My new favorite romantasy. If you love a slow burn in a fantasy Norse setting than A Fate Inked in Blood is for you! I enjoyed this story from cover to cover. I loved Freyja and Bjorn both and the tension that grows between the two of them was palpable. The touch of magic that is tied to the Norse gods was so enjoyable and well done. All of my theories on where the story was going and the roles that the characters played in the plot panned out which I loved! Jensen did a great job of setting up the twists and I can't wait for the next book.

By some miracle, I managed to call every single plot twist in this book, and I have no idea how.

A Fate Inked in Blood has been on my Netgalley TBR since October, but I'm glad I finally got around to it because I just got the biggest unnecessary ego rush. I don't know much about Norse mythology, so the worldbuilding was pretty unique to me, and it definitely gave Beowulf vibes too.
The story follows Freya, a shield maiden prophesized to unite the world, as she leaves her home and enters a world of politics and war. There were a fair amount of action scenes that kept me entertained, but I can safely say I was more invested in calling the plot twists...and I did. I was unreasonably proud of myself for solving them, and I think that's why I enjoyed the book as much as I did. My only issue with the plot was that there were several instances of Freya and Bjorn picking fights with each other, making out, and then going back to being cold toward each other. I'm not a fan of will they/won't they romances, so it just got on my nerves at times.
I wasn't super invested in any of the characters, probably because I was convinced that half of them were evil. I liked Freya's personality and I think she has an interesting background, especially with info revealed at the end. However, her monologues about her lust got on my nerves, and I was tired of her fawning over Bjorn at times. I went back and forth between hating and liking Bjorn because his dirty jokes annoyed me, but I like tragic backstories, so I thought he was cool, too (although the Leo Valdez meets Rhysand personality was a bit much for me). The rest of the characters aren't really likable, but I think that's kind of the point...even if I wish there were more than two decent characters.
A Fate Inked in Blood is a Norse mythology-inspired romantasy story that I think would appeal to fantasy fans of all kinds.
Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for the free e-ARC!

3.75

As a fan of The Bridge Kingdom, I am familiar with Jensen’s writing. This book is leaps and bounds better than The Bridge Kingdom.

This book had me hooked from the very beginning! The mythology, the forbidden love, and the pacing! I can't wait for book two and to find out what happens from that killer cliffhanger!

Okay, idk why it took me so long to get my thoughts down but I just didn't even know where to start. I loved this one! A lot of people tried telling me it was *predictable* but honestly that's the entire point of foreshadowing so I'm not really sure why that's a complaint. I LOVED this book. I love Freya and I love Bjorn, even when they were entirely frustrating. This was fun, spicy, intricately woven and just drew me right in from the start. I love mythology but you don't really need any background in it to follow the story and the worldbuilding is fantastic and easy to follow. It's a great story, well paced with lots of action and character development; you'll be rooting for Freya and Bjorn -- even when you're questioning their actions at times. They're both fierce and strong and have been put through a lot in their lives. Watching Freya grow as a character is so rewarding, she's definitely treated as a bargaining chip, betrayed, and underappreciated by the people she's willing to sacrifice everything for but she's also warrior from the start and continues to get stronger throughout the novel. The way she acts/reacts is easy to understand and she's just a loveable, well-intentioned, imperfect but relatable character. Bjorn is beautiful, protective, loyal, and very charming -- their interest in each other is obvious from their very first meeting and who could blame them? Also the way they meet had me laughing out loud -- a totally perfect meet-cute for these two. The care Bjorn shows for Freya in his actions is *everything* and the back and forth banter is entertaining. It's definitely a bit of a slow burn but it has to be. The tension is *tense* and when there is spice it is spicyyyy. It's a quick, action packed, intense, fun ride & I recommend it to anyone who likes fantasy, romance or any of the below:

Only one horse<3
Forced Proximity
Forbidden Romance
Gods & Goddesses
Norse Mythology
Viking Warriors
Chosen One
Magic

Check it out in stores, online, from your library, wherever!! It's a great book to add to your 2024 reads.

I received an ARC from Random House Publishing Group - Ballantine | Del Rey via NetGalley. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

A good fantasy that, while like many of its kind in the sense that there is romance and uncertainty, it is highly different and a must read. If you love Sarah J Mass or Jennifer L Armentrout, this is one you will want to read. I cannot wait to see what else this author comes up with. 4 stars.

