This started off so strong and had me excited about it from chapter one. That’s such a rare quality and I was pleased that the plot and pacing kept me intrigued throughout. My favorite things about this book were the basis in Norse mythology (which is brand new to me), Bjorn’s wit and humor, and his banter with Freya. The man had me smiling like a fool at my kindle. So often, fantasy mmcs are stoic and overly serious, without much of a personality, but that was definitely not the case here and I loved it.

I also found Freya's development to be interesting and while I questioned a lot of her decisions, she was an admirable and lovable heroine. My only real gripe is with the last 5ish percent. The major twists were predictable, which honestly would have been fine if not for the way I was left wanting a bit more from the ending. Certain elements felt rushed and almost incomplete. So I certainly am excited to see how fate plays out in book two. I’m also excited to dig deeper into Bjorn's character and his past.

Considering the book as a whole, I’d give it an 8.5/10. I really loved it and am so glad to have received an ARC to enjoy and review.

A Fate Inked in Blood is a romantic, Norse-inspired fantasy, that has everything you could possibly want in a romantasy novel, from forbidden romance, to forced-proximity, to the “chosen one” trope and more. It follows Freya, a shield maiden blessed by the gods, with magic foretold would unite the fractured nation of Skaland, as she finds herself bound to the region’s jarl and begins training to fight and learn to control her magic under his son, Bjorn’s, tutelage and protection. As she takes on her role of the prophesied shield maiden, she will face several perilous tests set by the gods, including her growing attraction to Bjorn; if she fails or succumbs to her desire, she not only risks her destiny, but also the fate of the people she swore to protect.

I found that Danielle L. Jensen did a fantastic job steeping this novel in Norse lore and history in a way that not only suited the story and enhanced the world-building, but was also easy to follow and understand. I was also incredibly impressed with Jensen’s attention to detail within her storytelling. With lots of foreshadowing throughout the novel, it felt like every single detail had purpose and meaning. I found myself going back and forth through the novel several times, piecing everything together and theorizing about what would happen next. It was an incredibly fun reading experience!

I loved how multi-dimensional the characters felt, especially our protagonists, Freya and Bjorn. Freya had a perfect balance of qualities we love to see in our female heroines, like her fierceness, determination and selflessness, while also having qualities that are very human and relatable, like her self-doubt, her anger, which made her struggle between following the path that has been laid out for her and seizing control of her own destiny all the more believable. Bjorn’s character had his own merits and purpose beyond being the love interest. He’s passionate, caring and strong-willed, he’s powerful in his own right, while also grounded by a moral compass that struggles under the weight his rage and his desire for revenge. The fact that these characters were so fully-fleshed and complex by themselves served to enhance their character dynamics and interactions, not to mention both Freya and Bjorn have a great sense of humor, so you can be sure that witty banter ensues.

A Fate Inked in Blood was a fantastic read all throughout, no doubt one of my favorites I’ve read this year. I’m positive it’ll not only be a hit with the romantasy girlies, but also one of the top releases of this coming year overall.

Thank you to Random House Worlds Publishing and NetGalley for an eARC of A Fate Inked in Blood.

I cannot wait to have a physical copy of this book. This book had amazing world building and amazing characters. I could barely put this book down. This was one of my first books in Norse mythology and I honestly did not want it to end. I loved our main character was about a woman finding her inner strength and her development throughout the book.

I cannot say enough about this book. I cannot wait for what is to come for this series. Danielle Jensen, you have a forever reader in me.

I received a free copy of this book thanks to NetGalley and Random House Publishing Group - Ballantine; all opinions expressed are exclusively my o

Once I started reading A Fate Inked in Blood, it was hard to put down! I have always enjoyed mythology and stories based in it, so this was an excellent treat. It's a well-written fantasy romance with a couple of delightful twists, including some interesting antagonistic characters. The ending sets you up for the sequel, and while I found it to be satisfying, it is in some ways a cliffhanger, so definitely keep that in mind if that bothers you. For sensitive readers, there is graphic violence, offscreen sexual assault/rape, abusive family members, and misogyny.

