ARC Review: A Fate Inked in Blood (Saga of the Unfated, #1)

I received this book for free from NetGalley and Del Rey in exchange for an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.

Expected Publication Date: February 27, 2024

A Fate Inked in Blood Saga of the Unfated #1 by Danielle L. Jensen

Publisher: Del Rey Books

Page Count: 432

Format: ebook

Genre: Fantasy & Romance

Source: NetGalley

Content Warnings: graphic sexual content, violence, war; moderate death, emotional abuse, suicide attempt; minor kidnapping, fire/fire injury

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, Bjorn. To survive, Freya is forced to reveal her deepest secret: She possesses a drop of a goddess’s blood, which makes her a shield maiden with magic capable of repelling any attack. It was foretold such a magic would unite the fractured nation of Skaland beneath the one who controls the shield maiden’s fate.

Believing he’s destined to rule Skaland as king, the fanatical jarl binds Freya with a blood oath and orders Bjorn to protect her 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. The greatest test of all, however, 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.

★★★★★ — obsessed
🥵🥵🥵 — sweltering

This book left me breathless. Thank you to NetGalley and Del Rey Books for the ARC copy!

Danielle L Jensen paints such a vivid, rapturous picture of this woman who wants and feels destined for more, but the struggle to achieve it so heartbreaking. The decisions and sacrifices Freya must make for her destiny, for her family, for her people, for her oath just rip your heart out of your chest.

And let’s not forget the smoldering sassiness between her and Bjorn. If he’s not Bjorn, I don’t want him. Honestly, is there anything more attractive than a smartass in the face of death? Bjorn is not only strong and attractive and fierce—ever the Viking warrior—he also doesn’t treat Freya as anything less than his equal. I am all in when the MMC is a gruff jackass, but when it comes to his FMC… you better watch out.

And let’s not forget the smoldering sassiness between her and Bjorn. If he’s not Bjorn, I don’t want him. Honestly, is there anything more attractive than a smartass in the face of death? Bjorn is not only strong and attractive and fierce—ever the Viking warrior—he also doesn’t treat Freya as anything less than his equal. I am all in when the MMC is a gruff jackass, but when it comes to his FMC…

This is the first book I’ve read by Danielle L Jensen, and I’m so immediately a fan. I’ve had Bridge Kingdom on my TBR for a minute, and it just got pushed very nearly to the top as a rather high priority. Genuinely, my only complaint is this book doesn’t come out until February 27, and I already need the second one.

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