I've been looking for a great roman-tasy book that's not YA and so glad I found this! I enjoyed the historical elements of Norse mythology and life. The world-building was fantastic with an interesting magic system and the novel was well-paced and action-packed. While certain aspects were a bit predictable, this was a solid start to the series. I easily devoured this book and can't wait for the sequel!

Freya has been blessed by the gods with a drop of blood which gives her the magical ability to shield herself from harm. Her husband gives her to the Jarl (like an earl or lord) and he marries her because it's prophecized that she will unite the kingdom and make him king. The fact that this young woman is tossed around from man to man is bad enough, but they treat her like dirt even though she's the most powerful one in the land right now. She predictably falls in love with her new husband's son, and there's a powerful attraction on both sides. Really good book - it kept me totally engrossed although I wish Freya was as strong as she should have been and more confident in herself. She was way too good to her family when they didn't deserve. She needed to stand up for herself and realize her true potential.

Overall, I enjoyed the book enough to continue and I liked the Norse mythology. The slow burn was burning and the spice was spicing. The writing itself was good too.

With that said, I was annoyed and frustrated almost throughout the whole book. Snorri was beyond annoying and practically a one note character. Sure, he showed small moments of endearment towards his wife but not enough to make him a really well rounded character.  If I had to read another sentence about how the gods deemed it so, or the prophecy was told to Snorri, or how it was fated...😵‍💫🫨

And Freya was so frustrating. Like just make a decision for yourself already and stop being so influenced by everyone. I know part of the reason is because of the danger her family is in, but even she realizes what a crappy family she has and still can't stand up for herself. I get it's about moving the story forward because obviously not all characters can be logical and rational otherwise it'd be a boring book that ends quickly. 

Also, this book just doesn't have any likeable characters. Other than the MMC, Bjorn, I didn't connect with anyone else. Everyone just sucked. 

But it was still kind of fun to read and enough for me to check out the sequel, but I'm not running for the shelves either.

I was very intrigued for the first few chapters, but as the book goes on, I realized I was not going to get any actual world building. I myself am not familiar with Norse mythology. I would have enjoyed this much more and probably stuck with it longer if the world and the gods were explained at all. There’s also so much telling in this book. I felt like I was reading someone’s journal instead of a book. There was no interesting prose or stunning writing. It just feels very basic. Freya’s gift is odd and ambiguous, and I had a hard time believing in it. Pretty much nobody in this book is likable. I loved the banter between Bjorn and Freya at first, but then it started to get repetitive. I got bored. I didn't really care what happened. I ended up skimming a lot of the second half. I saw the ending coming from a mile away, and it’s not great. I loved The Bridge Kingdom, so this is very disappointing. I can see it being very well loved by many people because there are a lot of elements that I think will check people’s romantasy boxes, but when I read fantasy romance I don’t just want to read about the romance part. I want the fantasy elements, which include world building and magic systems, and explanations and descriptions. and that did not happen with this one.

This was phenomenal, and I absolutely can't wait until the next book! (Which currently doesn't have a release date so RIP to me.) From the beginning, I was hooked into Freya's story, and really enjoyed getting to follow her on her journey to not only figure out who she is, but also what she wants. Add in Bjorn? I was double hooked and couldn't quit turning the pages. This was everything I could want out of a book that's a Viking inspired romantasy series, and was a hearty mix of both romance and fantasy, which I was a fan of - Jensen balanced out both genres well. And that ending! I'll be sitting in the corner crying until the next book comes out, no biggie.

Set in a world inspired by Norse mythology, the first book in the Saga of the Unfated duology follows Freya, a restless young woman who has always dreamed of being a sword-wielding shield maiden. Instead, her family pushes her into a marriage with a cruel but wealthy husband, and she spends her days gutting fish rather than raiders. But when her husband betrays her to win the favor of Jarl Snorri, forcing Freya into a fight to the death, her long-held secret is exposed: Freya possesses a drop of the goddess Hlin’s blood, granting her the ability to repel any attack, magical or otherwise.

With her family’s lives up as collateral, Freya agrees to be bound to the ambitious Snorri through a blood oath and be named as his second wife. Despite the dire circumstances, Freya seizes this opportunity to become the shield maiden she’s always dreamed of being. Yet while one of Freya’s desires is sated, she discovers a new yearning while being battle trained by Snorri’s devastatingly handsome warrior son Bjorn (dark hair, chiseled features, lots of tattoos — you know the type). Being Freya’s sworn protector, Bjorn is instructed to never leave Freya’s side, leaving her little time to clear her head of those pesky forbidden thoughts — ones which, if acted upon, would have deadly consequences.

Far from home and surrounded by enemies, Freya must use every ounce of her cunning, willpower, and strength to navigate political conspiracies, brewing wars, bloody battles, tests from the gods, and her ever-building desire for the rugged Bjorn. And while the men of Skaland fight to control her fate, Freya must decide how much she’s willing to sacrifice for her people and a prophecy — or whether she’s willing to defy destiny and weave a new fate all her own.

I don’t care whether you’re someone who is typically into Norse or Viking stories. Nor do I care if you’re someone who doesn’t often find themselves browsing the romance section. A Fate Inked in Blood is such a well-rounded read that it appeals to readers across the (bookstore) aisle. We’re talking thrilling action, compelling characters, interesting magic and mythology, political intrigue — and yes, a slow-burn romance with some satisfying spice sprinkled throughout.

Loved this fresh take on romantasy, featuring Norse mythology and a unique magic system. Jensen is a master at building heated romance and insane tension between characters and the world. And that cliffhanger! This'll be a popular one for sure, for fans of Jensen's other work and fantasy like Sarah J. Maas.

