Danielle L. Jensen

A shield maiden blessed by the gods battles to unite a nation under a power-hungry king - while also fighting her growing desire for his fiery son - in this Norse-inspired fantasy romance from the bestselling author of The Bridge Kingdom series. Bound in an unwanted marriage, Freya spends her days gutting fish, but dreams of becoming a warrior. And of putting an axe in her boorish husband's back. Freya's dreams abruptly become reality when her husband betrays her to the region's jarl, landing her in a fight to the death against his son. To survive, Freya is forced to reveal her deepest secret: she possesses a drop of a goddess's blood, which gives her magic capable of repelling any attack. A magic that was foretold would unite the fractured nation of Skaland beneath a king-the one who controls the shield maiden's fate. Believing he's destined to rule Skaland, the fanatical jarl binds Freya with a blood oath and orders his son, Bjorn, to protect Freya from their enemies. Desperate to prove her strength, Freya must train to fight and learn to control her magic, all while facing perilous tests set by the gods. Except the greatest test of all may be resisting her forbidden attraction to Bjorn. If Freya succumbs to her lust for the charming and fierce warrior, she risks not only her own destiny but the fate of all the people she swore to protect.

A Fate Inked in Blood

Rebecca Briesemeister

"You're mine, Born-in-Fire" he answered, reaching out to take my hand. "And I'm yours, even if only the two of us know it."

“In your selfishness and greed, you stuck your own necks under the axe, yet weep that it is my fault when the blade threat- ens to descend."

“You are mine, Born-in-Fire. Even if only the two of us know it."

"My neck is exposed to you, Born-in-Fire" he answered. “I’m fucking terrified"

The humor fell away from Bjorns eyes. "I wish fate had been kinder to you, Freya."

I'll be honest at the start I didn't think I would like this book but the moment Freya embedded Bjorns axe into her abusive husband's skull, I knew it was going to be amazing

Freya has mostly accepted her life as the wife of a fishmonger but when her husband sells her deepest secret to a power hunger jarl, she finds herself thrown into a world with dangerous battles, prophecies and her role as a shield maiden. Even for someone unfamiliar with Vikings and Norse mythology this book is immersive and the world building is thorough while still being easy to read

The plot moved really quickly with Freya barely being able to catch a break. From early on she's faced with struggles and pain and the terrible fact that most people only see her as a weapon to be used. But Freya is fierce and brave and she's an incredibly selfless character. Danielle Jensen really crafts amazing characters, I loved Freya who is resilient and strong and Bjorn who is charming and protective and who would do anything for Freya

The plot did feel a bit predictable and I guessed a few things but I still enjoyed it nonetheless. A fate inked in blood was a lovely book to read and I would highly recommend it if you're looking for a Norse inspired fantasy 

June

I'll be honest at the start I didn't think I would like this book but the moment Freya embedded Bjorns axe into her abusive husband's skull, I knew it was going to be amazing

Freya has mostly accepted her life as the wife of a fishmonger but when her husband sells her deepest secret to a power hunger jarl, she finds herself thrown into a world with dangerous battles, prophecies and her role as a shield maiden. Even for someone unfamiliar with Vikings and Norse mythology this book is immersive and the world building is thorough while still being easy to read

The plot moved really quickly with Freya barely being able to catch a break. From early on she's faced with struggles and pain and the terrible fact that most people only see her as a weapon to be used. But Freya is fierce and brave and she's an incredibly selfless character. Danielle Jensen really crafts amazing characters, I loved Freya who is resilient and strong and Bjorn who is charming and protective and who would do anything for Freya

The plot did feel a bit predictable and I guessed a few things but I still enjoyed it nonetheless. A fate inked in blood was a lovely book to read and I would highly recommend it if you're looking for a Norse inspired fantasy 

Need everyone who used Freya to burn. Called Freya and Bjorn 💙

Susan

Amazing! Couldn’t put it down, yet another series I need out now cause I want to consume it all!! 

Sydnee Alexander

Jennifer Gosnell

O. M. G. This was so so good! This had so many twists and turns, the characters felt so real and developed. The ending??? I cannot WAIT for the second book. Loved the writing and the pacing. I am going to be reading Danielle L. Jensen’s previous books now. Cuz wow, incredible.

I loved how different this book was. I just wasn’t fully invested until the last live fifty pages and… now I am… fully invested. 

Katie Buchanan

This book.. if you read the level of worldbuilding described in the blurb that’s basically the extent of what you can expect for the rest of the book. Nothing is added or expanded upon, so many cool possibilities with the Fates and the Gods but they went nowhere. I also found the worldbuilding to be inconsistent. This FMC has been forced into marriages and partnerships against her will simply because she is a woman. And yet they have other women with agency and power in their same community. So why is she oppressed to this level?

