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4.21 AVERAGE
4.21 AVERAGE
I just finished another epic adventure thanks to Lords of the North, the 3rd book in the Saxon Stories series by Bernard Cornwell. This book picks up right after Uhtred helps Wessex defeat the Danes. Uhtred was expecting Alfred to show more appreciation. So Uhtred leaves Wessex. He goes to enact revenge on Kjartan for killing his family. Along the way, he meets a slave named Guthred. He is a Dane that has become a Christian and claims to be a King. He joins Guthred to help him make alliances. England is in constant turmoil and betrayal runs rampant.
This is another fantastic installment to the Saxon Stories! This audiobook is narrated by Tom Sellwood. He does a great job getting into each character. I still really miss Jonathon Keeble though.
I have also reviewed the previous two books. We all know that Uhtred is arrogant–which leads to many mistakes on his part. His position changes in this book, but he comes out even stronger. Not physically but emotionally and mentally. The hardships he faces in this book make him smarter. There are some new characters that come into play in this book. As always there are fierce and strong women like Hild and Gisela. I love how Uhtred makes some fantastic alliances and friendships. There also many familiar faces like Steapa and Ragnar, and of course, the characters we love to hate like Kjartan.
Once again, the historical detail is so vivid and every time I listen to this book I feel so immersed in the world. The battle sequences are descriptive and keep readers on their toes.
I have already started book 4 and by the time this review posts, I will probably be further along in the series. This book gets another 5 out of 5 stars!
This is another fantastic installment to the Saxon Stories! This audiobook is narrated by Tom Sellwood. He does a great job getting into each character. I still really miss Jonathon Keeble though.
I have also reviewed the previous two books. We all know that Uhtred is arrogant–which leads to many mistakes on his part. His position changes in this book, but he comes out even stronger. Not physically but emotionally and mentally. The hardships he faces in this book make him smarter. There are some new characters that come into play in this book. As always there are fierce and strong women like Hild and Gisela. I love how Uhtred makes some fantastic alliances and friendships. There also many familiar faces like Steapa and Ragnar, and of course, the characters we love to hate like Kjartan.
Once again, the historical detail is so vivid and every time I listen to this book I feel so immersed in the world. The battle sequences are descriptive and keep readers on their toes.
I have already started book 4 and by the time this review posts, I will probably be further along in the series. This book gets another 5 out of 5 stars!
adventurous
dark
mysterious
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
N/A
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
This 'saga' gets better with each book. Uhtred seems to get less objectionable as well, or perhaps I'm getting used to him.
adventurous
fast-paced
This series is fast becoming my new favourite series to date - there are only two other book series that I have enjoyed this thoroughly, being consistently engaged in the story from the first page to the last, which are Harry Potter and The Hunger Games. Anyone who knows me will understand how high that praise is!
There were multiple moments when reading this book when I could feel myself holding my breath, reading as fast as possible to find out what was going to happen next and I haven't felt that feeling for such a long time. I was worried that this was due to growing older, and perhaps not having the same capacity to imagine so vividly so that I could connect to a world that is half fantasy, but these books are showing me I still have that capacity to really feel for fictional characters - I didn't realise how much I have missed it till now.
I am so excited to be truly invested in a story again to this degree and I feel so attached to the characters I need to know what happens to them all.
Bernard Cornwell's creative and plot driven storytelling can not be recommended enough by me!
*spoliers after this point*
My favourite moment in this book is when Ragnar comes to save Uhtred from slavery on the big red ship - this moment almost made me cry too! Finan seems like an interesting character so far and I hope he stays with Uhtred (or at least becomes a reoccurring character) in the books. Ragnar is still of course one of my favourite characters, and I am so happy he finally has been able to revenge his fathers death. Thyra finally being saved from Sven was also a heart-warming end to the book. Looking forward to the next instalment of this series.
There were multiple moments when reading this book when I could feel myself holding my breath, reading as fast as possible to find out what was going to happen next and I haven't felt that feeling for such a long time. I was worried that this was due to growing older, and perhaps not having the same capacity to imagine so vividly so that I could connect to a world that is half fantasy, but these books are showing me I still have that capacity to really feel for fictional characters - I didn't realise how much I have missed it till now.
I am so excited to be truly invested in a story again to this degree and I feel so attached to the characters I need to know what happens to them all.
Bernard Cornwell's creative and plot driven storytelling can not be recommended enough by me!
*spoliers after this point*
My favourite moment in this book is when Ragnar comes to save Uhtred from slavery on the big red ship - this moment almost made me cry too! Finan seems like an interesting character so far and I hope he stays with Uhtred (or at least becomes a reoccurring character) in the books. Ragnar is still of course one of my favourite characters, and I am so happy he finally has been able to revenge his fathers death. Thyra finally being saved from Sven was also a heart-warming end to the book. Looking forward to the next instalment of this series.
Fantastic read, vivid battle scenes and believable characters, I actually enjoyed the political intrigue stuff (usually not a huge fan)
We begin with Uhtred drawing the short straw from Alfred again even though he always seems to be the most valuable piece in Alfreds games. He travels back the the north with Hild after feeling like he will never get favour with Alfred and he given his wish to reclaim his home bebbanburg.
