A Fate Inked in Blood: Saga of the Unfated, Book 1

This was such a good book! I haven’t had this much fun reading a fantasy book in a minute. The story was refreshing and action packed. The feminine rage, the magic, the Nordic fantasy, the angst!! I felt all of Freya’s anger like it was an extension of myself. Everytime she was forced into doing the bidding of another man I was raging inside for her. I definitely got some lord of the rings vibes when they were inside the mountain with the draug. One thing I really enjoyed about this book was that Freya’s strength in fighting and with her magic did not feel unrealistic for her as a character. She was strong even when she was being controlled by those around her. Bjorn is officially my favorite book boyfriend!!! I need him biblically. Baby boy you are everything to me🫢🫢🫢🫢🫢 The way Bjorn puts her above everyone else and protects her is everything to me. The banter between Bjorn and Freya had me literally laughing out loud. I expected to love him, but not as much as I did. Like my heart is aching. 🥲 Towards the end of the book Freya was really started to grate me nerves. The way she kept defending her family when they only ever put themselves before her made me livid. Like girl why are you just letting everyone make your decisions for you???? Snoori was testing me the entire book. Like the whole time he’s talking about the gods smiling on him due to something Freya did??? Like you didn’t do anything??? Miss Freya girl, you better than me bc I would’ve snapped way sooner. I honestly guessed the twist coming at the end but didn’t want it to be true 😬😬😬 I NEED the next book expeditiously !!!! How am I supposed to stop thinking about this boooook!!!!! I honestly don’t think I can start another book because I am still living in this world 🥲😭🥲😭🥲😭🥲 “I made a sacrifice to the goddess I was named for, begging her to keep my womb empty.” “Quit wanting more Freya, and you shall be content with what you have.” “All the women in Halsar will curse your name if I lose half my fingers.”🫠 “Bjorn tilted his head, his expression considering. "I have a great many doubts," he finally said. "But the courage of Freya Born-in-fire is not one of them." “I wanted you the moment I first set eyes on you. I wanted you in Fjalltindr. I want you now, and tomorrow, and all the tomorrows, Freya.” “You’ve never been alone,” Bjorn said, his voice so soft that no one but me would hear over the wind and my weeping. “I will be at your back until I cross the threshold to Valhalla, Born-in-Fire, whether you want me there or not.” 😭😭😭😭😭😭 “You are mine, Born-in-Fire. Even if only the two of us know it.” “For all your power, Freya, you are little more than a girl-child ruled by impulse and emotion. The gods chose me because you need to be controlled. To be wielded like a weapon, not left to sow chaos. But it seems you need more proof of that before you'll see reason.” 😡😤😡😤😡😤 “So many of those in my life were content to take and take from me, leaving me a barren well. Bjorn alone had taken nothing, asked for nothing, but given me so much. Around him I felt so full, so alive, and I burned with the need to give all of myself to him.”

My Rating: 4.5 Stars I thoroughly enjoyed this book for its Viking Norse mythology, action, and forbidden love. The Viking world was portrayed as real, detailed, and well-conceived. I understood the characters' unpopular decisions as they were reacting in ways typical of that era. They prioritized the needs of their people and family, often marrying to improve social status or chances of survival. The battles depicted in this story were epic in their own right, described so vividly that it felt as though I was watching them unfold before my very eyes. This was my first read from Danielle L. Jensen, and I'm unsure why I hadn't discovered her work earlier; she masterfully envelops you in the narrative of her vivid fantasy realm. It certainly won't be the last book of hers that I read. In addition to the series' second installment, I plan to explore her other writings as well. Freya, a victim of circumstance, strives to navigate her fate as best as she can, often sacrificing her own happiness for the sake of others. Throughout the story, she discovers that she may have the power to control her destiny, despite a lifetime of believing it was predetermined for her. She has withstood a lifetime of being used by those who professed to care for her, exploiting her for their own advantages. Time and again, those around her take advantage of her for their own benefit, reinforcing the notion that she can only rely on herself. Then she meets Bjorn, and her world is turned upside down. He not only introduces drastic life changes and uncovers prophecies that herald change across their nations with Freya at the heart, but he also consistently proves that he prioritizes her above all else. Until she realizes that everything may be a farce. I gave this book a 4.5-star rating because it's disheartening when a main character, after enduring significant anguish and turmoil, is briefly granted happiness, only for it to be swiftly taken away moments later. That's the sensation I believe befell my dear Freya. She was momentarily given a taste of unencumbered happiness, only to have it all collapse as revelations and secrets were unveiled in the story's final pages. Will she ever catch a break? It seems I'll need to delve into the next book of the series to discover whether true happiness is within reach for our fierce shield maiden, born-in-fire.

