Hammer of Fate

great start to the Rune Song Trilogy series, I enjoyed how good the fantasy elements were and learning about this world. It had everything that I was looking for and had great concept of Viking magic and Templar knights. I enjoyed getting to know the characters and it left me wanting to read more in this universe. G.N. Gudgion does a great job in telling the story and does what I wanted.

"She handed Adelais her staff, not noticing how tenderly Adelais received it; this too had been a gift from Yrsa. Only Adelais knew that the pattern of lines carved into its shaft were also runes, overlaid until they formed a continuous, apparently innocent, decorative band. But Chantalle was already at the temple door, checking that no novices or adeifes were in sight."

Hammer of Fate is a historical fantasy in an alternate universe where the central character, Adelais, is effectively a young Norse woman with shamanistic skills trapped in a "Christian" resistance movement against a corrupt inquisitorial régime that labels her a witch. That she indeed has magic does not really become evident until near the end of the book, and will presumably be a more central element in the rest of the trilogy. However, magic isn't really required to retain interest up to that point as the adventure storyline is strong and gripping.
If G. N. Gudgion can maintain the level of this first novel in a three-part series, then I shall certainly await future publications from this author with the same anticipation I give novels by Joe Abercrombie or Sebastian de Castell. Indeed, it is the latter who most springs to mind when searching for a standard of comparison that does justice to the quality of writing herein.
There are obvious plot elements in common with de Castell's Greatcoats, but that is probably down to both authors incorporating aspects of the Templars and Dumas into their fictional military brotherhoods. More important similarities lie in the depth of character depicted and the strength of the plotting - both of which are presented in a writing style that flows easily and grips the reader from the start. This is an immensely promising beginning, and I look forward to finding out what comes next.

As I have said before, there is something about a good fantasy book that always grabs me and lures me in, holds me hostage until I can finish it, and then leaves me pining for more. It is easy to say that this book is one of those, and it has left me waiting for the next in the series, though it will be a while, which will feel like so much longer.

The story revolves around that dangerous topic of Faith, that of the masses, that of other lands that are being squeezed out, and of course the different interpretations of the same faith, especially when greed and kings get involved. It has the feel of the fall of the Templers to it, with the greed of the kings and nobles putting pressure on parts of the church that tortures its own as well as any it considers as a heretic. It is a lovely play on our own histories, and the author does include elements from various faiths from our own past.

One of the many things I loved about this book is the way Gudgion writes about battles and the aftermath of the characters. Combat is not just written as a statement of who/what/where, but there is a fluid grace to the writing that makes you see and feel the impact of actions done, both physically and emotionally. The emotions of which got to me more than once.

I can only urge you to pick up this book and thrive in it as I did.