{"product_id":"the-half-drowned-king-9780062563705","title":"The Half-Drowned King","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\"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 \u003cem\u003eThe Half-Drowned King\u003c\/em\u003e is nothing short of mesmerizing.\"--Paula McLain, bestselling author of \u003cem\u003eThe Paris Wife\u003c\/em\u003e and \u003cem\u003eCircling the Sun\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eAn 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 \u003cem\u003eGame of Thrones, Vikings, \u003c\/em\u003e and \u003cem\u003eOutlander.\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003eCenturies 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. . . .\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eRagnvald 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.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eWhile 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.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eSet in a mystical and violent world defined by honor, loyalty, deceit, passion, and courage, \u003cem\u003eThe Half-Drowned King\u003c\/em\u003e is an electrifying adventure that breathtakingly illuminates the Viking world and the birth of Scandinavia.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eAbout the Author\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003e\u003ci\u003eHartsuyker, Linnea:\u003c\/i\u003e\u003c\/b\u003e - \u003cp\u003eLinnea 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.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Harper Paperbacks","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":50628795433234,"sku":"9780062563705","price":13.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0831\/4771\/8930\/files\/img_6a8bf27f-6d34-41cb-8538-98b9e0f15a98.jpg?v=1732707980","url":"https:\/\/surprise-castle.myshopify.com\/products\/the-half-drowned-king-9780062563705","provider":"Surprise Castle","version":"1.0","type":"link"}