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altlovesbooks's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
spiringempress's review against another edition
4.0
Truly 3 1/2. I'm conflicted about this final installment in The Half-Drowned King series, which lost some of its magic from the previous books. In this book, we are introduced to the children of Svanhild and Ragnvald: Freydis and Einar along with some other sons of Ragnvald. Each takes on a perspective along with other characters as we watch Harald's power over his court fray at the corners and usurpers arise from different corners of the world and even from Harald's own ranks.
This story starts 15 years after [b:The Sea Queen|35887267|The Sea Queen (The Half-Drowned King #2)|Linnea Hartsuyker|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1515972098l/35887267._SY75_.jpg|57403779] and Harald is king in title alone. Instead, Ragnvald shoulders most of the kingly duties and Svanhild in Solvi's absence guard the seas as Harald is enamored with his newest wife. At the start of the novel, we learn there is unrest in the kingdom and one of Harald's sons is attempting to start a rebellion. Ragnvald tours the country looking to thwart this rebellion and doubts his decision to follow Harald unwaveringly as different individuals invite him to truly become king.
Interwoven through Ragnvald's story are the narratives of his children, who are attempting to establish their own identity. Included is Svanhild and Solvi's daughter, Freydis, who finds herself held ransom by Ragnvald and Harald's sons, who have accidentally killed a noble's son. Her story takes her to Iceland, where her father, Solvi, has lived in seclusion and she grapples with the legacy of both of her parents. Paralleling her story is Einar, who is the most clever of Ragnvald's children but unfortunately illegitimate. He has also sworn to never leave his brother's side, who is Ragnvald's heir and deals with this destiny throughout the story.
While I am always drawn into Hartsuyker's world and I understand the decision to make this a generational story, I did not like Svanhild and Ragnvald's children as much as the original protagonists. Instead of this story being an epic goodbye to characters that we have grown to love through the series, it focused on the perspective of their children and did a disservice to the brother and sister duo. It would have been more interesting for us to read from their perspective as they grew older and watched their children grow into their roles. Instead, both Svanhild and Ragnvald slowly faded into the background as the story progressed until the story was about Einar and Freydis' legacy.
This story starts 15 years after [b:The Sea Queen|35887267|The Sea Queen (The Half-Drowned King #2)|Linnea Hartsuyker|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1515972098l/35887267._SY75_.jpg|57403779] and Harald is king in title alone. Instead, Ragnvald shoulders most of the kingly duties and Svanhild in Solvi's absence guard the seas as Harald is enamored with his newest wife. At the start of the novel, we learn there is unrest in the kingdom and one of Harald's sons is attempting to start a rebellion. Ragnvald tours the country looking to thwart this rebellion and doubts his decision to follow Harald unwaveringly as different individuals invite him to truly become king.
Interwoven through Ragnvald's story are the narratives of his children, who are attempting to establish their own identity. Included is Svanhild and Solvi's daughter, Freydis, who finds herself held ransom by Ragnvald and Harald's sons, who have accidentally killed a noble's son. Her story takes her to Iceland, where her father, Solvi, has lived in seclusion and she grapples with the legacy of both of her parents. Paralleling her story is Einar, who is the most clever of Ragnvald's children but unfortunately illegitimate. He has also sworn to never leave his brother's side, who is Ragnvald's heir and deals with this destiny throughout the story.
While I am always drawn into Hartsuyker's world and I understand the decision to make this a generational story, I did not like Svanhild and Ragnvald's children as much as the original protagonists. Instead of this story being an epic goodbye to characters that we have grown to love through the series, it focused on the perspective of their children and did a disservice to the brother and sister duo. It would have been more interesting for us to read from their perspective as they grew older and watched their children grow into their roles. Instead, both Svanhild and Ragnvald slowly faded into the background as the story progressed until the story was about Einar and Freydis' legacy.
