A Fate Inked in Blood by Danielle L. Jensen

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Danielle L. Jensen

A Fate Inked in Blood

Name: A Fate Inked in Blood
Price: 13.99 USD
Availability: InStock
Rating: 4.3 (8106 reviews)
Author: Danielle L. Jensen
ISBN: 9781529916454

Danielle L. Jensen

(Author)

4.3

8,106 ratings

A shield maiden blessed by the gods battles to unite a nation under a power-hungry king—while also fighting her growing desire for his fiery son—in the first book of a Norse-inspired fantasy romance series from the bestselling author of The Bridge Kingdom series.

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.

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ISBN-10

1529916453

ISBN-13

978-1529916454

Print length

414 pages

Language

English

Publisher

Del Rey

Publication date

February 26, 2024

Dimensions

6.02 x 1.34 x 9.17 inches

Item weight

1.14 pounds

Popular Highlights in this book

It is hard to keep one’s wits when faced with a woman as beautiful as the sight of shore to a man who has been lost at sea.
Highlighted by 1,862 Kindle readers
She, the unfated, she the child of Hlin, she who was born in fire must give sacrifice to the gods on the mount at the first night of the full moon else her thread will be cut short, the future that was foreseen unwoven.
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It was the wanting that made my life hard. If I could only stop wanting, perhaps I might find some happiness in what I had.
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All is fated except the lives of the children of the gods, Snorri corrected. Your path is unknown and as you walk it, you rearrange the threads of all those around you.
Highlighted by 154 Kindle readers

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B0C6HNTQYH

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Editorial Reviews

“A Fate Inked in Blood is THE must-read fantasy of 2024! I could not put this book down!”—Jennifer L. Armentrout, USA Today bestselling author of From Blood and Ash

“With a forbidden romance that burns as hot as Tyr’s magical fire, A Fate Inked in Blood will be your newest fantasy obsession. Beautifully brutal, action-packed, and full of tension, I couldn’t turn the pages of this epic tale fast enough.”—Kerri Maniscalco, #1 New York Times bestselling author of Throne of the Fallen

“This book completely transports you, and I was instantly hooked! Danielle Jensen’s dark fantasy world is woven together with rich history and lore, and the angst between the two main characters kept me on the edge of my seat. I am so excited to see what comes next!”—Raven Kennedy, internationally bestselling author of Gild

“In a rich world inspired by Norse mythology, A Fate Inked in Blood is an action-packed story with a fierce protagonist, an irresistible hero, and a scorching romance. Bridge Kingdom fans will love this thrilling new edition to Jensen’s catalogue.”—Lexi Ryan, #1 New York Times bestselling author of These Hollow Vows

“Captivating and sexy . . . With a fierce heroine and a smoldering hero, A Fate Inked in Blood is everything you want in a fantasy romance.”—Elise Kova, USA Today bestselling author of A Deal with the Elf King

“A brutally sexy world filled with magic, prophecies, and Norse lore that will keep you flipping the pages well into the night.”—Olivia Wildenstein, USA Today bestselling author of House of Beating Wings

“This is Danielle L. Jensen at her best: a delicious and completely unputdownable fantasy!”—Katee Robert, New York Times bestselling author of Neon Gods

Sample

Chapter 1

My mother taught me many skills to ensure I’d make a good wife to my husband. How to cook and clean. How to weave and sew. Where to hunt and gather. She’d have been better off teaching me the restraint needed not to stab said husband when he proved himself a short-witted drunkard with an acid tongue . . .

For my temper was being sorely tested today.

“What are you doing?” Vragi demanded, his breath reeking of mead as he bent over my shoulder.

“Exactly what it looks like.” I ran the tip of my knife down the fish’s belly, its innards spilling outward. “Cleaning the catch.”

Huffing out an aggrieved breath, Vragi jerked the knife from my hand, nearly slicing open my palm. Snatching up another fish, he opened its belly and scooped out the innards into a bloody pile before stabbing the tip of my knife into the wooden block, his technique identical to my own. “You see?”

“I know how to gut a fish,” I said between my teeth, every part of me desiring to gut him. “I’ve gutted thousands of fish.”

“I don’t like the way you do it.” His lip curled. “The way you do it is wrong. People complain.”

That much was true, but it wasn’t complaints about fish guts.

