5 stars hands down! I immediately fell in love with this book and read it in 24 hours. Everything about it was great. I loved the main character and the twist at the end. While the topic of “Gods” has been done in many books before, this one was done so well that it felt new and fresh. I would recommend this book to anyone who loves fantasy. I don’t think you will regret it!
Thank you to NetGalley for giving me the chance to read this arc early!

If you've read a Danielle L Jensen title before, you know that it will have excellent pacing, good chemistry, and a FUN ride of a story. If you're not hooked with the BN Exclusive SPRAYED edge edition, you will be by the end of chapter 2 (trust me). You will fall in love with the hot-headed but loyal Freya and her desire to help everyone while keeping herself alive as everyone in Skaland and Nordeland try to either kill her or control her to become King.

To muck up the plot a bit, she's married to Jarl Snoori so that he can claim his destiny, but is in desperate, forbidden love with his very hot (iykyk) son, Bjorn. The tension is there, folks! And so is the banter. Freya runs hot and cold with Bjorn and he just wants to protect her.

This gritty (and a little gory) story will keep you hooked the whole away and despite seeing the twist a mile away, you will still have the time of your life with these god-powered Vikings.

Slow-burn spice

This book was interesting to me at first but after so much set up I was expecting a lot more I think and unfortunately this ended up not being for me. The world building was really strange and the magic seemed patchy, also I just couldn’t be invested in the relationships or characters…

I absolutely loved this book and am desperate to see what happens next. Freya is such a strong character and has been so fun to read about. Forever swooning over Bjorn. I always give songs to the books I review and I was so excited to finally give a book Taylor Swift’s ivy. Would definitely recommend this to my fellow romantasy girlies.

Thank you NetGalley and the publisher for giving me an early copy to read and review. All thoughts are my own!

The injustice of me having to wait for this book to release and for the next one to release is just pure evil!!!

This book was fantastic. I literally loved everything about it. I do believe 2024 is going to be a great year for the fanrasy genre!

The characters…a work of art!
The plot…a work of art!
The slow burning romance….A WORK OF ART! Bjorn is my new book boyfriend.
The magic theme…a work of art!
The twist at the end…a work of art, though a bit predictable.

I literally can not wait to own this book and also I’m super excited to read the next one. I have so many questions.

5 HUGE stars!!!

Let me just start off by saying this book was an utter masterpiece; the characters, the emotion, the mythology, it was everything I love in a romantasy!!

It’s the kind of fantasy book that I would recommend to someone who wanted to dip their toe into the genre. It isn’t bogged down with heavy world building and the characters are easy to relate to which pulls you into the story quickly. The Norse mythology makes this an engaging story as well and I loved that it wasn’t simply “inspired by” it but really dug its teeth into it.

Unlike some in the same genre, the romance of this book isn’t the main plot which I appreciated. There are certainly some spicy scenes mixed in but the story is fueled by plot, not spice so if that isn’t your taste then keep that in mind (though the MMC is hotttttt)

Even with this being among my first reads of the year, I can say with confidence it’s one I’ll be thinking about all year and will more likely than not be a favorite of the year as well. I’m so so excited for the second book!!!

This book will have wide appeal for romance/fantasy romance/romantasy readers. the protagonist is strong-willed and there are some streamy scenes that readers will enjoy.

This book didn't work for me personally because I thought the main characters' lust for each other was too strong too fast and it overpowered any relationship development they could have had at the beginning of the story. I am more plot-over-steam, but readers who prefer the opposite will love this!

I was sent an ARC by Danielle L Jensen & NetGallery for an honest review.

I started this book back August but then things got away from me for personal reasons and I restarted it towards the end of December.

I really enjoyed this story. I have always been interested in Norse mythology but didn't know much about it, so some of it was kind of confusing for me but towards the end of it and a little more research on my end it made more sense. Once I was able to actually sit and read the book without as much distractions I couldn't put it down.

The main character Freya is someone I can easily relate to. She is always willing to sacrifice her needs and happiness for the sake of others. Her character growth and abilities were really great to see, and by the end of the book I was happy to see she was choosing herself over others.

Slow burn romance for sure--throughout the book I was just like "please just let this happen already". There was some slower moments in the book that I was feeling myself have to "push" through, but that being said I'm glad I did because the last 2-3 chapters were intense. Lots of reveals and heartache. Can not wait for book 2 to see how this story continues.

Thanks again for giving me the chance to be one of the first to read and review this book.

4.25/5
Danielle L. Jensen KNOWS how to write an intriguing epic fantasy with a compelling romance and an incredibly strong female lead. I was absolutely obsessed with The Bridge Kingdom series, so I was so excited to read her next work - and it DELIVERED.

“A Fate Inked in Blood” had me hooked from the very first page. I knew immediately that I was enamored with Freya and my attachment to her only grew as the story progressed. She is strong-willed, clever, loyal, and a skilled warrior. These are all somewhat common traits for high fantasy female main character, but she still felt so authentic.

The plot and romance is very well balanced which kept me invested throughout the book. There are meddling gods, hidden powers, battling kingdoms, betrayals, and an immaculate forbidden romance. This has to be the most forbidden romance I have ever read and I was frothing at the mouth at every drop of tension and yearning. Bjorn is soooo in love with Freya and is the ultimate protective, brooding love interest. The story builds in such a masterful way - the reveals and plots twists had me SHOOK. I cannot wait for the second installment! HIGHLY recommend to any romantic fantasy lovers!

Thank you Del Rey and Netgalley for the advanced copy.

A Fate Inked in Blood was the perfect Romantasy I was looking for! The banter between the main characters were amazing, the magic systems and world building was easy to follow along yet highly immersive, and the plot was everything I can ask for and more.

This book was highly entertaining and I couldn’t put it down! The cliff hanger absolutely KILLED me and I can’t wait for the next book!

