Review: Promises of the Runes by Christina Courtenay

Today, I'm thrilled to share my review of Promises of the Runes, the latest instalment in Christina Courtenay's fabulous time travel series. I'm a fan of this series of romantic adventures involving Vikings, and I was excited about this latest release.

Promises of the Runes is currently on blog tour with Rachel's Random Resources. Make sure to check out the other fabulous posts.

Promises of the Runes

Christina Courtenay

Ivar wants to travel through time, too, like his foster sisters. But any attempts at time travel failed so far. Yet he is determined he, as a specialist in Viking history at a history museum in Stockholm, will be on his way one day. 

So Ivar prepares for the day that may never come by learning Old Norse and the art of handling ancient weapons – until he stumbles across an amulet that, when he touches it, gives him a vision of a young woman with red-gold hair calling out for help. During a search of the museum archives, Ivar eventually finds what he is looking for: an artefact that will take him through time. 

Prepared and excited, he is on his way to the Viking past, determined to find his ancestor. If he can discover what it is about that woman in the vision, the better.

Ivar is fortunate in that he meets a man who knows his family's secret, which makes his integration into Viking life easier. Soon, he is embroiled in his ancestor's personal quest, and it doesn't take long for him to come across the woman in the vision. And she does indeed need his help. 

Ellisif begins to feel safe in the stranger's company after he'd saved her from the king's men, but she is aware that her future is fraught with danger for as long as she stays in the area. An heiress in her own right, she doesn't want to marry the old warrior the king chose for her. Yet as long as she stays close, her life will always be in danger.

As Ivar and Ellisif grow closer, they must eventually come to a decision about their joint future. And there may just be a surprise in store for the Viking heiress...

Promises of the Runes is another riveting adventure in this brilliant series of Viking time travel novels by Christina Courtenay. It's refreshing that, this time, a man is the one going back in time. Ivar is well prepared, which made me smile. Like a boy expecting a great adventure – which is what he got. 

The historical background is very well researched, and the author brings Ivar's initial struggles across well. Fighting in reenactment is certainly different than fighting for your life, or that of the one you love. I like the way the author hints at differences between modern perceptions of the Viking age, and the reality Ivar finds in the past. It adds a strong sense of realism. We don't know everything, but someone going back in time would inevitably find out.

I like Ivar. I'd probably do the same: prepare as much as you can and go for it. Even in the past he stays a 21st century man, but is realistic about customs of the time, probably more so than the women who travelled. He's a little more level-headed.

For me, Ellisif is the weakest character in the novel, sadly. She has strength and determination not to follow orders, but I felt she accepted help from Ivar and his new friends a little too readily. 

Promises of the Runes is an engaging, fast-paced, and well-researched timeslip romance full of adventure and sizzling attraction between Ivar and Ellisif. The Viking-age setting and customs are realistic, if a little toned down for the sake of the romantic focus. 

Overall, a wonderful novel to while away the hours in the distant past. I'm looking forward to the next book in the series...

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Blurb: 

He travelled through time to capture her heart.

The amulet was still in the palm of his hand. Was it some sort of conduit to the past? The image of the anguished woman in his vision was seared into his mind. Perhaps it could help him find her?

Ivar Thoresson is desperate for adventure. As an archaeologist specialising in Viking times, he wants nothing more than to travel back to the ninth century as his loved ones have done, to learn everything he can about the era which fascinates him. And whilst his adopted family have always made him feel loved, the chance to meet a true ancestor, the warrior Thorald, is a temptation he cannot resist.

But while Ivar is preparing to go, he uncovers an amulet which shows him a vision of an arresting woman with red-gold hair. Clearly in distress, she is pleading for help. Convinced of the power of the charm and its message, Ivar’s journey takes on a new purpose. He steps back in time determined to follow his destiny – and find the woman who has called to his heart.


Buy Links:

Amazon UK: https://www.amazon.co.uk/Promises-Runes-enthralling-timeslip-beloved-ebook/dp/B0B63MPC24/

Amazon US: https://www.amazon.com/Promises-Runes-enthralling-timeslip-beloved-ebook/dp/B0B63MPC24/

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About the Author:

Christina Courtenay

Christina Courtenay writes historical romance, time slip and time travel stories, and lives in Herefordshire (near the Welsh border) in the UK. Although born in England, she has a Swedish mother and was brought up in Sweden – hence her abiding interest in the Vikings. 

Christina is a former chairman of the UK’s Romantic Novelists’ Association and has won several awards, including the RoNA for Best Historical Romantic Novel twice with Highland Storms (2012) and The Gilded Fan (2014) and the RNA Fantasy Romantic Novel of the year 2021 with Echoes of the Runes. 

Promises of the Runes (a time travel romance published by Headline Review 13th April 2023) is her latest novel. Christina is a keen amateur genealogist and loves history and archaeology (the armchair variety).


Connect with Christina:

http://www.christinacourtenay.com

https://www.facebook.com/christinacourtenayauthor?fref=ts

https://twitter.com/PiaCCourtenay

https://www.instagram.com/ChristinaCourtenayAuthor/