Danielle Jensen does it again! Absolutely loved it!
This will be my romantasy book of the year! And it’s only February ❤️❤️

Incredibly world building, Norse Mythology. Than the slow burn, the forbidden romance. All perfect.

Can’t wait for book two!!

Thank you Netgallery for the ARC

4.5 STARS!

I am a HUGE fan of Danielle L. Jensen's The Bridge Kingdom Series , so when I found out she was writing another fantasy series based on norse mythology, I was so excited. And rightly slow because this first book was fantastic!

This book fell a little flat for me. Freya's blind loyalty annoyed me at most parts and she seemed to have a personality shift about half way.
I wanted to like this book more than I actually did
Although saying this, I will still read book two to see if it's worth carrying on the series

"You are mine, Born-in-Fire."

First read of this year did not disappoint. If this rating could have one that said 'off the scales' then i would have chosen that.

If you love romance and i mean ROMANCE in fantasy then you will enjoy this book.

The FMC (Freya- Shield Maiden) and MMC (Bjorn- Firehand) are together in EVERY chapter... that means chapter one too. The tension grows and grows but its a love that is forbidden ... if the jarl comes to find out their secret then he will execute his own son. Yes, you got that right. The Jarl is the father of the MMC. Due to a Prophecy, she is expected to marry this jarl to make him the king of all the nations, uniting them all.

This book reeled me in the moment the MMC was being introduced. I've never read a book containing Norse Mythology but I am going on a HUNT after for more.

Definitely going to be one of my favourite reads of this year. I would recommend this book over and over again and after that cliffhanger ... i just want MORE!

This is an amazing start to a romantasy series!! (I think I saw somewhere that it is a duology but I'm not sure) I loved our MC Freya - she is a strong, badass, complex character.

The story starts with Freya married to a boorish man who treats her and everyone around him terribly. Freya is keeping a secret that she was blessed by a goddess with magical powers, but when her husband betrays her to the jarl (ruler) of their land, her secret is exposed. Whilst the jarl is corrupt and seeks to use Freya for his own gains, Freya grows closer with his son Bjorn and her powers develop as she starts to craft her own destiny.

I loved the writing and characterisation for both Freya and Bjorn - their romance was so great. The plot was filled with action and I adored how the author wove Norse mythology into the series - this was such a tour de force of a romantasy book! This felt more adult than the Bridge Kingdom and I enjoyed it more - I can't wait to get a physical copy of this book!

"A Fate Inked in Blood" by Danielle L. Jensen is a wild and exhilarating rollercoaster through a Norse-inspired fantasy realm. Brace yourself for an epic saga that combines kick-butt shield maidens, power-hungry kings, meddling gods, and a love story so forbidden, it's practically sizzling off the pages!

From fish-gutting days to battling destiny, Freya's transformation into a warrior goddess is nothing short of phenomenal. The revelation of her magical blood kicks off a journey that's part prophecy, part action-packed adventure, and all heart-pounding excitement. Who knew gutting fish could lead to saving a fractured nation?
Jensen's writing is like a potion of pure magic, brewing up an enchanting blend of battles, gods' shenanigans, and a romance that'll leave you breathless. Freya and Bjorn, our dynamic duo, are not your typical Norse couple.

Freya's got the strength to put a dent in destiny, while Bjorn brings the charm, loyalty, and a dash of mysterious powers. The chemistry between them is hotter than dragon's breath, and their forbidden romance is the kind that keeps you turning pages with reckless abandon.

The plot is a masterclass in storytelling, weaving Norse mythology into a tapestry of wit, banter, and just the right amount of spice. Gods play chess with fate, battles unfold with cinematic flair, and every chapter unfolds like an explosion of confetti – surprises and excitement at every turn! Predictability takes a backseat as you hurtle through a world that's both familiar and wildly unique.

World-building? Hold onto your helmets, folks! Jensen crafts a realm that's like stepping into a Viking saga with a fantastical twist. From the gods' divine interference to the intricate magical system, every detail is vivid, transporting you into a world that's both grand and gloriously unpredictable. Sure, you might see a twist or two coming, but who cares when the journey is this fun? The predictability is a mere blip in the face of the engaging narrative, the characters that practically leap off the pages, and the promise of more revelations to come.

