Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for granting me free access to the advanced digital copy of this book.
4 stars book from me. Loved the plot and the storytelling in Legacy of the Runes and relatable, likable characters,. Loved every single second reading it.

3.7 Stars
One Liner: Slow-paced but entertaining

When Storm Berger’s younger sister, Maddie, disappears, he blames himself for it and decides to travel back in time to search for her. After all, it’s not the first time someone in their family has time-traveled.
Freydis was her father’s pet and was raised like a boy. However, his death changed her life. At eighteen, she has no freedom and has been offered to a tyrant as a bride. She needs to find a way out. Meeting Storm gives her hope but will he be the one to help her?
The story comes in the third-person POV of Strom and Freydis.

My Thoughts:
So, this is the last book of the series and reads perfectly well as a standalone. I didn’t read any of the previous books. It didn’t make any difference in following this one.
The process of time travel is explained well but kept brief. This isn’t the first time someone in the MMC’s family has done it (the previous books belong to the other characters who went back in time).
Freydis’s character arc is very well done. She is a combination of confidence and vulnerability, naïve but eager to learn. Her thoughts and actions fit her age (eighteen).
Storm’s character is good as well. I did find it a bit off at times that he was just twenty-one but tried not to let it bother me. Some of his actions align with his impulsive nature but he has enough endearing qualities to make up for it.
Joalf is a great side character. I loved his role in the FMC’s life. Sutr, the raven is my favorite, of course! A raven that talks and loves treats? Sign me up!
The dialogue was a bit off at times. Nothing major but I did wonder a few times if that’s how they talked back then.
The setting is great. I could visualize the rocky buildings, the cliffs, the seaside, and the wintry chill that seeps into the bones. Brrr! Freezing!
The romance is decent with some sprinkle of external threat and a bit of miscommunication thrown in. While there is no explicit third-act breakup, there is some tension. It aligns with their characters, so I didn’t mind it much.
The book ends with an epilogue for the series. This might be the only part where readers like me may feel overwhelmed with all the names and details. Since we don’t have to remember any of it, that’s fine.
There’s a bonus short story too, a quick piece for another person from the same family and involves the time-traveling love story. You can read it or skip it. I read it.
To summarize, Legacy of the Runes is an entertaining romance with two characters bonding across different centuries and finding love with each other.
Thank you, NetGalley and Headline Review, for eARC. This review is voluntary and contains my honest opinion about the book.

I loved Christina Courtenay's book Shadows in the Ashes, which featured a dual timeline – the present day and the time of the Romans. I was keen on read more of her work, so although this is the final book of six in the Runes series, I was looking forward to Legacy of the Runes. Although it would probably be best to read them in order, this is my first and I could follow everything easily, as anything important was explained.
Legacy of the Runes is a dual timeline/time travel novel set in the present day and the time of the Vikings, beginning in the Orkney Islands in AD 875.
The present day is Dublin, 2021. We meet twenty-year-old Storm Berger during the Clontarf Viking Festival in Ireland. Hid father is Haakon, his mother is Mia. During the festivities, Storm’s younger sister Maddie, 19, disappears.
Nearly 5 months later, Storm is in Stockholm, 2021and finds out his foster-brother Ivar (34) has gone too, apparently trying to time-travel to the 9th Century to meet his ancestor Thorald. Could Maddie have time travelled too? Storm goes back in time – as Storm Haakonarson – to look for her.
Meanwhile in AD 875, we meet eighteen-year-old Freydis Ulfsdottir, who is being looked after by her mother’s cousin Assur and his wife Gyrid, along with her mentor and protector Joalf - after her mother sent her away to please her husband. Freydis is strong-willed, determined and feisty. She doesn’t want to get married and do housework, she wants to be a fighter. Soon an arranged marriage is proposed, she must marry Ingolf Gunnarsson, who seems to have no redeeming features whatsoever.
I’m not telling you any more of the plot, as I really recommend you read the book for yourself and find out what happens. Christina has a beautiful way of writing and her characters are wonderful. I loved both Storm and Freydis and hoped they would find happy endings.
I don’t know much about the Viking period, but I really felt I learned a lot through reading this and being immersed in the time. It is all obviously very well-researched, it feels incredibly authentic and atmospheric. It’s also very accessible and an easy book to get into; I was hooked in the first chapter.
I really recommend this book. My all-time favourite novel is Outlander by Diana Gabaldon, which I read when it was called Cross Stitch. This has a similar feel to it with the time travel element, but is also completely unique as Christina has her own style and a beautiful distinctive voice to her writing.

