Reviews tagging 'Alcohol'

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

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.

Content Warnings

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

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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.

Content Warnings

bookameme's review against another edition

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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

folkofthebook's review against another edition

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adventurous emotional funny hopeful mysterious reflective 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

4.0

“They say being given the blood of a god is a gift,” I whispered. “But it’s a curse.”

It was not lost on me that I’d once dreamed of greatness, and now, presented with it, it felt like the last thing I wanted.

this was an enjoyable fantasy romance. the nordic setting with viking/norse mythology inspiration was a refreshing change from the typical anglican medieval settings we often see in this genre. there are some commonly used fantasy tropes and admittedly this was a bit predictable for me, but the chemistry between freya and bjorn was sizzling and delicious and made it enjoyable to read. the writing paints a vivid picture as we follow the story, with norse rituals and action-packed scenes.

while i enjoyed bridge kingdom, this was definitely an improvement for me. i'm intrigued enough by the end to continue the series with the next book. i might never look at the lemons the same again tho lolllll

“You’ve never been alone,” Bjorn said, his voice so soft that no one but me would hear over the wind and my weeping. “I will be at your back until I cross the threshold to Valhalla, Born-in-Fire, whether you want me there or not.”

“Your looks aren’t good enough to compensate for your tongue.”
In the faint light, I saw him smirk. “Don’t underestimate my tongue, Freya. Especially in the dark.”

“I don’t want to rule,” he answered. “I want you.”

“You are mine, Born-in-Fire. Even if only the two of us know it.”

Content Warnings

krystlethegreat's review against another edition

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adventurous emotional hopeful inspiring mysterious sad tense medium-paced

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

4.5

Great story! Love the Viking vibes. Love the distinctive personalities of our main characters; they felt very authentic to each of their situations. Freya is a little wishy-washy and that can be annoying. I'm hoping for a ton of character growth for her as we move on in the series.

My only real complaint lies with the author using "f*ck" and "bullsh*t" in this otherwise high fantasy world. To me, these few instances of modern languange just felt so out of place in this world, and it would pull me out of the story when they were used. (Handful of times.)

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