In conclusion, "A Fate Inked in Blood" is not just a fantasy romance; it's an electrifying journey into a world where gods play games, love defies destiny, and every page is a ticket to an adrenaline-pumping adventure. Danielle L. Jensen has created a masterpiece that's not just a book – it's a wild, unputdownable ride. Get ready for a reading experience that's as thrilling as a dragon chase and as satisfying as discovering hidden treasure. And the cliff-hanger, gods! I cannot wait to read the second instalment!!

Huge thank you to NetGalley & Random House for the ARC! Skol!

3.5 stars

I really enjoyed this read and blasted through it but it wasn’t quite perfect.

I loved the nordic setting and pantheon, it was really interesting especially as I know very little about the norse gods. I would have like to potentially see more of them within this story but enjoyed what was there.

The brutal way women were treated in this society was really engaging and an interesting exploration which kept me reading and slightly furious the entire time. However, the jolting between this aspect and then intense romance was quite jarring at points.

I loved Freya right from the start- the fish incident was incredible- but I did found her personality shift during the novel a bit sudden, although I will admit this was properly explained so that helped. I will say her blind faith and loyalty to people was frustrating and at points almost unbelievable and pulled me out of the story. Bjorn on the other hand, felt a teeny bit flat outside of his relationship with Freya but again, there are potential narrative explanations for this so maybe we’ll get to see more from him in the next book.

The plot twists seemed relatively straightforward and i thought I’d figured it out but there is a little bit of an extra twist for the plot twists, keeping them interesting and keeping me wanting more.

Overall, whilst I may have had some things I wasn’t so keen on with this novel I did read the entire thing in one day and I do want to know what happens next.

The synopsis does a very good job of telling the reader what to expect so fear not I won't waste your time rehashing it. Freya is a woman stuck in many ways in a time and place were she is seen as little more than chattel essentially. Pushed into a love less marriage (truly her first husband is vile) and then bam once her big secret is revealed yet again forced to become a second wife only this time it's not offspring expected of her but war ! Yep she wanted a better life and indeed rises to the challenge but her life has never been her own and I'm not sure until she stops putting everyone else first that it ever will.
Ok Bjorn, like Freya has godly power and yet he seems to be his own man and makes his own choices for good or not. From their first encounter the pages sizzle with tension and repressed passion. I quite enjoyed their repartee and banter as it added levity to what at times was a story with darkness tugging at it. Obviously Norse warriors were just that Warriors with a capital W and pillaging and killing considered normal and I thought the author captured that very well. Did I like the characters ? Freya makes bewildering choices at times but Bjorn was a likeable and steadfast love interest. This ends with a whole new set of problems for Freya to negotiate and I very much look forward to reading more.
This voluntary take is of a copy I requested from Netgalley and my thoughts and comments are honest and I believe fair

First in a new series of Viking fantasy romance!

Freya has a pretty rough life in her village, thanks to an abusive husband who's revered by other villagers as being blessed by gods. But then her life gets even worse when her husband reveals to those in power that Freya herself has been blessed. From here Freya needs to navigate politics, power, just generally standing up for herself, and developing feelings for an entirely unsuitable person.

I really liked this book! The Viking setting worked so well, and I loved all the Norse mythology. It definitely made me want to look more into all the gods who were referenced. Freya is a great female lead - she puts up with so much from so many people but is still strong.

Bjorn, the enigmatic sort-of-outsider love interest, is a great character. The build up between the two is very slow burn, which is to be expected in the first book of a series as there's still some way to go. The romance and fantasy elements were well balanced, which isn't always a given in this genre.

Having previously read The Bridge Kingdom, I went into this expecting a cliffhanger. I'm glad I set my expectations this way. The book definitely reaches it's own end (it's not like a long book that's been chopped up) but I'm also going to be reading book 2 as soon as it's available!

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the free review copy. All thoughts are my own.

I love everything Viking/Norse mythology-inspired and this did not disappoint!

I was hooked from the first chapter, as we were thrown right into the thick of the action. The world-building is easy to follow and fascinating. The plot is full of twists and turns and has you itching to guess what is around the corner.

Freya is a very strong MC and despite her 'chosen one' status, she has to train, struggle, and earn her place. She is strong, caring, stubborn, funny, and witty.

