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The Last Kingdom #10
The Flame Bearer
Britain is at an uneasy peace. After their bloody defeat of Danish-held East Anglia, the West Saxons stand victorious while the Mercians have taken back their land on the border of Northumbria, the last kingdom of Britain still ruled by the pagan northmen. A precarious truce exists between Æthelflæd’s Mercia and Northumbria, now ruled by Uhtred of Bebbanburg’s son-in-law, Sigtryggr.
Under the cover of this fragile calm, Uhtred must begin his campaign that will end with the assault on Bebbanburg, the great fortress that is rightly his and was stolen from him in childhood. But his plans are shattered when the Scots surge down and lay claim to the north of England, as the West Saxons, under Uhtred’s old enemy, Æthelhelm, invade Northumbria from the south. If Uhtred is to succeed in recapturing Bebbanburg he must both defeat Æthelhelm’s forces and drive the Scots away before he can attack the formidable fortress by the sea. He has a small army and many enemies, but Uhtred is not the supreme warlord of Britain for nothing...
Under the cover of this fragile calm, Uhtred must begin his campaign that will end with the assault on Bebbanburg, the great fortress that is rightly his and was stolen from him in childhood. But his plans are shattered when the Scots surge down and lay claim to the north of England, as the West Saxons, under Uhtred’s old enemy, Æthelhelm, invade Northumbria from the south. If Uhtred is to succeed in recapturing Bebbanburg he must both defeat Æthelhelm’s forces and drive the Scots away before he can attack the formidable fortress by the sea. He has a small army and many enemies, but Uhtred is not the supreme warlord of Britain for nothing...
284 pages, Hardcover
First published October 6, 2016
1897 people are currently reading
12747 people want to read
About the author
Bernard Cornwell
536 books19.1k followersCornwell was born in London in 1944. His father was a Canadian airman, and his mother, who was English, a member of the Women's Auxiliary Air Force. He was adopted and brought up in Essex by the Wiggins family, who were members of the Peculiar People, a strict Protestant sect who banned frivolity of all kinds and even medicine. After he left them, he changed his name to his birth mother's maiden name, Cornwell.
Cornwell was sent away to Monkton Combe School, attended the University of London, and after graduating, worked as a teacher. He attempted to enlist in the British armed services at least three times but was rejected on the grounds of myopia.
He then joined BBC's Nationwide and was promoted to become head of current affairs at BBC Northern Ireland. He then joined Thames Television as editor of Thames News. He relocated to the United States in 1980 after marrying an American. Unable to get a green card, he started writing novels, as this did not require a work permit.
As a child, Cornwell loved the novels of C.S. Forester, chronicling the adventures of fictional British naval officer Horatio Hornblower during the Napoleonic Wars, and was surprised to find there were no such novels following Lord Wellington's campaign on land. Motivated by the need to support himself in the U.S. through writing, Cornwell decided to write such a series. He named his chief protagonist Richard Sharpe, a rifleman involved in most major battles of the Peninsular War.
Cornwell wanted to start the series with the Siege of Badajoz but decided instead to start with a couple of "warm-up" novels. These were Sharpe's Eagle and Sharpe's Gold, both published in 1981. Sharpe's Eagle was picked up by a publisher, and Cornwell got a three-book deal. He went on to tell the story of Badajoz in his third Sharpe novel, Sharpe's Company, published in 1982.
Cornwell and wife Judy co-wrote a series of novels, published under the pseudonym "Susannah Kells". These were A Crowning Mercy, published in 1983, Fallen Angels in 1984, and Coat of Arms (aka The Aristocrats) in 1986. (Cornwell's strict Protestant upbringing informed the background of A Crowning Mercy, which took place during the English Civil War.) In 1987, he also published Redcoat, an American Revolutionary War novel set in Philadelphia during its 1777 occupation by the British.
After publishing eight books in his ongoing Sharpe series, Cornwell was approached by a production company interested in adapting them for television. The producers asked him to write a prequel to give them a starting point to the series. They also requested that the story feature a large role for Spanish characters to secure co-funding from Spain. The result was Sharpe’s Rifles, published in 1987, and a series of Sharpe television films staring Sean Bean.
