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ckanz65's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
wigglyworm's review
3.0
Honestly, it is really well written, just like the first book. The rating is because my library mislabeled the series as fantasy, and it's not what I was looking for.
I'm a completionist with a very low attention span, something that probably marks an idiot, but alas, I cannot control my obsessive need to finish everything I read. This was a very boring book to me. I just did not care very much. There were a few characters I cared about, but at the end of the day, I could take them or leave them.
If this seems like a book you might like, then go for it, it's very well written, and there is definitely an interesting story there, and good characters, just none of it appeals very strongly to me.
(April 23 2024 update):
HOLY SHIT. I have no idea what happened, but I just finished reading two very awful books and was looking through my reviews when I saw this one. This book still isn't very interesting to my personal taste, but it's SUPER well written. While I didn't care about all of the characters, I cared about like, half of them and was indifferent to the rest - and I didn't realize how amazing it was that I was only indifferent, not annoyed until I read actually bad books. This book didn't waste time. All the perspectives were interesting. If this looks like something you'd like, then I highly recommend this!! I changed the rating to 3 stars, because no, it's not to my personal taste, but the fact that I still found myself enjoying it to the end is proof that it was well-written.
I'm a completionist with a very low attention span, something that probably marks an idiot, but alas, I cannot control my obsessive need to finish everything I read. This was a very boring book to me. I just did not care very much. There were a few characters I cared about, but at the end of the day, I could take them or leave them.
If this seems like a book you might like, then go for it, it's very well written, and there is definitely an interesting story there, and good characters, just none of it appeals very strongly to me.
(April 23 2024 update):
HOLY SHIT. I have no idea what happened, but I just finished reading two very awful books and was looking through my reviews when I saw this one. This book still isn't very interesting to my personal taste, but it's SUPER well written. While I didn't care about all of the characters, I cared about like, half of them and was indifferent to the rest - and I didn't realize how amazing it was that I was only indifferent, not annoyed until I read actually bad books. This book didn't waste time. All the perspectives were interesting. If this looks like something you'd like, then I highly recommend this!! I changed the rating to 3 stars, because no, it's not to my personal taste, but the fact that I still found myself enjoying it to the end is proof that it was well-written.
amaries's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.75
verysarahbennett's review against another edition
adventurous
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
4.5
Love this series!
duchessofreadin's review
4.0
Interesting read overall. There were some areas where I felt the book dragged a bit. I
I set this one down several times and kept coming back to it. There was a lot of promise here.
I have told myself that I am going to go back and read the first book and then read this one again. I think it would make a bit more sense, and tie some things together that I felt were not super clear in this book.
Overall, a good read, and one that I think many will enjoy.
I set this one down several times and kept coming back to it. There was a lot of promise here.
I have told myself that I am going to go back and read the first book and then read this one again. I think it would make a bit more sense, and tie some things together that I felt were not super clear in this book.
Overall, a good read, and one that I think many will enjoy.
jjmp1993's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
wanderlustqueen's review against another edition
4.0
Slow to get into, but good once things start picking up
cattylou's review
4.0
The Sea Queen did not disappoint! The story lines weaving Ragnvald, Solvi and especially Svanhild flowed seamlessly. I did not want it to end and I can't wait for volume 3!
seshat59's review
5.0
The Sea Queen is the second installment in the Half-Drowned King series, and I am so enamored with this series.
Firstly, the atmosphere is incredibly transportive. The language is simple and yet evocative. It feels like you’re reading a Viking skald’s tale.
Secondly, the characters really grow in this installment. Ragnvald, finally a king, comes to terms with Harald’s humanity and imperfections rather than being blinded by his great vision of Harald’s wyrd and fantastical possibility/destiny. Ragnvald the Wise still suffers from self doubt as he grows ever more accomplished in manipulating others into politically and personally beneficial actions. Svanhild is my favorite, however, and her character arc is incredibly moving and believable. I love how she disobeys Harald in predictable but nevertheless kickbutt fashion. (Also, at least Viking women had the freedom to divorce husbands at will too.)
This was mostly a linking novel. The character development took precedence even though there was significant action at the very end. Still, this was a quieter novel than its predecessor. I missed having Solvi as a main character though it definitely served the plot to keep him at a distance. And I cannot wait to find out what happens to him (and Svanhild) next.
This book sunk its dragon ship grappling hooks into me, and I couldn’t put it down. I can’t wait for The Golden Wolf.
Firstly, the atmosphere is incredibly transportive. The language is simple and yet evocative. It feels like you’re reading a Viking skald’s tale.
Secondly, the characters really grow in this installment. Ragnvald, finally a king, comes to terms with Harald’s humanity and imperfections rather than being blinded by his great vision of Harald’s wyrd and fantastical possibility/destiny. Ragnvald the Wise still suffers from self doubt as he grows ever more accomplished in manipulating others into politically and personally beneficial actions. Svanhild is my favorite, however, and her character arc is incredibly moving and believable. I love how she disobeys Harald in predictable but nevertheless kickbutt fashion. (Also, at least Viking women had the freedom to divorce husbands at will too.)
This was mostly a linking novel. The character development took precedence even though there was significant action at the very end. Still, this was a quieter novel than its predecessor. I missed having Solvi as a main character though it definitely served the plot to keep him at a distance. And I cannot wait to find out what happens to him (and Svanhild) next.
This book sunk its dragon ship grappling hooks into me, and I couldn’t put it down. I can’t wait for The Golden Wolf.
dhillinck's review
5.0
The best historical novels do more than deliver thrilling action scenes and compelling characters. They immerse you in not only the physical setting of a particular time and place, but also the peculiar moral universe that residents of that time and place occupied. Such is the case with "The Sea Queen," the second installment in Linnea Hartsuyker's anticipated trilogy based upon an obscure episode from the Viking sagas. The author delivers an exciting plot with plenty of intriguing details about the material culture of medieval Scandanavia. But she excels at weaving the ethics and values of the old Norse into the rich characterization of her protagonists. So much historical fiction features anachronistic moralizing that emphasizes present-day concerns like diversity, gender equality, and so on. Even in this volume, which focuses on the adventures of Svanhild, the titular sea queen, Hartsuyker avoids portraying her main character as a paragon of empowered feminism. Svanhild's virtues (bravery, charisma, and audacity) and vices (impatience, impulsiveness, and envy) seem just right for the times. These are, in fact, the character traits that Norsemen (yes, men!) widely shared. Svanhild is strikingly sympathetic because she feuds and fights and loves like her Viking brethren. I will eagerly await the next installment in this series.