Dragons from the Sea (The Strongbow Saga, Book 2) [Hardcover]

Judson Roberts (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: June 12, 2007

The thrilling Strongbow Saga continues with this fierce sequel chronicling the adventures of a young man learning the ways of the Viking warriors. As fifteen-year-old Halfdan embarks on a perilous mission in a foreign land, he shows signs of greatness. But will he live up to his family name, or die trying? Author and Viking expert Judson Roberts draws on his detailed knowledge of this bloody time and culture to bring a young hero's exploits to life.

Editorial Reviews

From School Library Journal

Grade 9 Up—Through a lucky twist of fate, orphan and former slave Halfdan Hroriksson is accepted by Jarl Hastein to serve with him on the Viking warship Gull. Although only 15, Halfdan has an uncanny skill with the longbow. It is through his ability, honesty, and strength of character that he is grudgingly accepted as a member of the crew. While serving his newfound lord, the teen hopes not only to find adventure and riches, but also to bring to justice the man who murdered his brother and then stole his inheritance. The story begins a bit slowly, but soon readers will be engaged in the adventure and the grit and gore of the ninth century. The book ends abruptly, with the promise of a continued story line in the future. It will be difficult to understand as a stand-alone, due in part to the complexity of the plot and the specifics of the time period, but fans of Viking Warrior (HarperCollins, 2006) will enjoy it.—Melissa Christy Buron, Epps Island Elementary, Houston, TX
Copyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

From Booklist

The second volume in the Strongbow Saga takes up the tale of Halfdan Hroriksson in 845 CE, as he enters a coastal town in Jutland in hopes of joining the crew of a longship. Halfdan, burdened by memories of family deaths and his vow to avenge his half-brother's murder, gains a place in the crew of the Gull, though his only useful skill is with his bow. When they take part in an invasion of France, Halfdan is sorely tested as he tries to act with honor in a violent time. Even readers who have not read the previous novel in the series, Viking Warrior (2006), will find it easy to follow Halfdan's tale, which is told in the first person with great immediacy and attention to detail. While the background story informs his thoughts and his decisions, the narrative thrust is forward, and the current tale of battle, siege, and reconnaissance features plenty of action as well as bits of humor and reflection. An absorbing historical novel told from the viewpoint of a young Viking. Phelan, Carolyn
Copyright © American Library Association. All rights reserved

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Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 14 and up
  
• Hardcover: 352 pages
• Publisher: HarperTeen (June 12, 2007)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0060813008
• ISBN-13: 978-0060813000
• Product Dimensions: 8.4 x 5.5 x 1.3 inches
• Shipping Weight: 5.2 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (21 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #774,861 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Judson Roberts brings an extensive, carefully cultivated knowledge of ninth-century Viking history to the Strongbow Saga. He also draws on a distinguished career in law enforcement, as a state and federal criminal investigator, a prosecutor specializing in complex major conspiracy cases, and the planner and director of several major undercover operations. He lives in Eugene, Oregon, where he is currently working on the next novel in the Strongbow Saga series.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

9 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Read Viking Warrior First!!!, June 21, 2007

By 

Kelly Elise "Avid reader" (Austin, Tx) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Dragons from the Sea (The Strongbow Saga, Book 2) (Hardcover)

I really wanted to love this novel. But it just didn't meet my expectations. Granted it is a solid sequel that I enjoyed and the main character, Halfdan stayed true to form. A warning to readers though, if you thought the first novel's ending left you curious, the second has a doozy of a cliff hanger. I really was angry about that. I waited for what seemed like forever to read this book and then it felt like half a book. I thought what Roberts did was unfair but he definatly secured my purchase of his third book. So to sum up this rant, the book itself is a good read with plenty of exciting fights and we get to see how skilled Halfdan actually is at his long bow. WOW! If you read the first book in the strongbow saga, I would recommend you buy the second. However I would not read this on it's own. I don't believe it is strong enough to stand alone and the reader would quickly put it down and miss out on a great story.

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Strongbow Saga Book Two, Dragons from the sea, November 29, 2010

By 

Hank Romberg - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Dragons from the Sea (The Strongbow Saga, Book 2) (Paperback)

Great use of historical incidents in Viking and early French and Normandy history at the height of the bloodiest part of the Dark Ages. Attractive young Dane Viking is pitted against various aggressive and lethal adversaries that test his abilities and concepts of good and evil. Book two is a strong continuation of Book one and is critical to following Book three. I hope that Judson Roberts soon completes Books four and five.

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Breathless excitement!, September 4, 2007

By 

MELISSA MORGAN - See all my reviews

This review is from: Dragons from the Sea (The Strongbow Saga, Book 2) (Hardcover)

This book is filled with suspense. I was exhausted by the end of it! I look forward to the next book. LONG LIVE HALFDAN!!