So this isn’t my first DLJ series but it’s absolutely going to be my favorite. I don’t know much about Viking lore so I can’t speak to how similar/accurate the book is in that aspect but it had me hooked basically from the beginning.

I love that Freya isn’t a stereotypical “save me” FMC and that she has flaws and desires and strengths. Bjorn is 🥵 and he is shaping up to be a top book boyfriend for sure.

The story does a great job with pacing, world building, and character development. When I read Bridge Kingdom I felt like those things weren’t explored enough but I feel like the authors writing has gotten so much better in this book. The Gods lore/presence and the political machinations are done beautifully.

I will say I’m disappointed that I have to wait until February to get a physical copy and even longer for book two - fingers crossed for a short wait!

Yet another fantasy filled world by Danielle L. Jensen and it promises to be really great one! Filled with adventure, romance, and the Norse gods, she has created another intriguing world with lots of myths and gods in play. The story follows Freya, a woman in an unwanted and awful marriage, who dreams of being a warrior and using her magic to help her people. However, no one except her mother and brother know of her magic and she was told by her father to never reveal it. However, fate has other plans. When he husband betrays her, she is forced to reveal her magic. And is taken in possession by a jarl in the hopes of being king of all of Skaland. Freya finds herself moving from one prison to another, yet there are a few benefits to this new cage. First, the ability to fight and use her magic. Now she can train to be the warrior she always wanted to. And Bjorn. The son of this jarl and the one she can’t keep her eyes off of. There is a tension and connection between the two of them but no possible way for them to be together. No matter how much deep their feelings are and how much they want to. But there is also too much at stake. When Freya’s magic is revealed to all, everyone is looking to capture her or kill her. Because her magic is the one foretold to unite Skaland under one rule by whoever controls her. So much going on in this story and I couldn’t put it down! And that cliffhanger of an ending! Will definitely be looking forward to book two. But this story had everything I love in this author’s writing. The battles and mythologies were great, the awesome heroine, adventures, and the romance between Freya and Bjorn is everything. Can’t wait for book two!

✨ARC Review✨

Holy shit, was not expecting this at all.

You’ve got Vikings 😏, Gods & Magic…What more can anyone ask for?

Immediately we are introduced to the FMC’s struggles and frustrations but also her strength. I love that she does not hold her tongue and speaks her mind, consequences be damned.

The FMC is one bad b.....🗡️

Now the MMC….😮‍💨🥵 That is all I’ll say because if not, I’ll spoil it all.

“𝘐𝘵 𝘪𝘴 𝘩𝘢𝘳𝘥 𝘵𝘰 𝘬𝘦𝘦𝘱 𝘰𝘯𝘦’𝘴 𝘸𝘪𝘵𝘴 𝘸𝘩𝘦𝘯 𝘧𝘢𝘤𝘦𝘥 𝘸𝘪𝘵𝘩 𝘢 𝘸𝘰𝘮𝘢𝘯 𝘢𝘴 𝘣𝘦𝘢𝘶𝘵𝘪𝘧𝘶𝘭 𝘢𝘴 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘴𝘪𝘨𝘩𝘵 𝘰𝘧 𝘴𝘩𝘰𝘳𝘦 𝘵𝘰 𝘢 𝘮𝘢𝘯 𝘸𝘩𝘰 𝘩𝘢𝘴 𝘣𝘦𝘦𝘯 𝘭𝘰𝘴𝘵 𝘢𝘵 𝘴𝘦𝘢.”

5 ⭐️
2🌶️

Thank you both to Danielle & NetGalley for the opportunity to read this amazing ARC 🫶🏼

So happy to have pre-ordered this.

Let me first start off by saying this book was a slow burn, slow burn to the maximum of degree of I had blue lady balls till over 90% into the dang book.

Alright onto the review.

The ending of the book, I saw coming, like a mile away.
However, one of the revelations in regards to the seer, I didn't see that. Not in a million years.

