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4.21 AVERAGE
4.21 AVERAGE
adventurous
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
I liked the first two in this series well enough but my primary issue was that Uthred is an insufferable pig. He still is in book three but he's surrounded by so many bad guys that you kind of forget it. This is the best of the series so far. The home stretch had me gripping the cover, which is something I rarely do. Cornwell is a gifted writer and even with an obnoxious protagonist and anti-Christian bend, I still look forward to finishing this series, though I know I have to pace myself lest his annoying tendencies grate too much.
I enjoy that Utred is becoming less of an arrogant asshole as he gets older.
Considerando que es el tercer libro de esta saga pensaba que tendría un final más o menos definido y que el señor Cornwell se había emocionado con Uhtred y, como otros autores, estiraría su historia en los seis libros que le siguen.
Uhtred continuará, aunque no hay muchos cabos sueltos, la historia del rey Alfredo, al que consideraba el verdadero protagonista, da para mucho más.
En este libro Uhtred es más maduro, aunque las lecciones de humildad que le ha dado la vida no parece que hacen mella en su arrogancia. Ahora es un guerrero que demuestra su inteligencia en la batalla y trata de ser justo, aunque al final su actuar no me agradó mucho, pero comprendo que era necesario.
Cornwell tiene la habilidad de mantenernos en un hilo, de salvarnos en el último momento, en dar giros inesperados y darnos una historia en donde sus personajes no son estáticos.
Es de destacar que las escenas de batalla son perfectas y además debo confesar que este libro me ha gustado más porque he podido ver lo que tanto esperaba desde el primero y era a Ragnar el Joven junto a Uhtred, daneses y sajones, cristianos y paganos tratando de estar en el mismo bando.
Uhtred continuará, aunque no hay muchos cabos sueltos, la historia del rey Alfredo, al que consideraba el verdadero protagonista, da para mucho más.
En este libro Uhtred es más maduro, aunque las lecciones de humildad que le ha dado la vida no parece que hacen mella en su arrogancia. Ahora es un guerrero que demuestra su inteligencia en la batalla y trata de ser justo, aunque al final su actuar no me agradó mucho, pero comprendo que era necesario.
Cornwell tiene la habilidad de mantenernos en un hilo, de salvarnos en el último momento, en dar giros inesperados y darnos una historia en donde sus personajes no son estáticos.
Es de destacar que las escenas de batalla son perfectas y además debo confesar que este libro me ha gustado más porque he podido ver lo que tanto esperaba desde el primero y era a Ragnar el Joven junto a Uhtred, daneses y sajones, cristianos y paganos tratando de estar en el mismo bando.
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
inspiring
reflective
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
adventurous
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
adventurous
dark
tense
fast-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:
No
I do enjoy these Uhtred books and Bernard Cornwell never disappoints me. The man knows how to write a historical novel.
I read two books from the series a year, after the TV series has ended (because spoilers) I find reading the books after watching the programme makes for easy reading. I already know more or less what's going to happen but get to relive the action a second time but with added content. It's a win win situation.
Setting
Set in 878. King Alfred is still trying to unite the kingdoms of England, and Uhtred is still trying to reclaim his homeland of Bebbanberg.
Uhtred's pursuit takes him across all of England, from Wintanceaster Wessex, to Dunholm and Eoferwig Northumbria (among many other places) Though Nothumbria is mostly occupied by Danes by now, the south still belongs to the Saxons.
Characters
Uhtred is obviously the star of the show. Told from his perspective, and I like how it's related in past tense, the long life he's already lived. He occasionally mentions his present position and being an old man, before continuing with his story in which he is a young man in his early twenties.
Uhtred is proud and arrogant but that's why we love him. There's little humility in Uhtred and he knows exactly who he is. He is Uhtred of Bebbanberg, the one who killed Ubba Lothbrokson beside the sea, and he wants to make damn sure everyone knows it. He's a warrior, and a bloody good one at that.
