A Fate Inked in Blood is pure fun, a viking-ish fantasy full of romance, fight scenes, Norse-inspired mythology, magical weapons, cloaked spirits creeping around sharing prophecies, and major betrayals.

Freya is a young woman married to a man she hates, who wants desperately to become a warrior. She’s also hiding a secret: she’s been marked by the gods with a magical shield power. When she’s taken by a tribe leader to become his wife and fulfill a prophecy, she needs to figure out her true place in the world and her growing attraction to his son, Bjorn.

I was surprised by how much I enjoyed this book.  It’s being marketed as romantasy, which isn’t normally my genre, but fortunately the fantasy aspect isn’t an afterthought. 

The magic and mystery of this world is very fun, with tasks Freya and Bjorn need to fulfill, like climbing up the inside of a mountain full of dead thieves trying to kill them.

The romance is also well-developed.  I liked that while Freya and Bjorn were initially attracted to each other, they also became friends first, and clearly respected each other as people and warriors.  

Also, Bjorn has an axe made from flame.  This is my favourite thing in the book.

I will absolutely be reading the rest of this series.  

Thank you to Netgalley and Del Rey for my review copy of this book.