This is a fitting end to an historically set fantasy series. Adelais’ has journeyed far and suffered much, but her journey is not over, and while there are many who give her welcome and support. The runes speak, the runes bring protection, the runes will be heard!! And her enemies better watch out because Adelais has grown up, and she is no sleeping wolf, she now has very sharp teeth indeed. Thank you to Second Sky and NetGalley for the ARC. The views expressed are all mine, freely given.

The final book in this stunning trilogy was everything I wanted and more. The battles were won with blood, sweat, tears, pain, loss and a lot of feminine wiles.

This started a touch slow, though that may have been as much me having to get myself back into the world and story. It didn't take long before I was completely hooked and couldn't put the book down. The pace ebbed and flowed perfectly, The action scenes were exciting, and the characters engaging, I loved the rune law and the Norse mythology, the story an intriguing blend of "Vikings" and "Crusaders".

Adelais may crave a simple life, but she is destined for anything but. Not when ambitious men can use her for political gain and the gods can use her to weave fates. Her continued friendship with Agnes was beautifully portrayed, and so heartbreaking when they found themselves on opposite sides in the war.

The ending, and epilogue, were perfect, though I really wasn't ready to step away from this world, Adelais, and the people she loved. Bravo to the author for creating such an excellent story.

The source material is an inspired blend of Icelandic saga, Templar history, and Joan of Arc. That is not to say that this trilogy is a simple transposition of these elements into an altered landscape; it is very much its own story and follows its own path, so do not think its outcomes can be predicted from those source materials. It is full of strong, believable characters whose destinies interweave convincingly, and possesses a heroine of interest and complexity. Readers of Mark Lawrence or Sebastien de Castell will find much to like here. Head and shoulders above most Kindle Unlimited fare.