A Curse Carved in Bone by Danielle L. Jensen
Okay, I need to take a deep breath before jumping in because this book wrecked me (in the best way possible). A Curse Carved in Bone is book two in The Saga of the Unfated, and if you thought book one had you emotionally spiraling, just wait until you get your hands on this one. Danielle L. Jensen seriously outdid herself. Again.
Betrayal, Fury, and That Gut-Punch of an Opening
We pick up right where we left off in A Fate Inked in Blood. Freya, our main character, has been taken by Harald — enemy of Skaland — and the man she trusted, Bjorn, was working with him the entire time. Yeah. Cue the betrayal heartbreak. Freya is understandably furious and heartbroken, but what makes this book hit so hard is how real her emotional conflict feels. She hates what Bjorn did to her, but she can’t just flip a switch and stop feeling something for him. It’s complicated. It’s raw. It’s so human.
The first few chapters had me hooked. Freya ends up with Saga, a seer who uses Odin’s power to glimpse the future, and let me tell you — those scenes were absolutely chilling in the best way. The Norse mythology in this book is top-tier. Jensen doesn’t just sprinkle in mythological names for flavor — she builds an entire world that feels lived-in and rooted in deep lore, while still making it easy to follow. Whether it’s shapeshifters, necromancy or god-touched powers, everything feels purposeful and layered.
Twists, Deaths, and the Rise of a Queen
Now let’s talk about the plot without giving away too much. There are political schemes, surprise deaths (I gasped out loud), secret identities and moments that made me sit up in bed like “NO WAY.” Freya’s journey from feeling betrayed to becoming a leader in her own right was one of my favorite parts. She raises an army of the dead (yes, including her brother), infiltrates castles and makes bold choices — sometimes heartbreaking ones. Her growth is incredible.
And Bjorn? He’s still that morally gray love interest you want to be mad at but also want to give a second chance. Their relationship has layers, and if you’re a sucker for angst, this book delivers. It’s not just enemies-to-lovers — it’s betrayal-to-somehow-still-loving-you-to-maybe-saving-the-world-together?
Jensen’s writing is lush, cinematic and so emotionally grounded. I flew through this book in one sitting because I couldn’t stop. The final chapters left me screaming, smiling and already desperate for book three.
A Sequel That Surpasses Expectations
As someone who read this right after devouring book one, I can honestly say this sequel delivered everything I wanted — more action, more heartbreak, more twists and more depth. It’s a Nordic-inspired fantasy full of strong women, complicated love and fate-defying choices. If you’re into stories with Viking vibes, emotional wreckage and a plot that keeps you guessing until the end — A Curse Carved in Bone is a must-read. And please, someone come talk to me about that ending because I have thoughts.
About Danielle L. Jensen:
Danielle L. Jensen is the New York Times bestselling author of the Bridge Kingdom, Dark Shores, and Malediction series, as well as the Saga of the Unfated. Her novels are published internationally in twenty-one languages. She lives in Calgary, Alberta with her family and guinea pigs.
