Bridge Kingdom and Stolen Songbird share some of my all-time favorite series. I was so excited to receive this arc and consumed it in 2 days’ time. While it was full of intrigue, it dragged initially but picked up at the end.

My primary complaint was the alliance between Freya and Bodil didn’t feel fleshed out to me. Additionally, the romance felt instalove and I could do without Snorri’s marriage completely. However, Jensen knows how weave a tell much like Steinnum herself.

Danielle Jensen is by far one of the best fantasy writers in the market today, and she seriously deserves more fame than she currently has. Her writing is always exquisite, her characters richly drawn. No more so in her latest, which had such a swoony romance and such great dialogue that I found myself rereading sections for pure enjoyment! This is the start of a new series inspired by Norse legend, and it shows that Ms. Jensen has done her research, yet created a fascinating new world. I loved this book, absolutely LOVED it and would give it 100 stars if that were an option. Thank you so much to the publisher and Netgalley. And if you haven't read any of her books - run to your nearest store and buy them all! However, I do think this newest is her best yet!

I love fantasy romances and this did not disappoint! The main characters were both great and you could feel the tension and buildup between them. I also really loved the setting and fantasy elements as they really added to the story. I need the next book now!! Would def recommend

I have decided to DNF at 60% into this book.

I absolutely love the first two books in The Bridge Kingdom series and was really looking forward to reading the start of this new series. Unfortunately it looks like the sexual content is going in the same direction Jensen’s last two books headed and I am no longer comfortable with it. Ultimately, this is what led me to finally DNF A Fate Inked in Blood.

**Potential Spoilers Ahead**

I was not into how the forbidden romance was set up. The stepmom/stepson relationship felt kind of gross and too close to cheating for my taste. It was also very lust driven from the very beginning and I would have liked to see some more emotional attachment.

The world building was severely lacking and I didn’t feel like the plot was moving forward much.

I will not be posting an official review on my social media page as I don’t feel like it’s fair since I didn’t finish the book.

THIS BOOK.

When Danielle announced she was writing a new Norse inspired adult series, I was immediately on board. As a huge fan of the show Vikings, this was right up my alley.

One of my favorite thing about Danielle’s writing is the plot twists. And this was no exception. Freya & Bjorn’s story is filled with heated tension, snarky banter and worthwhile 🌶️. Freya is a character after my own heart, quick to temper, loyal to a fault and does not curb her tongue often. She was never meant to be a fishwife. I can’t wait to see where Freya & Bjorns story continues, because that cliffhanger!! If you’re familiar with Danielle’s work, you know we had it coming, but WHAT. I need book 2 stat!

Thank you Del Rey / Random House for the e-arc on NetGalley

What a start! I am a Freya fan. It takes a lot for a book to really draw me in and this one did it. I feel like there is a little something for everyone in this book. I look forward to the next book in the series.

Danielle Jensen has done it again. She dragged me into a fantasy world I absolutely adored. Viking fantasy romance… need I say more for you to add this to your TBR? Well if you need more. Here it is, Jensen wrote a romantasy with a high stakes romance. On top of the romance you have Viking gods, battles, raids, did I mention sexy Viking men with extremely skilled tongues? (Both verbally and physically). I truly never ever expected to be chosen to review this but good gosh am I ever so grateful! Thank you NetGalley and Random House Publishing for this arc. Jensen submerged me into a world that was easy to understand and follow. I was able to fully fall in love with the characters without being overwhelmed with a complicated magic system. It was everything I didn’t know I needed.

This book was addicting and I finished it in a single day. The setting is extremely unique, being a Nordic Viking book. The descriptions were vibrant and made me feel like I was there with the characters. The power system was unique as well, with a powerful main character that I loved being in the head of. I have never read a Viking book before, but the battles and romance here have me wanting more.

Thank you to netgalley for my very first ARC ever! what a great book to start with.

I've devoured the Bridge Kingdom books so far and knew when I came across Danielle's latest that I needed to get my hands on it ASAP - and it did not disappoint.

A fantastic slow-burn romance with all the tropes we love - one horse, meddling gods, forbidden romance, forced proximity, hot springs spice (that's a trope - right?).

I liked that this was different than a lot of the popular booktok books right now. I love a good fae romantasy as much as the next guy, but I haven't good viking / Norse gods romantasy like this.

