Helpful Score: 2
It was great to check in with Uhtred again. Cornwell moves the story along well in this sixth installment of the Saxon Tales. Uhtred is getting older, the Danes and Saxons are fighting for the spoils after the death of Alfred, and Uhtred is once again caught in the middle when he would rather be taking Babbenburg. Not much has changed for Uhtred but it's still another fine chapter in the saga. Looking forward to the next.
Helpful Score: 1
I echo Bruce W's comments in a previous review. The Saxon Stories are so enjoyable & this one does not disappoint!
I think one of the more remarkable things about Bernard Cornwell is his ability to sustain a series long after most other series start to get stale. Perhaps because they are so well grounded in fact; or maybe just because he is an amazing author with a great ability to give his characters life and substance. Regardless, his characters become people we want to know and read about for years and years, for books and books.
If one has not started this series yet, I believe it is very important to start at the beginning. For one thing, it is important to know who Uhtred is as well as understand the setting of the books. In Uhtred we have a complex and interesting man who is just right for the historical setting - a time when the various individual kingdoms of East Anglia, Mercia, Cent and Wessex must find a way to unite in order to fight off the Viking invasion and occupation of their lands. The leader to do this is, of course, King Alfred, the only English King to become "the Great," supported by the wit, strength and military capability of Uhtred.
Wonderful, wonderful books and the first one is The Last Kingdom.
I think one of the more remarkable things about Bernard Cornwell is his ability to sustain a series long after most other series start to get stale. Perhaps because they are so well grounded in fact; or maybe just because he is an amazing author with a great ability to give his characters life and substance. Regardless, his characters become people we want to know and read about for years and years, for books and books.
If one has not started this series yet, I believe it is very important to start at the beginning. For one thing, it is important to know who Uhtred is as well as understand the setting of the books. In Uhtred we have a complex and interesting man who is just right for the historical setting - a time when the various individual kingdoms of East Anglia, Mercia, Cent and Wessex must find a way to unite in order to fight off the Viking invasion and occupation of their lands. The leader to do this is, of course, King Alfred, the only English King to become "the Great," supported by the wit, strength and military capability of Uhtred.
Wonderful, wonderful books and the first one is The Last Kingdom.
This is book 6 of the Saxon Chronicles.
Don't get me wrong...I absolutely love this series, but this particular installment was, in my opinion, the weakest of them all by far. Perhaps it is just a slow point in the overall plot arc, but you would think that the death of Alfred and the political maneuverings that are set in motion to replace him would create far more conflict and intrigue than this story provided. It sounds strange to say, but it seemed like a lot was going on in this book without anything actually happening. I flew through all five of the previous books. This one just felt more like a trudge.
I will give Cornwell a pass for this particular offering of Uhtred's adventures. As peace settles over the birth of England, I understand that action and battle will have to take a backseat to diplomacy and intrigue. This book offered a preview of what that shift might look like. While I understand the need for that, I couldn't help but feel disappointment in the way it was executed.
Hopefully, Cornwell can recapture some of the magic he created in the earlier books. Otherwise, as Uhtred continues to get old, I fear that the series runs the risk of getting old as well.
Don't get me wrong...I absolutely love this series, but this particular installment was, in my opinion, the weakest of them all by far. Perhaps it is just a slow point in the overall plot arc, but you would think that the death of Alfred and the political maneuverings that are set in motion to replace him would create far more conflict and intrigue than this story provided. It sounds strange to say, but it seemed like a lot was going on in this book without anything actually happening. I flew through all five of the previous books. This one just felt more like a trudge.
I will give Cornwell a pass for this particular offering of Uhtred's adventures. As peace settles over the birth of England, I understand that action and battle will have to take a backseat to diplomacy and intrigue. This book offered a preview of what that shift might look like. While I understand the need for that, I couldn't help but feel disappointment in the way it was executed.
Hopefully, Cornwell can recapture some of the magic he created in the earlier books. Otherwise, as Uhtred continues to get old, I fear that the series runs the risk of getting old as well.
