so it might be official, I am OBSESSED with Danielle Jensen's writing. I am completely ignorant when it comes to Norse Myths and the Gods (excluding Odin, Thor, and Loki - thanks Marvel) so this story felt so refreshing to me, I haven't read anything similar in recent memory and as someone who reads 200 books a year that is saying something.

Freya is so funny - the banter between her and Bjorn is TOP NOTCH. She is also strong and fierce and I love how she stands her ground and sticks to her haunches. It was so interesting seeing her internal conflict and then the plot twist at the end when you finally understand where this darker part of her is coming from.

Bjorn is pretty much everything you want in a MMC - he has swagger, can banter, is fiercely loyal, a warrior, and sexy beyond words.

The magic system is so interesting and easy to understand - the world building is seamless - and the characters are complex

I cannot wait for this to come out so I can talk to everyone about it!

I was lucky enough to be given access to an ARC of A Fate Inked in Blood and man it did not disappoint. I truly couldn’t put it down every time I picked it up. I felt like I ALMOST always knew what was going to happen but one small twist would send me in a new direction. I recommend romantasy lovers read this as soon as it comes out!

SPOILERS AHEAD
Even though I saw Bjorn becoming in traitor before we were told- the end still through me for a loop and wrenched my heart out. This book isn’t even out to the public and I can’t wait for the next. Kudos Danielle Jensen, Kudos!

Thank you so much to NetGalley, the author, and the publisher for the ARC.

Long ago a prophecy was told of a young woman with the blood of Hlin, the goddess of protection, and her destiny to unit all of Skaland under one king. As the woman of prophecy Freya is married off to the Jarl of her people and becomes a shield maiden to fulfill her destiny. Despite the title and life of shield maiden being her dream, Freya quickly learns it is not the life she thought it was. In order to protect herself and her family Freya must learn to be a shield maiden and unite her people, while resisting the Jarl's handsome son, Bjorn.

Themes: Forced Proximity, the Chosen One
Trigger Warnings: Abuse/Domestic Violence, Animal Abuse, Slavery

To start off I want to say I am a huge fan of Danielle L. Jensen's previous works. The way she is able to not only create such a vast range of characters but connect them despite differences is truly amazing; and her plots are top tier with twists that you usually do not see coming. From the moment we met Bjorn I was absolutely hooked. The way he talked, acted, and joked toward Freya upon having just met her was so incredibly charming I found myself smiling and giggling. I also very much enjoyed the idea of the plot, I am an absolute sucker for a chosen one trope and I love a romance with forced proximity.

Now despite my excitement for the plot and the potential it holds I don't believe this book lived up to what it could have been. This book was very slow with often little to no plot movement for a couple chapters at a time. The romance between our main characters also feels rather forced. Despite meeting one another in the first chapter and spending a ton of time together the characters actually spend very little time getting to know one another, instead it feels driven by lust. Finally, I am personally just not a fan of how Freya was written. To me Freya felt very flat. She is supposed to be a strong free spirited women and yet she never actually stands up for herself, and despite her father apparently having trained her to fight she does not seem very capable. All together it felt as if Freya's behavior carried a heavy weight of teenage angst and self pity.

4 stars for the vikings and for that dope ending. halfway through i was like, “yeah. okay. i don’t care much for the plot or where it’s gonna go. i’ll probably stop after this one.” but that last 3%??? i am seated miss jensen i am waiting for book 2.

i didn’t care much for the plot until he end and i didn’t like the flip-floppiness of the main character, freya, but i loved all of the viking stuff, all of the magic, and the romance was fun. there were some scenes (like when she was claimed, iykyk)that had me in the groupchat saying, “actually, that was sick.” miss jensen can definitely write action. i’m excited to see what happens next!

Thank you to NetGalley and the author for my arc!!

4 ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

I thoroughly enjoyed this book. It’s been a while since I read a book with Norse mythology woven in, and it was done wonderfully. I even learned a few new gods in the process!