Thank you to Netgalley for this ARC in exchange for an honest review. This has been a highly anticipated title for me and I was so excited to be chosen as an ARC reader for it! This is such an exciting fantasy and I'm excited for more amazing fantasy stories to come from Danielle Jensen! I think this book will be a big hit and I'm excited to share about it on my platform closer to the release date

The setting and Norse folklore were chefs kiss! Freya was constantly pulled back and forth! the poor girl! Never had any real time to make up her mind (but I also loved the twist)
Bjorn is nice and consistent but also felt a little background at times, I look forward to seeing how he develops in future books. I also like the pacing of the romance, and felt that it didn't over power the rest of the story.

I've always been a steadfast fan of Norse Mythology and this hit the spot for fantasy and romance! Excited to see where this series goes!

If you’re a fan of Vikings Valhalla, I think you’ll fall in love with this story! I love The Bridge Kingdom series and was ecstatic to see what Jensen would do next. This story features a strong, balls-y FMC caught in the crosshairs of her own power and the people who seek to use it. Oh and did I mention the fine soldier at the center of the chaos? I enjoyed the mythology, the action, and the bits of romance in between. I can’t wait to put this on my shelf!

Thank you to NetGalley for the eARC in exchange for my honest opinion.

I had a really fun time reading A Fate Inked in Blood. I loved the Norse mythology and the magic system. I can’t wait to get a physical copy of this book!

Highly recommend this book.

I absolutely loved reading A Fate Inked in Blood! This story was so fun and full of twists and turns. I never wanted it to end.
I love the Norse mythology. I loved the setting. I loved the love interest. I loved the magic system. I loved the main character. I. Loved. This. Book.

I don’t really have much else to say besides this book is amazing, and everyone should read it.

thank you to netgalley for the advanced reading copy. I really enjoyed this and will be getting copies for my shop.

One of the better books I've read this year. It has all the high stakes and danger and romantic interest of novels like "Fourth Wing" or "A Court of Thorns and Roses" in a Nordic-inspired setting that reads more like magical realism than high fantasy. The characters are faceted and lifelike, the main character a believable, strong, though imperfect young woman . The magic of the gods and the relationship of the gods themselves to their followers is interestingly depicted. I'll be recommending this one to friends and waiting for the sequel.

This is an adventure story about people blessed by the gods and how their fates are up to themselves. It’s based in a Norse type land with mythology and magic. The main character Freya has hidden her magic but at the beginning is forced to reveal herself.

I was not a big fan of the main character Freya. She was a bit all over the place and whined constantly. It was mentioned how she was trained by her father but she still needs more training from Bjorn, the king’s son. There is one “session” and then it never seems to happen again. Eventually another group trains her for a single day. Somehow we are supposed to believe she is a warrior?

Odd details were also off - for example Freya was wearing a raven costume and then suddenly she wore one with antlers. This is just one example but I noticed this kind of thing a few times.

Overall I do love these kinds of stories but this wasn’t one of my favorites.

It’s been almost a month since I’ve read this book and I am still thinking it! It hooked me from the start and I loved everything about it. I am so ready for the second book in this series and A Fate Inked in Blood hasn’t even officially published yet. This is one you’re going to want to add to your TBR pile!

Danielle Jensen's "A Fate Inked in Blood" is a roller-coaster of emotions and fun plot-twists. The story unfolds with a perfect blend of tension and tenderness, keeping you hooked until the very last page. Jensen's writing draws you into a world where every decision is a step closer to destiny, and the characters are the heartbeats of an epic tale.

One memorable quote from the book echoes Lyra's (the protagonist) resilience: "In the face of adversity, she wore courage like armor, proving that strength isn't just in muscle but in the unwavering spirit." Another quote I loved that captures the essence of the characters' struggles: "Amidst the chaos, they found solace in each other, a testament that even in the darkest of times, love is a beacon of light."

The main characters, a fierce and determined heroine named Lyra, and a charismatic yet conflicted hero named Adrian, bring depth to the story. Lyra's tenacity and Adrian's internal struggles create a dynamic and compelling duo that just adds depth and beauty to the story. As their fates intertwine, the reader is taken on an unforgettable journey through a world where choices are etched in blood and destiny is an ever-present force.

