Bernard Cornwell does it again... (The Last Kingdom - Bernard Cornwell)

Member Name: Toonie

Product:	The Last Kingdom - Bernard Cornwell
Date:	05/04/09 (40 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: An easy to read, well researched book

Disadvantages: None

The Last Kingdom (Book 1 of the Saxon Stories) Bernard Cornwell
ISBN: 000721801X
Paperback released 2005

This is the first book of a series about the Danish invasions of the 9th Century. Told through the eyes of Uhtred Ragnarson (Uhtredson) we are given a glimpse into the life of another warlord, who learns his trade as he lives his life.

Uhtred (born Osbert and the second son of Ealdorman Uhtred) is young boy who is suddenly thrust into manhood when the Vikings invade Northumbria and kill his brother and also his father. He is captured by a Danish Lord, called Ragnar, and is brought up by him, whilst his uncle usurps his title as Ealdorman of Bebbanburg.

Whilst growing up a Dane, he also learns more of the Saxon world and must ultimately decided whether he is a Dane or Saxon.

Anyone familiar with other work by Cornwell will certainly see the resemblance of the plot to other series, with a strong, sometimes morally questionable, male lead, surrounded by various females, enemies and friends, however rather than a hindrance, this simply makes the book all the more easy to read. I simply did not want to put this down and had read it within a week (even though I was on holiday).

Cornwell is once again a master character creator. We have such amazing people as Lord Ragnar, his blind father Ravn who teaches Uhtred many things, the bewitching Brida, the loyal son of Ragnar (Ragnar the younger), Ivar the Boneless, Guthrum the Unlucky and King Alfred.

All these characters come together to create a book which leaves you want more, which is good as there are three others at present, with the possibility of a fifth to the series.

Summary: For historical fiction, there is only one great current writer