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4.19 AVERAGE
4.19 AVERAGE
adventurous
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
I really enjoyed this book! Interesting to see how the story has developed since the last book, and the narration by Matt Bates was great.
I missed Sihtric so much in the book. Amazing ending though!
adventurous
dark
tense
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
3.5. There was a lot of back and forth and I know I am getting tired of the Christians being so hateful to a man that has again and again saved their lives and their land. Yes, I understand that this is fictional but to repeatedly condemn someone because they do not have the same beliefs as you is ridiculous. That Uhtred continually comes to their aid is hard for me to swallow as well.
The battle at the end was very well written. And Uhtred the younger earned his own reputation. Can't wait to get to the next book to see what has happened.
The battle at the end was very well written. And Uhtred the younger earned his own reputation. Can't wait to get to the next book to see what has happened.
Many of my likes and complaints about this book are the same as in the earlier books of the series (and in most of BC's writing). He hates the church and that hatred makes his description of it is neither kind nor accurate. It is a sad thing because in so many other ways he does a superb job of making the early medieval isle of Briton come alive. This is far and away the greatest historical fiction on the creation of a unified English kingdom you will ever see.
Book seven begins with a formulaic turn of fate. Just as in many previous books, the hero Uhtred does something stupid (killing the abbot who turned his son into a priest in this case) and the establishment in Kingdoms of Wessex and Mercia kick him out. (Not because he keeps murdering priests. No, it can't be that. It is because they are intolerant of pagans.) So Uhtred decides it is time to take the impregnable fortress of Bebbanberg. By the time this mess is sorted out, our valiant hero must march south again because the Vikings are making another go at conquering Mercia and there doesn't seem to be a single person other than Uhtred who is able to show even the slightest hint of competent battle strategy.
Book seven begins with a formulaic turn of fate. Just as in many previous books, the hero Uhtred does something stupid (killing the abbot who turned his son into a priest in this case) and the establishment in Kingdoms of Wessex and Mercia kick him out. (Not because he keeps murdering priests. No, it can't be that. It is because they are intolerant of pagans.) So Uhtred decides it is time to take the impregnable fortress of Bebbanberg. By the time this mess is sorted out, our valiant hero must march south again because the Vikings are making another go at conquering Mercia and there doesn't seem to be a single person other than Uhtred who is able to show even the slightest hint of competent battle strategy.
Bernard Cornwell never fails to entertain. This novel ends on a bit of a cliffhanger, so I'm hoping to read more about my favorite Saxon eventually. Lots of great battles, blood & guts, and everything the Saxon tales are filled with.
Uhtred the man they love to hate. And I just cant get enough. How I want him so badly to regain his home his heart wont allow him to settle there if he could.
I may have held my breath at the end. But I know he has a lot more story to tell. On to the next
I may have held my breath at the end. But I know he has a lot more story to tell. On to the next
Another solid read by Cornwell and it was great being with Uhtred again. I have loved following him through the (his) years and although he is older he is still kickass. I'm really looking forward to the next one coming out soon(!), [b:The Empty Throne|21045103|The Empty Throne (The Saxon Stories, #8)|Bernard Cornwell|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1408716325l/21045103._SY75_.jpg|40412738], but I'm afraid it's the last I'll see of Uhtred and that makes me sad.