Towards the beginning of the book when she first gets practically sold to Snorri, she made a vow, "I vow to serve no man, not of this blood. I vow Allegiance to him who is of this blood. I vow to protect at all cost him who is of this blood. I vow to speak no word of this bargain except to him who is of this blood." and I was wondering how that whole thing was going to play in since she very specifically said she can't talk about it to anyone who's not of his blood, but then she was able to tell Bjorn. Which after the end of the book, I am kind of at a loss as to how she disclosed the whole thing to Bjorn since the revelations made it pretty clear who he is. That seems like a big loose end. There was that moment that she was not able to kill him when she had the chance but that seemed to be the only thing that vow stopped.

My problems with Freya seem to be my problem with most books written about women coming into power.
On one hand she is a meek, confused, semi helpless little girl, and on the other she is holding her own in battle filled with blood lust and murdering anyone who gets in her way. Its the whole "woman wants to save herself but literally has to have a strong powerful man there who's helping every step of the way while she fights her feelings for him trope" I'm not saying its bad, I'm just saying its common.

What I loved about the book was the old gods, the lore, the children of the gods. What I also liked is that a god had to come down and get jiggy with the mortals so they can have their god children which is a twist I enjoyed seeing.

I didn't really see Snorri and Ylva as villains rather than they are just the typical rise to power and try to keep it type of people. I do think Snorri cares less about his people and more about his power struggle, but that's where Ylva came in to be a balance to him, since she actually did care.

I will wait for the next book, and I will for sure continue the series because I genuinely enjoyed it. I hope that Freya learns to listen to her heart and instinct and quits allowing men to guide her purpose in life.

A Fate Inked In Blood delivers a captivating journey through a Norse-inspired world, where a courageous shield maiden's choices become intertwined with magic, love, and destiny. The story follows her path as she navigates the complexities of her heart, torn between a bloodthirsty king's promise and the bond she forms with his son.

Jensen skillfully weaves a tapestry of adventure that takes unexpected turns, leading readers through uncharted territories. One of the book's highlights is its exploration of pagan mythology in a way that's both accessible and engaging. Seamlessly integrating these elements into the narrative, allowing readers to immerse themselves in a rich and intricate world. Plus the magic system and spiritual references add depth to the story, enhancing the immersion into this world.

While the exploration of pagan mythology is commendable, I found myself wanting even further depth in certain aspects. Maybe we will get that later in the series.

The romance that blossoms amidst the chaos and uncertainty adds layers of complexity and spice, making you want to go back and reread previous chapters. This amazing author is always keeping readers engaged with her unexpected twists and turns. The sense of unpredictability enhances the sense of adventure and makes the book a page-turner from start to finish.

This story offers a mesmerizing blend of Norse-inspired adventure and tension filled romance. Danielle L Jensen's approachable yet rich exploration creates a unique reading experience that draws readers in. With its unpredictable narrative and engaging characters, the book leaves a lasting impression, making it a worthy addition to any fantasy lover's bookshelf. Highly recommend pre ordering!

Are you KIDDING!!!!!!! I’M OBSESSED.

This book has everything I love within a fantasy romance. Unique & epic storyline. Sexy & steamy slow burn. Forced Proximity. Hidden Powers. Badass FMC x Tall, Dark, & Handsome MMC.

I can’t wait to get my hands on a physical copy. This one’s going to live rent free in my mind for quite some time.

Bjorn has my HEART

I received an advanced reader copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

Overall Score: 4.75/5
Character Development: 5/5
Plot: 4.5/5
Ease of Reading: 5/5
Overall Enjoyment: 5/5

Vikings.

