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Saga of the Unfated #2
Un sort gravé dans les os
Win a free print copy of this book!
3 days and 21:03:58
10 copies available
U.S. only
Découvrez la suite et fin de la nouvelle saga de Danielle L. Jensen (Le Pont des Tempêtes), inspirée de la mythologie nordique et alliant Fantasy épique et bouleversante histoire d'amour !
Le secret de sa lignée désormais dévoilé, Freya se trouve au coeur d'une prédiction annonçant que la magie de son sang fera des milliers de victimes. Prête à tout pour conjurer ce sombre destin, elle prend le risque de s'allier au pire ennemi du Skaland dans l'espoir d'obtenir des réponses.
Malgré ce qui sépare désormais Freya et Bjorn, le pacte de sang entre eux la contraint à rester auprès de lui tandis qu'elle cherche un moyen d'éviter la guerre qui se prépare. Ses pouvoirs la conduisent aux sans-destin au service du roi Harald, le souverain du Nordeland. Une alliance qui n'est pas au goût de tous : si la flamme du désir qui brûle entre eux demeure toujours aussi vive, la méfiance de Bjorn à l'égard de la voie que Freya s'apprête à emprunter menace de creuser davantage le fossé qui les sépare.
Aux portes de la guerre, dieux et mortels doivent choisir leurs armes. Pourtant, c'est contre elle-même que Freya doit livrer la lutte la plus acharnée. Sera-t-elle le bouclier qui protégera son peuple ou la malédiction qui le mènera à sa perte ?
Le secret de sa lignée désormais dévoilé, Freya se trouve au coeur d'une prédiction annonçant que la magie de son sang fera des milliers de victimes. Prête à tout pour conjurer ce sombre destin, elle prend le risque de s'allier au pire ennemi du Skaland dans l'espoir d'obtenir des réponses.
Malgré ce qui sépare désormais Freya et Bjorn, le pacte de sang entre eux la contraint à rester auprès de lui tandis qu'elle cherche un moyen d'éviter la guerre qui se prépare. Ses pouvoirs la conduisent aux sans-destin au service du roi Harald, le souverain du Nordeland. Une alliance qui n'est pas au goût de tous : si la flamme du désir qui brûle entre eux demeure toujours aussi vive, la méfiance de Bjorn à l'égard de la voie que Freya s'apprête à emprunter menace de creuser davantage le fossé qui les sépare.
Aux portes de la guerre, dieux et mortels doivent choisir leurs armes. Pourtant, c'est contre elle-même que Freya doit livrer la lutte la plus acharnée. Sera-t-elle le bouclier qui protégera son peuple ou la malédiction qui le mènera à sa perte ?
408 pages, Hardcover
First published May 13, 2025
6393 people are currently reading
112722 people want to read
About the author
Danielle L. Jensen
35 books20.1k followersJoin Danielle's mailing list for exclusive content, giveaways, and new release alerts: https://danielleljensen.com/newslette...
Danielle L. Jensen is the #1 New York Times bestselling author of A Fate Inked in Blood, A Curse Carved in Bone, and the Bridge Kingdom, Dark Shores, and Malediction series. Her novels are published internationally in twenty-one languages. She lives in Calgary, Alberta, with her family and guinea pigs.
Danielle L. Jensen is the #1 New York Times bestselling author of A Fate Inked in Blood, A Curse Carved in Bone, and the Bridge Kingdom, Dark Shores, and Malediction series. Her novels are published internationally in twenty-one languages. She lives in Calgary, Alberta, with her family and guinea pigs.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 5,813 reviews
June 7, 2025
rtc
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Only two-three of my most anticipated books have been a hit so far and I really hope this joins them.
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MAY RELEASE?!? WITH A BEAUTIFUL BADASS COVER?!?! WANT 🤩
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Only two-three of my most anticipated books have been a hit so far and I really hope this joins them.
__.
MAY RELEASE?!? WITH A BEAUTIFUL BADASS COVER?!?! WANT 🤩
Read
August 5, 2024The cover has been revealed!
Want to read
August 6, 2024OH MY GOSH THE COVER IS BADASS 😍😍😍
June 13, 2025
A Curse Carved In Bone reminds me why I enjoy women (and non binary/genderqueer/genderfluid folks) writing fantasy more than men: the women get to be complex, flawed, messy, brilliant, strategic players who shape the plot instead of just reacting to it. Plus, no objectification. It’s nice. (If you don't know what I'm talking about, please see here.)
But not gonna lie, this sequel had a rocky start for me. The early chapters felt bogged down by unresolved fallout from book one, necessary, but sluggish and sometimes frustrating.
But then, something shifted. About halfway through, there is more of a shift into dark epic fantasy territory. Politics, war, Norse mythology, magical hierarchies, betrayals on and off the battlefield, it all takes centre stage. And once the reveals start coming (and there are so many), I was hooked. Shocked. Occasionally delighted. Frequently stressed. But invested.
This sequel digs deeper into the Norse mythology revealed in book one and it pays off. The world expands. It's richer, darker and far more unpredictable than the first book. We get new regions, powers and children of gods. I won’t give away who, because spoilers, but things get weird, unhinged and twisted, in a good way.
What really carried me though, was the women characters. As you may guess, Freya remains brilliant and capable, someone who is not sidelined by her feelings, but shaped by them in interesting ways and with battles of morality. Ylva is cunning and compelling.
There are other multiple strong side female characters too who are layered, morally complex and I enjoyed how three dimensional and nuanced they were. Additionally, there’s some well-earned family vindication/redemption/catharsis that hit a very specific emotional spot I’d been nursing since book one.
This is a heavier, bloodier, more brutal book than A Fate Inked in Blood. It may not satisfy you if you came for purely for romantic angst, yearning or spice (and the one spicy scene we do get is weirdly placed due to context. However, I will let Freya & Bjorn copulate without my judgement. You do you.) And while the shift might disorient readers, for those willing to shift gears into a Norse epic fantasy, especially in the second half, it’s expansive and captivating once the plot twist twists and the story finds its momentum.
I’ve done my best to keep this spoiler-free for the whole duology which means some vagueness in this review was inevitable.
1. A Fate Inked in Blood ★★★★☆
2. A Curse Carved in Bone ★★★★☆
But not gonna lie, this sequel had a rocky start for me. The early chapters felt bogged down by unresolved fallout from book one, necessary, but sluggish and sometimes frustrating.
