Danielle L. Jensen does it again. What an incredible fantasy romance/romantasy or whatever the kids are calling it these days. It's hot, sexy, and wilding entertaining!

Norse mythology, spice, twists, gods, found family, betrayal, who to trust? There are so many micro tropes in this novel and it's FANTASTIC. I didn't want the book to end at all.

The writing was easy to read and easy to digest. With fantasy novels (especially ones based in a language that's not a first one) the world building becomes hard to follow and comprehend. I couldn't put it down. Jensen keeps the readers invested and on their toes the entirety of this book.

The love story is also interesting, there's moments that get hot, but it's not the MAIN point in this book. A fantasy that isn't purely revolved around romance but has it's moments are my favorite. The main point in this story is to believe yourself, and live your truth.

Wow this one had me hooked from the beginning and that ending! I already can’t wait for the next book to come out!

*Forbidden Lovers
*Forced Proximity
*Power of the Gods
*Norse Mythology
*Witty Banter
*Revenge Plot
*One Horse
*Slow Burn

In true Danielle L Jensen fashion, I was hooked from the very first chapter. The humor and pacing of the plot was perfect for this action packed Viking adventure. We’re introduced the magic system of the world fairly quickly and the world-building is effortless to understand. Our girl Freya is married to a terrible man (walking red-flag) who holds a lot of power over the safety of her and her family. She has always dreamed of being more than a house wife whose husband only wants to breed her like a mare. She has dreamed of being a warrior. When she is betrayed, she finds herself suddenly thrust into this life of war of revenge. Bjorn is put in charge of training her as a warrior, however, he has his own life to worry about (insert daddy issues). But Freya and Bjorn’s chemistry… OMFG it was off the charts. Bjorn’s hotness mixed with his quit wit had me blushing and laughing from their very first interaction… I’d share more, but I do not want to spoil anything. Ok… here’s just a little sneak peak…

Dropping to his knees before me, he looked up with a smirk, the sun illuminating eyes a shade of green like first leaves of spring. “Before you finish me off, allow me to prove that I’m not entirely devoid of skills.”

We travel with Freya as she comes into her own, makes mistakes, and learns how to live in this new to her world of battles and bloodshed. This is the first Norse-inspired book I have read that I have truly enjoyed, in recent memory at least. I would not wait to read this book if I were you. I know I am already excited to read the next book in the series!

I know we shouldn't judge books based on their covers, but come on.. this thing is gorgeous! And luckily, it's just as gorgeous inside as it is out.
This is the first book I've read by Danielle Jensen, and I will certainly be adding her books to my never-ending TBR! The use of mythology and magic systems throughout the story is so well placed and thought out that it made for a beautiful read.
Surprisingly, the pacing of the story was quite fast compared to others of this nature, and I found that to be refreshing.
The secrets flowing through the story were a mix of predictable and blindsiding, and that made for a fun read.
Highly recommend and I'm dying for book two!

As an overall romantasy plot, I really loved this. Freya is strong, flawed, and vengeful, which makes for a unique heroine of a story we need more of. I personally think that the ratio of smut in this book starts to take away from the story a little as I find myself constantly wanting to skip forward to see what happens next. I felt the intimacy was much too soon/rushed for the context of how the book ended. The ending of this first book does however really interest me on where the storyline will lead but I am really hoping for some redemption for our strong heroine's choices and actions here.

"You are mine, Born-in-Fire. And I am yours, even if only the two of us know it."

I loved The Bridge Kingdom series, so when I saw that Danielle Jensen was coming out with a new series, I was SO excited. This story absolutely blew me away. Freya, our FMC is stuck in an unwanted marriage where she spends her days gutting fish while dreaming of becoming a warrior. She would do anything to get away from her husband. Freya's' dreams unexpectedly become a reality when her husband betrays her to the jarl of her region, who forces her to fight to the death against his son Bjorn. In order to survive the fight, Freya must reveal her deepest secret, one that was foretold to unite the nation of Skaland. Freya is forced into marriage with the jarl, and his son Bjorn is forced to protect her from enemies and stay at her side at all times.

This was so good. This story is a Norse inspired fantasy, and I find myself loving Norse stories more and more, this one included. Freya was such a strong female main character, and I loved her and her character development. Danielle has such a beautiful style of writing and I thoroughly enjoyed the world building and magic system.

And along with all this, the slow burn, forbidden romance was delectable. There are very few scenes, but the ones we do get, leave you wanting more. The ending was shocking, I didn't think that was where the story was going to go and I'm intrigued to see what will happen next.

