Quick Synopsis – 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.

Song This Reminds Me Of – Immigrant Song by Led Zeppelin

Publication Date – Feb. 27, 2024

Steamy Rating – 🌶🌶🌶🌶

Overall Rating –4 out of 5 stars ⭐

Content Warning – This is an adult novel with adult themes. There is graphic sex, violence, and gore.

Review – I’ve had The Bridge Kingdom hanging out on my shelf judging me for so long, and I have been missing out because this book was amazing. My biggest complaint was whenever Freya was nervous or anxious, she would chew her cheeks. This doesn’t sound like a big deal, but it was almost on every page. It drove me nuts. Oh, what’s Freya doing? Just chewing her cheeks. Her mouth would be raw AF.

The premise of this book was interesting and based on Norse pantheon and mythology. Demigods in this universe are said to have a drop of divine blood that grants them certain gifts based on the God/Goddess they are blessed by. In order to be blessed, a god is present during sex, sometimes participating, sometimes just watching I guess.

Freya has spent her life hiding her power and was married to a man blessed by the gods. When her husband abandons her to the regions jarl, her power is discovered. Turns out there was a prophecy about Freya, and now she finds herself bound to another man in control of her fate. Of course, this man only wants to use her to unite Skaland as king and has a hot son, Bjorn, that is blessed by Tyr.

The plot that follows is a little predictable, but it’s a good story. I will say the will they won’t they between Bjorn and Freya was so hot. Can a book edge you? Because that’s what this felt like. I’ve already added the sequel to my TBR, and I’m circling back around to The Bridge Kingdom.

Thanks to Netgalley and Random House Publishing Group – Ballantine, Del Rey