This book started off slowly. The author justifiably needed to provide a lot of context very quickly in order to get the plot moving along. Readers will be awash with references of historical events such as the Spanish Inquisition and the Knights Templar. The fantasy portion of this new series is in the magical power of runes. Gudgion balanced the devotion of faith with bloody torture and executions. The intensity of battle was mirrored by the need to love and be loved. While some story elements have definitely been overused, Gudgion wove together a fast paced enjoyable read. Hammer of Fate proved to be a solid beginning to a promising new series.

I received a copy of this title via NetGalley.

This is book one of a slow burn medieval knights of the realm historical fantasy, with a female lead who experiences more adventure than she every expected with a touch of magic thrown in. It took me a bit of time to settle in, but by the end I was totally taken enthralled with it. This can be read as a stand alone. But I want more, and thankfully there are more books to come. Thank you to Second Sky and NetGalley for the ARC. The views expressed are all mine freely given.

Hammer of Fate was destined to be a great read by the title alone and I wasn’t wrong. I thoroughly enjoyed this book from beginning to end.

Awesome! If you like adventure books, this has it all: an order of knights betrayed by the greedy king and the inquisitors of the religion who are better at torture than mercy. Hammer of Fate, the first book in the Rune Song Trilogy by G.N. Gudgion is for you. It has betrayal, sacrifice, adventure, faith, magic and bravery.
It has made me cry and laugh and I want to know what comes next.
Thank you for the opportunity to discover this author!

What's it about (in a nutshell):
Hammer of Fate by G.N. Gudgion is the first book in a dark epic fantasy series that tells the tale of Adelais, a young woman with yellow hair and the eyes of a witch (as described by a particularly heinous man of the clergy) who must unlock the power of rune magic she holds inside to fulfill her destiny.

My Reading Experience:
I found myself instantly immersed in this dark world because of Adelais. She is an intriguing character that easily carries the reader into her story. Then other aspects, like the rune magic, held me there through to the end. I got just a taste of the power of the runes, and I'm eager to learn more as the series continues. I love the sound magic system, and rune magic is one of the most ancient. I also love the Norse Gods called on because of this magical system.

The Knights Templar storyline, as referred to through the Guardians, is also one that I find utterly compelling. Their secrecy and dedication, not to mention the treasures they keep safe, are all so fascinating. The story of the end of their time is covered in this book in a way that honors their dedication and fortitude for their holy mission. It also provides such a dramatic foil for the corruption of the clergy.

I also loved the emotional ups and downs the story undergoes. The author is always bold in going to hard places to tell a tale as impactful as possible. I didn't much care for the precarious state of the horses in the story. Still, I do understand that was common during the period the story is set.

My only critique is that so much is thrown at the reader; I initially found it difficult to remember and fully understand what was happening, especially the names. There were so many names mentioned at the beginning. But once the story got going and focused on a few aspects and characters, it became much easier to follow.

Characters:
The story is a mix of plot-driven and character-driven, giving me the best of both worlds as I read.

Adelais is a wonderful main character. She is nuanced and layered, already with a past and a present forming her into the hero she was fated to be. I loved that her innocence matures into worldliness as the story progresses. It's compelling to witness such a change in character and how that defines her. I also loved that she appears timid until faced with a situation where she must pull out her inner strength to survive, which is glorious to behold. The fact that she is chosen is evident from the beginning, and I delighted in watching her slowly find that in herself.

Narration & Pacing:
The narration is in the third person and focuses on a mix of three characters as directed at the beginning of a chapter. Adelais is the main character; Guy is a supporting character of sorts for Adelais but does so grudgingly throughout this first installment of the story. Malory, an evil cleric, seems to grow more evil each time Adelais bests him in order to survive. These three characters work together to give the reader the whole picture while maintaining personal learnings that create a medium pace from start to finish.

Setting:
The setting for Hammer of Fate appears to be medieval Europe when the old gods and magic have become illegal and are being replaced by Christianity (called the Ischyrian faith in this story) with its influential clerics and priests. This transition period makes the perfect setting for an epic fantasy full of thrills and action but also one where magic is rare, so any magic wielder would shine like a beacon of truth. It is also a dark period of history, literally and figuratively, full of suppression and violence, plays for power, and corruption running rampant.

Moods:
 Adventurous
 Tense
 Dark
 Emotional
 Mysterious

Read if you like:
• Dark Epic Fantasy
• Viking rune magic and gods
• Stories of the Templar Knights of Old

I received a copy of this book for a free and unbiased opinion.
The book is told from a few points of view. Adelais is a young woman who gets caught up in the middle of a religious battle when she tries to save an innocent man from torture. The religious order also take exception to dressing up as a man when on the run and adds this to the list of her crimes.
The writing in this fantasy is good with solid world-building based on runic magic and Norse mythology. The characters are strong, well-rounded and interesting especially Agnes the young Noble woman entangled with this. There was also a sly humour running through the book which I enjoyed.

