I thoroughly enjoyed reading this book! A combination of a Norse-style world with warring nations and children of gods, this book followed Freya, our charismatic protagonist, as she escapes her horrible husband only to be forced to marry another, when her heart may lie elsewhere. I loved the hints of magic and mythology throughout and loved reading about Freya’s exploits. I will be very interested in reading any further books in this series.

Sadly, this book fell short for me. It was my second most anticipated release of the year, a fantasy Viking-inspired book by an author I already love? Yes please! However, it felt very amateur and I just couldn’t push through to complete it.

I’m going to be honest, I’m teetering between giving this a 3 or a 3.5 and still haven’t quite decided which to go with!

This review has been a long time coming, but it’s been so difficult for me to write because I LOVE Danielle’s books and I was really looking forward to AFIIB, but it kind of let me down a little bit. Perhaps my expectations were a little bit too high, especially considering how much I ADORED Bridge Kingdom idk. Either way, this ended up falling a little flat for me.

As always, I did find the writing evocative and vivid, it really puts you there in the scene and made it so easy to immerse yourself into the world to an extent. I also found the magic system highly intriguing with the gods and the powers Freya and some of the others had. There’s some good twists and turns to the plot, a decent amount of action as there’s plenty of battle scenes and there’s also the mystery of the prophecy and the traitor in their midst to keep you intrigued!

However, I do feel like the world building perhaps wasn’t as in depth as it could have been and neither was the plot. I don’t generally like comparing different works from the same author but I feel like this just wasn’t quite as engaging as Bridge Kingdom and I feel like it lacked structure and ended up meandering around a little before getting back on course. I’m used to binge reading Danielle’s books and I did binge read this…but it was in stops and starts.

I was hooked from the beginning for the first chunk of the book but then things kind of tapered off at the mid-point and I kept putting the book down and then struggling to pick it back up again, not just for days but weeks sometimes. Like, I wanted to know what would happen next but not badly enough to pick it back up when the pace had slowed down, the plot seemed to be meandering around and things turned quite repetitive for a time. Not to mention that Freya was starting to irk me, tbh.

Don’t get me wrong, I loved her at the start. She’s a badass and I loved her bravery as well as the banter between her and Bjorn, but somewhere along the way I just started to get frustrated. I understand that her behaviour has a point/reason to it and she’s not just being a pain for no reason but that didn’t make her any less frustrating when she seems to lack basic critical thinking skills and seemed to wildly and inconsistently veer between emotions.

Like, the female chieftain whose name escapes me. Freya liked her well enough, but I didn’t feel the connection or her bond with her was strong enough for Freya to go full berserker at one point like Freya’s emotions really were a rollercoaster and she went from being badass if not a little naive to flying off the handle at every little thing and I just felt her thought process and emotions for some things made little sense/weren’t consistent.

Idk, maybe that was the point considering her journey and her powers but I just got so frustrated with her and even Bjorn to an extent because their decision making wasn’t the best, shall we say and then combined with the meandering plot and slow pace…I found it hard to get through the main chunk of the book which I wasn’t expecting, like I’ve easily binged my way through Danielle’s other books but I just struggled with this one.

I also found the side characters weren’t particularly memorable, probably because most if not all of them weren’t particularly likeable. I’m hoping that’ll change with the sequel because some intriguing characters were introduced, but we’ll see!

ANYWAY, the romance was okay. It was kind of lust at first sight which can go either way for me depending on how well it’s done. In this case, I feel like there was a decent amount of tension between them and some brilliant scenes, even if I did wish for a little more depth at times!

While there are some brilliant twists, an intriguing magic system and some top tier tropes deployed in AFIIB, ultimately I found that this fell a little flat due to a lack of depth in places, a slow and meandering plot and a frustrating mc even if it was all in the name of character development and plot! I’m a little disappointed, but I’m intrigued enough by the twist at the end to venture into book two!

Thank you for the review copy!