My dear husband was a child of the gods, having been granted a drop of Njord’s blood at his conception, which gave him powerful magic over the creatures of the sea. Except instead of using it to care for our people, he used his magic to deprive other fishermen of any catch even as he filled his own nets. Then he charged double what the fish were worth of the very people whose nets he kept empty.

Everyone knew it. But no one dared speak a word against him. He was Vragi the Savior, the man who’d delivered Selvegr from famine when the crops had failed ten years past, drawing in fish from the North Sea to fill bellies, ensuring no one went without.

A hero, everyone had called him. And maybe once that was so, but fame and greed had vanquished the generosity that had earned him the title, and now people spat at his name even as they honored him with an annual feast. That no one had put a knife in his back was mostly because he had the protection of the jarl.

But not entirely.

“We all do best to remember we might need his magic again, Freya,” my mother told me when I griped. “You would do best to remember that he brings wealth to your home.”

Wealth.

It was the reason my father had agreed—despite my vocal protests—to Vragi’s proposal of marriage. Yet instead of living to see his error, my father had died on my wedding night, leaving everyone to mutter about bad omens and ill-fated matches. If it had truly been a message from the gods, they need not have bothered: I’d known from the moment Vragi had stuck his foul tongue in my mouth in front of all the guests that this marriage would be a curse.

The past year had given me daily proof.

Except it was hard to cast bitter words about him into the ears of others, for Vragi was generous to my mother, paying for all her needs while my brother earned his place in the war band of our jarl.

For my family, I will do this, I silently chanted, much as I had the night I’d been wed. For my family, I will endure him. Aloud, I said, “I will do better.” And because he didn’t look satisfied, I added, “I will do it your way, Vragi.”

“Show me.” The condescension caused my teeth to clench so hard they nearly cracked, but I obliged, swiftly gutting another fish.

Vragi snorted, then spat on the ground next to me. “My mother was right—I should’ve married an ugly woman whose worth was in her skill. Not a pretty one whose only skill is her looks. Looks do not gut fish. Looks do not cook food. Looks do not make babies.”

As far as the last went, my looks never would.

I spent nearly all the coin he gave me purchasing lemon juice and sponge from the traders who came to us from the South Seas, and if Vragi had ever wondered why his cock smelled of citrus after we coupled, he’d never asked. Long may his ignorance last.

“A year, woman. A whole year of marriage and servicing, and yet no son.”

I bent over the board, gutting another fish to hide the angry tears threatening to fall. I’d never subject a child to this man. Never. “I’ll make an offering.” Which was no lie—at the beginning of every cycle I made a sacrifice to the goddess I was named for, begging her to keep my womb empty. Thus far, she’d been merciful.

Either that, or I’d been lucky.

As if hearing my thoughts, Vragi caught hold of my braid, jerking me to my feet. “I don’t want offerings, Freya,” he snarled. “I want you to try harder. I want you to do things correctly. I want you to give me what I want.”

My scalp stung, only the tightness of my braid preventing him from ripping out a handful of hair, and my temper snapped. “Perhaps it is you who is doing it incorrectly, husband. That’s certainly how it feels.”

Silence thickened the air.

A smart woman would regret such words, but I was clearly an idiot of the first order as all I felt was a flash of wicked triumph as the barb slowly struck home. Vragi’s face darkened beneath his thick beard, a vein in his temple pulsing like a purple worm. Then his knife pressed against my cheek, his breath rank as he whispered, “Maybe the key is to make you less pretty, Freya. Then you will have to learn other skills.”

The steel was cold and cruel. It wiped away my triumph and replaced it with fear.

Yet . . . I couldn’t concede. Couldn’t allow myself to break or cry or beg, because that was what he relished: bringing me low. Instead I met his gaze and said, “Do it. Do it, Vragi, and then go to the village and see if they’ll still host your feast and call you a hero when they learn you cut your wife’s face to spite her beauty.”

His lip curled. “They need me.”

“That doesn’t mean they need to honor you.” And a narcissist like him needed that honor.

I watched the wheels of his mind turn; no doubt he was musing how much he could hurt me without consequence. But I refused to look away despite the cold sweat that slicked my palms. The blade pressed harder against my cheek, stinging, and I sucked in a sharp breath to control my rising panic.

He heard it.

Vragi grinned, my tiny show of weakness satisfying him. He let go of my hair, lowering his knife. “Get back to work, woman. When you’re finished, bring two fish to your mother. Perhaps she’ll remind you of your duties. It is her fault, and your father’s”—he spat—“that you don’t know them.”