The plot was fast-moving and kept me on my toes for the most part, although I slightly suspected the twist, I just didn't know how it would all play out. Needless to say, I will be waiting impatiently for book 2 in the series!

Content Warning: violence, animal sacrifice

Danielle L. Jensen is an auto-read author for me and now she’s going in a different direction with this new series A Fate Inked in Blood. What I love about her books is her writing. I am always immersed in the worlds she builds and the characters in her books that I start to care about.

This book takes us to the northern hemisphere where the setting is brutal and the lifestyle is harsh. Here, the Norse gods are revered and they call for blood. Freya is married to a man, who is blessed by a god, but that doesn’t make him a good person. But then she runs into a handsome young man who awakens something inside of her, more than what she bargained for. Events take place beyond Freya’s control and she reveals that she is blessed by a god too, though a minor one. Freya is now the one every man wants to own or kill because it is prophesied that the Shield Maiden is a king maker. This is a story about the battle between power hungry men, the Gods, and one woman who is trying not to be a pawn in this game – or lose herself to the power also.

I like Freya. She’s beautiful yes, but she’s fierce and not afraid to get her hands dirty. I hate that she’s married to a horrible man, and I hate what happens next to her but she endures. Freya endures everything. Bjorn is charming and powerful in his own right since he is also blessed by a god. The two of them have chemistry right away but their circumstances are unfortunate – especially Freya’s. So theirs is a forbidden romance for most of the book, which I didn’t totally love. I know her marriages were just a union with no love in them but I really wish she could flirt with Bjorn without being a married woman. I hope it gets better for Freya in book two.

I’d say this is the darkest book from this author because there is no nice feelings between anyone in this environment. Freya can’t even get trust and affection from her own family. Bjorn definitely doesn’t get it from his own family either, but his background is very intriguing and I think we’ll get to learn more about it in the sequel. There are no friendships in this book either except between Freya and Bjorn. So I felt like it was void of the usual things I come to love about DLJ’s books but I still look forward to book two because I know this is just the beginning.

Tropes: slow burn, forbidden romance

I read this one the moment the arc hit my NetGalley shelf and I was immersed in an adventure with battles, harsh surroundings, hard characters and forbidden romance. I didn’t love it as much as The Bridge Kingdom but I am looking forward to seeing what happens to Freya and Bjorn in the next book.

I’m freaking rabid and frothing at the mouth because of this book!

It took one sentence for me to be sucked into this book, and I knew 100% I was Freya’s biggest fan by the end of the first paragraph! I was giggling like a schoolgirl by the second chapter because the banter was so good! The chemistry and tension between the Freya and Bjorn is glorious and had my heart thundering the whole book! I need more exclamation marks for how this book makes me feel!
There is so much action and fighting throughout this book, there is never a dull moment. This book was so epic! The battle scenes were as gritty and sobering as the forbidden romance was smoldering and heart achingly sweet.
Freya is so sassy and stubborn, I love her so much. She’s so loyal, hardheaded and real. And Bjorn was just perfect, he’s witty, and hilarious but so deadly in battle.
Danielle killed it with this book!

Warning: This book will keep you up at night.

First, a sincere and heartfelt thank you to Del Ray/Random House Publishing Group - Ballantine, NetGalley and Danielle L Jensen for the opportunity to review this book. I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

Secondly, I love Danielle. The Bridge Kingdom is a fantastic series and I'm quite honored to be reading this book. I want to be clear however, although I follow authors and support as much as I can, I try to not follow too close so I can be surprised and avoid the hype beast surrounding new releases. I went into this series completely blind relying only on the cover art (and what scrumptious artwork it is).

On to the review. I love this book. This will be one of the highlighted series of 2024 without a doubt. The Bridge Kingdom was a solid, charming series with all the best elements of a romantic fantasy but this is somehow just more. It's elevated in a way that is hard to articulate. The series feels more polished, the characters are engaging and the world building is lush without being convoluted. The FMC is sturdy. She's not a whimpering damsel but also not super human, her decisions aren't completely idiotic and she seems very relatable. Her struggles are realistic and heartbreaking at times.

And Bjorn. Yeesh. Nothing in life has made me want to skin animals and jump in an icy lake like this man and he has the audacity to be fictional. Their banter was dreamy, his confidence in her makes me question every relationship I've ever been in and did I mention he has a flaming axe? Perfection.