3.25⭐️

I'll start this off by saying romantasy and 'spicy' books aren't my usual choice, so I understand that readers who enjoy those will like this more than I did.

There are a lot of ideas in this that I enjoyed, such as the idea of fate and how it affects the children of the gods, as well as the use of Norse mythology. However, it did feel like it was mostly about Freya lusting after Bjorn and I would have preferred more worldbuilding and plot - for a large chunk of this book, it feels like nothing really happens.

Things really ramp up in the last 20% or so and I enjoyed that, but ultimately it came in far too late for me. I did like the worldbuilding and plot elements that are there, I just wish there was more. I'll be keeping an eye on when the second book is released, but I'm not 100% sure I'll read it.

I would definitely still recommend this to romantasy fans!

Norse mythology combined with a brilliant protagonist, a plot that is both fantastical and yet grounded in real emotional truth, and threats that only escalate as one turns the pages? Brilliant. When is book 2!

At what point I missed the 400 pages of this book... I have no idea.

A fate inked in blood is a book that I had been reading for several months, and when I started it I asked myself why I hadn't read it before. The truth is that it is a gem that I hope many people discover.

From the plot to the characters and the background that each of them has, I think that the story closes very well in many parts and that it leaves us waiting in many others. When is the second book coming out? I need it.

Yes, I felt that at one point it became a bit repetitive and that the protagonist, Freya, was in a loop of constantly repeating the same mistakes and couldn't get out of them. Beyond this, I liked that there was growth in her character, a gradual and not at all rushed evolution that makes one really appreciate how much the protagonist learned and reflected throughout the story.

I felt the romance was correct, nothing rushed and with several things to clarify and discover in the next book. I feel that it came out of the cliché (although it has some but they are well placed and well used), and that it shows us a tragic story, full of personal growth and discovery, romance and fantasy.

Thank you very much Random House UK, Cornerstone for the ARC I read on NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

A Fate inked in blood follows Freya, a feisty, kick-ass FMC who, selfless to a fault, lives her life for the benefit of others, putting her own desires aside. However, the quite life she is expected to live is perhaps not what the gods have in store for her.

Freya was married off to a man in her village who possessed a drop of god’s blood to ensure her families position and safety. However, this is not the life she wanted for herself, forced to gut fish and bed a man who she detests, Freya longs for the glory of battle and to earn her place in Valhalla. Yet, she stays, all the while keeping never sharing her greatest secret with anyone.

However, it is fate that has her secret revealed, for it is foretold that the power the goddess Hlin has gifted her as a shieldmaiden which will unite Skaland under one ruler who controls her fate. It is the ambitious Jarl Snorri that sees himself as this future king, and Freya’s waste of a husband happily trades her secret for gold, selling her into a new marriage she has no control over. Snorri intends to exploit his union to Freya to instil fear and loyalty in people, using her power for his own means.

With her secret revealed death seems to follow her, with people hunting her and seeking her death to prevent the prophecy, as well as those she cares about being used as leverage to ensure she conforms to expectation. However, things are never that easy, and Freya’s emotions often get the best of her and have her fighting temptation, desire and fury, especially when it comes to a particular frustrating, muscled, axe wielding man who is forbidden to her.

Overall, this is a fantastic romantasy with high stakes, good worldbuilding, a steamy slow burn, and fantastic magical elements. With the children of gods being able to change their fate this story always feels like it is at a precipice, ready to tip at any point. While Freya dreamed of battle, she finds that the truth of war is not what she had believed, and perhaps the same could be said about her magic.

FREYA lives a simple - yet unfulfilling and unhappy - life as a fishmonger’s wife. However, she hides a deep secret: she was blessed with the blood of Hlin, the norse goddess of protection, which grants her the magical ability to repel any attack.

It was prophesised that her magic would unite Skaland under the rule of the one who controls Freya’s fate. After her abusive husband barter’s her and her secret to a fanatical jarl, Freya quickly realises why her parents forced her to keep her magic a secret - not only are people out to kill her but the greed of those who wish to use her power leads to the death of many innocents. To ensure Freya obeys him Snorri, the jarl, has threatened to kill her family, holding them hostage.