Bellissimo

A beautifully written, action packed, series debut. Combining the perfect amount of incredible world building with Viking and Norse folklore that is equally parts legendary, and seductive. I really enjoy Danielle’s writing; leaving no time at all to get you hooked, never wanting to stop. Freya does a great job navigating her new life, and remains true to her nature as a fierce FMC; she has been through plenty of cruelty, making some truly difficult decisions, but she would do anything for her people. Bjorn has been through his fair share of trauma as well, but he remains strong, witty, and ultimately so passionate. His love for Freya will make you swoon and laugh; together they are everything. “You’re mine, Born-in-Fire,” he answered, reaching out to take my hand. “And I’m yours, even if only the two of us know it.” An absolute page-turner the whole way through, this tension full Viking romance will have you wishing it was May already so you could dive right into the sequel.

I really liked this book! There was romantic tension throughout the book, but I would only give it one 🌶️ on a spice level. I liked the ending, the story of it, but I did'nt like Freyas stubborness! She hated Snorri, why could she not accept what Bjorn had to say... Im so mad at Freya. I did'nt like that it ended the way it did. But I guess its because it will come a sequel..

It's been ages since I've been so excited for a new release I immediately started reading when the book arrived and it was absolutely worth it. Since I'm a huge fan of the show Vikings I knew I'd love the world the story is set in. The magical/fantastical touch, with the godly gifted people made it the perfect book. The MC are just great and work perfectly together. Freya is a strong and fierce woman who fights for the ones close to her. Bjorn is charming but also caring and determined to protect Freya from harm. I love how their friendship developed throughout their journey. It was enthralling and exciting to the end. I just know this will be one of my new favourite serieses.

✨𝗥𝗲𝘃𝗶𝗲𝘄 + 𝗧𝗿𝗼𝗽𝗲𝘀✨ “𝐼 𝑢𝑠𝑒𝑑 𝑡𝑜 𝑑𝑟𝑒𝑎𝑚 𝑜𝑛𝑙𝑦 𝑜𝑓 𝑓𝑖𝑟𝑒 𝑎𝑛𝑑 𝑎𝑠ℎ,” ℎ𝑒 𝑤ℎ𝑖𝑠𝑝𝑒𝑟𝑒𝑑, 𝑟𝑢𝑛𝑛𝑖𝑛𝑔 𝑎 𝑡ℎ𝑢𝑚𝑏 𝑜𝑣𝑒𝑟 𝑚𝑦 𝑐ℎ𝑒𝑒𝑘 𝑎𝑠 𝐼 𝑙𝑖𝑓𝑡𝑒𝑑 𝑚𝑦 𝑓𝑎𝑐𝑒 𝑡𝑜 𝑚𝑒𝑒𝑡 ℎ𝑖𝑠 𝑔𝑎𝑧𝑒. “𝑁𝑜𝑤 𝑤ℎ𝑒𝑛 𝐼 𝑐𝑙𝑜𝑠𝑒 𝑚𝑦 𝑒𝑦𝑒𝑠, 𝑎𝑙𝑙 𝐼 𝑠𝑒𝑒 𝑖𝑠 𝑦𝑜𝑢𝑟 𝑓𝑎𝑐𝑒.” 🪓 MF Romantasy 🪓 Norse mythology 🪓 Gods / blood of the gods / power 🪓 Vikings 🪓 Forbidden love 🪓 Destiny / prophecy / Chosen one 🪓 Betrayal / secrets 🪓 Battles 🪓 Banter 🪓 Spice🌶️🌶️ 🪓 He falls hard for her, will become very protective, he will do anything for her. 🪓 New Book Boyfriend 🪓 Plot twists 🪓 Cliffhanger ✍️ ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ This is a book I’m going to think about daily .. Saying it was addicting is an understatement, unputdownable-even-if-your-life-is-at-stake is more accurate .. I loved it , how could I not ? Danielle wrote an original Romantasy with a gripping plot. Loved the characters, I mean : Bjorg ! Come on ! just for him you should read it .. the spice is what you can expect in a NA, welcomed after a slow burn , it was enjoyable. The end ? I saw it coming but not all the details .. 👀 but knowing it was coming didn’t lessen the impact but just placed the sequel on my most anticipated release list..