A fun, fantastical tale steeped in Norse mythology and magic. Freya has lived her whole life hiding the gifts her goddess-infused blood gives her. But when she is betrayed by her husband and forced to fight Jarl Snorri's son Bjorn, her powers are revealed. Snorri takes Freya as his wife in order to fulfill a prophecy claiming that whoever controls shield maiden Freya will rule Skaland. But not everyone is happy to accept Snorri as their leader, and now the other jarls are after Freya. Luckily, Bjorn is there to protect her. As Freya becomes closer to Bjorn, she begins to question Snorri's role in her future and wishes to control her own fate. A

I was so pleasantly surprised and I really loved this book. It has all of the desired elements that I look for in a fantasy romance. This book had me hooked from the very beginning and I can't stop thinking about it. I laughed, I cried, and I celebrated throughout this book. I cant wait for the next book to come out! I would recommend this.

Rating: 5 stars on goodreads

I was so anticipating this book following reading the Bridge Kingdom a few years ago. Unfortunately, this one didn't hold up to how much I loved that book.

Negatives - slow pace initially, predictable ending, and a lot of battle scenes with less focus on the relationship

Positives - Loved Bjorn! Great hero that is a great book boyfriend. Loved the world building and the Norse inspiration. I look forward to more of this in the second book. The pace picked up around 50% and I read faster after that point.

Overall, I would recommend this book and do plan to read the second book.

It’s been a while since a fantasy has grabbed me and pulled me into the story, but I found myself totally engrossed in this Norse based fantasy. Freya is a fishmonger’s wife when her secret of having a god’s blood in her is revealed and she becomes the shield maiden. In order to keep her family safe, she marries Jarl Snorri who believes he is destined to become king and needs Freya’s powers in order to achieve this. But Freya finds herself drawn to Bjorn, Snorri’s son, and as it gets harder to hide those feelings, it also becomes more difficult for her to believe being a man’s shield is her destiny.

A Fate Inked in Blood had all the elements I love in a fantasy: a heroine finding her strength and her way, tension and chemistry amongst the characters, forbidden romance, never knowing who you can trust, and the perfect blend of action and plot. The ending leaves us with the perfect set up for book two and I cannot wait to see what happens.

This book was AMAZING! It felt totally different than all of the other fantasy romance right now. Inspired by Norse mythology, the magic and fantastical aspects of this book felt unique and fresh.
We follow Freya, a young woman stuck in an unhappy marriage to a fishmonger who she dreams of escaping and becoming a warrior. She also is hiding a big secret: she possesses a drop of a goddess’s blood, which gives her magic capable of repelling any attack. When her dreams become a reality, she finds herself in yet another marriage/bond with the much older jarl (like an earl or duke), Snorri, who wants to use her powers to help him become king. All the while, Freya must fight her forbidden attraction to Snorri's son, Bjorn who is tasked with staying by her side to protect her.

Full of mutual pining, forbidden love, enemies to friends to lovers, action/fighting, and amazing lore. I was so invested from the first chapter and the ending shocked me! How am I supposed to wait for a sequel when this book isn't even out yet??? The romance was so perfect, I PROMISE it's not weird that she's "married" to his dad lol. I don't want to include anything else because this is absolutely a book best when you go in blind.

I'll leave you with some favorite quotes:
"The truth women tell other women, is not the same truth they tell men." TRUTH
"Don't underestimate my young, Freya. Especially in the dark." Flirt ;)
"It's hard to keep one's wits when faced with a woman as beautiful as the signs of shore to a man who has been lost at sea."
"Where you go, I go, Born-in-Fire. Even if it's to the gates of Valhalla." (SWOON)

Thank you Netgalley, Random House and Danielle for the ARC.

Additional reviews will be posted to Instagram and TikTok soon

A Fate Inked in Blood by Danielle Jensen was a fun fantasy read with Norse inspiration. I read this in ONE DAY, which is uncommon for me in the fantasy realm. I saw this book on TikTok as a recommendations for those who liked Fourth Wing to read this. The imagery was good and I loved the Viking /Norse vibes, which I want to read more of versus the typical fairy/fae world. I read this without much research & I think it's best to just go in head first!

Thank you NetGalley for an ARC. All opinions are my own.