There is plenty of action and battles with a tense trial at the end which sets the scene for the next book. There was not as much magic as I would like and I’ve become a little bored with a medieval European setting socio-religious setting but this will no doubt make this truly appealing to fans of this particular style of epic fantasy. But unlike the usual traditional fantasies the women are smart, bold and clever.
Content warning
References to torture
Perfect for Fans of
Epic fantasy similar to Marl Lawrence, Andrzej Sapkowski and Robin Hobb

An extraordinary female protagonist! These captivating elements form the core of a remarkable fantasy tale. This book intertwines thrilling violence, tantalizing romance, and the comforting bonds of found family and friends, creating an unforgettable reading experience.

Presented from multiple perspectives, the narrative immerses you in the harrowing struggles of both the pursued and the pursuers. Adelais, the main character, is a relatable enigma, exuding strength and mystery in equal measure. Opposite her stands Pateras Malory, a tormented antagonist whose complexities make him the epitome of a captivating villain.

The world in which this story unfolds is an enticing fusion of medieval European culture and fantastical realms. It strikes a delicate balance between the familiar and the unknown, evoking a sense of wonder with every turn of the page. While the pace may be deliberate at times, it serves to enhance the immersive medieval setting. However, fear not, for the final third of the book bursts with adrenaline-pumping action and grandiose events.

Anticipation mounts as we eagerly await the continuation of The Rune Song saga. It promises to transport us further into this enthralling world, unveiling new adventures and uncovering hidden truths.

Well... What a cracking start to a trilogy! I absolutely loved the writing, the story, the characters (Adelais is my favourite!), the setting, and the gentleness of the fantasy element (thought I'm sure it's going to beefed up in the following books). "Hammer of Fate" was a joy to read and I can't wait to get my hands on the next two books (though I'm sure the story could be expanded for a sequel trilogy... Please?!).

My thanks to the author, publisher, and NetGalley. This review was written voluntarily and is entirely my own, unbiased, opinion.

The fun fact with historical fantasy is that you can talk about historical facts and using them as you like as no one can raise their hand and say NOT-RIGHT as it's a fantasy and we are in an alternate world.
This is a historical fantasy, the author did an excellent job in delivering a story that builds slowly as we are introduced to a world where The Guardian are being tortured and persecuted, we could call them Templar but someone could start looking for their treasures, and a corrupt king, who's not called Philippe, wants the Guardian gone and get all their riches.
We have a group of intriguing and fascinating characters: Adelais the northern shaman who is forced to convert and support the rebels, the remains of the Guardian who are not defeated and are part of the resistance.
The religion is a strong point in this story but, as the inspiration is Middle Age Europe, it would hard not involve an element that was at the core of everyday life and don't forget that the Templar were warrior monks.
Adelais is a strong character, il like her will force and her strength, she slowly grew on me as I discovered her talents.
The male characters were more like or dislike as soon as I met them. I think that there's an excellent villain, a sort of fantasy Bernard Gui, one of the most infamous inquisitor and a character of The Name of the Rose.
Gudgion creates a fascinating world, I can think of a lot of possible inspiration, Guy Gavriel Kay and Andrzej Sapkowski amongst other.
This story is a bit slow at the beginning as it introduces the different characters and introduce us to the political and religious factions. As soon as the action starts the pace gets faster and I can say that the battles were well described.
One note: as it's a historical fantasy there's not a lot of magic even if it exists and some characters are gifted.
I hope that the rest of this trilogy will be up to this novel as it kept me hooked and I had to stop from time to time.
If you like heroic or historical fantasy this is you book.
Many thanks to Second Sky for this arc, all opinions are mine

Brief Summary
This book transported me back to my early twenties and the days of reading Marion Zimmer Bradley, David Eddings and Katherine Kerr, to name but a few. It had the same feel of a misfit and ragtag bunch of reluctant "heroes", fighting to stay alive and desperate to escape the crushing tyranny of a powerful state. Where Hammer differed was in the complete absence of magic, elves, dragons or dwarves, though I never once felt their loss.
Despite the start being a touch slower than I would have liked, I very quickly found myself caught up in the story, unwilling to put it down and desperate to jump back into it any chance I found.


Themes and Trigger Warnings
Whilst the overall theme is the corruption of power in a monotheist kingdom, there were also friendship, loss and a journey of self-discovery.
There is mention of torture, though no detailed scenes, and the death of at least one significant character...which I've still not forgiven the author for.

Star Rating
This was easily a 4.5-star read by the very way it held me spellbound. If I had cried at Adelais' loss then it would have hit the full 5 stars.


