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bygone_crazywrite's review
adventurous
emotional
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
cook_memorial_public_library's review
4.0
A 2019 staff favorite recommended by Nessa. Check our catalog: https://encore.cooklib.org/iii/encore/search/C__Sgolden%20wolf%20hartsuyker__Orightresult__U?lang=eng&suite=gold
whispersofareader's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.5
kutendo's review against another edition
adventurous
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
renbooks's review against another edition
5.0
Oh I just loved this book! What a great end to the trilogy. The first book was a great intro, the second book made me love Svanhild, the third book showed that the person you think is the hero at the beginning isn't always a hero after all. Great writing and I loved the setting and characters. Especially Einar and Freydis. The last quarter of the book was so emotional heart rending in some spots. I'd love to see more works by this author!
jcp1009's review against another edition
4.0
I really enjoyed this book and it felt like a satisfying end to the series for me. I love the tangled relationships and changing winds of fortune portrayed here. There were also surprising moments and shows of strength. For anyone that likes historical fiction, this will be an enjoyable read.
eemms's review against another edition
4.0
The end of the saga! Once again I put a big book down for a while in the middle, to its detriment, but my brain just wasn't up for keeping more than 2 characters in it for a while. Overall this was less of a clear 4 stars for me compared to Sea Queen. There were bit and flashes of things I loved but it was more up and down, and while the ending felt earned, the pacing felt a bit off to me in the last few chapters.
Overall the 4-star parts for me were the characters. Freydis grew and grew on me until I was deeply invested in her happiness. I felt I understood Einar's motivations more than almost anyone else, even when he made poor choices. It was interesting seeing Rangvald's cohort starting to age, with adult children who are becoming the driving force of the story.
I don't know how much of this is due to how the sagas were written, but I felt like I was waiting for a big throw down between Harald and Rangvald that never came, though the ending that Rangvald did get was very poignant. Similarly, the feeling behind Einar's ending was perfect and I loved it, but pacing wise it felt a bit unexpected and more like an epilogue to Rangvald's story than the end of the saga.
I still recommend it, especially if you like the first two books, but of the three Sea Queen is still my fav :)
Overall the 4-star parts for me were the characters. Freydis grew and grew on me until I was deeply invested in her happiness. I felt I understood Einar's motivations more than almost anyone else, even when he made poor choices. It was interesting seeing Rangvald's cohort starting to age, with adult children who are becoming the driving force of the story.
I don't know how much of this is due to how the sagas were written, but I felt like I was waiting for a big throw down between Harald and Rangvald that never came, though the ending that Rangvald did get was very poignant. Similarly, the feeling behind Einar's ending was perfect and I loved it, but pacing wise it felt a bit unexpected and more like an epilogue to Rangvald's story than the end of the saga.
I still recommend it, especially if you like the first two books, but of the three Sea Queen is still my fav :)
jonid's review against another edition
4.0
Part 3 in the trilogy continues the story that focuses on brother and sister Ragnvald and Svanhild. You’ll wish you had an organizational chart to keep track of the generations, the wives and husbands, friends and enemies, concubines and cousins - and the good and bad decisions they make. Ragnavald’s sons Ivan, Einar and Rolli are grown now with issues of competition and their own making as well as parental expectations. King Harold makes some poor decisions as well, forcing those sworn to protect and support him into unenviable situations as his son plots. A pirate captures Svangild’s daughter Freydis, creating and opportunity to bring Solvi back in to the story. This next generation emerges from their parent’s shadows just as the parents confront a new battle. I like the writing and enjoy the story - but (as with book #2) keeping up with the myriad of names and relationships became distracting and cumbersome. I finally gave up and gave in to enjoying the story with total comprehension of everyone’s history. The key players stand out. It’s all about Vikings - and if you like that, you’ll like this series.
loreofthebooks's review against another edition
3.0
In this epic conclusion Harald is still king, and Ragnvald is still his adviser. Both he and and his sister Svanhild are doing their best to protect the kingdom. When Svanhild's daughter, Freydis is kidnapped, Svanhild follows her and this sets in motion a series of events. Meanwhile, Ragnvald has to contend with his own sons and their choices...
