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bookish_bry's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
inspiring
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
This was a fun book! It was a bit predictable with plot beats and the plot twist at the end didn't surprise me at all, but it was still a lot of fun. In fact, knowing what the plot twist had to be made the last few chapters more fun. If you read a lot of fantasy, you might get a little bored, but I haven't read a contemporary fantasy in a while so it was nice.
I think the author writes characters very well. I liked Freya the whole time even when she made choices I didn't like, and I understood her motivations. Bjorn was also a good love interest. We didn't see into his mind, of course, but he always respected Freya, something that she noted and cited as a reason she liked him herself. That was very nice.
The whole cast of characters was interesting truthfully and while we really only dipped our toes into the lore, I think it's very interesting. I will definitely be following this series to see where it goes.
I think the author writes characters very well. I liked Freya the whole time even when she made choices I didn't like, and I understood her motivations. Bjorn was also a good love interest. We didn't see into his mind, of course, but he always respected Freya, something that she noted and cited as a reason she liked him herself. That was very nice.
The whole cast of characters was interesting truthfully and while we really only dipped our toes into the lore, I think it's very interesting. I will definitely be following this series to see where it goes.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death of parent, Death, Sexual content, Suicide attempt, War, and Violence
Moderate: Sexism
irishpierogies's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
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
Content Warnings
Graphic: Violence, Blood, and War
Minor: Sexism, Fire/Fire injury, and Gore
bookishkale's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.75
I really wanted to love this book, I wanted to be swept away by a Norse inspired romantasy and have so much fun. Sigh… this book just has a lot of problems and the bad things that outweigh the good.
First of all - the pacing doesn’t work for this kind of book. I needed like two full chapters of Freya in her hometown to establish some things. It just felt very rushed into the story, and even if that’s the point, it doesn’t work. How am I supposed to want to follow these characters when I know barely anything about them? It reflects in the romance as well. It’s quite literally instalust and it’s exhausting by the time feelings get revealed. The tension feels half baked when the main characters both seem half a second from jumping each other’s bones for most of the book. Yes, the spice was good but almost not worth it , since it doesn’t happened until the last bit of the book. Also, there is so much movement in the book, like I don’t think they stay in the same place until 75% for more than a week, and we don’t even see that time on page before they’re off again.
Additionally - the characterization was so rough. Everyone felt flat, even Freya. She spends the whole book getting carted around, almost whining that this is happening. She ‘shows’ agency but it’s so minimal and gets shut down so quick that it’s almost not worth it. I felt like the author banked on misogyny and threats to be the reason Freya wasn’t a strong character, when she just didn’t develop her enough. Bjorn was just a hot dude (literally) and is really just there to give Freya something to lust over. He could have been interesting too! I really dislike when a main character’s family or the secondary characters in their life are just horrid people to make the main character look better. It’s exhausting! Those characters can have development too! They can grow too!! Making other characters shitty does not make your main character more interesting! It’s so unfortunate because I wanted to like Freya and Bjorn! I wanted to root for them!
The prose is the better part of this book, same with the plot concept. When the plot was happening, and at a reasonable pace, it was engaging! I really think this book just needed to settle, find some footing in a place and give us the feel of the world. It’s just a romance with some fantasy sprinkled in if you don’t actually develop the world around you. I’m hoping that the author takes more time in the next book to give this world some depth because I think it had so much potentially to be a great romantasy in all aspects of the terms.
There’s a reason I didn’t rate this much lower than a 3, because I think with some editing and some expansion in some ways, with some cuts in others, this book could have been a solid 4+ read. I am not sure I’ll pick up the other book whenever it comes out, but we’ll see!
First of all - the pacing doesn’t work for this kind of book. I needed like two full chapters of Freya in her hometown to establish some things. It just felt very rushed into the story, and even if that’s the point, it doesn’t work. How am I supposed to want to follow these characters when I know barely anything about them? It reflects in the romance as well. It’s quite literally instalust and it’s exhausting by the time feelings get revealed. The tension feels half baked when the main characters both seem half a second from jumping each other’s bones for most of the book. Yes, the spice was good but almost not worth it , since it doesn’t happened until the last bit of the book. Also, there is so much movement in the book, like I don’t think they stay in the same place until 75% for more than a week, and we don’t even see that time on page before they’re off again.