Another amazing story (and hopefully series) from Danielle. I love when I am wrapped up in the history and mythology. Not to mention, I love a kick-ass heroine, and not necessarily that she is strong and can fight, but that she doesn't give up. But she also picks her battles. Freya seemed smarter than some young adult heroines, though I wouldn't call this a young adult book at all. Bjorn is absolutely swoon worthy and a contender for a book boyfriend. I cannot wait for the next book!

This book was so so good! I love Bjorn and Freya and I cannot wait to see how their relationship plays out in the next book. This has been one of my favorite books of the year and I hope the second one comes out soon because that ending made me so excited to see what comes next. Highly recommend!!

This book!! Five stars don't seem like enough. I loved this book so much and cannot wait for the next one! Danielle is a master story teller and I am enraptured with this story. This story had me in a chokehold in the best kind of way. The tension, chemistry, and action alone had me kicking my feet but add in the fact that it's a norse mythology inspired fantasy vikings romance? Perfect, absolute must read! Freya and Bjorn live in my head rent free.

Norse mythology inspired romantic fantasy? Sign me up! I haven’t cheered for a couple this hard in a while. The chemistry came off the page and their meet cute is honestly one of my favorites.

While I felt that there were some slower sections, I am impressed about how many twists and surprises there were by the end.

How long do we have to wait for the sequel?

Thank you Danielle L. Jensen, Del Rey, and NetGalley for my advanced review copy. My opinions are my own.

Plot - 4
Writing and Editing - 4
Character Development - 4
Personal Bias - 4
Final Score - 4

If more Romantasy was like A Fate Inked in Blood I would be all over this category. Strong world building, solid story plot and a FMC that doesn't make me want to tear my hair out for non-sensical decisions purely to move the romance. A true slow burn with excellent banter, relationship build up, and just the right amount of spice. The story itself is fast paced, action packed.. and quite bloody. Really, all things that I love.

I've heard so many positive things about the Bridge Kingdom but never felt motivated to pick it up. After reading A Fate Inked in Blood, I am making it a point to read some time this year. I look forward to more of Jensen's work and the next book in the Saga of the Unfated.

Thank you NetGalley and Del Rey for the ARC. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

Freya is constantly stuck between protecting her family and living for herself. Constantly having to hide. who she really is until one day she must protect herself the way she was always told not to. She becomes the figurehead for her clan and men who seek to gain power are willing to use and discard her to get what they want.

I picked this book up and couldn’t put it down. I was so consumed by it that I even had a dream about Vikings.
Freya’s story was so captivating. Her strength and ability to overcome when the odds were stacked against her, when she felt the weight of others’ expectations, truly made her such an admirable character. Her dedication to her family despite the way they treated her was also very relatable. I liked that she was flawed and that sometimes her emotions were messy.
Bjorn’s character was also incredible. He was his own person while still fiercely defending and caring for Freya. His dedication to her extended beyond just making sure she was physically ok, but also that she was mentally and emotionally able to handle the things being thrown at her.
The mystery behind who the traitor was kept me guessing and second guessing myself. The way the book ended actually had me feeling very hopeful for Freya’s future and I hope it gives her the opportunity to grow and become stronger without the expectation of being someone else’s weapon.

I love this author, who knows how to do romantasy that is action-packed and virtually un-put-down-able. Inspired by Norse mythology, Freya must marry a man she doesn’t want, when she wants to be a warrior. She lusts for Bjorn, who must protect her. It’s a sort-of bodyguard romance! (I love this trope and would love to see it more often). We have a slow burn here, and now I just want more of these two and the incredible world building were introduced to. I especially loved Freya, and want to see how her story ends. She is so loveable (and flawed) and our author did a fantastic job making me so invested in her and Bjorn! I recommend this, and frankly have never read anything by this author that I didn’t love. Can’t wait for the next!

I'll be honest this one was very much a drag. It does a lot of telling you things but not explaining anything to the reader. There were a few moments where I found myself confused and lost on how we got from point a to b and ended up skimming through a lot of paragraphs to try to catch myself back up. I also found myself reading other reviews where readers have said the pacing picked up in the last quarter of the book, but I found myself feeling like it was almost a chore to keep reading due to the constant confusion.

This was just.. fine. In my opinion, the only true interest I felt came around the 75% mark, at which the 'twist' didn't even leave me all that agasp. There's a 50/50 chance I pick up the next book, because while the plotline did drag, I did enjoy Freya as a character overall (Bjorn leaving a lot to be desired, imo).

What an ending!! I need the next book like yesterday. This book has easily made it as one of my favorites of the year. Freya a fierce young woman crushed by her family to conform to what they believe her life should be as a good wife and daughter and to hide the dangerous secret of her blood just to have it revealed and have that family and her fate used against her. Bjorn, the flirty and dangerous and yet caring and gentle Viking. The tension between her and Bjorn was just absolutely fantastic.
I have to say some twists I could see early on in the story, but didn’t weaken the emotional reveals. I can’t wait to see what happens with Freya and Bjorn after that final heart twisting reveal of the truth. Cliffhangers like that are such a bummer when we don’t know when the next book will be released.

I want to say that I completely missed this book in my NetGalley library and I’m so angry at myself! Thank you to the author, the publishers and NetGalley for the chances to read and review this book!

Wonderful, original, and captivating. Danielle can do no wrong when it comes to romance and adventures. Thank you so much for the arc!!

I really enjoyed this! It felt different from The Bridge Kingdom of course, and I really welcomed that. I can’t wait for the next installment!