Scan barcode
jackie_recommends's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
reflective
tense
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? Yes
3.0
This is for the readers who loved the show Vikings (the main mmc is even named Bjorn), but wanted it to have magical powers.
The story was alright, but I personally found the fmc to be grating, and I saw the twist coming from the first time the plotline was introduced. BUT it's a fun deviation for Jensen, and if you want a fantasy-lite read, then go for this!
The story was alright, but I personally found the fmc to be grating, and I saw the twist coming from the first time the plotline was introduced. BUT it's a fun deviation for Jensen, and if you want a fantasy-lite read, then go for this!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Blood
Moderate: Emotional abuse, Death of parent, Fire/Fire injury, Death, and Domestic abuse
Burnskoistyfishy's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
inspiring
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
5 Born-in-Fire Stars ⭐
Spicy Level: 🌶️🌶️/5
I’ve had this book approved for a very long time, and I just kind of kept brushing it off. BUT LIKE WHY DID I WAIT SO LONG? I seriously wish that I could go back in time and kick some flipping sense into my past self because had I known this would be such an amazing masterpiece that I was just IGNORING, I would have jumped on it sooner!!!
It has been a really long time since I have read anything by Danielle L. Jensen, like November 2022 long, so I basically forgot how much I absolutely love and adore her writing and stories. This is a single-POV that follows Freya, a God-blessed Shield-Maiden in hiding with dreams of being in a Warband. However, she is stuck in a loveless marriage as a fisherman's wife. One day her husband betrays her to her Jarl, who has been spending the last 20 years looking for Freya, believing in a prophecy that says "he who controls her fate shall unite the nation and rule the land". The Jarl forces Freya to do his bidding and orders his son Bjorn to protect and train her. Soon Freya finds herself thrust into the warrior life she has always pined for, but the biggest battle she has to fight is the forbidden attraction between herself and Bjorn.
Freya just doesn’t catch a break. From very early on she is constantly faced with near-death experiences, pain, suffering, and the terrible reality that everyone wants to possess, use her, or kill her. She was a literal rope in a tug-of-war for power, and I am surprised she didn't snap given the weight of the world basically rests on her shoulders. This reinforces how strong her characterization felt as she never gave up, no matter how bad it got. She was tenacious, brave, unselfish and incredibly self-sacrificing to protect her family (even when they treated her like crap).
I also appreciated that Freya felt and acted so mature for her age (and didn't feel like she was only 20 - being in my thirties I like it when I can connect to characters). Her hard life and upbringing in the times of Vikings have shaped and moulded her into a person who can withstand hardships and that made her incredibly admirable. It was interesting to see how the girl with the dream of being in a Warband is faced with the harsh reality that everything she hoped for and dreamt about is skewed and wrong.
I just knew from the very moment that Bjorn was introduced that I was going to love him. He is cocky, mysterious, quick-witted, charming and a total flirt. But is so loyal and protective of Freya that it was just adorable watching the two of them interact. I loved how numerous perceptions Freya had of him were constantly disproven, and I swooned and giggled at the constant witty banter between the two. The chemistry and tension between them were off the charts and just SO. WELL. WRITTEN!!!!
The writing in this is stunning but gritty and raw! It’s captivating but harsh at the same time and feels like the time of the Vikings. If you love anything Norse Mythology, then you are going to love this! I felt like I was there! I could feel the world, feel how the Gods wove themselves into this story, and I could taste and feel the environment. The way that the world-building pulled on the traditional Mythology but wove in an intricate magic system and lore in this is spectacular; I swear I felt the air tingle as I was taken on the journey with Freya. I also appreciated that I didn't need to know much about the Mythology to grasp an understanding of the story. Sometimes when reading a book based on Mythology, a background in the Mythology is needed before jumping in. But not this time as not once did I feel lost, confused or overwhelmed by the lore.
There are two things I believe could have been done better. The first is the timeline pacing. The timeline from when she is taken from her village to the climax of the book happens VERY QUICKLY (Like mental maths - about 2 weeks max). As mentioned earlier, it felt like Freya never actually catches a break and the moment things seem to be calming down things SPIKE UP. Given this, the relationship development between Bjorn and Freya could be seen VERY Instalovie, and she went from not being an "official" warrior to being a warrior...in only a few days. If, like me, you imagine that it's a few weeks, then the story seems a little more believable (especially given the amount of travelling that happens in this story)
The second is the predictability of the plot twists. I was able to see the major shocks pretty early from the start and predict the outcome of a few things VERY EARLY on. This isn't an issue as the way the story progressed and these were revealed was done well.
