OH MANNN. THIS WAS SO GOOD.

🛡️ viking-inspired romantasy
🛡️ chosen one
🛡️ meddling gods
🛡️ touch her and die vibes
🛡️ forced proximity
🛡️ forbidden romance
🛡️ political intrigue
🛡️ war battles
🛡️ cliffhanger ending

Danielle L. Jensen never disappoints! A thought-out Norse Mythology inspired world, filled with feuding clans, meddling gods, magic, and more. Our FMC, Freya, was fierce and loyal (sometimes too much so lol) and I loved Bjorn from the beginning - his and Freya's chemistry was immediate and their forbidden attraction added so much delicious tension to the story.

I kinda saw that ending coming but it didn't hurt any less! Sets us up nicely for book 2!

Rating: 4.5 stars

❤️‍🔥 Officially entering my Viking romance era with this book ❤️‍🔥

Oh my god. Danielle L. Jensen never fails to amaze me with her mind blowing world building, captivating writing style and compelling main characters that you’ll want to root for right from page one.
A Fate Inked in Blood was no different! I finished it just a couple of hours ago and I want to start reading it again.
The adrenaline rush was high throughout the book, there was no respite.
I was in awe of this war driven world inspired by Norse Mythology, where there were children of gods, blessed with a drop of their blood who had different powers depending on their parent deity. It was such a cool concept to include!
It was such a fast paced book with something or the other constantly happening which kept me on my toes literally the entire time. I love me some good political intrigue and DLJ never fails to deliver.

Freya was one badass main character! I simply adored her courage, strength, her ability to care for others without wanting anything in return, her compassion, and so many more things! This list is endless. She has definitely it to my top favourite female MCs of all time. I loved how despite being pulled in so many different directions, she still tried to do what she felt right, she tried to pave her own way.
Bjorn was just the kind of guy I love. He was handsome, charming, witty, protective and of course, a lethal warrior with a mysterious back story.
Freya and Bjorn’s chemistry was electrifying. Like I could feel it coming at me right off the pages, IT WAS SO GOOD! It was also a slow burn which is just an added bonus. Though romance was big chunk of the story, it still didn’t deter from the main plot, which I loved.
There were some parts (mainly the big reveal) that were predictable and I had it guessed at about 40% but I still really enjoyed reading the rest of the book because there were many other things going on that made me excited to continue.
That cliffhanger ending has me wanting to invent a time machine so I can read book 2 right now 😭

A huge thank you to Netgalley and Del Rey for sending me a review copy! I’m so grateful!!!

LOVED!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Cannot wait to see where the story goes. Instant beloved series in the works.

A Viking and Norse mythology inspired romantasy with some forbidden scalding hot spice and a badass FMC? Sign me up! Follow Freya, a shield maiden, and Bjorn, her jarl husband’s son, story of secret magic and unfated destinies.

A Fate Inked in Blood E-Arc Review. Published 2/27/24. Thank You so much for this advanced copy! This book was one of my most anticipated reads of the year. (I love love the Bridge Kingdom series and this one did NOT disappoint. In the past, I’ve generally had trouble liking and following Viking/Norse stories but the Norse lore and magic system was super easy to follow and understand. I really recommend this to anyone who loves a good romance with a Viking background.

A Fate Inked in Blood is the first novel in the Saga of the Unfated series. This story follows narrator Freya, a God-blessed Shield-Maiden in hiding who is stuck in a unhappy marriage. A shield maiden as a fisherman's wife? Nope. She's meant to do more than that, but her husband makes a decision that will alter the course of her life. After turning her over to the Jarl because in her husband's mind she's will full an ancient prophecy, Freya begins a journey that will bring her right to her romantic destiny, Jarl's son, Bjorn, but like all good books, there's always obstacles in the way.

Like other Jensen books, the plot driven story managed to keep me interested from start to finish. While the pacing was great, I did find a few scenes to be a bit rushed and non-stop plot driven action that the characters had literally no time to breathe and consider the new information thrown at them and us as the reader. It's honestly one of the hardest part of the debut of a new series. There's so much world building that sometimes it feels like we're being told more than we are being shown. Hopefully, that will improve in the next book that I am excited to read.

A Fate Inked in Blood is the first novel in the Saga of the Unfated series. While I have many Danielle Jansen novels on my TBR that I need to read, this is the first one I had the pleasure of reading. The story follows narrator Freya, a God-blessed Shield-Maiden in hiding who is stuck in a loveless marriage as a fisherman’s wife. Her husband turns her over to the Jarl, who believes controlling Freya will control the land as part of a prophecy. The Jarl orders his son Bjorn to protect and train Freya, which brings our two main characters together. The story follows Freya on her journey with many obstacles along the way.

