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3.92 AVERAGE
3.92 AVERAGE
Ugh, this book was so bad, that I swear it has been responsible for my reading slump since April this year. The problem is that it kept masquerading like a book with a plot and characters that might have the potential for a minimal amount of complexity, but my bad, it was just a bad exercise in edging. Our main girl Freya, come ON, get it together, so deeply obsessed with the idea of keeping her family ‘protected’ for most of the book that she signs up for this servitude? She volunteered for that stupid oath??? Where is the plotting, the scheming, the figuring out a damn plan to get out of this? Like I get it, she is young and making young decisions, but it pissed me off. It felt like nothing happened in this book, the pacing is so slow, and it pretends that things are moving on because oh they’re doing this thing, now that thing, now here’s a thing, oh we’re conflicting, now we’re lusting after Bjorn who is CLEARLY up to some shit. So glad it’s over, now I’m freed, I guess I pulled a Freya with this book and suffered through when I could have ended it early.
adventurous
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
I loved loved every minute reading this book. The battles were intense, and the MCs' chemistry was just so engaging and interesting to read. This was actually my first time reading a Norse inspired fantasy, and I was definitely not disappointed.
One thing about me is that I love reading about powerful women and it gave it to me. Freya is strong, fierce, and brave. She’s also painfully impulsive. While some of that can be chalked up to desperation to help people, especially those she loved, her family, I still hated how she kept protecting people who would never do the same for her. Her decision making had me frowning a lot, but I was still fully invested in her journey. Her brother is a goat. An entitled one. Could not stand him.
I also really appreciated how the author wrote in the effects of weather on their journey. It's such an underrated detail in fantasy books. It added a whole new layer of realism to everything going on.
Danielle is an incredible writer. Her descriptions are so vivid that you feel like you’re right there with the characters. The tension is strong. The emotions are heavy.
And that ending?? I knew Bjorn was hiding something, but not that. The betrayal was massive, and I felt every ounce of Freya’s heartbreak. I know there’s more to come in book two. Maybe some explanations will help, but I can’t lie. Right now, I’m not over it.
Absolutely amazing read. Can’t wait for the next one.
One thing about me is that I love reading about powerful women and it gave it to me. Freya is strong, fierce, and brave. She’s also painfully impulsive. While some of that can be chalked up to desperation to help people, especially those she loved, her family, I still hated how she kept protecting people who would never do the same for her. Her decision making had me frowning a lot, but I was still fully invested in her journey. Her brother is a goat. An entitled one. Could not stand him.
I also really appreciated how the author wrote in the effects of weather on their journey. It's such an underrated detail in fantasy books. It added a whole new layer of realism to everything going on.
Danielle is an incredible writer. Her descriptions are so vivid that you feel like you’re right there with the characters. The tension is strong. The emotions are heavy.
And that ending?? I knew Bjorn was hiding something, but not that. The betrayal was massive, and I felt every ounce of Freya’s heartbreak. I know there’s more to come in book two. Maybe some explanations will help, but I can’t lie. Right now, I’m not over it.
Absolutely amazing read. Can’t wait for the next one.
I am a simple gal... I find a mythology-inspired romance novel with a pretty cover, and I am contractually obligated to read it.
Overall, I'd say this book was pretty good! I haven't spent a lot of time reading Norse-inspired works, so I really enjoyed the viking fantasy vibes. Freya is a GREAT character in the beginning—we love a hot-headed, independent protagonist; however, she frequently teeters the line between "strong-willed" and "stubborn and obtuse" as the story goes on. She is a VERY flawed character, and while I appreciate that she's not a classic Mary Sue, it does become hard to root for her when her "flaws" start to translate to "killing the innocent in a murderous rampage." There is, however, a "reason" for this, but it's not revealed until the VERY end—leaving you on a massive cliffhanger.
Bjorn is perfect. No notes.
I'd probably give this one a 3.5/5 just because Freya had me rolling my eyes at her stupidity toward the middle/end, but overall, I was entertained and am looking forward to the next one!
Overall, I'd say this book was pretty good! I haven't spent a lot of time reading Norse-inspired works, so I really enjoyed the viking fantasy vibes. Freya is a GREAT character in the beginning—we love a hot-headed, independent protagonist; however, she frequently teeters the line between "strong-willed" and "stubborn and obtuse" as the story goes on. She is a VERY flawed character, and while I appreciate that she's not a classic Mary Sue, it does become hard to root for her when her "flaws" start to translate to "killing the innocent in a murderous rampage." There is, however, a "reason" for this, but it's not revealed until the VERY end—leaving you on a massive cliffhanger.
Bjorn is perfect. No notes.
I'd probably give this one a 3.5/5 just because Freya had me rolling my eyes at her stupidity toward the middle/end, but overall, I was entertained and am looking forward to the next one!
adventurous
mysterious
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Complicated
Started with so much promise and it had its exciting moments! Saw the twist coming by the halfway point and followed the connect the dots path to the end. I wasn’t thrilled by it but I will read the next one.
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
tense
slow-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
Got a stepmom kink?
A little something for every fantasy lover. Historical references (Vikings), god-given powers, forbidden romance, undead, intense action/war/battle scenes, prophetic legends.
Synopsis
Freya is sold by her slimy husband to jarl Snorri for a bit of gold to be used as political leverage in his conquest of Skaland. A prophecy has fortold that a child blessed by the goddess Hlin will help a new king in uniting the clans. Once Freya is revealed to be this promised beacon, the rival clans and their jarls (though still doubtful Snorri is the right king to rule) all seek her for themselves. As protection for his new wife, Snorri commands his eldest son, Bjorn to protect her and train her in battle. Claimed by the gods, Freya is thrust into the life of battle she yearned for, but with the extra weight of her duties as this promised Shield Maiden. She finds the path to glory often puts her at odds with the morals she wishes to live by. Living beholden to Snorri’s tyrannical aspirations (disguised as the will of the gods) Freya tries to embody both the hero she wants to be and the weapon she has been made to be. With Bjorn’s guidance can she help to create the kingdom she wishes to represent or will she allow her magic and public distrust to distort her values and turn her into darkness?
Review
This is definitely my favorite of the Norse inspired fantasy I have read so far. I think the setting still wasn’t quite my preferred flavor of but the violence and characterizations were pretty well-done.
I liked that the romance with Bjorn was slow-burn, we got to see them bond and banter in their travels. The threats they faced and suspicions they dodged together made the relationship believable.
Though the magic system was a bit lazy/underdeveloped (activate your magic by shouting the name of your godly parent), the variety of powers and utilizations of them were interesting. I wish the gods or at least their lore had been explained a bit more thoroughly to the reader because it was a central part of the characters’ lives and motivations, but never expanded to us.
I can’t say Freya was my favorite FMC baddie I’ve read, but she wasn’t childish or annoying at least, and I did hate her family.
My biggest gripe with the book was especially present near the end because about once every other page it was mentioned how Freya was “used”. It was a really good irritant too! I had seen that same issue with everyone Freya came across but the author putting it in dialogue every chance she got became annoying and ended up not being as effective. Her family used her as a scapegoat, Bjorn used her for a political piece, Snorri used her as a weapon and figurehead. Every. Dang. Paragraph. Freya would have had a much more powerful come up if Jensen hadn’t used that idea so much!
Snorri’s obsession with becoming jarl over all of Skaland served to add tension/pressure to the plot. Though this was more of a lead up to a bigger war, and really the story of Freya’s self-discovery, the plot still felt steady and moved forward decently.
Quotes
Content Warnings
Moderate: Violence, Fire/Fire injury
Minor: Sexual content, Death of parent, Murder
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:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
medium-paced