ariel_reads's review
5.0
Reading this book transported me to ninth-century Norway, bundled in a warm hall at winter, and listening to the storytellers recount their lives, history, and culture. The Golden Wolf is the stunning climax to the three-part saga that Linnea Hartsuyker has so thoroughly researched and expertly developed. The Golden Wolf is absolutely my favorite of the three books because the character development that has been building throughout the other two novels concludes in an extremely satisfying way. This book is for those who enjoyed Beowulf for the epic Norse storytelling, for those who enjoy Game of Thrones due to the intriguing political drama, and those who enjoy historical fiction due to the expertly developed narrative that is perfectly integrated with historic and cultural values.
krismcd59's review against another edition
4.0
An ending worthy of the Norse sagas it's sourced from. Melancholy, of necessity, but with an appealing new heroine, Svanhild's daughter Freydis, and a tragic conflict that pits father against son and brother against brother. The male characters' emotional arcs are not a convincing as those of the female characters, but that may have something to do with the pitilessness of the Viking culture to which they belong.
joeytruty's review against another edition
5.0
A fantastic end to an amazing series. Hartsuyker has woven a saga that will stay with me long after I finish this review. This is absolutely the best entry in a series that has consistently kept me begging for more.
I will be very interested in whatever Hartsuyker writes next.
I will be very interested in whatever Hartsuyker writes next.
fictionaltiff's review against another edition
5.0
The Golden Wolf is the final book in The Half-Drowned King trilogy, and I can officially say the entire trilogy is fantastic! It’s a new favorite of mine, and I’m going to force all of my friends to read it now.
This trilogy retells the Viking-age history of Norway. King Harald and his greatest and closest advisor, Ragnvald, are securing his kingdom: defeating anyone who opposes the crown and making alliances where they can. Ragnvald is sworn to serve Harald and will sacrifice everything to keep Harald in power. Ragnvald and Harald rise to be these great legends in history, and the reader sees all it takes to get to the spotlight and how it affects the people who support and oppose them.
There’s so much to be said about this trilogy and why it is now a favorite of mine, but what it really comes down to is the author’s ability to tie me into these families, connecting me to all of the characters’ perspectives, and through that, leaving the reader with life lessons and new thoughts about the journey of life.
I specifically loved the power of women these novels conveyed. Women who take hold of their destiny amidst being mothers, warriors, and healers. Women who are often forced to play their parts in the background of battles, but still have the full power to change the course of the future by their actions.
These books have it all. Love and betrayal. The glory of battle and the the loss it brings. People who trust the gods and people who only trust themselves. And so on.
I loved it and would reread them again. I’m now craving more adventure and need some more books on Norse mythology in my life. Obviously, I’m a big fan over here
This trilogy retells the Viking-age history of Norway. King Harald and his greatest and closest advisor, Ragnvald, are securing his kingdom: defeating anyone who opposes the crown and making alliances where they can. Ragnvald is sworn to serve Harald and will sacrifice everything to keep Harald in power. Ragnvald and Harald rise to be these great legends in history, and the reader sees all it takes to get to the spotlight and how it affects the people who support and oppose them.
There’s so much to be said about this trilogy and why it is now a favorite of mine, but what it really comes down to is the author’s ability to tie me into these families, connecting me to all of the characters’ perspectives, and through that, leaving the reader with life lessons and new thoughts about the journey of life.
I specifically loved the power of women these novels conveyed. Women who take hold of their destiny amidst being mothers, warriors, and healers. Women who are often forced to play their parts in the background of battles, but still have the full power to change the course of the future by their actions.
These books have it all. Love and betrayal. The glory of battle and the the loss it brings. People who trust the gods and people who only trust themselves. And so on.
I loved it and would reread them again. I’m now craving more adventure and need some more books on Norse mythology in my life. Obviously, I’m a big fan over here
ariel_bloomer's review against another edition
5.0
I loved this trilogy. CW for all the things you assume might be in a novel about Vikings.
The writing was beautiful and the story arcs and braiding were masterful.
The writing was beautiful and the story arcs and braiding were masterful.
chloemakesbooks's review against another edition
5.0
Honestly as good an end to a series as I can remember. Fairly satisfying, smart, and gripping at the end. Missing a little bit of the edge of the first book, but still a good saga.
blk8ocho's review against another edition
5.0
Excellent ending to a captivating trilogy! Full of emotion and one that will stay with me awhile yet.
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