The characters were well written and it was fun and refreshing to read a novel that utilizes Norse mythology in its story. I look forward to the next installment in the series.

I want to thank Netgalley and the author and publisher for giving me the e-ARC in exchange for my review.

Needless to say I'm already dying to get another book. This book blew my mind. I listened to the band Heilung as background noise and it really intensified this book. I loved loved loved the characters and that ending was wow!

In this book we got
-Forbidden Romance
-Forced Proximity
-Enemies to Friends to Lovers
-Fierce and Powerful FMC
-Stubborn MMC

The banter and chemistry between Freya and Bjorn had me giggling and kicking my feet. To say I swooned over Bjorn is an understatement. I can't wait for the next book. The action scenes were intense and the plot was so good! I think this will be one of the best reads of 2024! I loved it so much if I could give it more than 5 stars I would 1000%

A Norse-inspired fantasy romance that I think would be great for fans of the Blood and Ash series!

Freya spends her days in a loveless marriage, gutting fish while dreaming of being a warrior. Everything changes when her husband betrays her and she’s forced to reveal that she’s secretly been blessed with a drop of blood from the gods. Believed to be the answer to a decades-old prophecy, Freya is taken from her home and becomes the second wife to a powerful ruler. Despite her powerful nature, Freya is at the mercy of people who would use her for their own gain, made all the more confusing and frustrating when she starts to develop feelings for her new husband’s son, a famed warrior who’s also blessed with power.

As a Fantasy Romance, I think the Romance elements in this novel are enjoyable, especially if you are a fan of a forbidden romance and some good ol’ fashioned lusting! The Fantasy elements, however, (mainly the physical world and the magic system) are less developed than I would like. There are quite a few places in the novel that lean a lot more heavily on character dialogue than descriptive prose.

The ending is exciting with its cliffhanger and conflict setup for book two, which is always fun!

Thank you to NetGalley and Del Rey for this eARC in exchange for my honest review.

Thank you so much Del Rey Publishing and Netgalley for sending me an eARC to read and provide an honest review of "A Fate Inked in Blood"!

Probably closer to 4.5 stars because something was just missing for me.

Anyway, I went into this book having lofty expectations, being familiar with Norse mythology (after doing research on the culture for my current WIP plus "Assassin's Creed: Valhalla"), as well as the expectation that Jensen would write a good book (based on her famous Bridge Kingdom series, which I will have to pick up after reading this book). Jensen delivered on everything I expected: a Norse-inspired fantasy world, forbidden love, and the "chosen one" trope (which I don't usually like, but Jensen wrote it skillfully WITH a twist).

First, let's talk about the Norse-inspired worldbuilding. I am OBSESSED with anything Viking/Norse, so I was eager to see Jensen's spin on it. I'm happy she stuck to the original gods/goddesses pretty much, and the overall culture ("skol", mead, mead-halls/celebrations, even down to the wedding traditions) was well represented in this book. Even the values of the Norse shined through (loyalty, faith in the gods, strength, cunning, bravery, etc.). I also liked that she stuck to their traditional weapons/magic (like the Volva with their runic magic and the Norns, aka the Norse version of the Greek Fates).

Secondly, I loved the action (which is to be expected from a Norse-inspired book) and the fast pace of this book. The twists and turns kept me on the edge of my seat (and are keeping me on the edge of the seat with those two bombs that were dropped near the end; I had been thinking about one of them the entire time, because something was off, and the other I had wracked my brain for an answer for; I am glad that Jensen DID end up revealing them to us before the end of the first book though). I also appreciated Jensen's twist on the Chosen One trope (I can't say what the twist is without spoiling something).

Thirdly, the characters were life-like. Bjorn and Freya shared a rage and an absolute need for retribution devotion, as well as determination and bravery. Freya also had heart-breaking self-doubt and a solid moral code (until she got REALLY angry). I appreciated her loyalty to her family, despite them having treated her so terribly in the past (I agree with Bjorn, they get whatever they deserve). Looking back, I think that his POV of some events would've added something to the story (which might have been what was missing). Bjorn was realistic, which I appreciated, and he had his motivations for his actions. I just read "Beowulf" in English class, and Bjorn definitely reminded me of young Beowulf. I also liked that the side characters were fleshed out (i.e. Snorri, Harald, Ylva, Steinunn). I hope this series ends where Freya and Bjorn go out in a blaze of glory.

All in all, a must-read Norse-inspired New Adult romantasy for fans of Throne of Glass and Vikings.

Some of my favorite quotes:
- “I will be at your back until I cross the threshold to Valhalla, Born-in-Fire, whether you want me there or not.”
- "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."
- "May the world drown in the tears left in the wake of our blades today."

4.5 stars
Danielle L. Jensen is one of my all-time favorite authors! (The Bridge Kingdom series).

Freya, trapped in a forced marriage, is wildly unhappy and dreams of becoming a warrior. In a moment of survival, she reveals a secret she has kept her entire life; that she has a drop of Gods blood. This deems her the “shield maiden” told about in prophecies, bound to unite kingdoms, but under the control of another.

