Loved the strong FMC, the storyline, and that cliff hanger ending. Anticipating book 2, but knowing it's about a year away.

The only thing I disliked about this book is having to wait for a sequel! The romance was a lovely slow burn, the mythology really intriguing and will definitely be reading this authors backlist now!

If you are looking for a Norse inspired fantasy romance packed with action, magic and an addicting forbidden romance this book is for you!

Freya, a shield maiden. She was written so well to fit the Norse inspired world because she reflected that era so well, her actions, the decisions and her way of thinking really eluded that vibe. She was caring while she suffered negligence from her family and first husband. I found her so strong, even with what was thrown at her.

From the start she is faced with near-death experiences, pain, suffering, and the terrible reality that everyone wants to possess, use her, or kill her. She was a literal rope in a tug-of-war for power, and yet she didn’t snap or give up, even with the weight of the world on her shoulders. This reinforces how strong her characterization felt as she never gave up, no matter how bad it got. There was times I was a tad frustrated with her actions and thought process, but with what she had to deal with I understood.

Bjorn, the warrior Viking that makes you swoon. This man is like so fucking hot and not only that, he was also very passionate about those he wanted. He was strong and had a sense of mortality plagued by revenge. His backstory is not any less traumatising, but he dealt with it and it didn’t deter him from what he wanted.

Bjorn is a man obsessed and the way he
worships Freya is hot as hell, you could tell he had feelings from the beginning but had to hide them to protect her. And how he handles an axe? HOTT 🔥

From the moment they meet, Freya and Bjorn chemistry is instant and are clearly meant to be together. However, there is a forbidden aspect to the story that prevents them from making any moves ( we LOVE a forbidden romance), so there's so much flirty banter, tension, and longing - and I loved every moment. How they resisted at first but ultimately, cave to their desires, I ate it up! And those spicy scenes?! Danielle sure makes them steam in the page.

Overall I really enjoyed this book! If you love anything Norse Mythology, then you are going to love this! The way that the world-building pulled on the traditional Mythology but wove in an intricate magic system and lore in this is spectacular; and I can’t wait to learn more. The plot was well written, at some points predictable, I was captivated till the end. The world Danielle L Jensen has woven in this book, the twists and turns, secrets and manipulation, relationships and friendships, love and heartbreak is incredible. And THAT ending, I need book two immediately.

Danielle’s ability to weave fantastical worlds is second to none.

I’ve been dying to read a Viking novel and A Fate Inked in Blood was an amazing starter. Never straying from battle and fame, Danielle was able to give us freya while also introducing the mouth watering Bjorn in a way that has you rooting for their victory.

I cannot wait for book 2

This book was amazing. I loved every single page of it. The story line was so interesting and cool. I love the Norse mythology aspects of it and how the kids have to invoke the names of their gods. I learned more about Norse mythology and it's just so interesting. The romance is so good and there was so much sexual tension. The ending was insane, but I did guess that big reveal. I can't wait to see where this goes!

I stan Danielle Jensen. While this wasn’t my favorite of her books (*cough* Bridge Kingdom/ Traitor Queen *cough*), it was still great. Danielle shines in book 2 of a series (see Traitor Queen, Dark Skies) and I can’t wait to see what happens next!

I wanted so badly to love this book, but it ultimately fell flat. Let's start with what worked well for me:
•The premise is so cool! Norse mythology is not something you see much in fantasy books.
•The action scenes were brutal and descriptive.
•The pacing was nice and quick. There was no room for boredom!

But there was a lot that didn't work for me:
• The characters felt very one-dimensional. Even the FMC felt like her only character trait was being feisty.
• I didn't buy the romance. It was lust from the very first scene.
• That being said, the relationships weren't developed enough for my taste. Not only the romantic relationship, but the platonic relationships as well.
• The world building was very basic for being an adult fantasy. Even the magic was basic.
• The plot was predictable.

Will I read the next book in the series? Maybe, but I won't be prioritizing it.

The viking romance I didn’t know I needed!!! When I tell you I was hooked from page one I am not joking. This fantasy romance is unique and fast paced, truly had me on the edge of my seat the entire time. The world building is easy to grasp even if you are someone not familiar with high fantasy worlds.

I thought the character development was very well done and the story moved quickly but not in a way that gave me whiplash.

I loved the forbidden romance aspect and cannot wait for book 2!

I loved everything about this book! It had enemies becoming lovers, forbidden romance, Norse mythology, and a captivating setting. The main characters were fantastic, and their chemistry and banter made me laugh out loud. Overall, it was a fun and exciting read! First book I've read by Danielle Jensen and I'll definitely be recommending this to customers at my bookstore!

I really loved this book. Fast paced and kept me in the edge of my seat for the entirely of the book. Usually I can guess what's going to happen but I was caught off guard multiple times with where the plot was going.

Unfortunately this one just missed the mark for me. I was a huge fan of Danielle Jensen’s Bridge Kingdom series, so I had very high hopes for this book. I think the Norse mythology threw me off a bit and I didn’t really connect with Freya and Bjorn as much as I would have liked. The plot felt very slow moving and it felt like not a lot actually happened. The romance was fine but I definitely think I would have connected with the characters more if this was a dual POV. Bjorn’s POV would have made the story feel a lot more fleshed out with higher stakes. The ending was the only point where I felt my interest piqued a little but it wasn’t enough to save the rest of the book.

