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4.21 AVERAGE
4.21 AVERAGE
Well gosh darnit, I hung in there for the third book because I was pretty sure a certain something was going to happen, but it didn't! I wonder if it will ever happen! !
Reread: Ah, silly past me, you have to have a bit more patience!
Reread: Ah, silly past me, you have to have a bit more patience!
Another thrilling installment in the Saxon Stories, which follows the events after Alfred's victory at the Battle of Ethandun. Accompanied by Hild, Uhtred ventures back to Northumbria to seek vengeance against his uncle, Kjartan the Cruel, and Sven the One-Eyed. As he travels, Uhtred encounters the slave king, Guthred, and assists him in taking back his rightful Northumbrian throne. Of course, Uhtred encounters numerous conflicts as he strikes out against the Danes, who took his birthright and killed his foster-father, Ragnar.
LORDS OF THE NORTH BY BERNARD CORNWELL: In Lords of the North (coming January 23rd), the wonderful writer of great historical periods and characters brings us the third in his increasingly popular Saxon Chronicles series, as he tells the story of King Alfred the Great’s life and his work in unifying the many kingdoms into the country we know today as England.
We continue with our hero, Uhtred of Bebbanburg, who has just helped Alfred save and maintain control over the land of Wessex, therefore preventing the complete invasion by the Danes. Angered with Alfred’s piousness and making every decision according to God, Uhtred flees north to Northumbria, still hoping one day to defeat his uncle and take back his beloved Bebbanburg. It is here that he meets old Danish friends and before he realizes what’s going on, a deal has been brokered to maintain peace in Northumbria in return for Uhtred’s enslavement. With his blood-stained blade – Serpent-Breath – the many lords of the region are happy to get rid of this formidable warrior.
Uhtred, stripped of his title and power, then spends most of the book suffering the abuse and torture of a slave on a trading traveling along the Flemish coast, and back and forth between Britain and the mainland. On a number of occasions they face off again this “red ship” that is a trader like them. Upon returning to the original place where Uhtred was sold – so that more slaves can be bought – the red ship appears out of nowhere and beaches the shore. Foreign Danes stream out and Uhtred soon finds himself face to face with an even older friend who raised him.
Eventually he discovers that it is thanks to Alfred’s help that he has received his emancipation. With his title, weapons, and armor restored, along with more allies from the south forming a considerable army, they set out to defeat these lesser heathen lords and regain control of the kingdom of Northumbria. The book ends with the reader contemplating what is next for Uhtred in the further Saxon Chronicles: Will he regain control of his land? Will he remain a lone pagan among the many determined Christians? Sadly, we will have to wait another whole year before we can read more about Uhtred of Bebbanburg, slayer of the great Ubba Lothbrokson, and his adventures with the pious Alfred the Great.
For more book reviews, and author interviews, go to BookBanter.
We continue with our hero, Uhtred of Bebbanburg, who has just helped Alfred save and maintain control over the land of Wessex, therefore preventing the complete invasion by the Danes. Angered with Alfred’s piousness and making every decision according to God, Uhtred flees north to Northumbria, still hoping one day to defeat his uncle and take back his beloved Bebbanburg. It is here that he meets old Danish friends and before he realizes what’s going on, a deal has been brokered to maintain peace in Northumbria in return for Uhtred’s enslavement. With his blood-stained blade – Serpent-Breath – the many lords of the region are happy to get rid of this formidable warrior.
Uhtred, stripped of his title and power, then spends most of the book suffering the abuse and torture of a slave on a trading traveling along the Flemish coast, and back and forth between Britain and the mainland. On a number of occasions they face off again this “red ship” that is a trader like them. Upon returning to the original place where Uhtred was sold – so that more slaves can be bought – the red ship appears out of nowhere and beaches the shore. Foreign Danes stream out and Uhtred soon finds himself face to face with an even older friend who raised him.
Eventually he discovers that it is thanks to Alfred’s help that he has received his emancipation. With his title, weapons, and armor restored, along with more allies from the south forming a considerable army, they set out to defeat these lesser heathen lords and regain control of the kingdom of Northumbria. The book ends with the reader contemplating what is next for Uhtred in the further Saxon Chronicles: Will he regain control of his land? Will he remain a lone pagan among the many determined Christians? Sadly, we will have to wait another whole year before we can read more about Uhtred of Bebbanburg, slayer of the great Ubba Lothbrokson, and his adventures with the pious Alfred the Great.
For more book reviews, and author interviews, go to BookBanter.
Danes and Saxons fighting over a piece of land that is soon to be known as England. This was quite a rough story in terms of trust, faith, and betrayal.
Have you ever read a book series that made your heart thump with excitement each and every time your eyes feasted on its words? Did you get giddy with anticipation for the continuation of the story, and of the lives involved? Did the fictional characters feel real? -you wonder about the characters and how their lives will fare even when you are not actively reading about their lives. Yeah, that has all happened to me with my most favorite series of all time. And it seems, I now have another series that can draw these feelings from me.
