A Curse Carved in Bone (Saga of the Unfated #2) by Danielle L. Jensen -- Starting June 18th 2025

[Jenn]

A shield maiden fights to break the shackles of prophecy—and to overcome the betrayal of the man who broke her heart—in this searing conclusion to the Norse-inspired fantasy romance duology that began with the bestselling A Fate Inked in Blood.

The secret of her divine heritage revealed, Freya finds herself on a path that will see thousands of lives lost to the magic in her blood. Desperate to avoid this dark fate, she risks an alliance with Skaland’s greatest enemy to seek answers from the seer who foretold her future—the same seer who sent Bjorn to kill her.

While Freya still seethes with rage over Bjorn’s betrayal, the blood oaths that bind her demand that she keep him close as she hunts for a way to avert the looming war. Her magic draws her to the front lines of an old enmity, embroiling her with Nordeland’s Unfated—children of the gods who serve the king she was raised to fear. The same king who, unlike Bjorn, is now willing to fight at her back. For despite the desire that burns hot between Bjorn and Freya, his growing distrust of her chosen path threatens to drag them further apart.

As war approaches, gods and mortals must choose their weapons. Yet the fiercest battle will be the one Freya wages within herself. With the magic of two goddesses burning in her veins, she must weave the threads of destiny to decide her own fate: Will she be the shield that protects her people or the curse that destroys them?

[Maddie]

Woohoo here I am! I'm not going to re-read so fingers crossed I can remember things!

[Jenn]

I'm a little behind but hoping to get to this one by tomorrow!

[Sarah A]

I'm going to join you both for this one.

[Maddie]

Jenn wrote: "I'm a little behind but hoping to get to this one by tomorrow!"

Me too! I'll get to it this weekend :)

Hi Sarah!

[Sarah A]

Hello Maddie!

Ok I started this last night. I may have to re-read the last couple of chapters of Fate inked in blood because I am so lost!

[Jenn]

Ok finished my reread of the first book and am now starting this one!

[Maddie]

oh dear do you recommend a re read Sarah and Jenn? I don't remember much from Fate! if I should re read ill pick that up before Curse!

[Maddie]

I think i will read Fate again! so ill be back in a few days when I pick up Cursed

[Jenn]

Haha i had actually forgotten more than i thought i had so i was glad i reread it. But thats what happens when you read a book pretty much when it releases then have to wait over a year until the next one comes out

[Jenn]

Chapter 2: (view spoiler)[ not much so far, but we get Bjorn's POV! (hide spoiler)]

[Maddie]

yeah im the same! I just finished my re read so im going to finish up bone shard daughter series and then pick this up. im so happy i re read, I forgot everything hahaha I also loved it a lot more this time around

[Jenn]

Chapter 13: (view spoiler)[ i wish Freya would just talk to Bjorn and get his story. Her constant pouting around him is going to cause her tonget distracted and then bad things will happen, i just know it. And im not sure how much I trust Harald and how nice hes being. Everyone wants something from freya so why should he be any different (hide spoiler)]

[Jenn]

Chapter 28: (view spoiler)[ Well shit. I feel like they should have expected something like this to happen. Snorri is dead set on getting Freya and obviously knows to use the oath against her. I get why Bjorn doesn't want to force Freya with the oath, but at the same time, he could easily use it for this one time and they somehow free her from it - IDK. It just seems like they walked right into this trap. Now Freya, Bjorn and Saga are all within Snorri's grasp. It just seems dumb.

I am however waiting for something to drop here - I think there's going to be a betrayal here. I feel like Skade is too obvious and I don't think Harald would make a deal with Snorri. My bet is honestly on Saga - her wanting to protect her son. I wouldn't be shocked if she made a deal with Snorri to hand over Freya somehow. Something about her showing up and wanting to be there, and having Freya get closer just rubs me the wrong way. I also could be completely wrong haha. (hide spoiler)]

[Jenn]

Chapter 32: (view spoiler)[Ok so I totally should have seen that coming. A child of Loki! oh snap! (hide spoiler)]

[Jenn]

Chapter 40: (view spoiler)[ not me cheering when she freed Skoll and Hati. I only hope that they come back and fight against Harold now that they're free (hide spoiler)]

[Jenn]

Finished: (view spoiler)[ The poor Unfated. Harald fooled all of them just to get them under his thumb. His death was rather fitting with Saga taking him to the underworld. Part of me wishes there was a scene with Hati and Skoll living with Freya and Bjorn at the end because of course the animal lover in me is like what happened to them? LOL. (hide spoiler)]

[Maddie]

I'll be starting my month off with this one I think!

[Maddie]

Oops I finished this without updating haha the joys of barely using goodreads anymore I forgot!

[Maddie]

Jenn wrote: "Chapter 13: [spoilers removed]"

Yeesss it's why I get frustrated with relationships in fantasy romance hahaha so much denial and self pity

[Maddie]

Jenn wrote: "Chapter 28: Well shit. I feel like they should have expected something like this to happen. Snorri is dead set on getting Freya and obviously knows to use the oath against her. I get why Bjorn doe..."

Oohhh I like that idea haha

[Maddie]

Jenn wrote: "Chapter 32: [spoilers removed]"

I did not see that coming hahaha. This book was actually filled with twists!

[Maddie]

Jenn wrote: "Finished: [spoilers removed]"

Haha yeessss. I love the glimpse (view spoiler)[of domestic life we got with them running their house and ALSO HAVING NO CHILDREN HALLELUJAH. But also great how they did pick up their weapons again (hide spoiler)]