Reviews with content warning for Blood - A Fate Inked in Blood

This was an interesting take on fantasy. I have personally never read something that was a Nordic based fantasy novel. But I really enjoyed it. I also enjoyed the accent of the voice narrator of the audio book as I did a dual read with both the physical and audiobook.

I liked that we got to see a lot of mythology and the life of people that might have been alive at the time that the book takes place but we also get the fantasy aspect of that they have powers and are supposedly of the gods decent.

There were also a lot of plot twists, especially at the end of the book. I am also unsure that why Bjorn father is under the impression that marrying Freja will make him King of Skaland. Especially if Freja is unfated. He himself may have a fate but that does not mean it can not change because of Freja.

The book had a great mixture of flirting, mystery, Adventure, fighting, tension, and grief all mixed in with the norse mythology. It was a very captivating read.

Also the witty banter and friendship between Freja and Bjorn is great. And how they first meet is one of the best first meets I have read in a while. The spice was okay in this book I almost think that the main event didn't hold up to all the teasing and suspense of evey other "spicy" interaction that Freja and Bjorn had prior.

It was a very well written book, and it hooked me from the very beginning though I do felt that it was a little rushed at the end though I am excited to read the next book in the saga. Whenever it comes out.

Content Warnings

mysticalbluebirdreads's review against another edition

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adventurous hopeful 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

4.0

I loved this book and loved Freya as a character.

I went into this only knowing that it was adventure, magical, and semi romantic. As someone who reads a lot of smut books, I feel like the sex was not needed for the plot. It felt more like a ploy to get that side of book social media.

Overall, still a great book.

Content Warnings

gaby_readsss's review against another edition

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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

jasper_is_atypical's review against another edition

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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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lisashelves's review against another edition

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adventurous dark emotional mysterious tense medium-paced

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

5.0

Content Warnings

whatdebsreads's review against another edition

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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

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soniajoy98's review against another edition

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adventurous dark emotional mysterious sad tense fast-paced

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

3.0

Content Warnings

booksalacarte's review against another edition

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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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