Common Sense Media Review
By Carrie R. Wheadon
,
based on child development research. How do we rate?
Violent, thrilling duology finale with anti-war message.
Parents Need to Know
Why Age 14+?
Any Positive Content?
Where to Read
Parent and Kid Reviews
What's the Story?
In BANE OF ASGARD: THE RUNESTONE SAGA, BOOK 2, Modir Tyra did her best to get Eiric executed at the end of book 1. He killed the entire Eimyrja Council of Elders after Tyra tampered with his mind with her magic. It was only through his sister Liv's interference that Eiric was spared, but he's still held prisoner. Reginn visits Eiric every day until she's forced to fulfill her role on the new council and oversee plans for an invasion of the Archipelago. When she sees the ships ready to set sail and the dragons ready to take flight across the sea, she fears what's to come. And that's before Liv embraces the power of the vengeful Jotun goddess Heidin and before Reginn does the job the council decrees she's destined for: raising the dead from the last Ragnarok to fight again. One thing Reginn knows: Eiric and his kin are in danger. It seems the only way to sneak the big Asgardian off the island to warn the Archipelago of the coming invasion is through his own funeral pyre.
Is It Any Good?
This dense duology finale may lose its way here and there, but stays engrossing thanks to fantastic characters, thrilling action, and devious magic. The focus stays mainly on Eiric and Reginn as they muddle their way to the Archipelago and in and out of danger. Danger includes magic mind manipulation, a faked death, and angry cave troll, stolen ships, shipwrecks, traps, kidnappings, dragons, krakens, vengeful goddesses and mothers, undead warriors, powerful spies, attempted poisonings… and it keeps going. Now you know why the book is over 600 pages.
There are only a few places in Bane of Asgard that aren't smooth sailing. One is the confusing lack of momentum of the invading army. They land on a remote part of the Archipelago and sit around arguing and waiting for something to happen—or perhaps they are just waiting until the story needs them again. Not having more time with Eiric's sister Liv as she fights for control over the goddess may be part of the problem. And really, the actions of a surprising new villain are a lot more exciting than watching one character argue with herself. This villain draws in both Eiric and Reginn to her evil lair where both characters realize how complicated it will be to save Eiric's siblings—one on each side of the war—and stop the next Ragnarok from happening. It takes all their magic and cunning and stubborn will to unravel this twisted web of competing aggressions before it's too late. For a series full of so much violent action and hardship, it's incredibly refreshing to see characters give peace a chance.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about how hard it is to find a peaceful solution in Bane of Asgard. What side is Reginn on? What about Eiric? How do they both show integrity? Do you think anyone is on the winning side that wants to wage war?
What does the Kraken ask for after he helps Reginn? How were the opposing sides remembered after Ragnarok? Who writes the histories that you read in school? Do they offer one perspective or many?
In many stories set in such an early time period, women are minor characters or not mentioned at all. What women wield power and influence in this story and show the most courage and empathy? And which women have the most influence on the heroes or are the heroes themselves?
Book Details
- Author :
- Genre : Fantasy
- Topics : Fantasy ( Magic ) , Adventures , Family Stories ( Siblings ) , Animals ( Ocean Creatures )
- Character Strengths : Compassion , Courage , Empathy , Integrity , Perseverance , Self-control , Teamwork
- Book type : Fiction
- Publisher : HarperCollins Publishers
- Publication date : October 22, 2024
- Publisher's recommended age(s) : 13 - 17
- Number of pages : 640
- Available on : Audiobook (unabridged), Hardback, Apple Books, Kindle
- Last updated : September 18, 2025
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