Final Rating:
Date of Completion: 13/12/2024
Published by: Penguin Audio
ISBN: B0CDH4SBSP
‘A Fate Inked in Blood’ was an easy read, but it had little depth and a lust-filled romance that overshadowed everything else.
Cover:
Writing:
Storyline:
Main character(s):
Secondary characters:
Romance:
Narration & Audio:
The pretty cover practically begged me to pick up this book, and I could not resist diving in. Even with some initial information dumps, I was quickly drawn in by the promising start, as Freya’s fierce spirit and desire for more from life were compelling. The Norse-inspired world, with its captivating magic system and political tensions, also piqued my interest. Sadly, as the story progressed, the worldbuilding proved too simplistic and unstructured, leaving me craving more depth.
Fate cares little for your opinion on how things should go.
The storyline fixates on the connection between Freya and Bjorn, which is filled with flirty banter and chemistry from the start. However, both characters are constantly forced together to fuel an angsty, lust-filled narrative that did not hold my interest as their connection felt hollow. It did not help that Freya and Bjorn were passive, shallow characters who simply seemed to be pawns in the power plays of ambitious men. Freya’s initially fierce and caring nature soon gave way to reckless choices and temper tantrums that made her character seem childish and hard to root for. Meanwhile, Bjorn came across as little more than an attractive and protective love interest since his motives and perspective were rarely shared. As a result, I became increasingly disconnected from the story, and by the time I reached the climax/cliffhanger, I was no longer invested.
There is no future where I would regret choosing you.
On a more positive note, I enjoyed the constant bursts of action and power plays, especially in the first half of the story. Nina Yndis’ narration was another highlight; her voice sounded natural and fitting for the narrative. Her narration also skilfully captured the emotion in the story, making for an immersive listening experience. There were even a few secondary characters who stood out due to their roles, although they generally seemed one-dimensional.
Discussion Questions (Contains spoilers!):
Q: Were you convinced by the romance?
I was initially, as their first interaction was filled with undeniable chemistry and attraction. I also enjoyed their banter throughout the story, even though it felt a bit hit-and-miss at times. The main hurdle for me was that their deep feeling seemed to stem purely from lust rather than anything meaningful or genuine.
Q: Do you think Freya’s parents were right in how they tried to protect her?
No, they should have been upfront about the dangers instead of keeping her in the dark! If they had gradually revealed the truth, Freya could have understood the stakes better. Instead, her ignorance led her to make some reckless choices, which ironically caused the very problems they were trying to avoid.
Q: Did Freya being married to Bjorn’s father make the romance awkward for you?
Absolutely! I understand that it wasn’t a “real” marriage in the traditional sense and that the characters didn’t view it that way, but every time it came up, I couldn’t help but cringe.
Q: Did you believe that Ylva was behind the sabotage?
Ylva felt like the obvious choice, so I suspected Bjorn’s brother instead. Honestly, I hadn’t even considered Bjorn as a suspect; his character seemed too passive to actually make any moves against Snorri.
Q: Can you recommend a similar read for those who enjoyed this book?
I recommend The Serpent and the Wings of Night by Carissa Broadbent. While it doesn’t have the Viking setting, it has simple worldbuilding, lots of romance, frequent bursts of action, and a cliffhanger ending.
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