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Vikings, game of thrones, shifting allegiances. So fun!

3/5 ⭐️ A Viking tale for #FoodandLit Norway. The first half was really slow and I was frustrated by decisions that some of the characters made. There was a lot of action and adventure though, so that was fun! I don't think I'll continue with the series.

I really wanted to like this-but when I look for other things to do rather than read, I know there is a problem 😬
Add to that the fact that it is a trilogy so it probably won‘t wrap up at the end of the book—I‘m out.

I had a really fun time reading this book! I loved the characters. They were complex and I cared about them. I don't usually read historical fiction but this was amazing and a great way to get outside my comfort zone. The ending really ramped up and I couldn't put it down for the last 150 pages.

I kind of found this book by accident on the sale table, but I am really enjoying it so far! It's a viking political drama and very well written. I didn't even know I needed that!
#fiction #vikings

Perfect vacation book for the pacific coast

With storylines pulled from the ancient Icelandic sagas found in Heimskringla, this book follows the path of young Rangvild, a warrior seeking to regain his family lands and his sister's freedom. A tale of Norse kings and Viking life, this was a wonderful wonderful read. Perfect for anyone who loves the show Vikings (obvi) or misses the family honor and political maneuvering of Game of Thrones.

Day 18 #blackandblue #colormepretty
A day late haha, I‘m starting to wonder about my own commitment to my own photo challenge.

Now this book I picked up on a whim becuase I loved the black lines and the solid blue color. Plus the title was intriguing, and honestly I never noticed the golden crown I always overlooked it Haha. But I‘m excited to read it....eventually.

Super jealous of all of the #bookcon and #bookexpo posts, but my little guy made homemade cupcakes for the first time. Oh, and Good Omens is out!!

My most recent book purchase. Sounds awesome! Anyone read this one?

I love historical fiction but usually find myself in the Tudor period. Traveling to the Viking time was a nice adventure. It is violent and sometimes frustrating but if you like Vikings, Norse tales, high seas, sagas, and a little politics this book fits all of the above. I will definitely read the series, although only the second, The Sea Queen, is currently out.

A rollicking tale of monarchs, murder, and mayhem in long-ago Norway. The book is an emotional historical fiction that centers on revenge. The story is entertaining and vivid, though the characters could have used a bit more work in my opinion. Still, it was certainly a worthwhile read.

I am very excited to be reading this book!

This was an awesome start to this series. I‘ve already put the next installment, The Sea Queen, on hold at the library. It‘s a Viking saga set in Norway. This is not my usual genre, but I loved the characters even the evil ones! It made me remember how much I loved Ken Follett‘s Kingbridge series and it‘s been compared to Outlander which is still on my TBR shelves! Loved, loved, loved this fun read! ❤️❤️❤️👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻 5⭐️‘s for me!

It's payday; my holiday weekend has begun; and Barnes and Noble is having a Book Haul Sale. Anyone looking anywhere else for me does not know me very well. Now, to winnow down this pile.

Great epic❣️

#currentlystarting

This novel follows a brother and sister in Viking era Norway as they both struggle to claim more of life than the farm they grew up on. Ragnvald hardens as a warrior and adviser to a series of kings, and Svanhild chooses the freedom of the seas over an arranged marriage. Their bond as siblings is tested by rival allegiances.

Starting this viking tale today.

5-stars for this hot and violent Viking tale. Viking women kicked ass!

This came highly recommended by someone I trust. Hartsuyker has obviously done her research. But the narrative kept me at a distance. I had trouble turning off my dramaturg brain, wanting Hartsuyker to claim the story as her own.

Sneaking some pages while waiting for my dinner companions.

I wish this pic was better but if you can read it. It is an excellent example of the excellent, and atmospheric writing I‘m really enjoying it so far 😊😊

#readinginbed

Not because I didn‘t enjoy it but because it‘s a library borrow and it ends in 2 days and I‘ve not got the time to put into reading it right now. I got like 15% into it and it was interesting but just not enough to keep me engaged enough to ignore reality.

I went to two different B&N stores this weekend. While separated by over 200 miles they shared a feature I found odd. I didn't have enough cell signal to pull up Litsy book reviews and their Wi-Fi was so poor I couldn't use the internet. If I had been able to connect I probably wouldn't have bought this book. It sounds great on the jacket but has a 13% pick rating on Litsy. I'm suspicious of a conspiracy here.

How can a meticulously researched historical fiction/fantasy novel about murderous Vikings be so freaking dull?! Add in a boring, blockhead protagonist and a deeply unsatisfying ending , and you've got a real stinker. What a dud.

😣 I don't like being this mean. Something nice: it made me really want to read a bunch of books about Vikings.

I've got to say this was a dud for me. I wanted so much to enjoy this read because it is well researched and seemed well thought out, but I just found myself getting bored by it. Which is never a good feeling when the book is 400 pages and some change. The characters fell a little short for me, especially the main character. He was honestly just so boring I couldn't wait for his chapters to be over.

#TBRtemptation post 3! Recently released. Drawing on Icelandic sagas and the true story of Ragnvald of Maer, right-hand man of Norway's first king, and his sister, Svanhild. He intends to claim his father's lands, but their treacherous step-father wants them gone. Viking-age Norway is a rough place to fight for one's birthright and for a woman to escape her custodian's tyranny. #blameLitsy #blameMrBook 😎

Fast-paced start but lost me after repeated brawls and casual slaughter that didn't build a convincing arc or show the blockhead hero grow up much. And all the H names were hard to keep track of once I stopped caring about the innumerable characters. There's saga and then there's weak editing.

Cheesecake donut for lunch 🍩🙈

Currently sitting here and listening to this Viking revenge story set in the days of King Harald's rise. I'm enjoying the audiobook, but the book and/or narration aren't totally capturing me. Still, I'm committed enough to finish.

The book on the left is from #goldsborobooks and the one on the right was a giveaway win. #bookmail

13 chapters in, and I think I've given enough of my time to this book. I really wanted to like it, and the story isn't bad, but the writing style is wearing me down. It's excruciatingly stiff. I hate giving up on books, but when I find myself making excuses NOT to sit down and read, it's time to bail.

Maybe it was the narrator? Just couldn't get into this one. Epic isn't my thing though. If you like a large cast, big fat GOT read, this will work for you. The writing is good.

B&N new promotions will be my undoing. AND they sent me more coupons in the mail. 😩😁

#bookhaul

Got The Half-Drowned King on my kindle and obviously had to order Meddling Kids in hardcover because how can you not love that cover?! (Also I'm a huge Scooby-Doo fan) In even better news our furniture is finally being delivered today!

This Viking saga grabbed me right away. The betrayal comes fast (before page 9) I'm pretty sure to be followed by revenge. Bwahahaha! Ragnvald is the title character, his sister Svanhild, is starting to be kind of kick@ss which isn't the norm for unmarried Viking females in this book. I just find myself thinking about the story whenever I'm not reading it. Kinda fun to be immersed in an epic read until the next Martin and Rothfuss. 🐺👑

I found this while wandering around B&N. I'm a sucker for a pretty cover 😍

Roses are red,
This ARE is blue,
A mythical first in a trilogy,
And the author's literary debut.
#TheHalfDrownedKing