This book's concept had so much potential, but the way it was written, particularly the characters really got under my skin, so I ended up DNFing at 30%. I can usually make myself persist through ARCs that I don't enjoy but it was just so frustrating how cool the concept of Norse gods in a romantasy book could have been combined with how much I hated every single character in this book. My biggest gripe was with how much the author beat it over the reader's head how awful everyone was to Freya. The characters were so clearly awful, it made them feel really flat and uninteresting. Also Bjorn was pretty icky too, which was frustrating in it's own right. Freya's response to all of this also pissed me off, but I can't pinpoint why. Overall I hated everyone. By the time I stopped the plot still felt like a mess, so I decided to cut my losses because there was nothing I enjoyed about this one. It's really too bad, because to emphasize again, the concept is really really cool. I definitely want to see more Norse mythology in fantasy in the future

If Danielle has 1000 fans, I'm one of them, if she has one fan, it's me, if she has no fans, I'm dead.

"I used to dream only of fire and ash. Now when I close my eyes, all I see is your face."

“You’re the one holding the weapon”
“And yet I feel entirely at your mercy,”

Listen, I never doubted I would like this book. I flew through Danielle’s other books and when someone asks me a good first romantasy, I always encourage them to read The Bridge Kingdom. A Fate Inked in Blood did not disappoint.

Freya and Bjorn are both such great characters both together and individually. They’re both a joy to read, but together?? The banter! The tension! Almost immediately they attract one another, but they’re forbidden??? A lady and her bodyguard trope?? Need I say more?

The world-building was top-notch, unique, and well-laid out. It wasn’t info-dumpy, and I especially appreciate that. I’m not the most attuned to Norse mythology, but it felt very familiar, yet I felt as though I was discovering along the way. This included the magic system and political unrest, all things I could read for days. Unfortunately, I finished this in 2 :’)

I will be very (not very) patiently waiting for the next installment.

Thank you Penguin Random House Canada/ Del Rey Books for sending me a copy. My only regret is that I didn’t read it sooner.

Before I begin, I would like to thank Del Rey, Danielle Jensen, and her team for sending me an arc of A Fate Inked in Blood via Netgalley, in exchange for a fair and honest review.

I've been excited for this book since Danielle L Jensen announced it last year.
First of all ... it's a Danielle L Jensen book.
Second of all, Del Rey designed a beautiful first edition, with foil edges.
Foil. Edges.
Third, and last?
Vikings.
Freaking Vikings!

One of the first things I enjoyed about this book was that there is very little set up to the world. I was immediately thrust into the story, and it was interesting from page one. I was able to visualize everything I was reading perfectly, and I understood much of the content, which I appreciated.

As I am more accustomed and knowledgeable about Greek Mythology, I was a little worried that I would be a bit confused throughout this story, as Norse Mythology is heavily featured in A Fate Inked With Blood.
That wasn't the case.
Danielle sprinkles just enough information about the gods and goddesses in the story so you understand the being being discussed, but it doesn't overpower the book. Danielle made sure that the overall story, and characters, were the focus of the book. The Norse Gods and Goddesses are important, but in the way one would expect them to be - in the background, mostly unseen and unheard.

The best part of A Fate Inked In Blood?
The characters. Specifically, our main characters - Freya and Bjorn.
Individually, they are wonderful to read. Both of them have an inner strength and moral compass that is easy to love them for. They are both intelligent, and that is reflected in the delicious banter between them.
Oh, the banter.
So much of it.
And it's perfect.
We can't forget about the tension. The forbidden attraction between these two characters, on top of their witty conversation and friendship adds so much to an already great story.

If I had to pick something that I didn't like in this book, it was that it felt a little rushed. I love a book where there is lot's of action and I am constantly entertained, but sometimes I felt like the conversations that were needed to move the story along were too easily had. For instance, when two characters, who have never spoke of a certain topic, come together for the first time in a while, the conversation didn't need to be led to gain the information needed. It was like BAM!
It took me aback a bit.
Besides that tiny little thing - I loved it.

If you love adult romance with a Viking setting, you will adore A Fate Inked in Blood. It's not bogged down with too much information - just enough to get you through the book and thoroughly enjoy it.

Thank you Penguin Random House and Netgalley for the ARC of A Fate Inked in Blood.

This book took me by surprise in the best way! I’m not usually a big viking-esque girly, but this book was absolutely incredible. I was so invested in the story and the characters and I couldn’t put it down.

Freya is such a complex and and enjoyable FMC, and Bjorn is actually *chefs kiss*. I loved the world-building and the magic system, and the slow-burn had me begging for more. I genuinely cannot wait to continue this series, and I will absolutely be picking up other books by DLJ!

This is my 5th Danielle L. Jensen novel. I very much enjoyed her Bridge Kingdom series and was excited to read this book, as this is her first adult fantasy novel (and the first in a new duology). Unfortunately, this particular book was not for me.

The book is titled "A Fate Inked in Blood" and the duology title is "Saga of the Unfated." Fate is, therefore, a major theme of the series, and the main character, Freya, grapples with the question of fate vs. free will throughout the novel. That being said, I didn't feel that this was done in a way that was satisfying for the reader. Clearly, it's the first of two and the theme will be expanded upon in book 2, but I was left not really caring if it's fate or free will that is pushing her story forward.

To add to that, I felt disconnected from Freya as a character throughout the story. She just wasn't as compelling for me as Lara, Aren, Zarrah, or Keris in the Bridge Kingdom series. Her insta-love type feelings for Bjorn are also not my favourite type of romance trope, but that's a personal preference.

Lastly, I saw one of the major plot twists coming very early on in the novel. I'm ok with knowing a specific plot twist is coming, but this one was hinted at so obviously that I just wanted it to be revealed already rather than waiting till the end for the main character to realize it.

So what are the good points about this book? It's sexy and it's fast-paced. If you liked Danielle's other books, then at least read the excerpt and make your own choice about whether you want to continue. Even though I was left underwhelmed by book 1, I am curious to see where she takes the story in book 2.

Thank you to Penguin Random House Canada and NetGalley for this e-arc.

I loved this snarky shieldmaiden, this book has A+ banter, action, and spice.

Freya is a fishmonger’s wife, living a miserable life hiding her secret: she has a drop of a god’s blood, and the awesome power that comes with that. When her husband gives her up to the jarl, she is bound to him to use as a weapon to unite, or conquer, the nations of Skaland. But her growing feelings for the jarl’s son, Bjorn, and the blind fanaticism of the jarl, force her to question who should really control her fate.

This book was a great time. It balanced the romance and action well, and the plot was always moving forward. I did feel like the reveal was a bit easy to guess, but it was still fun to watch it all play out. I can’t wait to see what happens in the next book.

Thank you so much to the author, publisher and Net Galley for an advanced copy in exchange for an honest review.

I absolutely love Danielle L. Jensen's writing and her previous books. Unfortunately, A Fate Inked in Blood was just okay for me. The concept and the norse mythology were so interesting and I really enjoyed that and learning about all the gods and the powers. Unfortunately, I found the FMC, Freya, very frustrating. She spent too much time lamenting over her family and about her situation isn't of taking action.

There were many reveals in the book, and I ended up predicting all of them (with the exception of one very minor thing). When reading, I like to be surprised by the plot and not knowing what will come next. Instead I was just waiting for what I knew was coming which took some of the enjoyment out of reading.

I do plan on reading the next book in this duology to see what will happen. I liked the MMC and can see so much potential with the story, I'm hopefully that it can hopefully all be tied up nicely in the end.

Thank you to the publisher for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.

I seriously enjoyed this book. Like all of Jensen’s books it’s not just a romance, and it’s not just a fantasy. It is a meld of both. I don’t like romances where you have to search for the plot, I did not have that problem here. I felt the romance and the fantasy aspects were really well balanced.

The magic system and children of the gods but was interesting and I love that the book centred around Norse mythology and lore.

I enjoyed Freya, I love a strong badass female main character and Freya delivered just that. The romance in this was enjoyable and I liked the connection the love interests had.

Overall I really enjoyed A Fate Inked in Blood and I can’t wait for the next book to come out.

Thank you to Del Rey Books and Netgalley for the gifted eARC.

This book swept me off my feet from the get go. Usually it takes me a bit to get into a fantasy world but this story is one of the very few that from the very first sentence, had me completely captivated, eager to devour every word that followed.

Freya and Bjorn are an absolute power couple, and their dynamic kept me hooked from start to finish. Freya's selflessness is both admirable and infuriating (in the best way), while Bjorn's mix of charm, strength, and powers had me swooning at every turn. Their chemistry crackles off the page, making every moment they share feel electric.

And speaking of sparks, the romance in this book is off the charts. From forbidden longing to fiery passion, every interaction between Freya and Bjorn had me on the edge of my seat, eagerly devouring each spicy scene.

But it's not all about romance - the plot is equally captivating. It is equal parts plot & romance which, in my opinion, is the BEST kind of Romantasy!
With prophecies, power struggles, and unexpected twists. Sure, maybe some of the plot twists were a tad predictable, but that didn't dampen my enjoyment one bit.

Jensen's world-building is top-notch, effortlessly blending Norse mythology with her own unique twist. I felt like I was right there alongside Freya, navigating the treacherous landscapes and political intrigues of this imagined world.

In short, "A Fate Inked in Blood" is a must-read for fans of romantic fantasy. With its strong characters, sizzling romance, and gripping plot, it's a five-star adventure! Trust me, you won't be able to put it down. Book two can’t come soon enough!

A Fate Inked in Blood by Danielle L. Jensen is a perfect balance between romance and plot with a strong female lead and an interesting magic system. In this world, a select few are chosen to receive a drop of a god’s blood which gives them a special ability. The main character, Freya, was one of the chosen but unlike the rest, there’s a prophecy about her. It claimed that the one who controlled Freya would become king and rule over them all. This leads to her marrying her region’s jarl and trying to evade all others attempting to either take her or kill her. The one man whose duty is to protect her is also the one man she can’t deny her attraction to; and he also happens to be her husband’s son.

Freya is the definition of a strong, do-it-yourself, female character. She didn’t need anyone’s help and really held her own in tough situations. While it was my favourite attribute of hers, it was also the most frustrating. She was constantly trying to protect others by risking herself no matter the consequences. The most gutting part, nobody cared. No one but Bjorn, the man in charge of protecting her. He supported her, he saw her and he protected her, even from herself. There was undeniable chemistry between the two of them right from the start. The romance aspect was a perfect slow burn in my opinion. There was growing tension and pining between them since they couldn’t be together so the build up was electrifying. Plus the way he spoke to her was swoon worthy. If I tried to highlight all of Bjorn’s dreamy moments, I would be highlighting every time he opened his mouth, or was just present in the scene really.

While the romance was kindling, there was also an interesting plot to keep this story from losing its pace. Freya not only had to help her husband build forces and stop other jarls from stealing her, but she also had to prove herself to the gods. From the battles and quests to the conspiracies and tests, there was never a dull moment. Not only was the plot intriguing, but every character made it that much more gripping. I really enjoyed how every character felt well developed. I had no idea who would play a greater part in the plot as everyone had their own identity and motive. There were some characters I rightfully hated or loved, but more often than not, there were characters that were hard to figure out. They were quite complex. Some originally seemed bad but I could understand where they were coming from, while others seemed good but there was a feeling of distrust to them.

There was only one thing that was slightly less enjoyable than the rest of the book which was the ending. I found it to be underwhelming and done before. I think it was fairly clear throughout the book where it was heading so it didn’t hold me the way the rest of the story did. However, I liked the direction it forces the plot to head towards and it still brought out emotions from me so I am highly anticipating the next book in this series.

Freya captivated me in the beginning and I stayed for everything else (cough Bjorn cough). Both the romance and outside plot were done so well I couldn’t help but to keep reading. If you are interested in a fantasy romance with a well developed plot, simmering romance, some politics and perfectly imperfect characters with viking influence, then I highly recommend this book.



