This was one of my favorite reads of the year!

A Fate Inked in Blood follows the story of Freya, a girl who harbors a secret- she has a drop of the goddess' blood which makes her capable or repelling any attack. In order to stay unknown, Freya is married off to a rich husband, who she hates. Our story picks up after Freya murders her first husband and is then forced to be wed to the jarl, a powerful man who only marries Freya due to her magical ability. As time passes, the Jarl's son Bjorn is tasked with protecting Freya. But tensions arise as they begin to grow closer and everything Freya knows about the world around her is called into question.

I loved how the setting took place in a Viking-like world with magic. I read a lot of fantasy, but this setting made for such awesome worldbuilding! I also really enjoyed the relationship between Bjorn and Freya. I found the ending to be a bit predictable, but it did not take away from the story at all. I am so excited to read the next book in the series! I will be preordering.

A Fate Inked in Blood is a Norse-inspired fantasy romance by Danielle L. Jensen. It features slow burn forbidden love, witty banter, and a bad-ass FMC. It was a fun read and had me laughing out loud a lot. Freya was a unique FMC, she didn't really care about her own happiness, instead putting others' safety as first priority. The MMC was also written well and had me drooling while reading sometimes. The world building was great, but I have to admit I was a bit confused at times. 4/5 stars. Thank you Del Rey Books for the free copy!

#gifted @delreybook #partner

3.5 stars

What an adventure. I’m going to be honest, I hated the first quarter of this book but I really do think it redeemed itself towards the end there. It was kind of like a much needed Fourth Wing 2.0 with actual world building and somewhat likable characters.

MINOR SPOILERS AHEAD

Our story begins by introducing us to this hot baddie named Freya who lives in this Viking-type world with magic and like… cool stuff like that I guess. The magic system and world building was actually pretty good but I thought but Freya was nearly as insufferable as Violet Soaringale at the beginning. Anyway, right off the bat we learn that Freya is married to this guy named Vragi (a red flag if I ever saw one) who has some cool fish-mongery powers (don’t ask) and hates her. Freya hates her marriage and hates it even more when she meets some hunky Fjerdan guy named Matthias. Actually his name is Bjorn (the names only get worse) but he’s basically just a less perfect and possibly more misogynistic version of Matthais.

A bunch of stuff happens and there’s an unbearable number of cringy quotes about “lustful hearts” and and “desires” but it’s tossed in with a good deal of actual plot so it wasn’t too bad. The plot was decently paced and there was no info dumping so lots of brownie points there. On the other hand, there was this unnecessary romance that I… disliked? I know that this is romantasy so I can’t actually fault this book for being a romance, but it would’ve been so much better if it wasn’t (or just had a romantic subplot). Bjorn’s nickname for Freya is “Born in Fire” (somehow worse than Violence) because- say it with me- she was born in fire. Well not literally I don’t think but in some metaphorical way or something. This is where this book proved to be so YA which it really wouldn’t have otherwise been. Everything regarding the romance was so cringe, the sex especially which wasn’t quite as bad as ACOSF but still wanted to make me jab hot needles into my eyes. Also, can we please stop using the word “cock” in YA fantasy? It’s a 21st century slang term and I hate it.

Now that that rant is over, more things I actually liked. The writing was pretty good aside from those cringy parts and, like the plot and really everything in this book, it got better as the story progressed. The world building was hands down the best part and I thought that the ending was amazing. It was a little predictable throughout the majority of the book but the ending was top-notch (as I’ve said 500 times).

In the end, I thought it was pretty good. I’ll definitely be picking up the next one in this series and can’t wait to see where Nielsen decides to do with this story. 3.5 stars.

🎶 Anti-Hero 🎶

Not my cup of tea. I was extremely bored the entire time reading and it took a very very long time for me to finish the book. I was very close to adding it to the DNF list but I wanted something more exciting to happen so badly.