“Do not speak ill of my father!” I grabbed my knife, but Vragi only sneered at it.

“There is the proof,” he said. “He forgot you were a daughter and taught you like your brother. Now instead of a wife, I have a grown woman who plays at being a warrior like a small child, brandishing her stick and imagining every tree her foe.”

Heat burned up my chest, turning my cheeks to infernos. Because he was not wrong.

“Perhaps I’ve been complicit,” he said. “I’ve allowed you too much idle time, which the gods know is the ruination of good character.”

The only idle time I was allowed was the hours I slept, but I said nothing.

Vragi turned away from me, going right to the water’s edge, the fjord glittering in the sunshine. Lifting his hand, he invoked Njord’s name.

For a long moment, nothing happened, and I breathed a silent prayer that the god of the sea had finally recognized what a piece of shit his child was and stolen away his magic.

Wasted prayers, for a heartbeat later the water quivered. And the fish began jumping.

Only a few at first, but then dozens and dozens were hurling themselves out of the water and onto the beach until I could barely see the rocks through the teeming mass of fins and scales.

“This should keep you occupied.” Vragi smirked. “Give your mother my love.”

My bloody blade quivered in barely checked rage as he turned and walked away.

I stared at the fish thrashing about on the beach, desperate to return to the water. Such a waste, for there were more here than we could sell before they went to rot. And it was not the first time he’d done such a thing.

I’d once watched him beach a whale, but instead of ending the animal’s life immediately, he’d allowed it to work its way back into the water only to use his magic to draw it out again. Over and over he’d done it, all the village watching, his eyes filled with fascination as he tortured the animal for no reason beyond the fact that he could.

It had only ended when my brother pushed through the crowd and embedded an axe into the whale’s brain, putting it out of its misery and allowing the rest of us to begin the process of butchering the carcass, no one celebrating what should have been a glorious day of feasting.

I refused to feel the same sort of regret again.

Danielle L. Jensen

Danielle L. Jensen is the New York Times bestselling author of A Fate Inked in Blood, as well as the USA Today bestselling author of the Bridge Kingdom, Dark Shores, and Malediction series. Her novels are published internationally in nineteen languages. She lives in Calgary, Alberta, with her family and guinea pigs.

Reviews

Customer reviews

4.3 out of 5

8,106 global ratings

Megan Bajorek

Life-Long Fan Status Acquired

Reviewed in the United States on July 15, 2024

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A Fate Inked In Blood... Where do I even begin...

First I have absolutely loved Danielle L. Jenson's writing and the way she builds characters from the first few pages of The Bridge Kingdom. Jenson crafts truly empathetic characters full of sass and cheek but also characters of pain, loss, trauma but also of characters of love, strength, healing and passion. A Fate Inked in Blood is absolutely no different. Freya and Bjorn are rich, deep characters in a world with familiar and unfamiliar lore. The two are surrounded but uncertainty, as most are when trying to determine the "will of the Gods" but also because of the large cast of selfish, self-serving, dominating, power hungry characters surrounding them. From the beginning Freya is deemed a woman who dreams of glory and battle but has little real experience of the fear and violence one suffers as a warrior due to her mostly lonely life. Upon entering the world of violent attacks by neighboring clans and the constant threat of death of her family, friends and even herself, Freya learns quickly that she is strong and can protect herself but that she also has a lot to learn about the price and sacrifice of battle and temptation to give into vengeance. Bjorn offers wisdom and guidance through flirtation, passion and dedication to protect Freya and see her find happiness and success. Freya learned from Bjorn and grows because of his support and confidence in her; but truly by the end of the novel, I do believe Bjorn grows and heals MORE because of Freya's influence. I am so excited to see how future books add to their journey.

Second, who doesn't love a fantasy novel but with heavy Viking elements and world building? I've always been fascinated by Viking lore and some of my favorite films/shows are heavily influenced by the culture (cue How to Train Your Dragon). The mix of magical gifts and powerful, compassionate and vengeful Gods heightens the tension surrounding this journey and the overall development of these characters individually and together.

Third, a significant theme in this book is based on trust, honesty, loyalty and the manipulation/use of others for personal gain. Freya like many FMC before her, has lived a life determined by what she could give, do for, provide for and sacrifice for others (a very standard life for women early on in these novels). For many readers, this is an easy character arch to support because absolutely no one wants or enjoys being lied to, used and manipulated. Every turn of this novel, you are reminded that Freya has never lived for herself and perhaps doesn't really know how to but deserves every opportunity to follow a path for herself and see where it leads.

