The Runestone Saga: Bane of Asgard

And so the Runestone Saga concludes with conflicted allies, deception, unhappy gods, and a spooky army of the dead. The story picks up right where it left off, and Eiric’s captivity and Liv (Heidin) and Reginn’s organizing military forces on the island.

Everyone who wanted more backstory about the gods, demons, and Ragnarok will be happy with the information and secrets unveiled. As Reginn grows into her powers as an aldnari, one who speaks with the dead, she’s able to commune with ancient beings and recruit them to her cause, which may not necessarily align with that of the other Jotun.

Overall, the pacing feels very similar to the end of the first book - slow in some ways, fast in others. There is a LOT of preparation before the invasion. All three characters take a long time to make decisions, sometimes in the face of high danger. But once the invasion begins, it’s fights fights fights, one after another. My favorite parts involved Asger, the mercurial demon, and the ordinary people of the archipelago who are doing their best to just survive in an unforgiving land.

I’ve read and loved the author’s Heir series, and this duology doesn’t meet the same mark. However, fans of viking flavored YA with strong male and female protagonists should give it a try.

This series was the first time I ever had the opportunity to read about Ragnarok and the Norse gods, and it was indeed an enjoyable adventure. Picking up after Children of Ragnarok, we reunite with Reginn, Eiric, and Liv, only to find they’re entangled in many politics. As a conclusion in a two-book series, it delivers action and twists in spades. If you thought the first book kept you on edge, Bane of Asgard dials it even further, brimming with complex characters, intense world-building, and a little romance. The unrelenting pace and layers of intrigue keep it all fresh and thrilling. Still, the story is a wild ride, hitting with a steady rhythm of plot twists and escalating stakes. While the ending felt slightly less than fully satisfying, its tone fits the saga's more grounded vibe. Bane of Asgard serves as a stunning conclusion. It’s one of those stories that don't hold back and are different from most fantasy tropes I have been reading. If you’re up for immersive, dense fantasy with a darker/upper YA slant, this duology is an excellent choice.

Bane of Asgard returns, where readers are left off with characters from The Children of Ragnarok on the brink of war. Eiric is in prison with his mind being destroyed by Modir Tyra resulting in everyone thinking he is a crazy barbarian. Reginn with her unlikely plans succeeds in pulling off a ruse making everyone believe he is dead giving him time to escape. Liv, now Heidin, is sent through the fire again and is fully inhabited by the Volva witch of legend slowly taking over her mind and killing her body.
There are many surprises in this book. There is a 10-year time jump between Eimyrja and Muckleholm. This allows the plot to move along differently than expected. Eiric’s half-brother, Ivar, is no longer an infant, but an uncanny boy of ten who is unusually tall, strong, and learned. He also has no attachment to Eiric but is now the heir apparent to the kingdom where Rickhard is king. The inhabitants of Muckleholm are also now seasoned warriors no longer easy prey when Tyra’s spinners arrive.
Our knowledge of Grima evolves from the executioner of Eimyra to an undercover assassin with plans to take over Muckleholm for herself with all the gifted she has trapped and collared over the two years she has been “helping” in Rikhard’s court. Reginn’s character also evolves as she is forced to put her talents to use as the Aldrnari and raise the restless dead of the Joten killed at Ragnarok to serve Queen Heidin.
All these revelations and plot twists combine to make for a robust team of characters with solid backstories and motivations as the characters edge ever closer to a world-ending war. The characters come in and out of contact with each other. Alliances change as the circumstances keep evolving. At the center is Reginn, her wish to avoid a senseless war, and her unusual skills that can provide the power to see the outcome she wants.
Modir Tyra and Asger Eldr were the most surprising to me. Tyra was perched on the threshold of being a major player from the first book. However, she raises forces greater than herself with her dottir and Reginn and never gains the momentum she aims for. Asger is villainized in the first book and then suddenly is a loyal servant to Reginn with a surprising secret that is hinted at but not fully understood until the very end.
Overall, this epic high fantasy was complex and satisfying in its conclusion. The book never had the emotional connections between the characters that I expected. It was about the mystery and intrigue as the sides all came to power and were on a course to clash. I can see fans of Lord of the Rings, Game of Thrones, and Wheel of Time enjoying this YA duology as much as the teen readers.