I actually read this book earlier this month before I went on to read The Bridge Kingdom series, so I didn't have huge expectations for it. Fun fact: the author Danielle L. Jensen writes out of Calgary, AB. I was instantly hooked - it has everything I look for in a fantasy novel, including a well-developed world. We follow Freya's POV as a shield-maiden, a woman blessed with a drop of a goddess's blood whose magic is prophesied to unite her fractured nation under the one who controls her fate. Obviously the whole 'one who controls her fate' thing is not appealing, so she's hidden her magic since she discovered it. Our MMC is Bjorn, the son of Freya's regional jarl (aka the chief, mayor, etc.). The romance aspect of the book is enemies to lovers, forced proximity (just never gets old), forbidden love, and tension filled. The pacing is good and doesn't leave room to lose interest. Honestly no complaints with this one!

This is the first in a series, so it ends on a cliffhanger!