i made a review on my instagram a few weeks ago, but i can say that i have not read the first book and so this reading was a little bit confusing for me.

This is the second book in The Rune Song Trilogy and it continues the story of Adelais. She has been on the run and trying to stay out of the way of her enemies. She is said to be a witch, she does have powers and can use runes. This by some is considered to be heresy and so labelling her a witch gives them the excuse to kill her. The religion of the old gods and the way of the runes is frowned upon by those who follow a newer religion.

This is another fabulous chapter in this trilogy and it captures older Norse mythology and the use of runes. It is fast-paced, full of action and adventure and it is a difficult one to put down. The first book gave the background, the characters and the histories of the author's world. It laid out a complex plot but not one that is confusing for the reader. It is a fantasy story that easily slots into epic fantasy with some amazing concepts and storylines.

Adelais is now on the run, she doe shave help and in this book, she is given training to understand her powers. Given that she is quite recognisable she has also been disguising herself as a male, this means she needs to be able to act, walk and fight as one. Learning skills he is going to need in the future is something that will challenge her but also give her more control and hone her skills. She will need them...

I really like how the author includes the runes as one of the cornerstones of this story, it gives Adelais and her suspected witchcraft something that feels right. The story has a historic feel to it and brings in various aspects such as Knights Templar, medieval living, runes and mythology. This has been blended wonderfully to create a story that is packed full of action, magic, mystery and as the story continues, war.

Having different factions keeps the story constantly moving and evolving, never quite knowing what is going to happen. These different factions create doubt and mistrust and of course, adds a conspiratorial tone to the story. Who doesn't love a good bit of conspiracy and backstabbing in a story?

This is another brilliantly addictive book in the trilogy. Adelais is becoming more confident and understanding her role. It is like a coming-of-age story as she learns to adapt to who she is. If you have not read the first book then you really should as it gives the beginning, this second book is definitely building the story further and is leading nicely towards a finale and I can't wait!

A brilliant story full of action, adventure, magic, battles and conspiracy and I adored it as much as I did the first one. It is one I would definitely recommend.

Thank you to Netgalley and Second Sky in exchange for an honest review!!!
I give this 4.5 ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️.5
Runes of Battle
Reminds me of the lyrics of Heaven and Hell -Black Sabbath ( sing me a song you’re a singer.. do me a wrong.. you’re a bringer of evil)!!
Adelais is learning to be the singer of Runes! And other talents as well!
She’s on the run, the general
Ghislain Barthram is tearing the countryside looking for her.. She’s dressed like a man in disguise!
In her refuge, she learns how to handle her self with sword and armor, for protection sake, and for fitting in in a man’s world.
As her rune magic develops, she is still hunted, and most of the population don’t know what is she, is she evil or divine?
This is a great page turner! Sophomore, effort, not liking and engaged throughout!
She certainly does not run from a fight confrontation comes easy with the swing of the sword in the song of the ruins!

This is the brilliant second volume in the Rune Song trilogy. It’s always hard to review a sequel without giving too much away for anyone who hasn’t yet read the first book so I’m not going to give any details at all.
I will just say that this book has amazing world building with roots in medieval France as well as the Rune lore of the Vikings and Icelandic peoples. The author also has the gift for creating believable characters both good and bad as well those who we aren’t certain of and I really enjoyed each of their character arcs. There were definitely some surprises! I also loved the fact that we saw a lot more of the court and its politics in this book as well as the religious side of the society.
This is a fantastic epic fantasy series and I thoroughly recommend that you read Hammer of Fate and then this latest volume. I certainly can’t wait to find out how the story ends.
Many thanks to Net Galley and the publishers, Second Sky, for allowing me to read this ARC in exchange for my honest review.

Adelais needs to traverse the kingdom of Galmandie, with half the population is calling for her blood. Winter will soon be upon her and she can't keep going the way she is. She doesn't even have a decent pair of shoes and pretending to be a young man will only work so long.

Her friend Agnes is now married but her husband appears to be less interested in his wife and more interested in the workings of the court. But she still has friends and allies and she'll have to rely on them heavily in order to survive.

