Name: abi a's review of The Half-Drowned King by Linnea Hartsuyker
Item: The Half-Drowned King
Rating: 3.5
Author: abi a

Linnea Hartsuyker

A Novel

The Half-Drowned King

abi a

very fun Vikings but i wanted more of Svanhild

altlovesbooks

I enjoyed this book, the author does a good job of really describing the scenes, the characters, the visuals, everything. I really felt like I was there. What I didn't like was that, after the first, maybe, third to a half of the book (which was really enjoyable!) it felt like not a lot happened. I still enjoyed the story, I just felt like the last half of the book or so didn't have a lot going on.

Wynter

I am having a difficult time putting this one down, but not because I'm so into the book. Quite opposite - I feel like I did something wrong and the author is trying to punish me with a chore of a story. I wanted so much to read the book that the synopsis promised and I had such high hopes, I feel like abandoning The Half-Drowned King would be like admitting defeat and failure of my hopes. It would mean that I just wasted my time reading almost 200 pages. But I cannot go on anymore. I do not care for the story that seems to lack direction, and I do not give a damn about the soulless characters that stumble around this awesome historical setting like the zombified draugar. Why is it so hard to find quality viking fiction? I'm going back to my Icelandic sagas instead.

Renae Pérez

David Furnes

"Linnea Hartsuyker brings myth and legend roaring to life in this superbly good page-turning saga of Viking-era Norway. The book’s fiercest magic shines in the characters of Ragnvald and Svanhild, as unforgettable a brother and sister duo as I can remember. Linnea Hartsuyker is an exciting, original voice in historical fiction, and The Half-Drowned King is nothing short of mesmerizing."—Paula McLain, bestselling author of The Paris Wife and Circling the Sun An exhilarating saga of the Vikings that conjures a brutal, superstitious, and thrilling ninth-century world and the birth of a kingdom—the debut installment in a historical literary trilogy that combines the bold imagination and sweeping narrative power of Game of Thrones, Vikings, and Outlander. Centuries ago, in a blood-soaked land ruled by legendary gods and warring men, a prophecy foretold of a high king who would come to reign over all of the north. . . . Ragnvald Eysteinsson, the son and grandson of kings, grew up believing that he would one day take his dead father’s place as chief of his family’s lands. But, sailing home from a raiding trip to Ireland, the young warrior is betrayed and left for dead by men in the pay of his greedy stepfather, Olaf. Rescued by a fisherman, Ragnvald is determined to have revenge for his stepfather’s betrayal, claim his birthright and the woman he loves, and rescue his beloved sister Svanhild. Opportunity may lie with Harald of Vestfold, the strong young Norse warrior rumored to be the prophesied king. Ragnvald pledges his sword to King Harald, a choice that will hold enormous consequence in the years to come. While Ragnvald’s duty is to fight—and even die—for his honor, Svanhild must make an advantageous marriage, though her adventurous spirit yearns to see the world. Her stepfather, Olaf, has arranged a husband for her—a hard old man she neither loves nor desires. When the chance to escape Olaf’s cruelty comes at the hands of her brother’s arch rival, the shrewd young woman is forced to make a heartbreaking choice: family or freedom. Set in a mystical and violent world defined by honor, loyalty, deceit, passion, and courage, The Half-Drowned King is an electrifying adventure that breathtakingly illuminates the Viking world and the birth of Scandinavia.

abi a &
The Half-Drowned King by Linnea Hartsuyker

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The Half-Drowned King by Linnea Hartsuyker