But then, something shifted. About halfway through, there is more of a shift into dark epic fantasy territory. Politics, war, Norse mythology, magical hierarchies, betrayals on and off the battlefield, it all takes centre stage. And once the reveals start coming (and there are so many), I was hooked. Shocked. Occasionally delighted. Frequently stressed. But invested.
This sequel digs deeper into the Norse mythology revealed in book one and it pays off. The world expands. It's richer, darker and far more unpredictable than the first book. We get new regions, powers and children of gods. I won’t give away who, because spoilers, but things get weird, unhinged and twisted, in a good way.
What really carried me though, was the women characters. As you may guess, Freya remains brilliant and capable, someone who is not sidelined by her feelings, but shaped by them in interesting ways and with battles of morality. Ylva is cunning and compelling.
There are other multiple strong side female characters too who are layered, morally complex and I enjoyed how three dimensional and nuanced they were. Additionally, there’s some well-earned family vindication/redemption/catharsis that hit a very specific emotional spot I’d been nursing since book one.
This is a heavier, bloodier, more brutal book than A Fate Inked in Blood. It may not satisfy you if you came for purely for romantic angst, yearning or spice (and the one spicy scene we do get is weirdly placed due to context. However, I will let Freya & Bjorn copulate without my judgement. You do you.) And while the shift might disorient readers, for those willing to shift gears into a Norse epic fantasy, especially in the second half, it’s expansive and captivating once the plot twist twists and the story finds its momentum.
I’ve done my best to keep this spoiler-free for the whole duology which means some vagueness in this review was inevitable.
1. A Fate Inked in Blood ★★★★☆
2. A Curse Carved in Bone ★★★★☆
Want to read
September 5, 2024 Wasn't the biggest fan of the first book but will surely read this one. Hopefully it delivers 🤞❤️ 2025 is a long trek 😩
May 15, 2025
My rating is slightly biased because I didn’t do a reread and I forgot all the names and places besides our two leads. I struggled reading this book especially at the start and it took me a while to remember everything that happened in the first book. However, I don’t think that was the main problem as there were quite a few things that just didn’t work for me.
Let’s start with the romance between Freya and Bjorn. It was the best part of book one for me, but it was so weak here. Where was the witty banter and sexual tension between them? Their conversations were so stale and boring and they had terrible communication. There wasn’t a lot of romantic moments between the two of them either and I found it hard to be invested in their relationship the way I was in the first book. Bjorn also should have been grovelling for Freya’s forgiveness and he didn’t which was disappointing. I mean Freya held on to her anger for so long in this book and after one simple piece of dialogue, Bjorn is forgiven? It was so lacklustre and unemotional.
As for the plot, it was all over the place. I had no idea what goal the characters were working towards and I didn’t understand any of their motivations. They were just flip flopping their opinions all the time. It was honestly giving me a headache. Everything felt so aimless. This really hurt the two leads because I don’t think they experienced any sort of development that was satisfactory.
I kind of saw the plot twist coming as well. I was suspicious of everyone and the way the villain acted was so sketchy that I knew I couldn’t trust them. And so, I wasn’t that surprised during the reveal. I thought maybe the last act could surprise me but the final battle was really anticlimactic.
Overall, this book was a bit of a mess and not the conclusion to the duet I was expecting or wanted. Maybe I would have enjoyed it more if I did a reread but I guess we’ll never know. This does reinforce my belief that I should probably stick to being a binge reader when it comes to fantasy book.
Let’s start with the romance between Freya and Bjorn. It was the best part of book one for me, but it was so weak here. Where was the witty banter and sexual tension between them? Their conversations were so stale and boring and they had terrible communication. There wasn’t a lot of romantic moments between the two of them either and I found it hard to be invested in their relationship the way I was in the first book. Bjorn also should have been grovelling for Freya’s forgiveness and he didn’t which was disappointing. I mean Freya held on to her anger for so long in this book and after one simple piece of dialogue, Bjorn is forgiven? It was so lacklustre and unemotional.
As for the plot, it was all over the place. I had no idea what goal the characters were working towards and I didn’t understand any of their motivations. They were just flip flopping their opinions all the time. It was honestly giving me a headache. Everything felt so aimless. This really hurt the two leads because I don’t think they experienced any sort of development that was satisfactory.
I kind of saw the plot twist coming as well. I was suspicious of everyone and the way the villain acted was so sketchy that I knew I couldn’t trust them. And so, I wasn’t that surprised during the reveal. I thought maybe the last act could surprise me but the final battle was really anticlimactic.
Overall, this book was a bit of a mess and not the conclusion to the duet I was expecting or wanted. Maybe I would have enjoyed it more if I did a reread but I guess we’ll never know. This does reinforce my belief that I should probably stick to being a binge reader when it comes to fantasy book.
June 26, 2025
✩ 2 stars ✩
What to Expect:
➼ Enemies-to-Lovers
➼ Secrets, Lies & Betrayals
➼ Viking & Norse Lore
➼ One Horse
➼ Forced Proximity
➼ Feminine Rage
➼ Master of Your Own Fate
➼ Dual Narration
➼ Dual First Person POV
“I love the whole of you! Even when you are as mean as a feral cat and say things that break my heart, I still love you!”
This quote pretty much sums up the book. I think the FMC had good reason to be mad honestly, but her anger simply wasn’t that enjoyable to read about. The author did do more world building in this book but this duology has taught me that I’m not really interested in Viking/Norse lore mixing with fantasy. What it boils down to is that I love an MC that looks like a Viking, but I don’t want them to act like one. My brain just wouldn’t shut off and let me enjoy this. I struggled most reading about their desire to enter Valhalla. I can understand a belief system that rewards those who defended their people, but to be rewarded simply for dying on the battlefield makes very little sense to me. Not every battle is just or necessary and not every death in war is honorable. Why reward them all without merit? In true fantasy, I can suspend reality and allow myself to temporarily believe in their afterlife, but I can’t seem to do the same when it’s tied to a historical belief system. Probably a me thing, but it is what it is. I had very little interest in this story and really struggled to finish it. In the end I cranked the audio up to 2.5x speed and just got through it. I’m sure other people will enjoy this, but it wasn’t for me. ✌🏻
✼ ҉ ✼ ҉ ✼ ҉ ✼ ҉ ✼ ҉ ✼ ҉ ✼
Pre-read: I only remember about half the plot, so this should be fun. 🙈 I think there was a betrayal…? 🤔😅
Krysta and Maeghan hated it so it’s probably doomed anyway. 🙃
✼ ҉ ✼ ҉ ✼ ҉ ✼ ҉ ✼ ҉ ✼ ҉ ✼
My girl Freya has been through it y’all… this cover has her looking undead. 🧟♀️
≪ ◦ ❖ ◦ ≫
Connect with me on Instagram
What to Expect:
➼ Enemies-to-Lovers
➼ Secrets, Lies & Betrayals
➼ Viking & Norse Lore
➼ One Horse
➼ Forced Proximity
➼ Feminine Rage
➼ Master of Your Own Fate
➼ Dual Narration
➼ Dual First Person POV
“I love the whole of you! Even when you are as mean as a feral cat and say things that break my heart, I still love you!”
