Thank you to DelRay for the review copy, my opinion is my own. I had this on pre-order as soon as it was announced.

I freaking loved this epic story from Danielle Jensen. I want the second book NOW!

Read if you enjoy:
Norse gods
Magic of all sorts
Bad ass female main character
Epic battles
Tests of courage, strength, cunning
Protector
Bargains

Freya is stuck in a loveless marriage where her worth is less than that of her husband, but he has the blessing of a god so she cannot go against him. Until a guy walks out of the fjord and starts flirting with her, setting her on a new path to filling her destiny - or something like that. This story focuses a lot on the political aspect of jarl's, raids, prophecies, alliances, living under the control of others.

I really enjoyed the character development that Freya faces, as well as the unraveling of truths that have been long hidden, and figuring out who can and who cannot be trusted. I laughed, I teared up, I gasped, I went "I knew it!!!", there was some cussing and wanting to knock heads together. My one and only complaint was that there was no map.

This book was a beautiful whirlwind. I had recently gotten in a rut with fantasy novels. That is until netgally approved my copy of this baby. I began to read the words that quickly turned into devouring them. There were so many twists and turns. Bjorn causes tingly feelings and Freya is a badass. Trust me. Read this one.
Looking forward to more books in this series.

5/5 moons
🌙🌙🌙🌙🌙

I really reallyyyyyy enjoyed this book. I absolutely LOVE Norse Mythology, so having a book where all the magic is based on Norse gods was a solid win for me.
The magic of each god given to one mortal to manifest. I appreciated that the author seemed knowledgeable of the subject she was using as a foundation for this series. Jensen gave it her own flare and twist without being disrespectful to the culture and the practices of the Norse Gods.

This book was everything I expected and everything I wanted from it. I got fantasy and romance. I got to find some Norse details sprinkled in that gave hints as to what was revealed later. It was engaging without being too heavy epic fantasy. The forbidden love trope was obvious, but I still loved them. The banter, flirting, tension, and yearning was all believable between the characters without being annoying or conquering the whole books plot. (which I appreciate)

The only parts I found lacking was how obvious some things were and at some points it got repetitive. I felt like Freya had the same internal dialogue with her self numerous times, and some details/points were repeated frequently in an attempt to remind the reader of important things. I didn't really feel like it was "necessary", but I also could see some readers appreciating these things. (especially if you are not familiar with Norse history)

Writing was great and flowed easily.

SPOILERS AND PERSONAL THEORIES
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Curious to see how the next book unfolds and thank you so much for NOT leaving a cliff hanger. Snorri deserves death. I actually ended this book supporting Nordeland much more than Skaland. I see the ending of the series being Freya and Bjorn uniting both nations under their rule, but we will see how it all unfolds. I'm impatiently waiting either way.

A Fate Inked In Blood by Danielle L. Jensen
Genre: Fantasy Romance
Length: 432 pages(ebook)
Series: Saga of the Unfated - book 1

Read this if you enjoy:
🖤Forbidden romance
🔥Slowwwwww burn & angst
✨Mythology & prophecy
😍Forced proximity

Thank you Netgalley, Danielle L. Jensen and Del Rey Books for my e-arc of this book. All thoughts and opinions are completely my own.

I love the Bridge Kingdom which is also written by Danielle L. Jensen so it was a no brainer when I saw this book - if the cover doesn’t get your attention then the blurb certainly will.

Freya has spent her entire life hiding who she really is to protect herself and her people. But after a betrayal, she’s forced to share her secret. Now her world is completely turned upside down as she finds herself betrothed, making blood oaths and learning how to fight. Freya always thought there was more to life than what she had been doing but she never could have prepared herself for a life like this. And to make matters even worse, she is forced to spend every waking moment with Bjorn, a relentless flirt who makes Freya feel all the things she shouldn’t.

BJORN WAS EVERYTHING. He brought so much fun to this story and the banter that he had with Freya was top tier. Freya is exactly how I love a FMC, stubborn and not afraid to speak her mind. These two make a pairing that I just can’t get enough of. The biggest issue I had with this book is that I felt like it focused almost too much on the war, mythology and prophecy aspects and not enough time on Freya and Bjorn. I have a feeling this will be different in book two. But there were moments that the pacing really dragged for me. But that ending thoughhhhh - book two can’t come soon enough.

