Runes (Runes #1) by Ednah Walters

Raine Cooper believes that she is a normal girl. Her life revolves around school, swim practice, her parents and her two best friends. Now her father has gone missing, her crush on her best friend is going nowhere especially with the possibility of him relocating soon. And then there is the mysterious new neighbour - Torin. Little does she know that her life as she knows it is about to turn upside down.


Raine, Cora and Eirik have been best of friends since forever. Each character has its own charm. Raine is sassy and straightforward. Eirik is nerdy and caring. Cora is bubbly and fun. Three of them make quite a trio bringing in different flavours to the story. Then enter the blue eyed Torin St.James who oozes of confidence and charm. I also liked Raine’s mother who seems like a strong woman with a will of iron.


The plot introduces us to Valkyries, Grimnirs and other mythical creatures. The author has done a great job with her world building as she reveals little at a time throughout the book. Just when you think you know everything there is to know, she goes ahead and reveals a little more. However, the dynamics between Torin and Andris changed a bit too abruptly for my taste. Andris was introduced as someone who not only did not get along with Torin but they hated each other. But by the end of the book they were not only working together but quite chummy. I wish there was more about it in the book. Also the cliffhanger ending leaves us with promises of lot more adventures to come.


Overall, the author has created an intriguing world that I enjoyed reading about.