This book made me gasp out loud, complete with slapping my hand over my mouth. It shocked me with twists I didn’t see coming, and the ending made me upset…. Because there isn’t a second book to immediately dive into!

I am excited to find out what happens next in Freya’s(and Bjorn’s) journey, she is a fierce warrior who I have no doubts will come in swinging in the second book.

Read this book if you enjoy a strong female lead, touch her and die vibes, Norse mythology, epic battles, and powerful gifts given by the gods.

I AM SHOOK. ~emotional/slight spoilers ahead.

That book was incredible. Frankly, I knew I was going to love it even before starting the book. Danielle Jensen is one of my favorite authors and Bridge Kingdom was the beginning of my fantasy romance journey. I will, obviously, be purchasing a physical copy of this book. It pains me that a sequel is in the far future since this book is coming out in 2024. 😭😭😭

I WANT IT NOW. 😫📚



Danielle Jensen has always graced us with the MOST beautiful words. I fell in love with Bjorn and Freya’s love. I was giddying all over the place.

The SLOOOWWWWWW BURRRRNNN,
the banter,
forbidden love,
forced proximity,
the utmost protectiveness from Bjorn— *chef’s kiss*

I knew my emotions were going to be all over the place when I went from swooning to “HAHAHAHAHAA, BYE” within minutes of the earlier chapters. Iykyk 👀.

Brace yourselves, it’s a wild ride.

I felt that there was going to be this epic ending, but I never imagined the ending I read. Speechless. I was chucking pillows.

-WE WERE ROOTING FOR YOU!!!-

My heart broke for Freya. The most beautiful soul.



I had never read Norse inspired fantasy romance, but the elements in this book were not hard to follow, nor were they a bore.

Also, I’m just going to leave this here:
“It’s 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.”

*SQEALLLLLINGGGGG* 🤭🤭🤭



I THANK YOU GREATLY Danielle Jensen and Netgalley for this arc copy.

Highly highly highly recommend.

This was a Norse inspired fantasy romance. Shield Maiden Freya has been blessed by the gods and is in a horrible arranged marriage. She is soon found out that she possesses a drop of goddesses blood and is fated to help heal the broken nations, but she must unite with Jarl Snorris.
This book never had a dull moment and was very action packed. The relationship between Bjorn and Freya was so compelling and fascinating to read to say the least. I loved the tension between the two and their storyline. The twist at the end has me in a chokehold! If you are a fantasy romance reader that loves enemies to lovers this book is for you!!!

2.5/5. Unfortunately, this wasn't my favorite. I really enjoyed The Bridge Kingdom by this author, so I was super excited for this. One problem I had was the romance because it felt very shallow to me. The majority of the book felt very lusty and I didn't really see the emotional connection? They don't spend a lot of time together, so that could've been where the disconnect was for me. I also found a lot of the dialogue to be pretty cringy, even from other characters that weren't involved in the romance.

Another thing I didn't love was the plot itself. I never really felt too invested in it and I predicted practically everything. I think the book could've benefitted from some more in depth world building because I'm still not sure I entirely understand the different countries or the regions? The premise is also quite cliché (main female character with special powers that everyone wants for themselves) which usually doesn't bother me much in fantasy, but the execution didn't work for me here.

However, all of this being said, I do think a lot of people will enjoy this. It does what it says it will and it's a classic fantasy romance, although more heavy on the romance to me than the fantasy. The ending also has me slightly intrigued, so I think the premise has potential for future books. It wasn't my favorite, but I think this will work for a lot of others!

Tropes:
~Forced Proximity
~Enemies to Lovers
~One Horse
~Chosen One
~Viking themed

"Failure always has a price, Freya. But it isn't always paid by the one who fails."

"Don't underestimate my tongue Freya. Especially in the dark."

"It's hard to keep one's wits when faces with a woman as beautiful as the sight of shore to a man who has been lost at sea."

