Book Beginnings, First Line Friday, & Friday 56: Rune by Victoria McCombs

Book Beginnings is a weekly meme hosted by Rose City Reader that asks you to share the first sentence (or so) of the book you're reading. I'm also linking up with Carrie at Reading is My Superpower for First Line Friday. Friday 56 asks you to grab a book (any book), turn to page 56 or 56% in your ereader and share a non-spoilery sentence or two. It was started by Freda at Freda's Voice, but Anne over at My Head is Full of Books has taken over for the time being.

This week I'm featuring Rune by Victoria McCombs. I'm really enjoying it so far. I haven't read many Viking nor Norse mythology books, so this has been really interesting. 

About the Book

PERHAPS WE ARE SAVAGES AFTER ALL

Rune wants only one thing from the gods: the heart of a boy who already claims to love her. She wants it enough that she's willing to make a deal with a god to keep it.

The deal is simple: the heart of the boy, and in return, Rune will make this god revered among the clan.

Then, out of nowhere, the boy proposes to Rune's sister instead.

In her anger, she renounces the gods. But the gods have plans of their own. They snatch Rune from earth and throw her in Asgard, claiming her as their lost goddess and drowning her in a world of dangerous power. It's clear a god is pulling the strings here, but Rune can't guess who, or what her role is in their games. Desperate, she strikes a second deal with a god-one who might be as broken and twisted as she, and quite possibly more capable of breaking her heart than anyone. As her Viking past finds a way into Asgard, it's clear that someone's heart will be slaughtered. She can only hope to be long gone before it all crashes down.

A standalone fantasy for lovers of the fake engagement trope, shields and axes, or poison in teacups.

Book Beginnings / First Line Friday

My parents had five strong, healthy, beautiful daughters, each worthy of the gods' attention and each fit to make the clan proud.

They also had me.

Friday 56

Odin waited for me when I pushed through the doors. He extended an arm. "Walk with me." He said it kindly like I had a choice. When Odin asks you to walk with him, you don't say no. 

What have you been reading lately?