The Anakritis, use a former Guardians brother as bait and bend him to betray his brothers and Adelais. But they may not be as successful as they think they will be. Adelais is also entrusted with Humbert's horse, Allier.

Adelais is a woman who works tirelessly against those who would suppress her voice and her religion. She would rather be safely at home, practicing her rune song but fate has made her the face of a rebellion. Her unlikely group of allies may be ragtag and small in number but they work for a common goal.

Whilst the map at the start of the book is helpful in locating the action, my brain still inserted the action into France, which it's clearly modelled on.

Magic, mythology and religion all mix into a taut and well crafted story. Religion is not something I usually chose to read about but this is more palatable in its fictional setting - even though parts you can identify from Medieval and ancient history, and even modern day evangelism.

Really looking forward to seeing who things escalate and tie up in book 3!

Runes of Battle is the second novel in the Rune Song Trilogy, written by G.N. Gudgion, a direct sequel to the ending of Hammer of Fate. Adelais is on the run, with half of the kingdom of Galmandie prosecuting her, and the other half considering her a saint. With the winter closing, hiding in the mountains is no longer an option.

Adelais wants to continue learning how to use runes, and with that in mind, she reaches her friend Agnes looking for a refuge meanwhile she's taught by Elyse, the wise woman. Whilst in hiding, she will also learn a little about how to use a sword and how to ride a war horse, Allier, which has been a present from Humbert.
The Anakritis-General, Ghislain Bartram, has a plan to discover where the fugitives are hiding. Threatening the wellbeing of his brother, he will free a former Guardian, so he can drive the Inquisition into their hiding places; if he manages to do this, and burn Adelais as a witch, King Aloys will stop being paranoid with the former Guardian's Grand Master curse.

Pacing in this sequel is a little bit calmer, despite the tension of being captured still in the atmosphere. Adelaide improves much as a user of the rune powers, and with the help of Agnes, she even becomes a decent swordswoman (even with the limitations she might have). She's embracing the figure of the Lion, becoming a feared but revered figure by many, a sort of Joan D'Arc.

As Pateras Malory has become one of the believers in Adelais, Ghislain Bartram takes the spotlight as the main antagonist of the book. The Angel of Death manages to get information that might look like divine intervention, due to his well-kept secret of messenger pigeons. He's trying to comfort King Aloys and prove that there's no curse at all.

In general, I think this book is one step over the first novel; as we were previously introduced to the situation and the characters, there is more space for intrigue and politics (the de Remy arc is sublime), while developing the magic system more (we only had hints at the first book).
While it is true that we deviate more from canonical historical events, I find some of the scenes introduced in replacement much more enjoyable.

If you like historical fantasy and enjoyed the first book in the series, you will love Runes of Battle, as Gudgion has made an excellent job. I'm really curious to see how Adelais's story will finish in book 3.
1 like

The first book in this series was pure historical fantasy, set in a place that made me think of Middle Age France. There was action, there was a well plotted story but the fantasy side was not relevant as we got to know the characters and the setting.
This one develops the world building giving us more details about the magical system and how Adelais is learning to use and govern it.
If the first novel made me think of the alt history novels by Guy Gavriel Kay, this one is made me think ot some novels in Gemmels Legend saga and Stephen Aryan's Quest for Heroes.
G.N. Gudgion is good storytelling and I'm sure that this author will write good sagas and deliver intriguing characters.
Those in this book are already well done and rounded.
Highly recommended.
Many thanks to Second Sky for this ARC, all opinions are mine

Sometimes the second book in a trilogy will be little more than a transition from a great opening to a thrilling close. Runes of Battle suffers no such fate.

Adelais is on the run. When she thinks she’s alone, no help, no resources, things look bleak. Anakritim are leaving no stone unturned in their quest to capture her, often just a jump or two behind her, and she is far from home.