I LOVED THIS BOOK. I liked Danielle Jensen’s The Bridge Kingdom, but this was a whole other level of enjoyment. I loved the two main characters and the slow way they fell in love…and could not believe how the book ends and where it leaves them in their relationship.

The story, setting, and characters are all well drawn and the way the book ends opens up so much possibility for this world.

It’s going to be a long wait for book 2!

This books was an unexpected fav! i absolutely loved it from page one to the end. we LOVE a bad ass fmc who doesn’t gaf about what people think of her. one thing that jumped out at me was the author’s ability to give freya some amazing character development while having her remain true to self. which i feel as if it’s always something i am missing when main characters have transformations. the book was just enough actions to keep me hooked. and well as a simple magic system and easy world building, making it very easily digestible. i am looking forward to book two!

thank you Net Galley in conjunction with Random House for this awesome ARC!

Freya, but not THE Freya, is in a horrible marriage with a horrible man. She has the skill of a shield maiden but cleans fish and tends the house because it’s a secret. Some people have Norse God Blood in them and powers that coincide. The jarl, or viking king/leader uses such people to his advantage, of course. And for whatever reason we are led to believe that the jarl won’t really have Freya’s best interests in mind if he finds out about her. Agreed.



Would it be much of a story if the jarl didn’t find out? Also, would it be a less boring story- because hot damn, this book was so hard to get through. I was bored out of my mind. I was not feeling any of what Jensen was putting down.



There is also a forbidden enemies to lovers thing going on that had potential but quickly fizzled out and seemed forced.

In addition to being tedious to get through the main characters- all of them, are deeply unlikable. Not too far into the book you kind of hope it all goes to hell. The lack of character development and backstory made if feels a bit like our MC's were side characters the author was just spending too much time on. It truly is unfortunate to give a Danielle Jensen book such a low rating. I’ve enjoyed her previous work and I’m a fan of viking stories so I was pretty excited to read “A Fate Inked in Blood”. I will not be continuing the series in the future.

I would recommend this book to people that are into boring, watered down action scenes. Those that would let someone treat them horribly, when they have the power to literally destroy them. People that let others make decisions for them.

A Fate Inked in Blood is an excellent Norse-inspired romantic fantasy novel that is perfect for fans of SJM books-- vivid storytelling, a gripping plot and one heck of a cliffhanger!

I was concerned that my lack of interest and minuscule knowledge of Nordic/Viking history was going to make A Fate Inked in Blood a challenging story for me to get into. I was SO WRONG!

The author flawlessly incorporated some pretty dense elements of Viking culture into the storyline with ease. I felt as if I was being given a history lesson without the pain of being given a history lesson. The culture was incorporated into the characters and plot seamlessly.

I was anxious to get back to reading this book every time I had to put it down. The plot flowed at a great pace and had just the right amount of tensions, suspense, and excitement.

Loved the forced proximity between Bjorn and Freya, as well as the brooding mystery behind Bjorn’s past.

Thank you to NetGalley and Random House Publishing Del Rey Books for the eARC in exchange for an honest review!

In this first installment of a new Norse-inspired romantasy, Freya is betrayed by her husband and forced to reveal her hidden magical identity as a shield maiden. In a world where it is widely believed a shield maiden would emerge to unite the nation, she is immediately thrust into a vulnerable position - the nation either wants her dead or under their control to claim the throne. Freya quickly finds herself caught in a blood bond with a controlling jarl desperate to be King all the while training to fight with her magical ability, facing difficult tasks set forth by the gods to prove her worthiness, and lusting after the jarl's son.

I was hooked on this thrilling adventure! The pacing of this book is quick from the start, and I enjoyed every second of Jensen's exceptional work. Her prose is refreshing, her world-building and magic system is unique, and her characters are distinct and flawed yet lovable. The book is heavily character-driven, but there are a lot of battles, action, and raids, and even a good plot twist or two in store! I could have used just a bit more world-building, however, I am optimistic that more is to come later in the trilogy. The magic and the power provided to equip our protagonist is fascinating. I still have some questions, but I’m satisfied enough for what it is - an easy fantasy to get readers into the genre. I say this because I see some similarities to Fourth Wing, and I’d definitely suggest this for readers who enjoyed Fourth Wing, but maybe wanted a bit more from the writing!