This quote pretty much sums up the book. I think the FMC had good reason to be mad honestly, but her anger simply wasn’t that enjoyable to read about. The author did do more world building in this book but this duology has taught me that I’m not really interested in Viking/Norse lore mixing with fantasy. What it boils down to is that I love an MC that looks like a Viking, but I don’t want them to act like one. My brain just wouldn’t shut off and let me enjoy this. I struggled most reading about their desire to enter Valhalla. I can understand a belief system that rewards those who defended their people, but to be rewarded simply for dying on the battlefield makes very little sense to me. Not every battle is just or necessary and not every death in war is honorable. Why reward them all without merit? In true fantasy, I can suspend reality and allow myself to temporarily believe in their afterlife, but I can’t seem to do the same when it’s tied to a historical belief system. Probably a me thing, but it is what it is. I had very little interest in this story and really struggled to finish it. In the end I cranked the audio up to 2.5x speed and just got through it. I’m sure other people will enjoy this, but it wasn’t for me. ✌🏻
✼ ҉ ✼ ҉ ✼ ҉ ✼ ҉ ✼ ҉ ✼ ҉ ✼
Pre-read: I only remember about half the plot, so this should be fun. 🙈 I think there was a betrayal…? 🤔😅
Krysta and Maeghan hated it so it’s probably doomed anyway. 🙃
✼ ҉ ✼ ҉ ✼ ҉ ✼ ҉ ✼ ҉ ✼ ҉ ✼
My girl Freya has been through it y’all… this cover has her looking undead. 🧟♀️
≪ ◦ ❖ ◦ ≫
Connect with me on Instagram
May 26, 2025
3.5⭐️
Well, I guess that’s a wrap on this story. I wouldn’t say I’m disappointed exactly, just kind of underwhelmed. I don’t know, I just didn’t enjoy it as much as the first book. The beginning hinted at some really exciting stuff, and to be fair, it was packed with twists and action… but even so, I couldn’t fully get into it.
Not a ton to say here, but I’ve definitely enjoyed the series as a whole and I’m still excited to see whatever Jensen writes next!
Well, I guess that’s a wrap on this story. I wouldn’t say I’m disappointed exactly, just kind of underwhelmed. I don’t know, I just didn’t enjoy it as much as the first book. The beginning hinted at some really exciting stuff, and to be fair, it was packed with twists and action… but even so, I couldn’t fully get into it.
Not a ton to say here, but I’ve definitely enjoyed the series as a whole and I’m still excited to see whatever Jensen writes next!
June 5, 2025
This is a 5⭐️ series for me! But this book was 4.25⭐️
I have been consumed by this story and these characters!
I love the Viking world, Gods and culture, I find it so fascinating and Danielle done it justice!
The plot in this book definitely overshadowed the romance but because I was HERE for the plot I didn’t mind but I can see some finding it jarring. I also did not agree with the placement of one spice scene, it really gave me the ick which is why the rating is 4.25⭐️
Freya shines as a FMC fighting her fate while always being put in situations by others that require her to be a villain. I DID NOT see the plot twist in this book coming, I was wary about certain characters but that twist gagged me for a good 10 minutes.
I would highly recommend this series if you’re a fan of Viking culture and fast paced plot forward stories with a romantic subplot, a strong FMC struggling with morality and power and a slow burn forbidden romance
I have been consumed by this story and these characters!
I love the Viking world, Gods and culture, I find it so fascinating and Danielle done it justice!
The plot in this book definitely overshadowed the romance but because I was HERE for the plot I didn’t mind but I can see some finding it jarring. I also did not agree with the placement of one spice scene, it really gave me the ick which is why the rating is 4.25⭐️
Freya shines as a FMC fighting her fate while always being put in situations by others that require her to be a villain. I DID NOT see the plot twist in this book coming, I was wary about certain characters but that twist gagged me for a good 10 minutes.
I would highly recommend this series if you’re a fan of Viking culture and fast paced plot forward stories with a romantic subplot, a strong FMC struggling with morality and power and a slow burn forbidden romance
July 4, 2025
“You are my home, Freya. Everywhere else is just a place to lay my head.”
I have mixed feelings about this book. I loved the first book, but sadly this book didn’t meet my expectations. The plot was chaotic and hard to follow and the pacing was inconsistent. The world building was great, I enjoyed learning more about the history of the world and the magic was interesting. The writing was descriptive, but I wasn’t engaged in the story. I also have mixed feelings about some of the characters. I loved Freya in the first book, but I didn’t like her as much in this book. She was very stubborn, wouldn’t forgive Bjorn for a long time, hotheaded and selfish at times. She was also very brave, resilient and realized her mistakes. My favorite character in this book was Bjorn, he was brave, strong, funny, protective and sweet to Freya. I didn’t like the side characters very much and there were too many characters to keep track of. The romance was inconsistent, there was great chemistry and angst at some parts of the book but at others I didn’t feel the spark between the main characters as much. I was hoping for more happy and romantic scenes between Freya and Bjorn. The ending was good and I’m glad the problems were resolved, but it was underwhelming. Overall this book was okay, but the plot was boring at times, there pacing was inconsistent, and I didn’t like most of the characters.