"You've never been alone.... I will be at your back until I cross the threshold to Valhalla, Born-in-Fire, whether you want me there or not."

I could go on and on with quotes. This book was SO GOOD!
I am so obsessed with it. It has been a long time since, I've outwardly chuckled and yelled at a book.
I love Freya. I love Bjorn. I love Bodil. The characters in this book are full of wit, and banter, and sarcasm. I can't get enough.

It is one of those books, I finish reading and want to immediately start over.
A hot shield maiden. A hot viking with a fire axe.
She's married to his father, and yet they can't help but be drawn to each other.

I give this book ALL the stars

4.40!

A fate inked in blood is a lush romantasy that will grip you from the start and refuse to let you go....

You can always count on Danielle Jensen to write the best book. She just has a way with words that'll make you an addict and there is no therapy or cure that could get you out of it. Believe me I'm a victim of it. Despite only having read the dark shores series, Danielle L. Jensen has been an auto-buy author for me not just because of her writing style but because of the way she crafts her worlds, characters and fits in the plot sprinkling it with politics and icing it with a unique magic system.

Now this might not be my favourite or the best DLJ book but it was still pretty damn good and worth reading.

Freyawas the best FMC to pick in a Norse inspired world because she reflected that era so well, her actions were literally like a Viking, the decisions that she made reflected on that. She was caring and suffered negligence from her family was sold off to marry the strongest man in the village by her own husband was wow. Like, she had alot of patience and control which isn't seen in many characters.

Bjorn was the man 🫡 like so fucking hot and not only that very passionate about alot of stuff. He was strong and had a sense of mortality plagued by revenge. His backstory is not anyless traumatizing. Captured by the nordelander under the care of the person that murdered his own mother 😬 only to go back and find his father had remarried.

The plot honestly the plot wasn't that well developed imo like it was developed but it still needed a little bit refinement because nothing much happened in this book of that importance untill the 65% mark. The plot was always flowing through the book but the main actions and the plot twist are after the 65% mark so keep that in mind when you are going into reading it. The plot twist were really good and heartbreaking.

The romance this was a romance between Freya who was bethrothed to Snorri a man thrice her age without her will and Bjorn snorris daughter. Not really incesty or anything but really well written and developed *stares at Morgan Rhodes and Cassandra Clare* very angsty didn't give me the ick infact I found it to be very hot. Believe me it wa every hot.

The magic system and world building the magic system wa sperfect we got enough information on it to understand and it was pretty cool to see like very realistic and relevant to Norse mythology so I'd say it was on point and so was the world building it wasn't complete but it was still good. It makes sense because there are two more books to come.

All in all, it was a solid start and I believe everyone should try it atleast once.

I loved the magic system and worldbuilding, but found the main character lacking. The pace was insanely fast, but Freya just lets everything happen to her. She doesn't take action or make real choices that alter the plot until the very end of the book when she jumps over the wall to try to kill herself. Her characterization is also inconsistent. She flies into fits of unreasonable rage (getting vengeance), but seems not angry at all about more reasonable things (being controlled by Snorri.) It was frustrating that she barely fought back against her situation. I wish she wasn't so easily defeated and resigned to her situation over and over again and showcased more cleverness and self-worth. It was so obvious that Ylva was never the rat and it was Bjorn the whole time. She keeps saying "Ylva was there every time!" But so was she and so was Bjorn. It makes her seem silly and unfocused. I also disliked how every female friend she has gets killed.

Wow! What a great romantic fantasy. Two genres that I love. I’ve never read a Norse inspired book but it definitely made me want to read more! It focuses on Freya’s journey as a shield maiden and had an undertone of female empowerment throughout. I enjoyed Bjorn and Freya’s story and thought the slow burn was *chefs kiss*. Cannot wait for the next book after that cliff hanger. Definitely looking forward to finding Freya’s “fate”.

Thanks to NetGalley and the Publisher for ARC. I received my copy in exchange of an honest review.