This last book concludes the Viking-inspired time travel stories that make up this evocative and immersive series. Storm seeks a means of time-travelling back into the ninth-century world of Vikings to search for his missing younger sister, Madison. It's an enthralling series, and this is a fitting finale. I enjoyed the storytelling, the supernatural time-travelling elements and the detailed historical culture and settings. The powerful love story shines through and makes this an enjoyable read.

I received a copy of this book from the publisher.

As I cracked open "Legacy of the Runes," the final instalment in Christina Courtenay's Runes series, I was excited to immerse myself in a tale that promised romance, adventure, and a touch of history. Although I hadn't read the previous books, I found this novel surprisingly accessible—as a standalone, it gripped my attention right from the start.
The premise revolves around Storm Berger, a young man burdened by guilt over his sister Maddie's mysterious disappearance. Determined to find her, he embarks on a thrilling journey back to the ninth century, armed with a Viking axe head as his portal to the past. His character intrigued me from the outset; despite being only twenty-one, he exuded a blend of bravery and impulsiveness that kept the story dynamic.
On the other side of the timeline is Freydis, a spirited young woman caught in a dire situation—promised to a tyrant against her will. Raised as her father’s only child, she is remarkably headstrong, and her character development felt genuine as she navigated the complexities of her new reality. How Freydis balances confidence with vulnerability makes her relatable, especially as she grapples with her fate. I appreciated how the author captured her youthful eagerness to break free and learn, which rang true for her age.
The chemistry between Storm and Freydis sizzled with promise; their encounter was both unexpected and electrifying—each offered the other hope and a chance at liberation. However, I did notice moments where the dialogue felt slightly anachronistic, making me wonder if it fit the historical context. Still, the way their relationship unravelled, decorated with external threats and a hint of miscommunication, kept me engaged without becoming overly dramatic.
What truly captured my imagination was the vivid setting. Courtenay’s descriptions of the rocky landscapes, wind-swept cliffs, and wintry chill created an atmospheric backdrop that felt palpable. I could almost feel the icy breeze and hear the crashing waves, which added depth to both the characters' struggles and the unfolding romance.
A delightful side character, Joalf, provided emotional support for Freydis, while my ultimate favourite had to be Sutr, the whimsical talking raven. He brought much-needed levity and charm to the narrative.
While I found the pacing to be slow at times, it allowed for rich character development and exploration of their thoughts and emotions, making our protagonists’ eventual bond feel well-earned. However, the last few chapters felt slightly packed, especially with the epilogue that introduced many names and details—this might overwhelm readers unfamiliar with the series.
In summary, "Legacy of the Runes" is an entertaining blend of romance and adventure that successfully spans centuries. The emotional depth, richly drawn characters, and stunning historical detail create a tapestry that makes this book an engaging read. Christina Courtenay has a talent for evoking both the heart and the spirit of the Viking era.

Last in the series featuring time travelling to Viking times. Interesting story with good characters,very informative.

When Storm Berger's sister Maddie goes missing Storm suspects that she has time travelled back to Iceland in the ninth century. Desperate to find her, Storm embarks on a time travel journey himself only to discover that he is stranded on a remote island in a small Viking community. Storm soon finds himself immersed in the life of the island and also becomes increasingly attracted to Freydis, a feisty young woman who is soon to be married to a dangerous and vindictive man. What then follows is a fascinating time-slip adventure which looks at love, and life, in this Viking period.

There is no doubt that the author has done her research as the ninth century world flourishes in stories which brings to life small Viking communities. Everything feels wonderfully authentic with danger never being far away and yet there is also a glimpse of family life and the complexity of relationships when one partner comes from a very different time. The time-slip element has been done well and whilst each story has been different, and can be read comfortably as a standalone, for those familiar with the series there is also lovely sense of continuity with glimpses of characters from previous novels.

Legacy of the Runes concludes this wonderful time-slip series and I am quite sorry to say goodbye to the characters which linger in the imagination. These stories have all been an absolute delight to read and Legacy of the Runes certainly allows the series to finish with a flourish.

