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cryosphinx's review
4.0
Very much a romantasy with some excellent banter, which was the best part of the book. I loved the Norse backdrop and how Jensen didn't just use the names of the gods but added a magical twist and kept them the same. My biggest gripe is I didn't find Freya to be super bad ass. She's a strong and capable warrior but she seemed to overly accept shitty things happening to her until the very end. But the romance and BJORN are top tier. This is my first Danielle J. Jensen book, but I think I'll read Bridge Kingdom sooner rather than later because I did enjoy the writing style as I found it approachable, not too 'big words make me sound smart' but everything being well described and not fluffy. I'm hooked on the story and would love the next book NOW.
Graphic: War, Sexual content, Violence, Death, and Blood
Moderate: Misogyny, Death of parent, and Fire/Fire injury
Minor: Suicidal thoughts
blacksphinx's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
1.5
Our protagonist was so insufferably stubborn and I found no redeeming qualities in her. I'm not sure she does one action that someone asks her to for the entire book, even if they would have been to her benefit. She's so hot-and-cold, changing her mind at the drop of a hat to whatever course of action would be the least convenient for her and the people around her. I wanted to like her! I especially loved that opening scene with her love interest; they had banter that I actually enjoyed!? But I was so frustrated with her by the end I couldn't enjoy anything about their romance.
I predicted one of the big main twists from the first moment it was foreshadowed. The other big twist was something I guessed was probably going to happen. It didn't feel fun, it didn't feel like I can solved the author's intricate puzzle and now I was in on it. I spent a lot of this book going "are you serious?" and "how it is not obvious to you!"
The magic makes NO sense and was a constant source of irritation. People who possess the blood of a god are "unfated" and both do not have a destiny/fate of their own and can change the destinies of those around them... but can also be the center of a prophecy and two of them can be destined to be together? How does that make sense!
The final cherry on top is that I could not help but notice the number of named female characters
I am so grateful I hesitated on preordering this book, and will not be continuing with the series.
Graphic: Infidelity, Drug use, Injury/Injury detail, Blood, Fire/Fire injury, Death, Sexual content, and Murder
Moderate: Gore, Alcohol, Domestic abuse, Death of parent, Sexism, Vomit, and War
Minor: Kidnapping
iamsammie27's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
Graphic: Fire/Fire injury and War
Moderate: Murder
Minor: Sexism, Infidelity, and Domestic abuse
booksthatburn's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
Moderate: Injury/Injury detail, Animal cruelty, Animal death, Sexism, Excrement, Violence, Death, Toxic relationship, Fire/Fire injury, Blood, Death of parent, Murder, Misogyny, Emotional abuse, Vomit, Gore, Domestic abuse, and War
thewitchykitty's review against another edition
- 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
4.0
Graphic: Death of parent, Violence, Alcohol, Sexual content, Animal death, War, Gore, Grief, Fire/Fire injury, Cursing, Death, Emotional abuse, Murder, Blood, and Injury/Injury detail
wickeddelights's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
I read this book in a matter of days.
Danielle has always been someone I would gladly recomend when it comes to books with romantic tension, and this book was genuinely a masterclass in banter. I was hooked from beginning to end, and the wait until the second book comes out is already agonizing, and I finished the book less than five minutes ago.
5 Stars.
Graphic: Kidnapping, Death, Injury/Injury detail, War, Gore, and Sexual content
Moderate: Fire/Fire injury, Animal death, Colonisation, and Death of parent
madscientistcat's review
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.75
Graphic: Murder, War, Violence, and Fire/Fire injury
Moderate: Sexual content
bea__reads's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
2.5
I disliked both main characters and the book overall was trying too hard to fit certain tropes.
Graphic: Injury/Injury detail, Death, Death of parent, Animal death, Blood, Body horror, Fire/Fire injury, and Misogyny
condls27's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
Graphic: War, Sexual content, Animal death, Death of parent, and Fire/Fire injury
grace_b_3's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
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.
Graphic: Fire/Fire injury, Murder, Sexual content, War, and Death
Moderate: Sexual assault, Infidelity, and Animal death
Minor: Pregnancy