True to the original Norse myths, this isn’t just a story of valour and other typical Gryffindorian traits but also plenty of trickery (well it does have Loki in it!), doublecrossing and manipulation – Maddy is only 14 and new to these kinds of games so she’s on a steep learning curve once she throws her lot in with the gods.

There’s nothing condescending about this book, it complements Norse mythology perfectly and encourages you to go pick up a copy of the Poetic Edda to fill in the gaps. Obviously, Harris wouldn’t let me down – so here’s a tough as nails female protagonist with NO ROMANTIC INTERESTS! Nope, Maddy’s too busy saving the worlds from being destroyed for any of that nonsense. To be honest, the only thing that even makes this book a YA is the young protagonist and absence of swearing and sex. I didn’t realise that this book has already been out for about a decade, with a multitude of beautiful covers! The best thing of all? The sequel is already available!įunnily enough, it was the cover that immediately attracted me to this book (Joanne Harris authoring it was a damn close second) and I can honestly say that I would have been sucked into reading this book by any cover edition here – whoever’s responsible for Harris’ cover design: Bravo!Īs you probably know by now, I’m not usually a fan of YA but I made exception for this book on the basis of the author, mythology and sexy cover. Now, as the Order moves further north, threatening all the Worlds with conquest and Cleansing, Maddy must finally learn the truth to some unanswered questions about herself, her parentage, and her powers.įrom the bestselling author of CHOCOLAT and THE GOSPEL OF LOKI comes a fantastical tale of magic, adventure and Norse mythology. According to One-Eye, the secretive Outlander who is Maddy’s only real friend, her ruinmark – or runemark, as he calls it – is a sign of Chaos blood, magical powers and gods know what else… But what the villagers don’t know is that Maddy has skills.

In a remote valley in the north, fourteen-year-old Maddy Smith is shunned for the ruinmark on her hand – a sign associated with the Bad Old Days. Magic is outlawed, and a new religion – the Order – has taken its place. The old Norse gods are no longer revered. It’s been five hundred years since the end of the world and society has rebuilt itself anew.

Runemarks