Runemarks Hardcover – January 8, 2008

I admit it. I'm biased in favor of Loki just like I was biased in favor of Methos in Highlander and Lex in Smallville. I like the guys (or gals) who aren't 100% 'evil' or 'good' but more 'gray'.That said, this doesn't make him into a 'hero' even though he does some heroic things. He's still the Trickster and an agent of Chaos which I like. It's rated YA (probably because the heroine is a 14-year-old) but I'm well past my 'young-adult' years and, frankly, I thought it rocked.There's enough of the mythological background of Ragnorak so you're not 'lost' and the world she describes makes a frightening amount of sense. Can't really imagine wanting to live in a world where stories and dreams are outlawed as they are here but can almost see where some would prefer that. The plot proceeds at a crackling good pace; Maddy is a terrific main character (and I really like her relationship with both Odin and Loki) and so many of the characters show real 'growth' as the book progresses.Really a great addition to anyone's library.

In the English-speaking world, Tuesday, Wednesday and Friday are named after Norse gods, yet most readers of English don't know much about these gods. We are much more familiar with the gods of ancient Greece, who provide the names for the rest of the days of the week,e specially if we are readers of the Percy Jackson books.Recently the movie "Thor" helped rectify that problem, showing the Norse gods to their best advantage in a kind of Clash of the Titans way, with wonderful scenes of them in Asgard, the Norse equivalent to Olympus.Now, with Runemarks, we have a book, the first of a series, which will familiarize readers with many more of the Norse deities. In fact, I found myself wishing that the author had provided an extended family tree to show who's who.Even then, I suspect that it would all be too complicated, since there are at least two families of gods, the Aesir and the Vanir (thereby avoiding the Greek problem of brothers marrying sisters). Plus other creatures as well, such as goblins and ice spirits. Not to mention the Whisperer (which--alas!-- I can't discuss without spoiling the plot.)The book is quite enjoyable, but only for someone who has managed to keep straight all the characters in the Harry Potter and Lord of the Rings series. As it was, I was constantly turning back to the front of the book, where there is only a rudimentary list of characters, along with a diagram of the universe according to the Norse, something as complex as the one in Greek mythology or, for that matter, in Dante's Divine Comedy. Our heroine is a spunky, compassionate teenage girl named Maddy, born with a mark on her hand resembling one of the runes or letters of the Norse alphabet. This is seen as a curse by the townspeople, but Maddy soon learns that it is a sign of something much grander.Maddy lives in a human world where the End of the World--Ragnorak, a final, fatal war between the gods-- has already occurred. Yet this is not a futuristic post-apocalyptic world like those we normally see in books and movies, This one is set in the past, although it is difficult to discern just when. Sometime early in the Christian era, presumably. The old gods are supposedly dead.The villagers around Maddy, without their Norse gods, are followers of a new god, called the Invisible. This new religion is enforced by Inquisition-like officials. However,the reader soon learns that the book of the Word of this new god, though it may seem similar to a Christian Bible, is something quite different, something quite magical. And Maddy is soon instrumental in awakening the old gods.Enjoy!

What draws me into a book is being hooked on a comment or a visual. Runemarks has plenty. Here are two snatches of conversation."Maddy shook her head, still puzzled. "So what you're saying is....I shouldn't play with fire," she said at last. "Of course you should," said One-Eye gently. "But don't be surprised if the fire plays back."(page 35, paragraph 5) This conversation gave me a laugh. A wonderful piece of advice for Maddy as well as anyone who dances with flames."Loki waved his hand dismissively. "Gods? Don't let that impress you. Anyone can be a god if they have enough worshipers. You don't even have to have powers anymore......you peope see gods everywhere. Gives you an excuse for not thinking for yourselves." (page 102, paragraph 5) The Northern pantheon have such twists & turns, such complexities. Much more enjoyable to read about than the Greeks/Romans. I have an innate aversion to ancient Rome, to begin with. Plus, the Northern gods are much closer to my heart than any other. Even though Harris' writing drew me in within the first chapter, letting me see the world that I was reading, it took me a good few pages to find a visual I felt strong enough to share. Here it is:"But the icicles were the least of a thousand wonders that filled the cavernous hall. There were strands of filigree no thicker than a spiders' web; there were flowers of glass with leaves of frozen gauze; there were sapphires & emeralds growing out of the walls; there were acres of floor smoother than marble, fit for a million dancing princesses." (page 164, paragraph 5) This book has a permanent place on my bookshelves, with space given for the sequel "Runelight". Lovers of Northern Mythology & those who are taken by adventures similar to Hobbits & Men will enjoy this book.

A great followup to The Gospel of Loki (I recommend reading it first, as the book and the events in it are mentioned several times.) Brings to mind the character of Tiffany Aching from the Terry Pratchett books for me.

The book in itself is beautiful: the cover of this reedition is gorgeous, which is why I bought it with the excuse that 'my previous edition has a couple pages that detached themselves!!1'. That being said I wish there weren't so many typos and the like. Maybe a more thorough proofreading, dear publisher?

Mi sono interessata a Runemarks dopo aver letto The Gospel of Loki, che in realtà non è il primo della serie, ma il suo prequel. Non è semplice recensire questo libro senza fare spoiler; sembra che ogni cosa interessante riveli qualcosa che è meglio il lettore scopra da sé. L'ho trovato ben diverso da Gospel - non in maniera negativa, però - per diversi motivi: innanzi tutto è scritto in terza persona, mentre il prequel era raccontato da Loki in prima; poi il fatto che è palesemente un'opera completamente di fantasia, mentre l'altro non poteva discostarsi troppo dalle leggende originali; infine il fatto che la vera protagonista è un personaggio originale e non epico.Lo stile mi è piaciuto molto. Forse non è divertente come Gospel, ma è comunque molto scorrevole e tiene incollati alle pagine. A mano a mano che l'avventura prosegue il ritmo diventa sempre più incalzante, o almeno questa è stata la mia impressione, che non vedevo l'ora di arrivare alla fine e capire come si sarebbe risolto il casino. Molte cose mi sono sembrate ovvie; e se di certo non ci vuole un genio a indovinare chi siano personaggi che si fanno chiamare "One-Eye" o "Lucky", o anche chi in realtà fosse Maddy, la protagonista, altre cose ho l'impressione che fossero scontate per me perché avevo già letto il prequel. Non dico che questo mi abbia rovinato la lettura, però è probabile che la serie sia ancora più godibile leggendo prima Runemarks - che dopotutto è il vero e proprio inizio della serie - e forse anche Runelight, il sequel, e solo dopo "tornare indietro" a leggere The Gospel. Perlomeno, con il senno di poi, se dovessero chiedermi un consiglio suggerirei di fare così.

I'm glad I read The Gospel of Loki first. It oriented me and let me focus on the story and the wonderful writing.As for the book, it is epic! Gods, demons, Chaos, Oracle, Goblins, Clerics, Pigs... It's got it all.Maddy Smith knows she's different but she doesn't know why until One-eye comes into her life. And when she turns fourteen, she learns that the world's about to end. And unlike the last time (Ragnarok) everyone's (at least those who don't want it to) interested in not letting it end. An epic journey through the Underworld, Hel, and into Netherworld ensues. A chase and convergence of all interested parties for one final showdown.Fast and Gripping!

this was my first Joanne Harris book and I loved it. Since then I have bought the sequel. Definitely recommend.