Fourth, can we talk about the push and pull these two wayyy to beautiful and passionate characters have to deal with. From the first meeting of Bjorn (holy hell talk about a sexy description) and his flirty swagger, I knew Freya was absolutely done for; I mean few could withstand a warrior with charm and passion! The growth of their relationship before anything became physical in any way provides a feeling of depth and strength to their connection that supersedes typical romantasy love and forms something stronger and more significant especially when coupled with the lore. And I loved the tiny payoffsat so many of the small, subtle instances leading up to the big beautiful one filled with just the best declaration I've ever read. Despite challenges arising and that love having very little time to blossom before situations change drastically, I'm fully invested on Team Freyorn and I know that they will be endgame... I will not be taking questions at this time.

Fifth and Final, can we, for a moment talk about the "villains" (if you can even really call them that since there are many villainous characters but not one clear "Big Baddie" ). This book and adventure is filled with untrustworthy, powerful, and mostly male "authorities" which continue to make every day life absolutely impossible AND infuriating for Freya, Bjorn and for ME! They are written to be the exact right balance of terrifyingly powerful and slimy all at the same exact time. There wasn't a single moment I did furrow my brow or scoff in frustration when any of these villainous douch coppers were on the page. I mean just go away and let the women show you how it done! And seriously her brother, Geir, can F right off as can most of the men from her life before she is designated the Shield Maiden. Just boo, hiss, gag, scoff, massive eye roll, for all these terrible, chauvinistic men in this world and their determination to hide Freya's light and power!

All in all: 5/5 A+ 100% MVP Gold Star Zero notes for Danielle L. Jenson and Fate Inked in Blood: Book One of the Saga of Unfated.

Bring me the next book whenever you see fit, just know I will preorder it, own it on my Kindle AND in multiple hard copy editions because you have solidified my life-long fan status.

2 people found this helpful

Julianne S

Vikings?! Okay!!!!!!

Reviewed in the United States on July 13, 2024

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WHY ON EARTH WOULD YOU LEAVE A CLIFF HANGER LIKE THAT DANIELLE!!!!!!!!

Jesus! I am absolutely speechless with that ending. 10/10!

Okay so where to actually start? Sexy fire Viking and a badass, powerful, daughter of a God fall in love…kidding. But kinda not? Only the second book will tell! And I. Am. Here. For. It.

Plot was ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️/5. I was a little lost somewhere in the 30% range because of plot and character building. But regardless, it held my attention long enough to finish in less than 24 hours. Yes. It was THAT good. No seriously, I was instantly hooked after the first chapter.

This was such a GOOD slow burning romance(can I call it that?) but the scenes made it worth the wait. I really enjoyed the sexual tension and build up. It felt realistic with the world they were living and the events that were occurring.

I want to be a Viking now. Put me in this world STAT!!!!!

Thank you to NetGalley and Random Publishing for sending me this advance copy.

Rachael

Gorgeous book

Reviewed in the United States on February 27, 2024

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“Not all scars we earn are skin-deep, Freya Born-in-Fire.” “There is no less honor in them.”

I’ll be honest, I knew I was going to enjoy this book, before even reading the first page. When one of my favorite authors announced she was writing a Norse inspired Fantasy Romance, with a shield maiden named Freya, as the main character… I immediately preordered it. But I wasn’t expecting this to have everything I could ever want in a book, and some how even more.

“I will be at your back until I cross the threshold to Valhalla, Born-in-Fire, whether you want me there or not.”

The banter, with absolutely ridiculous humor (I’m pretty sure I actually snorted a few times), to the phenomenal Norse mythology elements, made me devour this book. I stayed up until the wee hours of the morning, and fell asleep clutching my kindle, because I just couldn’t put this book down. And don’t even get me started on the incredible sexual tension, the mutual pining, forbidden love, enemies to friends to lovers, SHIELD WALLS, and the revenge plot.

“In our world, power is most often achieved with violence.”

This entire book was a thrilling adventure, with exceptional pacing, that barely gave me a moment to catch my breath. Considering the fact I was punching the air and yelling “F YEAH” by chapter 2, I knew this was going to be great. The rage and absolute need for retribution I felt from these characters, was noticeable very early in the story. But the devotion, determination, bravery… and yet, heart breaking self doubt, you see through especially Freya’s perspective, made her one of my favorite and one of the most relatable characters I’ve seen in a while. And Bjorn… he’s got BVDE, and I fell in love with him the second he stepped out of the fjord. The tension and respect between these two, was a delicious slow burn at its finest.