I have mixed feelings about this book. I loved the first book, but sadly this book didn’t meet my expectations. The plot was chaotic and hard to follow and the pacing was inconsistent. The world building was great, I enjoyed learning more about the history of the world and the magic was interesting. The writing was descriptive, but I wasn’t engaged in the story. I also have mixed feelings about some of the characters. I loved Freya in the first book, but I didn’t like her as much in this book. She was very stubborn, wouldn’t forgive Bjorn for a long time, hotheaded and selfish at times. She was also very brave, resilient and realized her mistakes. My favorite character in this book was Bjorn, he was brave, strong, funny, protective and sweet to Freya. I didn’t like the side characters very much and there were too many characters to keep track of. The romance was inconsistent, there was great chemistry and angst at some parts of the book but at others I didn’t feel the spark between the main characters as much. I was hoping for more happy and romantic scenes between Freya and Bjorn. The ending was good and I’m glad the problems were resolved, but it was underwhelming. Overall this book was okay, but the plot was boring at times, there pacing was inconsistent, and I didn’t like most of the characters.
June 19, 2025
Freya would 100% be my vilain origin story. I have never, never NEVER wanted to slap a character with an axe SO BADLY. She was behaving like a child that never got denied anything.
No one is more disappointed than I am. Book 1 was a 5 stars read for me. I’m so bummed out.
The tone from book one to book two was INSANELY different and it didn’t work for me.
400 pages and absolutely *no* character development whatsoever. Bjorn faded to the background and was always insanely sorry and self deprecating. Get a grip. To be quite honest, I wondered why he loved Freya. This whole book I was like? How? She’s the absolute worst. She has no redeeming qualities and she’s a real brat. And don’t even get me started on the ending. Absolutely vile. I will consider book 1 a standalone.
I don’t have anything positive to say about this book. Why were the plans just randomly and brashly decided upon? No one discussed anything. And when they did, they didn’t discuss the right things. 2 times I actually thought : oh but isn’t this going to happen if you do that? Won’t it go airy if you go down with that plan? And then EXACTLY what I predicted happened ! It’s just not normal that I was predicting shit they weren’t. I don’t have war training. I’m not a Viking.
Thank you to my twin beauty to have suffered through this with me 😭 we need better luck with our next BR 🫡
—-• pre read
BR this with my twin beauty Krysta ꕤ 🥹💗
This is one of my most anticipated reads of the year!!
No one is more disappointed than I am. Book 1 was a 5 stars read for me. I’m so bummed out.
The tone from book one to book two was INSANELY different and it didn’t work for me.
400 pages and absolutely *no* character development whatsoever. Bjorn faded to the background and was always insanely sorry and self deprecating. Get a grip. To be quite honest, I wondered why he loved Freya. This whole book I was like? How? She’s the absolute worst. She has no redeeming qualities and she’s a real brat. And don’t even get me started on the ending. Absolutely vile. I will consider book 1 a standalone.
I don’t have anything positive to say about this book. Why were the plans just randomly and brashly decided upon? No one discussed anything. And when they did, they didn’t discuss the right things. 2 times I actually thought : oh but isn’t this going to happen if you do that? Won’t it go airy if you go down with that plan? And then EXACTLY what I predicted happened ! It’s just not normal that I was predicting shit they weren’t. I don’t have war training. I’m not a Viking.
Thank you to my twin beauty to have suffered through this with me 😭 we need better luck with our next BR 🫡
—-• pre read
BR this with my twin beauty Krysta ꕤ 🥹💗
This is one of my most anticipated reads of the year!!
June 19, 2025
“From the moment i met you, i have fought for you. And I’ll fight for you every day until I enter Valhalla.”
that’s cute and all i guess, but while Bjorn is fighting for his life in Valhalla, i’ll be pretending A Fate Inked in Blood is a standalone cause wtf was this?
Freya was so incredibly obnoxious and rude with her misplaced anger towards everyone around her, especially Bjorn. they had no chemistry this time around and i was no longer even rooting for them as a couple, i would’ve been happy if they broke up. even Bjorn couldn’t save the story for me, i actually got annoyed with him too cause he let Freya walk all over him. the miscommunication and lack of accountability was driving me up the wall, then you throw in a nonsensical plot with the dumbest character decisions and it becomes a 5 star recipe for disaster. i can’t even tell you why all these decisions were being made, a good chunk of the book is just plain confusing too. it feels like a crime that i hated this cause i loved book one so much, it didn’t even seem like it was in the same series.. what an odd reading experience, as a conclusion to the duology it failed in every way possible if you ask me.
— thanks to my my twin beauty Maeghan for buddy reading this with me, you made it all a lot more tolerable fr lmaooo 👯♀️🧡
that’s cute and all i guess, but while Bjorn is fighting for his life in Valhalla, i’ll be pretending A Fate Inked in Blood is a standalone cause wtf was this?
Freya was so incredibly obnoxious and rude with her misplaced anger towards everyone around her, especially Bjorn. they had no chemistry this time around and i was no longer even rooting for them as a couple, i would’ve been happy if they broke up. even Bjorn couldn’t save the story for me, i actually got annoyed with him too cause he let Freya walk all over him. the miscommunication and lack of accountability was driving me up the wall, then you throw in a nonsensical plot with the dumbest character decisions and it becomes a 5 star recipe for disaster. i can’t even tell you why all these decisions were being made, a good chunk of the book is just plain confusing too. it feels like a crime that i hated this cause i loved book one so much, it didn’t even seem like it was in the same series.. what an odd reading experience, as a conclusion to the duology it failed in every way possible if you ask me.
— thanks to my my twin beauty Maeghan for buddy reading this with me, you made it all a lot more tolerable fr lmaooo 👯♀️🧡
June 9, 2025
justified FEMALE RAGE wrapped in a Viking’s skin & empowered by Norse goddesses ⚔️🔥🩶 Freya is that girl and she could call my feeble body to join her in war!
⚔️🩶 ⚔️🩶 ⚔️🩶
“You are my home, Freya. Everywhere else is just a place to lay my head.”
Freya is so freaking pissed and I love it! She’s in ’enemy’ territory & is struggling to untangle the lies from truth. All the more complicated by these fucking men that WON’T LEAVE HER ALONE! Just leave Brittany alone!! Men struggling for power or just being plain dumb. The stakes are super high as Freya navigates betrayed, treacherous Kings and her IMMENSE powers.
Men were generally awful BUT THEN THERE WAS BJORN! 🩶 This man fucked up a while ago and spent the rest of his (life, really) the journey supporting, empowering, pleading & coveting Freya 🔥 Bjorn didn’t even want her to forgive him & truly gave up all the power to her. Freya & Bjorn were put through the wringer but through everything they kept repeating “I will follow you to Valhalla!” #powercouple
🛡️ fiercely strong fmc *it’s giving Nesta iykyk*
🔥 unexpected plot twists!
🛡️ hilarious banter between Bjorn & Freya
🔥 tricky wills of Norse gods and threads of fate
This was just as face paced as the first book and I was never bored. Perhaps a little too much battle but this is the North & only the strongest survive! I was again mesmerized by all the Norse lore & gods but I stayed for Freya. The fmc was the ultimate strong girl persevering through injustice & pain through her sheer determination and ingenuity. FREYA IS THAT FIERCE GIRL and I only wish I had 1% of her strength.
4.5 ⭐️
⚔️🩶 ⚔️🩶 ⚔️🩶
“You are my home, Freya. Everywhere else is just a place to lay my head.”
Freya is so freaking pissed and I love it! She’s in ’enemy’ territory & is struggling to untangle the lies from truth. All the more complicated by these fucking men that WON’T LEAVE HER ALONE! Just leave Brittany alone!! Men struggling for power or just being plain dumb. The stakes are super high as Freya navigates betrayed, treacherous Kings and her IMMENSE powers.
Men were generally awful BUT THEN THERE WAS BJORN! 🩶 This man fucked up a while ago and spent the rest of his (life, really) the journey supporting, empowering, pleading & coveting Freya 🔥 Bjorn didn’t even want her to forgive him & truly gave up all the power to her. Freya & Bjorn were put through the wringer but through everything they kept repeating “I will follow you to Valhalla!” #powercouple
🛡️ fiercely strong fmc *it’s giving Nesta iykyk*
🔥 unexpected plot twists!
🛡️ hilarious banter between Bjorn & Freya
🔥 tricky wills of Norse gods and threads of fate
This was just as face paced as the first book and I was never bored. Perhaps a little too much battle but this is the North & only the strongest survive! I was again mesmerized by all the Norse lore & gods but I stayed for Freya. The fmc was the ultimate strong girl persevering through injustice & pain through her sheer determination and ingenuity. FREYA IS THAT FIERCE GIRL and I only wish I had 1% of her strength.
4.5 ⭐️
July 2, 2025
“Fear is the weapon that will wield you what you want…” 😮💨🗡️
This book is filled with so. much. effin. trickery. 😤 Every time I thought I had a grip on what was going on—BOOM, plot twist. Betrayal? Twists? Backstabbing on backstabbing? Baby, this one has it ALL. Keep your head on the ultimate swivel 🌀 because no one is safe and no one can be trusted. I mean it.
This was the definition of female rage 💢🔥 — Freya was done being played and manipulated, and she went feral in the best way. I was living for every second of it.
The story picks up right where book one left off (y’all remember that beach scene?! 🏖️😳), and from the very beginning it’s chaos, emotion, and war-level tension. There were several jaw-on-the-floor moments 😱 and I screamed into my pillow at least three separate times 😂😭
Let’s talk Freya. She’s stubborn AF and had me yelling at her more than once, but I also love her for it. She’s been through it and she fought like hell. Bjorn?? Still everything. Still him. Still love him. Forever my Viking fantasy 🛡️❤️🔥
This book was an emotional rollercoaster from beginning to end 🎢—like, unhinged levels of anxiety and heartache—but it also delivered on action, high stakes, and magic. The Viking-esque vibes were absolutely top tier ⚔️🔥 and the world Jensen built just pulls you all the way in. I highly recommend immersive reading 🎧📖 because it made it feel like I was standing in the middle of the saga the entire time.
While I’m heartbroken that this duology is officially over, I’m even more hyped now to dive into The Bridge Kingdom series next!
“A ballad for the ages. The Saga of the Unfated.” 🥹🖤✨
This book is filled with so. much. effin. trickery. 😤 Every time I thought I had a grip on what was going on—BOOM, plot twist. Betrayal? Twists? Backstabbing on backstabbing? Baby, this one has it ALL. Keep your head on the ultimate swivel 🌀 because no one is safe and no one can be trusted. I mean it.
This was the definition of female rage 💢🔥 — Freya was done being played and manipulated, and she went feral in the best way. I was living for every second of it.
The story picks up right where book one left off (y’all remember that beach scene?! 🏖️😳), and from the very beginning it’s chaos, emotion, and war-level tension. There were several jaw-on-the-floor moments 😱 and I screamed into my pillow at least three separate times 😂😭
Let’s talk Freya. She’s stubborn AF and had me yelling at her more than once, but I also love her for it. She’s been through it and she fought like hell. Bjorn?? Still everything. Still him. Still love him. Forever my Viking fantasy 🛡️❤️🔥
This book was an emotional rollercoaster from beginning to end 🎢—like, unhinged levels of anxiety and heartache—but it also delivered on action, high stakes, and magic. The Viking-esque vibes were absolutely top tier ⚔️🔥 and the world Jensen built just pulls you all the way in. I highly recommend immersive reading 🎧📖 because it made it feel like I was standing in the middle of the saga the entire time.
While I’m heartbroken that this duology is officially over, I’m even more hyped now to dive into The Bridge Kingdom series next!
“A ballad for the ages. The Saga of the Unfated.” 🥹🖤✨
Want to read
August 5, 2024did i absolutely despise the first one? yes, yes i did. will i still be reading this one? you betcher bottom dollar!
June 18, 2025
I LOVED this one so much omg !! RTC ❤️🔥
May 27, 2025
edit 27th May - after some thinking time, im reducing this rating to 2.5 stars (rounded up to 3 on here) I'm still devastated.
I am truly heartbroken to be writing this. I LOVED A Fate Inked in Blood. One of my favourite books of 2025. And this was one of my most anticipated reads of the year.
Alas, it didn't live up to the pedestal I put it on. And I'm gutted!
Bjorn felt like a completely different character in this. Instead of the badass warrior that I fell in love with in book 1. He felt like Freya's lap dog a little bit. Following her around with his tail between his legs. I hated it.
And I know the end of book 1 meant that things changed for them as far as their relationship was concerned going into book 2. But this went on WAY too long, personally. Freya truly wouldn't let it go no matter how many times Bjorn apologised or explained himself and it felt completely unnecessary. On that basis, the romance part of this book almost felt none-existent.
