{"product_id":"the-half-drowned-king","title":"The Half-Drowned King","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eLovers of epic rejoice!\u003c\/strong\u003e A vivid and gripping read' - Madeline Miller, author of the Orange Prize Winner 2012 for \u003cem\u003eThe Song of Achilles\u003c\/em\u003e.\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eLinnea Hartsuyker\u003c\/strong\u003e brings myth and legend roaring to life in this superbly good page-turning saga of Viking-era Norway.\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eSince 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. 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.\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eNo easy feat\u003c\/strong\u003e in Viking-Age Norway, where a hundred petty rulers kill over parcels of land.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eA prophesied high king is rising.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e \u003cp\u003eBut where Ragnvald is expected to bleed, and even die, for his honour, Svanhild is simply expected to marry well. 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: \u003cstrong\u003efamily or freedom\u003c\/strong\u003e.\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eDrawing 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 \u003cstrong\u003ethe higher her brother rises\u003c\/strong\u003e, the greater her worth as a political pawn.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Little, Brown Book Group","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":40741768069205,"sku":"9780349142531N","price":10.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/2481\/5790\/files\/41e68e7f-ae1f-4ea5-8f85-155b9efc3d4c.jpg?v=1702673776","url":"https:\/\/smeikalbooks.co.uk\/en-us\/products\/the-half-drowned-king","provider":"smeikalbooks","version":"1.0","type":"link"}