But hope is not lost. She is able to find shelter at an out-of-the-way hunting lodge that belongs to her friend Agnes, now married to Lord de Fontenay. There she finds rest and training, both in swordcraft and in the rune magic that runs in her veins.

Even though there are parts of the story that are calmer than others, Gudgion writes them in such a way that the tension of potential capture always pulls things along. Adelais is never truly safe, and it is in the moments when she starts to think she can breathe that danger catches up to her.

Adelais has the opportunity to learn more about her rune magic from Elyse. I’m fascinated by the Norse mythology underlying the story, and I enjoyed reading more about Adelais’ powers and seeing her start to grow into them. II appreciated that the story allowed her time to grow stronger, both physically and magically, before whatever trials she’ll face in the third book.

The book offers food for thought about organized religion and the all-too-human politics that can sometimes be found at work there. We see a lot more interaction between the religious rulers and the secular, and see how they’re working together to go against someone who could actually be blessed by their god, if they’d just stop to see it. It also raises the question of whether a god Adelais doesn’t claim faith in can use her for his own reasons, which is interesting. Goodness knows God used lots of folks who didn’t believe in Him in the Bible.

Trust and betrayal, growth and change, magic and mystery. The book is chock full of them all. What does the rest of the story hold for Adelais? Will she be the lightning that the runes foretold, the fate weaver her country has been looking for? Bring on book three and let’s find out!

I thoroughly enjoyed "Hammer of Fate"
So for this sequel I just couldn't wait!
It doesn't disappoint, had me totally engaged
As Adelais flees and battles are raged.

Adelais hones skills like sword fighting that she may need
As well as more rune singing to help her and her friends succeed.
Is she a witch or someone to save everyone at last?
Opinions vary as news spreads of her and the lightning blast...

An epic adventure is underway again.
A journey where there's danger and risk of pain.
Where will it take her and who will she meet?
Will it be friends or foes that she'll greet?

Another epic adventure to keep you turning pages
As the search for Adelais, the king further enrages.
Now I can't wait for the finale, book three.
And if you read this book I'm sure you'll agree.

For my complementary copy of this book, I say thank you,
As I share with you this, my honest review.

This book was delightful, entertaining and just all around a good time.

I loved the different perspectives the book was written; from our main character to the struggling-with-his-morals priest and the oh-I-dislike-you-so-much Pateras.

I really thought this book was going to be less action, more rune talk but boy was I surprised. The action was amped the gore was multiplied and the overall character growth was phenomenal.

This book really has taken over my mind and now I am dying to know what happens next.

In trilogies, the second book is frequently a transition book in which the main character goes from their beginning place to their final destination. And that is Runes of Battle. I liked how Adelais' trip is enriched by her time spent learning martial skills and rune magic. Gudgion, though, makes it as fast-paced as the rest of the trilogy by moving to scenes with the adversary, so the reader knows Adelae’s could be found at any time.
I also thoroughly enjoyed understanding how rune magic works. As much as I enjoy all forms of magic, rune magic is frequently cloaked in mystery.
However, this story defines and describes it in such a way that I have a clear comprehension of its foundation and application.
Adelia’s promises to pay attention to her wolf guides and ravens this time. She takes a break with her friend Lady Agnes, who is married to Leander de Fontenay. Adelia’s uses his time in hiding in a tiny castle on their holdings to learn how to fight with a sword and ride Allier, a war trained destrier given to him by Humber Blanc. Humbert is the Guardians' leader and a father figure to her. Adelia’s has grown to respect him.
She had no idea that her voyage will bring her and her companions within King Aloys's reach. Is it terrible luck, bad judgement, or divine intervention?
The people are split on whether Adelia’s is a "witch or Blessed One, wreaking the righteous?" Elyse, the Castellan's wife, who travels with Adelais due to unforeseen circumstances, gives her some advice.
She is always on the run, seeking to be left alone to pursue her destiny, which appears to be based on conflict and battle. This becomes especially clear as the runes come to life and the fights enacted become legendary.
Her fantasies about the figure on the red horse come true. Adelaide will face the reality of her power. The stage is set for what is to follow. I'm as perplexed as Adelais about what comes next. A mediaeval fantasy series that had me gripped, flicking pages, and wholly engrossed!
#Bookreview #booktour #RunesofBattle #Fantasy

I enjoyed this book. It picks up shortly after book one. It allows the characters to grow while still moving the plot along. A feat that many middle books fail at. We are. Also introduced to a few new characters that help round out the overall worldview. I would definitely recommend this book, just be sure to read book one?