In this book we're also introduced to loveable Irishman, Finan. Also a warrior and fellow slave, Uhtred and Finan become fast friends in their shared predicament. He's a great character, funny and needed. I feel like Uhtred was in need of a loyal male friend after losing Leofric. Finan can easily fill that role and I hope to see more of his character in later books.
Plot
In this book, Uhtred befriends the new king of Northumbria after freeing him from slavery. He becomes a trusted ally, adviser and friend to King Guthred and falls in love with his sister, Gisela. Then Uhtred is betrayed by Guthred and sold into slavery at the request of Uhtred's usurping uncle in order to gain his alliance and army so Guthred can seize control of Dunholm.
Trapped, and without any hope of escape or any hope of returning to the woman he loves, Uhtred despairs, but he never gives up hope of returning to Northumbria. Luckily for Uhtred he has a few allies in pretty high places.
Writing Style
Cornwell's writing style is so easy to read and easy to follow. Never do I read these books and get confused or wonder what's going on. They're pure ease and enjoyment.
He can write some terrific battle scenes, never sparing on the gory details. It's all realistic, which only adds to the atmosphere of the story.
Final Impression
These are highly enjoyable books for anyone who has an interest in historical fiction, or an interest in the Viking/Saxon era.
I own the whole set so will definitely be working my way through them all over time.
I read two books from the series a year, after the TV series has ended (because spoilers) I find reading the books after watching the programme makes for easy reading. I already know more or less what's going to happen but get to relive the action a second time but with added content. It's a win win situation.
Setting
Set in 878. King Alfred is still trying to unite the kingdoms of England, and Uhtred is still trying to reclaim his homeland of Bebbanberg.
Uhtred's pursuit takes him across all of England, from Wintanceaster Wessex, to Dunholm and Eoferwig Northumbria (among many other places) Though Nothumbria is mostly occupied by Danes by now, the south still belongs to the Saxons.
Characters
Uhtred is obviously the star of the show. Told from his perspective, and I like how it's related in past tense, the long life he's already lived. He occasionally mentions his present position and being an old man, before continuing with his story in which he is a young man in his early twenties.
Uhtred is proud and arrogant but that's why we love him. There's little humility in Uhtred and he knows exactly who he is. He is Uhtred of Bebbanberg, the one who killed Ubba Lothbrokson beside the sea, and he wants to make damn sure everyone knows it. He's a warrior, and a bloody good one at that.
In this book we're also introduced to loveable Irishman, Finan. Also a warrior and fellow slave, Uhtred and Finan become fast friends in their shared predicament. He's a great character, funny and needed. I feel like Uhtred was in need of a loyal male friend after losing Leofric. Finan can easily fill that role and I hope to see more of his character in later books.
Plot
In this book, Uhtred befriends the new king of Northumbria after freeing him from slavery. He becomes a trusted ally, adviser and friend to King Guthred and falls in love with his sister, Gisela. Then Uhtred is betrayed by Guthred and sold into slavery at the request of Uhtred's usurping uncle in order to gain his alliance and army so Guthred can seize control of Dunholm.
Trapped, and without any hope of escape or any hope of returning to the woman he loves, Uhtred despairs, but he never gives up hope of returning to Northumbria. Luckily for Uhtred he has a few allies in pretty high places.
Writing Style
Cornwell's writing style is so easy to read and easy to follow. Never do I read these books and get confused or wonder what's going on. They're pure ease and enjoyment.
He can write some terrific battle scenes, never sparing on the gory details. It's all realistic, which only adds to the atmosphere of the story.
Final Impression
These are highly enjoyable books for anyone who has an interest in historical fiction, or an interest in the Viking/Saxon era.
I own the whole set so will definitely be working my way through them all over time.
adventurous
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
adventurous
dark
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
The third in the series, and my favourite so far. Uthred is a great character, and we're starting to see his flaws as well as his courage, there is conflict in him, rather than just a brute and a warrior. The characters are diverse and in looking forward to how the story of Englaland unfolds.