Books, Boots and Bakeries

Following on from A Fate Inked in Blood (which I previously described as a comfy Viking-flavoured romp with Lagertha vibes), A Curse Carved in Bone dives deeper into the curse, the chaos, and the complicated romance between Freya and Bjorn. While it didn’t exactly surprise me, it still absolutely delivered on what I wanted: drama, blood magic, simmering tension, and just enough bite to keep things interesting.

Let’s be real — it was a little predictable. I saw the twist coming, the romance arc hit the familiar beats, and the story settled neatly into some well-worn tropes. But you know what? I didn’t mind. Not every book needs to be a game-changer. Sometimes it’s enough to just be a fun, solid entry in a series that knows what it’s doing.

One thing that did get under my skin though? Bjorn and Freya SPENT WAY TOO LONG APART. I get that it’s a thing – we love a slow burn, we love a longing gaze across a battlefield or through a fog of magical angst – but this felt like it dragged. I wanted more interaction. I wanted the tension in the same room, not chapters of stubborn silence and mutual pining. Don’t get me wrong, I’ll always say yes to a quick third-act breakup (love the drama, love the chaos), but long mid-book separations? They test me.

That said, I’ll always have time for a reluctant heroine, a cursed bargain, and a morally grey love interest who has no business being that charming. And this one delivered. It’s got those slightly gothic fairytale vibes I love, a dash of found family, and enough blood and betrayal to keep things interesting.

If you’re in the mood for something atmospheric and a bit angsty, with a dash of the macabre and a romance that simmers nicely without rushing (too much…), A Curse Carved in Bone is a solid pick. It’s not trying to be the next great epic fantasy – it’s trying to give you a good time. And honestly? Mission accomplished.

Would I read the next one? Absolutely. Do I want Bjorn to stop brooding and Freya to maybe actually talk to him for once? Also yes. But hey, that’s half the fun.