YA Buddy Readers' Corner ♥ discussion

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 this Norse-inspired fantasy romance 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.

I'm veeeery behind so I'm hoping to get to this soon!

Ch 4
(view spoiler)[I’m definitely going to be confused by all the names lol but I’m ready, hope I’ll be able to keep them straight. Freya is married to an ass, Vragi, who is blessed by a god and can thus influence sea life? Kinda cool. So the jarl protects her country against Nordelanders, but women can’t join then? Although she wants to. She seems quite childish so far, fighting invisible enemies.

Already loved the warrior and his flirty attitude. Oh she’s cursed? Can’t wait to find out what her curse is. Her brother Geir doesn’t seem great, he’s literally forcing her to give up her life just so he can stay in position and have a great life with the girl he likes wtf??? Hypocrite. Vargi is throwing her for the wolfs omg WHAT a dick. I don’t like the name Bjorn ngl - I knew too many guys named that lol. And he’s blessed by Tyr, and thus a great warrior. Not keeping the gods straight ngl.

I don’t get why she had to hide that gift - especially since Hlin is apparently such a minor god. Bjorn was great tho. I really don’t get the big deal about her gift honestly, it doesn’t make sense at all imo. I’m just not understanding it. Glad she killed Vargi though, although I still don’t like Geir at all. (hide spoiler)]

Ch 15
(view spoiler)[Glad she kept her arm, although it was intense and she’s now scarred - her vanity rubs me the wrong way, her character just feels quite all over the place? Can’t get a read on her idk. Not liking Snorri for sure. Skaland reminds me of smallland from ikea 🤣🤣 ugh Ingrid sucks too, they all suck what the hell man.

Ylva’s power is kinda cool, but the marking ceremony was INTENSE. I wonder if she’s the child of another god and that’s what the second tattoo means? Can’t wait. I wonder whether it’s some sort of bond mark between her and Bjorn idk. I don’t trust Steinunn at all idk. Glad she didn’t have sex with Snorri lol (still laughing over that name since 'snor' means mustache in Dutch), she can only repeat the vow to someone of his blood so including Bjorn heheheheh. The vow could mean him too so that’s clearly the ‘surprising’ angle the author is going for. It’s cool that only the god blessed can change their fate. Although Bjorn does frustrate me to no end and I hate how he treats her ‘weakness’ in battle, I also love their banter. He swore an oath to the Nordelander king Harald when he was little - why do I keep feeling like he’s working for him?? And his mother was the seer so Snorri DEFINITELY altered the prophecy to fit him. I still feel confused about it all honestly, not sure whether I’m loving it but I do need them to kiss already lmao.

Uh she’s speaking with gods now? Alright then. Ylva is such a bitch, putting Snorri and Bjorn against each other. I like the fights, but it’s odd how badly Snorri is pushing Bjorn towards Freya, it makes me wonder whether he has some ulterior motive here…? I wonder if he even heard anything about Bjorn being important in Freya’s fate or if he’s playing them. I also don’t trust Steinunn at ALL holy shit she’s definitely working for Harald. She’s either a spy for him or Snorri. (hide spoiler)]

Ch 22
(view spoiler)[I keep forgetting Hlin is a woman lmao. The walking bones/undead draugs were kind of random ngl, it felt a bit out of nowhere. Kinda seems like we still barely know anything about the world? Some chapters are so long btw geez.

That was cool damn, she was able to grasp his weapon!!! I wonder what else her power can do and what the second tattoo means. Their chemistry is great, can’t wait for her to stump Bjorn - he always bests her and I need him to be shook for once lol. His wording was odd - he said he needs revenge against the one who hurt his mother, but he didn’t say Haralds name so I’m thinking it’s not him. Ylva maybe?