I absolutely adore Christina’s Runes series and am sad that this is the final book. I would love to revisit the family in a few years to see how they are all getting on in the ninth century!

As soon as I started the book I was transported back to the Viking world.

Storm feels responsible that his younger sister disappeared without trace a few months ago, but the family is known to time travel and he is convinced that is what she has done. Finding his own magical object he travels back to the ninth century to find her and make sure she is ok.

We travel with Storm as he quickly settles into his new life, saving a girl from marriage to a particularly nasty man, and accidentally finding himself married.

I just love Christina’s writing which completely absorbs me, and I love reading about life in the ninth century. I enjoyed seeing the dramatic difference with how we live now through the eyes of a woman Storm brings back to our time too! We take so much for granted.

I’ve thoroughly enjoyed every book in this series and am excited to read what Christina writes next.

Rating: 3.5 stars out of five

Content warnings: Scenes of battle (non-graphic), scenes of birth (non-graphic), parental abandonment, mentions of a villainous character’s previous wives having taken their own life.

This book is the finale of Courtenay’s Runes series, following a family who find themselves able to time travel to the Viking age via magical artefacts. It does serve a purpose of drawing their wider story to a close – but, as with Whispers of the Runes, it works perfectly well as a standalone.

Apart from the fact I really enjoyed Courtenay’s previous book, another thing that drew me to reviewing Legacy was the fact that the time traveller in this was twentysomething male Storm Berger – unlike most other books in the timeslip genre, where the time traveller is female.

This meant the book instantly had a fresh perspective – even more so when you consider how Storm is far more aware of time travel than other protagonists, due to his family’s experiences. As much as I love a fish out of water trope (something this book also had), I was pleasantly surprised to see Storm prepare so meticulously for his trip to the past – for example, buying heaps of metal bangles to use as currency.

Though Storm comes to the Viking age with one clear goal in mind – locating his sister – that’s soon upended when he is rescued from a skirmish by the nonconforming Freydis.

Freydis is an outlier from the beginning – a young woman who’s more at home on the battlefield than as a potential wife. Freydis isn’t just a “strong female character” who’s in this book for the sake of it, but whose personality has clear roots in both her late father, and her surrogate father figure, Joalf.

There is a degree of mutual pining between Storm and Freydis from the start – despite the fact that Freydis is engaged and Storm here for other reasons. It extends through a good portion of the first act, but one stand out moment occurs when Freydis encounters Storm bathing in the sea – think Colin Firth emerging from the lake in Pride and Prejudice!

For his part, Storm is drawn to Freydis via a combination of happenstance and chivalry. Those two things are also what send both characters tumbling from close platonic acquaintances into a marriage of convenience – my first exposure to this trope. Though I feel that part of Storm and Freydis’ relationship was done well, I personally felt like they went from friends to true lovers a bit too quickly – meaning I wasn’t begging for them to get together as much as I was with Sara and Rurik in Whispers. It also sometimes meant that Storm seemed to forget that he had travelled in order to find Maddie.

However, one part where I definitely think the romance plot succeeded was in how it developed Storm and Freydis individually. In the modern day, Storm sees relationships as fun, but Freydis awakens a protective desire in him, and a deep integration in Viking culture, both of which he didn’t expect.

Freydis, meanwhile, learns to soften her heart to the concept of a relationship – though her constant wondering about whether Storm loved her did get annoying, I did enjoy seeing this usually unflappable warrior blushing to within an inch of her life!

Both Freydis and Storm were also sources of much of the humour that’s sprinkled throughout the book. Storm does not mince his words when it comes to his opinion of Freydis’ mother (something I’m inclined to agree with). And then there were all the instances of Freydis adjusting to the modern day – it was fascinating to see things that we take for granted, like car travel, from a Viking perspective.

As with Courtenay’s previous books, the setting is supremely well researched. Storm travels around several Viking settlements – and each one is described vividly, as are the day to day cultures and interactions.

This instalment in the series also carries forward the strength of the supporting cast. Joalf trains Freydis in fighting without question when she’s young, and that respect continues as she grows into a woman. There’s also another loveable animal companion in Freydis’ raven Sutr.

Though Freydis’ father has passed away years prior to the book’s beginning, his advice to her – “Take charge of your own destiny” — weaves itself throughout Legacy of the Runes.