I’ll say that again- V I K I N G S. Meddling gods. Unknown fates. A STRONG, witty FMC that made me actually laugh out loud with her banter and bow down to her excellence. An MMC that is protective, broody, darkly funny AND controls fire. I went into this ARC completely blind- I’ve heard good things about Danielle Jensen and the cover was pretty so I requested it on NetGalley. And oh my GOD y’all, I am shook. This book is fantastic. I loved Jensen’s writing, the characters, the setting- every single detail kept you hooked the entire way through. From the first chapter I knew this book was going to be good, but it surpassed my expectations. Freya has become one of my favorite people and I want her as a friend in real life, Bjorn has my heart, and this epic tale is going to be running through my head constantly until I get my hands on book 2!!! If you like the show Vikings Valhalla or the Last Kingdom, you need to read this today because it has all those vibes PLUS actual magic and fantasy elements. It’s fantastic. Anyway, this is going to be part of my personality for the next 6 months thanks!!

First off, I loved how this has a Vikings with powers things going on. I love all things Vikings so I was here for that. I will say I was more engaged in the beginning and super curious where things would go but felt it started to drag a little in the middle. This felt longish. Then in the end I was just waiting for that shoe to drop that we know is going to.

I did enjoy this but I didn't love the whole "everyone wants to use the girl with powers" cause it felt like many I've read before. I was so frustrated for her because I wanted her to stand up for herself more and be more badass. I'm hoping that will come in the next book.

The romance aspect definitely kept me wanting more. It's an interesting slowburn, forbidden romance that at first feels a little awkward but yet I was here for it and rooting for them. I loved all their interactions especially at the beginning. I'm curious to see how it all plays out after that ending which has me kind of frustrated but also excited to see more!

I definitely think this next book could be super awesome. This one just felt like a familiar to other fantasy starting out story like Shadow and Bone or From Blood and Ash type books. But it did have an awesome Vikings twist. I'll for sure read the next book tho!

This series will be my new favorite. I can already tell.
If you are a fan of anything Norse related or even shows like Vikings or The Last Kingdom, this book is for you!
"Then the most fierce and beautiful woman I've ever laid eyes on hit me in the face with a fish and proceeded to wind her way into my heart."
I give this book 5 stars. It had everything I loved. It was an intense slow burn/ forbidden romance. Lost of pining and angst. All set in Viking era Skaland. This story had so many twists and unforeseen circumstances that left me reeling!

This was amazing in very way. The banter was on point and the chemistry made me not want to put the book down. I felt the female MC emotions were usually spot on and made me feel frustrated for her. I loved this book so more and I am already looking forward to the second one!! Thank you!

There's always books that make me feel I wish I could read them again for the first time. A Fate Inked in Blood is one of those books. I loved the story, the world and the characters. Freya isn't the most likeable character but honestly it fits. I was a little hesitant about her marriage to the Jarl as I’m not a big fan of age gap romances. Boy, was I glad I kept reading. This book had it all, Gods, kingdoms, undead, a hot son, and creepy seers. The only thing I am upset about is the fact that I have to wait so long for book two, because the cliffhanger is mean.

Thank you to #NetGalley and Del Rey for the early copy. All the above opinions are my own.

A fate inked in blood delivers on nordic magic and forbidden romance. Danielle Jensen delivers a fantasy romance filled with adventure, intrigue and mystery. Coupled with strong main characters and a backdrop of Nordic allure- A Fate Inked in Blood is a must read for romantasy lovers.

50 billion/5 stars! Per usual, Danielle delivers a story that knocks me off my feet and just utterly destroys me. I am not a huge fan of Norse stories so I wasn't sure about the premise. But just like with Bridge Kingdom, this story rocked my world. Freya is determined and strong and a bad*ss in her own right. Bjorn is steamy and spicy without everything nicey. Like Bridge Kingdom the cliff-hanger ending wrecked me; but I can't wait for the sequel to come out.

I received a free copy of this book via NetGalley and am voluntarily leaving a review

Epic viking Romantasy that I COULD NOT put down!