Saga of the Unfated, is my new favorite fantasy book series!
An epic read with North Mythology, Vikings concept, breathtaking battles and a spicy forbidden love interest that make your heart ache.
Freya was a loveable heroine and I really liked her reactions especially when she got blind with anger! Yeah, I mean chapter 2 and that axe throwing. Or what happened in the last chapters. Yes, that's my girl!
But another factor to put this book in your must-reads, is its male character names Bjorn. He is strong, sexy and so so much funny. I really enjoyed reading his dialogues and how he talks to Freya in a flittering funny way.
It was an easy read, because the plot takes the reader deep enough till the last sentence. And about those plot twists! Yeah!!! They're so breathtaking that can knock up the reader and make them thirsty for the second book.
Can't wait for the sequel. May Helin protect us all!

Thanks to NetGalley and Random House Ballantine for sharing this ARC!

If you love epic romantasy, you will enjoy A Fate Inked in Blood! This story is Norse-inspired with elements of magic and an enemies to lovers story that will for sure make you swoon. Freya, our FMC, is stuck in an unhappy marriage with a man who is more than happy to make her life miserable. By chance, she meets a mysterious stranger whose entrance into Freya's life marks a huge turn in her circumstances. But Freya is no wilted flower - she possesses magic that has been prophesized to bring the warring nation together in peace.

I really enjoyed this book as it had so many elements that I enjoy in fantasy romance. I will say though that the plot/characters did remind me of other romantasy books that I enjoy. It didn't ruin the book per se, but I saw the twist coming at me within the first 20%. Freya is a great FMC but she does feel like so many of the other FMCs that we've come to know and love. In addition, Bjorn is basically every male warrior character that has ever been written in a book by a female author (tough but gentle, brutal but tender, etc. etc.). AGAIN, I don't hate it - but this is not anything new to readers of this genre.

All that being said, I very much enjoyed this book and I cannot wait to read the rest of this series!

Actually, I knew I was going to enjoy this book, because I already read the Bridge Kingdom series and loved the author. The Characters, the plot, the mythologies and The banter, with made me devour this book. I couldn’t resist it so I finished the book in one day.
This entire book was a thrilling adventure, with exceptional pacing, that barely gave me a moment to catch my breath. The rage and absolute need for retribution I felt from these characters, was noticeable very early in the story. But the devotion, determination, braver and self-doubt, in Freya’s perspective, made her one of my favorite and one of the most relatable characters I’ve seen in a while. And Bjorn, I fell in love with him the second he stepped out of the fjord. The tension and respect between these two, was a delicious slow burn at its finest.

If you love Vikings, this book is for you. It’s filled with strong female characters, epic Norse mythology, and although quite different writing styles, they both feature characters with “gods blood” or that have been touched by the gods. I truly think this is a phenomenal book.
Thank you to Danielle Jensen, and Random House Publishing Group, for the opportunity to read this ARC from NetGalley, in exchange for my honest review.

JENSEN’S BEST BOOK YET. The complexity and nuance added to the storytelling was insane and the set up to the next book on the series has me crying.

Oh, Freya. The way I want to pull her into a hug and help her raise Hel on all who have used and want to use her is a testament to the way Jensen writes her characters.

Also, can I just say that the subtle way Jensen drops bombshells is work of art. Really, they are like grenades instead of bombshells. You see the smoke and are like “well that’s a little concerning, I should take a closer look” and then it detonates, leaving heartbreak in its wake.

What a masterful storytelling of agency, destiny, strength, and Nordic gods. Fans of her Bridge Kingdom and the writing of Carissa Broadbent will absolutely adore this book.

Massive thanks to NetGalley and DelRey for providing me with an ARC for this book.

