Linnea Hartsuyker. (2017). The Half-Drowned King: A Novel. HarperCollins.

Linnea Hartsuyker. 2017. The Half-Drowned King: A Novel. HarperCollins.

Linnea Hartsuyker, The Half-Drowned King: A Novel. HarperCollins, 2017.

Linnea Hartsuyker. The Half-Drowned King: A Novel. HarperCollins, 2017.

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     Linnea Hartsuyker can trace her family lineage back to the first king of Norway, and this inspired her to write her debut novel, her trilogy about the Vikings. Linnea grew up in the woods outside Ithaca, New York, studied engineering at Cornell University, and later received an MFA in creative writing from New York University. She lives in New Hampshire with her husband.

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"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.

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reviews

1. • premium: False
   • source: Wall Street Journal
   • content:

     "Ms. Hartsuyker captures the sense of saga times and saga heroes: violent but litigious, treacherous but honorable, impetuous but crafty...a world brilliantly re-created by the author...Like 'Game of Thrones,' only more unscrupulous." — Wall Street Journal

     "A spellbinding evocation of a long-lost world of magic and blood feuds, populated by characters riddled with doubt and human failing beneath their epic exteriors." — BookPage

     "Making her fiction debut, Hartsuyker, who claims descent from Norway's first king, writes an absolutely top-notch Viking saga, and readers will eagerly await the next two volumes in this trilogy." — Library Journal, starred review

     "A terrific historical epic...Posing thoughtful questions about the nature of honor and heroism, and devoting significant attention to women's lives, the novel takes a fresh approach to the Viking adventure genre...The action scenes will have the blood humming in your veins." — Booklist, starred review

     "Steeped in legend and myth, Hartsuyker's debut is a swashbuckling epic of family, love, and betrayal that reimagines the Norse sagas....While Hartsuyker's prose is straightforward, the plot is as deliciously complex as Game of Thrones. And, in an era so dominated by the tales of men, it's nice to see a complicated, cunning heroine like Svanhild swoop in and steal the show. Hold on to your helms and grab your shields—Hartsuyker is just getting started." — Kirkus Reviews

     "Suspenseful, intriguing, gripping!... Treachery and astonishment and surprise are always right around the corner...As with all great historical fiction, there are strong similarities to actual events. Good research is very important to a believable historical novel. This book has it. If you enjoy Bernard Cornwell, do not pass this book by. It is well worth the read!" — New York Journal of Books

     "Inspired by the Icelandic sagas, this action-packed first volume in a planned trilogy will transport readers to Viking Norway, where Ragnvald battles his treacherous stepfather in order to claim his true birthright after his father's death. Meanwhile, Ragnvald's sister Svanhild seeks a marriage that will give her the freedom she craves despite the era's restrictive social roles for women. An adventurous summer read, in which vivid historical detail meets a fast-moving plot." — Library Journal's List of Summer Escapes

     "Game of Thrones will be back on our screens by the time this epic Viking saga comes out, and it's a safe literary bet for those of us who enjoy a bit of Westeros action. Ragnvald Eysteinsson is betrayed by his avaricious stepfather, and in trying to gain back his rightful inheritance, he pledges his sword to a young warrior plotting to become the king. If you like your heroes noble and your struggles for power bloody, this one's for you." — 24 Best books To Read This Summer from Elle.com

     "If the Vikings are your thing, then you want to take a look at this epic Viking saga by Linnea Hartsuyker. The story is good enough to rival Game of Thrones and it will make your summer days much more entertaining. The book explores the travels of Ragnvald Eysteinsson who has been betrayed by his stepfather." — One of Catapult's Best Books of Summer

     "The author, who can trace her lineage back to Harald Halfdansson, recreates the half-civilized, half-primitive landscape of his time, where a dragon boat sailing up a fjord struck dread in all who saw it. Befitting its subject...

