This was the perfect cleanser of a book for me.
It was easy to read, the action moved fast, and the characters were likeable

Simply put - I loved this book. I loved everything from the characters to the very real issues with not being content in life to the viking culture. There was not a moment of this book that I didn’t enjoy…except maybe that reference to funfetti cake being the best cake flavor. I could’ve easily binged this book in one sitting if life hadn’t gotten in the way. Shelbie’s character was just so relatable in the book from her initial struggles with where she’s at in life to how she responded to ending up in Viking times. One of the most unexpected delights from this book was Charlene. I adored how unapologetic her character was all while having a heart of gold. I also loved Signe - her ability to balance leadership and compassion with all of her other duties was admirable. I’m also here for the Viking culture that understands how important women are to society, and how the men are smart enough not to cross the women in their life. The relationship between Domari and Shelbie was also enjoyable to watch unfold. The ending about broke my heart until Vance surprised readers with a little twist. I also really enjoyed the twist with the dragon. I’m wondering if Thor is a form of Hadriel. Either way, I’m excited to explore the relationship between Shelbie and Hadriel more in future books, and I can’t wait to read the next one.

I was slumping SO hard in my reading and this book was just what I needed!!

Shelbie was struggling a bit in life, as we all do occasionally, and on a tipsy whim books a trip to Sweden. Hiking and horseback riding. The next morning she second guesses herself, but decides WTH - let's gooooo! So she gets a few horseback riding lessons from Charlene (who I adored) and off she goes.

Of course, the trip doesn't go exactly as planned. Shelbie takes a tumble and finds herself being rescued by some Vikings. Hot Vikings. Some kind, some grumpy. And she soon realizes she may have travelled back in time.

Domari - what a grumpy god of a Viking. I loved their romance and seeing him become a softie when it came to Shelbie. The one bed was a nice touch. The Viking community was amazing and the way the women accepted and embraced Shelbie really showed what this group was like. Aimee did a fantastic job of building this world and making it so appealing that you'd want to be a part of it.

Now maybe I want a hiking and horseback riding trip to Sweden. JUST KIDDING - that sounds like far too much work! But I wouldn't mind a Viking of my own! And maybe a dragon!

I loved this so much I didn't even mind the cliffhanger and look forward to the rest of of the series!

Thanks to NetGalley, Aimee Vance and Revel Books for allowing me the pleasure of reading this eARC!

Fates Illuminated by Aimee Vance is an adventurous blend of fantasy, romance, and Norse mythology that transports you to a time of Viking legends and fate-driven love. The story is rich with historical detail, and the time-travel element adds an exciting twist that makes each moment unpredictable. Vance has crafted a captivating world where romance and danger intertwine, keeping you eager to see where the journey will lead.

The chemistry between the main characters is intense, and the book includes some well-written spicy scenes that add depth to their connection. However, I found myself wanting more of these moments, as they really enhance the tension and the emotional stakes between the leads. Vance does a fantastic job building up the romance, and a bit more of that “spice” would only make this captivating connection even better.

Fates Illuminated is an engaging start to the Call of the Norns series, perfect for fans of time-travel romance with a historical edge. With its fascinating Viking backdrop and a romance that feels destined, this book leaves you curious to see what’s next—and maybe hoping for even more in the romance department. If you’re drawn to Norse mythology and love a story with equal parts adventure and passion, this one is well worth the read!

3.5stars

Shelbie doesn't know what she wants out of life, but she knows there's something missing. At 31, she books a trip to Sweden for two weeks by herself. It's a leap of faith for her, but she needs an adventure. When she falls a thousand years backward in time, she gets more than the adventure she dreamed of!

Aimee is a friend of mine (this does not affect my rating!), and when I learned she had an opportunity to put a book on NetGalley, I was thrilled because it meant I'd finally pick up one of her books. (If you know me, you know that most of my eyeball read time is for ARCs, and as a self-published author, Aimee doesn't currently have audiobooks.) Fates Illuminated turned into a comfort read for me the day after the election. Why so comforting? Shelbie feels real, and it feels like she's ready to take hold of her life and do something to look for change. She's a character who you want to root for, and I enjoyed seeing the world through her eyes. The story is adventurous, with a dash of magic and a romance at its center, but is really about a young woman finding herself in the world. I'm eager to pick up the next book - this doesn't end on a specific cliffhanger, but it clearly sets up book 2 (which luckily is available now!). We've got things to resolve!

This is Aimee's debut, and I'm going to love picking up more of her books now that I've read this one. It feels like a contemporary romance, has elements of fantasy (fate! dragons!), and some really cool elements of history. And, it's absolutely perfect for #Norsevember.

Fate works in mysterious ways. For Shelbie that meant drunkenly booking a last minute trip to Sweden for a hiking tour.

Fates Illuminated is the first book in the Call of the Norns series. This time travel fantasy is not a stand-alone. You will immediately want to read the next book. (I know I do!) There is some open-door content.

