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Runelight (2000)

by Joanne Harris(Favorite Author)

3.87 of 5 Votes: 5

languge

English

genre

Fantasy

series

Runemarks

review 1: This picked up nicely from Runemarks. The gods are back, and they're as wacky as ever. I especially missed Loki. And Odin, for some reason.It might seem like a rehash of the same things - oracles, prophecies, treacheries,Ragnarok, runes, rebirths, dreams, Aspects, etc. - but I like it. Maybe because of the consistent Norse vibe that I'm getting from the series. ;)Maggie just grated on my nerves, though. But she's gonna have a pivotal part for sure if there's a third book.Too bad I can't ship Perth/Maddy. Ah well.
review 2: I usually try not to write out the big review of a series on the second book, but I read Runemarks many years ago before I started library school and waited patiently for the second book to fall back into my life. When I read Runemarks I was... more captivated by the feudal yet strangely modern world Maddy Smith lived in. Joanne Harris recreates that world in Runelight, only horribly changed. Temples of Order have become brothels, bars, and gambling dens and it seems as if Chaos is taking over. In the midst of this darkness the Norse gods, the Aesir and the Vanir, are left nearly powerless awaiting a second Ragnarok (or End of the World).Norse mythology has always been something that can easily capture my attention. As a little kid I hated fairy tales and only wanted to be told science facts from dusty old library books. Horrified, my parents struggled to introduce that fantasy element to my young mind, and the way they accomplished that was to read me myths (which they cleverly sold me as nonfiction and good for me). I loved the world of gods and giants that Norse mythology presented me, especially Loki the Trickster. Desperately craving red hair, Loki was the embodiment of merriment and fun, but with a dark side. Joanne Harris was similarly struck by the myths of Loki and the Norse gods and from that early love she crafted an amazing epic where the most unlikely characters can become heroes. Maddy Smith and Maggie Rede, two young women alone in the world are faced with the most incredible choices and remarkable powers. I think Harris is very good at presenting readers with plausible truths. Many of her characters, especially Odin, speak from positions of power, but are well trained at deceit and using the people around them. This really speaks to the way Harris is able to develop individual personalities for the myriad of characters in this series. Loki has the scars around his mouth from one of his punishments for a really nasty trick and his wife is a crazy control freak with a deeply sentimental side. Heimdall, Tyr, Freya, Frey, Njord, Idun, Skadi, Thor, Sif, Odin and many others are distinct, fully developed characters that each have strengths and serious flaws. These booksI would highly recommend this series to anyone who has had a new interest in Norse Mythology awoken by the new Marvel version of Thor and Loki. The stories are different but the characters have that same spark that make them funny, touching, and broken all at the same time. This might also be a good way to get someone who isn't that interested in reading into a story. Like the comics or the movies, maybe you should try Runemarks! Yes the story revolves around Maddy Smith, a girl, but Loki and Odin are almost as equally important and much of the story is told from Loki's special perspective. Of course, if you like Tamora Pierce, M.T. Anderson, L.A. Meyer, or any of the big fantasy teen writers, you should give this series a try. Harris is also a good bridge into adult fiction with some of her other novels like Chocolat. If you like this series and want something else steeped in mythology try Elizabeth Bear's All the Windwracked Stars. It doesn't follow any of the big gods, but a single, quiet Valkyrie who is all that's left of the old gods after Ragnarok. less

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