Reviews

A Fate Inked in Blood by Danielle L. Jensen

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kbergie's review against another edition

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adventurous medium-paced

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

3.5

forwhatt's review against another edition

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Loveable characters? No

2.5

cynsworkshop's review against another edition

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adventurous mysterious tense medium-paced

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

4.0

A Norse-inspired fantasy, A Fate Inked in Blood gives readers a fierce shield maiden who must challenge her destiny or be the doom of all.

A Fate Inked in Blood is my introduction to Danielle Jensen, the bestselling author of The Bridge Kingdom series. And while I enjoyed the novel and am excited for the sequel, some bits were rocky.

Characterization

A Fate Inked in Blood is a story that just takes off. We’re introduced to Freya and her husband, a prick of a man who abuses the gods’ blood that runs in his veins. We see the fortitude and strength of her character and the power she holds as the prophesied shield maiden. Born with a drop of Hild’s power, she has the power of protection.

Freya’s characterization was well done, allowing the reader to get to know her inside and out. However, after her power is revealed, it seems like her characterization takes a bit of a hit. Freya wants to protect her family and her people, and the inner turmoil she faces with sacrificing control over her fate over letting others control her is compelling.

Freya is a compelling character, but the times when her character takes a hit are when she’s “lusting” over Bjorn. Don’t get me wrong, the sexual tension between the two characters was well done, especially since Jensen really focused on creating some witty banter between them, but after a point, it started to feel repetitive.

Now, for the plot, it made sense. Freya is married to his father, lusting after him and then acting on it could get everyone she loves killed, considering she is indispensable. But much of it could have been more concise, and if it had been, it probably would not have felt so repetitive.

Now, another issue I had here, I will admit, is a personal pet peeve of mine. Every time Jensen used the word “sex” in reference to her genitalia, it was cringy. There are better ways to write the sentence than by using that word. I just wanted to laugh every time I read it because it felt forced. It’s clear Jensen is trying to make the story feel medieval, but I think she accomplishes that well enough with the strong world-building. The added word made it feel forced and took me out of the story.

Final Thoughts

Overall, A Fate Inked in Blood was an excellent read. The pacing remains consistent, there is good character development as well as excellent plot development, and I was sucked in by the story and the Norse mythology. My only real hiccup is how it felt like Freya, an overall fierce and relatable woman, was denigrated at times as a woman horny for some dude.