Challenge 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.

**This BOTM thread will be open until June 5th @ Midnight (in your time zone)**

9 chapters

(view spoiler)[ hmmm. Interesting beginning, I like it.
I like that Fraya's fate (and Bjorn's) are but unwritten but foretold. I like that they have gods blood in them so they are able to affect the threads around them

Interesting that Ylva's oath included Bjorn because it was anyone of that blood. It was a weird way to phrase it - I assume it means anyone in the bloodline so it should cover his son

I wonder how they will get out of these raiders and how many more will come and fight them for her (hide spoiler)]

9 Chapters ~ Loving it so far!

(view spoiler)[ I know, right? Her husband Vragi was a jerk! I was surprised when she killed him. But she didn't want to see Geir and Ingrid split up by Vragi...again, such a jerk! I like Bjorn and Freya too, and I assume they will end up together.

I guess "threads" went over my head. What are threads? (hide spoiler)]

18 Chapters

(view spoiler)[Wow! A lot has happened! I understand why Ylva is so jealous now! And why she is so hateful, especially towards Bjorn and Freya. Not surprised that Snorri cheated on her, but having Bjorn with the seer upset her "first born" plans for her son with Snorri. lol Oh well, looks like she's a scorned woman.

I couldn't believe that Snorri made Bjorn, his own son, and Freya go through the Path to Helheim. Jeez...that was so intense! I thought since they made it to the top of Fjalltindr that they would be "safe" but jeez...then they had to go through more!

The end of Ch 18 was basically a cliffhanger, so I'm wondering how this will end with King Harald who killed Bjorn's mother. I have a feeling Bjorn will kill him, if that's possible.

I'm so sure Bjorn and Freya will end up having sex at some point but not sure how that's going to work! (hide spoiler)]

27 Chapters

(view spoiler)[I'm so mad! I was so happy for Freya when she got to train with Bodil because I thought she'd teach her so much, and I liked when she said something to Freya like, "Teach men to stay in their place." lol If anything, we usually hear the opposite. But I was so sad that she was killed and I truly wasn't expecting it.

Bjorn and Freya are getting hot and heavy! I'm worried what Snorri will do when he finds out because he surely will. I'm definitely rotting for them.

What Freya went through with the frostbite and her feet feeling like fire was just awful. I think they've pushed her too much to be a "warrior" like the only thing that makes you worthy is if you can fight and endure pain to the death. (hide spoiler)]

Finished

(view spoiler)[Now you probably REALLY don't like it! lol Jeez, there was one point when I thought that Bjorn was the traitor, then some things happened that I thought maybe not, but I believed Ylva when she swore she hadn't been the one to tell them where they were. That's when I really began to think Bjorn was the traitor but I couldn't figure out why!

The ending...ugh. They finally had sex and the scenes of passion and then right away she finds out he's in with Harald? AND his mother is alive? Honestly, I got tired of the sexual tension too, but I did want to see them together and to somehow make it work but now I have no idea and not so sure I still want that for them. (hide spoiler)]

I am on Chapter 6
(view spoiler)[I am so glad her first husband was killed. I am also really glad that when Bjorn asked her if it was worth it she responded yes. (hide spoiler)]

I just started and (view spoiler)[ hitting him in the face with a fish is an excellent start LOL (hide spoiler)]

I'm on chapter 19 and things are getting weird. (view spoiler)[ what's up with the ritual and the tea?? (hide spoiler)]

Chapter Fifteen
(view spoiler)[ This is fascinating so far. I haven't read much Norse fantasy before but this makes me want to read them all. I love Freya and Bjorn and also how complex Ylva is. This path they are about to set down is going to be bad. I like that they sent Steinunn back, she would have been a burden to them and have died. I like that Freya sees and gets her. She's lived a lonely life and I get why Bjorn doesn't like her, but it's not her fault. (hide spoiler)]

Jessica wrote: "Chapter Fifteen
[spoilers removed]"

Yea Ylva is a very interesting character. She runs very hot and cold.

