Reviews

I'd say this was a step up from the previous book, but the victories and defeats still felt somewhat weak compared to earlier books. I still love it, but I think a few palate cleansers might be in order before I continue with the series. I think I need something that's less episodic. Not all stories work in a binge.

dmcke013's review against another edition

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3.0

Book #7 in Bernard Cornwell's Warrior Chronicles series (known as 'The Saxon Stories' in some other countries), this one takes place after the death of Alfred (who later centuries would call Alfred the Great).

Starting with the accidental slaying of a priest by Uhtred of Bebbanburg, this act leads him to be thrown off his land and become an outcast. It's not long, however, before the Danes are again trying to conquer Wessex, and before Uhtred is back trying to stop them ...

While I didn't find this one quite as good (or as historically interesting) as the previous entries on the series, this is still an enjoyable read. I think it's fair to say, though, that Uhtred is really only Sharpe in a different time period :)

anotherwomack's review against another edition

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adventurous informative tense medium-paced

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

4.0

bergsteiger's review against another edition

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4.0

Good grief. Uthred is in his fifties. Let the poor guy capture his ancestral home already. Another fun book in the series by Cornwell, more of the caliber of the earlier ones (Last Kingdom, Pale Horsemen, Lords of the North). Uthred does his normal riches to rags to riches progression, mostly through his own poor choices and stubbornness. However, I like that there is a little more introspection from him and I like the mentorship he shows his son, however gruff it may be. I suppose what I am saying is that Cornwell always creates good characters but with the luxury of several books to develop Uthred and those closest to him, I think he has done a great job. Like many of his other series, you could pick this book up without having read the previous ones and have a pretty good idea of what is going on, although I would certainly recommend the whole series--I mean who doesn't love the history of Anglo-Saxons pitted against hordes of Danes in 9th and 10th century England? Great plot. Great pace. Pick it up off the shelf if you get a chance.

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