The first 200 pages were a bit of a drag for me and things didn't start ramping up until after this point.
A couple of things that could be effecting this though, I didn't reread book 1 going into this, and I did the audiobook this time (because I had an arc last time so I had to physically read it). And the narrator for the MMC just seemed super emotionless. For example if Bjorn was shouting something, he'd say it in his normal voice, just no emotion at all.
I'm just completely gutted about the whole thing. I still stand by AFIIB being one of my favourite reads but this, unfortunately, isn't.
I am truly heartbroken to be writing this. I LOVED A Fate Inked in Blood. One of my favourite books of 2025. And this was one of my most anticipated reads of the year.
Alas, it didn't live up to the pedestal I put it on. And I'm gutted!
Bjorn felt like a completely different character in this. Instead of the badass warrior that I fell in love with in book 1. He felt like Freya's lap dog a little bit. Following her around with his tail between his legs. I hated it.
And I know the end of book 1 meant that things changed for them as far as their relationship was concerned going into book 2. But this went on WAY too long, personally. Freya truly wouldn't let it go no matter how many times Bjorn apologised or explained himself and it felt completely unnecessary. On that basis, the romance part of this book almost felt none-existent.
The first 200 pages were a bit of a drag for me and things didn't start ramping up until after this point.
A couple of things that could be effecting this though, I didn't reread book 1 going into this, and I did the audiobook this time (because I had an arc last time so I had to physically read it). And the narrator for the MMC just seemed super emotionless. For example if Bjorn was shouting something, he'd say it in his normal voice, just no emotion at all.
I'm just completely gutted about the whole thing. I still stand by AFIIB being one of my favourite reads but this, unfortunately, isn't.
June 1, 2025
I love a yearning mmc and an angry fmc.
I also love when they fight and then kiss. <3
I also love when they fight and then kiss. <3
June 24, 2025
3.5 ⭐️ Emotionally layered, myth-soaked conflict, & a heroine at war with herself!
DANIELLE L. JENSEN brings Freya’s journey to a close in A Curse Carved in Bone (Saga of the Unfated, #2), the follow-up to her bold and immersive Norse-inspired fantasy A Fate Inked in Blood. While this sequel offers no shortage of action, high-stakes twists, and richly imagined conflict, it didn’t capture me the same way the first book did.
Freya’s personal battle remains the heart of the story, as she’s forced to reckon with her divine power, her fractured loyalties, and a fate she refuses to accept. The stakes are higher, the battles fiercer, and the betrayals more cutting—but for me, what was missing was that magnetic tension between her and Bjorn that lit up the first book. Their connection here feels distant, weighed down by mistrust and relentless conflict rather than that simmering angst that once had me fully hooked.
There’s still plenty to admire. The world-building continues to impress, with the Unfated, seers, and shifting allegiances making every move unpredictable. The pacing is brisk, and the twists are well placed, keeping the plot moving and the danger real. But with so many battles and external conflicts, I did find myself a little bored at times and missed the emotional stakes that made the first book shine.
It took me ten days to finish, which is longer than usual for me. While I always intended to return to the story, I wasn’t racing back to it the way I had with A Fate Inked in Blood. I think I just missed feeling emotionally tethered to the heart of it all.
This was also a sister read with Brenda, who—true to form—blazed ahead while I lagged behind, unintentionally putting a bit of a damper on our usual back-and-forth. Still, sharing the journey with her always makes the experience more special.
Norma’s Stats
Cover: Fiery, bold, and powerful—it captures both Freya’s strength and the high stakes of her journey.
Title: Poetic and fitting. It complements the first book while reflecting the darker tone of this final chapter.
Writing/Prose: 🇨🇦 Canadian Author
Strong and cinematic. Jensen’s style is vivid and fluid, especially in the action scenes.
Plot: Fast-paced, twist-filled, and full of danger. Less emotional pull, more external conflict.
Ending: Conclusive and thoughtful. A fitting end to a sweeping saga.
Overall: A worthy finale packed with action and intensity, even if I missed the emotional spark. I’m rounding up to 4 stars for the world, the writing, and Freya’s fierce journey.
DANIELLE L. JENSEN brings Freya’s journey to a close in A Curse Carved in Bone (Saga of the Unfated, #2), the follow-up to her bold and immersive Norse-inspired fantasy A Fate Inked in Blood. While this sequel offers no shortage of action, high-stakes twists, and richly imagined conflict, it didn’t capture me the same way the first book did.
Freya’s personal battle remains the heart of the story, as she’s forced to reckon with her divine power, her fractured loyalties, and a fate she refuses to accept. The stakes are higher, the battles fiercer, and the betrayals more cutting—but for me, what was missing was that magnetic tension between her and Bjorn that lit up the first book. Their connection here feels distant, weighed down by mistrust and relentless conflict rather than that simmering angst that once had me fully hooked.
There’s still plenty to admire. The world-building continues to impress, with the Unfated, seers, and shifting allegiances making every move unpredictable. The pacing is brisk, and the twists are well placed, keeping the plot moving and the danger real. But with so many battles and external conflicts, I did find myself a little bored at times and missed the emotional stakes that made the first book shine.
It took me ten days to finish, which is longer than usual for me. While I always intended to return to the story, I wasn’t racing back to it the way I had with A Fate Inked in Blood. I think I just missed feeling emotionally tethered to the heart of it all.
This was also a sister read with Brenda, who—true to form—blazed ahead while I lagged behind, unintentionally putting a bit of a damper on our usual back-and-forth. Still, sharing the journey with her always makes the experience more special.
Norma’s Stats
Cover: Fiery, bold, and powerful—it captures both Freya’s strength and the high stakes of her journey.
Title: Poetic and fitting. It complements the first book while reflecting the darker tone of this final chapter.
Writing/Prose: 🇨🇦 Canadian Author
Strong and cinematic. Jensen’s style is vivid and fluid, especially in the action scenes.
Plot: Fast-paced, twist-filled, and full of danger. Less emotional pull, more external conflict.
Ending: Conclusive and thoughtful. A fitting end to a sweeping saga.
Overall: A worthy finale packed with action and intensity, even if I missed the emotional spark. I’m rounding up to 4 stars for the world, the writing, and Freya’s fierce journey.