Thank you NetGalley and the Publisher for the free copy of A Fate Inked in Blook by Danielle L. Jensen in exchange for my honest review.

This book was great fun with plenty of adventure, kick ass heroines, plot twists, mythology, and romance. On the whole, the read was a little slow for me (with time allowed for external life things, of course). The beginning was riveting and hooked me right away, but some of the parts in the middle could have progressed a little quicker. But Freya is a great main character and has some complexity that I can't wait to see unraveled later in the series. This book definitely has set up what will most likely be an even better book two, and I will be quick to request that when it does drop!

This was an interesting read. The Magic system was unique and different. It didn't keep my art like I hoped it would, but that could be because I am a mood reader and wasn't in the mood at the time I read this unfortunately.

Note:Thank you to the author and NetGalley for providing me with an ARC of this novel. I took a chance on it, thinking that it could be really great or could be a fantasy dud. I'm so happy to report it was amazing! As made clear when it became a BOTM selection. My review below is based on my reading experience.

Book of the Month: March 2024

Can we all just take a moment to swoon over Bjorn? Okay, seriously, I knew the moment I met this man that (1) I was instantly attracted to him and (2) I probably shouldn't fully give him my reading heart. However, here we are... still swooning even after the climactic cliffhanger that this novel left us all with. Wait until 2025 to get the next installment -- be still my heart. Sigh.

I loved this. Strong female lead who is coming into her own, learning about her magic, and does a decent job of putting other people in their place. Bjorn, amazing warrior figure who I'd love to share my bed... I mean, quest... with. All in a well crafted world. Just loved this book.

Actually, I'm shocked at how much I loved this book because, at first, I wasn't sure this was going to be for me. Now, its all I want!

I finished A Fate Inked in Blood a few weeks ago! Thanks to Random House Publishing Group - Ballantine, and Del Rey for a NetGalley eARC of this title!

I had a very good time with this story. It was my first Danielle Jensen and will not be my last! The Viking inspired world that was built felt fresh. The magic system was fun, and the romance was steamy.

Highlights for me included:
•funny and entertaining banter between our FMC Freya and MMC Bjorn
•petty gods and goddesses
•the idea of fate and destiny, who really controls it, are we masters of our own
•loyalty by blood vs by honor
•the absolute off the charts potential for book 2 groveling and pining has me weak 😮‍💨
•Bjorn, the man that you are

I was able to call the major “twist” pretty early on, but it really didn’t alter my enjoyment of the lead up at all. Plus, there were several smaller things that took me completely by surprise that I am so intrigued by and can’t wait to see the resolutions for in upcoming books!

I have seen some criticism of Freya, the books leading lady. And while I can see why she is not for everyone, I really enjoyed her ARC in this story and her potential growth in the series. Freya is complicated as she wants to do what is right, but doesn’t always know what right is. She has a big heart and she cares for those who don’t necessarily deserve her loyalty. And she has so much potential to step into herself and her power in future books. I am very excited to see how her character changes, and how her power develops.

Overall I gave this 4.5 stars and will be waiting for a book 2 announcement!

A Fate Inked in Blood by Danielle Jensen was a great Fantasy Romance read with Norse inspired mythology entwined. The story begins as our main character, Freya, is stuck in a marriage where she longs for the day she can be a warrior and use her gift that she has kept secret all her life. Her fate quickly changes when her husband sells her out to the jarl and she is forced to fight to the death against Bjorn, his son. Freya's secret is revealed as she calls upon the gods to protect her as she possessed a drop of goddess blood making her a shield maiden. She can protect herself and those around her from an attack. Freya is then bound to another to protect her family as she plays out her prophecy.

This story is fully of action, spice and an unexpected twist at the end that leaves me wanting book 2 now! Thank you Netgalley and the publishers for my Digital ARC.

I loved The Bridge Kingdom by this author in the past, but this just wasn't for me. I didn't find myself connecting to the story and I was pretty bored. I did end up DNF-ing this book at about 53% in because of the boredom. Wasn't terrible, but wasn't very good either. I do think Danielle is a talented author and I will continue to read from her in the future, but this particular book did not work for me personally.

While still sitting at 4 stars (rounded up from about a 3.75), I thought I would like this book more than I did.

The premise was great! I loved Freya's introduction: someone who knows she's worth more but is sticking with a horrible man for the sake of her family. This doesn't keep her from speaking her mind at times... which leads to the trouble that sends her careening on the main journey for the rest of the book. What other story starts off with the main female character (SPOILERS) throwing an axe into the back of her husband's head?

However, from there it felt like the rest of the book just didn't keep the pace I needed to stay engaged. There were a lot of good aspects and interesting plot points, but a lot felt like they were added and then just kind of tossed to the side or resolved very half-heartedly. I didn't really care for Freya's relationship with Bjorn after she's taken by his father to start the quest to rule Skaland. Their first interaction had me squealing, and then the rest just felt blah (probably a bit too insta-lovey for my taste).

Overall, I was expecting a romantic fantasy, but instead I got a fantasy romance (although there IS enough plot to keep you engaged rather than just romance!). I'll still probably pick up the second book because it was decent, just not what I was hoping.

Hmm, obviously the first in a series though at this point in the book it seems all wrapped up. I'm very close to the end of the book and I know that the complacency is about to be broken in order to continue the story in the next book-I really hate cliffhangers, so I hope it isn't that.

There it is-blowing things up on purpose, but the twist isn't too surprising if you picked up the clues the author left. The cliffhanger isn't terrible so I'll likely read the sequel when it's published.

A spicy surprise but not too much, though if you don't care for explicit content this isn't for you.

Freya is a complex character, who thinks she knows what she wants, and changes her mind once she gets it. She struggles with her destiny caught between gods, and jarls. She is a frustrating character too, because she fights with herself so, and many times chooses that which is harmful to her. Her family is frustrating.

If Norse mythology was real, magic is real, the gods rule over the lives of those in Skaland, and god's blood is found in its people creating heroes on par with Greek demi-gods. The reality of war is harsh, and the god's children are being wielded like weapons by jarls in raids for territory and power. There is a fair bit of heroine worship by the love interest on par with a romance novel. (Of course, only now do I realize this is Romantasy).

This book will be reviewed and featured on my instagram account : @emily_reads_everything. In addition, my goodreads account will have a starred rating, as well as one here. My GR account is linked in the profile of my instagram.

My goodness. What to say about this book. It was definitely a wild ride, I can say that for sure. So many unexpected twists and turns, I didn't know what was coming next! I absolutely loved the main character Freya. She had to go through so much, but she kept fighting the whole time. I'm excited to learn more about Bjorn in the next book. I found myself wanting to know more about him thought the whole book, but after finishing it I understand why his history was so scant. I just absolutely loved everything about this book. You know a book is great when youre able to escape reality for a little while every time you read it. 5 stars.

I absolutely devoured this slow-burn fantasy romance based on Norse mythology! All Freya wants is to be a warrior, but she is stuck in a boring marriage to a man she despises. When her husband betrays her to the local jarl, she must fight to the death with the jarl’s son. To escape sure death, Freya prays to the goddess Lin, and it is revealed Freya is a shieldmaiden foretold to unite Skaland under the one who controls her fate. I loved Freya’s feistiness despite the controlling men around her, and the slow-burn romance with the jarl’s son, Bjorn, was fantastic! Looking forward to the next book in this series.

excellent book. was so excited to receive this ARC. it became one of my top favorite reads. cannot wait to read more from this author.

Freya is absolutely the strong feminist hero we need right now.

Even when she is trapped in a brutal loveless marriage (one which she argued against), she finds inner strength to continue. Even when forced into brutal contest by the powers that be, she continues to persevere and overcome.

Freya teaches herself and learns from others. Even when her own heart is in jeopardy. And her skills as a warrior are unparalleled. Think berserker.

"My eyes filled with crimson and smoke, my skull throbbing with such ferocity that I couldn'tthink. There was only wrath."

Fans of Iron Widow should definitely pick up this book.

I can already tell that this will be one of the top books I’ve read in 2024. What a masterpiece.

A Fate Inked in Blood gave so much adventure, action, stakes, storytelling, romance with the perfect amount of spice. I couldn’t stop thinking about it when I wasn’t reading it. The best part was that every time I picked the book back up, there was another crazy action scene that kept me sucked in. I never felt bored, I was always zoned in on the story. The writing was gorgeous and very mature which is always a win in my book.

The ending was *chefs kiss* and the perfect cliff hanger for the second book. Looking forward to finishing this duology next year!