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4.19 AVERAGE
4.19 AVERAGE
This is another great novel by Bernard Cornwell, little less action than the other Uthred books but still entertaining.
adventurous
dark
emotional
funny
informative
reflective
tense
medium-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:
Yes
Story keeps getting better
My enjoyment of this series grows with each installment I read. But I think our poor protagonist can’t handle many more battles.
My enjoyment of this series grows with each installment I read. But I think our poor protagonist can’t handle many more battles.
Bebbanburg, Bebbanburg, Bebbanburg. From the very first novel, when Uhtred is first ousted from his home, to this most recent novel, the fortress has loomed at the heart of the Uhtred stories. And now, finally, this is the book where Uhtred goes back to Bebbanburg.
Only, that’s not where the book ends. Instead, after an assault on the fortress that leads to the capture of his cousin’s wife and child, the story takes us right back South where Uhtred and company once again save the lands that will one day become England. It’s a little odd.
The first third of the novel gets saddled with the necessary legwork that supports all of the above and, as such, it drags a little. Uhtred wanders almost aimlessly and ponders getting older.
It is not until the Bebbanburg chapters that the novel picks up pace and returns to the action filled, heart thumping battles of the previous books. In other words, the first 100 pages are slow, but necessary for understanding all the ass-kicking that Uhtred does in the last 200 pages. It makes for a lopsided reading experience, but it’s worth it in the end.
Anyway. It’s Uhtred. If you’ve read the previous books, you’re going to read this one and it’ll be a lot of fun for you. You just might have to be a little more patient than you might be used to.
Recommended.
Only, that’s not where the book ends. Instead, after an assault on the fortress that leads to the capture of his cousin’s wife and child, the story takes us right back South where Uhtred and company once again save the lands that will one day become England. It’s a little odd.
The first third of the novel gets saddled with the necessary legwork that supports all of the above and, as such, it drags a little. Uhtred wanders almost aimlessly and ponders getting older.
It is not until the Bebbanburg chapters that the novel picks up pace and returns to the action filled, heart thumping battles of the previous books. In other words, the first 100 pages are slow, but necessary for understanding all the ass-kicking that Uhtred does in the last 200 pages. It makes for a lopsided reading experience, but it’s worth it in the end.
Anyway. It’s Uhtred. If you’ve read the previous books, you’re going to read this one and it’ll be a lot of fun for you. You just might have to be a little more patient than you might be used to.
Recommended.
I love this series and the view it shows us of how England came to be formed by the Saxons amongst the decaying Roman ruins. Uhtred is a central character again of course but more fallible and human than in previous books. A good read.
Page turnerss
I give this book 4.5 stars. Bernard Cornwell writes believable historical fiction. The battle scenes are very authentic and Uhtred continues his adventures.
I give this book 4.5 stars. Bernard Cornwell writes believable historical fiction. The battle scenes are very authentic and Uhtred continues his adventures.
Very mixed on this book because the dynamic between Cnut and Uhtred and the strategizing and maneuvering they do is all very engaging. The story is quite good and having Uhtred deal with his age and increasing reputation (i.e. hard for him to just waltz into Danish war camps now) is a great addition. However, I will never forgive Cornwell for how he treats Beocca and Ragnar in this book, as if their fate had no import and could be summed up in a few lines. Terrible.
adventurous
dark
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
N/A
Uhtred is a far from ideal hero but he always stands up for his adopted kingdom even after he has been exiled and threatened with execution.
This part of the series covers a huge swathe of what is now England from Bamburgh (Bebbanburg) in Northumbria across to Chester, down to Gloucester and London. Facing his old enemies Cnut and Siggurd, the uncle who stole Bebbanburg from him and angry Christians in Wessex it's another epic story.
A great insight into history in the dark ages. Plenty of minor skirmishes and then a huge battle at the end - it's not a book for the squeamish.
Cornwell is a marvellous story teller and this is another brilliant book. Can't wait for book 8!
This part of the series covers a huge swathe of what is now England from Bamburgh (Bebbanburg) in Northumbria across to Chester, down to Gloucester and London. Facing his old enemies Cnut and Siggurd, the uncle who stole Bebbanburg from him and angry Christians in Wessex it's another epic story.
A great insight into history in the dark ages. Plenty of minor skirmishes and then a huge battle at the end - it's not a book for the squeamish.
Cornwell is a marvellous story teller and this is another brilliant book. Can't wait for book 8!
This is one of my favourites so far in this series, partly down to the fact that a lot of the focus is on towns and cities near to where I live and partly due to the epic story telling. This book is mainly fiction but doesn't feel like it is straining at the truth.