Thank you to NetGalley, Danielle L. Jensen, and Penguin Random House Publishing Canada for the ARC!

Wow, wow!

I have been in a fantasy romance reading slump, trying to
find another great read after iron flame. I stumbled upon this book on NetGalley and WOW. ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

I went in blind, saw that it was most requested and decided why not! I think others should go in blind too! It was a slow start, as most great fantasy books are for me, I had to get over the hump at the beginning. But once I did holy cow.

Freya, total badass from the beginning. Bjorn hottie from the start! I knew the second we met him it would turn into something.

Flash forward to a murdered husband, shield maiden powers and a new marriage Freya is in for more than she bargained for.

The battles, lives lost, growing closeness to Bjorn and hilarious banter! Great side characters and beautiful story telling by Danielle! Freya and Bjorn were IT for me. I loved them!

Then at 88% shit hits the fan, and oh my god do I wish I had the next book. The cliffhanger at the end had me gasping.

Mutual pinning, forbidden love, slow burn, Vikings, gods and goddesses, and so much more!

Thank you NetGalley for the ARC in exchange for a honest review.

thank you to netgalley and the publisher for the arc!

this sounded so good but unfortunately i didnt enjoy this. i found the romance too insta-love which dampened my enjoyment, and the MMC was such a stereotypical douche. the FMC was bland and had no personality. i found the whole story very confusing and there was too much action sometimes. this is definitely more romance than fantasy so if that’s your vibe then you would like this more!

Thanks to NetGalley for my ARC!

4.5 STARS!

To the wonderful author, I applaud you for making Freya, even though very fictional, feel real. Her motivations and reactions are things that I would feel or even want to do, and that’s why she feels so tangible to me. Also, honestly I’d kill my ex-husband the same way HAHAHA!

There’s so many things I can comment on, but I think the one thing that I’ll comment on is the one thing that I felt lacking was the main character’s reason—she seemed to be just so emotional. I know there are times when she’s reasoning to herself about certain things, but it’s not the same thing as being logical. I understand that it’s hard to be logical at times, but she’s just always so… emotional?? Especially after she kills her ex-husband and is now expected to be part of this prophecy.

I find it hard to believe that a woman who literally was stuck married to a guy as sick as her ex-husband is never logical. I understand that you’d be more emotional after being repressed for so long, but it’s not feasible that she’s just emotional. The ending kind of felt like the ending of Iron Flame (iykyk), so I’m hoping the second book gives me more to bite into after this one!

I've loved all of Danielle L Jensen books that I have read, the writing and the story telling is amazing. This one is now up in my top faves.

From the start of this book. I could not put it down. I read it in 3 days and for me, a mom of 2 that is unheard of! Freya is a badass; she's not the most lovable and likable, and some of her decisions are against what us as readers would do, but that's what makes me so intrigued.

The balance of fantasy, magic, politics, fates, gods, and of course romance, was so well done. The elements of Nosre Mythology really kept me invested and excited for what was to come next.

The quote that hooked me in

“She’d have been better off teaching me the restraint needed not to stab said husband when he proved himself a short-witted drunkard with an acid tongue.”

I don’t think I have the words to describe how much I LOVED this book.

Right from the beginning it's action packed and you're thrown into a world surrounded by those who worshipped the gods. It was incredibly easy to follow, and the explanation on gods and their magic made sense. The action stayed steady throughout, there was never a moment where it felt like the story slowed, it stayed at the same pace which i loved.

Freya being constantly torn between wanting to protect those around her, even when they aren’t benefiting her in any way, as well as wanting to do something for herself is something that I really connected with. Freya is an amazing character, I loved her so much, and I can not wait to see what happens in the next book.

Bjorn was such a *chefs kiss*. The banter they had, the protectiveness for Freya. Freya and Bjorn together was absolutely amazing.

BUT THAT ENDING?!??!!!??!!?!??? WHAT DO YOU MEAN?!

Anyways, I preordered this before I even got a chance to read the ARC and I am so SO glad I did.