Wait she put her power in Bjorn and protected him? Gosh we’re learning more and more. Cool that Loki and Thor and such are mentioned lol. Harald is here what!!! I really don’t think he killed Saga, Bjorn’s mother, I think it was Snorri. It’s so odd that he’d raise Bjorn as his own - although he could’ve told him lies, he doesn’t seem evil and Snorri clearly is. She keeps dooming someone to Hel and then the ground trembles so I’m guessing she has something to do with that god as well? so weird honestly.

Omg all the gods came AAAAH!! Kinda imagining them as death eaters ngl LMAO. They said she was a child of two blood tho so she clearly has two godly parents omg!!!!!!!! Can’t wait to find out who’s the other, still thinking hell related. It clearly wasn’t Ylva conspiring with Harald bc she clearly loves him, but it is clearly Bjorn duh!!!!! They kissed fuck me that was good but she still thinks she’s imagining Bjorn’s reaction dammit, he’s clearly trying not to get attached bc he either has to kill you or give you to Harald dammit.

Gnut burned their village aaaah and still Snorri is making it a good thing dammit guys, see his evil!! The slow burn is killing me. Although I do like the story, it’s also becoming a bit repetitive and slow with them traveling to a place, fighting and traveling again. It needs to speed up now honestly. Hate that liv died. (hide spoiler)]

Ch 30
(view spoiler)[HOW is she this blind omg it’s so frustrating, she totally mistrusts Ylva but the dude who was literally BROUGHT UP by Haldar, she doesn’t mistrust??? Seriously???? Gosh if she was a man at least I could say she only thinks with her dick 💀💀

they kissed again AAAAH that was good but dammit she’s pushing him away, even tho he basically declared his undying love, which was a bit intense ngl lol. But he’s hot. I think I like Bodil, although she makes me wonder whether it was really said that a ‘man’ would control Freya’s fate or whether she can control her own fate - or if it’s just speaking of Bjorn. Saga is the Spector???? Damn. I hope she’ll tell Freya how she really died.

Damn she nearly died - but the voices were clearly her god parents (not godparents lmao), can’t wait to find out who the father is tbh it’s taking so long. Bjorn was great and I’m liking Bodil too, she doesn’t seem evil. THEY NEARLY HAD SEx woohooo omg that was too good yayayayayay. The slow burn is still killing though pfff. I need to sleep but aaaah!!!!!

I really think the whole prediction is about Bjorn and her since she mentioned him possessing her/her heart so it’s fucking obvious that he’s going to be king ngl. She charged into battle like a fucking idiot and I absolutely detest her at this point, she’s acting as though she’s high and mighty but she doesn’t actually think and just kills everyone - getting Bodile killed and I HATE IT. Ugh, Bjorn is trying to bring her from this path but I’m guessing the blood lust has to do with her godly father and I hate it so much ugh. Already sick of her drama. And her feeling bad but only after she’s been stupid as hell once again. Bjorn should let her die honestly, he deserves so much better and she’s just dead weight fuck off.

Ugh Geir and Ingrid are here, I hate like everyone but Bjorn at this point. The audacity of Geir go fuck yourself and die. She’s being possessed or some shit, but I still hate her ngl. Dammit Bjorn just kill her who cares argh!!! I’m really getting frustrated by her feeling bad for herself and being stupid ugh. I hope this red eye possession thing won’t play a big role because it’s already annoying me. (hide spoiler)]

Damn I got frustrated lmao

Finished
(view spoiler)[The woman who came to her mother’s door with the golden braids and such - wasn’t that exactly like the description of Steinun? Odds of her being a descendant of that one/being her? Glad she left her mother, although it was brutal damn. Some evil god did put her power into Freya then and she’ll have to choose between good and evil bla bla. No I'm not hating it but it’s just a bit cliche at this point. It’s so annoying that she’s still sacrificing everything for her family bc that’s clearly what’s turning her evil ugh I’m so over this!!! I don’t care that her mother is dead get over it. She was a bitch and I don’t care at all. And now she’s leaving Bjorn argh my rating is dropping with every page, this sucks. She suddenly can’t fucking think for herself and only wants revenge and her character is truly all over the place, I hate what this has become. Dammit I won’t even enjoy their sex when we FINALLY get it ugh!!!!!:&:’ I cannot put into words how frustrated I am.