“Freya used to be a good and loyal woman.””She still is. You’re just no longer worthy of her loyalty.”

If you’ve read The Bloodsworn Saga by John Gwynne, and loved it… but thought what if this was sexier? Or possibly you’ve enjoyed, another one of my favorites Wolf of the Sands by Amy Kuivalainen, or maybe you love the show, Vikings?!? This book is for you. It’s filled with strong female characters, epic Norse mythology, and although quite different writing styles, they both feature characters with “gods blood” or that have been touched by the gods. I truly think this is a phenomenal book.

“They say being given the blood of a god is a gift,"I whispered. “But it's a curse.”

27 people found this helpful

Jessica Ann

Review by jamsworldofbooks on TT and IG

Reviewed in the United States on April 12, 2024

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This book 100% lived up to all of the hype all over booktok and bookstagram! I was apprehensive, because some of my fave book besties did not enjoy the book that much, but I absolutely loved it. It actually made me start reading-watching Vikings. I love this show so much.

”You are mine, Born-in-Fire. Even if only the two of us know it.”

Freya is a woman who feels like her destiny is out of her control. She is in a loveless marriage that she desperately wants out of and she feels like she is destined for so much more. She also has a drop of gods blood in her, which makes her special and able to become a warrior like she wants. But, if she tells anybody, she risks becoming just a tool for someone else to yield. She gets her wish of getting away from her husband when he goes to the jarl to put in a complaint against her. She is however tricked to show her power from the gods blood she possesses and she is then controlled by yet another man. Do what he wishes, or everybody she loves will cease to exist.

The world-building was beyond perfection. I listened to this on audiobook and actually pictured myself there watching the entire story unfold. Everything was descriptive but in a way where you can easily understand. I personally have always loved Norse mythology and Vikings, but even for a beginner, the lore and setting is very easy to immerse yourself in completely.

The plot was frustrating, not because it was bad, But because this was a story about women having no control of their own lives and men running the entire show. Which I get, because in all Norse mythology, it goes like that, but it is still hard to read and digest sometimes. But that made this story great, because it was hard to read and listen to, which made me feel that anger that Freya was feeling and allowed me to immerse myself further in to the story.

Freya was so perfectly written, she has her flaws though. She can be stubborn at times and is also quick to anger, But can you blame her? She has lived her life being controlled by others and feels like she has no control of her own life. She is supposedly undated and meant to make her own fate, but yet it seems like the men are making her fate for her. She is angry, and she should be. But she is a warrior, she is strong, she is proud, and I love her so much.

Bjorn made me swoon so many times, he is top book boyfriend material. I adore him, even with that cliffhanger. I have full faith in him.

“I will be at your back until I cross the threshold to Valhalla, Born-in fire, whether you want me there or not.”

So, overall, this story was pure perfection and I cannot wait for the next book, but until then I now need to find more Viking books because I am hooked, so drop some recs!

Happy reading babes ❤️

13 people found this helpful

Jenia.

Magical

Reviewed in the United States on June 23, 2024

Verified Purchase

Wow.

How do I even begin this review? I was unsure what to anticipate from this book, as Danielle L. Jensen is a new author for me. I found this book while browsing Goodreads one day. The title caught my interest first, then the cover. I was fascinated by the plot, so I read the book’s summary, which immediately attracted my attention. I’m glad that I suggested A Fate Inked In Blood to the Bookclub, which was chosen for March. So many emotions passed through my mind while reading this book, and I am still thinking about it as I write this review. A part of me wants to pick up and reread it. A Fate Inked In Blood is a book that will stay with you.

I am a huge fantasy fan and read multiple novels through the years. This story is unlike any fantasy book that I had read before, and that’s what I admired about it. You can’t help but love Freya despite everything she had to go through. Freya kept on going and doing everything she needed to protect her family. I wanted to like her family, but how they treated her made me feel that they didn’t deserve her sacrifices. I admired how strong Freya was, always ready to fight. She was my favorite character in the novel, and I look forward to seeing what happens to her next.

Bjorn. I loved how much he cared about Freya and was always willing to protect her. I’m unsure whether it was just me, but I felt their desire for each other grew too fast. I couldn’t get enough of this story, so I finished it in only a few days. I can’t wait for the next book and see what adventures await everyone.

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