Reviews tagging 'Toxic relationship'

A Fate Inked in Blood by Danielle L. Jensen

11 reviews

dalek_caan's review against another edition

adventurous reflective tense slow-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? Yes

3.25

This was a fun read, while it was pretty predictable I enjoyed the mythology aspects of the book, it was fun to read something a bit different. 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Emotional abuse, Slavery, War, Suicide attempt, Toxic relationship, Death, and Murder

sheebsbooks's review against another edition

adventurous challenging dark emotional mysterious sad 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

4.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Toxic relationship, Death, Death of parent, Gore, Gaslighting, Sexism, Violence, Blood, Fire/Fire injury, Emotional abuse, Grief, Injury/Injury detail, and Murder

eviemayhem's review against another edition

adventurous mysterious tense medium-paced

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

3.75

For the most part, this book was enjoyable. I liked the setting and the premise of Viking demi-gods, however, at certain times things felt out of place. Bjorn was probably the most loveable character and I had a really hard time connecting to Freya. I probably connected better with every other character in the book. The spice scenes often felt out of place or forced with where they were placed in the story and some of the dialogue felt too modern for the time period. Overall, I enjoyed the world building and the story itself so I will probably read the second one.

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Blood, Death, Emotional abuse, Domestic abuse, Murder, and Toxic relationship

emtaylor0217's review against another edition

adventurous emotional tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? N/A
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Violence

Moderate: Toxic relationship and War

Minor: Kidnapping and Murder

gpfot's review against another edition

adventurous emotional inspiring medium-paced

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

3.75

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Cursing, Bullying, Death, Alcohol, Fire/Fire injury, Gaslighting, War, Gore, Slavery, Toxic relationship, Violence, Sexual content, Classism, Domestic abuse, Drug use, Grief, Vomit, Blood, Death of parent, Injury/Injury detail, and Murder

lovelymisanthrope's review against another edition

adventurous dark emotional mysterious sad tense medium-paced

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

3.0

I received a copy of this book as part of my subscription to FairyLoot.
Freya has always dreamed of being more and fighting in battle. When her husband betrays her, she is forced to reveal to everyone that she is a shield maiden and has been blessed by the gods with incredible gifts. In order to keep Freya safe, Bjorn is tied to her via blood oath, because Bjorn is a fierce and ruthless warrior, and Freya's new husband's son. Now Freya is torn about who to protect, and trying to fight the desires she has on her own.
This is a smutty adult fantasy, so if you enjoy high stakes, high action, and sultry scenes, this might be the next fantasy for you.
Freya was an admirable character, and she seemed to have noble reasons for the decisions she makes, but I did not love her. Freya is so caught up in this idea that she has to protect her family and make decisions that are good for them, that she completely loses herself and what she wants as a person. Additionally, the people she is trying so desperately to protect clearly do not care about her in the same way, and it is infuriating to watch Freya bend over backwards for these people when they can barely bat an eyelash for her. Overall, she felt like a weak protagonist to me, but I hope that she has some personal growth throughout the series.
The magic system felt very approachable. I was able to follow along easily, and everything made sense. However, it was complex enough to keep my attention. This is definitely a difficult line to ride, especially with an introduction to a new fantasy series. Freya's magic was fascinating, and I really enjoyed the mystery around why she was blessed (or cursed) by the gods.
Freya and Bjorn seem pretty good together. It is difficult to determine in this book what everyone's true intentions are, but I am rooting for the pair to be together. I love how Bjorn is forcing Freya to see she is worth more than she is giving herself credit for.
I was pretty irate by the ending of this book, which, in this context, is probably a sign of quality writing. The book ends with a lot of unresolved issues, and what I believe is a major misunderstanding. It made me curious to pick up the next book, but I was also really upset by the outcome.
I will likely pick up the next book out of curiosity. 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Death, War, Toxic relationship, Sexual content, Violence, Blood, Murder, Torture, and Injury/Injury detail

Moderate: Kidnapping and Fire/Fire injury

Minor: Pregnancy

booksthatburn's review against another edition

emotional medium-paced

• 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

I liked the beginning, got frustrated in the middle, and didn't like the ending.

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Content Warnings

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

goldenjoy's review against another edition

adventurous dark mysterious 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

4.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Death and Gore

Moderate: Gore, Infidelity, Death of parent, Drug use, Toxic relationship, Fire/Fire injury, Murder, and Sexual harassment

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.

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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

booksalacarte's review against another edition

adventurous challenging dark emotional funny hopeful inspiring mysterious reflective sad tense fast-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

4.75

A Fate Inked in Blood

4.75⭐️ 3.25🌶️

Fantasy Romance

Viking Fantasy

Forbidden Romance

Gods

Magic

Secrets

War

Slow burn

Forced proximity

I really enjoyed this book so much! You could really tell that DLJ has grown as an author since her Bridge Kingdom series started. I am so excited to see where this series goes, I still have so many questions!

The magic system was interesting and the idea that everyone is fated, except the children of gods is an interesting way to approach the system. 

The FMC was torn between her selfish nature and wanting to protect others. It’s such a real struggle that I was rooting for her and frustrated by her at the same time. 

The plot was fairly steady. I didn’t feel like there were many lulls in the action, even when there was a break from fighting. The twists and turns were foreshadowed well and left just enough for me to still be surprised by the nature of the ending.

Thank you NetGalley and Random House Publishing Group- Ballantine for a eARC of this book. All opinions are my own.

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Colonisation, Cursing, Drug use, Domestic abuse, Misogyny, Slavery, Suicidal thoughts, Gaslighting, Infidelity, Injury/Injury detail, Sexual content, Alcohol, Murder, Suicide attempt, Toxic relationship, War, Kidnapping, Vomit, Fire/Fire injury, Emotional abuse, Grief, Blood, Death, Incest, and Violence