If you are someone that does not enjoy cliffhangers....just stop the book a little early (you'll know when) and wait for the second or third book. Trust me.

I am impatiently waiting book two and book one isn't even out yet. Hlin help me.

I really love Danielle L. Jensen's books. And I didn't realize that I needed more Viking-style romantasy in my life until now. Bjorn is a perfect cinnamon roll alpha, and Freya is an interesting heroine (except in the very last bit of the book, I really needed her to just shut up and calm down). The twists are great, the writing is superb as always, and I can't wait to find out what happens next!

I absolutely LOVED this book! One of my few five star ratings of the year. The mixture of Norse Mythology and fantasy-style powers was very well written. I couldn't put this book down to save my life. You will become so attached to certain characters and have your heart broken, but it's so worth it.

Also, the main character's emotions are written so well, that it feels like they're your own. You'll become devastated and outraged right along with her.

I seriously can't recommend this book enough! Definitely one of my top books of the year.

Thank you to the author and to NetGalley for letting me read an ARC of this!

Hlin, grant me patience while we wait for book two!

I am begging you to add this to your TBR! I anticipate this is going to be on lots of reader favorites lists next year! Fans of The Serpent and the Wings of Night will really enjoy this!

This was the Romantasy that I didn't know I needed. For me, the category is a third option that exists somewhere between Romantic Fantasy and Fantasy Romance, and A Fate Inked in Blood balanced that in-between space perfectly with plot and romance. This is the first book that I have completely devoured in months and I think it cured my reading slump!

Freya, our fiery daughter of Hlin, is one of the most real characters I have read in a while. Her life changes in a blink and though she tries to be grateful for the chance to do what she has always wanted, to bring honor to her family...she finds that sometimes we find ourselves thinking "Be careful what you wish for". She endures, even with many tears and so much fear. Trading one trapped life for another. She's put through so much Hel in the guise of trials and I honestly kept waiting for her to break, the lack of sleep alone would have most snapping... Her magic to protect is a nice change of pace from stabby FMCs and is an interesting way to highlight the role of Shield Maidens in Norse lore. I am excited to see her grow not only in battle and political finesse but also emotionally and especially in self-confidence/worth. I can't wait to see Freya go complete beast mode but in a Divine Feminine Rage sort of way.

Hear me out, this story has Tangled (but adult) vibes. Freya might not be trapped in a tower but she is a sheltered woman wound in threads like chains passed from one egotistical master to another. Her life is always seen as a means to an end for someone else, even by family and friends. An object to own, to benefit from with no regard to her wants and needs. We see Freya deal with the complicated emotions that come with shitty family members, especially mothers. Truly, they do not deserve her for what they have put her through, and feel no remorse over it.

You can't tell me Bjorn doesn't remind you of Flynn Rider. The forbidden love and pining had me swooning, it isn't a trope I have read a lot of and it is now one of my favorites. Holy smolder his banter with Freya from the get-go was feet kick worthy. He felt well-rounded, intelligent, and witty! I didn't feel like his character relied too hard on being broody or mysterious. The way he would burn the land for Freya...Bjorn had her back from the start and seemed to be the only person really looking out for her. Reminding her she was unfated. The irony of being someone with a fate unwoven yet everyone wanting to hold your strings like a puppet...

The plot felt a little predictable but in a satisfying way! While the pace was medium-ish, the characters got moving really quickly. They are basically constantly on the move, little sleep is had. The last 30% will have you on your toes! I would have loved to see a little bit more unique world-building but I felt like there was enough for the first installment in a character-driven book. The story was full of morally grey actions and brutal savagery that you might expect from a raiding culture...glory and gore!

I truly cannot wait to continue this series!


Some notes:

-There is a few instances of aquatic life cruelty in the beginning. One instance happens on page (Freya tries to solve), and one is mentioned as having happened.

-On the same note, there is an animal sacrifice scene at about 40%. I'm usually pretty sensitive to these things but it was okay, it would be easy enough to skim through once you see it coming.

-There is one particular thing that I thought we were going to have to watch happen and I am so glad it was avoided because it was going to make me really uncomfortable.