All in all, I am not going to let my issues detract from the fact that I adored this! This is an exciting start to the Saga of the Unfated, and I am almost annoyed after THAT ENDING that we have to wait so long now for the next book because I NEED MY HANDS ON IT NOW!
Your Trope Summary:
▶ Norse Mythology/Viking Inspired
▶ Forbidden Romance (Fathers "Wife")
▶ One Horse
▶ Touch Her/Him You Die
▶ Bodyguard/Charge Vibes
▶ Forced Proximity
▶ Slow Burn but INSTANT TENSION
So do yourself a favour and read this- don't be stupid like me and wait. DO. NOT. SIT. ON. THIS. BOOK! RUN! Don't walk....SPRINT EVEN and pick it up because it's so so so so so so good!
Thank you Netgalley and Random House Publishing Group for my gifted ARC copy.
Spicy Level: 🌶️🌶️/5
I’ve had this book approved for a very long time, and I just kind of kept brushing it off. BUT LIKE WHY DID I WAIT SO LONG? I seriously wish that I could go back in time and kick some flipping sense into my past self because had I known this would be such an amazing masterpiece that I was just IGNORING, I would have jumped on it sooner!!!
It has been a really long time since I have read anything by Danielle L. Jensen, like November 2022 long, so I basically forgot how much I absolutely love and adore her writing and stories. This is a single-POV that follows Freya, a God-blessed Shield-Maiden in hiding with dreams of being in a Warband. However, she is stuck in a loveless marriage as a fisherman's wife. One day her husband betrays her to her Jarl, who has been spending the last 20 years looking for Freya, believing in a prophecy that says "he who controls her fate shall unite the nation and rule the land". The Jarl forces Freya to do his bidding and orders his son Bjorn to protect and train her. Soon Freya finds herself thrust into the warrior life she has always pined for, but the biggest battle she has to fight is the forbidden attraction between herself and Bjorn.
Freya just doesn’t catch a break. From very early on she is constantly faced with near-death experiences, pain, suffering, and the terrible reality that everyone wants to possess, use her, or kill her. She was a literal rope in a tug-of-war for power, and I am surprised she didn't snap given the weight of the world basically rests on her shoulders. This reinforces how strong her characterization felt as she never gave up, no matter how bad it got. She was tenacious, brave, unselfish and incredibly self-sacrificing to protect her family (even when they treated her like crap).
I also appreciated that Freya felt and acted so mature for her age (and didn't feel like she was only 20 - being in my thirties I like it when I can connect to characters). Her hard life and upbringing in the times of Vikings have shaped and moulded her into a person who can withstand hardships and that made her incredibly admirable. It was interesting to see how the girl with the dream of being in a Warband is faced with the harsh reality that everything she hoped for and dreamt about is skewed and wrong.
I just knew from the very moment that Bjorn was introduced that I was going to love him. He is cocky, mysterious, quick-witted, charming and a total flirt. But is so loyal and protective of Freya that it was just adorable watching the two of them interact. I loved how numerous perceptions Freya had of him were constantly disproven, and I swooned and giggled at the constant witty banter between the two. The chemistry and tension between them were off the charts and just SO. WELL. WRITTEN!!!!
The writing in this is stunning but gritty and raw! It’s captivating but harsh at the same time and feels like the time of the Vikings. If you love anything Norse Mythology, then you are going to love this! I felt like I was there! I could feel the world, feel how the Gods wove themselves into this story, and I could taste and feel the environment. The way that the world-building pulled on the traditional Mythology but wove in an intricate magic system and lore in this is spectacular; I swear I felt the air tingle as I was taken on the journey with Freya. I also appreciated that I didn't need to know much about the Mythology to grasp an understanding of the story. Sometimes when reading a book based on Mythology, a background in the Mythology is needed before jumping in. But not this time as not once did I feel lost, confused or overwhelmed by the lore.
There are two things I believe could have been done better. The first is the timeline pacing. The timeline from when she is taken from her village to the climax of the book happens VERY QUICKLY (Like mental maths - about 2 weeks max). As mentioned earlier, it felt like Freya never actually catches a break and the moment things seem to be calming down things SPIKE UP. Given this, the relationship development between Bjorn and Freya could be seen VERY Instalovie, and she went from not being an "official" warrior to being a warrior...in only a few days. If, like me, you imagine that it's a few weeks, then the story seems a little more believable (especially given the amount of travelling that happens in this story)
The second is the predictability of the plot twists. I was able to see the major shocks pretty early from the start and predict the outcome of a few things VERY EARLY on. This isn't an issue as the way the story progressed and these were revealed was done well.
All in all, I am not going to let my issues detract from the fact that I adored this! This is an exciting start to the Saga of the Unfated, and I am almost annoyed after THAT ENDING that we have to wait so long now for the next book because I NEED MY HANDS ON IT NOW!
