Customer Reviews

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

5 star:		(15)
4 star:		(4)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

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.

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.

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

The story and journey of Halfdan, a young Viking thrall whose life greatly changes with the death of his father, a famous Viking chieftan. If I thought the first book was great, " Viking Warrior", the second book "Dragons from the Sea" was even better, and the third book "The Road to Vengeance" even better than the second!
Wonderful descriptive writing, interesting characters, and an imaginative and engrossing plot. If you like Vikings you don't know what you're missing! I would give all three books 10 stars and wish writers could write as fast as I can read.

DRAGONS FROM THE SEA is the second book in the stronghold saga. This book, along with the last one, are awesome books that kept me up all night reading them.

After escaping from Tore and his crew in the last book, Halfdan makes a vow to kill Tore and everyone else that attacked his village and killed his brother. Halfdan starts on his journey to find a crew of men to sail with. He soon meets Jarl Hastein, who after seeing Halfdan's skill with his bow, agrees to take Halfdan as part of his crew.

The other members of the crew aren't happy about a beardless boy joining the crew. Then Halfdan learns that they were going in war with the Franks. Halfdan must watch his back because Tore still wants him dead, because he is the only witness to the slaughter that happened at his home village.

If you haven't read VIKING WARRIOR, start there first. This saga is packed with action. And the ending will make you scream for the next one.

(Review by my middle son, Jimmy.)

Dragons from the Sea is an excellent sequel to Viking Warrior. Halfdan begins to fulfil his quest against Toke by joining the raids against the Franks. There are several new characters introduced and they are drawn very well. Halfdan really begins to develop as a character, and the book works on the historical front as well, giving us good insight into the medieval world.

Halfdan made a blood-oath to the god of war and revenge that he would slay all those who murdered (and or helped in the murder of) his brother, Harald, and his housecarls. But to do that he must become a viking and earn his wealth and respect and gain allies in high places if Halfdan wants to reveal Toke (the man who gave the order to kill all of the innocents) for the fraud he really is. Throughout the whole story Toke sends spies to infiltrate The Gull, the ship where Halfdan now lives. Once Halfdan proves himself to the ship's captain, Jarl Hestein Halfdan thinks he will be safe. But Halfdan soon discovers the Gull will embark on a quest to crush the Franks, their biggest opposing enemy. Will Halfdan survive the war? Or will he die in vain? Find out in the second book in the Strongbow series.

This book contains scenes of violence and gore. I recommend it to all those who enjoy a twisted plot and adventure.

The sequel to Viking Warrior, Book One in the Strongbow Saga, Dragons from the Sea pick right up from where the first book left off. Once a slave, Halfdan sets out for Frankia, seeking fortune and vengeance. His skills with the longbow ensure that he is taken on a ship, despite the crew's misgivings. He makes enemies and friends and proves once again his intelligence and skill, building up to yet another abrupt ending that will leave readers gasping in anticipation.

Living up to it's predecessor, Dragons from the Sea is lively and sharp. You'll have to pay close attention to this gripping peek at life during the Viking era. Steeped with many historical facts told in a highly entertaining way that never grows dull, Robert's latest will keep you enraptured til the very end.

The sequel, The Road to Vengeance, will be available from HarperCollins June 17, 2008, so be on the lookout! I can barely stand the wait!

For more book reviews, author interviews, contests and other fun stuff, visit: [...]

The Strongbow Saga, Book Two: Dragons from the Sea
by Judson Roberts
Historical Fiction *****
This story is about a young man named Halfdan. He has a large past that is very painful for him. When he just turned 15, He and his half brother set off to show him his new inheritance, his own little bit of land. But only at the first night of being there, Toke, his half brother turns up wanting revenge for inheriting nothing. Toke is a berserk (someone who is crazy about killing) very mean and evil. Late at night he attacked the land and killed the innocent people of it while promising their safe exit, he wanted no one to tell of his treachery. Halfdan managed to get away with the sacrifice of his brother while making a path to let him escape. They needed someone to escape, so he could avenge them all. Now he is looking for a ship to serve in a port called Hedeby. He finds a Jarl who he impresses with his bow skills. The Jarl normally doesn't just anyone join his crew of vikings but he believes that the norns (the gods that weave everybody's life line)have sent the boy as a sign to him. Halfdan joins the crew that soon after leaves to the call of the king of the Danes. The king declares that they shall all go to war against the Franks, who had done the same thing to them many centuries ago. So with little experience at all Halfdan ventures to war.
This book sort of relates to this book that I read called Hatchet. It was a story about a boy who was 13 and he got lost in the wilderness with only his hatchet, and his will to live. It is actually a very powerful story because this boy is just doing well when all the sudden, something terrible happens to him and his new way of life, he had to start all over, just like Halfdan. So i guess they are sort of similar.
The author is a very talented writer for all I'm concerned. He really knows how to describe something without boring me to sleep. I loved his first strongbow saga book as well. He really brings the words alive and paint pictures in my mind. He is also very good at leaving you hanging at the end of the first and second of these books. Almost everyday for about a month I would ask my mom if this book had arrived in the mail. So about two days ago it actually did come, I've been reading 24/7 since then. I LOVE THIS BOOK!!!!!! ******************************** !!!!!!KOOB SITH EVOL
*****

This book was well written and had an exceptional storyline. The problems: the book was 300 pages and the margins were so small that only 5 words could fit on a line.