Author: G.N. Gudgion
Pub Day: July 13th 2023
Adelais is on the run.
And the kingdom of Galmandie has never been more dangerous.
In every town square, people whisper of a girl who brought down lightning on her enemies. The king has placed a huge price on Adelais’s head and sent troops to hunt her down.
Adelais flees high into the mountains. But winter is closing in and she cannot hide for ever.
Far to the north, there is a chance of escape. Her homeland has risen in rebellion against Galmandie. To reach freedom and safety, Adelais must cross many miles of hostile territory with inquisitors and royal soldiers always close behind.
If she is captured, Adelais will be burned as a witch. But if she learns to control the storm of magic within her, she could be the spark that sets the whole country aflame.
Packed with intrigue, action and warring gods, The Rune Song Trilogy is perfect for fans of Robin Hobb, Mark Lawrence and Andrzej Sapkowski.
Buy Link: https://geni.us/B0C7HY43WXsocial
G.N. Gudgion (‘Geoff’) grew up with his nose in a book, often one featuring knights in armour. A later search for stories where women didn’t have to be either beautiful damsels or witches led him to the fantasy genre and the works of Guy Gavriel Kay and Mark Lawrence.
After Geoff gave up a business career to write, it was natural to gravitate to historical fantasy, to stories with complex, conflicted characters that a reader can bleed with, cry for, and perhaps fall in love with. They live in worlds where you can smell the sweat and the sewers, as well as the roses.
Geoff lives in a leafy corner of England, where he’s a keen amateur equestrian and a very bad pianist. He spends much of his time crafting words in a shed, fifty yards and five hundred years from his house.
He is also the author, as Geoffrey Gudgion, of supernatural thrillers Saxon’s Bane (Solaris, 2020) and Draca (Unbound, 2020)
Social Media
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/geoffrey.gudgion.author
- Twitter: https://twitter.com/GeoffreyGudgion
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/geoffreygudgion
- Website: https://geoffreygudgion.com
- Goodreads (Geoffrey Gudgion): https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/6542406.Geoffrey_Gudgion
- Second Sky email signup: www.secondskybooks.com/gn-gudgion
What’s it about (in a nutshell):
Runes of Battle is the second book in The Rune Song trilogy by G.N. Gudgion, an epic fantasy story steeped in rune magic and Norse mythology.
My Reading Experience:
The second book in trilogies is often a transition book, where the main character travels from their starting point to their end destination. And Runes of Battle is that, but it is also much more. I loved that Adelais’ journey is enhanced by taking time to learn fighting skills and rune magic. This should have been a slow time in the story. Yet, Gudgion keeps it as fast-paced as the rest of the trilogy by switching to scenes with the enemy, so the reader knows at any given moment, Adelais might be found.
I also enjoyed learning, in detail, how rune magic works. As much as I love all types of magic, rune magic is often shrouded in mystery.
But this story defines and describes it in such a way that I have a good understanding of its base and use.
I especially love that the book ends with a soft conclusion, as did the first book. I get annoyed by cliffhangers, so I was thrilled to again get a soft conclusion – one that stops the book at a natural stopping point but leaves you with some threads to look forward to. Adelais was at a pause point in the story, and I loved that it’s recognized and utilized. It makes me even more eager to read the next book than I would have been if it had ended on a cliffhanger.
I also enjoyed the emotionally powerful themes of misogyny, transition, and power. I was pulled into the development of these themes because the story is just so immersive. The heightened stakes provided an emotional struggle that enveloped me and kept me reading. Adelais’ journey is so authentic that I genuinely care about her and her success.
Characters:
Adelais is a wonderful Chosen One character. She is innocent and good, struggling when she has to kill to defend herself even though the bad guys would not hesitate to end her life. I love watching her grow and learn about life, love, heritage, and magical abilities. And her growth is so authentically portrayed. She is complex and layered from the many challenges she has had to face.
I also loved the introduction of new characters and how minor characters from Book 1 come to the forefront of this book. It helps keep the story fresh.
Narration & Pacing:
The story is told in third person limited and switches POVs from a few different characters, some good and some bad. I enjoy the different POVs as they give me a complete picture of the story. I don’t often see the bad guy’s thoughts and world; it just heightens the suspense even more than focusing on the main character.
World-Building:
The world-building is exceptional. Enough of our actual world is used as a base, making it easy to understand this fantasy world in this story. I love the Norse gods’ representation and the inclusion of rune magic, which I don’t see enough of in fantasy stories. I even discovered that a lot of the native words from Adelais’ home country are actually Icelandic, which I love because it still keeps the reader in that area which is comparable to the fantasy country.
Read if you’re in the mood for:
- An epic fantasy story that’s truly epic
- A main character you can love and root for
- An adventurous journey that is fast-paced
Overall Rating: (4.5) ⭐⭐⭐⭐💫
My Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐
| Originality | 8 |
| Writing Quality | 10 |
| Pace | 6 |
| Character Development | 8 |
| ‘Couldn’t Put It Down’-ness | 6 |
| Setting | 10 |
11 responses to “Runes of Battle by G. N. Gudgion #BlogTour #BookReview #EpicFantasy #FantasySeries”
Not my kind of read, but it sounds like you really enjoyed it, great review 😊
Thank you!
Great review and I am definitely looking forward to reading this one
You will enjoy it!
I really hate harsh cliffhangers. This cover is so fierce. I’m glad you liked this one so much, it sounds like a lot of fun. Great review!
I get all soap boxy about cliffhangers. Thank you!
Same
Sounds like perfect middle book and looks like this is journey based plot with good growth in characters and world. I might enjoy this. Amazing review!
You might. I’d definitely be curious to see what you think.
You’re right about her being a good chosen one – someone you can root for. I also agree with you about rune magic. Can’t remember the last time I read a fantasy book featuring it.
It’s not often for sure.