The FMC is very immature. If the narrator didn’t do such an amazing job I would have noticed that earlier. I usually read fantasies all the way through. I want to see if certain ideals will be challenged. In this one she has so much internalized sexism and I don’t think the author even knows. She thinks things like “of course he fell asleep so fast he’s such a MAN” what?? Or “of course he was distracted by my chest, MAN” I couldn’t believe this author had me out here defending nice men who actually don’t objectify women. She has been so greatly oppressed and complains about the prejudices assumed about her as “just a housewife” and yet does it right back and it is never challenged. 

The constant SA. I understand a book can be as dark as an author wants but I still believe that SA should be called out for what it is and written with the gravity and acknowledgment that it deserves. I feel as if this author thinks because an act wasn’t violent that it isn’t as bad when that is not the case. This FMC has been SA’d for a year by the man she was forced to marry. She is under the constant threat of SA in this universe (sparing spoilers of the context here). And her first actually consensual act of her life? Ruined by non-consensual exposure to guards. And also the structure of how the Gods work also includes tons of SA but there’s no acknowledgment of the weight of that on those who have been through it or are a product of it. 

The romance. I thought the MMC was interesting. Dual POV would have saved this for me so much. He had a fascinating sounding background but we never get to hear about it because they are both too busy immaturely volleying innuendoes and playboy accusations back and forth to each other. All the sudden he was declaring his love and I paused like wait where did y’all build to this level of partnership?? It was so disjointed. And again, the FMC immaturity and lack of compassion was grating. 

I received a complimentary audio copy from PRH audio (thank you!) and the narrator was AMAZING. I read she has accurate pronunciations of the language and names as well which was awesome to hear. Without the audio this would’ve been one star for me. I will not be continuing with the series. 

Abigail

This book.. if you read the level of worldbuilding described in the blurb that’s basically the extent of what you can expect for the rest of the book. Nothing is added or expanded upon, so many cool possibilities with the Fates and the Gods but they went nowhere. I also found the worldbuilding to be inconsistent. This FMC has been forced into marriages and partnerships against her will simply because she is a woman. And yet they have other women with agency and power in their same community. So why is she oppressed to this level?

The FMC is very immature. If the narrator didn’t do such an amazing job I would have noticed that earlier. I usually read fantasies all the way through. I want to see if certain ideals will be challenged. In this one she has so much internalized sexism and I don’t think the author even knows. She thinks things like “of course he fell asleep so fast he’s such a MAN” what?? Or “of course he was distracted by my chest, MAN” I couldn’t believe this author had me out here defending nice men who actually don’t objectify women. She has been so greatly oppressed and complains about the prejudices assumed about her as “just a housewife” and yet does it right back and it is never challenged. 

The constant SA. I understand a book can be as dark as an author wants but I still believe that SA should be called out for what it is and written with the gravity and acknowledgment that it deserves. I feel as if this author thinks because an act wasn’t violent that it isn’t as bad when that is not the case. This FMC has been SA’d for a year by the man she was forced to marry. She is under the constant threat of SA in this universe (sparing spoilers of the context here). And her first actually consensual act of her life? Ruined by non-consensual exposure to guards. And also the structure of how the Gods work also includes tons of SA but there’s no acknowledgment of the weight of that on those who have been through it or are a product of it. 

The romance. I thought the MMC was interesting. Dual POV would have saved this for me so much. He had a fascinating sounding background but we never get to hear about it because they are both too busy immaturely volleying innuendoes and playboy accusations back and forth to each other. All the sudden he was declaring his love and I paused like wait where did y’all build to this level of partnership?? It was so disjointed. And again, the FMC immaturity and lack of compassion was grating. 

I received a complimentary audio copy from PRH audio (thank you!) and the narrator was AMAZING. I read she has accurate pronunciations of the language and names as well which was awesome to hear. Without the audio this would’ve been one star for me. I will not be continuing with the series. 

This is definitely going to be an unpopular opinion. 

I was incredibly bored reading this book. I figured this was another situation where I’ll have to stick around to the last 100 pages to have something happen and while it did I was so exhausted at that point that it didnt really affect me. This is the definition of a world building book which is taken into account for my review because I think I would have rated it lower. I honestly can’t tell you anything that is essential to the plot of this book because I have very little idea what actually happened and what the full point of it was. 

Priscilla Stanfield

This is definitely going to be an unpopular opinion. 

I was incredibly bored reading this book. I figured this was another situation where I’ll have to stick around to the last 100 pages to have something happen and while it did I was so exhausted at that point that it didnt really affect me. This is the definition of a world building book which is taken into account for my review because I think I would have rated it lower. I honestly can’t tell you anything that is essential to the plot of this book because I have very little idea what actually happened and what the full point of it was. 

I had high hopes for this book but Freya was the most insufferable mc 

Kassandra Nordeste

Sasha

Bethany

I’m going to be honest… it should NOT have taken until the last 20 pages or so for this book to get interesting. The female lead was a bit annoying and dense. I’m hoping for some character development for her or I might not go for the next one because it was hard to read with how little she thinks at times. I’m also hoping for the male lead to get a little more personality in the next book as well.