The Characters
The book follows the perspectives of three characters. Adelais felt like the main character and I believe we saw more from her pov than any other. I found her to be a very refreshing character, she wasn't too special or "not like other girls" and formed strong bonds with other female characters in the book. She was impetuous and reckless at times, but also brave, stubborn and caring. Guy is the son of a Guardian, a religious order of knights who are now persecuted by the king so he can fill his coffers. I fluctuated between liking Guy and wanting to give him a good hard shake, a young man who made youthful mistakes but ultimately has a good heart. Malory is a priest inquisitor, tempted by Adalais and blaming her for the guilt he subsequently feels. There was much to dislike about him though it was fear and a lack of power that stayed his hand. Caught in a trap where following his true beliefs would be his downfall, Malory justifies actions he knows are wrong.


The Plot
I would describe the plot as somewhat slow at first but then fairly fast-moving once the main protagonists joined forces. It wasn't boring or predictable and only put the book down, very reluctantly, when life demanded I do so.
As with all the majority of this genre it is at heart a story of good v evil, posing questions such as whether it is justifiable to take a life to save many.


The Writing & World Building
Some reviewers have found the focus on religion to be off-putting, though very often in fantasy novels the church is shown to be corrupt in some way. In Hammer it is the king who corrupts, using religion as a way to persecute others. It's a monotheist culture that could easily reflect many of those found in our world. I personally didn't find it problematic.
There was a good balance struck on the world-building front, I felt I understood the setting without being overwhelmed with information. Whilst there was room for more detail what was provided was more than sufficient to put this reader into the heart of the action.
I haven't read anything by this author before but am hoping he is writing very quickly as I am very much looking forward to continuing with this series.

Adelais, an Old God's magic wielder, has been sent to a convent, far away from her family by her Father. She steps in to help an innocent man, and rides off with the gang of Guardians when the prisoner is retrieved. However, the knights didn't only leave with the tortured man, but also a holy relic that has been hidden for many years, and must not land into the hands of the priests. However, the priests take pursuit and many battles are fought in their haste to get away.

This is pretty much the retelling of the Holy Grail and the Knight Templars. The pacing of the book is very slow and drawn out. There is a strong focus on religion and sadly much less so on rune magic which the author constantly hints at.

I loved this opening volume of the Rune Song Saga. Adelais is a novice nun who has been placed there because of an illicit affair with a trainee priest. We first meet her as she is planning her escape to get back to her own country and her grandmother. However, her escape is delayed as she comes into contact with The Guardian knights, an outlawed religious order similar to the Templars and she is forced by circumstances to travel with them as they try to escape the kingdom with a precious relic.
This is a recognisable medieval world with strong echoes of the Spanish inquisition as well the Templars and their destruction by Philip of France, Norse mythology and even the holy grail. However, the author does a great job of tying all these different themes together into a satisfying new world. I enjoyed the character of Adelais and liked the fact that she wasn’t perfect in any way. The story is told through three POVs, Adelais, Guy, a young apprentice armourer and Pateras Malory, the priest who is in charge of the pursuit. Adelais is by far the most compelling narrative but the other two do give added insights into the story. I liked the way Malory has doubts about what he is asked to do although he still obeys
Religion plays a huge part in the story, the religion of the country which is shared by both groups but interpreted differently and the old faith of the land where Adelais comes from with its rune magic. We see a lot less of this than I expected but it is there and underpins a lot of Adelais’ thoughts and actions. I am sure that this will play a more major role in the next book.
I enjoyed the ending of this volume which doesn’t end on a cliffhanger but instead leaves our characters ready to begin the next stage of their journeys.
This was a great start to a new fantasy series and I look forward to reading the next volume. Thank you to Second Sky and NetGalley for my ARC in exchange for my honest opinion.

I´m sorry, but I DNF at 45%.
I have no idea what I just read. I found myself totally disconnected from the story, which is rare. Very religious, philosophical book with a tiny bit of fantasy. I don´t get the concept if there is any.

The story had interesting unfolding action from the start, but I also felt it was only setup—of the characters, world, religion, and persecution of the Guardians. Once I hit the 25% mark, I finally felt that the core adventure was kicking off.

The middle of the book was the most enjoyable. As soon as Adelais fell in with this band of knights, the action, banter, and relationships kept me turning pages. Humbert was honorable and easy to root for, and his fatherly affection genuine. Her connection to Arnaud was especially endearing and their affection progressed naturally. Adelais was brave but had realistic abilities as well as appropriate mental and emotional conflict over the violence.

I liked that Malory had some doubts and guilt along the way. He was still horrible, but his more complex character contrasted nicely with the cold, single-minded villain Ghislain.