This book was a promising start to a series! Overall, it was worth the read but it was lacking in a few areas. First off, I loved the premise and the incorporation of the Norse Gods and themes. I also loved the characters- Freya is fierce and a fighter. And the love interest is absolutely swoon-worthy! I was giggling and kicking my feet at their initial meeting. But things went downhill after that. The journey part of the book felt incredibly slow and boring at times. That could have been looked over if there was enough world building to truly feel immersed in the story, but there wasn't. I didn't get a full picture of what the world was like; it felt like a lot of show and tell without detailed descriptions. And the twist at the end was so predictable, it didn't even add to the story much. I liked the book enough to continue the series so I am hoping book 2 gives us more.

I started reading the book and felt confused on what the book was about. After reading the synopsis of the book, I found it difficult to continue because of the lore of Vikings.

I love the Bridge Kingdom books by this author, so I was excited to read another one of her works! This book did not disappoint! The female character was not only
Strong but grew as the book went along I would like to see her start making choices for herself but can understand wanting to protect others. I cheered, became enraged, cried and felt a number of different emotions reading this book which makes it a top star book for me. I cannot wait for the second one!

This book had an exciting plot, spice, and lovable characters! It was a refreshing Romantasy read with Vikings and intensity. I thoroughly enjoyed every minute of this book. It has actually convinced me to read the other titles by this author and see what I’ve been missing out on this whole time! Thank you so much for this ARC copy, I loved A Fate Inked in Blood

I have to say this one snuck up on me and I kind of loved it. I had this ARC for longer than I would like to admit, but I randomly decided to open it and didn't put it down. It was a really enjoyable story, there wasn't anything crazy shocking plot twist wise, but I liked the Norse mythology in it. Overall I really enjoyed it!

"Where you go, I will go, Born-in-Fire. Even if it's to the gates of Valhalla."

While this story did not take us to the gates of Valhalla (at least not yet), it did take us on a journey! We start off in a small fishing village, where we meet Freya, who is married to Vragi (a worthless POS in my opinion). Without spoiling, things happen...and Freya is forced to go with Snorri. Snorri has a "son," Bjorn, who ends up falling in love with Freya...and she in love with him. He will do anything for her and will stand by her side.

Now, Freya is not the most perfect character ever, but she's only 20 and trying to find her way. She loves her family to a fault and has to learn to create her own path, for she is unfated.

Overall, this was Norse-inspired romantasy had forbidden love, magic, betrayal, and death. It gave me Iron Flame vibes at the end, where you root for the main love interest and you find out some secrets. I highly recommend you pick up this book if you love romantasy, fantasy world building, solid character progression, and BEAUTIFUL writing! I am super excited for the next book in the series!!

Thank you to NetGalley, Random House Publishing Group - Ballantine, Del Ray, and Danielle L. Jensen for an Advanced Readers Copy (ARC) in exchange for my honest opinion and review.

Thank you NetGalley and Random House Publishing for the e-arc!
I absolutely love the premise of this book! I have been hoping for more Viking fantasy books and this definitely delivers the atmosphere as well as the romance. I was absolutely blown away by the authors writing style; the world was so easy to read about.
Freya it's such an amazing character to read about. Personally I love it when our character needs to balance their own desires and what is expected of them. Her circumstances and fate seems so dreadful but her resilience is remarkable. Also the romance! I loved reading about the dynamic between Freya and Bjorn. Jensen definitely knows how to build tension and chemistry.

This was a fantastic story, and I’m so excited to read the next installment!

I loved the rich tapestry of world-building, that blended seamlessly with the depth of the main characters.

I'm not sure how she does it, but Danielle L. Jensen just doesn't fail. I loved THE BRIDGE KINGDOM and THE TRAITOR QUEEN so I was beyond delighted to receive an e-ARC of A FATE INKED IN BLOOD from NetGalley.

From the first chapter, I was completely hooked. It was so easy to be on team Freya right from the beginning; she's a very sympathetic character. Jensen has proven herself to be a gifted storyteller. Her ability to keep you guessing and still pull off an incredibly twist is incredible. The whole predicament Freya and Bjorn have to suffer throughout the whole novel, and all that tension/banter, just makes it such an entertaining, escapist sort of story. They have a great meet-cute, too.