2. • premium: True
   • source:
   • content:

     June 12, 2017
     In her first novel, Hartsuyker brings to life the savage world of the Viking warriors of ninth-century Norway. Ragnvald Eysteinsson is on his way home from a raiding expedition across the North Atlantic when he is betrayed by his captain, Solvi Hunthiofsson, and flung overboard. Rescued by a fisherman, Ragnvald eventually returns home to his beloved sister, Svanhild, who is miserably betrothed to an older man, Thorkell. The source of both their unhappiness is their stepfather, Olaf Ottarsson, who plotted to have Ragnvald killed and Svanhild married off. Exposing his stepfather, Ragnvald goes off to fight alongside Harald Halfdansson, the future king of Norway. At the same time, strong-willed Svanhild finds escape in the form of Solvi, the self-confessed instrument of her brother’s betrayal, who takes her as his latest bride. But Solvi is a sworn enemy of Harald, so what will happen when Ragnvald ultimately meets his brother-in-law in combat? The author, who can trace her lineage back to Harald Halfdansson, recreates the half-civilized, half-primitive landscape of his time, where a dragon boat sailing up a fjord struck dread in all who saw it. Befitting its subject matter, the book is replete with exciting battles, duels, and sieges, but the author makes Svanhild’s domestic tribulations equally dramatic. In the end, this novel can stand proudly with Edison Marshall’s The Viking and Frans G. Bengtsson’s The Long Ships as an immersive fictional recreation of a bloody moment in Scandinavian history. Agent: Julie Barer, the Book Group.

3. • premium: True
   • source:
   • content:

     June 1, 2017
     Steeped in legend and myth, Hartsuyker's debut is a swashbuckling epic of family, love, and betrayal that reimagines the Norse sagas.At 20, hotheaded Ragnvald is old enough to be a warrior "and counted a man"--but not old enough to see betrayal coming. After he's nearly killed in a plot orchestrated by his stepfather, Ragnvald swears allegiance first to King Hakon, then to King Harald, hoping to win enough power to take back the land that's rightfully his. Meanwhile, his sister, Svanhild, abandons the protections of family and friends to escape an arranged marriage--only to find herself at the mercy of her brother's betrayer, Solvi. Hartsuyker bases Ragnvald's tale on the epic of King Harald Fairhair, one of her possible ancestors. The historic figure of Ragnvald rose to prominence as one of Harald's fiercest warriors during the unification of Norway in the ninth century. In the gaps of recorded history, Hartsuyker weaves a tale of myth, magic, and superstition, where "the chilly fingers of Ran's handmaidens" can pull a sailor to his death or an undead draugr can terrorize a village. The contours of Ragnvald and Svanhild's reality are equally dangerous, and Hartsuyker doesn't shy away from depicting the slaughter, rape, and deception that marked the raids and battles of the Viking age. While Hartsuyker's prose is straightforward, the plot is as deliciously complex as Game of Thrones. And, in an era so dominated by the tales of men, it's nice to see a complicated, cunning heroine like Svanhild swoop in and steal the show. Hold on to your helms and grab your shields--Hartsuyker is just getting started.

     COPYRIGHT(2017) Kirkus Reviews, ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.

4. • premium: True
   • source:
   • content:

     March 1, 2018
     

     In the ninth century, in the northern lands we now call Norway, lived fighting men who warred with one another and raided the southern lands. On the way home from one of these raids, Ragnvald Eysteinsson is unexpectedly attacked by Solvi, his convoy leader, and left for dead. Saved by a local fisherman, Ragnvald returns to his homeland, intent on revenge. He is also determined to demand his birthright from his stepfather, Olaf, and to make a good match for his sister Svanhild. When Olaf chooses a man Svanhild despises, she runs away in desperation only to be caught by Solvi, her brother's nemesis. Chapters alternate between the brother and sister, of whom custom demands much. Ragnvald must align with others in order to defeat Olaf, gain his kingdom, and exact his revenge, while Svanhild has to choose between her brother and his sworn enemy. Ragnvald and Svanhild bring Old Norse legends to life, immersing readers in the fjords and valleys of the north. A solid beginning to a saga well grounded in the culture of its time. VERDICT Hartsuyker's novel should attract those who enjoy "The Lord of the Rings" or other fantasies that draw heavily from Scandinavian and Northern European legend and culture.-Connie Williams, Petaluma Public Library, CA

     Copyright 2018 School Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

5. • premium: True
   • source:
   • content:

