Echoes of the Runes by Christina Courtenay is a charming tale of timeless love remanifested. This is a dual time novel, shifted between the past where Ceri has been kidnapped by Haukr’s raiding party and brought back to be ransomed, and the present where Mia and Haakon are excavating property left to Mia by her grandmother. Haakon and Mia are initially drawn together by a pair of ancient snake rings. As they work together on the dig, each begins to get glimmers of the past, whose validity is proven as the excavations continue. Past blurs with future, playing out an eternal love as souls find one another anew.

I found it a bit confusing at the beginning, as the times, and people speaking, shifted back and forth. I found my bearings soon enough, though, and quite enjoyed it. I think I preferred the present, as it had the more interesting timeline. The conflict with Thoresson, and the excavation both appeal to the archaeologist in me. I’m strongly averse to grave robbing and site looting. 

Haakon was my favourite character. He’s an archaeologist after all! Both he and the archaeology felt real. Made me feel a little nostalgic, truthfully. Ragnhild was my least favourite character. She was just one nasty tempered b’. And what she did to Ceri. Geez. I love how the characters and story of the present mirror that of the past, and how personality traits filter into present generations. I adore the found family forged by the end. My only qualm is how often the main four characters talk about how they weren’t sure how someone felt about them, or that such a relationship would be impossible. That could have been toned down a bit. Also, where were the runes! I was looking forward to runes!

Recommended!

***Many thanks to the Netgalley & Headline for providing an egalley in exchange for a fair and honest review. Reviewed for Love Books Tours.