Half-Drowned King, The

Ragnvald Eysteinsson, descendant 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 avenge 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, a young warrior prophesied to one day rule all of Norway.While Ragnvald's duty is to fight?and even die?for his honor, Svanhild must agree to an advantageous marriage, though her adventurous spirit yearns to see the world. 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 hand of her brother's archrival, she 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.