The difference between Bernard Cornwell and a lot of other authors is that you know every word of his text is important, and you feel comfortable taking that little bit more time to read his work thoroughly. His novels are set against factual historical backdrops, and The Pale Horseman is the second in his series of books based in the late 800s and the rule of King Alfred. The first of these Saxon stories saw Uhtred, our fictional hero, grow from a young boy to a young man, making a name for himself and participating in battles from both sides, both as a Saxon and as a Dane, having the unique advantage of being brought up be Danes following capture at an early ...  Read the complete review

The history of England in the period between the departure of the Romans and the establishment of the Anglo Saxon kings is fairly sketchy as little written evidence exists of these "Dark Ages" other than the occasional snippet derived from the Anglo Saxon Chronicles and the pages of illuminated manuscripts. One man who came to prominence at the end of this period and whose name has echoed down the ages, is King Alfred. Most school children learn how he burnt the cakes and little more but Alfred is the man who rid southern England of the Vikings, created himself King of the Anglo-Saxons and established the beginnings of the English legal system. ...  Read the complete review

The Pale Horseman (Book 2 of the Saxon Stories/Alfred the Great 2) Bernard Cornwell ISBN: 000714993X Paperback released 2006 The second book about Uhtred of Bebbanburg during the 9th Century and the Danish invasions sees the story start where the previous book finished (The Last Kingdom). Having defeated Ubba, Uhtred made the decision the go and find his family rather than bring the news to Alfred. This is his mistake as the glory of the battle has been taken by another (Odda the Younger) who becomes an enemy of Uhtred. Uhtred is once again torn between fighting for the Danes, whom he loves as brothers, and fighting for the Saxons who are ...  Read the complete review

Synopsis: The Pale Horseman is the second book in Bernard Cornwell's Alfred the Great series set in 9th Century Britain and the sequel to the bestselling The Last Kingdom. This book like its predecessor follows the character of Uhtred of Bebbanberg, a landless pagan Lord of Northumbria who, though raised among the Danes, is now married to, and lives among, the West Saxons of Wessex. The book starts with the aftermath of the battle Cynuit (the end of "Last Kingdom") in which Uhtred had slain the great Viking Champion Ubba Lothbrokson. After the battle Uhtred arrives at the court of the King only to discover that Ealdorman Odda the younger has claimed the ...  Read the complete review