A Fate Inked in Blood

Please allow me to wax poetic for a moment. I'm very endeared to this book because it got me out of a big reading slump, in a way that I could not put it down. Every free moment, I was trying to sneak a chapter. It was nice to get stuck into a book like that again.

It also introduced me to Fantasy Romance as a genre. I've been striking out with Romantasy but kept trying them to sate that craving. In the end, the romance is always too overblown and dramatic for me. Fantasy Romance and Fate especially is the perfect balance of fantasy action and romantic tension that I've been looking for so I'm excited to play in that sandbox in the future.

Ok, ok back to the book, I love how immersive Danielle Jensen's writing is, from the world building to fleshing out the characters and the magic system- you get a lot of background that helpfully adds to the story instead of bogging you down.

Speaking of characters - Freya might just be one of my favorite fantasy FMC yet. She's headstrong and fiesty (her bantering with Bjorn is what I live for). She also curious and so caring despite all that the gods/life has heaped on her.

Freya yearns for someone to care for her unconditionally. To not second guess her choices and to treat her as a person and not a weapon and that is Bjorn from the jump. He shows her with words and actions that she's worthy of her power and stands by her side with both her life choices and in battle.

(also his love language is definitely touch which for 100% touched starved Freya is a gift and she deserves

Few books can ever get me to read them without closely paying attention to what page number I'm on to see how much I've read in a sitting or how much longer I have. A Fate Inked In Blood is one of those books that when I start reading, it is difficult to put back down, especially when reading after a subpar book. The writing of the characters, their emotions, their behavior, and their thoughts feel real and human. Freya isn't just some Shield Maiden, she is a woman living in a world in which women are used for the advancement of men, be it politically or for furthering the "Legacy". She carries guilt and trauma, but still has room for love towards the ones who treated her poorly or well.

The chemistry between her and Bjorn, her love interest, is great and feels real (which I feel a lot of books that center romance to any degree miss nowadays). He is playful in his flirting, serious in his love declarations, and hurt when he has an altercation with others, especially Freya. This also makes the sex scenes between them have actual passion and value, and worth actually reading. The amount of scenes is also sensible, which is also becoming a lost art with many books (which are not erotica) unfortunately.

The pacing of the book is leaning towards great, though I don't really like how quickly they travel from one point to the next, but this book isn't really high-fantasy, so it is expected. The plot is very interesting and remains so throughout the entire book. I never felt that there was a lull in the writing, even if the events happening involve minimal to no action. The writing is purposeful and real, and I'm foaming at the mouth that I have to wait until spring of next year for the second book.

💬: "I'll let the past burn to ash, Freya, because you are my present. My future. My destiny."

Jensen L. Danielle. A Fate Inked in Blood (Saga of the Unfated Book 1) (p. ?). Del Rey. Kindle Edition.

📖Genres: fantasy, romance, romantasy, mythology (Norse), vikings

📚Page Count: 400

🎧Audiobook Length: 15h 16min

👩🏾‍🏫My Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️ - 3/5

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A Fate Inked in Blood by Danielle L. Jensen is the first book in the Saga of the Unfated series. This story is about Freya who is a Goddess Blessed fisher man's wife in an unwanted marriage. After her fisher man husband breaks faith with Freya and betrays her to the local Jarl, the local Jarl orders her to fight his son, Bjorn, to the death. Secretly, Freya has the blood of a Goddess on her side, that helps her survive the fight. Soon after she gets the news that she is the shield maiden that is supposed to make this particular Jarl, the King. That was foreseen in a prophecy. The Jarl then forces Freya to bind herself to him and thus begins the saga of Freya learning how to fight and tame her magic. Will she be able to ignore the lingering lust she feels for the Jarl's son?

This book had interesting parts, but it did not do a good job of keeping my attention throughout the book. I had such high hopes for this book. Mostly because it's so highly rated amongst my peers but also because the beginning of the story was really good so I expected the action and the overall story to keep up a good pace. The first 25% was interesting, the next 50% really dragged on and was boring, and the last 25% had everything thrown in there, in an exciting way (spicy scenes, action, fighting, surprises, secrets, and a cliff hanger.)

There was one spicy scene <spoiler> in the middle of the book</spoiler> and there are two more spicy scenes <spoiler>at the end of the book.</spoiler> Yes there are many ways to be intimate with someone but I really hated that we had to wait until <spoiler>the end of the book for the two love interests to have intercourse.</spoiler> I'm giving the spicy scenes two chilis 🌶️ out of five chilies.

Overall, I had high expectations going into this book but it was just okay. The beginning and the ending were very exciting, but the middle of the book was really boring. I'm giving this 3 out of 5 stars.

⭐️⭐️⭐️ - 3/5 Stars

I listened to this for free on the library app [Libbyapp.com]

I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own. (via Netgalley)

This moved at a good pace for and I read the whole thing in one sitting. I liked the Norse elements.

However, I think I need to stop request ARCs for new series because waiting for the next one to come out when this isn't out is the WORST. THAT ENDING.