This story was so unique and captivating that it had all my attention. The magic system is completely it’s own, which truly impressed me. There isn’t one story that I could compare this to because of how different it is as a whole.
Freya is a grade A BADASS and Bjorn has the quickest wit of any MMC I’ve read in a long time. Their banter had me smiling from ear to ear.
Also can I say how amazing the plot was?!? The twists and turns that just kept coming at me where amazing. And that ending!! Like I was and wasn’t ready for it.
Freya’s inter monologue about her guilt over her mother and brother felt so real but made me want to scream sense into her. They don’t deserve her.
I’m so excited for more from this series because that was simply amazing and one of the best romantasy’s of the year.

This book is fantastic. There were a few editing things that I imagine just haven't been updated yet by the editor. The characters are super relatable and the twist at the end killed me. When it is released it will be a big hit. I am on the edge of my seat for the release of the next one just like everyone else will be after they read it.

** Thank you to Netgalley, Danielle Jensen and Random House Publishing for a free copy of this book in exchange for my HONEST review **


Tropes/ Key Points:
* Norse/Viking Mythology
* Witty Banter
* Fighting Prophecy
* Only One Horse
* Forced Proximity
* Slow Burn
* Strong FMC
* Forbidden Romance

Spice: 🌶️🌶️

Trigger Warnings: Death, War, Mutilation, Abandonment


Review:

I have been a fan of Danielle since The Bridge Kingdom and honestly, I was so excited to learn that this book was a thing! I love Viking / Norse Mythology and I find that not many people write about it as most choose to favor the Greek's. Those that do write Norse Mythology, tend to get a lot wrong and it can burn you out pretty quickly from trusting authors in that genre. Danielle did not disappoint and I love the way that she represented the Norse Religion.


1) World Building

Danielle has had plenty of experience with intricate world building, and this story is no different. We are introduced to Skaland, a land broken up into many territories under the control of various Jarls. Their main enemy are the Nordelands, a northern continent that is under the rule of one King, a King who refuses to allow Skaland to unite as they would provide a formidable opponent against his reign. It's better for him for Skaland to fight against themselves, than to turn their attention to him.

The book starts off in a small little fishing village with our FMC, Freya as a fishmongers wife. From there it rapidly grows as Freya is carted away with no say about her future to a larger settlement as a second wife to a Jarl. He is a fanatic who believes that Freya will be his stepping stone to becoming King and uniting Skaland. We move on to a large mountain region which holds a holy temple to worship the Gods once every seven years, and then another pivot to a large fortress of a village that is nearly impenetrable. The world sucks you in and doesn't want to let you go, feeling like it's massive but also manageable at the same time... is it too much to ask for a map though? I love maps.


2) Plot

As alluded to in the point above, the plot of the story is about a Jarl who uses Freya and her "blessed" status to attempt to elevate himself to King of Skaland. Freya has a drop of God Blood in her but her life and future is wrapped up in a prophecy that's unknown to her at the time the book opens. She is one who is "destined" to be the ruin of Skaland or to unite it under one king. The Jarl who finds her believes that she was sent for him and him alone, and he will do anything to control her.. even marry her against her wishes.

Freya is forced from her quiet life a fishmonger's wife into one of battle, love and trials of the mind and body. Her world opens up to impossible borders as she is carted from one place to another, with death and destruction following her at every turn. She jumps into a fight for her life as everyone is out to kill her or claim her for their own, not knowing who her friends or enemies are.

All of this on top of having lust-filled thoughts for her new husband's son... and Freya is in for the ride of her life. As are we as we read along.


3) Romance

This book is slow burn in the best way with tension building throughout with witty banter, stolen touches, moments that go a bit too far, and longing hearts until the bubble is burst towards the end of the book.

I am not a fan of insta-love and that's not at all what happens here. I feel like some people mis-understand the difference between Insta-love and insta-lust. Freya and Bjorn experience Insta-Lust, which is something that happens every day in the real world. You see someone who seems too good to be true and based off their looks and a brief (good) interaction with them, you can't get them out of your mind. That's what happens here, it's NOT Insta-love. In fact, we get to see how the love starts to develop between our couple as the story goes on, forced Proximity style.