Your Trope Summary:
▶ Norse Mythology/Viking Inspired
▶ Forbidden Romance (Fathers "Wife")
▶ One Horse
▶ Touch Her/Him You Die
▶ Bodyguard/Charge Vibes
▶ Forced Proximity
▶ Slow Burn but INSTANT TENSION
So do yourself a favour and read this- don't be stupid like me and wait. DO. NOT. SIT. ON. THIS. BOOK! RUN! Don't walk....SPRINT EVEN and pick it up because it's so so so so so so good!
Thank you Netgalley and Random House Publishing Group for my gifted ARC copy.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death of parent, Domestic abuse, Kidnapping, Murder, Death, Gaslighting, Physical abuse, Injury/Injury detail, War, Violence, Emotional abuse, Grief, Sexual content, Blood, and Vomit
Minor: Rape
thecanadianbookworm's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
Thank you so much to the author, publisher and Netgalley for the opportunity to read and review this book early.
Right off the bat: wow. I was so taken in by this world and these characters. Such a strong start, and the momentum keeps up!
Freya has spent her life longing for the glory of battle, while being forced to hide her God given magic. But, of course, nothing can stay hidden forever.
After her magic is forcefully revealed, she is whisked away from her small fishing village to join the side of Snorri, the Jarl who believes he is to control Freya's fate.
Children with God's blood are believed to create their own fate, free of the threads that bind mortals. But Freya finds herself bound by a Seer's visions of her rise to glory, and her own desperation to save her family from the Jarl's wrath.
Honestly, I thought I knew where this book was headed.. and many times I was wrong. Which is truly the best part!
I have also come to *love* Jensen's ability to write a slow burn. *THE TENSION* 👌👌
I cannot wait to see where this series goes!
Right off the bat: wow. I was so taken in by this world and these characters. Such a strong start, and the momentum keeps up!
Freya has spent her life longing for the glory of battle, while being forced to hide her God given magic. But, of course, nothing can stay hidden forever.
After her magic is forcefully revealed, she is whisked away from her small fishing village to join the side of Snorri, the Jarl who believes he is to control Freya's fate.
Children with God's blood are believed to create their own fate, free of the threads that bind mortals. But Freya finds herself bound by a Seer's visions of her rise to glory, and her own desperation to save her family from the Jarl's wrath.
Honestly, I thought I knew where this book was headed.. and many times I was wrong. Which is truly the best part!
I have also come to *love* Jensen's ability to write a slow burn. *THE TENSION* 👌👌
I cannot wait to see where this series goes!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Blood, Violence, Murder, War, Gore, Death of parent, Sexual content, Injury/Injury detail, Death, and Fire/Fire injury
Moderate: Grief, Slavery, Emotional abuse, Animal death, Animal cruelty, and Misogyny
Minor: Vomit and Kidnapping
carolibrary's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content, Gore, Violence, Fire/Fire injury, and Blood
Moderate: Suicide attempt and Vomit
_charliesbooks_'s review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Classism, Death of parent, Infidelity, and Sexual content
Moderate: Blood
befthhh's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
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? No
4.5
*I received an eARC of this book via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review*
Of all the fantasies I’ve ever read, this is the first based in Norse mythology that I’ve tried out, and I’m so glad I did! Right from the first chapter, Freya’s strength and wit had me rooting for her character. Throughout the book, the way she is at war with herself, caught between what’s best for her, her family, and her nation, was a very relatable conflict.
The chemistry between Freya and Bjorn was on fire (literally!) from the beginning and I loved watching their relationship develop despite all the obstacles in their way.
The world building was excellent, the intrigue at just the right level, and the twist(s) at the end were revealed perfectly. I cannot wait for the next in this series!
Of all the fantasies I’ve ever read, this is the first based in Norse mythology that I’ve tried out, and I’m so glad I did! Right from the first chapter, Freya’s strength and wit had me rooting for her character. Throughout the book, the way she is at war with herself, caught between what’s best for her, her family, and her nation, was a very relatable conflict.
The chemistry between Freya and Bjorn was on fire (literally!) from the beginning and I loved watching their relationship develop despite all the obstacles in their way.
