Review: A Fate Inked in Blood

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Bound in an unwanted marriage, Freya spends her days gutting fish, but dreams of becoming a warrior. And of putting an axe in her boorish husband's back.

Freya's dreams abruptly become reality when her husband betrays her to the region's jarl, landing her in a fight to the death against his son. To survive, Freya is forced to reveal her deepest secret: she possesses a drop of a goddess's blood, which gives her magic capable of repelling any attack. A

magic that was foretold would unite the fractured nation of Skaland beneath a king-the one who controls the shield maiden's fate.

Believing he's destined to rule Skaland, the fanatical jarl binds Freya with a blood oath and orders his son, Bjorn, to protect Freya from their enemies. Desperate to prove her strength, Freya must train to fight and learn to control her magic, all while facing perilous tests set by the gods. Except the greatest test of all may be resisting her forbidden attraction to Bjorn. If Freya succumbs to her lust for the charming and fierce warrior, she risks not only her own destiny but the fate of all the people she swore to protect.

Genre: fantasy

Publication date: February 2024

Mature content: yes

Review: Well written but a bit difficult to read. A Fate Inked in Blood is a mix between fantasy and Norse mythology, with a bit of magic and romance thrown in too. The story is interesting (albeit violent) and compelling, but sometimes a had to follow. I still found the plot fairly original, and once you start reading it's difficult to put it aside.

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My main issue with A Fate Inked in Blood was the fact that I couldn't connect with Freya in any way. She's too impulsive, jumps to conclusions without all the facts and goes back and forward too many times - on her loyalties, on her decisions and on her attraction to Bjorn. This is the main reason for my four stars rating. To be honest, if I had to choose between Danielle Jensen's books, then the Bridge Kingdom series would come up winning. 

A Fate Inked in Blood does end at a cliffhanger. so now I'm anxiously waiting for the second book in the series, A Curse Carved in Bone.

Happy readings!

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