The story managed to keep me interested from start to finish and make me curious to read the sequel. The plot was decently paced, especially as it is the first in the series. It does have some ups and downs, but it was still good overall. I do wish some parts did slow down a little as it felt like a whirlwind. It felt there were moments where the characters did not have time to breathe when they felt like they needed a little time. The book has a lot of telling compared to showing. As this is the first novel in the series, I am hoping that more showing happens in the sequel. There is a lot of chemistry between Bjorn and Freya, and I can’t wait to continue to follow their characters in the sequel. Overall, this story was very intriguing and while I anxiously wait for the sequel in this series, I can’t wait to try more novels from the author.

**I give a special thank you to Netgalley and the publisher, Del Rey, for the opportunity to read this entertaining novel. The opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.**

Strong and fresh fantasy romances seem to be few and far between these days but this story is definitely one of them! The banter, the magic system and the characters all come together to create a knockout of a series opener. This story plays on all the tropes of the romantasy genre yet breaths new life in them against the backdrop of a Scandinavian inspired world filled with Norse mythology, magic, and violence.

This book was filled with intrigue, betrayal, politics, and family as much as it is filled with a not quite enemies to lovers romance with forced proximity and forbidden love abounding. Freya's story is one that is both about finding who oneself is and their place in the world as well as finding love. She battles against what the world around her expects of her and what she wants for her own life as well as desire to protect those she loves. And when so many romantic fantasy stories fall into the pitfalls of insta-love, the romance in this one was believable and one I could fully get behind.

This book is what I as a fantasy romance lover has been wanting. It's a wild ride that I can't wait to see others experience. I think this is Danielle L. Jensen's best book yet and I am so excited to see were the rest of this series goes!

The formula is all there: Mythology, Vikings, romance, Danielle Jensen! This should be it for me!
Having loved other books by this author, I was over the moon excited to read this. I love mythology and strong female characters, but I reaaalllyyy struggled through this one. Maybe it was a me thing, I'm hoping so and the next book sucks me in. Kudos to the cover artist, I'm obsessed with it!

A fate Inked in Blood started slow but delivered with an epic second half.

I think this one will be well beloved within the romantacy circles. It has an addictive slow burn romance with tension that builds throughout the story. The plot is engaging enough with some decent action to keep the pace moving. The characters didn't feel revolutionary but they are likeable and I found myself rooting for most of them.

This one is definitively worth your time if you are looking for an addictive and effortless read.

4.5 stars

A Vikings and Norse Mythology fantasy romance is definitely my new jam.

From the very first scene of Bjorn I was addicted to him. I cannot even begin to describe how much I loved him! Gah!
Freya, man, her journey sucks. I felt for her so much. And then she trying to put all the puzzle pieces on top of it. I am enjoying the evolution of her character. And can’t wait to see what she brings in the next book. The chemistry between the two is wow. It is a slow burn though!

The fantasy aspect was awesome! Lots of action and complications and twists! The cliffhanger isn’t horrible, BUT I was left excited for what is to come and dying for it now 😆

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the eARC of this novel. 4.5/5 stars.

Okay, so, I haven't read anything else by this author even though I know the Bridge Kingdom is super popular and some of her other works...but I needed to read this one because VIKINGSSSSSS. Anyways, I regret waiting so long to read this because I can see how it's one of the most anticipated releases of 2024 (which....it did release yesterday on the 27th).

I just.....there's so much to like in this between the mythology and how magic appears in some people and not in others, and how the twists and turns and the influence of the patriarchy....there's just so many things that I appreciated. And the SPICEEEEEEEE. Like, that slow burn was there and then suddenly, well, Bjorn's Tyr's fire makes sense. A lot of sense. BUT THAT ENDING WAS BRUTAL AND I NEED THE NEXT ONE NOW.

I have a lot of thoughts and emotions with this one, and a full length review to come at the end of the month on my blog and a thicc Goodreads review to come. But the bottom line is this is such a great book.

TLDR; Jensen does an incredible job creating characters that are fleshed out, motivated, emotional, and interesting. The storytelling, the world-building, the emotional rollercoaster, everything is so artfully executed. This is a book (and series) worth investing in, especially if you’re looking for a story that will take your guts and your heart from your body and show them to you.