A series of contemporary thrillers with sailing as a background and common themes followed: Wildtrack published in 1988, Sea Lord (aka Killer's Wake) in 1989, Crackdown in 1990, Stormchild in 1991, and Scoundrel, a political thriller, in 1992.
In June 2006, Cornwell was made an Officer of the Order of the British Empire in the Queen's 80th Birthday Honours List.
Cornwell's latest work, Azincourt, was released in the UK in October 2008. The protagonist is an archer who participates in the Battle of Agincourt, another devastating defeat suffered by the French in the Hundred Years War. However, Cornwell has stated that it will not be about Thomas of Hookton from The Grail Quest or any of his relatives.
Cornwell was sent away to Monkton Combe School, attended the University of London, and after graduating, worked as a teacher. He attempted to enlist in the British armed services at least three times but was rejected on the grounds of myopia.
He then joined BBC's Nationwide and was promoted to become head of current affairs at BBC Northern Ireland. He then joined Thames Television as editor of Thames News. He relocated to the United States in 1980 after marrying an American. Unable to get a green card, he started writing novels, as this did not require a work permit.
As a child, Cornwell loved the novels of C.S. Forester, chronicling the adventures of fictional British naval officer Horatio Hornblower during the Napoleonic Wars, and was surprised to find there were no such novels following Lord Wellington's campaign on land. Motivated by the need to support himself in the U.S. through writing, Cornwell decided to write such a series. He named his chief protagonist Richard Sharpe, a rifleman involved in most major battles of the Peninsular War.
Cornwell wanted to start the series with the Siege of Badajoz but decided instead to start with a couple of "warm-up" novels. These were Sharpe's Eagle and Sharpe's Gold, both published in 1981. Sharpe's Eagle was picked up by a publisher, and Cornwell got a three-book deal. He went on to tell the story of Badajoz in his third Sharpe novel, Sharpe's Company, published in 1982.
Cornwell and wife Judy co-wrote a series of novels, published under the pseudonym "Susannah Kells". These were A Crowning Mercy, published in 1983, Fallen Angels in 1984, and Coat of Arms (aka The Aristocrats) in 1986. (Cornwell's strict Protestant upbringing informed the background of A Crowning Mercy, which took place during the English Civil War.) In 1987, he also published Redcoat, an American Revolutionary War novel set in Philadelphia during its 1777 occupation by the British.
After publishing eight books in his ongoing Sharpe series, Cornwell was approached by a production company interested in adapting them for television. The producers asked him to write a prequel to give them a starting point to the series. They also requested that the story feature a large role for Spanish characters to secure co-funding from Spain. The result was Sharpe’s Rifles, published in 1987, and a series of Sharpe television films staring Sean Bean.
A series of contemporary thrillers with sailing as a background and common themes followed: Wildtrack published in 1988, Sea Lord (aka Killer's Wake) in 1989, Crackdown in 1990, Stormchild in 1991, and Scoundrel, a political thriller, in 1992.
In June 2006, Cornwell was made an Officer of the Order of the British Empire in the Queen's 80th Birthday Honours List.
Cornwell's latest work, Azincourt, was released in the UK in October 2008. The protagonist is an archer who participates in the Battle of Agincourt, another devastating defeat suffered by the French in the Hundred Years War. However, Cornwell has stated that it will not be about Thomas of Hookton from The Grail Quest or any of his relatives.
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October 2, 2021
The Flame Bearer has a strong start and concluding chapter, but this series has run its course, and I can’t believe there are still 3 books to go.
I will make this a short review. The Flame Bearer is the tenth book in The Last Kingdom series by Bernard Cornwell. And I’m genuinely running out of words to say about it in my review. This isn’t because it’s book number 10 in a series; I’ve reviewed each book in The Dresden Files by Jim Butcher, The Realm of the Elderlings by Robin Hobb, and Malazan Book of the Fallen by Steven Erikson, and I always have a LOT of things to say as spoiler-free as possible on each book in these series. However, there’s nothing else to say in The Last Kingdom by this point; the entirety of the past four books have followed the same “strong beginning, then fill the middle with something pointless, and then end the book strongly” method. Seriously, I wouldn’t lose much—except one scene with Aethelflaed—if I just read the first two chapters and then read the last chapter of this book.
