I LOVED the narrator for this one. Their voice was so entrancing, to the point where I was more focused on their voice than actually committing to the story... I love mythology, I just couldn't focus on this one.

Children of Ragnarok was definitely interesting. However, what was really interesting here was the exceptional use of language. Chima managed to capture the Viking culture and terms so well in her wording and story flow. This gives the story an even stronger atmosphere, a very clear sense of place and setting. At times I felt transported to that period.

I didn't have a chance to listen to the audio ARC, but I did finally have an opportunity to pick up the book, and it was a lot of fun!

Thank you to the publisher and to Netgalley for granting me an eARC in exchange for an honest review.

Runestone Saga: Children of Ragnarok is an engaging and immersive dive into Norse mythology that offers readers a captivating blend of adventure, heroism, and divine intrigue. While the occasional pacing issues and exposition-heavy sections may slow the narrative, the overall experience is one of epic storytelling that pays homage to the rich traditions of Norse mythology. If you're a fan of fantasy novels steeped in mythology and heroism, this book is a worthwhile addition to your reading list, promising an enthralling journey into the heart of Viking legend.

This is probably one of the hardest reviews I've ever had to write. I absolutely love CWC and her Seven Realm and Shatterd Realms series are some of my all time favorite books ever. I'm deeply saddened that I didn't love this book. I did like it, but the first huge chunk of this was incredibly slow. I ended up buying the audiobook to try it that way, but I didn't enjoy the narrator, so I kept going back and forth trying to find a place where this book was going to work for me, because I know what she can do, and I know that the Seven Realms series started off really slow as well and I ended up loving it. I had faith this would get better as well, and it did, but it was so late in the book that I felt like by the time I got into it, it was over. And that was so disappointing. I honestly felt like this should've been an adult book. It should've been longer, the characters should've been aged up, and it should've been marketed to adults, in my opinion. That being said, it does have a lot going for it, and I think people that are patient can end up enjoying this book.

Some things I did like were the Norse Mythology, the way the dual povs will be apart, then converge, then go back apart and kind of weave in and out. The magic system and the ending was really good. I do think I will like the next book, so I'm definitely going to continue with the series. I have faith that she will bring it around for me.

Fantastic novel that, while it looks like a whimsical YA read based on its cover, is more dark and gritty with serious weight in those pages. If you're looking for a novel steeped in Norse mythos, overflowing with well fleshed out characters, magic politics, and RPG style world building then this is the world you must join!

Normally Norse mythology is the basis for some of my favorite stories. Unfortunately the mythology and the way that the author used it turned out to be the best part.
This is the first Cinda Williams Chima book that I have ever read in which the characters felt flat and like they were just standing in.
Of course I'll keep going in the series though and hope that I fall in love with at least one character.

This book was a lot of fun to listen to. Full of adventure and I loved the lore behind it. I wish i could of had a regular narrator but I will be buying it for my bookshelves!

I am excited for book #2 in the Runestone Saga series, I can't wait to see what happens to these characters next. I love Eric and his sister's relationship and their willingness to help each other out of sticky situations. I loved the inclusion of the Norse mythology beyond the characters and information we see in all the mainstream movies (i.e., Odin, Thor, Loki). I like that the book had dark parts, like the death of parents, grandparents, and children, and that it wasn't all happy endings.

Thank you so much to Netgalley and Harper Audio for letting me listen to an advanced audio copy of the Runestone Saga: Children of Ragnarok. I really like Cinda Williams Chima’s writing, but I’ve never listened to an audiobook of one of her books, so I was really excited to do that!
Runestone Saga: Children of Ragnarok 4/5 Stars
Summary from Goodreads: Ever since Ragnarok—the great war between the gods and the forces of chaos--the human realm of the Midlands has become a dangerous place, bereft of magic, where most lead lives of desperation.
Sixteen-year-old Eiric Halvorsen is among the luckier ones. Between fishing, going vikingr, and working his modir’s farm, the family has remained prosperous. But Eiric stands to lose everything when he’s convicted by a rigged jury of murdering his modir and stepfadir. Also at risk is his half-systir, Liv, whose interest in seidr, or magic, has made her a figure of suspicion. Then a powerful jarl steps in: he will pay the blood price if Eiric will lead a mission to the fabled Temple at the Grove—the rich stronghold of the wyrdspinners, the last practitioners of sorcery.
Spellsinger, musician, and runecaster Reggin Eiklund has spent her life traveling from town to town, performing at alehouses all for the benefit of her master, Asger, the fire demon she is desperate to escape. Then after one performance that amazes even Reggin herself, two wyrdspinners in the audience make her an irresistible offer: return with them to the temple to be trained in seidr, forever free of Asger.
Eiric, Liv, and Reggin’s journeys converge in New Jotunheim, the site of the Temple at the Grove, a paradise fueled by magic. They soon realize that a great evil lurks beneath the dazzling surface, and that old betrayals and long-held grudges may fuel another cataclysmic war. It will require every gift and weapon at their command to prevent it.
Sweeping adventure, breathtaking twists of fate, and immersive worlds based in Norse mythology are woven into this first volume of the Runestone Saga, from the New York Times bestselling author of the Seven Realms and Shattered Realms series.
This was such an interesting book and I feel as though since there was so much world building and magic, I probably missed out on some of the complexities of it by listening to the audiobook while doing other things, like driving or doing the dishes, but overall, I really enjoyed the experience of listening to this audiobook. I liked all of the characters and how their stories were woven together into this great climax- I feel like Cinda Williams Chima is so good at that! I think Reggin was my favorite character, but Liv was definitely a close second! The wrydspinners were also super cool and their whole thing and the world that opened up because of them was super cool. Overall, I really enjoyed the story and I highly recommend picking it up and I cannot wait to read future books in the series!