May 15, 2025
What even was this? Both the characters and the romance were as lost as the wet clump of hair in my shower drain.
July 21, 2025
LOVE THIS CONCLUSION
June 18, 2025
⭐️⭐️⭐️ . 5 rounded down.
Freya is giving petulant child vibes and it’s driving me crazy. I know that this is the authors intended vibe for her the first half of the book, but holy heaven is it exhausting. It does get better about 1/2 way, so it saves the whole storyline, but it was a little bit of a drag for the first entire half.
The storyline is good, again, about 1/2 way through when everything is revealed. I feel like the story building was lacking in the first half and it was all about Freya and her childish emotions. It made it hard to connect with her as a main character and made me wonder where in earth we were going.
My other issue was the dual - POV with the MMC. He seemed to have a similar vibe to Freya and that made believability difficult. At times the writing felt elementary, which was a bummer. The overall plot and storyline was great! I just wished it was pulled together a little tighter. I preferred a single POV in this particular story, I really hated going back and forth in time to recall what was happening in each side of the fence.
Overall, first book was better, series overall was ok. I liked it but I’m not in love with it and would give this a maybe for a recommendation depending on reading tastes.
Freya is giving petulant child vibes and it’s driving me crazy. I know that this is the authors intended vibe for her the first half of the book, but holy heaven is it exhausting. It does get better about 1/2 way, so it saves the whole storyline, but it was a little bit of a drag for the first entire half.
The storyline is good, again, about 1/2 way through when everything is revealed. I feel like the story building was lacking in the first half and it was all about Freya and her childish emotions. It made it hard to connect with her as a main character and made me wonder where in earth we were going.
My other issue was the dual - POV with the MMC. He seemed to have a similar vibe to Freya and that made believability difficult. At times the writing felt elementary, which was a bummer. The overall plot and storyline was great! I just wished it was pulled together a little tighter. I preferred a single POV in this particular story, I really hated going back and forth in time to recall what was happening in each side of the fence.
Overall, first book was better, series overall was ok. I liked it but I’m not in love with it and would give this a maybe for a recommendation depending on reading tastes.
August 12, 2025
LETS GOOOOO
May 13, 2025
“𝙁𝙧𝙤𝙢 𝙩𝙝𝙚 𝙢𝙤𝙢𝙚𝙣𝙩 𝙄 𝙢𝙚𝙩 𝙮𝙤𝙪, 𝙄 𝙝𝙖𝙫𝙚 𝙛𝙤𝙪𝙜𝙝𝙩 𝙛𝙤𝙧 𝙮𝙤𝙪. 𝘼𝙣𝙙 𝙄’𝙡𝙡 𝙛𝙞𝙜𝙝𝙩 𝙛𝙤𝙧 𝙮𝙤𝙪 𝙚𝙫𝙚𝙧𝙮 𝙙𝙖𝙮 𝙪𝙣𝙩𝙞𝙡 𝙄 𝙚𝙣𝙩𝙚𝙧 𝙑𝙖𝙡𝙝𝙖𝙡𝙡𝙖.”
A Curse Carved in Bone by Danielle L. Jensen
4.5⭐️ | 2🌶️
-Norse mythology
-Vikings
-banter
-enemies to lovers
-secrets, lies, and betrayal
-prophecies
-feminine rage
-DUAL POV 🙌🏻
I’ve been looking forward to this since I finished A Fate Inked in Blood last year when I fell in love with Bjorn & Freya’s witty banter.
Picking up where it left off, I already had so many questions and they only increased from there. Danielle does a phenomenal job of dropping strategically placed breadcrumbs to make you weary without giving away the suspense and mystery. I was going crazy with all sorts of theories.
Bjorn and Freya and forced through so many obstacles and make some of most impossible and sometimes frustrating decisions. Their relationship is under intense strain and it starts to feel like there’s no win for them. But the bottom line is that they will do ANYTHING for each other.
“𝙄 𝙡𝙤𝙫𝙚 𝙩𝙝𝙚 𝙬𝙝𝙤𝙡𝙚 𝙤𝙛 𝙮𝙤𝙪! 𝙀𝙫𝙚𝙣 𝙬𝙝𝙚𝙣 𝙮𝙤𝙪 𝙖𝙧𝙚 𝙖𝙨 𝙢𝙚𝙖𝙣 𝙖𝙨 𝙖 𝙛𝙚𝙧𝙖𝙡 𝙘𝙖𝙩 𝙖𝙣𝙙 𝙨𝙖𝙮 𝙩𝙝𝙞𝙣𝙜𝙨 𝙩𝙝𝙖𝙩 𝙗𝙧𝙚𝙖𝙠 𝙢𝙮 𝙝𝙚𝙖𝙧𝙩, 𝙄 𝙨𝙩𝙞𝙡𝙡 𝙡𝙤𝙫𝙚 𝙮𝙤𝙪!”
Their discord had my heart hurting, their banter had me giggling, and their love had me in tears.
And OMG it was SO unbelievably satisfying when all the pieces came together and I’m just screaming “I KNEW IT!” while my husband is trying to sleep. And the ending was exactly what I expected and would have wanted for them both.
“𝘽𝙚𝙘𝙖𝙪𝙨𝙚 𝙄 𝙬𝙖𝙨 𝙁𝙧𝙚𝙮𝙖 𝘽𝙤𝙧𝙣-𝙞𝙣-𝙁𝙞𝙧𝙚. [𝙧𝙚𝙙𝙖𝙘𝙩𝙚𝙙 𝙛𝙤𝙧 𝙨𝙥𝙤𝙞𝙡𝙚𝙧𝙨]. 𝘼𝙣𝙙 𝙄 𝙬𝙤𝙪𝙡𝙙 𝙬𝙚𝙖𝙫𝙚 𝙢𝙮 𝙤𝙬𝙣 𝙛𝙖𝙩𝙚.”
Thank you @danielleljensen and @delreybooks for the gifted copy!
A Curse Carved in Bone by Danielle L. Jensen
4.5⭐️ | 2🌶️
-Norse mythology
-Vikings
-banter
-enemies to lovers
-secrets, lies, and betrayal
-prophecies
-feminine rage
-DUAL POV 🙌🏻
I’ve been looking forward to this since I finished A Fate Inked in Blood last year when I fell in love with Bjorn & Freya’s witty banter.