I will come back to update the links on this in a few days when I have my thoughts together and I’ve slept for a few hours. But best believe my notes are EXTENSIVE.

A Fate Inked in Blood is a fantastic read! It has everything you'd want in a fantasy romance - fierce characters, captivating plot, thrilling action, witty banter, and highlightable moments. And did I mention there's Vikings?! I couldn't help but picture the TV show ‘Vikings’ with a magical twist in my head while I read this lol. If you liked the show and any of the tropes below, you'll love this book!

•Vikings & Norse Mythology
•Meddling Gods
•Prophecies & Fate
•Fierce FMC
•Broody Warrior MMC
•Forced Proximity
•Action & Adventure
•Witty Banter
•Touch Her & 💀
•Spice 🌶🌶

“No oath is worth your life. No amount of vengeance is worth your happiness. I’ll let the past burn to ash, Freya, because you are my present. My future. My destiny.”

And all of the twists at the end! 😲 I'm dying to find out what happens in the next book!

I have never read a Viking romantacy but I knew Danielle L. Jensen was going to execute this amazing story! Danielle’s writing is absolutely beauty and has an amazing way of driving a plot throughout the story and amazing action sequences. I loved the characters but especially the plot. I can’t wait for book two because since I finished this book I still can’t get over it. Thank you so much NetGalley for giving me this amazing opportunity. I can’t wait to have a physical copy because the cover is absolutely stunning!

thank you del rey books for the e-arc! this is the first i’ve read by danielle l. jensen & i haven’t been able to stop thinking about it since i finished it back in september.

freya is a shield maiden blessed by the gods at birth, but she’s hidden her powers to protect herself from being used as a pawn by the men who rule. from the get-go, freya is clearly a force to be reckoned with—feisty, independent, & loyal to a fault. when forced into a marriage, she finds herself drawn to her new husband’s son, bjorn, who is tasked with protecting freya. cue scorching tension, intense mutual pining, & endless banter.

while there is romance, the fantasy really takes center stage—from viking raids to political scheming to epic battles & betrayal. this book has something for everyone & it really delivers on the slow burn investment!! a fate inked in blood is out today!

read this if you like:
💫 norse mythology / viking lore
💫 chosen one / prophecies
💫 forbidden romance
💫 slow burn / TENSION / BANTER
💫 one horse trope
💫 the ygritte x jon snow cave scene
💫 devastating endings

As soon as I first heard that Danielle L Jensen was releasing another book, I didn't hesitate to add it to my TBR and then I devoured it as soon as it hit my ereader. She has such a talent for grabbing you and pulling you into the story. The world building is easy enough to follow and the characters are well-developed.

The romance part is also developed really well, taking time to build some pining and angst. I love how the Viking mythology is woven in throughout the story. And of course, there's plenty of great strong female action.

I could definitely see some of the twists early on, but one had my jaw on the floor. I can't wait for the second book and to see where the story takes them.

As a huge fan of The Bridge Kingdom series, I was so excited for this first book in a new series. And I was NOT disappointed! A story rooted in Norse mythology, the plot is thick with twists and turns, action, betrayal, violence, and a slow burn lust-filled tension that will make you curl your toes.

Our main character, Freya, is a strong woman who only wants to live her life how she chooses and determine her own fate, only to be used and taken advantage of by so many people in her life. Her strength both physically and mentally will have you rooting for her from start to finish.

With a cliffhanger ending that definitely sets up the story for what's to come, I was on the edge of my seat the whole time!

I received an early ebook but the review is my own.

Tags:
-romantasy
-forbidden love
-slow burn
-bodyguard x princess

Spice: 2/5

First person/Single POV

I really enjoyed the fresh take on this fantasy romance! I love Norse mythology and I thought it was done pretty well here. The beginning of the book had me hooked, but the middle really dragged. Once we had the initial conflict resolved there was very little to compel me to keep reading other than this over the top attractionbbetween the love interests, and that wasn't enough for me. Too much focus on lust, not enough on plot and character.

This was a super solid first book in a fantasy series, and Norse mythology is the backbone of this book. I can’t say I’m familiar with that beforehand, but I’m absolutely a big fan now! This book is full of magic, gods, war, violence, and adventures. All things a fantasy lover will enjoy.

I’m dying to read more after the way it ended! I would consider myself more of a seasoned reader who can spot some plot twists, and while I was able to do that here, I was still surprised on some other points at the end. Which instantly elevates a book for me! I love to be surprised, and it’s getting harder to do.

Thank you NetGalley and Random House Ballantine for the advanced copy in exchange for my honest review!