4) War / Action

This book has so much action, that I found myself wishing for the calm moments and usually it's the other way. Now this isn't said in insult to the book, not by any means, because Danielle manages to lead us through action and peace in a lyrical way that feels just right. Just when the war and fights and battles start to become too much, we are given a reprieve until you get on the edge of wanting more action. She weaves a thread of balance between love, tension, battle and rest like one would weave a tapestry.



I will be recommending this book to everyone that I could possibly come across, and I am so disappointed that I have to wait so long for the next book.

Thank you to Random House Publishing Group- Ballantine and NetGalley for giving me the opportunity to read this digital arc for an honest review.

This story follows Freya, who is secretly the shield maiden, in an unwanted marriage. Unexpectedly, her husband betrays her and forces her to reveal it. Now she finds herself under control of a power-hungry king. She must prove her strength to defend his land, and in doing so must train with his son, Bjorn. She finds herself to have a growing desire for him the more they spend time together, even though it is forbidden. This will risk her fate and all of those around her.

This is by far the best ARC I have read this year! This is a Norse mythology inspired fantasy romance. This story includes forbidden romance, one horse, slow burn, and spice. Need I say anything more? A Fate Inked in Blood has a plot so well written and amazingly paced, that I found myself eager to continue reading chapter to chapter. Not only is the plot well written, but so are the characters. I found myself being able to resonate with many of them. Danielle L. Jensen was able to intertwine love and deceit so beautifully throughout the story. Every time I suspected a character of doing something, more would happen, and I would start rethinking everything. The ending of this story had my jaw on the floor. Now I will be impatiently waiting for the second book.

A Fate Inked in Blood publishes Feb 27, 2024, and it needs to be on your Goodreads list!

A review was posted to my Goodreads on 8/27/2023 and will be posted on my Bookstagram account on 8/28/2023.

This book was really rough. It falls into so many of the tropes of the romance-fantasy genre that I do not like. Insta-love / insta-lust? It's got it. Freya sees Bjorn and instantly is super attracted to him (and vice versa). I get that fated mates is a trope that some people like - it's just not for me. This book also features a super over-powered female MC who doesn't have to work for her powers. It's this fan-fiction-y phenomenon where the female MC is made super strong in order to be "feminist." However, Freya doesn't have growth in her powers and abilities (and she also continuously slut-shames other women), so it comes off as "girlboss" rather than feminist. The final plot twist was also immensely weak. I saw it coming from a mile away and was not surprised at all. Overall, this book was pretty bad. The tropes were overpowering, the characters were weak and one-dimensional, and the pacing was abysmal. Not for me.

I loved this book! I love discovering new-to-me authors and she did not disappoint. I’d definitely purchase more of her work going forward.

This is 100% a 5 star read for me.

I was captivated by every aspect of this book. Freya (the shield maiden) was 100% a character I could get behind. I really enjoyed her growth and determination throughout the entire book. Even though she was fighting for so much and so many people were using her for their own gain she tended to keep to her own morals which I really appreciated.
Bjorn as basically the other main character was incredible. You could really see his growth throughout this book. And the slow burn that this book gives you is absolutely amazing.
I also really appreciate the friendships that are being built along the way. Freya really learns a lot about herself and about her ability along the way.

I know this book is the first in a series and it was incredibly well written. I didn’t feel like anything was rushed or that I was ever given to much information. I really enjoyed the fact that I was given just enough that I wanted more. The pacing was perfect in this book with the amount that is going on throughout the story I feel like the author really paced it incredibly well.

I can’t wait for the second book to come out. And I know that I will just be sitting and waiting for it patiently.
This author is definitely one of my auto buys/reads and I really appreciate the thought and effort she puts into her characters and the world that she is trying to build.