A Fate Inked in Blood

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.

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.

Thanks to NetGalley for the ARC!

2 stars. Not for me.

I sadly just didn't get on with this book. The writing style and tone were not for me. The text felt cold, stilted, awkward and completely lacked descriptions. I couldn't picture the world or feel the characters' emotions. It wasn't immersive in any way for me. It seemed underwritten, while the plot itself was very repetitive.

The promised slow-burn romance involved the couple lusting after each other immediately. And there wasn't a lot of depth to the characters. They were very one-note.

The world-building felt very spotty and underdeveloped. It's just a stream of cliché Viking barbarian men who are drowning in their own masculinity, with women being their little property. Plus some vague allusions to Norse gods. I was also surprised by how brutal and violent the story was. Without anyone batting an eye or having an emotional response!

Not my cup of tea.