A Curse Carved in Bone: Book Two of the Saga of the Unfated By Danielle L. Jensen Book Review
Being trapped by fate but fighting tooth and nail to carve your own path, that’s the kind of tension you get in Danielle L. Jensen’s A Curse Carved in Bone, the second book in the Saga of the Unfated series. This Norse-inspired fantasy is packed with magic, prophecy, and emotional turmoil, all wrapped up in a story that’s both thrilling and heartfelt.
So, what’s the book about? You follow Freya, a fierce shield maiden wrestling with a powerful prophecy that could doom her people. She’s got magic running through her veins thanks to her divine heritage, but that just makes things more complicated. To make matters worse, she’s tangled up with Bjorn, a man who betrayed her but is bound to her by blood oaths. Their relationship is full of distrust, tension, and some serious romantic sparks. Add in looming battles, mythological lore from Viking stories, and a conspiracy that pulls Freya between enemies and allies, and you’ve got a story packed with twists and emotional depth.
What really stands out about A Curse Carved in Bone is how Jensen blends intense action and romance with rich Norse mythology. The world-building goes beyond the usual fantasy tropes, bringing in gods, prophecies, and magic with a fresh, fiery edge. The characters, especially Freya, feel raw and real, flawed, angry, and fiercely protective. The writing draws you right into Freya’s head, so you’re living the story alongside her struggles and victories.
Readers seem pretty divided, which is interesting. Many praise the book for its detailed mythological world and the sizzling tension, both romantically and plot-wise. Fans loved the emotional layers, loyalty, betrayal, and how Freya’s identity crisis unfolds. They say it’s a wild, emotional ride that’s hard to put down and even better than the first book in the series.
On the flip side, some readers found the pacing uneven, saying the first half can drag with repetitive drama between Freya and Bjorn. There’s also criticism of the ending, with complaints about some convenient plot resolutions and a finale that felt rushed or cliché. A few people weren’t fans of the dual perspectives, feeling they broke the story’s flow, and Freya’s stubbornness rubbed some readers the wrong way, making her less relatable.
From my perspective, A Curse Carved in Bone is a great pick if you love mythology-filled fantasy with complex characters and don’t mind a bit of emotional messiness. If you’re into romance with lots of tension and moral ambiguity, Jensen’s world will pull you in. But if you want tight pacing and a super polished, surprise-free ending, this might frustrate you.
In the end, if you enjoyed the first book or love fantasy steeped in Norse legends, this one’s worth a shot. It’s passionate, magical, and at times brutal, the kind of story that keeps you turning pages late into the night. If that sounds like your kind of story, definitely check it out. And hey, if you’ve read A Curse Carved in Bone, let me know what you thought!