Additionally - the characterization was so rough. Everyone felt flat, even Freya. She spends the whole book getting carted around, almost whining that this is happening. She ‘shows’ agency but it’s so minimal and gets shut down so quick that it’s almost not worth it. I felt like the author banked on misogyny and threats to be the reason Freya wasn’t a strong character, when she just didn’t develop her enough. Bjorn was just a hot dude (literally) and is really just there to give Freya something to lust over. He could have been interesting too! I really dislike when a main character’s family or the secondary characters in their life are just horrid people to make the main character look better. It’s exhausting! Those characters can have development too! They can grow too!! Making other characters shitty does not make your main character more interesting! It’s so unfortunate because I wanted to like Freya and Bjorn! I wanted to root for them!
The prose is the better part of this book, same with the plot concept. When the plot was happening, and at a reasonable pace, it was engaging! I really think this book just needed to settle, find some footing in a place and give us the feel of the world. It’s just a romance with some fantasy sprinkled in if you don’t actually develop the world around you. I’m hoping that the author takes more time in the next book to give this world some depth because I think it had so much potentially to be a great romantasy in all aspects of the terms.
There’s a reason I didn’t rate this much lower than a 3, because I think with some editing and some expansion in some ways, with some cuts in others, this book could have been a solid 4+ read. I am not sure I’ll pick up the other book whenever it comes out, but we’ll see!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Violence, War, Death of parent, Fire/Fire injury, Murder, Injury/Injury detail, and Sexual content
Moderate: Sexism and Misogyny
Minor: Vomit
jasper_is_atypical's review against another edition
adventurous
fast-paced
- 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
3.25
I'm just tired of people calling an FMC strong or badass and then the MMC does all the fighting and planning and hard work and hero stuff. She literally sits around at points while he does all of the work, although she does try at points, overall she get's used and abused and just sits and takes it and then lashes out at the only people who actually care about her. She's not badass (when she is she's killing innocent civilians mostly) and every decision she makes for herself is a bad one. It was super disappointing thinking she would be this badass in control of her fate while she just let's herself get tossed around like a toy the entire book.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Suicide attempt, Emotional abuse, Drug use, Sexual violence, Fire/Fire injury, Cursing, Alcohol, Infidelity, Domestic abuse, Blood, Self harm, Toxic relationship, Kidnapping, Death, War, Misogyny, Death of parent, Animal death, Sexism, Medical content, Violence, Sexual content, Murder, Grief, Gore, and Vomit
Moderate: Body horror, Mental illness, Sexual assault, Panic attacks/disorders, Injury/Injury detail, Sexual harassment, Torture, Suicidal thoughts, Confinement, and Kidnapping
Minor: Slavery, Rape, Gaslighting, Pregnancy, Abandonment, and Physical abuse
giulia_acobac's review against another edition
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.25
I love DLJ and I’m glad she became a NYT besteller author with this book and that she is finally getting the recognition she deserves. I was excited for this book and I found it to be good overall. But at the same time a bit repetitive with Freya’s innner self loathing molonogues. The plot was inteiguing and the plot twist at the end mind blowing.
The romance part of this book was not as swoony as I expected.
The romance part of this book was not as swoony as I expected.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Death of parent, Death, Gore, Violence, Sexism, Emotional abuse, War, and Animal death
whatdebsreads's review against another edition
challenging
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- 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
3.75
Content Warnings
Moderate: Murder, Sexism, and Blood
bookameme's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
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
Intense and Heartbreaking with all the Viking Battles You Could Ask For
“I am yours and you are mine, even if we’re the only ones that know it.”
Thoughts:💡
Children of the Gods are unfated, yet it doesn’t seem like they get to make many choices. Freya least of all. Her love for her family and clan are continually used against her. She’s furious, bold, and occasionally brash, but still young enough to be manipulated while being a true warrior at heart.
Vikings are notoriously violent and bloodthirsty, especially in this book, which is why it’s no surprise the entire plot is built around that idea. Even the magic system, which was admittedly unique and interesting, was based on the premise of helping the characters achieve glory and spread their fame with acts of violence or response to it.
Dreams of battle glory and Valhalla are utmost on most of the characters' minds, even after their stomachs turn from the effects of war. It’s a main focus of the book from start to finish. The characters' fervor for it irked me at times just as Freya’s naïveté and soft heart frustrated me. Overall, I genuinely liked her character and Bjorn’s, especially their relationship. However, their characters have a lot of room to develop in the next volume, and I for one can’t wait for it.
Audio & Narrator:🎧
The audiobook for this added a fun and immersive feel to the story. The narrator had a norse accent that sounded believable and interesting. The volume and pace remained steady and easy to follow along with, and the perfect amount of excitement and inflection was used for each scene.