Thank you to Second Sky and Netgalley for the arc.

'The Order were untainted by the hierarchy's venality and so become inconvenient; no high priest wants his soldiers to be purer than the priesthood.'

This fantasy novel is the second in the Rune Song trilogy. I've not read the first book but I was very pleasantly surprised at how well this novel was able to get new readers up to speed with who the main characters are and what had come before without resorting to info dumping. It felt like a seamless continuation but also a new story (although I would like to read the first book having enjoyed this).

It's an interesting setting. A medieval land in a time of knights and chivalry and drawing on the real history of the fall of the Knights Templar.
Our MC, Adelais, is on the run from the priesthood of the kingdom of Galmandie.

She will need help from her friend Lady Agnes, and Agnes' uncle, hunted knight Humbert Blanc, among others if she is to survive and escape north to her home country of Vriesland, a land at odds with the powerful religion in the south.
Adelais and her family belong to a Nordic race and practice Seidhr, the sourcerous rune magic of the Norse mythology.
The power comes from the carving of runes and the chanting and singing of the rune spells. It's a fascinating use of magic in a fantasy novel and quite subtle in places but I loved how the power manifested to help Adelais survive.

Adelais is a resourceful and sympathetic main character, well written and believable. I was invested in her predicament and rooting for her throughout.

This author was new to me and I was thoroughly impressed. A well thought out plot and fantasy world. It slowed down in one part where Adelais is undertaking some training but most of the time it's exciting and kept me turning the pages.

Danger, adventure, knights, sword fights and horse battles, mysterious wolves and evil priests, politics at court and the power of religion, old magic versus the inquisition, mysterious runes and the power of song. Listen, those are the runes of battle.

A satisfying conclusion and a promise of great things for the third in the trilogy.

I was super excited to continue Adelais’ story and Runes of Battle did not disappoint! I love all the different points of view, especially with this ’cat and mouse’ type plot. It really made me anxious and on the edge of my seat.

The setting with medieval knights and the church and the opposing rune magic is excellent. I love all the details, they give more depth without overpowering the story. The story is filled with action but also friendship and found family vibes.

I just love the main character Adelais. She really gets to show her badassery in this book! And there are so many great characters in this series/book. They are complex and varied, which really broadens the story.

I ended up devouring this book in one day. Really enjoyed it and can’t wait for the next one!

I received a free digital copy of “ Runes of Battle” by G. N. Gudgion through Net Galley. My thanks to the publisher, author and Net Galley.

It was easy to become immersed in the expansive fantasy world imaginatively created by the author. From the first pages, which introduces the reader to the main character, Adelis , who is at the center of action. She is on the run, disguised as a male, hiding from those who would kill or capture her because she is, in the view of her enemies, a witch. Since I joined the tale without reading the first volume, I wasn’t exactly sure of her backstory, but as I read on, Adelis’ s world and her place in became apparent.
The land is ruled by a tyrant and his judicious/ religious apparat. They have proscribed Adelis, and anyone who follows her, as heretics. Adelis has the power to manipulate ancient runes , to connect deeply with nature and to communicate spiritually with distant mentors. Call her a Druid or mage , she is an intriguing main character.
The weight and power of the tyrants is about to be spread over the land. The high priest/ torturer gives a long imprisoned rebel an offer he cannot refuse: turn informer or his family will be thrown into the flames before his eyes. The idea is for him to draw Adelis into a trap where she can be tortured to reveal what the plot against throne and then all rebellion ended. So it is one woman, with magical help from her spiritual guide against all enemies. The machinations of the plot as it twists and turn are amazing. Battle scenes are epic affairs of armored knights and flashing runic fires and demon horses- quite thrilling to read. In fact, the book is and epic fantasy of the best kind- one that takes the reader into a looming dangerous landscape with a hero who faces all that her enemies can conjure with her own powers.
I plan to go back and read volume one so I get the plot line more clearly in mind. I should note that it took me a while to get the nature of the world scape in hand. Place names and character names were sort of Druidish or fae/ elfin : many l’s and y’s and g’s - hard to mentally pronounce and remember.
Never mind: it is a heroic fantasy in the grand scale and very well conceived and written. A good series in the making.