This book is perfect for anyone who is looking for a simple fantasy. There is no overwhelming world-building, and even if you have no knowledge of Norse Mythology, the magic system in the story is easy to follow. This series will be a treat for anyone who loves mythology. Freya and her protector, Bjorn, the eldest son of Snorri, are both endearing.

Flawed, with tragic pasts, you can’t help but root for them when they are brave and loyal. Freya, although sometimes frustrating, is selfless to a fault.

The biggest letdown for me was the inconsistencies - not only in the storyline, the character’s behavior and the terminology - where some very modern words made an appearance. The romance also felt a bit forced and lascivious. A slow and chaste enemies-to-lovers trope would have come across more believable and captivating.

Unfortunately, I also found the story a little predictable. Overall it’s a quick, laid-back ‘romantasy’. Perfect for Sarah J Mass fans

A Fate Inked in Blood became one of my favourite romantasy books. Simply because the romance does not overwhelm the world-building and plot. In this book, we are given an exciting story, lots of action, politics and intrigues, fascinating characters and swoon worthy romance. I loved the Viking setting, the use of folklore and the magic added by the author. In this world, some humans posses a drop of blood of one of the Viking gods, giving them special abilities. For Freya it means that even more men try to control her life. I loved reading her point of view, as her life was ruled by others, but she retained her individual personality and dreams. With the way the novel progressed and finished, I cannot wait for the second book in this series.

This was my first book by Danielle L. Jensen but it most certainly won’t be my last!

The world building was so easy to follow & set up the story based on Nordic Mythology. Whilst I felt the plot slowed at times, when the action hit- it hit hard.

I’m a fan of the FMC Freya, she’s a total bad-a in a male dominating world & handles the predicaments she finds herself in with flare.

The tension & chemistry was spot on. And the spice did not disappoint. Björn . . . Well 🔥

Now let’s talking about that ending (spoiler free!) . . . The ending left me reeling & has guaranteed I dive into book two

2.5 stars

I was down with this story, plot, characterisation and writing until about a quarter of the way in and then everything just went dull for me. Freya as a character was feisty, determined and interesting but as the pages went on, she got a bit shrill and irritating. Bjorn was a two-dimensional character, high-handed and I'm not sure what Freya saw in him. Nor did I like the married to his father situation.

What went astray for me I think was the overly dramatic plot, where the story lurched from one theatric issue to the next. That left me feeling like some thing weren't fleshed out.

I haven't gelled with this author's work previously, so I think this could be a case of this author isn't for me. Nevertheless, I won't be continuing.

Thank you to Delrey UK for the eARC.

As always, Jensen's world-building is exceptional - the minutiae, the viscerality, the amount of detail lends itself to a tale that takes over your imagination.

Unlike the Bridge Kingdom Series, this is set in Skaland, which has echoes of Scandinavia and Norse Mythology scattered throughout. The narrative centres on Freya, whose blessing by the Gods is seen as a curse, and her journey through reconciling herself with her power, whilst finding herself freed of one terrible marriage, and tossed into another where she is just seen as her power.

There is so much to love about this book, I flew threw it, and really loved how different it was to a lot of other Young Adult books. Perfect for those who loved Godkiller and Throne of Glass.

I absolutely loved the viking element to this story, I see lots of Greek myths and legends being used so the Norse was a really refreshing change.

Some of the twists were pretty obvious to me and the romance was a little forced at times but overall it had a really fast-paced and interesting storyline that I want to explore more.

I have a love hate relationship I am finding with Danielle L Jensen, I get into her books SO easily and absolutely adore her ideas...but there is always something that just doesn't hit with me. Sadly, A Fate Inked in Blood was the exact same.