-Spice Scale: 1.5 chili peppers (2 foreplay-ish scenes, 2 penetration scenes).

-There is a first-printing special edition offer, so make sure to pre-order!


Playlist:
-Ivy by Taylor Swift
-Labour by Paris Paloma
-Gods & Monsters by Lana Del Rey
-Man's World by Marina
-Which Witch by Florence + the Machine
-Me and the Devil by Soap+Skin
-Breezeblock by Alt-J
-Hoax by Taylor Swift
-Born to Rule by Transviolet

Big thanks to Random House Publishing Group - Ballantine, Del Rey, and Netgalley for granting my wish for this eARC.

I went into this book not having read the synopsis, just knowing I wanted it because I loved her other series. I’m so glad I did because this book was amazing.

In this book, Freya is a shield maiden who was blessed with her magic by the god Hlin. It was said that she would unite the people under one king, and she battles to do just that. But that’s not the only thing she battles, as her feelings and desire for the one she isn’t supposed to feel for continue to grow.

This was a slow burn Viking inspired fantasy that was everything I wanted and more.

This HAS to be the new craze! I am blown away completely. I devoured every single word with so much interested i felt like my eyes were gunna explode. 10/10

4.5

This scratched my ACOTAR/FBAA/Plated Prisoner/Daughter of No Worlds itch.

I liked it wayyy more than I was expecting to. This is actually my first Danielle L Jensen book so I wasn’t sure what to expect but I couldn’t put it down!

This gripped me right from the beginning - there’s just something about a women wielding a sword that gets me every time. This is a Viking, Norse-inspired fantasy romance where the fmc is a shield maiden. And while some people might disagree with me, I think Freya is (slightly) a morally grey character. Some of her decisions were questionable and fueled by fear to protect her family and her people but still not necessarily right (which of course made me love her more).

This has a nearly perfect action to romance ratio.

I found the plot super interesting - gods and fate and prophesies are complicated to pull off seamlessly but I found this was just enough without being confusing. I loved the action and fighting scenes. To be fair, I did see most of the twists/reveals coming from a mile away but honestly I’m alright with that, I don’t need my fantasy romances to be the most shocking thing ever. And my heart was still beating fast as I read the ending of this.

Freya and Bjorn’s banter!!! Tension-filled and funny, I loved their chemistry. The spice in this was great too. The camp scene!! I was absolutely screaming!! I had to read it twice. And the ending - the betrayal - that hurt. I could feel their pain and desperation.

This really had everything I love in a fantasy romance - the chosen one, forbidden love, fate/prophecies, slow burn, tension, forced proximity

I can’t believe I have to wait so long for the next book!!!

***Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC***

Danielle L. Jensen has done it again; torn my heart into pieces at the end of the first book of a series. Gods but this was good. I absolutely adore pinning and a slow burn romance. And this one? I’m not sure I’ve read a more agonizing romance. The pining was so intense, I was left in a forest.

We follow Freya, the unwilling wife of a fishmonger. She hates her husband but for her family she will endure him. But then she meets a handsome stranger on the beach. But then she is confronted with her deepest secret; for Freya has a drop of god’s blood in her, imbued with the power of the god who gave their blood. Thus she is thrust into the schemes of her jarl. Schemes and prophecies that foretell her as the shield maiden that with unite her kingdom under one jarl. But can she resist the pull of the jarl’s son? Can she break free of the chains put upon her by men in power to weave her own fate? And what if that drop of god’s blood is not a blessing but a curse…

Full of Norse mythology and gods. Fates and the threads that bind us together. Destinies already foreseen or paths chosen. And weaved throughout one of the best slow burn forbidden romances I’ve read in a while. I can’t recommend this book enough. Jensen is an ace at simmering tension and political intrigue to keep you on the edge of your seat.

Thank you to NetGalley, Random House and Del Rey for giving me this ARC in exchange for an honest review. All thoughts are my own.

This has such an interesting premise! I loved the Nordic influence and the lore of the Nordic gods. However, the execution fell a little flat for me. There was so much tell not show that I got bored and lost in the inner dialogue and the same justification for her stupid decision 200 times. The dialogue didn't feel genuine to me and read a bit like Wattpad. I also found the twists and turns to be predictable and so obviously foreshadowed that it just annoyed me how the main character could not see it.

That being said, the world/magic system was cool.