He finds himself tangled up with a slave king called Guthred.
In this book I get the feeling that Uthred isn’t sure where to go next and is feeling like he doesn’t belong anywhere. After losing Iseult, Mildreth and his son, he is trying to find his place in the world.
Even though he has been brought up by the Danes he still has a sense of morals and is sensitive to others, I really enjoyed those qualities of Uhtreds whilst constantly being reminded of how harsh the Danes could be. I know this book isn’t factual but it gave pause to my imagination wondering about what life really would have been like in those days.
Uhtred is stubborn and is forced to face betrayal at the hands of his new king, and he suffers terribly until he is saved by Alfred.
We hear a lot through this novel about he never liked Alfred but I always get the feeling that it’s a love/hate relationship because there is massive respect between the two characters. Alfred has always respected that Uhtred is warrior who is rash and unpredictable and Uhtred understands that Alfred is clever and sensible.
The battle at the end of this novel is intense and very satisfying knowing Ragnar and Uhtred finally get to face Kjarten, also the return of Thyra is exciting and I can’t wait to read the next in the series
He finds himself tangled up with a slave king called Guthred.
In this book I get the feeling that Uthred isn’t sure where to go next and is feeling like he doesn’t belong anywhere. After losing Iseult, Mildreth and his son, he is trying to find his place in the world.
Even though he has been brought up by the Danes he still has a sense of morals and is sensitive to others, I really enjoyed those qualities of Uhtreds whilst constantly being reminded of how harsh the Danes could be. I know this book isn’t factual but it gave pause to my imagination wondering about what life really would have been like in those days.
Uhtred is stubborn and is forced to face betrayal at the hands of his new king, and he suffers terribly until he is saved by Alfred.
We hear a lot through this novel about he never liked Alfred but I always get the feeling that it’s a love/hate relationship because there is massive respect between the two characters. Alfred has always respected that Uhtred is warrior who is rash and unpredictable and Uhtred understands that Alfred is clever and sensible.
The battle at the end of this novel is intense and very satisfying knowing Ragnar and Uhtred finally get to face Kjarten, also the return of Thyra is exciting and I can’t wait to read the next in the series
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
informative
inspiring
sad
tense
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
Ok. Back to five stars. Uhtred/Cornwell is a great story teller.
My woman had died, my friend had died, I had taken a spear thrust in my right thigh, and my reward was Fifhaden.
So begins The Lords of the North, and unsurprisingly Uhtred, Lord of Bebbanburg, chooses to travel towards Northumbria rather than settle on the paltry land given him by King Alfred. Hild, a sometime nun and current lover, goes with him, and in short order they join forces with Guthred, the slave king. As in The Pale Horseman, Uhtred's main goals are to destroy Sven and Kjartan, with whom he has a bloodfeud; and depose his uncle Aelfric, the usurper who has stolen Bebbanburg from him, so that he can regain his rightful place as its Lord. Although Guthred seems like a less than stellar candidate to enable him to achieve his objectives, he is willing to ally himself with Uhtred, and so the story begins.
As with the prior books, Cornwell weaves a suspenseful and captivating narrative. The ninth century world these people inhabit is clearly drawn, down to the filth and violence and death. The dearth of knowledge and curiosity about the world is woven throughout, making it clear why this time is considered the "Dark Ages."
Uhtred is an imperfect character, but I am entranced by him. I think it is his foibles and contradictions that make him so fascinating. Cornwell drew me in and created characters for whom I truly cared. I can believe these people really existed, even Uhtred or someone just like him. I understand that in the real world people age and die, I am a little sad that we are beginning to see glimpses of him as an old man, because in my mind's eye he is a young warrior.
This book is particularly exciting with multiple peaks and valleys. I devoured it.
So begins The Lords of the North, and unsurprisingly Uhtred, Lord of Bebbanburg, chooses to travel towards Northumbria rather than settle on the paltry land given him by King Alfred. Hild, a sometime nun and current lover, goes with him, and in short order they join forces with Guthred, the slave king. As in The Pale Horseman, Uhtred's main goals are to destroy Sven and Kjartan, with whom he has a bloodfeud; and depose his uncle Aelfric, the usurper who has stolen Bebbanburg from him, so that he can regain his rightful place as its Lord. Although Guthred seems like a less than stellar candidate to enable him to achieve his objectives, he is willing to ally himself with Uhtred, and so the story begins.
As with the prior books, Cornwell weaves a suspenseful and captivating narrative. The ninth century world these people inhabit is clearly drawn, down to the filth and violence and death. The dearth of knowledge and curiosity about the world is woven throughout, making it clear why this time is considered the "Dark Ages."
Uhtred is an imperfect character, but I am entranced by him. I think it is his foibles and contradictions that make him so fascinating. Cornwell drew me in and created characters for whom I truly cared. I can believe these people really existed, even Uhtred or someone just like him. I understand that in the real world people age and die, I am a little sad that we are beginning to see glimpses of him as an old man, because in my mind's eye he is a young warrior.
This book is particularly exciting with multiple peaks and valleys. I devoured it.