Bjorn is my ideal love interest; hot, complex, just as funny as the MC, and full of clever clapbacks! It was fun peeling back his many layers.

The slow-burn romance between these two was very well done and well worth it!

I predicted the major plot twist but I still found the story to be very interesting and enjoyable.

This was my most anticipated read of 2024 and I am itching even more now for the sequel!
It is my first read by Danielle & I can't wait to read her other works!

Thank you Netgalley and Cornerstone, and Del Rey UK for the arc.

This is my 1st book from this author and it was not disappointing. I love the story about gods and godesses, and this one didn’t fail me because tbh, i haven’t read many books with Norse gods. The book is fast pace, there’s no time to be boring, but the FMC sometimes frutrates me, especially when she’s brooding over the MC. But overall it’s a good start for a series and i can’t wait to read the sequel.

5 Born-in-Fire Stars ⭐
Spicy Level: 🌶️🌶️/5

I’ve had this book approved for a very long time, and I just kind of kept brushing it off. BUT LIKE WHY DID I WAIT SO LONG? I seriously wish that I could go back in time and kick some flipping sense into my past self because had I known this would be such an amazing masterpiece that I was just IGNORING, I would have jumped on it sooner!!!

It has been a really long time since I have read anything by Danielle L. Jensen, like November 2022 long, so I basically forgot how much I absolutely love and adore her writing and stories. This is a single-POV that follows Freya, a God-blessed Shield-Maiden in hiding with dreams of being in a Warband. However, she is stuck in a loveless marriage as a fisherman's wife. One day her husband betrays her to her Jarl, who has been spending the last 20 years looking for Freya, believing in a prophecy that says "he who controls her fate shall unite the nation and rule the land". The Jarl forces Freya to do his bidding and orders his son Bjorn to protect and train her. Soon Freya finds herself thrust into the warrior life she has always pined for, but the biggest battle she has to fight is the forbidden attraction between herself and Bjorn.

Freya just doesn’t catch a break. From very early on she is constantly faced with near-death experiences, pain, suffering, and the terrible reality that everyone wants to possess, use her, or kill her. She was a literal rope in a tug-of-war for power, and I am surprised she didn't snap given the weight of the world basically rests on her shoulders. This reinforces how strong her characterization felt as she never gave up, no matter how bad it got. She was tenacious, brave, unselfish and incredibly self-sacrificing to protect her family (even when they treated her like crap).

I also appreciated that Freya felt and acted so mature for her age (and didn't feel like she was only 20 - being in my thirties I like it when I can connect to characters). Her hard life and upbringing in the times of Vikings have shaped and moulded her into a person who can withstand hardships and that made her incredibly admirable. It was interesting to see how the girl with the dream of being in a Warband is faced with the harsh reality that everything she hoped for and dreamt about is skewed and wrong.

I just knew from the very moment that Bjorn was introduced that I was going to love him. He is cocky, mysterious, quick-witted, charming and a total flirt. But is so loyal and protective of Freya that it was just adorable watching the two of them interact. I loved how numerous perceptions Freya had of him were constantly disproven, and I swooned and giggled at the constant witty banter between the two. The chemistry and tension between them were off the charts and just SO. WELL. WRITTEN!!!!

The writing in this is stunning but gritty and raw! It’s captivating but harsh at the same time and feels like the time of the Vikings. If you love anything Norse Mythology, then you are going to love this! I felt like I was there! I could feel the world, feel how the Gods wove themselves into this story, and I could taste and feel the environment. The way that the world-building pulled on the traditional Mythology but wove in an intricate magic system and lore in this is spectacular; I swear I felt the air tingle as I was taken on the journey with Freya. I also appreciated that I didn't need to know much about the Mythology to grasp an understanding of the story. Sometimes when reading a book based on Mythology, a background in the Mythology is needed before jumping in. But not this time as not once did I feel lost, confused or overwhelmed by the lore.

There are two things I believe could have been done better. The first is the timeline pacing. The timeline from when she is taken from her village to the climax of the book happens VERY QUICKLY (Like mental maths - about 2 weeks max). As mentioned earlier, it felt like Freya never actually catches a break and the moment things seem to be calming down things SPIKE UP. Given this, the relationship development between Bjorn and Freya could be seen VERY Instalovie, and she went from not being an "official" warrior to being a warrior...in only a few days. If, like me, you imagine that it's a few weeks, then the story seems a little more believable (especially given the amount of travelling that happens in this story)

The second is the predictability of the plot twists. I was able to see the major shocks pretty early from the start and predict the outcome of a few things VERY EARLY on. This isn't an issue as the way the story progressed and these were revealed was done well.