Picking up where it left off, I already had so many questions and they only increased from there. Danielle does a phenomenal job of dropping strategically placed breadcrumbs to make you weary without giving away the suspense and mystery. I was going crazy with all sorts of theories.
Bjorn and Freya and forced through so many obstacles and make some of most impossible and sometimes frustrating decisions. Their relationship is under intense strain and it starts to feel like there’s no win for them. But the bottom line is that they will do ANYTHING for each other.
“𝙄 𝙡𝙤𝙫𝙚 𝙩𝙝𝙚 𝙬𝙝𝙤𝙡𝙚 𝙤𝙛 𝙮𝙤𝙪! 𝙀𝙫𝙚𝙣 𝙬𝙝𝙚𝙣 𝙮𝙤𝙪 𝙖𝙧𝙚 𝙖𝙨 𝙢𝙚𝙖𝙣 𝙖𝙨 𝙖 𝙛𝙚𝙧𝙖𝙡 𝙘𝙖𝙩 𝙖𝙣𝙙 𝙨𝙖𝙮 𝙩𝙝𝙞𝙣𝙜𝙨 𝙩𝙝𝙖𝙩 𝙗𝙧𝙚𝙖𝙠 𝙢𝙮 𝙝𝙚𝙖𝙧𝙩, 𝙄 𝙨𝙩𝙞𝙡𝙡 𝙡𝙤𝙫𝙚 𝙮𝙤𝙪!”
Their discord had my heart hurting, their banter had me giggling, and their love had me in tears.
And OMG it was SO unbelievably satisfying when all the pieces came together and I’m just screaming “I KNEW IT!” while my husband is trying to sleep. And the ending was exactly what I expected and would have wanted for them both.
“𝘽𝙚𝙘𝙖𝙪𝙨𝙚 𝙄 𝙬𝙖𝙨 𝙁𝙧𝙚𝙮𝙖 𝘽𝙤𝙧𝙣-𝙞𝙣-𝙁𝙞𝙧𝙚. [𝙧𝙚𝙙𝙖𝙘𝙩𝙚𝙙 𝙛𝙤𝙧 𝙨𝙥𝙤𝙞𝙡𝙚𝙧𝙨]. 𝘼𝙣𝙙 𝙄 𝙬𝙤𝙪𝙡𝙙 𝙬𝙚𝙖𝙫𝙚 𝙢𝙮 𝙤𝙬𝙣 𝙛𝙖𝙩𝙚.”
Thank you @danielleljensen and @delreybooks for the gifted copy!
May 16, 2025
Going to need at least 7 business days to recover 😮💨
Danielle Jensen has done it again. Let me tell you… the angst and tension 🥵 the high-stakes action 🔥 the inner conflict 😵 and the TWISTS. Wow. How do I move on? I’m ruined🙃
Danielle Jensen has done it again. Let me tell you… the angst and tension 🥵 the high-stakes action 🔥 the inner conflict 😵 and the TWISTS. Wow. How do I move on? I’m ruined🙃
Want to read
August 6, 2024THE COVER!!!!! Freya looks so freaking badass!!!!
PS: I am begging you Del Rey, PLEASE send me an early copy 😭 I need this book like I need air!
PS: I am begging you Del Rey, PLEASE send me an early copy 😭 I need this book like I need air!
June 9, 2025
DLJ I love you for this, that plot twist had me gagged.
May 14, 2025
I really wanted to enjoy this one, but it just didn’t work for me. The pacing dragged, and I found myself losing interest pretty quickly. The characters weren’t particularly likable or compelling, which made it hard to stay invested in the story.
It had potential, but overall it felt disjointed and slow. Just not my cup of tea—but I know others may feel differently!
It had potential, but overall it felt disjointed and slow. Just not my cup of tea—but I know others may feel differently!
May 8, 2025
You know there’s a problem when you can’t tell if ‘axe’ is an innuendo or an actual axe in a life or death situation.🪓
Expect many more battles. A lot of trickery and meddling. Pages of angry, snappish exchanges mixed in with tension and arousal.🔥
Personally, book one was my favourite.
I felt disconnected to the characters due to the betrayal and hurt, but the remaining lust. There is not enough communication and working through their feelings to make the romance feel worth it.🥺
Sadly, there wasn’t enough emotional stakes for me to feel invested despite the actual high stakes in the story.💔
It doesn’t help that the audiobook narrator for Bjorn did a really bad Freya voice and low-key sounded Welsh, not Norse…
The epilogue felt perfect for Freya’s character growth which is always satisfying.🤩
*Arc gifted by Del Rey.
Expect many more battles. A lot of trickery and meddling. Pages of angry, snappish exchanges mixed in with tension and arousal.🔥
Personally, book one was my favourite.
I felt disconnected to the characters due to the betrayal and hurt, but the remaining lust. There is not enough communication and working through their feelings to make the romance feel worth it.🥺
Sadly, there wasn’t enough emotional stakes for me to feel invested despite the actual high stakes in the story.💔
It doesn’t help that the audiobook narrator for Bjorn did a really bad Freya voice and low-key sounded Welsh, not Norse…
The epilogue felt perfect for Freya’s character growth which is always satisfying.🤩
*Arc gifted by Del Rey.
June 8, 2025
3.75 stars.
I love Danielle L. Jensen and I will buy absolutely anything she writes. And while I absolutely loved A Fate Inked in Blood, I did struggle with this one a bit. It wasn't bad by any means. And I enjoyed reading it. But it felt very rushed at times. From moment one, this story is go go go go go. I missed the small and quiet moments for the characters to have with each other. I finished the book really feeling like this would have been best suited as a trilogy. There were some elements to the plot we definitely could have explored further and I think would have made the story overall a better arc. If you're someone who loves super fast paced books, then this will be the series for you.
I love Danielle L. Jensen and I will buy absolutely anything she writes. And while I absolutely loved A Fate Inked in Blood, I did struggle with this one a bit. It wasn't bad by any means. And I enjoyed reading it. But it felt very rushed at times. From moment one, this story is go go go go go. I missed the small and quiet moments for the characters to have with each other. I finished the book really feeling like this would have been best suited as a trilogy. There were some elements to the plot we definitely could have explored further and I think would have made the story overall a better arc. If you're someone who loves super fast paced books, then this will be the series for you.
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