I genuinely loved this, so much.


A huge thank you to NetGalley, the Author and Publishing for the ARC. 💚

Once again I am left desperately waiting for the next installment in a Danielle L. Jensen series. A book hangover is to be expected with each and every one of her beautiful stories, the worlds will sweep you up and transport you straight to her imagination.

A Fate Inked in Blood is a unique fantasy book filled with intriguing characters, fast paced story lines, lots of adventure and tons of Norse-inspired mythology! We are thrust straight into the action from page 1 and not let up for breathe until the cliffhanger ending!!

Freya and Bjorn are both compelling characters who become more intriguing as their stories unfold. Freya's selflessness, though sometimes frustrating as it often comes at her own expense, is admirable. Her thoughts, feelings, and actions feel authentic for a 'Viking' woman of this era, she is a true warrior through and through. Bjorn embodies everything desirable in a male lead - charming, funny, strong, loyal, and driven by revenge, with the added allure of possessing powers from the gods. Presented from Freya's point of view, Bjorn's backstory and motives gradually unfold, maintaining a certain mystery to his character. These protagonists are well-developed, hinting at significant growth and change in the upcoming book.

The romance between Freya and Bjorn is electric from their first meeting, showcasing undeniable chemistry and a deep connection. Despite their obvious attraction, the forbidden nature of their relationship adds a perfect layer of tension, resulting in engaging banter and a sense of longing that keeps readers enthralled. The progression from resistance to yielding to their desires is satisfying, and the intimate scenes between them are passionate and intense, revealing Bjorn's fervent devotion to Freya. I loved how they were both so open at expressing their feelings for each other, Bjorn never hesitated to remind Freya of his devotion to her and that is a refreshing take in a romantasy series.

The premise and plot are intriguing, with Freya quickly finding herself in a challenging situation where the fate of the world rests on her shoulders. While most of the exciting events occur at the beginning and end of the story, introducing the characters and setting the stage for future developments, the narrative sets the stage for epic events in the next installment.

The incorporation of Norse mythology adds an extra layer of depth to the story, offering a fresh perspective on the gods and their influence on human lives. Jensen's explanation of the gods and the magic system is easy to follow, providing essential information without overwhelming the reader, while leaving room for further exploration in future books.

As always, Jensen's world-building is exceptional, seamlessly introducing readers to a new and intriguing world without resorting to info-dumps. The Viking-esque elements create a sense of familiarity, yet the world feels entirely unique. I absolutely cannot wait for this series to continue!!

Action-packed from the beginning, a great adventure the whole way through with a wild ending!

Thank you to NetGalley and Penguin Random House Canada for early access to this great novel.

I loved how this book drops you into the action, and builds the world while the adventure continues. It was easy to fall in love with Freya and Bjorn, their banter was hilarious. This book is a great start to a new series!

I really enjoyed this!! The Viking inspired romantasy was something I didn’t expect to enjoy but really did. I’m looking forward reading the rest of the series in the future.
It was slow to start in the first quarter ish of the book and I was worried I didn’t like it but the book redeemed itself the rest of the way through.
Thank you NetGalley and Randomhouse for the ARC!

A Fate Inked In Blood is a Norse-inspired romantasy that will make you want to inhale anything remotely Viking related. I want more! Freya is a goddess-blessed shield maiden hell-bent on securing her own destiny, despite a prophecy saying otherwise and the foretold "king" telling her HE controls her fate. With a family that treats her as a pawn. thrusting her into a loveless marriage, Freya has always been told what to do. When her secret power is revealed and she thinks she will finally be able to become her own woman, the jarl demands marriage and a blood oath in order to secure Freya's allegiance to help him become king. The jarl's son, Bjorn, is tasked with keeping Freya safe, but sparks fly between the two and the forbidden love may just endanger everyone Freya loves. Will Freya ever be able to make her own choices, or will her fate forever be controlled by others?