It dawned on me, as I was listening to the third book of The Last Kingdom series, I am feeling the giddiness, excitement, wonder, and attachment to characters in same manner that I do with my most favorite series. These two series are not similar save they're historical in nature, and the writing is superb which draws me into the story and lives of the characters in ways that other books cannot accomplish. They're both smartly written with characters that evolve—the epic nature of the story does not remain stagnant. With that said, just as in life, the stories do ebb and flow—every book does not live on a high.
This third book of The Last Kingdom Series, The Lords of the North, is damn fantastic. But, it has it has low moments where it's not very exciting and maybe a bit dull....the hum drum of life. An epic story, however, can take these low moments and build on them to create an over arching momentum of an high. That's what I am experiencing with this series, and with The Lords of the North—it has low moments and then swings back into the hustle and bustle of the grittiness, cruelty, and harshness of 9th century England—Danes and Saxons. What is even more exciting is the thrill of the over all ride, the thrill of Uhtred's life narrative. Yeah, he sometimes annoys me with his arrogance, but honestly I like him with all his nuts and bolts.
One of the more interesting aspects for me, this time around, is how history can be perceived differently depending on one's bent on life, their belief system. With Uhtred, the history is totally bent towards a negative perspective on Christianity —towards the priests, monks and leaders who claim to be a Christian. I've been reading a few biographical sketches lately which portray King Alfred in a bit better light than how Uhtred is painting him. While Uhtred does not seem to like King Alfred, he does admit to some significant positive aspects of Alfred's character. And I do think, Uhtred does have a level of respect for King Alfred but doesn't show it much due to his prideful nature.
Damn, I like these characters. All of them. I like the story arch. All of it. This is an exciting adventure. An adventure that feels real, as real as fiction can feel without physically zapping me right into its space.
This nine book series, so far, seems to be claiming a favorite series position on my audiobook bookshelf. It has infiltrated my reading world—I cannot wait to get back to Uhtred's narrative and will soon be starting book four, Sword Song. Once done, if the way I currently feel about the series remains, I will then confidently place it in my reading repertoire as my second favorite series.
It dawned on me, as I was listening to the third book of The Last Kingdom series, I am feeling the giddiness, excitement, wonder, and attachment to characters in same manner that I do with my most favorite series. These two series are not similar save they're historical in nature, and the writing is superb which draws me into the story and lives of the characters in ways that other books cannot accomplish. They're both smartly written with characters that evolve—the epic nature of the story does not remain stagnant. With that said, just as in life, the stories do ebb and flow—every book does not live on a high.
This third book of The Last Kingdom Series, The Lords of the North, is damn fantastic. But, it has it has low moments where it's not very exciting and maybe a bit dull....the hum drum of life. An epic story, however, can take these low moments and build on them to create an over arching momentum of an high. That's what I am experiencing with this series, and with The Lords of the North—it has low moments and then swings back into the hustle and bustle of the grittiness, cruelty, and harshness of 9th century England—Danes and Saxons. What is even more exciting is the thrill of the over all ride, the thrill of Uhtred's life narrative. Yeah, he sometimes annoys me with his arrogance, but honestly I like him with all his nuts and bolts.
One of the more interesting aspects for me, this time around, is how history can be perceived differently depending on one's bent on life, their belief system. With Uhtred, the history is totally bent towards a negative perspective on Christianity —towards the priests, monks and leaders who claim to be a Christian. I've been reading a few biographical sketches lately which portray King Alfred in a bit better light than how Uhtred is painting him. While Uhtred does not seem to like King Alfred, he does admit to some significant positive aspects of Alfred's character. And I do think, Uhtred does have a level of respect for King Alfred but doesn't show it much due to his prideful nature.
Damn, I like these characters. All of them. I like the story arch. All of it. This is an exciting adventure. An adventure that feels real, as real as fiction can feel without physically zapping me right into its space.
This nine book series, so far, seems to be claiming a favorite series position on my audiobook bookshelf. It has infiltrated my reading world—I cannot wait to get back to Uhtred's narrative and will soon be starting book four, Sword Song. Once done, if the way I currently feel about the series remains, I will then confidently place it in my reading repertoire as my second favorite series.
Another fun installment in the saga - fast paced and engaging, just makes me want to read more!
I absolutely adore this series. I always struggle with putting them down, and find [a:Bernard Cornwell|12542|Bernard Cornwell|https://images.gr-assets.com/authors/1504578807p2/12542.jpg]'s storytelling absolutely captivating.
Sometimes I think that Cornwell has a recipe for every book he writes. Either the main protagonist brings himself in stupid danger or he is betrayed by others. He is saved through luck, fate or sometimes even his own skills. He saves the day and is then betrayed again. The neverending cycle.
Don't get me wrong, it's a good recipe. But sometimes it's annoying.
In this book I really liked the parallels to his Warlord-Chronicles. Especially when it comes to magic. It was a great quick read. Nothing more to say. 4 of 5 stars.
Don't get me wrong, it's a good recipe. But sometimes it's annoying.
In this book I really liked the parallels to his Warlord-Chronicles. Especially when it comes to magic. It was a great quick read. Nothing more to say. 4 of 5 stars.
In my eyes this has been the best of the beef orst three books. Uthreds story becomes more in depth here and his character develops far more than in the first two books.