Freya has always had to conceal the truth—she is the daughter of a Norse god, prophesied to become the shield maiden who will unite Skaland under one rule. As a fierce and resilient female main character, Freya has spent her life sacrificing her own happiness for the sake of her family. Bjorn, her forbidden love interest, is blessed by the gods and known as Firehand for his powerful fire magic.

This was my first book by this author, and I absolutely loved it. The Viking and Norse mythology-inspired world was richly imagined, and the slow-burn romance was both intense and deeply emotional.

Read this if you enjoy:
- Norse mythology
- Viking romantasy
- Forbidden romance
- Forced proximity
- Touch her and you die
_ Slow-burn with spice
- One horse

This makes me really sad as I love Danielle L Jensen so much but this book was not it. The world building was painfully short compared to bridge kingdom, it felt like the characters just lusted after one another the whole time. I think the plot of the book was good but the execution of it just failed. However I would still recommend to people who love a romantasy that’s more on the less complex side. 3 stars.

A Fate Inked in Blood is one of those books that you will not want to put down, and if you love Viking books, then this will hook you from the start!

I have always been a huge fan of fantasy books that are based on Vikings, but A Fate Inked in Blood is not just any Viking book. It's a slow-burn romance that has an interesting magic system, filled with Norse mythology, and a badass Sheild maiden for FMC.

I loved everything about this book and can not wait to read more.

Thank you so much to netgalley and the publishers for this e-arc

Thank you to NetGalley for the advanced reader copy! I was counting down the days for this one, so I was incredibly happy to have received a copy in advance. I love Danielle L. Jensen's writing and have truly enjoyed everything I have read from her so far, and this one was no different. I also own the most stunning special edition of this novel, which makes it all the more special.

This book got me out of my reading slump - I love Danielle’s previous books so knew this one would be no different! Vikings/romance/married to his dad loved him/magic/badass fmc? The Viking/magic trope just hits different from the standard “fae world” trope. Did I mention there’s a magical hammer/axe situation and a bard lady who sees into peoples pasts to help write songs 😂

Slow burn… Vikings… No insta-Love, just thick Norse mythology and an interesting magical system.

I loved how the story played out and enjoyed the twists and turns. I loved how Freya, our shield maiden was so strong and her journey through this book. Bjorn… well… yes! We liked Bjorn very much!

I picked this one up for @broomsticksandbooksbookclub book club, I knew I’d sail through it and I wasn’t wrong!

Loved loved loved this book ! It was amazing ! Im a mix bag when it comes to my books , very much the mood reader bit this was just 10/10

I ate this UP!!! I found myself in the mood for a book that discussed Norse mythology and vikings after a trip abroad and this didn’t disappoint.

The mythology aspects were told in an engaging way, teaching the reader without info dumping.

The romance was tense and steamy with incredibly high stakes.

The twists and turns have left me absolutely desperate for the second book.

This is one of those books where it is incredibly easy to see everything play out in your mind. One of my favourite things about this book is how descriptive the author is and how lush and real everything feels. For me, that is the mark of a great book. I got so swept up in Freya’s world and everything she was going through and feeling. Freya as an FMC was amazing. I love her strength and willingness to speak up for herself and others. It was great to see how Bjorn supported her and was never overpowering. Freya and Bjorn are masterfully done characters. It is clear that the author has a good understanding of how people think and feel. I am immensely curious to see where Freya’s story takes her.

I can’t believe that I need to wait until May for book 2!

I've seen a lot of hype for this book and author but unfortunately I think it isn't for me! I didn't click with it, nor did I care for any of the characters. I found the world building really interesting and intriguing, but I wasn't drawn to read it.
Thank you for the eARC! I did get this as a fairy loot book so maybe I'll try it again in the future..

I absolutely loved A Fate Inked in Blood! Freya is such a badass—strong, determined, and full of complexity, and I couldn’t get enough of her journey. The Norse-inspired world-building was incredible without feeling overwhelming, and the magic tied to Freya’s goddess blood added so much depth to the story. The slow-burn romance between her and Bjorn was packed with tension and chemistry, and though I didn’t always agree with some of her choices, I found myself rooting for her the entire time. The plot kept me hooked with plenty of action, twists, and emotional moments. It’s definitely one of those books you can’t put down, and now I’m eagerly waiting for the next one!

50 billion/5 stars! Per usual, Danielle delivers a story that knocks me off my feet and just utterly destroys me. I am not a huge fan of Norse stories so I wasn't sure about the premise. But just like with Bridge Kingdom, this story rocked my world. Freya is determined and strong and a bad*ss in her own right. Bjorn is steamy and spicy without everything nicey. Like Bridge Kingdom the cliff-hanger ending wrecked me; but I can't wait for the sequel to come out.