Storm and Freydis find themselves breaking away from the expected paths to be with those they love. This joins their stories with those of Storm’s other family members, perhaps even more than the time travel – and though their wider story has come to an end, the bonus material at the end of the book hints that there may be more left to explore.

Legacy of the Runes may not be as complete as an individual marriage of convenience story, but for fans of the Runes series, this book provides a fitting farewell.

Madison disappeared during a visit to Dublin for a Viking re-enactment – and if you read Tempted by the Runes, you’ll know that she found herself in the ninth century, on a ship bound for Iceland. Her brother Storm is very familiar with the whole concept of time travel through the experiences of others in his family – and feels particularly guilty that, when she vanished, he was supposed to have been looking after her. He needs to know that she’s safe and well, and she’s distinctive enough – tall, with a mane of red hair – that he hopes he’ll be able to track her down. So, this time, it’s a visit he can prepare for – tracking down the inscribed axe he needs to make his journey, sorting out his wardrobe and weapons, ensuring he has the silver to hand to pay his way – but, on arrival, he’s rather sidetracked when he encounters the lovely Freydis.

Having been banished by her mother after the death of her father, she’s promised in marriage to a man with a fearful reputation – and, although her father brought her up with an unusual ability to fight for herself, there seems no way of escaping her fate. Until Storm – and they’ve been particularly attracted to each other – comes up with the perfect solution of marrying her himself. But, of course, her former husband-to-be won’t let her go without a fight – and then there’s the small matter of needing to find passage to Iceland to continue his search for Madison.

This was a strong and convincing love story, nicely emotional as Freydis questions Storm’s commitment and love for her, while he shows an unexpected depth of character in fighting for what he believes in. Both individuals are exceptionally likeable and beautifully drawn as we share their doubts and fears – and I especially liked Freydis’ fierceness, learning new fighting skills from her 21st century teacher to add to those taught by her father and reinforced by her faithful mentor. There’s the same depth of detail and research to the depiction of ninth century life (the blacksmithing, the weaving, the challenges in securing the materials to repair a boat…) that there was in all the other books in the series, with a well-drawn supporting cast – it’s a world I felt entirely part of for as long as I was reading – and more than a few well written moments of drama. There’s also an intriguing and timely excursion to the present day, when Freydis discovers the pleasures of chocolate, Coke and being called “baby”. And a nice heat to the story too, really well handled throughout – the way the attraction between Storm and Freydis developed into rather more was something I could really feel, and very much enjoyed.

But this book is the last – and as the conclusion to a long-running series, it really couldn’t have been better. If you’ve read the others, there’s an opportunity to discover the continuing stories of the other characters who’ve delighted along the way, with all the remaining threads tied in the neatest of bows – which made it considerably easier to say “enough” and set this one aside with a satisfied sigh. However uncomfortable you think you might be with the idea of time travel, especially to the Viking age, this series – with its extraordinary world-building and storytelling – is one I’d very much recommend to all, and I’ve loved every step of the journey.

(Review also copied to Amazon UK, but link not yet available)

I'm reviewing this via NetGalley, as part of a tour with Rachel's Random Resources.

This is the final book in the Runes series, and after finishing it, I do wish I had read the previous books too, as I enjoyed reading this as a standalone.

The story had a time travel element, so part of it took place in the Viking era, and part of it took place closer to the present day. Storm was a great protagonist; I found him very charismatic, and I really liked his energy.

The writing style wasn't too elaborate, but told a fast-paced, entertaining story. It was an awesome time-travelling adventure, and I enjoyed the romantic element of the storyline too.

Thank you to NetGalley, Rachel's Random Resources, and to the author and publisher, for the opportunity to read and review this.