     Starred review from June 1, 2017
     In mid-ninth-century Norway, power was dispersed among many petty kingdoms, while sea-kings gained wealth and status through plunder. Chronicling the time that saw Harald Fairhair's rise as eventual king of a united Norway, Hartsuyker's terrific historical epic, first in a projected trilogy, beautifully evokes the period and the mind-set of its warring peoples. After his stepfather's attempt on his life fails, Ragnvald Eysteinsson pursues revenge and a plan to regain his hereditary lands while finding his place amid the Norse kings' shifting alliances and blood feuds. Meanwhile, his teenage sister, Svanhild, too strong-minded to be a peace-weaver bride, moves through challenging emotional territory after evading an unwanted marriage. Posing thoughtful questions about the nature of honor and heroism, and devoting significant attention to women's lives, the novel takes a fresh approach to the Viking-adventure genre. Hartsuyker also shows how the glorious deeds in skaldic songs can differ from their subjects' lived experiences. The multifaceted characters are believable products of their era yet relatable to modern readers; the rugged beauty of Norway's farmlands and coastal landscapes likewise comes alive. The language is clear and eloquent, and the action scenes will have the blood humming in your veins. This is how tales from the old sagas should be told.(Reprinted with permission of Booklist, copyright 2017, American Library Association.)

6. • premium: True
   • source:
   • content:

     May 15, 2017
     

     Inspired by the Icelandic sagas, this action-packed first volume in a planned trilogy will transport readers to Viking Norway, where Ragnvald battles his treacherous stepfather in order to claim his true birthright after his father's death. Meanwhile, Ragnvald's sister Svanhild seeks a marriage that will give her the freedom she craves despite the era's restrictive social roles for women. An adventurous summer read, in which vivid historical detail meets a fast-moving plot. (LJ 4/1/17)

     Copyright 2017 Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

7. • premium: True
   • source:
   • content:

     Starred review from April 1, 2017
     

     Ragnvald Eysteinsson, descendant of kings, is betrayed and left for dead by his captain, Solvi, on their return voyage from raiding in Ireland. After Ragnvald recovers from his near drowning, he discovers that Solvi, now his sworn enemy, was in cahoots with his treacherous stepfather Olaf, who wanted his land and thralls. Knowing he will never regain his heritage without killing Olaf, the young man pledges his sword to King Harald, who promises to aid him. In the meantime, believing Ragnvald to be dead, Solvi journeys to Olaf's holdings where he meets Svanhild, the bold sister of Ragnvald. Despite knowing him to be her brother's enemy, she agrees to marry Solvi. Not content to sit at home spinning and tending the land while her husband goes a-Viking, she casts aside the strictures of her time and travels with him on his trading and pillaging route through the fjords and beyond. VERDICT Making her fiction debut, Hartsuyker, who claims descent from Norway's first king, writes an absolutely top-notch Viking saga, and readers will eagerly await the next two volumes in this trilogy. [See Prepub Alert, 2/27/17; library marketing.]--Jane Henriksen Baird, Anchorage P.L., AK

     Copyright 2017 Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

8. • premium: True
   • source:
   • content:

     March 15, 2017
     

     In this first in a trilogy based on Norse history, Ragnvald Eysteinsson fully expects to become chief of his family's lands but is betrayed by men in his stepfather's pay and left for dead. So he throws in his lot with Harald of Vestfold, a powerful young warrior and perhaps the king who has been foretold. In fact, first novelist Hartsuyker is descended from Harald, called the Fair-Haired and Norway's first king, and she's done her research. With a 50,000-copy first printing.

     Copyright 2017 Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

9. • premium: True
   • source:
   • content:

     April 1, 2017
     

     Ragnvald Eysteinsson, descendant of kings, is betrayed and left for dead by his captain, Solvi, on their return voyage from raiding in Ireland. After Ragnvald recovers from his near drowning, he discovers that Solvi, now his sworn enemy, was in cahoots with his treacherous stepfather Olaf, who wanted his land and thralls. Knowing he will never regain his heritage without killing Olaf, the young man pledges his sword to King Harald, who promises to aid him. In the meantime, believing Ragnvald to be dead, Solvi journeys to Olaf's holdings where he meets Svanhild, the bold sister of Ragnvald. Despite knowing him to be her brother's enemy, she agrees to marry Solvi. Not content to sit at home spinning and tending the land while her husband goes a-Viking, she casts aside the strictures of her time and travels with him on his trading and pillaging route through the fjords and beyond. VERDICT Making her fiction debut, Hartsuyker, who claims descent from Norway's first king, writes an absolutely top-notch Viking saga, and readers will eagerly await the next two volumes in this trilogy. [See Prepub Alert, 2/27/17; library marketing.]--Jane Henriksen Baird, Anchorage P.L., AK

     Copyright 2017 Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

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"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...

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