It’s not a fate she relishes, and when the chance to leave her stepfather’s cruelty comes at the hand of her brother’s arch-rival, Svanhild is forced to make the ultimate choice: family or freedom.ĭrawing from the Icelandic Sagas, The Half-Drowned King takes inspiration from the true story of Ragnvald of Maer, the right hand man of King Harald Fairhair, first king of all Norway, and his sister, Svanhild, as she tries to find freedom in a society where the higher her brother rises, the greater her worth as a political pawn. who drowned in jersey shore family vacation season 5. It is no easy feat in Viking-Age Norway, where a hundred petty rulers kill over parcels of land, and a prophesied high king is rising.īut where Ragnvald is expected to bleed, and even die, for his honour, Svanhild is simply expected to marry well. Drink: 1 off sluggers of beer, 1 wines by the glass, 1 well cocktails and a 5.

But when the captain of his ship tries to kill him on the way home from a raiding excursion, he must confront his stepfather’s betrayal, and find a way to protect his birthright. Since the death of Ragnvald Eysteinsson’s father in battle, he has worked hard to protect his sister Svanhild and planned to inherit his family’s land when he comes of age. Read 675 reviews from the world's largest community for readers. Since the death of Ragnvald Eysteinsson's father in battle. It would mean that I just wasted my time reading almost 200 pages. ‘Linnea Hartsuyker brings myth and legend roaring to life in this superbly good page-turning saga of Viking-era Norwa y’ Paula McClain, bestselling author of The Paris Wife and Circling the Sun The Half-Drowned King by Linnea Hartsuyker The Half-Drowned King book. 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. ‘Lovers of epic rejoice!…A vivid and gripping read’ Madeline Miller, author of the Orange Prize Winner 2012 for The Song of Achilles

The half drowned king review