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3.92 AVERAGE
3.92 AVERAGE
adventurous
challenging
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
adventurous
challenging
emotional
mysterious
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
adventurous
challenging
dark
mysterious
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
adventurous
funny
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:
Complicated
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
sad
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
N/A
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
Beautiful story and honestly couldn’t put it down. Obsessed with Bjork of course. One of the most unique fantasy novels I’ve read in a long time. I didn’t know I needed a Vikings romance so bad.
My biggest issue with most romantasy novels is the level of dumb bitchness that the plot relies on from the FMC. I’d give Freya a C+ on her dumb bitch score. Because honestly she really should’ve figured out Bjorn hated his father and wasn’t on his side by like chapter 10. And sure we can blame her blood lust on her goddess blood but she did not need Bjorn to need save her THAT much. Also minus points for letting her family manipulate and back stab till their dying breath. But I guess that’s the character arc we’re building for book 2.
My biggest issue with most romantasy novels is the level of dumb bitchness that the plot relies on from the FMC. I’d give Freya a C+ on her dumb bitch score. Because honestly she really should’ve figured out Bjorn hated his father and wasn’t on his side by like chapter 10. And sure we can blame her blood lust on her goddess blood but she did not need Bjorn to need save her THAT much. Also minus points for letting her family manipulate and back stab till their dying breath. But I guess that’s the character arc we’re building for book 2.
adventurous
emotional
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:
Yes
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
N/A
When a book generates as much buzz as this one did, it's hard not to get swept up in the excitement. The synopsis promised a sprawling, Norse-inspired fantasy—a premise I adore—and I went in with high hopes for epic world-building and a compelling romance. Unfortunately, what I found was a story that felt like a shadow of its own potential, earning a 2 star rating from me.
My primary struggle was with the main female character. We are repeatedly told she is kind, compassionate, and fiercely loyal to her family, but these traits are rarely shown through her actions. Her defining characteristic is complaining that no one tells her anything, yet she consistently fails to listen or piece together the obvious clues laid right before her. This created a frustrating loop where her ignorance felt more like a plot device than a genuine character trait. This lack of depth extends to her family; her cruel mother appears late in the story, acting as a convenient obstacle without any meaningful backstory to explain their fractured relationship.
The romance, unfortunately, did little to salvage the experience. The love interest fits a familiar mold: the tall, tattooed, broody man who is only soft for our heroine. His "mysterious" and "reserved" nature felt less like an intentional character choice and more like a lack of characterization. Their connection is almost entirely physical from the start. While initial attraction is fine, the narrative rushes them into declaring their profound love for one another less than halfway through the book, without any of the foundational conversations or moments of genuine emotional intimacy to make it believable. Their "epic love" felt unearned and hollow.
Beyond the characters, the plot plods along at a glacial pace. The antagonist's goals are clear from the outset and remain static, removing any sense of evolving stakes or tension. Similarly, the villainous queen is cruel for the sake of being cruel, which makes her subjects' supposed love for her feel baffling and illogical. The story features several "twists," but two of the three were so heavily foreshadowed that their eventual reveal felt more like an inevitability than a shock.
Most critically, the "Norse-inspired" label feels like a marketing tactic. Aside from a few fleeting mentions of gods, the rich, vibrant mythology promised in the synopsis is almost entirely absent.
Who is this book for? If you are looking for a straightforward, trope-heavy romance where the fantasy elements serve merely as a backdrop, this might be a quick and easy read for you. However, if you, like me, were drawn in by the promise of an epic fantasy with deep lore, complex characters, and a world steeped in Norse mythology, you will likely be left feeling underwhelmed and disappointed.
adventurous
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No