoyed reading this as a standalone.
The story had a time travel element, so part of it took place in the Viking era, and part of it took place closer to the present day. Storm was a great protagonist; I found him very charismatic, and I really liked his energy.
The writing style wasn't too elaborate, but told a fast-paced, entertaining story. It was an awesome time-travelling adventure, and I enjoyed the romantic element of the storyline too.
Thank you to NetGalley, Rachel's Random Resources, and to the author and publisher, for the opportunity to read and review this.
August 23, 2024
This last book concludes the Viking-inspired time travel stories that make up this evocative and immersive series. Storm seeks a means of time-travelling back into the ninth-century world of Vikings to search for his missing younger sister, Madison. It's an enthralling series, and this is a fitting finale. I enjoyed the storytelling, the supernatural time-travelling elements and the detailed historical culture and settings. The powerful love story shines through and makes this an enjoyable read.
I received a copy of this book from the publisher.
I received a copy of this book from the publisher.
December 25, 2024
Well written and likeable characters, but, as with the previous books, the plot was easily guessed before even reading the first paragraph as all the books since the first have followed similar themes - time travel, love, peril, more time travel to escape something or for treatment, then back again, etc. If they hadn't been as well written as they were, and for the fact of finishing the series, I wouldn't have bothered reading it due to the predictable plot.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
August 23, 2025
I am so sad this is the last book in the series, I really enjoyed it as much as all the other books especially as the time period is so different to most other dual time books. As usual I have read this until 03:30am because I had to know how it would finish. Hopefully there will be in the future another one to continue the saga.
September 20, 2024
I was sorry that is is the final book in the Runes series. I enjoyed each and every one of them. They gave me many hours of pure escape where I was swept away to the 9th century. Can't wait to see where Christina will take us next.
September 15, 2025
What a powerful saga
I have really enjoyed reading about the lives of the characters woven into the stories. I am going to miss all of them but I give thanks for having been able to connect with each of the different family members.
I have really enjoyed reading about the lives of the characters woven into the stories. I am going to miss all of them but I give thanks for having been able to connect with each of the different family members.
November 10, 2025
This is another solid instalment in this series, even if it followed the exact same pattern!
I really liked Storm and Freydis, and like the previous book, I liked that Freydis had her own backstory and had agency. I also liked how Storm matured through the book.
I really liked Storm and Freydis, and like the previous book, I liked that Freydis had her own backstory and had agency. I also liked how Storm matured through the book.
November 12, 2024
I've read all 6 of this series. Hope Ms Courtenay will decide to write more of them. It's great escapist reading. She brings the settings to life.
December 6, 2024
A great ending to the series
March 8, 2025
I really loved this book, as much as the prdvious ondes, even if the stories are a bit similar.
I will regret letting the viking era behind...
I will regret letting the viking era behind...
April 10, 2026
A gentle, low-conflict, low-angst time-slip historical Viking romance.
March 28, 2025
I always “slip away” and lose track of time when I read her Viking novels. They’re deliciously sexy, and her story telling is great. Not too fast or slow paced. The characters are written well and not just fillers. There’s just enough action to keep you entertained and enough of a little mystery to it to wonder what will come. I find myself wanting to go to a ren faire and dress up every time I finish one of her books 🤣
August 28, 2024
couldn’t put it down, stayed up late to finish it, brilliant conclusion to the series, loved these Vikings… 😆
October 20, 2024
Trigger Warnings
This book contains:
• Missing family member
• Death of a loved one
• Kidnapping
• Attempted sexual assault
• Attempted murder
• Piracy
• Theft of inheritance
Characters
Storm is the brother of some character’s we’ve met in previous books in the series. While some elements of his growth we see here have been introduced in these other books, in this one we get to see his growth from his perspective. From fun loving 21-year-old who’s enjoying his life in a carefree way, through to responsible, thoughtful and considerate man.
Freydis was sent to her mother’s cousins’ household to be raised after the passing of her father. While her father raised her in a fashion more appropriate for a son, her mother and extended family are determined to stamp out those tendencies and turn her into a proper “lady”. However, she’s determined to have a say in her life, especially now that they want to marry her off to get her out of their household.
Storyline
Storm travel’s back to the 9th century to find his sister who went missing when he was meant to be watching her. Not knowing where she could have gone, he travels back to where she would have gone missing and strategically search out for clues as to her whereabouts. On his travels, he comes across Freydis, and there’s something about her that calls to him and keeps dragging him away from his initial search.
Overall Thoughts
When I started this, I thought I’d already read it mistakenly. Which would be hard to do since I’d only just received my advanced copy!
Silly me got Storm and Ivar mixed up in terms of which brother I’d already read, and which one had what role in Maddie’s disappearance and reappearance. Which honestly, given it’s been almost 8 months since I read that previous book, I think is fair enough!
So, while I spent a good portion of my time trying to remember which family member does what, and deciding I’ll need to do a re-read of the whole series in one go – I still thoroughly enjoyed Storm’s journey and development. Being in his head as he matures almost overnight because Maddie went missing, and he was meant to be watching her was interesting. Especially because I don’t recall him being in the army.
For me, the development of Storm alongside the drama accompanying his relationship with Freydis kept me intrigued the whole time. I think the only thing I would have liked was a slightly different ending to the story. I don’t know if it’s a thing to have two epilogues, but I would’ve loved to have had one for Storm and Freydis, and then the one we have for the whole series. Just so I can really get the closure I wanted for Storm and Freydis’s life.
This book contains:
• Missing family member
• Death of a loved one
• Kidnapping
• Attempted sexual assault
• Attempted murder
• Piracy
• Theft of inheritance
Characters
Storm is the brother of some character’s we’ve met in previous books in the series. While some elements of his growth we see here have been introduced in these other books, in this one we get to see his growth from his perspective. From fun loving 21-year-old who’s enjoying his life in a carefree way, through to responsible, thoughtful and considerate man.
Freydis was sent to her mother’s cousins’ household to be raised after the passing of her father. While her father raised her in a fashion more appropriate for a son, her mother and extended family are determined to stamp out those tendencies and turn her into a proper “lady”. However, she’s determined to have a say in her life, especially now that they want to marry her off to get her out of their household.
Storyline
Storm travel’s back to the 9th century to find his sister who went missing when he was meant to be watching her. Not knowing where she could have gone, he travels back to where she would have gone missing and strategically search out for clues as to her whereabouts. On his travels, he comes across Freydis, and there’s something about her that calls to him and keeps dragging him away from his initial search.
Overall Thoughts
When I started this, I thought I’d already read it mistakenly. Which would be hard to do since I’d only just received my advanced copy!
Silly me got Storm and Ivar mixed up in terms of which brother I’d already read, and which one had what role in Maddie’s disappearance and reappearance. Which honestly, given it’s been almost 8 months since I read that previous book, I think is fair enough!
So, while I spent a good portion of my time trying to remember which family member does what, and deciding I’ll need to do a re-read of the whole series in one go – I still thoroughly enjoyed Storm’s journey and development. Being in his head as he matures almost overnight because Maddie went missing, and he was meant to be watching her was interesting. Especially because I don’t recall him being in the army.
For me, the development of Storm alongside the drama accompanying his relationship with Freydis kept me intrigued the whole time. I think the only thing I would have liked was a slightly different ending to the story. I don’t know if it’s a thing to have two epilogues, but I would’ve loved to have had one for Storm and Freydis, and then the one we have for the whole series. Just so I can really get the closure I wanted for Storm and Freydis’s life.
Displaying 1 - 26 of 26 reviews