This story really pulled me in! Freya was easy to root for, and Bjorn was a phenomenal match for her. Their dynamic was really fun, with easy and engaging banter and off-the-charts chemistry right from the get-go. Bjorn really challenged Freya, and I think that made her character development throughout the story really amazing. The romance was great, and I can't wait to see how it develops more in the next book.

The worldbuilding and magic system were really easy to catch on to, and Freya growing into her power(s) was a really fun plotline to follow. I loved learning about all the different gods and goddesses and the powers they bestowed upon others in the story. There was no info dumping and nothing really confusing at all, which is hard to do in a fantasy novel! The fact that this was a Norse-inspired world perhaps helped with that as it didn't require a lot of additional worldbuilding, but the world felt very fleshed out and immersive.

The main plot was pretty simple, but I really loved all the little side plots and character introductions. The cast of this book was pretty expansive, but despite that I felt like we got to know each of the characters enough to really like them and feel for them when things happened.

I was a little disappointed in Freya's internal dialogue; her thinking was quite repetitive. She's really stuck in this cycle of wanting to control her own fate but constantly being told what to do and not being able to fight back. She calls this out quite frequently in her dialogue but really doesn't decide to do much about it until the end of the book. Which was great... I just wish there had been a little bit more throughout the story showing how hard she was working toward getting out of her predicament, internally and externally. The character development was there...I just wish more of it had come from within Freya herself and not prompted by the others challenging her to think differently.

The ending was my absolute favorite! Freya had so much development in the last few chapters, and the twist at the end was phenomenal! I did predict the twist to some degree as there were quite a few hints throughout the book, but I still really enjoyed it and cannot wait to see what the next book brings! The tension is gonna be so good!

*I received this eARC from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.*

<i>I would like to thank NetGalley and Penguin Random House for the opportunity to read and review this ARC.</i>

I should like to start off by saying that i have not read an MF fantasy romance in quite a while, so this has in many ways been a fairly unique reading experience for me! for pretty much 85% of the book, I was down for this vibe! i thought Freya was such an awesome FMC to root for! she was just so fun to read! i thought she was smart and brave and really dialed in to who she was and what she stood for. and i especially enjoyed how she was growing as a warrior linked to the violence of her fate.

and for the romance piece, i thought it was just so swoony the way Bjorn just would NOT quit Freya no matter what! During every battle and every sketchy moment and every secret shadow confession he just STOOD BY HER SIDE AND I COULD NOT GET ENOUGH OF HIM!

so this was absolutely shaping up to be a 4-5 star read easy and i was already drafting my review...

...and then the last 15% came at me in literal god tier levels of third act fkry...and that sobered me up very fast.

i'm not saying that i am adverse to drama...and in fact i really loved the twist at the end. but i did NOT love Freya at this remaining 15% mark, she who did a complete unhinged 180... and so the stars came tumbling down. and maybe that seems a bit harsh for a smidgen left in a story, but i was invested and i'm mad about it.

yes. i'm mad about the shrieking. <spoiler>i'm mad that Freya kept choosing to bail out her fked up family who called her vile names and who kept selling her out. and even though Bjorn turned out to have secrets of his own (which i fully believed he would have told her about if things had gone differently), i can't imagine how killing 0 humans by escaping Snorri's ambitions with Bjorn, would have been a worse fate than the bloodlust monster she was turning into. also she's pro Snorri now because Harald's hooligan Skade killed her mother BECAUSE MOMMY DEAREST SOLD FREYA OUT and Skade thought that was a b*t@h move and rewarded her mom in kind! because choices matter.</spoiler> i think i would have understood this particular characterization of Freya's, if maybe all the people she had this misplaced sense of loyalty towards were nice to her in the beginning of the book, and had tricked her somehow into this way of thinking. but no. they were sleaze all the way through.

anyway, my grumbling aside, a lot of people are gonna love this! i know i did...before i didn't! it was fun and easy to read, the lore and the world were awesome and amazing and the writing was top notch! there's definitely more to come for the king making shield maiden, and Book 2 promises to be a very wild ride the way this first part wrapped up! for the most part i enjoyed this, and i know that this will be great swoony fun for fans of the genre!