Absolutely amazing. I devoured this book and I’m in neeeeeed of book 2. It’s a travesty to me how far away this next one will be. I already preordered the hardcover for this one too. Will definitely reread again. Obviously would recommend.

This book was fantastically written. The story was great, the characters were strong and witty, great romance. Everything I like in a fantasy book when I want to get lost for a while. This is my first book by Danielle L. Jensen, but I will be searching for more.

The story follows Freya as she is forced into becoming the second wife of Jarl Snoori as it has been prophesied that “ A Shield Maiden will combine the Skalands under one king and that flame will bring out her name.” Jarl Snoori’s son just so happens to have the gift of flame from Tyrn, and is tasked with watching Freya and protecting her from the other Jarls who now want to kill her for fear of being under the rule of Snoori. While going through combat and wildly dangerous treks through the mountains Freya learns a lot about her powers and also some not so great things. She also might have feelings for Bjorn which is troublesome as he is now technically her step son.

I don’t want to say much else for fear of spoilers but this book was great. I was instantly hooked from the first chapter. I loved how strong willed Freya is. She reminds me a lot of Rin from the Poppy Wars and Aelin from Throne of Glass. The sexual tension between Bjorn and Freya is great and so is their banter. So many times I laughed out loud and sat kicking and swinging my feet. The cliffhanger was pretty predictable but I still found myself second guessing my thoughts. I cannot wait for the sequel!

Thank you to NetGalley and Danielle L Jensen for this ebook in exchange of an honest review!

Rating: 4.5/5 Stars

This was my first read by this author and I was impressed! Gave all the adult fantasy vibes I felt when reading ACOTAR

I enjoyed this! It definitely is giving the New Adult fantasy vibes of Fourth Wing and A Court of Thorns and Roses. The characters have some depth to them and we can see them make strides, but there is still a long way left to go. The pacing of the book was nice and felt on par with where it should be for a book this length. I wish there was a bit more complexity and exploration for the characters, but I’m intrigued to see where the next book takes us.

After receiving an arc for this book let me just say…. I need book two now. The world, the magic system, and characters are unbelievable! I’m just in awe! I didn’t know I needed this type of a serotonin boost! Thank you Mrs. Jensen you have done it again!

Once again Jenson has me hooked on another series of hers! The bridge kingdom series is one of my favorite reads of the year and now I get to add this title to the list. This book is action packed and will keep you on your toes! I cannot wait to see what is in store for Freya next.

review posted on goodreads; (aaliyah)
review post date: 10/23/2023


Thank you so much to NetGalley for giving me an early copy of this book! I’m not the biggest fantasy reader, mainly because it’s hard for me to digest the world-building, complex characters, well-thought-out plot, etc. It tends to be a bit overwhelming! “A Fate Inked in Blood” is genuinely one of the best easy-to-read fantasy romance novels I’ve read. I enjoyed Freya’s character and how her story ties in with the colorful cast. You can tell that the story was set up for a sequel, but regardless, I’ll be there to read it! The plot twists were great and overall, this is a great book to read if you’re trying to get into fantasy. also, can I just say I love Norse mythology? I think it was such a perfect aspect of the book.

This book was a sexy viking murder romp. With a dangerous and headstrong FMC, it was everything I wanted from a Viking story! Freya's magic was extremely interesting, and I'm very excited to see how certain aspects of it are used in future books. IYKYK. Danielle L Jensen always charms me with her rich settings, and this was no exception. The attention to detail made immersion easy! While Freya was a little naive or slow on the uptake, I loved seeing her grow from being a fishwife to something more. I can't wait to see how the numerous revelations reflect in her growth in the next book!

This is my first book with Viking gods and magic and I was surprised how seamless it was that I wasn't caught up in any details. Apparently, I must have absorbed enough viking lore in popular culture that I recognized names enough that they seemed familiar. The FMC is a strong-willed and fiery character who is matched with a MMC that I could only keep picturing Chris Hemsworth's Thor as. His humor and cockiness that is backed with a care for people is refreshing to read and the FMC has a lot of guts. The magic isn't overwhelming and the adventuring was easy to follow. Some of the political planning felt repetitive at times but it wasn't enough to really bother me. I'm really looking forward to the next book but sad it'll probably be a long wait!

Stuck in an unwanted marriage spending her days gutting fish, Freya dreams of becoming a warrior and ridding herself of her horrid husband. When said husband betrays her, she lands in a fight to the death against his son. In order to survive, Freya is forced to reveal her deepest secret. She's magic! ❤️❤️❤️

This is how a beautifully written Nordic shield maiden's journey begins. Great banter, beautiful world building, unforgettable characters. I love any fantasy series based on mythology, and this was a wonderful taste of the Nordic mythology we don't have enough of. Strong characters, especially Freya's selflessness, really make this shine. I love the foreshadowing throughout this, as well. I can't wait for the second installment to this series!

Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for the advanced digital reader's copy (ARC) in exchange for an honest review!

So much happened to the characters in the first 25% of this book i was like are things ever going to CHILL OUT! So, needless to say, this book really starts in the middle of the action and doesn’t stop at all and really gets going around chapter 20. very slow burn with the love interest but a good time all around!

thank you netgalley and the publisher and author for the opportunity to arc read this book!