And that’s the thing. The last chapter of The Flame Bearer was incredible. It’s one of the strongest final chapters of the entire series so far, and I won’t lie, Cornwell could’ve ended this series right here and I would be more satisfied. One of the biggest issues I have with this novel is the lack of compelling characters. Uthred is so old now, more than 50 years have passed since the beginning of the series, and obviously, a lot of the characters we cared about are no longer here. But still, the series would’ve benefited so much from having new interesting and engaging side characters. Other than Finan, Aethelflaed, and Aethelstan, there’s a serious lack of interesting supporting characters here. It’s not a surprise that the TV series decided to adapt book 9 and book 10 (this one) as the final season of the series; it is that conclusive already.
Don’t get me wrong here; this is still a great addition to the series, but it would’ve been so much better if this is the end of the series; Cornwell could’ve easily worked it into making this the final book. I mean, he even admitted that almost the entirety of this novel, unlike the previous books, is fictional. So overall, The Flame Bearer has a powerful start and ending, but unfortunately, the unnecessary fillers underwhelm the quality of this great book. And despite my mixed feelings—mostly complaining—about this installment, I will read the remaining three books, too. I might as well now that I’m this far into the series already. I’m sure the last volume in the series will be terrific, but I’ll keep my expectations low for the next two books before that.
You can order the book from: Blackwells (Free International shipping)
You can find this and the rest of my reviews at Novel Notions | I also have a Booktube channel
Special thanks to my Patrons on Patreon for giving me extra support towards my passion for reading and reviewing!
My Patrons: Alfred, Andrew, Annabeth, Ben, Blaise, Diana, Dylan, Edward, Element, Ellen, Gary, Hamad, Helen, Hunter, Jimmy Nutts, Jennifer, Joie, Luis, Lufi, Melinda, Meryl, Mike, Miracle, Neeraja, Nicholas, ReignBro, Samuel, Sarah, Sarah, Shaad, Xero, Wendy, Wick, Zoe.
I will make this a short review. The Flame Bearer is the tenth book in The Last Kingdom series by Bernard Cornwell. And I’m genuinely running out of words to say about it in my review. This isn’t because it’s book number 10 in a series; I’ve reviewed each book in The Dresden Files by Jim Butcher, The Realm of the Elderlings by Robin Hobb, and Malazan Book of the Fallen by Steven Erikson, and I always have a LOT of things to say as spoiler-free as possible on each book in these series. However, there’s nothing else to say in The Last Kingdom by this point; the entirety of the past four books have followed the same “strong beginning, then fill the middle with something pointless, and then end the book strongly” method. Seriously, I wouldn’t lose much—except one scene with Aethelflaed—if I just read the first two chapters and then read the last chapter of this book.
And that’s the thing. The last chapter of The Flame Bearer was incredible. It’s one of the strongest final chapters of the entire series so far, and I won’t lie, Cornwell could’ve ended this series right here and I would be more satisfied. One of the biggest issues I have with this novel is the lack of compelling characters. Uthred is so old now, more than 50 years have passed since the beginning of the series, and obviously, a lot of the characters we cared about are no longer here. But still, the series would’ve benefited so much from having new interesting and engaging side characters. Other than Finan, Aethelflaed, and Aethelstan, there’s a serious lack of interesting supporting characters here. It’s not a surprise that the TV series decided to adapt book 9 and book 10 (this one) as the final season of the series; it is that conclusive already.
Don’t get me wrong here; this is still a great addition to the series, but it would’ve been so much better if this is the end of the series; Cornwell could’ve easily worked it into making this the final book. I mean, he even admitted that almost the entirety of this novel, unlike the previous books, is fictional. So overall, The Flame Bearer has a powerful start and ending, but unfortunately, the unnecessary fillers underwhelm the quality of this great book. And despite my mixed feelings—mostly complaining—about this installment, I will read the remaining three books, too. I might as well now that I’m this far into the series already. I’m sure the last volume in the series will be terrific, but I’ll keep my expectations low for the next two books before that.
You can order the book from: Blackwells (Free International shipping)
You can find this and the rest of my reviews at Novel Notions | I also have a Booktube channel
Special thanks to my Patrons on Patreon for giving me extra support towards my passion for reading and reviewing!