Thank you to Random House - Ballentine, NetGalley and Danielle L. Jensen for the eARC of A Fate Inked in Blood, available now!

Quick lil summary:
- forbidden romance
- forced/arranged marriage of convenience
- forced proximity
- vikings
- norse mythology/gods
- friends to lovers
- slow burn

A Fate Inked in Blood has Jensen’s signature rich world building and complex characters. This story is set with a Norse background and the FMC, Freya, is stubborn and bullheaded who thinks the world is black and white. When her husband sells her off because of a prophecy she is forced to remarry, however she can’t stop the interactions with her new son in law who also happens to be god blessed and have quite a mouth on him.

Overall I enjoyed this book, it’s definitely setting up for an amazing series, but in that there were points where I was just hoping something would happen.

This was really good. I loved the banter and the action. I would definitely suggest this to friends and I'd continue the series.

Rating: 5/5
I received an eARC for my honest opinion.

Danielle Jensen has done it again; she has won my heart over another amazing book. This time, the book is set in the Norse Viking Era, it is filled with action, romance, choosing one’s fate, gods, and betrayal. Everything that Jensen knows how to weave into an amazing story that will leave you wanting more and more.

I love reading books that are Norse Viking, I have always had a soft spot for the Norsemen and their lifestyles. So, when I saw this book, I knew that I had to read it. It starts off with the shield maiden, who doesn’t really know much about her powers or the prophecy that was told about her. She is married to a brute of a man and one who doesn’t treat her right or even cares about what she really wants in life. It wasn’t until the day that handsome Viking, Bjorn, steps into her life, that everything changes for her. She finds out that she has been prophet that she will unite a nation under one king all because she is blessed with a drop of a god’s blood.

I was pulled into this book right away, and I was not let down at all… Well maybe a little bit but, only because of that ending and knowing that I have to wait awhile until I can get book two. I loved the character development throughout the book, you will get to see the struggle that Freya starts to have with her conscience and the feeling that something just isn’t right. You will have some great Norse mythology and you can see that Jensen did her research with this book because I didn’t see any false information when it came to them talking about the gods. I love that you will see Freya and Bjorn have some amazing sexual tension mixed with a great slow burn romance, also knowing that it is forbidden to have those feelings or to act upon them. I loved that Bjorn was all caveman with her, she is mine… I will protect her with my life… treating her like she is the most precious thing to him even if she isn’t his.

This book has everything I listed up there but so much more too, great character development, betrayal, family, trust, fast paced, steamy scenes, secrets, heartbreaking moments, and one great magic system. I could go on and on about this book but instead I want you to pick it up and read it because I know you will not be disappointed with it if you love all those things.

I want to thank NetGalley and Random House for the opportunity to review this book.

I love me some Nordic history and mythology, especially in a fiction book! I loved Freya and all her fears and anxieties. Don't get me wrong, I love me a strong, fearless FMC, but sometimes it's nice to read a book with a FMC who's a little more relatable (not that I imagine I'm going wake up on day and find that I have powers from a Norse god, but one can hope).

The tension between Freya and Bjorn? Beautiful. It was beautifully tense in all the right places and made the coming together that much sweeter.


Also, I'm noticing that a lot of the books I'm enjoying recently have really terrible dads in them. And yet, I still find myself wanting to read more like it and rooting against the terrible dads...I love you dad!

Wow… best book of 2024! ❤️
• A unique and original plot
• Historical context
• Magic
• Mythology
• Perfectly paced slow burn romance
• Easy-to-love main characters
• Cliff hanger ending leaving you desperate for the next book

Absolutely beautiful. #2 cannot come soon enough!

I love Norse mythology, so I was intrigued by the description of this romantasy book. I am so glad that I received an ARC from NetGalley and Random House Publishing (thank you), in exchange for an honest review. Freya is the MC and Bjorn is her slow burn to start romantic interest (that ends with delicious spice), He is forces to train Freya, and the dialog between these two, and others, is great. I love when in between the action and war, you laugh out loud. Also, Freya is a complete bad a$$, and does not let them wear her down. The Norse gods mythology weaved through is so good. Danielle is incredibly talented, and did a wonderful job with this storyline.

Once again, Danielle Jensen has created a magical world that you are instantly drawn to! The Nordic/Viking setting for the book is perfect and gripping. Readers will love the banter between characters and the adventure that awaits them in "A Fate Inked in Blood".

