Bernard Cornwell’s epic story of the making of England continues in this eleventh installment in the bestselling Saxon Tales series—”like Game of Thrones, but real” (The Observer)—the basis of the hit Netflix television series The Last Kingdom.
His blood is Saxon
His heart is Viking
His battleground is England
“Perhaps the greatest writer of historical adventure novels today” (Washington Post), Bernard Cornwell has dazzled and entertained readers and critics with his page-turning bestsellers. Of all his protagonists, however, none is as beloved as Uhtred of Bebbanburg.
And while Uhtred might have regained his family’s fortress, it seems that a peaceful life is not to be – as he is under threat from both an old enemy and a new foe. The old enemy comes from Wessex where a dynastic struggle will determine who will be the next king. And the new foe is Sköll, a Norseman, whose ambition is to be King of Northumbria and who leads a frightening army of wolf-warriors, men who fight half-crazed in the belief that they are indeed wolves. Uhtred, believing he is cursed, must fend off one enemy while he tries to destroy the other. In this new chapter of the Saxon Tales series—a rousing adventure of courage, treachery, duty, devotion, majesty, love and battle, as seen through the eyes of a warrior straddling two worlds—Uhtred returns to fight once again for the destiny of England.
Amazing book! Love the series. Can’t wait for the next.
Another riveting tale from Bernard Cornwell in the Saxon Series. What I really like is that he makes the characters engrossing and the story realistic. We see an aging Uthred with the strength of experience, but some doubts as well as he faces off against several cunning opponents. The author does a great job of continuing the saga but also writing an epic adventure that will keep you turning the pages to see what happens next.
A great continuation of the story line, cannot wait for the next novel written by this author.
did you have to kill Stiorra?!
4 stars for another rousing historical fiction book by Bernard Cornwell. This is the 51st book that I have read by Cornwell and I enjoyed all of them. I recommend that you start this series with book 1, The Last Kingdom. It is the story of Uhtred of Bebbanburg. In this book, Uhtred faces a new enemy, Skoll, a Norseman, defeated by Celtic warriors in Ireland and now living in Northumbria. He kills one of Uhtred’s family and Uhtred swears revenge. I think that Cornwell writes the best battle scenes of this period–about 9th to 10th century. They are so vivid that you can imagine yourself watching the battle in real life.
This series has been adapted into a miniseries, available on Amazon Prime, called The Last Kingdom. The miniseries is pretty faithful to the books.
One quote: Uhtred on god: “The men who fought for me worshipped a dozen gods and goddesses, The Christian god among them, but if a man believes the nonsense that there is only one god then there’s no point in arguing because it would be like discussing a rainbow with a blind man.”
I read this library book book in 5 days.
Love this author!
Like all Cornwell books–true to history–plus imaginative, believeable.
Love the series watch it on Netflix as the last kingdom
Another masterpiece! Can’t even begin to say how much I have enjoyed this series and now about to read book 12. Each time I finished a book in this series I felt a genuine sense of loss. I want this character to live forever. He deserves it! I cried with him, laughed with him and would have followed him into battle!
The latest book in the Last Kingdom series, I enjoy this book. It kind of winds up the whole tale.
It is a great book if you love a lot of action.
I loved the Saxon series by Bernard Cornwell. I highly recommend every book in this series.
History books seem to be dry and coldly academic, trying so hard to analyze the truth that they forget to deal with the sweat and blood, the shine of the armor, but not the stench of those wearing it in battle. Cornwall makes you understand what it is to be a member of a shield wall, pushing desperately at the other side’s wall, while hacking and stabbing desperately. He raises in whole cloth the sights, smells, and sense of the age of Alfred and the Norse he fought, through the eyes of a crusty, savage pagan warlord with a sense of honor and duty that rings like true steel with every adventure. Each character is alive and unforgettable. Cornwall does not write history, he brings it to life. Do not miss this series, any of them, or you will regret it.
Ulthred is getting older, but the story goes on. If you have read the earlier ones in the series, you will enjoy this one.
Realistic take on an old story
My husband and I thought that book 10 might be the last in the Saxon Tales series. We rejoiced when we found out there would be #11 and I immediately put a hold on the audiobook. We listened to most of it while traveling to Antelope Canyon, then took another drive to finish it. It is a great story with suspense and a worthy opponent for Uhtred and his men. I especially liked the plot device that Cornwell uses to describe the big battle at the end.
Bernard Cornwell has written anoher excellent tale in The Last Kingdom series (Saxon Tales). He is among the best historical fiction writers today!! I look forward to the next installment in the life of Uhtred of Bebbanburg.
My favorite writer of historical fiction and Uhtrd is my favorite character. Cornwall makes the period come alive and the battles feel like you are there. Wonderful series.
Great continuation of the series great read
Bernard Cornwell has done it again with the latest installment in the Saxon Tales. Uhtred’s adventures continue. Highly recommend.