A Fate Inked in Blood
by Danielle L. Jensen
Published by Del Rey
Book 1 in the Saga of the Unfated
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, Bjorn. To survive, Freya is forced to reveal her deepest secret: She possesses a drop of a goddess’s blood, which makes her a shield maiden with magic capable of repelling any attack. It was foretold such a magic would unite the fractured nation of Skaland beneath the one who controls the shield maiden’s fate.
Believing he’s destined to rule Skaland as king, the fanatical jarl binds Freya with a blood oath and orders Bjorn to protect her 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. The greatest test of all, however, 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.
Genre
Triggers
Violence, Death, Forced Marriage
Before I begin, I would like to thank Del Rey, Danielle Jensen, and her team for sending me an arc of A Fate Inked in Blood via Netgalley, in exchange for a fair and honest review.
I've been excited for this book since Danielle L Jensen announced it last year.
First of all ... it's a Danielle L Jensen book.
Second of all, Del Rey designed a beautiful first edition, with foil edges.
Foil. Edges.
Third, and last?
Vikings.
Freaking Vikings!
One of the first things I enjoyed about this book was that there is very little set up to the world. I was immediately thrust into the story, and it was interesting from page one. I was able to visualize everything I was reading perfectly, and I understood much of the content, which I appreciated.
As I am more accustomed and knowledgeable about Greek Mythology, I was a little worried that I would be a bit confused throughout this story, as Norse Mythology is heavily featured in A Fate Inked With Blood.
That wasn't the case.
Danielle sprinkles just enough information about the gods and goddesses in the story so you understand the being being discussed, but it doesn't overpower the book. Danielle made sure that the overall story, and characters, were the focus of the book. The Norse Gods and Goddesses are important, but in the way one would expect them to be - in the background, mostly unseen and unheard.
The best part of A Fate Inked In Blood?
The characters. Specifically, our main characters - Freya and Bjorn.
Individually, they are wonderful to read. Both of them have an inner strength and moral compass that is easy to love them for. They are both intelligent, and that is reflected in the delicious banter between them.
Oh, the banter.
So much of it.
And it's perfect.
We can't forget about the tension. The forbidden attraction between these two characters, on top of their witty conversation and friendship adds so much to an already great story.
If I had to pick something that I didn't like in this book, it was that it felt a little rushed. I love a book where there is lot's of action and I am constantly entertained, but sometimes I felt like the conversations that were needed to move the story along were too easily had. For instance, when two characters, who have never spoke of a certain topic, come together for the first time in a while, the conversation didn't need to be led to gain the information needed. It was like BAM!
It took me aback a bit.
Besides that tiny little thing - I loved it.
If you love adult romance with a Viking setting, you will adore A Fate Inked in Blood. It's not bogged down with too much information - just enough to get you through the book and thoroughly enjoy it.
A Fate Inked in Blood releases February 27th, 2024. If you want to secure yourself the beautiful first edition, make sure you preorder, as I suspect they won't last long on the shelf.
Will be posted shortly after release to avoid spoilers! :)