My Patrons: Alfred, Andrew, Annabeth, Ben, Blaise, Diana, Dylan, Edward, Element, Ellen, Gary, Hamad, Helen, Hunter, Jimmy Nutts, Jennifer, Joie, Luis, Lufi, Melinda, Meryl, Mike, Miracle, Neeraja, Nicholas, ReignBro, Samuel, Sarah, Sarah, Shaad, Xero, Wendy, Wick, Zoe.
August 29, 2020
4 stars for book 10 in the Saxon Stories. In this book, Uhtred of Bebbanburg tries again to regain his ancestral home of Bebbanburg, stolen from him decades ago by his Uncle. Uhtred's cousin and the uncle's son now holds the fortress and surrounding land. If you decide to read this series, start with book 1. I did read some out of order, but they work better if read in order.
I have previously written that I think that the author writes the best battle scenes of anyone in this genre. The author still writes vivid battle scenes.
Uhtred was born a Christian, but kidnapped by Norse raiders as a child. He adopted Norse ways and Gods. He casts a skeptical eye on the Christian gods and practices.
One quote: "I doubt that I shall ever understand Christianity. 'Thou shalt not kill!' their priests teach, then encourage warriors to give battle against the heathen or even against other Christians if there is a half-chance of gaining land, slaves or silver. Father Beocca had taught me the nailed god's ten commandments, but I had long learned that the chief commandment of the Christians was 'Thou shalt make my priests wealthy."
I read this library book in 2 days. Cornwell's books are hard to put down.
I have previously written that I think that the author writes the best battle scenes of anyone in this genre. The author still writes vivid battle scenes.
Uhtred was born a Christian, but kidnapped by Norse raiders as a child. He adopted Norse ways and Gods. He casts a skeptical eye on the Christian gods and practices.
One quote: "I doubt that I shall ever understand Christianity. 'Thou shalt not kill!' their priests teach, then encourage warriors to give battle against the heathen or even against other Christians if there is a half-chance of gaining land, slaves or silver. Father Beocca had taught me the nailed god's ten commandments, but I had long learned that the chief commandment of the Christians was 'Thou shalt make my priests wealthy."
I read this library book in 2 days. Cornwell's books are hard to put down.
October 13, 2021
4.5 Stars ⭐️
Mel 🖤🐶🐺🐾
Mel 🖤🐶🐺🐾
October 26, 2016
Although I enjoyed this book it didn’t really live up to all my expectations. It felt very different from most of the other books. So you might be wondering why I gave it 5 stars. First and foremost, the ending. There were two glorious moments that I absolutely loved, and they were worth every star. And, although it’s sad to know my beloved characters are starting to age, and that this series is beginning to wind down, I love seeing how far they have come.
November 2, 2016
Onto book 10 with a series which must be coming to its conclusion? I say that before I started reading this book as some of the later books have been shorter & perhaps not so colourful as the opening half dozen of the series & perhaps I’m willing it to a conclusion before it goes stale & flat.......
..........Put that thought back into it’s scabbard..... this tale/adventure ranks amongst the best, yes its a short read BUT it had me gripped right the way through with it’s absorbing storyline, old characters, as well as new enemies to vanquish. As many wont have picked up the book yet, no more to tell you except it really is one of his best for me & I hope you’ll love it too!
..........Put that thought back into it’s scabbard..... this tale/adventure ranks amongst the best, yes its a short read BUT it had me gripped right the way through with it’s absorbing storyline, old characters, as well as new enemies to vanquish. As many wont have picked up the book yet, no more to tell you except it really is one of his best for me & I hope you’ll love it too!
July 2, 2021
Best not be reading The Flame Bearer (Saxon tales #10) without having read Warriors of the Storm (#9) and the whole previous saga. Because, if you do, you will be denying yourself the pleasure that only comes from the intimate knowledge gained in understanding the arc of life of Britain’s greatest (fictional) warrior, Uhtred of Bebbanburg. However, I certainly agree with some of my GR friends that this is one of Cornwell best: Best series; one of the high points in this series.