This this was mostly a “chase/escape” tale overall though——which wasn’t as satisfying for a fantasy quest—and the very interesting rune song elements weren’t strong plot devices until the ending. I was hoping for more magic throughout.

The torture inflicted or discussed/threatened was more than I needed for dire stakes. Despite the slight uplift at the end, this story became too dark/depressing for me so I won’t continue the series.

Thanks to NetGalley and Second Sky for the ARC.

Knights! Rune magic! Evil priests! Amazing FMC! Perfect ingredients for a fantastic fantasy 🙌🏼 This book has a lot of violence, some romance, and great found family/friends vibes. I really enjoyed it!

The story has multiple POVs, showing the story both from the viewpoint of the hunted and the hunter. Adelais is a great main character, she’s very relatable, strong and mysterious. Pateras Malory is the perfect tortured ‘villain’.

The world is an interesting mix of fantasy and medieval European culture. It feels familiar yet new. The pace is quite slow, but I feel like that emphasises the medieval setting. The last third, on the other hand, has plenty of fast-paced action and epic events.

Can’t wait to read the rest of The Rune Song saga!

Great start to the Rune Song saga!

Adelais has been placed as a novice of the Ischyrian faith with the sisterhood house near Villebénie, a hundred leagues away from Vriesland where the old gods still held sway. Sent there by her family for lewd conduct with a priest.
Adelais has been planning to escape but is thwarted by a wolf, and then by the arrival of the Anakritis-General, Ghislain Barthram, the Angel of Death, accompanied by his clerics (think the Inquisition), surrounding a prison wagon, escorted by the King’s soldiers. The wagon contains an important captured Guardian.
The anakritim are the pawns of the King. The Order of Guardian knights have been declared heretics and have been hunted down. The anakritim are following rumours of a golden relic, The Hand. There are strong parallels with the Knights Templar.
Five years previously, “before the arrests the Guardians were seen as exemplars, the Lions of Ischyros, beyond all taint. Knights who welcomed death in the service of the God.” Now they are persecuted.
Adelais‘ teachings as a child are loosely based on Norse shamanistic beliefs and rune magics. Throughout the novel warnings come from nature, the presence of a wolf, the unease of her horse, the warning flights of ravens. Not that Adelais takes much heed on the occasions when she really should. Adelais becomes a target for the anakritis torturer Pateras Malory and flees persecution with some Guardian knights, including Arnaud l’Armurier, and Guy the son of the prisoner of Anakritis-General.
Adelais is the granddaughter of a wise woman and she carries a rune carved by her nona Yrsa. In moments of danger she finds herself singing the songs taught her by Yrsa . Her grandmother warned her against this. She saw Adelais had power but needed more teaching in the ways of rune songs.
Still, armed with her knowledge Adelais goes forward with the Guardians, being chased by Pateras Malory. After a searing and difficult pursuit she’s captured and being taken to the Anakritis-General at Daija. Her destiny looks like being painfully terminated. But then a miracle happens, or confluences come together, to give Adelais a new chance.
Compelling and complex, and far too brutal at times. Even so, I look forward to see where the next in the series takes us.

A Second Sky ARC via NetGalley.
Many thanks to the author and publisher.
Please note: Quotes taken from an advanced reading copy maybe subject to change
(Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.)

It's a while since I read a fantasy so I was pleased to be able to read this one and it didn't disappoint. The author has built a world that I was able to engage with and I enjoyed the characters, those who believe, those who don't and those who question. I also liked that no one is safe. I'm looking forward to the next in the Series.

Another new author and the start of a new series. Loosely based on The Templar Knights and sprinkled with Norse magic. This book has everything I want from a fantasy story. Great characters, very descriptive battle scenes and at the heart of this is a war about religion. I was completely immersed in the story that was unfolding and has definitely left me wanting more. The start of another epic trilogy and I can't wait to read more from this very talented author.
Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for the ARC in return for giving an honest review.

This story is a retelling of the Templar Knights and the Holy Grail set against an alternative version of medieval Europe.
It is full of suspense with magic and both Norse and Christian gods. However, I felt like the religious aspects were far too heavy handed and put me off the story, with more focus going into the religious themes of the book than the fantasy world the author was trying to create. The pacing was also a bit uneven and too slow in places.
I really wanted to like this but I found this to be a faith fantasy rather than a fantasy with religious themes.
Thank you to NetGalley and Second Sky for this eARC in exchange for an honest review

I have some mixed feelings about this one. I feel like there were things that were mentioned, hinted at, etc., that never manifested into the story. It's tricky because apparently there will be more in the series so there is a chance/probability that they will be revisited later, but seems to violate the Chekov's Gun principle.

Some of the relationships between characters did not feel natural, but otherwise there was an interesting world built and a real sense of crisis that drove the story. I would certainly read future books in the series if made available to me.