Additionally, Jensen's take on Norse mythology is just good. I haven't read a solid retelling or just inspired by North mythology sort of story since Genevieve Gornichec's THE WITCH'S HEART. Basically....if Norse mythology + THE BRIDGE KINGDOM sounds appealing to you, you'll enjoy A FATE INKED IN BLOOD.

Norse mythology? Yes please! This was my first book by this author and I can absolutely see the hype! This slow burn romance had we swooning. The FMC was likeable and I felt for her, especially being stuck with you know who at first. 🥲🥲 can’t wait to see what happens in the next book!!!

i really enjoyed this book. i was a little curious to see how this romance would play out between freya and bjorn considering the circumstances but it was done week. the ending really got me…i saw it coming and yet i didn’t see it coming. i’m very interested to see how the next book goes!

Norse based mythology fiction!

Abused by her husband Vragi, 20yo Freya yearns to be free but she stays because her husband provides for her family members. But when Vragi receives an offer for her, Freya’s husband takes it and she becomes the property of Skaland and Snorri, their leader. Little by little, Freya learns about her heritage and her god given powers. When she grows so powerful that she sees fear in others’ eyes when they look at her, she wants to be somewhere where she’s not used as a weapon. Snorri’s son Bjorn vows to help her escape.

Likes/dislikes: I get frustrated with Freya’s stubbornness but understand that it keeps the story moving on. Bjorn is an interesting character with a background that’s a bit of a mystery. I enjoy the mythology entwined with the story.
Mature content: R for sexual content.
Language: R for 78 swears and 39 f-words.
Violence: R for bloody deaths and violence.
Ethnicity: mostly white with a dark skin man mentioned.

Good ole Vikings. Gets me EVERY TIME. I really enjoyed reading A Fate Inked in Blood. Listen, that flaming axe scene right near the beginning.. oofta. My fist pumped the air. Vragi was the worst. That feminine rage really did it for me.

I loved the world we were set in, and how the Gods meddled, with all the magic. Also did anyone else blush when Bjorn was striding with purpose towards Freya summoning his fiery axe? I swear I heard music playing in my head in that scene.

Said scene:

‘He slid off his horse, then strode toward me with predatory grace, flirtatious smile long gone.(…) No, the fear that lit my veins and made me want to run, made me want to cower, came when his mouth formed the name Tyr and an axe made of fire appeared in his hand.’ 😮‍💨


I had a few qualms.
First with dialogue. Sometimes it seemed almost modern.. and sometimes seemly modern Vikings aren’t my favorite. It wasn’t all the time, just some. But I felt it taking me out of the story.
Also the word “swiftly”. I don’t know what it is about this word, but authors love it. And I find my brain really pick up on it. I started counting. Then I stopped. It’s in there. A lot. But that is such a small nit picky thing of mine. 😆
And Freya could be grating at times. Being in her head could be a bit exasperating. To be fair she was struggling with her own selfish wants and desires and protecting people who could care less about her.. which to me was an easy decision but you know, altruism and all that.

I can’t wait for book two. I’m ready now. I’ll leave you with some of my highlighted quotes:

"My fate is my own to weave."

"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."

"It is madness how well it works, he agreed. "You'd think that when I run toward them, screaming battle cries and vows for blood, that it would be the burning axe they commented on, but no. It's always,
'Look at that Bjorn's ripping
muscles. If I survive this battle, I vow to drink less mead so that my belly looks like his.' "

So either you are vain or you are very stupid." Bjorn spread his arms wide. "Why hot both?"
"Why not indeed," I grumbled,

"I'm not going to murder you."
"Just batter my feelings until I wish I were dead?"

"You have maggots for brains,"
I snarled. "Stupid, idiotic fool of a man!"
Bjorn unhooked my shield from my back and handed it to me. "It hurts my feelings when you call me names, Freya.

"Do you trust that I won't miss?" Bjorn said to me, acting as though his father hadn't even spoken.
I swallowed. "Bjorn, I'm wielding a cooking pot."

"Nothing about you is ugly, Freya, least of all the scars you earned defending your honor and family,"

"Not all scars we earn are skin-deep, Freya Born-in-Fire."