A fragile peace governs the kingdoms of Wessex, East Anglia, under the rule of the late King Alfred’s son, King Edward, and Mercia, under his daughter Aethelflaed. Utred’s son-in-law, Sigtryggr, has the kingship of Northumbria (the remaining pagan portion of the future England). It is this last piece that has Utred, for the first time in decades, allied with pagans who worship Odin rather than the Saxons who worship “the nailed god.” It has also raised his hopes of overcoming his cousin and reclaiming Bebbanburg. Now, at this particular time with so much in the balance there are opportunities for wealth and power that few can resist. Will Uhtred prevail? Can he do so and keep his oath to Aethelflaed? Can he secure Northumbria for his daughter and son-in-law? How much of a chance do the Danes and Norse have against an increasingly powerful Saxon alliance?
Cornwell could be content with continuing to crank out these books knowing that they have a vast readership and a lot of people who enjoy reading any historical novel in this period of England’s development. But he is not satisfied to give us a couple hundred pages of battles and intrigue. No, this may be his best book of the series.
Why? Because it is a crafty story filled with words and events that illuminate human lives (even if some are fictional). The tension is there from the start as Uhtred and most of his “wolf pack” shadow a group of three ships making their way up the east coast of England to Bebbanburg. They are there to help Uhtred’s cousin (the present Lord of Bebbanburg) with food and fighters to relieve the siege of Constantin, King of the Scots. No one can successfully attack the fortress of Bebbanburg but Constantin believes that he can starve them into submission before the following spring. Uhtred understands that this means his window of opportunity is very limited. If Constantin is successful, Uhtred will never be able to reclaim his birthright.
Left virtually free to create this canvas, Cornwell gives us a detailed picture of the politics and duplicity of the various factions Scotland, East Anglia, Wessex, Mercia and Northumbria. Uhtred is bold and crafty and goes on hunches that are usually, but not always correct. His reputation often brings fear and anger to his encounters with other lords.
All of this creates a true “page-turner” as multiple and overlapping plots play out. But what becomes my true delight is the depth with which Cornwell peoples this novel. It isn’t just the lords and warriors, but the boatmen, the innkeepers, the wives and whores whose presence deepens the whole experience. And, for a story so steeped in battle (with all its intricacies described) there is an abundance of humorous situations that help to fill-out the picture.
I cannot say much more without spoiling one or more elements of Cornwell’s deft plot. For those, like me who enjoy this historical stuff, you will not be disappointed.
A fragile peace governs the kingdoms of Wessex, East Anglia, under the rule of the late King Alfred’s son, King Edward, and Mercia, under his daughter Aethelflaed. Utred’s son-in-law, Sigtryggr, has the kingship of Northumbria (the remaining pagan portion of the future England). It is this last piece that has Utred, for the first time in decades, allied with pagans who worship Odin rather than the Saxons who worship “the nailed god.” It has also raised his hopes of overcoming his cousin and reclaiming Bebbanburg. Now, at this particular time with so much in the balance there are opportunities for wealth and power that few can resist. Will Uhtred prevail? Can he do so and keep his oath to Aethelflaed? Can he secure Northumbria for his daughter and son-in-law? How much of a chance do the Danes and Norse have against an increasingly powerful Saxon alliance?
Cornwell could be content with continuing to crank out these books knowing that they have a vast readership and a lot of people who enjoy reading any historical novel in this period of England’s development. But he is not satisfied to give us a couple hundred pages of battles and intrigue. No, this may be his best book of the series.
Why? Because it is a crafty story filled with words and events that illuminate human lives (even if some are fictional). The tension is there from the start as Uhtred and most of his “wolf pack” shadow a group of three ships making their way up the east coast of England to Bebbanburg. They are there to help Uhtred’s cousin (the present Lord of Bebbanburg) with food and fighters to relieve the siege of Constantin, King of the Scots. No one can successfully attack the fortress of Bebbanburg but Constantin believes that he can starve them into submission before the following spring. Uhtred understands that this means his window of opportunity is very limited. If Constantin is successful, Uhtred will never be able to reclaim his birthright.
Left virtually free to create this canvas, Cornwell gives us a detailed picture of the politics and duplicity of the various factions Scotland, East Anglia, Wessex, Mercia and Northumbria. Uhtred is bold and crafty and goes on hunches that are usually, but not always correct. His reputation often brings fear and anger to his encounters with other lords.