The jarl that discovers Freya forces her into another marriage, claiming her as his own and puts his son in charge of her protection. As her life hangs in the balance, she navigates impossible situations and a forbidden attraction with the jarl’s son, Bjorn. Of course, these two forced together have strong feelings. The tension is palpable, setting the stage for a story full of political intrigue, danger, and the weight of expectations.

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

The book excels in delivering a riveting adventure, featuring strong leads and a well-paced rhythm of complications that escalate into intense situations.

Jensen, the queen of enemies-to-lovers, shows her expertise in crafting a tale that weaves together romance, political intrigue, and the clash of loyalties. It unfolds seamlessly, with each page driving the story toward its intense climax.

I highly recommend this romantic adventure full of impossible choices. It is a story that will keep you coming back for more. This one is a must-read!

I could t get over the fishing conversation in the first chapter, major DNF. The opening is always the most important and her complaining about her husband to be, along with the fish, did not make me want to keep reading

STOP WHAT YOU ARE DOING AND READ THIS BOOK! I loved everything there is to love about this book. The writing was done so perfectly, and the banter and chemistry is so evident on every page. the plot itself was *chefs kiss*!!!! If there is one thing I love about a good romantasy, its a strong female lead, and freya is that and more. Shout0ut net galley for the e-arc of this amazing book. Danielle Jensen is an auto-buy author for me, and I was captivated from start to finish!!!

4.5 stars, 8.57 on CAWPILE

OHHHH my goodness. Okay.
Thank you to Del Rey for providing me an e-arc for review!

This book HOOKED ME. Right from the get go, the atmosphere and setting drew me in. I do love a viking sort of setting but do not read very much of it and clearly I need to read more of it, because I was sucked in immediately.

The plot of the story was fantastic too. Well-crafted, fast-paced, yet it never felt rushed along. We moved from event to event yet still had plenty of those small character moments where you get to know who you are on this journey with. And let me tell you, I loved these characters.

Freya is incredible. A strong-willed woman in a world where that is not necessarily what is expected, Freya never backed down and I loved that. Not only did she not back down to those trying to control her, but she didn't back down to herself either and the darker side that she harbors.

Bjorn is <3 <3 <3 beautiful, amazing, supportive, I love him. He has a complicated past that may or may not come back to bite us in the butt! But he supports Freya, teaches her to fight, and gives her the space to choose for herself rather than to just follow the path others set out for her.

THE TWIST! WHAT. I did not see that coming! I was obviously suspecting something, but to just whip it out like that at the end had my jaw on the floor!

Highly recommend this book!

Obsessed!!! Need I say more? Probably going to be a new favorite fantasy series of mine. I was so freaking excited to see this author writing a new series, a most anticipated release for me this year. Also, super excited to see the gorgeous sprayed edges on the first print - will definitely be buying! I can't even say enough good things about this one. I loved everything about it. The characters, the world-building, the relationships, the plot, the pacing, the magic system, the lore... everything about it was perfection. I so needed this book in my life. I was in a fantasy slump for a while and this one has completely reinvigorated my love for the genre. I want all my fantasy reading experiences to be like this one. I was totally entranced the entire time I was reading it. I felt like I was in the story itself, it's so transportive. Both Freya and Bjorn are to die for. All the stars for this one!

I was so excited to get an arc of this book. I love Danielle Jensen’s work and add in some Vikings? I was over the moon! A Fate Inked in Blood has everything you want and need in a fantasy. Gods, magic, epic battles, bad ass characters, betrayal and spice. The world building is solid and isn’t a chore to follow. I’m so excited to see where this book goes and need book 2 yesterday! I think this book is going to be the next "big" book and I am envious of all the people that get to read it for the first time. This is one you don’t want to miss!!

I've had The Bridge Kingdom hanging out on my shelf judging me for so long and I have been missing out because this book was amazing. My biggest complaint was whenever Freya was nervous or anxious she would chew her cheeks. This doesn't sound like a big deal, but it was almost on every page. It drove me nuts. Oh what's Freya doing, just chewing her cheeks. Her mouth would be raw AF.

The premise of this book was interesting and based on Norse pantheon and mythology. Demigods in this universe are said to have a drop of divine blood that grants them certain gifts based on the God/Goddess they are blessed by. In order to be blessed a god is present during sex, sometimes participating, sometimes just watching I guess.

Freya has spent her life hiding her power and was married to a man blessed by the gods. When he husband abandons her to the regions jarl, her power is discovered. Turns out there was a prophecy about Freya and now she finds herself bound to another man in control of her fate. Of course this man only wants to use her to unite Skaland as king and has a hot son, Bjorn that is blessed by Tyr.

The plot that follows is a little predictable, but it's a good story. I will say the will they won't they between Bjorn and Freya was so hot. Can a book edge you? Because that's what this felt like. I've already added the sequel to my TBR and I'm circling back around to The Bridge Kingdom.