This eARC was provided to me through Netgalley.com and I am providing an unbiased review.

This is the second book in the Rune Song Trilogy and continues the tale after the first book. I was not a huge fan of the first book, but I wanted to see where the author would take us in continuing this journey. Again this was written telling the story from the viewpoint of at least three people (a style I do not care for) and for me, the beginning was hard to get involved with in reading. I place some of that blame on me due to my preferences of single-person versus multi-sided tellings. I felt lost and had to put it aside for awhile. Coming back to it a second and third time, I just could not keep myself interested in the tale.

I am only giving this story a 3-star rating due to that I did not finish it. I did somewhat enjoy the first book, and feel this could be a good tale if only I could stay focused on the tale, and not how it is being told.

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 in 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, and 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

No rest for the rune song singer!

Adelais is on the run heading for Vriesland. She needs to escape and learn how to control her rune song usage.
The Anakritis-General, Ghislain Barthram has people looking for her, following her trail and secretly notifying him by homing pigeons. The secret of which he keeps close, not wanting others to learn of this simple method of communication, relying on subterfuge to muddy the waters of truth.
This time Adelais vows to take notice of her wolf guides and the ravens. She takes some respite with her friend Lady Agnes married to Leander de Fontenay. Whilst in hiding in a small castle on their lands Adelais takes the opportunity to learn how to fight with a sword, and ride the war trained destrier, Allier, a present from Humber Blanc. Humbert is the leader of the Guardians, and like a father to her. A man Adelais has come to admire.
She never imagines her journey will take her and her companions within the reach of King Aloys. Foul luck, bad judgement, or ordained by the Gods?
The population is divided as to whether Adelais is a “witch or Blessèd One, wreaking the righteous vengeance of the God.”
Adelais’ rune magic is developing. She is given some instruction by the wise woman, Elyse, the Castellan’s wife, who through dire circumstances journeys onward with Adelais.
Always on the run, wanting to be left to search out her destiny, which paradoxically seem to lie on confrontation and fighting. Particularly evident as the runes come alive and the battles enjoined are the stuff of legends.
Her dreams of the figure on the red horse ring true. Adelais will confront the truth of her power. The stage is set for what will come. I’m as puzzled as Adelais as to what’s next.
This second novel in the Rune Song trilogy garners the same energy as the first.
A medieval fantasy series that has me on the edge of my seat, flipping pages, fully engaged!

A Second Sky ARC via NetGalley.
Many thanks to the author and publisher.
Please note: Quotes taken from an advanced reading copy maybe subject to change
(Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.)

Sometimes a book comes along that reminds me so strongly of why I love reading that I actually get a bit tearful (happy tearful!). The first book in this series ("Hammer of Fate") was one of those books, and "Runes of Battle" had the same effect. I don't know why everyone isn't shouting about G.N. Gudgion's writing, the awesomeness of Adelais, and this world that is going to be so hard to leave behind at the end of book 3. If you haven't at least read the first book yet, you're missing something special.

My thanks to the author, publisher, and NetGalley. This review was written voluntarily and is entirely my own, unbiased, opinion.

I absolutely love to discover new worlds and new people. This story does not disappoint in any way. The action keeps going, with great descriptions. It made me feel like I was there. This story kept me up late two nights. I had to keep reading, and I can’t wait for the next one. That was the only twinge of disappointment I had. You are left with a sense f great anticipation. What more is waiting for me to discover in volume three.