Reviews

Lords of the North by Bernard Cornwell

the_pale_woman's review against another edition

adventurous dark tense fast-paced

5.0

With this series, I’m balancing on the edge of wanting to fully devour every volume as quickly as possible while also wanting to space out the books to savor them. I’m simply enthralled by the story. This particular book was just as great, if not better than the last.

I have been listening to these on audio, specifically narrated by Jonathan Keeble. However, this volume was only available at my library, narrated by Tom Sellwood. He did all right. He just lacks all forcefulness in his speech. He’s just not my Uhtred. Despite these thoughts, I still loved the book.

318trapper's review against another edition

adventurous dark funny tense fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

4.5

bergsteiger's review against another edition

4.0

Continuing to enjoy this series immensely. Uthred, the surly pagan protagonist from the first two novels, matures as a fighter and leader, although is still naive in many ways and repulsive in others. All of which makes him a very real character, despite his tiresome bravado. The plot winds and twists through several unexpected adventures and ends on a spectacular note. This isn't necessarily fine literature, but it is a fast-paced sword and sail tale set in a 9th century England, assaulted on all sides by Viking raiders. If this time period appeals to you or this type of, admittedly coarse, novel then by all means pick this up. Probably more like 3 stars to the average reader but, like I said, I really enjoyed this one.

chrisk1964's review against another edition

adventurous emotional tense fast-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? It's complicated

4.75

leari's review against another edition

adventurous tense slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

4.0

freudenbergj's review against another edition

adventurous dark medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

4.5

anotherwomack's review against another edition

adventurous challenging dark informative tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

crsherbo's review

adventurous dark emotional tense fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Strong character development? It's complicated

4.5

topdragon's review against another edition

4.0

Fresh off of helping King Alfred defeat the Danes in Wessex, and essentially saving the future of England, Uhtred is expecting some sort of reward. But alas, Alfred’s largess amounts to a slap in the face and so Uhtred heads north, intent on finding his stepsister who was taken prisoner by the Danish Lord Kjartan the Cruel. He also hopes to get back to reclaiming his homelands.

This third novel in the Saxon Tales does not let up in the strong plots and great characters. Once again, it moves along at a nice pace with Uhtred’s plans going completely off-the rails through betrayal or just good old fashioned intrigue run amok. These novels, even though based on accurate historical events, are anything but predictable. After reading three of them now, I think they just might have surpassed “The Warlord Chronicles” as my new favorite Cornwell series.

grecia_r's review against another edition

The story continues as great as before. Some of these characters really come so much more alive in the books.