Thanks to Netgalley and Random House Publishing Group - Ballantine, Del Rey

WOW! It’s only the beginning of the year but I’m already calling it, this is going to be one of my top reads!! Being a Danielle l Jensen fan already, I went into this book blind without reading the synopsis so I had no idea it was about Vikings. This book was so good!!! The romance, the world building, the bad ass main character, the fierce side characters, the villains that make my blood boil…. I loved it!!! Make sure to pick this one up!

A Fate Inked In Blood follows Freyja, a fishmonger's wife who quietly dreams of battle fame. Her husband is quite literally the worst, but he's been blessed by the gods with the ability to provide fish to their village, so Freyja suffers through his tantrums and attitude for the sake of everyone else. Freyja is secretly gods-blessed too, however, and her powers have the ability to unite the country of Skaland and bring glory to whoever controls her fate. Naturally, once this is revealed, every jarl within spitting distance start to fight over her.

I was really into this for the first half, but the last half went in a totally predictable and boring direction that kind of ruined the whole thing for me. Every plot twist in this book is obvious from a mile away, and having one right after the other just makes our protagonist look fucking dumb for not seeing any of it.

But my main problem with this book is that everybody kind of sucked. Our main character wasn't unlikable per say, she just made really stupid choices at every turn. Literally every single family member of hers sucks in one way or another, and then various other people try to control her or use her powers to their own benefit. She's forced into not just one but TWO miserable marriages with horrible men, and even the good guy love interest is obviously hiding stuff from the protagonist and that sucked too. There's just no reprieve from the suckiness.

If you spent your playthrough of Skyrim running with the Companions and romancing Nords, this might be the book for you. If you care about having likeable characters in your Romantasy, maybe skip this one.

This is one of my most anticipated reads of 2024 and it did not disappoint. I have been a fan of Jensen’s work for years now and when I heard she was writing a Viking inspired book I was in. A Fate Inked in Blood is the first in a new series by Jensen set in a Viking world where the old gods reign and magic is coveted.

Freya wanted a different life, a life of adventure as a warrior but was stuck in an unwanted marriage to a magic gifted man in her village until suddenly that life is possible. Freya has been betrayed and used by those closest to you and now her deepest secret has been revealed and now she is being used in a who new way. Now Freya has been bound to another unwanted husband all because of a prophecy about how she will help bring all of Skaland together under one king but first she must fight the growing feelings between her Jarl (and husband) and Bjorn, the Jarls son and heir as well as another child of the gods

The world building in this book is phenomenal and the characters feel real with trouble all their own. I love watching the relationship between Bjorn and Freya and how he helps her find that strength and warrior spirit that makes her great. I need book 2 like yesterday but, in the meantime, I’ll be patient and recommend this book to all the fellow fantasy readers I know

Thank you, NetGalley and Random House Publishing, for the opportunity to read this arc.

Let me start by saying this book is phenomenal. It has everything you wanted: Norse mythology, a strong FMC, humor, banter, and spice. Run, don’t walk, go to get this book.

Freya is our selfless Shield Maiden she had kept the the secret her whole life until it was accidentally discovered. She is strong and will do anything to protect those she loves and is even willing to protect those who don’t deserve it. She grows as a character throughout the book.

Then you have Bjorn. He has entered the chat as another book boyfriend. Not only is he fiercely devoted to Freya he is also charming and funny. He also has a backstory that I can’t wait to read about.

“I will be at your back until I cross the threshold of Valhalla, Born-In-Fire, whether you want me there or not.”

If that's not a swoon-worthy quote, I don’t know what is.

I absolutely loved this book, if you couldn’t tell. I’m going to need the second book ASAP.

When we first meet freya she is married to the worst sort of man, yet soon, her fate is revealed, that she is the prophesied shield maiden, destined to unite her country under the one who controls her fate. Too bad it’s the jarl who thinks by marrying her, he controls her destiny. Used as a weapon and tool to make her jarl king, and dealing constantly with challenges put forth by the gods, this book is anything but boring. Watching as freya discovered and masters the use of her power, while training to be the warrior she always wanted to be is compelling, and then you add in some forbidden love and this book becomes sinfully delicious. The banter between Bjorn and Freya earned many feet kicks and giggles.

The world building is very interesting, as well as the magic system, leaving lots of room to grow as the series develops.

While partially predictable, the ending did manage a few bits that still surprised me. I can’t wait to continue the series

This was so so good. Loved the story and the characters. The author did a Wonderful job with this book. Super interested in reading more.

This is an amazing read! Great for any fantasy lover. I cannot recommend this book more. I am excited to read more by this author.

This has so much potential and delivers. Enemies to lovers, Nordic mythology, politics - what more could you ask for in a fantasy!

A lot happened in this book. The author crammed so much into these pages that there was rarely a dull moment. I really enjoyed the characters and reading about the Norse mythology. Freya was strong, stubborn, and the type of character you were happy to see grow. I look forward to the rest of the series.