If you like Vikings and The Last Kingdom this is basically a fanfic of the two.

Freya is revealed to be the daughter of a Viking goddess and is forced to join a war band. During that time she meets Bjorn (who is definitely a combination of all the male characters in Vikings and The Last Kingdom) who have an annoyingly “will they won’t they” dynamic the entire book.

This book had me for roughly the first half of the book but then began to drag on towards the end. The fight scenes were confusing to me and the pace kept going between fast and slow. It was also very predictable from the start, but that seems to be the norm with a lot of romantasy type books

Overall, if you like vikings and romantasy books, you will enjoy this

Mythology adventure for adults. For those who loved The Fourth Wing or even the YA phenomenon of Percy Jackson will eat up this Norse inspired legend up. When Freya's horrible husband gives her to the local Jarl to fight to the death against his son. During the battle Freya reveals her secret that she has the blood of god within her. She now serves a greater purpose and must marry the Jarl so he may use her to go and conquer more land. While trying to do what is best for her family, Freya ends up the responsibility of her son-in-law also blessed by the blood of the gods. Fighting against the growing attraction to Bjorn, also blessed with the blood of the gods, Freya is just trying to survive the ambition of her jarl to take over the whole of Skaland.
Jensen creates a main character that the reader roots for despite the incredible odds. Her loyalty to her family and her own ideals makes the reader root for the forbidden relationship between her and Bjorn. Jensen brings Norse mythology to life with all the blood and gore it is associated with. This is a must read for those who read The Fourth Wing, Katee Roberts, and The Plated Prisoner Series.

"A shield maiden blessed by the gods battles to unite a nation under a power-hungry king—while also fighting her growing desire for his fiery son." Freya has been used by others her whole life and now that her secret is out, the jarl of her village seeks to use her to fulfill the prophecy foretelling a kingship for whomever controls her fate. Freya has to meet challenges from both gods and men head on while also struggling to find trust and allies in those around her.

Well, that was a great book! Damnit. I mean this only because now I have to wait for the next installment.

I really and truly loved this novel, Freya is a character I can understand and in a few instances, have been. The world building is well done and I'm enjoying the expanding magic system as the book went on. The battle narrative and descriptions were really well done with both action and emotion. I had a tear in my eye a few times myself. The Norse Mythology made me so incredibly happy too! I'm excited to meet more blessed of the gods in future books.
What now follows is a short list of my favorite things, with no spoilers. Please keep in mind this list does not just include Freya and Bjorn.

- The cover art is gorgeous!
- FEMININE RAGE.
- Male character(s) so ick that a weapon to the face is fun.
- Banter
- Dick jokes in the midst of deathly peril
- Buff lady warriors
- Accurate depictions of burns and burn scarring
- Curse your sudden but inevitable betrayal!
- That was some GOOD romance
- That wasn't so much a cliffhanger ending as it was a camera pan out shot as the journey continues, which I appreciate.

I was sold on this book because I love everything Danielle Jensen writes. I really enjoyed the Viking vibes which is a step away from her normal writing style. A Fate Inked in Blood does a really wonderful job of discussing a woman’s wants versus the men who try to control her. The main female character, Freya is not a perfect heroine, she is morally grey, and I’m rooting for her completely! I am very intrigued for the set up for a book two and have already added it to my TBR!

Thank you #NetGalley for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.

I finished this book and had to sit for a minute to collect my thoughts. I really enjoyed Freya’s story. She wasn’t the most likeable character but I didn’t hate her either. She was fierce and cared for others even when they didn’t deserve it. I loved the Viking vibes. The side characters were delightful. Bjorn especially was a favorite. I am looking forward to seeing where the series goes.

A Fate Inked in Blood follows Freya a young woman living in a fishing village hiding her sheild maiden powers. When she is discovered she embarks on a journey of making her own fate in a world where men wish to control her and her powers.

This was another excellent book from Danielle Jensen. If you are a fan of Jensen's other books you will enjoy this as well. I enjoyed that the story was fast-paced and that they romance had more tension.

Halfway through this book I went and preordered the physical copy, and told several of my friends to preorder it themselves. I absolutely loved it. The Norse Mythology, the strong willed MFC, the banter between her and the MMC…. I absolutely loved it. The world and plot were so well done and I can’t wait for book two already because what an ending! Not a cliffhanger, but it left you so excited to see what’s next. 100/5 stars!

Another winner from Danielle L Jensen! Freya and Bjorn are on a journey for the ages. What path will their unfated journey take? I thoroughly enjoyed the twists and turns and I cannot wait for book two!

i’m not much of a romantasy reader, but i find a fate inked in blood to be a solid entry into the genre.
the main themes that stood out to me were female rage and desire. freya has been a pent up housewife to an abusive and socially prominent man for a year, and as soon as she’s free of him, it’s like setting off a firework. she’s incredibly horny for bjorn (shoutout to him for being the least lecherous man around) and wants desperately to achieve her childhood dreams of being in battle. some of her impulsive decisions had me rolling my eyes but there was also catharsis in some of them. as far as romance goes, it was somewhat refreshing in not transparently relying on paper thin tropes and contrived situations - the tension between bjorn and freya feels grounded in the conflicts of their daily lives. as a reader who was expecting more fantasy and less romance, freya’s narration of her forbidden attraction felt repetitive at times.
without spoiling anything, i will say the very ending was the most interesting and will probably bring me back for book 2 and maybe even a reread looking for foreshadowing. up to like 98% percent i would have been happy as a standalone.
thank you to del rey for the arc!

I am about 25% into the book and I am loving it so far. Danielle Jensen is a must buy for me since I read The Bridge Kingdom series. She always manage to craft the perfect balance of plot, interest and romance. Recommend so far!