Another gripping and intriguing novel by Christina Courtenay, the Queen of Travel Time to Viking Age Romance, the Empress of Travelling to Another Era and How-to-learn-about-Viking-Everyday-Life
I travelled in time and space reading these novels, met people from a different historical time and who more sophisticated than most of the people of the Dark Age.
There was a moment when I realised, I was reading about people who live at the time of Charlemagne, and I was immersed in their life and their stories.
This is as entertaining and compelling as the other, I loved the relationship between Storm and Freydis and was glad to catch up with the other characters.
Maybe one day I will find a magical artifact who will make me travel back in time and meet a fascinating guy from another age. I hope it will also reduce my anagraphical age as the average age was around 50 and I could be dead and it would quite unfortunate.
All this blah blah to avoid the sad news that I had to say goodbye and it left me with a serious case of book hangover.
I learned a lot about Viking and their everyday life, this a well researched series and I loved the historical side, the humour, and the great characters.
Goodbye Rune series, welcome to the next
Highly recommended.
Many thanks to Headline and Rachel’s Random Resources for this ARC, all opinions are mine

It was wonderful to return to the Viking era, but it was also bittersweet knowing that this was probably my final visit. I have absolutely adored my trips to the ninth century; I have loved them all.
This time, we are following Storm, whose sister Madison disappeared when he was supposed to be watching her when their family visited Dublin. Storm is sure that she has somehow managed to find her way back in time. If you’ve read the rest of this series, you’ll already know that Storm’s family have also travelled back.
There was a different feel to this story as Storm had planned his visit with the finest detail and planned for each eventuality, or so he thought. What he could never have envisaged was meeting Freydis and becoming captivated by her. However, their meeting was just the start of this wonderful story that I inhaled in just a couple of sittings.
Storm is a terrific character, and from his appearances in earlier stories, he always seemed unfocused and more interested in a good time than taking responsibility for his actions. The shock of losing Madison was the catalyst for his development into a man.
Freydis is a sympathetic character. Her father's death devastated her and started a sequence of events that would lead to her being discovered by Storm and needing to fight for her freedom. Thankfully, her father didn’t raise her to be helpless, and she has plenty of tricks up her sleeves.
Christina Courtenay creates and develops her characters and settings with such accurate imagination and thorough research that I could almost feel the biting cold and the heated attraction between Freydis and Storm. I do recall briefly meeting Freydis in an earlier book and wondering what had happened to her. I should have known that her story would be completed and not left as a loose thread.
Legacy of the Runes is the perfect conclusion to this gorgeous series, and I can wholeheartedly recommend them all. The romance is beautifully described and had me, once again, dreaming of my own Viking.

Once again, Christina Courtenay has transported me through time to a world that feels more than real. I read the book in a weekend and stayed up late to finish it, caught up in intrigue and conspiracies as the backdrop to Storm and Freydis falling in love. The authenticity of this author's historical settings are outstanding and to keep up the standard through so many books is amazing.

I can only recommend that you read this absorbing, energising novel for yourself.

The final book in the runes series and Christina Courtenay takes us out with a captivating insight into the 9th Century.
Storm hasn't forgiven himself for the night his sister Maddie disappeared so sets out on a quest to time travel to Iceland in a bid to find her.
AD897 and Freydis has been banished to a cousins settlement by her Mother. Betrothed to Ingolf she wishes she could escape.
The God's collude so Storm and Freydis paths meet.
I've loved this whole series, it's obvious how much research has gone into the writing of this novel. It brings to life the viking period. Its raw and genuine and very descriptive.

What a wonderfully satisfying end to the Runes series by Christina Courtenay! Storm and Freydis's story combines all the romance, adventure and fascinating historical detail that we have come to expect from Christina's captivating Viking time travel series. Storm is an irresistible hero well-matched with Freydis, who is strong, resolute and kind. The attraction between the two is as hot as the love story is tender and it's beautifully written. I loved watching them get to know one another and fall in love. Joalf was also a great character but my heart was stolen by Surtr the talking raven! It was also great to catch up with the characters from the rest of this amazing series. I'm sorry to see it end but have thoroughly enjoyed this wonderfully atmospheric and engrossing series.

I enjoyed this book and the characters were well drawn and I would highly recommend this novel to anyone who wants a good read in the historical fiction category. Thank you to netgalley and the publishers for giving me a copy of the book.

Storm has decided that the only place his missing sister can be is back in time. He has blamed himself for her going missing and knowing that his family are capable of time slipping he believes that is the only place she can be. With that intention he sets off back in time to search for her, but whilst there he encounters Freydis. Could it be that Storm may be able to save her from a bad marriage by marrying her himself.
This was a good time slip novel. Sometimes I noticed that Storm 'forgot' that this time frame was how women were treated, yet in other aspects he clearly had done research into the time period. Also th the writing style was a little stilted which meant that the story flow was less enjoyable.