All in all, I am not going to let my issues detract from the fact that I adored this! This is an exciting start to the Saga of the Unfated, and I am almost annoyed after THAT ENDING that we have to wait so long now for the next book because I NEED MY HANDS ON IT NOW!

Your Trope Summary:
▶ Norse Mythology/Viking Inspired
▶ Forbidden Romance (Fathers "Wife")
▶ One Horse
▶ Touch Her/Him You Die
▶ Bodyguard/Charge Vibes
▶ Forced Proximity
▶ Slow Burn but INSTANT TENSION

So do yourself a favour and read this- don't be stupid like me and wait. DO. NOT. SIT. ON. THIS. BOOK! RUN! Don't walk....SPRINT EVEN and pick it up because it's so so so so so so good!

Thank you Netgalley and Random House Publishing Group for my gifted ARC copy.
All thoughts and opinions are my own

YES,YES, YES. I wanted to love this book, and I really really loved it. I heard such a great stuf about it, so this one really did not disappointed .
This one bring me a hope in fantasy romance. Such an easy 4 stars. Big thanks to Netgalley for chance ro read this ARC.

Danielle L. Jensen is QUEEN okay? I am obsessed with A Fats Inked in Blood!!

I have been always immersed in Norse mythology, I find it so fascinating and rich — so reading this book felt so familiar yet new! The world-building is excellent, and the romance is so so so good!
If you love the chosen one trope, you are really going to enjoy this story is well, it was so well written. The main character Freya is amazing and I love how she was so much mature to her age. The forbidden element and the execution of the slow burn romance made this book even better!

Cannot wait for book 2! 🥰

Thank you Netgalley and DelreyBooks UK for the e-ARC!

I wanted to like this book more than what I ended up liking. I think the writing is just not for me nor is the plot. I did find the book concept super interesting which is why I initially wanted to read it but there was something I just not vibed with.

I really enjoyed this one!

Firstly, the FMC seemed more mature than most books of this ilk. Although she is described as being 21, she reads as older in her thought processes and life experience, Probably cause life was hard in the Viking times, but it makes it immensely readable for over 25’s readers. How refreshing to have a character that’s not a blushing virgin. Also, what I really enjoyed about this novel is that although it has that overused “chosen one” trope, it treads a fine line where you are not entirely sure you aren’t reading a villain origin story…

Highly recommended, I’m not a massive fan of romantasy but the world building in this one was actually very good and I found myself invested in the story and the characters.

Absolutely adore Danielle L. Jensen and I am so happy to see she was picked up by a major publisher and many more readers!

An interesting story with an appealing plot that keeps you interested. Writing is good and the characters and the world is well done.

A book recommended to anyone who likes fantasy and vikings.

⭐️⭐️⭐️ 3,5

Thank you first of all to be able to get this e-arc from netgalley.

It is such an high anticipated book of 2024 so I was very happy to recieve a copy it for a review.

A fate inked in blood was a really easy and nice read. From the beginning it took my interest immediately, I liked the humor used really appealing besides tearing up for a book actually smiling/laughing often is a good feeling to have.

The worldbuilding and story was enjoyable but there were a few things along the way wich threw me off a little wich didnt give the book the wow factor for me.

Still I did like the book and actually the end (wich you kinda saw coming but thats ok) made the overall thought of the book much better and looking forward to book2.

I was so excited to start this one! Such an anticipated release for me.

This book was perfect - it hooked me from the very beginning, I absolutely loved Freya as an FMC. The troubled relationship at the beginning set this story I so well and I was completely immersed and invested from that point.

I absolutely loved everything about this storyline, the adventure itself was epic. I knew from our very first meeting with Bjorn that this romance was going to be both desperate and delicious - the banter, the tension, the chemistry, the forbidden element and the slow burn were just *chef’s kiss*

The Norse inspired world and magic system were absolutely beaut - something a bit different and I was totally here for it.

All in all an absolute stunner of a book - I can’t wait to see where this one goes.