Reviewed by Grant Leishman for Readers' Favorite

Runebound by Alessa M. Norwen is the story of a culture torn between its pagan roots and Catholicism. Milena is a princess of Mecklenburg, where the old pagan gods are banished by the Church, but their beliefs and rituals are still secretly practiced. Milena’s parents may have been forced to renounce paganism to preserve their throne and power, but Milena’s beloved nanny is still a believer and gives the young girl a powerful rune, telling her it is her destiny. As she reaches maturity, she discovers she is betrothed to a Saxon lord to cement her father’s rule. The arrival of Norse warriors interested in trade rather than pillage excites her interest, especially the handsome son of the Norse Jarl, Brynjar. Determined to avoid her marriage, Milena decides on a course of action to fulfil her destiny. The glowing rune and the ancient pagan gods are calling her to follow a course that could ultimately destroy her parents’ and her brothers’ worlds.

Runebound is the first in what promises to be an enthralling series. Alessa M. Norwen's intricate plot will captivate readers. Milena, or Adelheid as she was baptized, is a wonderful character clearly caught between two worlds, the old and the new. As we watch her develop and grow into a beautiful young woman, she does not accept her subservient role. In a society only one generation removed from the mysticism and magic of pagan worship, she is prepared to stand up against an organized marriage of alliance. The power of the rune and its impact on her outlines the clash between the Church and its pagan enemy. She must decide whether to put her entire family at risk to fulfill the destiny that the rune offers. David, the trader from Jerusalem, adds another element to this already fascinating and intertwined plot. It is obvious he will play an important part in Milena’s future, and I cannot wait to discover what adventures lie ahead. This is a wonderful story, beautifully descriptive, with a twisting plot. I highly recommend this read.