runemarks by joanne harris reviewed by

Runemarks by Joanne Harris, reviewed by Nick Capriola

If you're a fan of Norse mythology you probably know that when we last

left off there was a big battle and all the gods died. Well, the book

Runemarks by Joanne Harris suggests that Ragnorok, the Norse battle to

end all battles, wasn't really the end.

The story begins with a girl named Maddy who lives in the town of

Malbury where general imagination is not approved of; townspeople

sleep on boards on wood to prevent themselves from dreaming and they

refuse to tell their children made up stories. But Maddy is different

from them. She was born with a strange mark on her hand- a "Ruinmark"

that makes everyone treat her as a witch. Maddy meets up with a man

named One Eye. One Eye teaches her that her "Ruinmark" can lead her to

much more. She begins learning magic, and she is soon swept up in a

journey that could very well be the end of her.

Runemarks is a great book! There's action, magic and secrets to be

revealed. It could even be the next Harry Potter! Once people read it

and realize how good it is, it will be the next big craze!

Editor's Note: Runemarks is an epic fantasy that reads part Pratchett,

part Faerie tale, part something completely new and fresh. Nick is the

Jaded Offspring of a Bookseller. However, he refuses to let this title

interfere with his love and enthusiasm for truly great books. He has

claimed Runemarks to be one of the best books he read in 2007- despite

the fact that the book was published in 2008- because he was privy to