Absolutely LOVE the Viking inspired setting and at first I was kind of taken in by the mystery of it all - but if you think hard on anything for more than 2 seconds the entire plot actually makes 0 sense and the main characters are all idiots :)

It does makes for some compelling reading to start off but when you can see where it is all going a mile off you realise it's not really worth it. I know for a fact some people will ADORE this one, it just wasn't totally for me.

Will I read the next one? Much like bridge kingdom where I kept going back...yeah probably.

Thanks so much to the publisher and netgalley for the ARC. Sorry it wasn't my cup of tea!

I really enjoyed this in many parts. I liked the story line - Vikings and Norse mythology always a plus. I liked the world building and that there were was some character development even as I don’t love the characters except for Bjorn.

Freya as our female MC is very annoying. I know that she’s been thrown into the deep end and is figuring things out but for a grown woman she acts like a sulky angry teenager half the time. Bjorn is like the foil trying to temper her rash decisions and show her an alternative path.

I didn’t love the ending of this but I’m glad it’s a series. Please for the love of the gods, I pray Freya gains some sense of agency and stops letting people control her every move/decision. The hand wringing and overthinking is really irritating- especially as she gives so much lip.

I enjoyed the slow burn romance of it and the “your mine even if only the 2 of us know it”. Overall - I’ll give it 3.5 and hope the next book is better.

SPOILERS!

This book was intense and I am already craving the sequel!!

The chemistry between our two main characters was fiery and really drove the story forward, Bjorn was great and I loved that he was just completely supportive of Freya and wanted to help her. BUT of course there was the twist that he was the one betraying Snorri, not Ylva, and so I totally understand Freya’s actions after she found out towards him and hating him, because all she wanted was to not be used or ‘owned’ by someone else and now she’s just thrust back into this war she didn’t want. Bjorn really has some explaining to do in the next book.

The lore was SO rich and I was completely immersed in it, especially when the gods appeared to Freya at the top of the mountain, it gave me goosebumps too. I felt like a lot of the characters really did contribute to the story and I’m looking forward to seeing how things play out after the events of this book (does Skaland even know Freya is alive?).

I guess I marked it down half a star because I guessed a lot of the ‘twists’ 😂. I unfortunately felt the same with the authors other series Bridge Kingdom and so was, I guess, a little disappointed that I had it all guessed pretty early on (with Bjorn being the one meeting with Harald and Freya having 2 gods blood in her). But that could just be my issue!

Overall a great Viking story that I really loved!

This was my first read from Danielle L. Jensen and I was impressed!! I really like the writing style, it flowed well and was easy to read.

I liked the storyline, maybe wasn’t 100% my thing, but was an out of my comfort zone read!
I liked the FMC Freya, and the forbidden romance between her and Bjorn was to DIE for!! Like the TENSION!!! Aghhhh!

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for providing a copy in exchange for an honest review.

I was excited by the very beginning chapters of A Fate Inked in Blood and was intrigued by the set-up, but it very quickly fell apart for me. The main characters were one-dimensional and every time I thought the novel was going down an interesting avenue it went down a more basic, predictable route. The romance was fairly dull and felt like a lesser version of a dynamic that has been done much better in many, many books. I’ve liked Danielle L. Jensen’s other work but this one didn’t work for me.

Thank you NetGalley and Random House UK for giving me an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

I cannot tell you how addicted I was to this book. The plot was so complex and had so much depth it was beautiful. The issue with many fantasy books is the protagonist seems flawless and they have the same old personalities, meaning they come across in such a two-dimensional way - this was not one of them. I genuinely could not put this book down.

You as the reader felt the conflict in Freya’s mind, and you too kept changing your mind on what you felt that she should do.

This was probably one of the best mythology books I have ever read.

I’m loving my fantasy romance this year and I like my mythology books as well.

The world building and characters are fantastic and it was easy to fall into the world. Definitely hit the marks in terms of tropes:
⚔️ Norse mythology
⚔️ Spicy Viking romance
⚔️ Forced proximity
⚔️ forbidden romance
⚔️ One horse