Freya is a fierce, selfless character with a deep love for family and a drive to protect others. She is patient and controlled, and at times overly trusting and forgiving, especially when it comes to her family's repeated negligence. I felt the pain of her struggles, cheered for her bravery that led her through various trials, and appreciated her inner struggles and the pull between determination and self-doubt. She is a wonderful representation of my expectations for a female Viking!

Bjorn was everything a reader could want (and more!) in a romantasy leading man. He is caring yet strong despite his traumatizing childhood, and he has a strong moral sense. He’s protective of Freya, but he also respects her strength and independence. I loved how he wasn’t afraid to be brutally honest with Freya, and he always had her best interest in mind.

The banter between Freya and Bjorn was fantastic and had me laughing out loud. Their slow-burn, enemies-to-lovers relationship was well developed and full of angst and tension. It was a great addition to the story, and both characters grew from their interactions.

I am going to struggle while I am *impatiently* waiting for the sequel! This is simultaneously the best and worst feeling for a reader...

Holy freaking shirtballs.

I LOVEEDDDD this. If you like The Last Kingdom, or God of War or Vikings—this is your book. Loved the magic and the world building and the tension and the plot and BJORN etc etc etc.

(Spoilers?)
The only reason I’m giving it a 4 star instead of 5 is because of the miscommunication to betrayal pipeline trope that lead to the MASSIVE cliffhanger that ended the book. I saw it coming and I’m being nitpicky in wishing we could just skip past the “rawr you lied to me but you had good intentions” in the next book that I know is coming 🤣🤣

This was an ARC from NetGalley. Thank you so much for the opportunity to read this!

I love Danielle Jensen! This work still had her overall vibe (similar to The Bridge Kingdom) in terms of writing style; however, the story was incredibly engaging. You automatically feel invested in the trials and tribulations of the two main MCs. The story is well-developed, fast-paced, and engaging and has enough action and dialog to keep the reader invested. It's hard to write about it without talking about the characters and the plot in a way that spoils it. I HIGHLY recommend this work for those that love Norse Mythology, strong women and men warriors, trials, and great writing.

I saw some other reviews about A Fate Inked in Blood and this lived up to those expectations! Freya is an admirable character with a strong personality and a lot to say. It’s refreshing to have a FMC who stands up for herself! The banter between her and Bjorn is so good too. The book is filled with great Norse mythology which is so great for the world building and magic system. I can’t wait for book 2 to come out!

A Fate Inked in Blood was great from start to finish! The beginning starts off so strong and really sucks you in! The mythology and involvement of the Gods is so well done. There were some times when I found myself a little frustrated with Freya for letting people treat her like crap when she is so obviously a badass, but she truly just has never been really loved or valued and that shows. I’ll be very interested to see where her character arc goes, because I will absolutely be continuing this series and can’t wait for more!!

Thank you to NetGalley and the author for allowing me to read an ARC of this title.
Overall rating: 2 / 5 stars

I was very excited to read my first Danielle L. Jenson, book as The Bridge Kingdom series has been on my TBR for a while now. What better way to start an author other than reading a highly anticipated new series that has rave reviews so far?
This book fell incredibly flat for me. Overall the story felt clunky and not very well developed and because of this, it became predictable. It felt very tropey and all over the place at times like it was trying to do too much within a certain page limit and lacked in depth details that I wanted.