This book had me hooked right off the bat! The world building was absolutely beautiful and our MC was feisty, independent, and courageous. Always underestimated, she knows the strength and power she possesses and isn’t afraid to stand up for what’s right! And Bjorn… swoon! Nothing gets me going more than an enemies to lovers romance and this one DELIVERED!! The bickering was constant and I was here for every second of it. Thank you for such an amazing read, I look forward to reading more from this author!

I enjoyed this one. There was a while in the middle where it dragged for me, but the ending brought it back. I'm excited to see where is goes in the sequel with the way it ended.

Another MASTERPIECE from Danielle Jensen. I’m so proud to see her be trad published and cannot wait to see what comes next. I also cannot wait for my probably smut special edition to arrive

This is one of my favorite books from Danielle L. Jensen! The nordic lore, the gods, and all the characters were so compelling, I couldn't put this book down!

The main character, Freya, is a prophesied shield maiden, who will unite the people of Skaland. Because of this prophesy, many people wish to either kill her or control her. She must find people she can trust in order to find a way to escape her fate.

Such a great story. There were lots of twists and turns, which ultimately leaves Freya's story on a cliffhanger. I can't wait to see what is next for her in the next book!

A Fate Inked in Blood did not disappoint. Feyre is a strong minded, smart and impulsive yet flawed main character. Bjorn is sexy, confident, and interesting. The world building is accessible written on the shoulders of norse mythology. The characters are engaging, unique and easy to follow through the story. The book as a whole would be a wonderful 'try it' option for new romantasy readers. While the plot is predictable at times, there is enough action and tension to keep the story moving. There is also some spice for those who like their books on the steamy side. Overall, I really enjoyed the story and look forward to seeing where things go as the series progresses.

This book had everything I wanted and a sprinkle of something more. I loved that this was enemies to lovers with forbidden romance sprinkled in. I also loved the Norse mythology and the landscape of this novel. I enjoyed both the FMC and MMC so much that at times I found myself actually giggling because of their chemistry and banter. A fun ride from start to finish and I am happy that Danielle Jensen wrote yet another awesome book! If you read and loved "The Bridge Kingdom" series, I think you would absolutely adore this.

This is a story about being unfated.

I was all over the place with this read. I LOVED parts of it, especially the lore & magic system…. But the protagonist’s family dynamics irritated me deeply. I called the twist, but it was executed well & I’m looking forward to book 2.

Thank you so much @prhaudio for the Alc! The audio is excellent & I’m enjoying every minute. Thank you so much @delreybooks for the eArc! @danielleljensen continues to write immersive, strange new worlds.

I had high hopes going into this book and it absolutely met my expectations. I will be recommending this book to everyone I meet.

From start to finish I was completely entertained. There is so much lore and rich culture within this book. I wholeheartedly love how the author mixes Norse mythology, the gods, and their powers with Scandinavian Viking humans who believe in them to create this story of sacrifice, love, betrayal, and faith.

Right as the book starts you’re thrust into the story. The pacing is perfect! It’s action-packed while also giving us necessary information about the characters and the plot. There also isn’t a lot of info dumping, so everything you learn about this world flows well and seamlessly into the narrative.

The main character, Freya, felt like more than a character to me. She felt like an actual person. A well-rounded, imperfect person. I really like her but there were also moments where I didn’t like how she acted. But given her circumstances, everything she did made sense. This made her that much more raw and real for me.

Now… let's talk about Freya and Bjorn. Their chemistry is off the charts. Especially when they meet for the first time. It was written so well I could vividly picture the scene in my mind. Was it insta-lust? Yes. But, it worked for me so… 🤷🏽‍♀️ As the story progresses, they develop this yearning for each other and then they have this forbidden romance with a side of forced proximity. And I ate it all up! The back-and-forth witty banter, the tension, all of it!

There is just something I love about the way that this world is written and how the politics are crafted. I’m so invested in this series already and I need the next book so badly. 4.5⭐️

Thank you so much to NetGalley, Del Rey, and Danielle L. Jensen for this arc in exchange for my honest opinion!
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

I was a huge fan Jensen's previous works: The Bridge Kingdom and The Traitor Queen so I was very excited to have the opportunity to read an advanced copy of her newest book.

The premise and magic system really made the story for me. The story follows our main character, Freya, who is prophesized to unite her people under the ruler of her fate. As you can imagine, a lot of people were out to control her fate and that took her on an unexpected journey. The magic system was simple, but I loved it. Essentially, the gods gift their divine blood to selected children at conception. The powers vary based on which God selects you, but you can expect fire, lightening and other Avenger type powers.

Unfortunately, I do have several critiques. The pacing felt rushed in the beginning of the story and there was very little world building. I am not even sure what the world looks like.

The main character's personality was basically lusting for the main male character and fainting or vomiting whenever something dramatic happened. To be fair, she was brave and stood up for her family even when the stakes were against her.

The romance felt kind of insta-love and predictable to me so I wasn't very invested in it.

Overall, it was a fun read, but would have benefitted from additional world building and character development. If you are new to fantasy, this would be a good one to start with.