Link to be added once it goes live

Children of Ragnarok is a YA Viking story full of action, Norse mythology, and hidden corruption. Not a fluffy tale; it is full of heartache, pain, and a brewing war. The book has a solid premise, and as with first books in new worlds, you need to settle in and get the lay of the land. It would help if you had the facts before getting to the story's meat. We have a young man sentenced for murdering his stepfather, and his slave is on the run trying to find answers. We don't get very much into the magic system in this first book, but we do skim the surface a bit. Cinda writes stories that remind me of the fantasy novels of yesterday with substance, plot, and character that remain true to the story she wants to tell. I recommend this young adult novel to the older teen crowd as it is a bloody Viking story.

Ended up DNFing about 40% of the way through. Lot of people will enjoy this read, but for at this moment…. I couldn’t get into it

The gods are dead and gone, life has gotten harder, the land is dying, but not everywhere. Somewhere in the mists lies an island said to be made of gold, with abundant vegetation and plenty for all. All Eiric has ever wanted to do was go Vikingr and sail all summer long. The his circumstances change and he is forced to go in search of this mysterious magical island.

Reggin has a gift with song and storytelling, but she is a thrall and belongs to a demon. She dreams of escape but knows there is nowhere she can run that he can't find her. When her path crosses with Eiric all that changes.

With danger lurking everywhere it will take wits and luck to survive. Twists and turns abound in this fantasy inspired by Norse mythology and the Vikings of old. I can't wait for the next book!

This is a great start to a new series by Chima. The switch between the two main characters helps to weave the full picture of the story. The pace of the story was very good, and I enjoyed the bits of mythology that were interwoven. The end twist was well plotted and expertly delivered. If you love Chima's previous stories, this will not disappoint!.

An adventurous middle grade that takes readers on a ride through the Midlands after the war in Ragnarok. At first it was a little tricky to keep track of all of the characters, but soon I found myself rooting for Eric and Liv as they worked together to protect their family. Once the quest began the adventure kept me more captivated and was fast paced! I am eagerly awaiting the continuation. Thank you to NetGalley and Harper Audio for an advanced copy! All thoughts and opinions are my own!

This is the first in a series about magic and hints of Norse mythology. Eriric Halvorsen's father and grandfather were vikings. When he was a boy his father came home with a sister for Eriric and his mother agreed to raise her as long as they took away the girl's magical amulet.

Reggin Eiklund is a thrall (ie slave) of a demon who draws her magic into himself. When she has the opportunity to go to a magical island where spellcasters train she may finally be safe from her master.

This book has a lot of world building and history to get through in this book. It is very much setting up for the rest of the series. That being said the world building is interesting and rich. The characters are interesting and layered. I'm excited for the rest of the series to see what happens to these characters.

I got this as an audiobook advanced copy with a synthetic voice reader- which was a first for me. It was kind of like having your maps app read you a book. Not good, not bad, just weird. But, the fact that I pushed through despite not being entertained by the narrator means that this adventure story was genuinely compelling. Any kid reader who likes adventure tales will enjoy this, and those who particularly like Viking mythology will not be disappointed.

This will appeal to fans of Norse mythology and fantasy action, but the story is rich and characters are compelling enough that any reader with a taste for adventure will enjoy this book

Vikings…need I say more? No but seriously this book was so good! I’m a huge fan of Norse mythology and the author just nailed this one on the head.

After Ragnarok, the human world has become a dangerous place and magic is sparse. The story unfolds through our two main characters eyes, Eiric and Reggin.

We have compelling characters, fantastic world building and things to look forward to in the next book! This book was an epic fantasy full of myths, magic and twists.

I cannot wait for the next book! Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for an ARC copy of the book!

DNF at 25%, sorry I can’t listen to the synthesized narrator. I will be buying the finished copy and I’m sure I’ll love it as much as the rest of Chima's books.