Finished (view spoiler)[ I thought it was interesting to learn that Hel was the other blood within Freya's body. I am not sure why Freya was able to tell Bjorn that she isn't actually bound to Snorri unless Ylva didn't do any witchery (hide spoiler)]

Chapter Twenty
(view spoiler)[ Well that was fun, I love a good kiss to disguise themselves and that sure went far. I want them to hook up so badly and somehow keep half forgetting that she's married to his dad. (hide spoiler)]

Chapter Twenty Eight
(view spoiler)[ Omg her brother is so stupid. Why are you here, you idiot. I hate how he's treating her. I hope they end up okay for her sake but ugh why do they suck so much. Bodil's death was so sad though we only knew her a short time she made such an impact. Snorri is king now, I hope this lasts... only a short time 😂. (hide spoiler)]

Finished
(view spoiler)[ In retrospect I should have seen that coming, but damn Bjorn. and his mother is alive?! I had accidentally spoiled myself on the two gods thing but it was still a great revelation of who it was. No wonder one of the voices in her head is all about destruction. I wish I could read the next book now. (hide spoiler)]

Ch 1-8: (view spoiler)[Okay, I absolutely love Freya right now. Weird how Snorri thinks the prophecy is about him... when it could be about his son? Or anyone else really. I'm not a fan of her marrying him but glad it's in name only. Now I can only hope things with her and Bjorn get spicier. (hide spoiler)]

Felicia wrote: "I am on Chapter 6
[spoilers removed]"

OMG YES, he was such an asshole!

Jessica wrote: "I just started and [spoilers removed]"

I just want to know how she never knew he was there... but yes, that was hilarious.

Ch 9-16: (view spoiler)[I am so excited for their alone time on this adventure. I just really like these two and really think the prophecy is about them and not her and his dad. I'm intrigued with the oath she made earlier because it seems like it's anyone in the bloodline... and she could protect Bjorn over his dad if they fought each other - you know? Like a fun little loophole. Anyways, I need them to act on this flirting and sexual tension real soon. (hide spoiler)]

Jessica wrote: "Chapter Fifteen
[spoilers removed]"

Yeah. everything is really interesting. I'm not sure if I like Ylva at the moment, but oh well. I also like that she sees and gets Steinunn too. I was wondering if things could get better overall with Bjorn. Only time can tell...

Ch 17-24: (view spoiler)[Hmm, buddy, I'm afraid you don't really control her?!? BUT OMG THEY KISSED. HER AND BJORN KISSED NOT ONCE BUT TWICE. I am so excited. Feelings are out in the open... but nope, she told him to stay away from her. Ugh, Bjorn please do ignore that. (hide spoiler)]

Trisha wrote: "9 chapters..."

Maybe she secretly wants her to be with Bjorn... which I am okay with lol

Vicki wrote: "9 Chapters ~ Loving it so far!.."

Yeah, he is definitely a jerk who deserves to die a very painful death...

Vicki wrote: "18 Chapters..."

I'm honestly not surprised he did any of that, but I do wonder if it was really the King who killed his mom or if it was someone much closer.

Felicia wrote: "I'm on chapter 19 and things are getting weird. [spoilers removed]"

Yeah, I wanted to know why they passed on the tea, but she had to drink it?!?!

Jessica wrote: "Chapter Twenty
[spoilers removed]"

lolol I think we all forget about that but again, it's only in name so why not have those two be together in real life.

Ch 25-32: (view spoiler)[Her family does not deserve her. I'm so annoyed with them and Bjorn's dad. Also, him accidentally killing his mom is so sad. That would definitely take a toll on anyone. Poor guy. (hide spoiler)]

Vicki wrote: "27 Chapters.."

I enjoyed her and Bodil working together. I was also really happy with what went down with Bjorn but want so much more.

Jessica wrote: "Chapter Twenty Eight
[spoilers removed]"

her brother and mom annoy me so much.

Ch 33-Finished: (view spoiler)[Okay, I'm mad at myself because, for the longest time, I thought Snorri tried to kill Bjorn's mom. FOR THE LONGEST TIME. Then, at the last second, I switched it up, thinking Bjorn did it by accident. My head hurts with all these lies and secrets. Still, I was happy that they got together and professed their love, only to find out he's been lying to her about almost everything, and now my heart hurts. Will he gain her trust back? I have no idea—I need the next book! (hide spoiler)]

Vicki wrote: "Finished..."

I'm so mad that I never thought he was behind it all!

Felicia wrote: "Finished [spoilers removed]"

Maybe it's because she's blessed by two gods instead of one? Maybe that alone is why the oath didn't work on her? Idk.

Jessica wrote: "Finished
[spoilers removed]"

RIGHT? Waiting for the next book is going to be pure torture.

Today is the LAST day to add comments for BOTM points!