And now she’s staying AGAIN for that piece of shit Geir and I don’t believe Ingrid is pregnant at all, who fucking cares?!?!? She keeps changing her mind about everything. Bjorn is right, she should’ve left them to die bc Snorri wouldn’t have any leverage if he’d killed them so he won’t. Still obvious that Bjorn is working with them, but I don’t get why he’d help Harald kill Freya? That Tora chick did try to kill her before. It’s all a bit bland at this point, Tora sucks but all the actions and reactions were obvious and it’s annoying how Freya doesn’t see anything.

I am actually surprised that Bjorn killed his mother tho damn. The story is odd though hmm, who was the man visiting her? Don’t tell me she actually thinks they got away that easily 💀💀 They had sex, and I’m not even that excited about it. It was cute, but the timing felt really off honestly and I don’t like how rushed it felt; like the author wanted to set the scene for the betrayal that’s clearly coming and kinda rushed it. Damn, I'm really starting to become disappointed.

Arghhhhh seriously?!?!? This was so predictable argh. She’s indeed the daughter of Hel, surprise 🙄 Honestly her curses feel really cringe and childish ngl. It’s odd that it wouldn’t touch Haldar though - maybe he’s connected to hel too? I don’t trust him hm. Steinunn is of course working with him and I already don’t care about her story which will clearly be important for her character but I. Don’t. Care. Gosh everyone is just so dislikable and flat in this, they lack depth, even Freya. Her entire character was all over the place and just didn’t make sense. Bjorn was nice, but also felt a bit odd, especially the whole Norlander plot. There are just so many questions still, and I hate how literally nothing is answered. It is surprising that his mother is still alive, but once again, it doesn’t really add up. I don’t know, I’m not a big fan of how this turned out, how predictable, cliche and annoying the story and Freya were. My rating really dropped while nearing the end, it was just so repetitive at times and I honestly feel like Freya still barely knows how to fight but apparently she’s great 🙄 Mary Sue that you. And why would hel want to have her as a child wtf man. Frustrated by the lack of answers and the fact that it’s 2 am and I should’ve chosen sleep over this. (hide spoiler)]

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Date changed. Restarting July 3rd 2024. Happy Reading ☺

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25% (view spoiler)[ So many names and they arent common so this is going to be hard to remember lol I dont like Freyas husband, such as ass. I cant believe he did that to her. Now she has to marry someone else and his wife totally doesnt like that( i wouldnt either). (hide spoiler)]

I am a little late to start this one but will start on Friday just have a few assignments due.

50% (view spoiler)[ I am not liking Snorri at all. I dislike how Ylva is pinning Snorri against Bjorn. I like how we are seeing all the gods. (hide spoiler)]

I'm a little late as well but I'm going to start today :)

Chapter 13
(view spoiler)[What a start! I have almost no knowledge of Norse mythology (I know only basic stuff) so it's kind of a lot for me but I'm enjoying it so far!

Her friend Ingrind sucks (and her brother too)! I know there people who are way worse than her but we already expect them to suck. (hide spoiler)]

Chapter 18
(view spoiler)[A lot is happening! Is it strange that I think King Harald isn't the one who killed Bjorn's mother? (hide spoiler)]

Chapter 23
(view spoiler)[So your city just burned out and people got killed and your reaction is something like "Let's look at it from the bright side."? WOW! (hide spoiler)]

Finished
(view spoiler)[I think it was pretty obvious Bjorn wasn't on Snorri's side but Bjorn's mother being alive was a big surprise!

I was kind of annoyed by Freya closer to the end. She only saw Ylva as the one who could betray Snorri. She had a tunnel vision and didn't see any other possibility.
(hide spoiler)]