"You are mine, Born-in-Fire. Even if only the two of us know it."

"Where you go, I go, Born-in-Fire. Even if it's to the gates of Valhalla."

"For nearly all my life, revenge for what was done to my mother was all that mattered to me. It consumed my every waking breath and I refused to allow anything else to matter.
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. To make me want a life ruled by something deeper than hate."

A Fate Inked in Blood is the newest book by Romantasy darling Danielle L. Jensen and is her first book in a while outside of the world of her Bridge Kingdom series. A Fate Inked in Blood is a romantasy inspired by Norse mythology, in which some members of society have gods' blood and the powers of the gods who contributed to their creation. These children of the gods are the Unfated - they alone have the ability to change the course of fate.

Freya is one of these Unfated, and has spent her life hiding her connection to the goddess Hlin. When her true identity is revealed, she is ripped from her miserable marriage to a boorish fishmonger and married to her jarl, who believes that controlling Freya is the key to becoming king of the entirety of Skaland. He insists that a prophecy states that the one who controls the child of Hlin will rule Skaland and commands his son, Bjorn, to see to training Freya. As Freya trains with and is guarded by Bjorn, she cannot deny the attraction and connection between them. With the safety of her family on the line, she has to decide if her path can be controlled - by blood oaths or threats - or if she's going to forge her own destiny.

I enjoyed this one a lot! The tension and banter between Bjorn and Freya was 😙🤌 and I loved the influence of Norse mythology.

✅ MF fantasy romance with spice
✅ Forced proximity
✅ Forbidden romance (husband's son - but in a context where the FMC had no choice about marrying the husband)
✅ Norse Mythology

⭐⭐⭐⭐ - 4 Stars!

📅 Available now!

Thanks so much to Danielle L. Jensen and Random House Publishing Group - Ballantine for this ARC through NetGalley!

I was very excited about this book and it sounded like something that was right up my alley. I was intrigued at first, but once she was taken to her new home it all just slowed down for me. I didn't feel drawn to the characters and felt like I had to slog through. I enjoyed the time period and setting with Norse mythology, but the writing itself left me wanting.

As a newcomer to Danielle L. Jensen's work, diving into "A Fate Inked in Blood" was an electrifying experience that left me utterly enthralled from start to finish. This Norse-inspired fantasy romance is a masterful blend of mythology, intrigue, and forbidden love that earns every bit of its five-star rating.

From the moment I cracked open the pages, I found myself transported to a world steeped in Norse mythology, where gods and mortals intertwine in a tapestry of destiny. Jensen's prose are stunning and evocative, painting vivid landscapes and intricate cultures that felt as real as they were mesmerizing.

At the heart of the tale is Freya, a shield maiden blessed by the gods but burdened by a fate she never asked for. Her journey from a fisherman's wife to a warrior caught in the throes of political turmoil is nothing short of captivating. Despite facing relentless adversity, Freya's unwavering resilience and selflessness make her a protagonist worth rooting for.

Opposite Freya stands Bjorn, the charismatic and fiercely loyal son of a power-hungry Jarl. Their forbidden attraction simmers with tension and longing, creating a slow-burn romance that sizzles with every page turn. Their dynamic, filled with witty banter and undeniable chemistry, kept me glued to the story, eagerly awaiting each new development.

Jensen's world-building is nothing short of exceptional, seamlessly weaving Norse mythology into the fabric of the narrative. From the gods' influence to the intricate magic system, every detail feels meticulously crafted and utterly immersive. Despite being new to Jensen's work, I never once felt lost or overwhelmed, a testament to her skillful storytelling.

While the pacing may be swift and some plot twists predictable, these minor flaws pale in comparison to the sheer brilliance of the story as a whole. "A Fate Inked in Blood" is a spellbinding tale that grips you from the first chapter and refuses to let go, leaving you clamoring for more long after the final page.

As I eagerly await the next installment in the Saga of Unfated, I find myself already drawn to explore Jensen's other series, eager to immerse myself in more of her enchanting worlds and unforgettable characters. For anyone seeking an unforgettable journey filled with adventure, romance, and Norse mythology, "A Fate Inked in Blood" is an absolute must-read.