All of this creates a true “page-turner” as multiple and overlapping plots play out. But what becomes my true delight is the depth with which Cornwell peoples this novel. It isn’t just the lords and warriors, but the boatmen, the innkeepers, the wives and whores whose presence deepens the whole experience. And, for a story so steeped in battle (with all its intricacies described) there is an abundance of humorous situations that help to fill-out the picture.
I cannot say much more without spoiling one or more elements of Cornwell’s deft plot. For those, like me who enjoy this historical stuff, you will not be disappointed.
March 27, 2023
BookTube channel with my awesome brother, Ed - The Brothers Gwynne
My personal BookTube channel - William Gwynne
“So long as we remember names, so long those people live.”
It has been awesome binging the last few instalments, and The Flame Bearer was a good tale as well. It probably fits into the middle, in regards to my ranking of them, with some awesome moments, but some bits tending to be a bit repetitive as well.
A new enemy, a test to Uhtred's loyalties, the growing weight of his oaths and a whole dose of action. The Flame Bearer delivers what we have come to expect. A solid instalment with some great character moments, but not as standout as the previous few instalments.
“I was born a Saxon, but raised by Danes, my daughter had married a Norseman, my dearest friend was Irish, my woman was a Saxon, the mother of my children had been Danish, my gods were pagan, and my oath was sworn to AEthelflaed, a Christian. Whose side was I on?”
The Flame Bearer follows a loose template, which had been shaken off for the most part in my opinion in the previous two instalments. But here it returned, and that meant that it was good, but in my opinion not great. Uhtred will forever be awesome, and I will read a story about him fishing or running a farm or cooking, so long as he is at the centre. So, for me he still is the best part of this series, and will go down as one of my favourite characters of all time.
3/5 STARS
My personal BookTube channel - William Gwynne
“So long as we remember names, so long those people live.”
It has been awesome binging the last few instalments, and The Flame Bearer was a good tale as well. It probably fits into the middle, in regards to my ranking of them, with some awesome moments, but some bits tending to be a bit repetitive as well.
A new enemy, a test to Uhtred's loyalties, the growing weight of his oaths and a whole dose of action. The Flame Bearer delivers what we have come to expect. A solid instalment with some great character moments, but not as standout as the previous few instalments.
“I was born a Saxon, but raised by Danes, my daughter had married a Norseman, my dearest friend was Irish, my woman was a Saxon, the mother of my children had been Danish, my gods were pagan, and my oath was sworn to AEthelflaed, a Christian. Whose side was I on?”
The Flame Bearer follows a loose template, which had been shaken off for the most part in my opinion in the previous two instalments. But here it returned, and that meant that it was good, but in my opinion not great. Uhtred will forever be awesome, and I will read a story about him fishing or running a farm or cooking, so long as he is at the centre. So, for me he still is the best part of this series, and will go down as one of my favourite characters of all time.
3/5 STARS
December 26, 2023
3.5/5 Estrellas
Poco a poco me acerco al final de esta gran saga épico-histórica, que nos acercan a las terribles luchas que se desencadenaron en el siglo X en las islas británicas, entre los invasores vikingos, hombres del norte, sobre todo daneses y los pobladores sajones, galeses y escoceses.
Hemos visto como el fiel de la balanza estuvo a punto de inclinarse definitivamente hacia el lado danés y cómo, a partir de ese punto de inflexión, los sajones empezaron a recuperarse, gracias a la figura histórica de Alfredo "El Grande".
Hacia el 917dc, el solar Britano aparece dominado por los hijos de Alfredo, que reinan sobre todos los antiguos reinos sajones, salvo Northumbría. Allí el poder danés se tambalea y todo apunta a que, por primera vez en la historia, todas las tierras británicas donde se hablaba inglés se van a unificar bajo un mismo poder. Parece que está a punto de nacer "la tierra de los ingleses": Inglaterra. Es curioso que de los 3 pueblos germanos que invadieran poco a poco la provincia de Británica, tras el abandono de las legiones en 410dc: anglos, jutos y sajones, los últimos acabarán siendo los dominantes, pero en la actualidad conozcamos el territorio como Inglaterra y a sus habitantes como ingleses.
