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A review by mjporterauthor
Warriors of the Storm by Bernard Cornwell
4.0
I am, as many people know, a grudging reader of the Uhtred books. I want to like them much more than I do (and having reread Books 1 and 2 recently I know that the series started very strongly, and that the TV series has been a very poor cousin) but I'm growing tired of Uhtred always being right (is anyone a king within England at this time who hasn't been put there by Uhtred? - why then has he not managed to take back Bebbanburg?), and I think the opportunity has been missed to make more of his second oldest son, the other Uhtred. I also really have a problem with the use of the terms Wales, Scotland and Ireland whilst insisting on using the Anglo-Saxon spellings for the places in England - whilst people might find it comforting, there was no Wales, Scotland or Ireland at this time or even Engaland (or however that's being spelt as well).
This book feels contrived, and when I got to the end of it I was dismayed to learn that this was the least historical of the books so far (although, I think I'd maybe guessed along the way). The lack of dates is frustrating, and although we're learning that Uhtred is old, I wouldn't mind knowing how old he actually is. Will he live forever, becoming as immortal as his Gods? Who knows?
The use of the phrase wolf-light is liberal, it never seems to do anything but rain in Anglo-Saxon England and yet, and yet, it was an okay read and it kept me quiet for a weekend. It's also the first book that I've read in about 2 months, so it can't be all bad. Can it? It's easier to criticise than heap praise and yet, when I read the 'blurb' comments, I can't help thinking I've maybe read the wrong book!
This book feels contrived, and when I got to the end of it I was dismayed to learn that this was the least historical of the books so far (although, I think I'd maybe guessed along the way). The lack of dates is frustrating, and although we're learning that Uhtred is old, I wouldn't mind knowing how old he actually is. Will he live forever, becoming as immortal as his Gods? Who knows?
The use of the phrase wolf-light is liberal, it never seems to do anything but rain in Anglo-Saxon England and yet, and yet, it was an okay read and it kept me quiet for a weekend. It's also the first book that I've read in about 2 months, so it can't be all bad. Can it? It's easier to criticise than heap praise and yet, when I read the 'blurb' comments, I can't help thinking I've maybe read the wrong book!