jaggert's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
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
5.0
hayleystagg's review against another edition
adventurous
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.75
oliviaalbion's review against another edition
5.0
This one had me hooked the whole way through! So many twists to the plot.
cr0wley25's review against another edition
adventurous
informative
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
arabellasbooks's review against another edition
3.0
As someone who watched the show first, this is one of the books where the show starts to deviate from the series timeline slightly which threw me off a little.
Not my favourite of the series so far but still enjoyable with (mostly) fast paced writing, intriguing alliances and betrayals, along with fun yet flawed characters.
Not my favourite of the series so far but still enjoyable with (mostly) fast paced writing, intriguing alliances and betrayals, along with fun yet flawed characters.
abrswf's review against another edition
5.0
Such a great book. Our fictional hero is getting older but is still an awesome warrior amid the real events of Saxon England at the turn of the century in 899 AD. Admirably narrated, sadly this audiobook doesn’t include a historical note by the author. I am unsure if the military events recounted are accurate but certainly the historical background that Alfred died and Edward succeeded him are. Beautifully written with lots of information about life and military practice of the period. I can’t stop now — the next book is already queued.
l0rdtim865's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
An excellent addition to the series! This has to be one of the best books in the series.
The authors detail and historical knowledge is amazing. Simple as when mud flicks onto armour.
Keep going on if you have gotten this far!!
The authors detail and historical knowledge is amazing. Simple as when mud flicks onto armour.
Keep going on if you have gotten this far!!
tezzarudge's review
3.0
I found parts of this one really exciting and couldn't wait to keep reading and then I got sections which were just chunks of nothingness
As always the writing itself is solid and the book follows the familiar formula of all the others in the series.
I do wish, that there were more points of genuine peril. At times I feel like Uthred is a Saxon James Bond.
The series would benefit for some high profile deaths of people close to Uthred, to further pull the reader in.
But what do I know, look at the stats of this book
As always the writing itself is solid and the book follows the familiar formula of all the others in the series.
I do wish, that there were more points of genuine peril. At times I feel like Uthred is a Saxon James Bond.
The series would benefit for some high profile deaths of people close to Uthred, to further pull the reader in.
But what do I know, look at the stats of this book
nuebi's review
adventurous
dark
emotional
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
grahamsoper's review
4.0
Death of Kings - Bernard Cornwell
I have always been a big fan of Bernard Cornwell’s books and this novel, the sixth in his Saxon series, didn’t disappoint. If you’ve not yet enjoyed this series, I recommend you don’t delay any longer. It’s the breath-taking story of King Alfred The Great and the evolution of a nation – England.
The main character, Uhtred, was born a Saxon but raised a Viking and in each book of the series we see his loyalties tested. But he has sworn allegiance to King Alfred and since he values his honour above everything else, his choice was always to side with the Saxons against the invading Danes.
But that was before. Alfred is dying and Uhtred’s oath is to Alfred and not to his son, Edward. So how will this affect his actions now? We are familiar with Uhtred’s skills as a ruthless warrior in countless battles in the previous books. He has killed many on behalf of the King. He has led warriors, and even armies, and won many battles, all expertly described in meticulous detail by Cornwell, as you’d expect.
Now on his death bed, Alfred tries one last time to unify all the English-speaking peoples under the banner of Wessex. As usual, he calls on Uthred to lead the campaign. But Uhtred is less interested now in the Saxon cause, preferring instead to concentrate on his own personal quest to recapture his ancestral home of Bebbanburg in Northumbria from his treacherous uncle.
It’s a tough choice, but even though he’s caught in the middle between duplicitous ealdormen and dishonourable bishops, all trying to advise the young Edward in line with their own selfish interests, Uhtred attempts once again to live up to his oath to Alfred, the monarch he both loves and hates and admires more than any other.
I enjoyed this instalment as much as all the others in the series so far. As with all Bernard Cornwell’s books, I was thrilled by the battle scenes, enchanted by the many brilliant characters and at the end of the book, left wanting more.
I have always been a big fan of Bernard Cornwell’s books and this novel, the sixth in his Saxon series, didn’t disappoint. If you’ve not yet enjoyed this series, I recommend you don’t delay any longer. It’s the breath-taking story of King Alfred The Great and the evolution of a nation – England.
The main character, Uhtred, was born a Saxon but raised a Viking and in each book of the series we see his loyalties tested. But he has sworn allegiance to King Alfred and since he values his honour above everything else, his choice was always to side with the Saxons against the invading Danes.
But that was before. Alfred is dying and Uhtred’s oath is to Alfred and not to his son, Edward. So how will this affect his actions now? We are familiar with Uhtred’s skills as a ruthless warrior in countless battles in the previous books. He has killed many on behalf of the King. He has led warriors, and even armies, and won many battles, all expertly described in meticulous detail by Cornwell, as you’d expect.
Now on his death bed, Alfred tries one last time to unify all the English-speaking peoples under the banner of Wessex. As usual, he calls on Uthred to lead the campaign. But Uhtred is less interested now in the Saxon cause, preferring instead to concentrate on his own personal quest to recapture his ancestral home of Bebbanburg in Northumbria from his treacherous uncle.
It’s a tough choice, but even though he’s caught in the middle between duplicitous ealdormen and dishonourable bishops, all trying to advise the young Edward in line with their own selfish interests, Uhtred attempts once again to live up to his oath to Alfred, the monarch he both loves and hates and admires more than any other.
I enjoyed this instalment as much as all the others in the series so far. As with all Bernard Cornwell’s books, I was thrilled by the battle scenes, enchanted by the many brilliant characters and at the end of the book, left wanting more.