The Rune Master Saga

In 9th century Norway, 16-year-old Glyndr rejects the marriage expected of her seeking instead to learn the magical powers of the runes. In "The Runes of Odin," the first of the three-part book, the village rune master agrees to train Glyndr. Her training intensifies, however, when they learn of dark spells on the land helping King Harald become the sole ruler of Norway. Only the mystical force of the prophecy of three, never created before, can oppose the evil rune master serving the King.

In part two, Glyndr and her trader brother leave Norway and join others looking for new lives in "New World." They follow the trade route to Iceland where they and the other settlers meet resistance from a native angakkug-shaman. He uses his influence with the spirits of the land to interfere with the progress of the settlement. Glyndr attempts to counter his interference but also faces a dangerous volcano threatening the settlers.

Glyndr and her brother seek adventure and a new trade route to "Green Land" in part three but find the threat of war among the natives when they arrive. Glyndr foretells of many deaths and must endure a brutal winter in the native camp before she understands the full message of the runes with its clue to returning harmony to the land.

This is the first of a two book series. The sequel, The Rune Master Saga II: Beyond Green Land, is also available on the CreateSpace and Amazon online book websites.

With this book, Rod Baker introduces the stories of Glyndr, a young rune master in 9th century Norway, and Torvald, her older brother and Norse trader. The sequel to this book, The Rune Master Saga II: Beyond Green Land, is also available at Amazon.com and CreateSpace.

In both books, Baker uses his research and non-fiction history writing background to create a believable past while having fictional characters entertain readers. His books introduce the young adult reader to Norse mythology and the fiction of the rune master and rune spells with a story background rich in historical fact regarding the Norse trade exploration to Iceland, Greenland, Newfoundland, and Labrador and the battlefield exploits of King Harald to make himself sole ruler of all Norway.

While written for young adult readers, adult readers will appreciate the relationship between Glyndr and Caryn, the wise village rune master who helped raise Glyndr as a child and taught Glyndr the rune skills. The exploits and adventures of Glyndr’s brother as trader and explorer entertains all readers.

Baker is currently trying to decide whether he wants to write a prequel to The Rune Master Saga that would include the training of Caryn, the village rune master. He is also considering writing another book of stories with Glyndr and Torvald continuing to explore the new world past Newfoundland. He finally is interested in exploring new fiction-writing directions.