In a word just fantastic...
A lot of people have mentioned that they didn't like Cornwell's last book ("The Fort") I differed, but didn't think it was one of his classic books - it seemed clear to me that his mind was not fully engaged on the story, and was to a certain extent going through (the very enjoyable, to me) motions - this book marks a return to form... difficult to believe, but this is the sixth book in the "Uhtred" series.
Largely fictional, though based on outlines that Cornwell has researched from the chronicles published at the time, the book is set round the death of Alfred (The Great) and the power struggle that developed following his death...
Alfred wants his son, Edward, to succeed him but there are other Saxon claimants to the throne (way too many names beginning 'Aeth' to remember! ) and as always the Danes to the north are also keen to defeat the Saxon's in order to settle Wessex and Mercia...
In the book Uhtred‘s loyalty was to Alfred rather than Edward, and he is still largely Dane in outlook despite having battled for Alfred for years - he is a pagan in a largely Christian kingdom, and the thing I like about him is that despite the vows, he is still not 100% committed to Wessex - you feel he could up-sticks and leave at any time.. especially as his continued aim is to regain his old family lands in the north based on Bamburgh Castle..
The book deals with his involuntary vow to support Edward, the mission to build a united England, but in the short term the struggle for survival in the face of a massive Danish invasion, coupled with the conspiracy and double dealing by Saxons and other kingdoms to come out on the winning side..
Brilliant book - Cornwell does the shield wall, and the description of the close quarter fighting, better than any other author I know... Steve the Wargamer gives this one a solid 8 out of 10.
A lot of people have mentioned that they didn't like Cornwell's last book ("The Fort") I differed, but didn't think it was one of his classic books - it seemed clear to me that his mind was not fully engaged on the story, and was to a certain extent going through (the very enjoyable, to me) motions - this book marks a return to form... difficult to believe, but this is the sixth book in the "Uhtred" series.
Largely fictional, though based on outlines that Cornwell has researched from the chronicles published at the time, the book is set round the death of Alfred (The Great) and the power struggle that developed following his death...
Alfred wants his son, Edward, to succeed him but there are other Saxon claimants to the throne (way too many names beginning 'Aeth' to remember! ) and as always the Danes to the north are also keen to defeat the Saxon's in order to settle Wessex and Mercia...
In the book Uhtred‘s loyalty was to Alfred rather than Edward, and he is still largely Dane in outlook despite having battled for Alfred for years - he is a pagan in a largely Christian kingdom, and the thing I like about him is that despite the vows, he is still not 100% committed to Wessex - you feel he could up-sticks and leave at any time.. especially as his continued aim is to regain his old family lands in the north based on Bamburgh Castle..
The book deals with his involuntary vow to support Edward, the mission to build a united England, but in the short term the struggle for survival in the face of a massive Danish invasion, coupled with the conspiracy and double dealing by Saxons and other kingdoms to come out on the winning side..
Brilliant book - Cornwell does the shield wall, and the description of the close quarter fighting, better than any other author I know... Steve the Wargamer gives this one a solid 8 out of 10.