The banter and slow-burn between Freya and Bjorn was amazing!! I love the myth and romantasy that is this book! Strong, fleshed out main characters and world-building make this story feel like you are there, and I am there for it!

Freya starts out as a miserable, people pleasing wife of a man who will never be worthy of her. Married to a fish monger to satisfy her family, Freya dreams of being a warrior. Until she is forced to reveal her lifelong secret of having a bit of a god's blood and her life suddenly changes.

Once again, Freya finds herself in service to others and not in control of her own life. Angry and afraid, she must prove herself to be a worthy child of the gods and fulfill a destiny that was foresaw by a seer. In danger of being captured or killed, Freya finds herself under the watchful eye of another child of the gods, Bjorn. A fierce warrior, and son to the jarl to whom Freya is bound, Bjorn is as charming and handsome as he is smug and aggravating. Freya battles to overcome the tests given to her by the gods, as well as the rising feelings she has for Bjorn.

What choices will she make. Will she risk her family's welfare? Will she fulfill the prophecy of the Seer? Will she unbind herself and make her own fate?

A Fate Inked in Blood is an outstanding Viking romance. Freya is shackled to a terrible husband when she is revealed to have a drop of blood from a goddess. Freya is immediately viewed as a valuable commodity and forced to wed a jarl. The jarl decrees that his son Bjorn become Freya’s bodyguard. As Freya works to navigate her godly heritage, she must also battle her attraction towards Bjorn.

I love Danielle Jensen and this is one of my favorite books from her yet! Freya and Bjorn have excellent tension and chemistry between them. They have a forbidden romance and forced proximity, which makes it impossible to put this book down. Freya is a very smart character who refuses to let the jarl dictate her place in the world. Jensen’s writing is evocative and witty- at times literally making me laugh out loud. Readers who enjoy Adrienne Young (A Sky in the Deep) and Tricia Levenseller will enjoy A Fate Inked in Blood. Readers who seek strong heroines, forbidden romance, and forced proximity will love this romance! I can’t wait to see where Freya’s adventures take her next!

Thank you to Danielle Jensen, Random House Childrens, and Netgalley for a free ARC in exchange for an honest review.

For publisher: My review will be posted on Goodreads, Instagram, Storygraph, Amazon, Barnes & Noble etc.

Thank you NetGalley and publisher for this ARC publication for an honest review.

Danielle Jensen always does so well when she gives life to a vivid fantasy world with romance and suspense. This time she starts a new series in a Norse Viking world where some men have a touch of blood from a god. We have a spirited heroine, Freya. Her lot in life is to be married to a cruel man, but even his abuse cannot quite contain her fire and sharp tongue as she longs to be a warrior. Freya is suddenly faced in a situation where in another life she would be grateful. Her husband betrays her, and she is faced in a battle to the death with Bjorn, a warrior with the blood of a god. It is that battle that brings forth Freya's hidden gift as a shield maiden and the prophecy that surrounds her.

I adored Freya and Bjorn and the connection they form. Both characters are fierce but restricted by the parameters set by others. Little by little we learn more of their backstory. But you still know there are secrets yet to be discovered. There is so much death and destruction! War is so ugly, and the author brings about raw emotions and helplessness surrounding the choices of those seeking power. My heart hurt for both Freya and Bjorn and the situation they are placed in. You just want the two to find peace and a happy life together. Of course, that wouldn't leave much room for the rest of the series. Sigh.

That ending?! While I knew it was too soon for a happily ever after and I suspected how things might turn, my heart wasn't truly ready...now I patiently (not) wait for book 2!!

5 stars

OMG what a great book! 5 stars and I could not put it down. I loved all of the mythology in this book and I cannot wait to read book 2! It was such a different story line and the main character was such a strong female! The burning looks and the hinting of steam (before the steam) were so amazing and it added so much to the book. I really enjoy Danielle L Jensen's books and I will read anything she writes!

I'm a big fan of this author after being introduced to The Bridge Kingdom.

This one has all the vikings vibes and is a little mature than the previous YA books that I am familiar with by said author. But it was also really good. It was adventurous. The characters were enjoyable, and I felt like it was just unpredictable enough to keep my attention for the duration of this read!

I was very excited for this Vikings inspired romantasy novel! However, unfortunately it just missed the mark for me. The story had great bones but I had trouble connecting with the characters, personally, and felt some of the explanations of the settings were difficult to understand.

I think it was just a person preference, but I struggled to enjoy the authors writing style. I know there is an audience for this book and it has gotten good praise already! I just wasn’t the right person for it.