The world building was excellent, the intrigue at just the right level, and the twist(s) at the end were revealed perfectly. I cannot wait for the next in this series!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Fire/Fire injury, Death, Blood, and Violence
juliannareads's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Wow, the queen of fantasy romance has done it again! A heart-pounding adventure with an incredible romance and danger and twists around every corner. I devoured this one and can’t wait until the next book in the series comes out. I adored the Vikings setting and the Norse mythology inspired magic system. And the slow-burn forbidden romance was perfection 🌶️🌶️
Content Warnings
Moderate: War, Death, Violence, and Blood
Minor: Cursing and Kidnapping
ta2dlibrarian's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
emotional
inspiring
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- 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
4.5
Riveting, fast-paced Viking-lore romance with a cliff- hanger ending!*
Freya is stuck in an abusive marriage to keep her loved ones safe until she meets Bjorn, a handsome son of a neighboring jarl, and in a wild twist of fate she murders her husband and reveals her secret: she is a daughter of Hiln and gifted the ability to protect herself by invoking the obscure goddesses name. What follows is a wirl-wind adventure and slow- burn romance as Freya grows into her powers and fights her fate as she fights for the people she cares about.
Cannot wait for the sequel to find out how Freya's journey ends!
*Honest review in exchange for a preview copy
Freya is stuck in an abusive marriage to keep her loved ones safe until she meets Bjorn, a handsome son of a neighboring jarl, and in a wild twist of fate she murders her husband and reveals her secret: she is a daughter of Hiln and gifted the ability to protect herself by invoking the obscure goddesses name. What follows is a wirl-wind adventure and slow- burn romance as Freya grows into her powers and fights her fate as she fights for the people she cares about.
Cannot wait for the sequel to find out how Freya's journey ends!
*Honest review in exchange for a preview copy
Content Warnings
Graphic: War, Blood, Violence, Sexual content, and Fire/Fire injury
Moderate: Suicide attempt and Toxic relationship
booktalkwithrae's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
funny
mysterious
reflective
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
4.5
Danielle is one of my favourite authors and she did not disappoint! Though this is not my favourite by her, it was everything I wanted in a book with Norse mythology. I loved the brutality of the world, the Gods and mythology, the characters, romance and adventure.
I will admit that Freya is not the most likeable character. And her character doesn’t get better as the story goes on. But because of the world she’s in and the brutality she faced before the books started, you can’t help but understand why she’s unlikable. She’s had to deal with a lot of shit in a man’s world l.
The Norse mythology was so well done. I don’t know much about it but Danielle does a great job in informing her readers about the Gods so they have a better understanding.
Danielle immediately captured my attention with this book. From the first page, I cannot put it down. The banter between the characters are always my favourite and definitely a highlight of this book. I don’t know how I’m going to wait for the next book because that ending… Damn. Currently Danielle is in the middle of writing free book series, so I don’t expect to get a sequel soon. But when it comes out, I’ll be the first one in line!!
Enemies to lovers
Forbidden romance
Smut 🌶️
Banter
Gods
Norse mythology
Fighting
Action
Adventure
Prophecies
Secrets
Magic
Thank you to Del Ray for an eARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.
I will admit that Freya is not the most likeable character. And her character doesn’t get better as the story goes on. But because of the world she’s in and the brutality she faced before the books started, you can’t help but understand why she’s unlikable. She’s had to deal with a lot of shit in a man’s world l.
The Norse mythology was so well done. I don’t know much about it but Danielle does a great job in informing her readers about the Gods so they have a better understanding.
Danielle immediately captured my attention with this book. From the first page, I cannot put it down. The banter between the characters are always my favourite and definitely a highlight of this book. I don’t know how I’m going to wait for the next book because that ending… Damn. Currently Danielle is in the middle of writing free book series, so I don’t expect to get a sequel soon. But when it comes out, I’ll be the first one in line!!
Enemies to lovers
Forbidden romance
Smut 🌶️
Banter
Gods
Norse mythology
Fighting
Action
Adventure
Prophecies
Secrets
Magic
Thank you to Del Ray for an eARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content, War, Blood, and Violence
moonlitreading_'s review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
hopeful
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
“How can a man control your fate when he is not even the master of his own?”
I loved Danielle L. Jensen’s The Bridge Kingdom series, so giving this book a low rating pains me greatly. I went in with high expectations because of the said series but ended up disappointed. This was a fast read, I finished it in a day or two, but it got boring for me around the middle to end.
This is a fantasy romance book which means it focuses on the romance more. Even so, that part of the book was a bit of a snooze for me because it was instalust and the relationship felt underdeveloped.
Thank you Netgalley and Random House Publishing Group for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
I loved Danielle L. Jensen’s The Bridge Kingdom series, so giving this book a low rating pains me greatly. I went in with high expectations because of the said series but ended up disappointed. This was a fast read, I finished it in a day or two, but it got boring for me around the middle to end.
This is a fantasy romance book which means it focuses on the romance more. Even so, that part of the book was a bit of a snooze for me because it was instalust and the relationship felt underdeveloped.
Thank you Netgalley and Random House Publishing Group for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content, Violence, War, Injury/Injury detail, and Blood
More...