Blood Price is the first book in the dark fantasy duology Prices Asked and Paid, written by Nicole Evans. A powerful and feminist story inspired by Norse mythology in a world where the power is centered on the bleeding cycles, with a compelling set of characters, and a quest that will defy the own gods.

Our main character is Ashilde, a warrior that would do anything to protect her tribe and her partner; her fierceness leads her to be the leader of the tribe. When a group of unmarked kills the few remaining hunters of the tribe, she will try to get help from other tribes, even if that's showing weakness, as they would perish without sacrificing the monthly tribute to gods; but when she loses her bleeding, she cannot longer kill. Cast out by the gods, she will be sent on a singular task to travel to gods' realm, and atoning for the failures of herself and the tribe. If she dies, another will be sent, until they are worthy of the gods again or the tribe is wiped out.
A travel that she will start alone, knowing that she won't be able to pay in blood in the case of a fight, and which puts on her shoulders alone the destiny of her tribe; all over a person who was already doubting of herself, and that will need to find that fire needed to reach her destination.

I cannot stress enough how well-built Ashilde it: not only the fierce warrior that takes the responsibility of guiding and protecting the tribe, even when she is not sure if the decisions taken are correct, but also the powerful woman that after being cast out by the gods, out of sheer rage will reach their realm. But not only we have those highs, but Evans also makes us share her tribulations and her weakness, those moments where Ash is near to give up, when she's at the border of the collapse. Luckily, in the middle of the journey, she will find some help in the form of two animals which represent the two gods and a small children, whom she will establish a heart-warming relationship, that however, gets muddled due to Ash's previous acts. This supporting cast will play an important role on Ashilde's journey, as she wouldn't reach as far as she did without them, being that cane that helps you walk one more step.

The story is greatly paced, being a bit slower at the start, so Evans can introduce us to the world of Armadin and its mythology; clearly Norse inspired, but queernormative. The only ones allowed are those women that still menstruate, making the tribes to be organized around it, and enclosing in the process an important feminist message about how important feminine health it is and how bleeding is just something natural, a thing to normalize (in this aspect, it remembered me to This Too Shall Burn, by Cat Rector).

Blood Price is a powerful debut, an excellent novel for those that look for a character driven fantasy with excellently painted characters, characters that also struggle to fulfill what they are expected to (and I would totally say Ash might have impostor syndrome); I'm quite curious to see the second part of the duology because I'm so intrigued by the ending. Can't wait to return to Armadin!