Fun Bits:
⚜️ Action packed and full of adventure
⚜️ Really cool magic system
⚜️ Lots of Norse Mythology
⚜️ An interesting romance
⚜️ Extremely fierce FMC
✨Beware the cliffy
⚠️: Violence, Death, Blood, Gore, War, Graphic Injuries, Slavery
Stats:📊
Spice: 🌶️🌶️
Characters: 💙💙💙💙
Audio: 🎧🎧🎧🎧🎧
Narrators: 🎙️🎙️🎙️🎙️🎙️
Historical Fantasy: Vikings, Norse Legends, Magic, Fighting Fate, Warring Clans, Hidden Secrets📘
First Person, Past Tense, Single POV
Content Warnings
Graphic: Murder, Alcohol, Domestic abuse, Drug use, Fire/Fire injury, Classism, Death, Sexism, Gore, Grief, Violence, Blood, Emotional abuse, Injury/Injury detail, Misogyny, Cursing, Death of parent, Physical abuse, Sexual content, and War
jadeyfish's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
inspiring
tense
fast-paced
- 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
3.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Death of parent, and Fire/Fire injury
Moderate: Injury/Injury detail, Sexism, and Sexual content
Minor: Domestic abuse
ee1000's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
My first Fairyloot book! I was excited to read this, especially since I have other books by Danielle Jensen on my TBR. I did enjoy this book overall but there are some things that I hope change in the next book.
I really liked the setting and world building, the magic system rooted in mythology was really cool and I enjoyed seeing that unfold.
I want to hear more from each of these characters, I feel like there’s still enough secrets between everyone that I’m impatient to know what happens next.
What I really want to see is Freya to take control over her own destiny. She doesn’t like being used but her own inner monologue talks frequently about being owned or managed by others. I want so badly to see her be her own person while learning to rely on others to support her, not just manage her.
I’ll most likely pick up the second book when it releases but hopefully Freya grows a bit more in the next novel!
I really liked the setting and world building, the magic system rooted in mythology was really cool and I enjoyed seeing that unfold.
I want to hear more from each of these characters, I feel like there’s still enough secrets between everyone that I’m impatient to know what happens next.
What I really want to see is Freya to take control over her own destiny. She doesn’t like being used but her own inner monologue talks frequently about being owned or managed by others. I want so badly to see her be her own person while learning to rely on others to support her, not just manage her.
I’ll most likely pick up the second book when it releases but hopefully Freya grows a bit more in the next novel!
Content Warnings
Graphic: War, Violence, Gore, Sexism, and Sexual content
Moderate: Injury/Injury detail and Fire/Fire injury
Minor: Sexual assault
sarrie's review against another edition
emotional
sad
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.75
TL;DR: If you enjoy Romantasy you’ll probably enjoy this, if you want nuance or depth maybe go elsewhere.
A Fate Inked in Blood is the newest Romantasy release from Danielle L Jenson, whose Bridge Kingdom is one of the most recommended in the genre. This one is Norse in inspiration about a young woman with the power to make a King after a spoken prophecy.
I can see this doing fantastic - I really can. This is going to be a hit for a lot of readers, especially of Romantasy. Unfortunately for me this was just okay? I found the writing easy, bingable, and quick. And there were moments that I really enjoyed! However I had a huge issue with the characters and what I felt like was very lazy writing in the characterization.
For the most part these characters filled roles, 2 dimensions at most. Our main character is treated as and used as a tool which led to my biggest issue in this. The only characters that weren’t outright sexist for most, if not all of the book, were… well all of them. Even our main love interest in this cracks sexist jokes constantly. Our primary ‘villain’ of the piece is interesting until he starts talking to or about our main character then he looses everything and it’s just sexism and neglect. Most the women in this were cold, or outright bad to our main character, an annoying trope in a lot of romance. All of this could be used well, but it felt like it wasn’t nuanced in any way or had a purpose besides riling up the reader.
As I stated, I enjoyed parts of this, but lack of depth and nuance to these characters just left me annoyed. As an aside, I also felt like the amount of work done to actual capture anything besides the ‘vibe’ of a Norse series was lacking as well. If you’re going in for the ‘fantasy’ or actual character depth, perhaps this is a skip. But if you want just a fast and emotional read, this could be a winner.
3 out of 5 flaming axes
Content Warnings
Graphic: Misogyny, Murder, Violence, Sexism, and Death
Moderate: Sexual content