Review posted on Goodreads; (Name:caffeinatedfantasyreads)
Review post date: 11/22/2023


I would first like to take this moment to thank NetGalley and Random House Publishing Group for this advance copy.

As one who is immersed in the fantasy genre, and not as familiar with the Romance genre, I thoroughly enjoyed the journey Danielle Jensen took me on through this book.

Freya, the shield maiden, “Born-in-Fire”, who starts her journey in an unhappy marriage, filled with misery, traverses a journey of magic, power, political strife, and a slow brewing tension/romance with Bjorn. Though she carries divine blood and divine purpose, the agony and anguish she experiences are more severe than her regular human counterparts. Her courage and altruism in a world, that as a reader you sometimes wish she would let go of, for several characters did not deserve her protection, you are reminded of the importance of those traits to ensure balance and survival of the world. The greatest highlight in the book was Freya’s strengths in overcoming several situations, when all feels lost, and betrayal seems rampant, her steadfast maintenance of composure was inspiring to the reader.

As a true lover of all mythologies, the Norse mythology and pantheon references were beautifully woven into the storyline. Jensen, with her words, brings the world of the vikings into the present day, and immerses us into the narrative. Though the world is rich, she brings it to the reader in a simple enough manner, that this work becomes an easy read.

Then we meet Bjorn, skilled warrior, wielder of divine weapons, and the prince of Skaland. As one who rarely delves into the romance genre, I appreciated his character arc, which included moments of reality and humor he shares with Freya, which were endearing. However, in certain aspects he is the stereotypical strong-willed, “macho” male character, who is built like a superhuman and yet is gentle with his love interest. The romance seemed organic enough, and his dilemma with his own past and future, and how he brings Freya into his world were moments that were compelling.

The ending left me speechless, with a myriad of questions. By the end, you cannot help but immerse completely in Freya’s journey, and the ending leaves you in sheer agony. What a wonderful read indeed!

⭐️5/5⭐️ this book had me absolutely captivated from start to finish. The main character, Freya is stuck in arranged marriage when she really wants to be a soldier with her brother. She a power that she’s been told to hide her entire life by her parents. When she is forced to show her power in a duel with another powerful warrior, it creates a domino effect that leads her to question what she is meant to do with her life.

There are not enough amazing things I can say about this book! The magic system, world building, and slow burn romance had me on the edge of my seat from start to finish! I highly recommend preordering this one or marking your calendar for when it comes out. I don’t think you have to be romantasy obsessed to love this one! Might be a great introduction into the genre (gives Fourth Wing vibes in that way)

-Posted in @disassociatedbookgirl on Instagram

Thank you Netgalley for the ARC for my honest review! This book had me in a chokehold since the first page. The banter, romance, pacing, and adventure all of it was a chef kiss, The FMC is one of the best that I have read all year,

If you like Norse Mythology, enemies to lovers/forbidden lovers, and banter between characters- you will love this. Run and add this to your TBR!

This was an absolute fun read that I couldn't put down. I feel so grateful to have had the opportunity to read this as an ARC.

The whole Norse inspired world was very vivid and well described. What I love about this author's books is that the fantasy element is present, but never that heavy. She weaves historical -feeling narratives with a bit of magic so well that the world almost feels real. I was a bit frustrated during the book about some of the MC's decisions, but thinking back it does make her mor 'believable'. I'm looking forward to the sequel. This is an enemies to lovers, slow burn, action packed book- with a big twist at the end! I was an easy read with an easy to follow world building and it was paced nicely.

This book did NOT disappoint! I enjoyed it from the very first chapter. Captures your attention so well, you won’t want to put it down. I highly recommend adding this to your TBR!



Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for an E-ARC in exchange for my honest opinion.

This is my first Danielle Jensen book! I have been wanting to read the Bridge Kingdom, but as always just never got around to it. This book follows Freya, who is unfated and has blood of the gods. She, like other unfated people, has a magical gift from her god. A prophecy foretelling her future leads to unrest and the desire for all of Skaland and Nordeland to hunt her down as she tries not to fall for her husband's (in only name) son.

I would give this book a 3.5, I loved the Nordic premise of this book. I have always been fascinated by it and I did enjoy the storyline; however, Freya was quite annoying in my opinion. She would make a decision and was quick to change and go back on what she decided, constantly blaming herself for everything. Maybe that is how you feel when you are unfated. The forbidden love trope was great; I just wanted them to be able to love each other.

Oh my goodness, I don't even know where to begin! This book was a little hard to get into. I don't feel like it picked up until about chapter 15 and then it really picked up around chapter 21. I don't know why either. I feel like the story kind of dragged on and I wasn't sure where it was going or when it would pick up. After chapter 21 I couldn't put it down. I feel like Bjorn carried the entire book. I want to give this book three stars so bad but it just took too long to really get going. Though the ending has me needing more and I need answers to so many things. I need book two ASAP.

NetGalley sent this ARC to me electronically in exchange for my honest review. All opinions are my own.

Love this book from beginning to end. It's a very entertaining and fast story. I loved that it was inspired by the Vikings and I loved the romance. Read it, it's great. Jensen didn't disappoint