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4.21 AVERAGE
4.21 AVERAGE
adventurous
dark
funny
relaxing
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
3.5 stars. The writing is lackluster but the setting and narrative are sweet.
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
This is likely the last book I will read in Cornwell's Saxon series. A better measure of Cornwell as a writer is his other series, the Warlord Chronicles. The Saxon series, on the other hand, involves a lot of rinse-and-repeat even within the series itself. There is a new love interest for each book of the series, a new castle to attack and conquer, and a new old enemy to fight. Uhtred as a character is flat and, for the most part, one dimensional. This is book three in the series, and he essentially remains the same: he hates Saxons, he loves Danes, he hates Alfred, but serves him anyway because of oath. Every book so far has been the same story told over and over again.
Oh, and of course, a lot of shield walls in this book. There seems to be shield walls in every Cornwell book. It may have been the chief strategy back in the day, but varying things a little may have helped. Otherwise, Cornwell sticks to a formula and runs with it. I think this is as far as I am concerned with Uhtred and his singleminded warpath towards revenge.
Oh, and of course, a lot of shield walls in this book. There seems to be shield walls in every Cornwell book. It may have been the chief strategy back in the day, but varying things a little may have helped. Otherwise, Cornwell sticks to a formula and runs with it. I think this is as far as I am concerned with Uhtred and his singleminded warpath towards revenge.
Cornwell knows how to write an entertaining story. This one could use a little editing in the first part but overall it was a good romp with Uhtred of Bebbanburg!
“He might have been a squint-eyed cripple and a club-footed priest and an ink-spattered clerk and a pedantic scholar, but Beocca had the heart of a warrior.”
Even more than the vivid historical detail and the epic battles, it’s the characters that make this story so exceptional. The brave priests and the kind warriors and the loyal friends, and the old, battle-hardened Saxon who tells us what they all meant to him.
Even more than the vivid historical detail and the epic battles, it’s the characters that make this story so exceptional. The brave priests and the kind warriors and the loyal friends, and the old, battle-hardened Saxon who tells us what they all meant to him.
Macho Machoteson continua con su objetivo de convertirse en el guerrero más molón de las Islas Británicas. Esta vez viajará al reino de Northumbria para dejar claro que tampoco allí hay nadie que pueda hacerle sombra.
Vale, puede que me haya tomado alguna licencia, pero tampoco os creáis que está tan lejos de la realidad. Que Uhtred está más que contento de haberse conocido lo sabemos ya de los dos libros anteriores, pero eso no es excusa para que aquí nos lo repita cada pocas páginas. Quitando eso, la historia resulta bastante entretenida, con sus combates, murallas de escudos, traiciones, nuevas y viejas amistades y enemigos y toda la parafernalia asociada.
Vale, puede que me haya tomado alguna licencia, pero tampoco os creáis que está tan lejos de la realidad. Que Uhtred está más que contento de haberse conocido lo sabemos ya de los dos libros anteriores, pero eso no es excusa para que aquí nos lo repita cada pocas páginas. Quitando eso, la historia resulta bastante entretenida, con sus combates, murallas de escudos, traiciones, nuevas y viejas amistades y enemigos y toda la parafernalia asociada.
The 3rd book in the series. Compelling reading. Uhtred goes back north and frees a slave called Guthred, who is actually a king of Northumbria. Uhtred teaches Guthred tactics and politics, and falls in love with his sister Gisela. Guthred double crosses Uhtred and sells him to slavers, where he spends two years before being rescued by his "adopted" brother Ragnar and a warrior called Steapa. Guthred and Uhtred reconcile, and go on to fight for Dunholm, a strategic town held by Uhtred's old enemies, Sven and Kjartan. This story moves well through the developments of the historical period to 881.
Cornwell's continuing saga of the battle between the Danes and the Saxons for the future of England remains riveting. I really enjoyed reading this while also watching Vikings (History Channel).
adventurous
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes