Readers who enjoyed Runes of the Dokkrsdottir, book one in the Outside the Thalsparr series, are not going to want to miss Rune of Renewal by Bjorn Leesson. Rune of Renewal continues the story of Myrgjol and her descendants. Readers who enjoy historical fiction mixed with fantasy and some paranormal elements will eagerly devour this book as it is action-packed and will keep you on the edge of your seat.
Rune of Renewal by Bjorn Leesson sets the stage with its cover decked out in blue. Set against the night sky, Rune of Renewal clues readers into the time period which this book will be taking place. In the foreground is an old-school military plane most known for its usage during the era of World War II. Behind the plane is a bank of clouds spread across the sky. The clouds give the appearance of either a storm breaking up or a storm brewing as the sky is clear behind them with the full moon rising.
Rune of Renewal kicks things off with readers reconnecting with the main character, Myrgjol as she is resurrected yet again. The era is different (as readers are clued in with the warplane on the cover). Myrgjol is meeting a new collective of grandchildren and relations with this latest restoration to the world. She hasn’t been gone for hundreds of years this time, but already much has changed.
Author Leesson sets the stage in Rune of Renewal with Myrgjol as she is greeted by a friendly face, but it doesn’t take Myrgjol long to start provoking one of her relations. Unintentionally at first, of course, but once she sees how her antics irritate her relative…well, it’s intentional all the way. But what can you expect when you put two strong-willed women in the same room? There is bound to be some friction, though Myrgjol finds a healthy amount of amusement in it.
In the first few chapters of Rune of Renewal, author Leesson lays out the things that have transpired in the past 50 or so years since Runes of the Dokkrsdottir closed, and readers witnessed the death of Myrgjol. When readers learn the specific year that Myrgjol has returned, it’s easy to guess what events are heading her way that she will have to be party to.
Of course, in Rune of Renewal, author Leesson makes a point of letting readers know that Myrgjol has a lot to learn essentially. Technology has advanced quite a bit since the 1800s, and so she has some catching up to do. While she may be able to learn and understand languages quickly, understanding her current relative, Rebecca, is a trial in and of itself. Readers will get the sense that there is some friction even between the siblings, as this is highlighted frequently throughout the book. The meaning behind it will eventually be explained.
Rune of Renewal continues the storyline that Myrgjol is still needed because the Darkness is rising. Those who choose to follow the Dark are still hunting down the artifacts and similar items that they need in order to help unleash it on the world. Myrgjol is the only one who can help quell it and stop it from being set loose to cause mass destruction around the world. The backdrop of World War II is utilized by the author to help the evil mask its true intentions and its more targeted movements.
Told from the third person point of view, Rune of Renewal continues Myrgjol’s story but throws things into a higher gear. Runes of the Dokkrsdottir had several engaging moments, but Rune of Renewal is packed with drama, action, and situations that will keep readers page-turning to find out what happens next.
Rune of Renewal stays laser-focused on Myrgjol and the mining company that was founded with the Originals that she met back in the 1800s. The mining company has been made into a legitimate business that has thrived over the years. But while the mining company has been made into a true business, it is also a front for Myrgjol’s descendants to conduct business in watching the Thule and thwarting them when possible.
Throughout this book, author Leesson throws twists and surprises left, right, and center. Readers will walk into this novel with the hope of Myrgjol reuniting with those she met years ago and bonded with. What readers will find will be a mixed bag of disappointment, and feelings of expectation. Meaning that readers will feel that the story is going to take a certain path, and find that this is exactly how it plays out.
Myrgjol still carries both the Light and the Dark inside of her. Rune of Renewal, however, will mark a forced change that will create a shift in the dynamics of her abilities. In Runes of the Dokkrsdottir, we weren’t the biggest fans of Myrgjol’s drinking to excess. We understood her usage to control the dark side, but it seemed to be a constant thing. In this story, author Leesson pushes her to handle it another way – with help, of course.
Rune of Renewal is a literal whirlwind of action, chaos, drama, and surprises. Author Leesson has World War II break out, and utilizes the Germans to pursue the hunt for artifacts to release dark Valkyries and similar entities into the world. Rune of Renewal is a race against the clock to stop them and to capture the relics to keep them out of the hands of those who would abuse them.
When we picked this book up, we were hard-pressed to put it down. It’s that good. Author Leesson kept us glued to the pages to find out what was going to happen next. When Myrgjol is forced to face off against dangerous creations we are on the edge of our seats wondering if she will be strong enough to stand against them.
Similar to Runes of the Dokkrsdottir, Myrgjol is not spared from heartbreak or loss in Rune of Renewal. The difference this time? Where in book one, Myrgjol lost someone here and there, in book two…it comes like a scythe sweeping through a wheat field. Yes, author Leesson goes for a few jaw-dropping moments in Rune of Renewal and succeeds in getting them handily.
Rune of Renewal is an epic page-turner that weaves together historical fiction with hints of fantasy/paranormal. Author Leesson stays true to the era by providing as much accurate detail as possible. Whether the details are war-focused, or simply reminders of the racial divisions of the era, you are hard-pressed to forget that the setting of this book is in the time of the 1940s.
Author Leesson took Rune of Renewal and ran with it. This book is a fantastic addition to the Outside the Thalpsarr series. This novel’s ending will leave readers wondering where things go from here, but where this series goes next, it will be worth checking out. Readers who enjoy historical fiction with a touch of fantasy will absolutely want to check out this story of a Viking woman fighting against evil across time.
You can read our review for Runes of Dokkrsdottir here.
Pros:
- Engaging storyline
- Page-turner
- Action-packed
- Full of twists and surprises
- Dynamic cast of characters
Cons:
- None of merit
Scribble's Worth 