A Fate Inked in Blood

Encourage readers to connect the book’s themes and characters with their personal experiences.

1. When have you found yourself in situations where you took on guilt or responsibility that wasn’t truly yours, similar to Freya’s tendency to blame herself for others’ actions?

2. Reflect on a time when you had to make a decision without knowing its full impact. In what ways did this experience mirror Freya’s struggles with fate?

3. What long-held dream have you reconsidered after experiencing its reality, akin to Freya’s shifting perspective on warrior glory?

4. Which character’s approach to trust and loyalty resonated most with your own values?

5. The novel portrays Freya’s guilt unhelpfully manifesting as pettiness or rudeness. What uncomfortable emotions do you find challenging to process?

6. How has vulnerability shaped your most important relationships, and does Bjorn’s eventual honesty with Freya change your perception of his character?

Examine the book’s relevance to societal issues, historical events, or cultural themes.

1. What parallels do you see between Skaland’s patriarchal society, and historical or contemporary gender dynamics?

2. The novel explores how powerful figures exploit others for personal gain. Where do you observe similar dynamics in our world today?

3. Compare Skaland’s cultural beliefs about fate and predetermined destiny with your own cultural understanding of these concepts.

Dive into the book’s structure, characters, themes, and symbolism.

1. How does the symbol of blood relate to the novel’s interest in identity, power, and divine connection? How does its meaning change as the novel goes on?

2. The novel features three major themes: tension between destiny and autonomy, consequences of exercising free will, and exploitation as a means of acquiring power. Which is the most satisfyingly resolved in the novel and why?

3. What narrative purpose does the revelation of Freya’s dual divine parentage serve in the overall story arc?

4. How does the motif of ravens connect to the novel’s discussion of prophecy, death, and divine presence? Why is this animal the image related to these concepts?

5. The forbidden romance between Freya and Bjorn drives many plot developments. Why might Jensen have chosen this particular relationship dynamic to explore her themes?

6. How does Jensen use Freya’s unreliable narration to create suspense while maintaining reader sympathy? How does Jensen let readers know that Freya’s voice is not always to be fully trusted?