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A review by blacksphinx
A Fate Inked In Blood by Danielle L. Jensen
dark
mysterious
medium-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
1.5
This is the first book I've ever finished my skimming the last ~80 pages. It was a book club pick and something I had been highly anticipating. I've been craving a Norse fantasy and this author came highly recommended to me. Oh man, where do I start?
Our protagonist was so insufferably stubborn and I found no redeeming qualities in her. I'm not sure she does one action that someone asks her to for the entire book, even if they would have been to her benefit. She's so hot-and-cold, changing her mind at the drop of a hat to whatever course of action would be the least convenient for her and the people around her. I wanted to like her! I especially loved that opening scene with her love interest; they had banter that I actually enjoyed!? But I was so frustrated with her by the end I couldn't enjoy anything about their romance.
I predicted one of the big main twists from the first moment it was foreshadowed. The other big twist was something I guessed was probably going to happen. It didn't feel fun, it didn't feel like I can solved the author's intricate puzzle and now I was in on it. I spent a lot of this book going "are you serious?" and "how it is not obvious to you!"
The magic makes NO sense and was a constant source of irritation. People who possess the blood of a god are "unfated" and both do not have a destiny/fate of their own and can change the destinies of those around them... but can also be the center of a prophecy and two of them can be destined to be together? How does that make sense!
The final cherry on top is that I could not help but notice the number of named female charactersthat die or betray Freya compared to the named men. Every time I hoped Freya would form a friendship with another woman, something would happen to destroy that relationship.
I am so grateful I hesitated on preordering this book, and will not be continuing with the series.
Our protagonist was so insufferably stubborn and I found no redeeming qualities in her. I'm not sure she does one action that someone asks her to for the entire book, even if they would have been to her benefit. She's so hot-and-cold, changing her mind at the drop of a hat to whatever course of action would be the least convenient for her and the people around her. I wanted to like her! I especially loved that opening scene with her love interest; they had banter that I actually enjoyed!? But I was so frustrated with her by the end I couldn't enjoy anything about their romance.
I predicted one of the big main twists from the first moment it was foreshadowed. The other big twist was something I guessed was probably going to happen. It didn't feel fun, it didn't feel like I can solved the author's intricate puzzle and now I was in on it. I spent a lot of this book going "are you serious?" and "how it is not obvious to you!"
The magic makes NO sense and was a constant source of irritation. People who possess the blood of a god are "unfated" and both do not have a destiny/fate of their own and can change the destinies of those around them... but can also be the center of a prophecy and two of them can be destined to be together? How does that make sense!
The final cherry on top is that I could not help but notice the number of named female characters
I am so grateful I hesitated on preordering this book, and will not be continuing with the series.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Infidelity, Drug use, Injury/Injury detail, Blood, Fire/Fire injury, Death, Sexual content, and Murder
Moderate: Gore, Alcohol, Domestic abuse, Death of parent, Sexism, Vomit, and War
Minor: Kidnapping