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.

🌟 MARK YOUR CALENDERS 🌟
Because this new release is gonna blow your mind!

✅Forbidden romance
✅Strong FMC
✅He'd burn the world for her
✅🌶️🌶️🌶️ Thank you.
✅Norse inspired mythology/ world building


Thanks so much to the author, publisher and Netgalley for the Arc.
I was very excited when I recieved this Arc as Danielle L. Jenson is known for some romantacy hits in the book community. But having not read her other books I didn't know what to expect. I was not dissapointed though, I can say that!

A Fate Inked In Blood is a Norse mythology inspired forbidden romantacy novel following Freya, a woman blessed with the power of a minor Godess but with a major prophecy surrounding her birth. Jarl's and Kings are willing to fight to control her power. When Freya is discovered by a power hungry Jarl, she is forced to wed him while fighting her growing feelings for his fierce son, Bjorn, a warrior blessed by the God of War.

With a sizzling forbidden romance, a strong FMC and an investing world and plot, this book had everything I want in a romantacy book and I can't wait for you all of you to read it. I just hope the wait for the next book isn't too long because BOY what an ending!! Beyond excited for the rest of this series!

5⭐️ A sizzling and sexy nordic romantasy that you need to read NOW!

This was only my second book of the year and already I have my first 5⭐️read of 2024! Danielle L Jensen just does not disappoint. I loved the Bridge Kingdom books and A Fate Inked in Blood has cemented her as an autobuy author for me. If she’s the author, you know you’re in for an exciting, gripping and sexy fantasy with a beautifully built, immersive world!

This was a fast paced fantasy with a first chapter that orientated you in Freya’s world, a bloodthirsty and ruthless world steeped in myth and legend, before jumping straight into the action. Freya was a seriously badass anti-hero and Bjorn immediately earned his place on the list of the sexiest most swoonworthy book boyfriends🥵🥵
Right from their first meeting, the banter and chemistry between Freya and Bjorn was seriously 🔥

This book had me in a chokehold- I was hooked and could not out it down and I am desperate to know what comes next! There were twists and turns most of which I had theorised correctly about but this didn’t take away from my enjoyment of the book.

Incase you needed anymore convincing to pick up this book IMMEDIATELY here’s what you can expect:
💙Forced Proximity
🩵Forbidden Romance
💙 Sizzling Slow Burn
🩵Sexy Viking Warrior love interest
💙Spice😏🌶️
🩵BAMF Shield Maiden FMC
💙Norse Mythology
🩵Chosen Ones
💙Such good banter 😍

I loved this book, it was full of adventure, banter, flirting and romance. Freya's journey to discovering her path was mysterious and tense. I loved the interactions between the characters and the mysteries throughout, a couple of twists I didn't expect. The Norse mythology was so interesting and I'm excited to read what happens next!

I've only read seven books since the new year, but I already know that this will be in my top three books of 2024.

🛡️A Fate Inked in Blood ✨ by Danielle L. Jensen was such an interesting read in which fantasy, mythology and romance are cleverly and seamlessly woven together. It captured my attention from the very beginning and I enjoyed reading every single page of the novel.
The romance and the action are perfectly balanced and there is some spice on page that is not overpowering the overall story (and this is exactly how I like my romantasy books!) And what can I say about Bjorn? He holds my heart❤️‍🔥.

I'm sorry to say goodbye to the characters (for now) and I can't wait to hold the physical book in my hand.

Please let the wait for the next books not be too long!

Thank you @netgalley the author and the publisher for the arc.

Danielle’s story telling ability is phenomenal- I just love the way she builds vivid world and I feel so engrossed in her worlds!

This is the first book of hers that I’ve read that isn’t in the Bridge Kingdom world, and of course, it did not disappoint!!

D.L.Jensen had my sympathy from “The Bridge Kingdom” series, in “A Fate Inked in Blood” she continues her solid writing. Right from the beginning of a book, I got the impression of the world, main character Freya, her situation, aspirations, dreams. I liked Bjorn the moment he stepped out of the water, oh, I knew it was going to be great reading experience. So I was hooked from the start! Also, I love book cover!

Reading the book made me feel like I am in the world myself, there is the sense of that place. A vivid world without over-explanation – it’s my favorite. This Norse-inspired world breathes with myths, prophesies and meddling of Gods, shows social, political, religious aspects of life. And oh, that sizzling romance subplot! The pacing is on spot, there are action packed battles, thrilling adventures.