Abby

(I listened and read this, side note the lady who reads the book for the audio has a Nordic accent which is fun lol) Was it the best book ever written? No (in my opinion). But was it fast paced and easy to read? YES! I found the dialogue stunted and boring at times. But the plot was so action packed with something always happening. The ending set it up well for a sequel (that I will def read) with a surprise twist that I didn’t see coming yayyy. Took a while to be hot but when it was….it was HOT.

Kass

I give this a begrudging 4 stars. Bjorn is literally everything, love him and his actual critical thinking. (plz see Uhtred Ragnarsson from The Last Kingdom for both brain and body inspiration) 

Freya though? -- Well, not everyone can be Aelin Ashryver Galathinius. -- But, unfortunately, she had zero critical thinking and constantly tried to sacrifice herself instead of making a tough choice. Boo-hoo. (in all reality I would probably do the exact same things if I was in her shoes but still) 

Also I wish I could be as delulu as Snorri. 

Addison Miller

I give this a begrudging 4 stars. Bjorn is literally everything, love him and his actual critical thinking. (plz see Uhtred Ragnarsson from The Last Kingdom for both brain and body inspiration) 

Freya though? -- Well, not everyone can be Aelin Ashryver Galathinius. -- But, unfortunately, she had zero critical thinking and constantly tried to sacrifice herself instead of making a tough choice. Boo-hoo. (in all reality I would probably do the exact same things if I was in her shoes but still) 

Also I wish I could be as delulu as Snorri. 

This book had so much potential to be great, the first half of the book I honestly really enjoyed. The second half of the book was super rushed and felt like it made no sense. I guessed all of the “plot twists” and Freya became so unbelievably annoying that I almost felt like skipping any of her dialogue.

Cheyenne Willis

I had a great time reading this book, it was just what I wanted after the debacle of CC3. Danielle Jensen has a talent for writing well-paced, concise stories with great romances and I was all in. I loved the Nordic inspo and the magic system, although I do wish it were fleshed out a little more. I do feel that the FMC is a little dense at time (for instance with her power and heritage), and I did guess most of the twist, but it did not hinder my enjoyment of the book. I’m definitely looking forward to the second book!

Katie Allard

✨It was the wanting that made my life hard. If I could only stop wanting, perhaps I might find some happiness in what I had.

✨“Not all scars we earn are skin-deep, Freya Born-in-Fire.” He loosened his grip, my hand sliding through his. Though my scarred palm was numb, I swore I felt his fingers trail across it, and the sensation caused me to shiver. “There is no less honor in them.”

✨“Your looks aren’t good enough to compensate for your tongue.” In the faint light, I saw him smirk. “Don’t underestimate my tongue, Freya. Especially in the dark.”

✨“It is hard to keep one’s wits when faced with a woman as beautiful as the sight of shore to a man who has been lost at sea.”

✨“I hate you.” “If only that were true,” he murmured,

✨“If there is nothing in your life worth dying for, then what is there worth living for?”

✨That I want to lose myself in your arms and I’m afraid everyone knows it.

✨“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.”

✨“You will not die today, Born-in-Fire, because I will slaughter anyone who comes near you. That is a promise.”

✨“You are mine, Born-in-Fire. Even if only the two of us know it.”

✨“No oath is worth your life. No amount of vengeance is worth your happiness. I’ll let the past burn to ash, Freya, because you are my present. My future. My destiny.” He lifted his other hand to cup my face. “I love you.” And I loved him.

✨“There is no future where I would regret choosing you.”

✨“There is no life without you, Freya.

Mariaaa

✨It was the wanting that made my life hard. If I could only stop wanting, perhaps I might find some happiness in what I had.

✨“I won’t let you fall.”

✨“Not all scars we earn are skin-deep, Freya Born-in-Fire.” He loosened his grip, my hand sliding through his. Though my scarred palm was numb, I swore I felt his fingers trail across it, and the sensation caused me to shiver. “There is no less honor in them.”

✨“Your looks aren’t good enough to compensate for your tongue.” In the faint light, I saw him smirk. “Don’t underestimate my tongue, Freya. Especially in the dark.”

✨“It is hard to keep one’s wits when faced with a woman as beautiful as the sight of shore to a man who has been lost at sea.”

✨“I hate you.” “If only that were true,” he murmured,

✨“If there is nothing in your life worth dying for, then what is there worth living for?”

✨That I want to lose myself in your arms and I’m afraid everyone knows it.

✨“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.”

✨“You will not die today, Born-in-Fire, because I will slaughter anyone who comes near you. That is a promise.”

✨“You are mine, Born-in-Fire. Even if only the two of us know it.”

✨“No oath is worth your life. No amount of vengeance is worth your happiness. I’ll let the past burn to ash, Freya, because you are my present. My future. My destiny.” He lifted his other hand to cup my face. “I love you.” And I loved him.

✨“There is no future where I would regret choosing you.”

✨“There is no life without you, Freya.

                   *plot twist at end*

A Fate Inked in Blood

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