Runemarks
Runemarks is a 2007 fantasy novel by Joanne Harris. In a world where Norse gods still live but are outlaws, a powerful religion called the Order seeks to wipe out magic. The story follows Maddy, a young girl shunned by her town for a rust-colored rune on her left hand. Rune-bearing creatures are seen as cursed, and people with runes are looked at with suspicion. After helping to drive goblins from a tavern cellar, Maddy discovers she has magic of her own.
Her memories reveal how she learned about runes and Norse legends from a traveler named One-Eye, who later turns out to be Odin and invites her on a quest to find a treasure beneath Red Horse Hill. As they search, they meet other Norse gods and confront the Order and its leader.
Runemarks was followed by a 2011 sequel, Runelight. Critics mostly praised the book, with The Guardian liking its storytelling, while SF Gate noted it offers a thrilling adventure with some limits in depth.
This page was last edited on 3 February 2026, at 04:56 (CET).