The one thing that I enjoyed about this book is the feel of the overall land. This was my first viking inspired fantasy and it delivered on keeping up the feeling of it being set in a cold, viking fishing village up in the far north on the ocean. The elements of the story being connected so closely to the gods as well as the terrain of the world only added to the book's overall feeling. Despite the great feeling the book gave, worldbuilding was lacking. It felt as if the entire story revolved around the instant love that Freya experienced for Bjorn and everything else was secondary to this. Due to this, it felt like nothing that happened really mattered and I struggled to care about any of the characters or the plot because it lacked depth; It was all very matter of fact feeling.

The magic system seemed really simple on the surface level but it gets increasingly muddied as the story progresses. The idea that the gods can bless and give gifts to certain individuals is simple but the idea of being fated / not fated as well as the seers being able to look at the potential future shifts this from being a straightforward magic system. To follow this, Freya is revered as being a shield maiden destined to be used to unite the lands, yet she seems helpless and reactionary as a character. It does not feel like she has control of anything that is going on around her and everything simply happened to her. Being a woman who in the beginning of the book was intelligent enough to prevent herself from having children but also strong enough to gut fish and take care of a home in which she is married to (even killing) a godling, this does not carry over to the rest of the story.

Overall this book was just not for me. All of the tropes that appear in lots of fantasy books now take over the story and create a sub-par book from what could have been a cool and unique story. This book unfortunately fell into that trap and will likely please all of the “BookTok girlies” but unfortunately that is not me.

Thank you to NetGalley and Random House Publishing Group for the advanced readers copy! This is my honest review.

I feel like I need to preface this review with the fact that the entire time I read this I was picking up a campy 80s fantasy vibe and I think that's why I loved it so much. The writing wasn't spectacular but the story was inviting and the banter between the 2 main characters was quick and I found myself laughing out loud a couple times with Bjorn's silly comments and lewd humor. Bjorn is basically a big Norse himbo. I liked the FMC, Freya. She didn't have that wishy washy internal monologue. She seems stubborn and blunt, which I enjoy. The story was fun, inviting and exciting. I would absolutely recommend to anyone looking for a new romantasy series to start! I know this book isn't released yet but I'm already wishing for the 2nd book in this series to drop!

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Spice 🌶️🌶️.5
Banter 💬💬💬💬

So much banter. I can't get enough. Give me more!

Freya and Bjorn are some of my new favorite characters. She's the headstrong woman who will do and sacrifice anything to protect the ones she loves — to a fault. He's the misunderstood warrior, who is renowned for his talent on the battlefield and under the sheets.

When Freya finds herself once again under the control of a powerful man and caught in the center of a prophecy, she wonders why she has been put on this path by the gods, and how much she can handle.

Bjorn is equally confused, and not at all happy with the task to babysit Freya on his father's orders.

How will their fates intertwine? How far are they willing to go because they believe the gods have deemed it so?

I thoroughly enjoyed this intriguing tale of controlling your own fate, when everyone's lives are believed to be predetermined by the gods. There's lots of juicy violence and sexual tension. Yum.

Read if you love:
Norse mythology
Sexy Vikings (a la Can Yaman and Travis Fimmel)
Magic
Secrets, spies and prophecies
Forced proximity
Will-they-won't-they

For me, the overall plot was very predictable, and I'm unsure if it's a situation where the reader is supposed to be surprised or if we're like a god looking down on our subjects as they have to learn things for themselves? 🤔 Either way, I still found myself yearning for more, and there were several moments that I WAS shocked by and did not anticipate the outcome.

This book ends on a cliffhanger and now I have to wait 83 years until the next one 😭

Thank you to Netgalley for the eARC in exchange for an honest review.

I absolutely LOVED this book. I hadn't read anything by this author and was blown away by the story and characters. I haven't felt this way about a book since ACOTAR. Loved the Norse mythology references, and the writing was beautiful. 5 stars by far.

This book is astounding. I have never read anything by this author but knew that they were well loved—this book has me SOLD OUT for their novels! From page one I was sucked into the book.

I love this author so much so I knew right off I would like this no matter what and I was right not only did I like it I loved it I devoured it it was so good!