I received a free copy of this book via NetGalley and am voluntarily leaving a review

Easily one of my favourite reads! I already cannot wait for book 2! Freya is one of my favourite MMCs. She's badass and not someone you want to mess with. There are so many twists and turns in this book which allow for her character to grow tremendously.

Danielle is one of my autobuy authors and this series has not changed that one bit. Her writing is amazing and I will always recommend her to anyone.

I AM OBSESSED THIS BOOK! Omg like I devoured this one! Like I actually can’t wait for the next book to release I need it right now!! Freya and Bjorn were freaking everything!

“I wanted you the moment I first set eyes on you. I wanted you in Fjalltindr. I want you now, and tomorrow, and all the tomorrows, Freya.”

Danielle Jensen's *A Fate Inked in Blood* is an enthralling blend of Norse mythology, romance, and action that captures readers from the first page. With a fierce and determined heroine, Freya, Jensen weaves a tale of destiny, love, and betrayal that keeps the plot engaging even when predictable.

Freya is a powerful and relatable character, forced into a marriage she despises while grappling with the discovery of her unique, goddess-given powers. Her internal struggles and evolving relationships, especially with Bjorn, the brooding Viking warrior, are the heart of the novel. Their chemistry is palpable, and Jensen handles their relationship's complexity with a balance of tension and tenderness. The world-building is vivid, with well-researched nods to Norse lore, bringing the setting to life without overwhelming the story with too much detail.

Overall, a solid read, perfect for fans of romantic fantasy with strong female leads and rich mythological undertones.

Wow, I am so in love with this book. The characters are so well written and I love the Norde mythology throughout.

This book kept me hooked until the very end!

Thank you to Random House UK and NetGalley for providing me with this arc

A Fate Inked in Blood" is easily one of my favorite reads of 2024. The blend of rich, immersive world-building and compelling characters kept me hooked from the very first page. The story is a perfect balance of action, intrigue, and emotion, with twists and turns that kept me guessing right up to the final chapter. The depth of the lore and the vivid descriptions really made the world come alive. I highly recommend this book to anyone who loves epic fantasy with a gripping plot and unforgettable characters. It’s a story that will stay with you long after you turn the last page

I really enjoyed reading this book and can’t wait until the next book! I loved Bjorn’s character and although found Freya to be annoying at times, I am enjoying the direction her character is heading.

I discovered Jensen with The Bridge Kingdom series, which is one of my favorite fantasy series ever. AND Norse mythology is something I've been meaning to get into since I've watched the TV show Vikings (very basic I know). BUT all this to say, I was very excited to see that an author I loved was doing a Norse inspired romantasy.

Honestly, I loved this book so much. It definitely has some flaws, there's some cliches here and there; and I definitely wanted to scream at the FMC sometimes cause she makes some questionable choices AND she's so dumb sometimes.
That being said, the worldbuilding was amazing, the characters making me feel passionate on whether I hate them or love them, the vibes immaculate. I just got so invested in the story and I couldn't wait to read more every day.
The relationship between the 2 MCs felt more like insta lust than real love, which I'm not usually a fan of; but I went with it here, and somehow it worked ?!

I love it because I feel like I truly sensed Jensen's style here, and some key elements I could find in the bridge kingdom and I love that.

I did get the eARC, but wasn't able to read it before pub date unfortunately. So I managed to borrow the audiobook and it was an amazing decision. The narrator was exceptional. She did the accent, the voices, the intonations, the pronunciation... everything was perfect. I truly believe the audio allowed me to get deeper into the world, deeper into this story and just enjoy it fully. Also, having the right pronunication for everything truly feels like a game changer.

All this to say, I know this book won't be for everyone but if you're into romantasy then definitely give this a shot! I, for one, cannot wait to read the rest of this series.

Thank you NetGalley, Random House UK and the author for this eARC in exchange for an honest review.

Hey, Alexa! Play “This Is Berk” by John Powell!!!

"A Fate Inked in Blood" is a Norse-inspired fantasy romance by the author of the beloved Bridge Kingdom series, and it offers everything you could want and more! From forbidden romance and magic to strong characters, witty banter, and excellent world-building, this book has it all. As my first experience with Norse-inspired lore, it left me craving more. The author masterfully introduces a richly detailed world without overwhelming the reader, striking a perfect balance.

The story is fast-paced, packed with action, battles, and tension that will keep you on the edge of your seat, eagerly turning the pages. I was particularly captivated by the strong and fierce Freya and the protective Bjorn. Their chemistry is undeniable, and their slow-burn romance—my favorite kind—is filled with angst and tension that builds beautifully throughout the story.

In short, I absolutely loved this book and am eagerly awaiting the sequel!