This book is everything I could have hoped for and more. Adventure, Vikings, romance - what more could I need? Shelbie’s journey to find herself and to figure out what “home” really means to her is the key to this story. She doesn’t set off to Sweden in search of love or romance. She takes the trip for herself and continues to stay focused on her goals even when helping others throughout the book. I love that the author made the FMC 31. Does she have life experience? Yes. Is she still seeking out the best possible life for herself? Also yes!

Overall, I genuinely enjoyed the book, start to finish. I can’t wait to read the rest of the series.

I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

This book was so good! Honestly, no complaints! Spice was about 🌶️🌶️/5 and was more sweet than spicy. I loved the story, and was crying near the end, hoping that we would get the HEA. All I can say is, I need the next book now as the cliffhanger left me hanging! If you
Tropes include grumpy/sunshine, one horse, and one bed.

Could I love this more?
Honestly, probably not.
Like outlander but with Viking? Easy choice!
As someone from America who felt they never fit in and was always on the outside, traveling and living in Europe healed some part of me. While, I lived in Scotland and Norway, as opposed to Sweden; I can fully attest to the beauty of the landscapes. Even the cities are beautiful as are the people in Scandinavia.
It’s hard to discuss the plot without giving much away and good god the cliff hanger…
I think I spent the last 5 chapters crying.
This book takes you through all the emotions.

To sum it all up, outlander with a slow burn Viking romance, the Norns, and DRAGONS!
It needs to be a movie

Shelbie was an ordinary 31 year old from Denver before she landed back in time, with Vikings! Fates Illuminated by Aimee Vance is a time traveling romance that is such a magical read. I read this book in one sitting and loved every minute of it.

As a reader, I truly appreciated how Shelbie was such a relatable character. I admired how she was willing to travel to Sweden alone on this journey she didn’t expect to take.

When Shelbie is sent back in time she meets Domari who is a grumpy but also handsome, larger than life Viking. The romance was well written and it was one I wanted to root for. I enjoyed the element of the one bed trope.

I also loved how Vance incorporated strong female characters into this book. And I appreciated how valued the women were in the Viking village that was described. It was hard not to fall in love with this village and its culture when the men so fiercely loved and respected their wives and partners.

This book ends on a cliffhanger, and as a reader, I was left with a lot of questions. However it just made me want to read the next book in the series right away.

This book is for readers who love books with time travel, strong female leads, themes of found family, magical intrigue, and a grumpy-sunshine romance worth rooting for.

This is just book one of a trilogy and I can’t wait to go back into this world for the next book.

Thank you to NetGalley and Aimee Vance for the ARC. All opinions are my own.

Thank you to the author & Netgalley for the review copy!

The way that Aimee can make me go from terrified for the character to laughing out loud to terrified again is a true gift. I had so much fun reading Fates Illuminated!

Pick this one up if you like:
✨ Vikings
✨ Time travel
✨ found family / close-knit communities
✨ fantasy that reads like contemporary romance
✨ grumpy/sunshine
✨ Norse mythology
✨ characters in their 30s
✨ dragons (CAN I PET THAT DAWG??)

I love a fantasy book that starts in our real world and then starts to build magical elements, which is how Fates Illuminated goes. Shelbie starts out a normal 30-something, who feels like she’s not quite reached the “adult” level of her friends and sibling. The best part of her life is her giant, grumpy dog Thor, but she feels like something is…missing…so for her birthday she books an epic trip to Sweden.

I loved getting to know Shelbie and all the people who surround her. From Charlene, the sassy woman Shelbie hires to help her horseback riding skills, to our favorite community of Vikings.

The romance had just the right amount of burn for me - from their meet disaster, to having to share space in her new environment, to their first almost-kiss, I could not put this book down! I can’t wait to see what happens in the next book.

Series Info: Start with Fates Illuminated! The first two books are out now, and the third and final book will be out in Spring 2025!

Frankly, I’m obsessed with this story and I’m not sure any review I could write would actually do this story justice.

I loved meeting our FMC, Shelbie. It was so refreshing to see a main character “my age” who wasn’t a part of some awful pregnancy trope, made to be seen as a spinster, or made to be seen as some kind of perfect being with her life together. She’s a freaking mess, like so many of us are right now. She was so relatable, and meeting her felt like connecting with a long lost friend. I absolutely loved how she just randomly decided she needed to go on a grand adventure after a few glasses of birthday wine, because it seemed exactly like something I would have done. Even though she has no experience, she decides to take the leap. It ends up being the best decision of her life.

I loved everything that happened after, and I promise not to spoil anything. Every character in the village was delightful. Magnus had my whole heart, and he was such a good man. We got to follow Shelbie as she finally found her family and her purpose in life. This book very much felt like coming home to the people you love. This was a story I never knew I needed, and I’m so thankful for the ability to read it.

Fates Illuminated is such a good piece. Aimee Vance did such an amazing job with this book. I really recommend everyone to read this book as fast as they can because it's really good.