The Half-Drowned King, by Linnea Hartsuyker

At times a bit too expository for my tastes, this is still a romping good read if you need a healthy dose of escapism. Our eponymous hero is Ragnvald, a young Viking on his first raiding trip in the early medieval days of Norway, still then a land of many kings rather than one unified country. He's been promised the lands his stepfather holds, but Olaf has no desire to hand them over, and instead arranges for Ragnvald's murder. All doesn't go according to plan and Ragnvald lives, determined to avenge himself and take back what is rightfully his. Complicating matters is his wilful younger sister, who of course manages to fall in love with Ragnvald's sworn enemy, the man Olaf hired to kill him. Various bloody hijinks ensue.

The writing is good, very evocative of Norway's frozen waters and hardscrabble lands, and of the society of Vikings. Things can get a bit pedantic when Hartsuyker is explaining a cultural concept, like the ting, the annual meeting, where grievances are aired and laws upheld. Luckily these sections never last long, so detract little from the story. From what small amount I know of this place and period in time, Hartsuyker's portrayal is quite accurate, and so should be welcome by those who are interested in the history. Most characters are rather one-sided and predictable, making this a fun read but not an overly literary one. Readers looking for entertainment and a feel for Viking history will get the most out of this well-researched novel.

Go a-Viking!