I will say, I liked this book a lot. I cried. I laughed. I cheered. I went through a range of emotions...but it didn't feel as good as the previous two in some ways. Perhaps it is because I got attached to the earlier characters.
This one essentially adds more POVs (the children of the protagonists) and intermixes them. It was done really well, and I think it showed how things change between one generation and the next. At the same time with all that switching about, I don't think it gave the characters arcs so much as it was to push the story to the conclusion of the original Norse saga. So in certain ways, the characters themselves left me unfulfilled.
On the other hand, the plot was really good overall. There was a lot going on, political machinations, love interests, everything all tied in together. And it worked. You were constantly guessing at what was going to happen next (unless you know the original saga, and then you might not). Of course, as this author was following the saga loosely, some things did stay the same. And we all might be a little bitter about what happens to some of our favorite characters.
I'm going back to the characters for a second -- I didn't like either Svanhild or Ragnvald in this book as much as I liked them previously. I found them almost unbearable at parts, and I'm not sure if that was the intention or not. I wonder if it was, to an extent, because you were cheering more for their children than for them...a transition of power?
Honestly this book is a heavy one. And it gives you a lot to think about. I was concentrating on it so much I didn't even take notes on it, instead I just read it.
Overall, a good book, but I don't think nearly as powerful as the previous two.
I will say, I liked this book a lot. I cried. I laughed. I cheered. I went through a range of emotions...but it didn't feel as good as the previous two in some ways. Perhaps it is because I got attached to the earlier characters.
This one essentially adds more POVs (the children of the protagonists) and intermixes them. It was done really well, and I think it showed how things change between one generation and the next. At the same time with all that switching about, I don't think it gave the characters arcs so much as it was to push the story to the conclusion of the original Norse saga. So in certain ways, the characters themselves left me unfulfilled.
On the other hand, the plot was really good overall. There was a lot going on, political machinations, love interests, everything all tied in together. And it worked. You were constantly guessing at what was going to happen next (unless you know the original saga, and then you might not). Of course, as this author was following the saga loosely, some things did stay the same. And we all might be a little bitter about what happens to some of our favorite characters.
I'm going back to the characters for a second -- I didn't like either Svanhild or Ragnvald in this book as much as I liked them previously. I found them almost unbearable at parts, and I'm not sure if that was the intention or not. I wonder if it was, to an extent, because you were cheering more for their children than for them...a transition of power?
Honestly this book is a heavy one. And it gives you a lot to think about. I was concentrating on it so much I didn't even take notes on it, instead I just read it.
Overall, a good book, but I don't think nearly as powerful as the previous two.
jcormier's review against another edition
5.0
The Golden Wolf concludes the series of The Half-Drowned King serving as an appropriate sunset to a beautiful, heart-wrenching saga. Like the first two books, Hartsuyker expertly intertwines a story of broken heroes, sorrow, love and loss. Except, in this final chapter, the reader sees the long-lasting generational ramifications of the events (both heroic & tragic) of the previous stories. No great deed is without sacrifice and that is made apparent as we watch our former protagonists, now significantly older and marred, give way to the next generation. Children, who have been emotionally scarred by their heroic, but imperfect parents who must try to find their own way into Norse legend.
As the new generation rises, the reader gets a beautiful insight into our former heroes who must grapple with their own aging and mortality. We witness their wisdom, feel the pain of their regret, and bear the burden of watching consequences of actions long gone. It's a beautiful novel with sorrowful notes and a reminder that no matter how great, we all must pass on the torch to those who come after and will subsequently carry our unfinished burdens.
To fully appreciate this story, make sure to read the prior two novels first. A powerful, unforgettable saga that's impact will stick with me for a long time.
As the new generation rises, the reader gets a beautiful insight into our former heroes who must grapple with their own aging and mortality. We witness their wisdom, feel the pain of their regret, and bear the burden of watching consequences of actions long gone. It's a beautiful novel with sorrowful notes and a reminder that no matter how great, we all must pass on the torch to those who come after and will subsequently carry our unfinished burdens.
To fully appreciate this story, make sure to read the prior two novels first. A powerful, unforgettable saga that's impact will stick with me for a long time.