This book took me by surprise with how much I liked it. A Fate Inked in Blood is a Norse fantasy romance with a fantastic balance between war/bloodshed and slow-burn romance. While this is the first book I have read that is based on Norse mythology, I believe that the author has done a wonderful job of including those elements and making it into something that readers can immerse themselves in. This story has all the best parts of a great fantasy novel, without the need for in-depth world-building that many fantasy series need. I am very hopeful to see a sequel so I may continue in this story as I have fallen in love with these characters.

Review posted to Goodreads on October 4, 2023

⭐️⭐️⭐️/5
🌶️🌶️🌶️/5 (only a few but they are 🙌🏽)

I cannot wait until you all get to enjoy this read!! I have not come across too many Nordic/Viking themed books & so I was all the more excited to pick up this read. I thought Bridge Kingdom was amazing, well A Fate Inked in Blood was no exception to the excellent writing Danielle brings!

From the start we meet our character and you already are rooting for here, atleast I was. Not happy with her place in life, and wanting more. I didn’t blame her, I’d feel the same if I were here, though our girl Freya has much more guts than I. She’s everything you would want in a FMC, though there were definitely times you’ll want to yell at her to get herself together.

As she progresses and you get to watch her and our main MMC entwine their lives, you’ll be flipping faster and faster, wanting more pages of their bickering and antics. If you’re looking for a new sexy Nordic character to fall in love with, look no further. It’s got it!

Fair warning though.. the cliffhanger at the end had me going crazy. Especially since this book doesn’t come out until next year and I have to wait past that to find out where things are left!!

*thank you NetGalley for the arc in exchange for an honey review*

A 4.5 star read!!! A Fate Inked in Blood... a Fantasy world I never thought I needed to be apart of. Its unique in the sense that it is Nordic and thrilling since it involves gods like Hlin and Thor.

If you are also someone who needs a little spice to the story to get through it, this story also covers that. What was cool for me, was I looked up these peoples names in Google, like "Bjorn" and got a really cool image of who the character might look like. Basically...hot AF. BUT Jensen knocks it out of the park with a strong, independent, BA woman who combats the patriarchal society and demands on women.

This story is also a fast-paced fantasy which is nice because it doesn't take over 100 pages to build anything. You really dive into the story and the action quickly which kept me enticed.

Overall, Freya, a woman who was born with the blood of Hlin and hid her magical powers her whole life. That is, until she used to powers to kill her HORRIBLE, abusive, toxic husband. She's then taken by King Snorri to gain his power as king. But keeping her alive is the biggest challenge since people do not want Snorri to be a more powerful king and must be protected.....by his incredibly hot son, Bjorn.

I cannot wait to have the physical copy and will be sharing this unique story!!

I loved Danielle L. Jensen's series The Bridge Kingdom and was excited to explore a new fantasy world inspired by Norse Gods and featuring forbidden enemies to lovers! The world reminded me of a beefed up, adult version of Percy Jackson meets Vikings. An AMAZING premise. However, the plot and characters fell extremely flat to me.

The plot was painfully predictable and allowed me excess time to focus on our characters' many flaws. Freya does not have the intelligence or strength of character to carry this book, so I worry about how the series will go from here. She is constantly at odds with herself, fluctuating between sacrificing everything for those who do not care about her and deciding to finally think somewhat independently (but even then this "independence" typically aligns with whatever Bjorn wants). Her sense of morality feels almost like a joke in that it reminds you of a stubborn 5 year old, refusing to see anything in shades of grey. Freya was highly inconsistent and her "fatal flaw" was her care for others who treated her like shit. But then this flaw doesn't extend to the one person in the entire book that was actually decent to her? It took me four days to read this book simply because it hurt me to watch her make mistake after dumb decision after no forethought actions after mistake.

Unfortunately, I will not be continuing with this series. It is my hope that Danielle L. Jensen beefs up her characters in the next book and can tie all of this together. However, I'm not sure that's possible if this book falls under her usual duology set up. I fear it would feel way too rushed.

I can't recommend A Fate Inked in Blood, but I will recommend you check out this author's other books such as her Bridge Kingdom series as I enjoyed those much more!