All characters are distinctive, they are real, they act accordingly. A focus is on the main characters, but the side characters are also well fleshed out. Both main characters are strong and brave, blessed by Gods. Main female character Freya is fiery, main male character Bjorn is caring and - let’s be honest – he’s hot. Slow burn is so good, the build up is worth the wait, the tension crackles, the banter is witty and full of humor. There are forced proximity, forbidden romance tropes.

All in all, it was an enjoyable read: a vivid world, strong characters, sparkling romance, action. I would recommend it to all fantasy romance readers, romance readers who enjoy Norse mythology, and of course- Norse mythology fans.

I received ARC in exchange for an honest review. Thank you to Random House UK, Cornerstone, NetGalley.

A Fate Inked in Blood is the first book in Danielle Jensen’s new romantasy series, which is set in a world inspired by Norse mythology and Vikings. Having enjoyed all her previous novels, this one was high on my list of anticipated reads for 2024, and I am really grateful to NetGalley and Del Rey for approving my request for an eARC.

I was absolutely hooked from the opening paragraph and stayed up well into the night because I just had to know where the story would go. I loved both Freya and Bjorn as main characters right from the get-go. Their initial flirtation on the beach was brilliant, and the forced proximity and slow-burn throughout brought all the chemistry I love in a romance. Snorri was easily the character I disliked most, with a personality and ambitions even less attractive than his name.

There were some plot twists I saw coming, and others that blindsided me. Can’t wait to see where this goes next after a bit of a shocker of an ending! Danielle Jensen has been one of my auto-buy authors for a while now, and A Fate Inked in Blood confirmed this status.

The inspiration for A Fate Inked in Blood: norse mythology, is fantastic. Before picking up a fantasy book inspired by some kind of myth, I always find myself filled with excitement. There is simply so much you can do with different mythologies. How you use them to shape your world, characters, and thematic explorations can shape your story in intriguing and often, complex ways. I felt the same excitement when I heard about A Fate Inked in Blood.

Unfortunately, I can only say that here, the concept vastly overshadows the execution - a fact that significantly dampened my enjoyment of the book. While there is surface-level use and mention of the Norse setting (and its accompanying gods): children (and importantly, their fate) may be altered irreparably by a mere drop of a god's blood at their conception, the Skalanders and Nordelanders abide by the will of the gods, some of the gods appear (and by "appear." I mean very briefly, often without any dialogue or proper significance), there is only a very vague sense of god-centric religion, politics, and intervention in this book. Mainly, Danielle L. Jensen relies on the reader's own (presumably) surface-level understanding of the Norse gods and the Vikings, more generally. She doesn't deepen their involvement in any tangible way, beyond having them appear every so often or acting as superficial plot motivators. This means Jensen doesn't develop the politics or the religion of this fantasy world in any interesting way. And the gods and the Viking setting more so acts as backdrops to some standard fantasy action and again, vague war-centred plot. At a push, they provide the foundation for, what I thought to be, quite a generic exploration of female autonomy and fate. This under-use of the Viking setting really undercut the book for me.

In regards to other aspects of the book: I felt the plot to be particularly and glaringly contrived. Characters often acted out of character in order to push the plot forward. And because the plot hinges on the motivation of a confusing, and purposefully unexplained, prophecy, there is no sense that it actually has a specific trajectory. This made much of the book feel like a series of haphazard action scenes lumped together, pushed forward by contrivance. It doesn't help matters that the two main characters (Freya and Bjorn) also lacked any sense of tangible depth or chemistry. Beyond superficial attraction, I didn't really understand why they liked each-other so much. They didn't have many proper conversations and Bjorn, particularly, felt like a cardboard cut-out male lead. Freya was much your standard FMC. While I admired her furious attempts to re-gain her autonomy and her continued kindness (even in the face of violence), she too felt underdeveloped and not a distinct lead character. It also frustrated me that in moments of great pain (such as her hand melting off), she could only think of Bjorn. Not only did this remove tension from much of the plot's key points, it also made her seem quite literally inhuman.

All in all, this book just didn't work for me! While I love the idea of the book, and praise Jensen's imagination, unfortunately, I don't feel that A Fate Inked in Blood nailed the landing, here. However, if you're looking for a light romantasy and something that differentiates itself with a Viking setting, I would recommend trying this out. I think Jensen shows her imagination, verve, and uniqueness as a writer with this Norse-inspired book.

A fate inked in Blood is the first book outside her 'Bridge Kingdom' series that i have read by Danielle L. Jensen and my obsession with her has not waned. Phenomenal is the world i would use for this book. Freya is such an amazing character and Bjorn is just chef kiss. It has everything i love in her books, a badass MMC and FMC, intrigue, action and lots more.

The Ending!!!!!!!!!... that is all i am going to say

Do not walk, run to read this, it will consume you (in the greatest way).