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picaresquedreamer's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
Graphic: Fire/Fire injury, Death, Injury/Injury detail, Blood, Sexual content, and Violence
Moderate: Emotional abuse, War, Misogyny, Grief, Animal death, and Death of parent
Minor: Slavery, Kidnapping, and Domestic abuse
spectacles_and_books's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
Freya was such an interesting character, dealing with finding her own sense of self amongst the men who would seek to use her for their own gain.
The Nordic influence of the setting and mythology was so engaging and handled in what I felt to be a really respectful way. The choice of narrator (Nina Yndis) was a perfect choice and it was excellent to hear the pronunciations from an actress with Norwegian heritage.
I can't wait to see the rest of Freya's journey!
Graphic: Death and Sexual content
Moderate: Fire/Fire injury
pm_me_book_recs's review against another edition
- 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
3.5
Graphic: Death of parent, Blood, Fire/Fire injury, Sexual violence, Sexual content, Alcohol, Violence, Drug use, Injury/Injury detail, and War
readingwithgoose's review
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
Graphic: Injury/Injury detail, Violence, Death, Sexual content, Blood, War, and Fire/Fire injury
Minor: Vomit
emmerylynn's review
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.25
Graphic: Fire/Fire injury, War, Sexual content, and Violence
gpfot's review against another edition
- 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? It's complicated
3.75
Graphic: Cursing, Bullying, Death, Alcohol, Fire/Fire injury, Gaslighting, War, Gore, Slavery, Toxic relationship, Violence, Sexual content, Classism, Domestic abuse, Drug use, Grief, Vomit, Blood, Death of parent, Injury/Injury detail, and Murder
figsofpeach's review against another edition
- 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
4.0
Graphic: Death of parent, Violence, Suicide attempt, Fire/Fire injury, and Death
Moderate: Grief
Minor: Vomit
tarfishy's review
- 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
4.25
Graphic: Fire/Fire injury and War
lovelymisanthrope's review
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.0
Freya has always dreamed of being more and fighting in battle. When her husband betrays her, she is forced to reveal to everyone that she is a shield maiden and has been blessed by the gods with incredible gifts. In order to keep Freya safe, Bjorn is tied to her via blood oath, because Bjorn is a fierce and ruthless warrior, and Freya's new husband's son. Now Freya is torn about who to protect, and trying to fight the desires she has on her own.
This is a smutty adult fantasy, so if you enjoy high stakes, high action, and sultry scenes, this might be the next fantasy for you.
Freya was an admirable character, and she seemed to have noble reasons for the decisions she makes, but I did not love her. Freya is so caught up in this idea that she has to protect her family and make decisions that are good for them, that she completely loses herself and what she wants as a person. Additionally, the people she is trying so desperately to protect clearly do not care about her in the same way, and it is infuriating to watch Freya bend over backwards for these people when they can barely bat an eyelash for her. Overall, she felt like a weak protagonist to me, but I hope that she has some personal growth throughout the series.
The magic system felt very approachable. I was able to follow along easily, and everything made sense. However, it was complex enough to keep my attention. This is definitely a difficult line to ride, especially with an introduction to a new fantasy series. Freya's magic was fascinating, and I really enjoyed the mystery around why she was blessed (or cursed) by the gods.
Freya and Bjorn seem pretty good together. It is difficult to determine in this book what everyone's true intentions are, but I am rooting for the pair to be together. I love how Bjorn is forcing Freya to see she is worth more than she is giving herself credit for.
I was pretty irate by the ending of this book, which, in this context, is probably a sign of quality writing. The book ends with a lot of unresolved issues, and what I believe is a major misunderstanding. It made me curious to pick up the next book, but I was also really upset by the outcome.
I will likely pick up the next book out of curiosity.
Graphic: Death, War, Toxic relationship, Sexual content, Violence, Blood, Murder, Torture, and Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Kidnapping and Fire/Fire injury
Minor: Pregnancy
marissaumble's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Graphic: Violence, Grief, Murder, Suicide attempt, Emotional abuse, Fire/Fire injury, Death, Death of parent, and War