Reviews with content warning for Murder - A Fate Inked In Blood

A fun, Norse-inspired fantasy romance, A Fate Inked in Blood has a cool magic system, where the children of the gods have powers in accordance with their godly parent. There’s also runic magic, which is unrelated to the godly magic (I think). The world-building is a little light, but the vibes are there.

As to the romance, Jensen is really good at building that sexual tension, but the arc of the romance leaves something to be desired. It’s very lust-at-first-sight. Most of the romantic development is that snippy banter typical of the genre.

The plot of Freya figuring out her place in the world was compelling, especially with all of the mysteries and prophecies. Wanting to find out what’s going on definitely keeps me turning the pages. I’m curious to see where this story goes and I’ll keep an eye out for the next book in the series.

Content Warnings

ablespia's review against another edition

Go to review page

adventurous dark emotional inspiring mysterious tense fast-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

Content Warnings

sup3r_xn0va_maya's review against another edition

Go to review page

slow-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? It's complicated
Diverse cast of characters? No
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.0

💬: "I'll let the past burn to ash, Freya, because you are my present. My future. My destiny."

Jensen L. Danielle. A Fate Inked in Blood (Saga of the Unfated Book 1) (p. ?). Del Rey. Kindle Edition.

📖Genres: fantasy, romance, romantasy, mythology (Norse), vikings

📚Page Count: 400

🎧Audiobook Length: 15h 16min

👩🏾‍🏫My Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️ - 3/5
----

A Fate Inked in Blood by Danielle L. Jensen is the first book in the Saga of the Unfated series. This story is about Freya who is a Goddess Blessed fisher man's wife in an unwanted marriage. After her fisher man husband breaks faith with Freya and betrays her to the local Jarl, the local Jarl orders her to fight his son, Bjorn, to the death. Secretly, Freya has the blood of a Goddess on her side, that helps her survive the fight. Soon after she gets the news that she is the shield maiden that is supposed to make this particular Jarl, the King. That was foreseen in a prophecy. The Jarl then forces Freya to bind herself to him and thus begins the saga of Freya learning how to fight and tame her magic. Will she be able to ignore the lingering lust she feels for the Jarl's son?

This book had interesting parts, but it did not do a good job of keeping my attention throughout the book. I had such high hopes for this book. Mostly because it's so highly rated amongst my peers but also because the beginning of the story was really good so I expected the action and the overall story to keep up a good pace. The first 25% was interesting, the next 50% really dragged on and was boring, and the last 25% had everything thrown in there, in an exciting way (spicy scenes, action, fighting, surprises, secrets, and a cliff hanger.)

There was one spicy scene

in the middle of the book

and there are two more spicy scenes

at the end of the book.

Yes there are many ways to be intimate with someone but I really hated that we had to wait until

the end of the book for the two love interests to have intercourse.

I'm giving the spicy scenes two chilis 🌶️ out of five chilies.

Overall, I had high expectations going into this book but it was just okay. The beginning and the ending were very exciting, but the middle of the book was really boring. I'm giving this 3 out of 5 stars.
⭐️⭐️⭐️ - 3/5 Stars

I listened to this for free on the library app [Libbyapp.com]

Content Warnings

volsairine's review against another edition

Go to review page

adventurous inspiring medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? N/A
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.5

Overall I really enjoyed this book! It was a very fun read and I was very invested in the story. If you're looking for a book where the romance and the plot are equally important, I'd say this is it. Bjorn may be my favorite fictional man I've read yet. Loved their banter.

The only reason it's not a 5 star book for me is that at times in the middle of the book Freya was kind of difficult for me to read. I understand she's young but I found myself very frustrated with her and her choices at times (although maybe that was the point). I'm not sure! I get the feeling that we will see her mature throughout the next books which I am excited about.

But regardless, it was fun. The ending was very, very good and idk what I'm supposed to do until the next book??? WHATS GONNA HAPPEN?

Seriously though, excited for the next book!

Spoiler:

Seriously, like what a plot twist! Fantastic bait and switch. I'm a huge thriller reader and hard to throw off of a trail, but Danielle did it masterfully.

Content Warnings

gaby_readsss's review against another edition

Go to review page

adventurous challenging dark emotional mysterious tense medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

A Fate Inked In Blood 🩸⚔️

my review 💭💫

This was my first time reading a Viking fantasy and OMG I loved it from start to finish!! 🩵

I was oblivious to the entire Norse lore previous to reading this book, but thank you so much Danielle L. Jensen for introducing me to this fantastic world of gods, and mythology, and warriors! 🗺️✨🗡️

From page one I had this instant like for the main character, Freya. She is strong, determined, a lot stubborn, and will go to any lengths to protect those she loves. Then we have Bjorn. He’s powerful, good looking, charming, and a protector. I was obsessed with their dynamic from their first interaction. Bjorn and Freya are my new favorite couple! 😍

I loved how they literally go from flirting and having the cutest banter with each other to being forced to fight to the death soon after that. 🫢

I meaaaan… I was so invested the entire time with everything that was going on!

The pace of this book was perfect. It had the right balance between action, adventure, and romance. It was everything I wanted and needed from a romantasy book. I’m new to the genre, and I believe if you’re also new to it, then you’ll absolutely enjoy reading A Fate Inked In Blood. 🩸

The ending had my jaw on the floor. I need book two asap because what in the world was that major cliffhanger?! 😭

I have so many questions!!

you’ll love this book if you enjoy:

vikings/ norse mythology ⚔️

strong female characters 💪🏻

forced proximity 👫

forbidden romance 🚫

instant attraction but make it slow burn 🔥

all the banter 🤭

spice 🌶️

my rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ 5/5

Content Warnings

rachelblair's review against another edition

Go to review page

adventurous emotional tense

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? No
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

I loved this book from the very first page, and finished it in one day. What's not to love? Norse mythology, an easy-to-understand but still compelling magic system, and enough plot to not be overwhelmed by the romance; which is the perfect sexy slow burn. I'm devastated that I have to wait for the next book in this series, but can't wait to re-read this again before the next one is released!

Content Warnings

More...