Nuestro amigo Uhtred se hace viejo y en su cabeza todavía persigue la obsesión de recuperar el territorio ancestral de su familia, la fortaleza de Bebbamburg, enclave sajón que ha sobrevivido al norte de Northumbría, encajonado entre el poder danés y el naciente reino escocés de Alba (que más tarde se conocerá como Escocia). Este señorío había sido usurpado por el tío de Uhtred y sus descendientes tras la invasión vikinga y, nuestro protagonista, ha consagrado su vida a recuperarlo.
¿Lo conseguirá en esta entrega? Ya le queda poco tiempo. Quizá el debilitamiento de el poder danés pueda jugar en su favor. Quizá otros poderes fácticos también quieran apoderarse de este valioso enclave.
Asistimos a otra entrega llena de exuberantes escaramuzas y batallas, donde las luchas parecen no tener fin. Táctica y estrategia. Emboscadas y muros de escudos. Brutal batalla final donde todos los poderes de Britania se ven involucrados. ¿prevalecerá al fin Uhtred o tendrá que seguir esperando?
Esta entrega es pura aventura y poca historia, así que sólo queda disfrutar.
Por ponerle un pero, creo que este hombre entra demasiado rápido en faena. Abres el libro y te quedas un poco desconcertado, porque rápidamente pasa a la acción sin ningún tipo de prolegómeno. Luego, poco a poco se empiezan a situar las piezas en el tablero y comienzas a enterarte de lo que está pasando. Si encima hace meses que has leído la anterior entrega, no estaría demás un pequeño preámbulo, a modo de resumen. Pero bueno así escribe Mr Cornwell.
A por el siguiente, sin dudarlo. Saboreando las últimas entregas de esta brutal serie. Aventuras, sangre, luchas, épica, historia (lo que se puede). ¿Quién da más?
Poco a poco me acerco al final de esta gran saga épico-histórica, que nos acercan a las terribles luchas que se desencadenaron en el siglo X en las islas británicas, entre los invasores vikingos, hombres del norte, sobre todo daneses y los pobladores sajones, galeses y escoceses.
Hemos visto como el fiel de la balanza estuvo a punto de inclinarse definitivamente hacia el lado danés y cómo, a partir de ese punto de inflexión, los sajones empezaron a recuperarse, gracias a la figura histórica de Alfredo "El Grande".
Hacia el 917dc, el solar Britano aparece dominado por los hijos de Alfredo, que reinan sobre todos los antiguos reinos sajones, salvo Northumbría. Allí el poder danés se tambalea y todo apunta a que, por primera vez en la historia, todas las tierras británicas donde se hablaba inglés se van a unificar bajo un mismo poder. Parece que está a punto de nacer "la tierra de los ingleses": Inglaterra. Es curioso que de los 3 pueblos germanos que invadieran poco a poco la provincia de Británica, tras el abandono de las legiones en 410dc: anglos, jutos y sajones, los últimos acabarán siendo los dominantes, pero en la actualidad conozcamos el territorio como Inglaterra y a sus habitantes como ingleses.
Nuestro amigo Uhtred se hace viejo y en su cabeza todavía persigue la obsesión de recuperar el territorio ancestral de su familia, la fortaleza de Bebbamburg, enclave sajón que ha sobrevivido al norte de Northumbría, encajonado entre el poder danés y el naciente reino escocés de Alba (que más tarde se conocerá como Escocia). Este señorío había sido usurpado por el tío de Uhtred y sus descendientes tras la invasión vikinga y, nuestro protagonista, ha consagrado su vida a recuperarlo.
¿Lo conseguirá en esta entrega? Ya le queda poco tiempo. Quizá el debilitamiento de el poder danés pueda jugar en su favor. Quizá otros poderes fácticos también quieran apoderarse de este valioso enclave.
Asistimos a otra entrega llena de exuberantes escaramuzas y batallas, donde las luchas parecen no tener fin. Táctica y estrategia. Emboscadas y muros de escudos. Brutal batalla final donde todos los poderes de Britania se ven involucrados. ¿prevalecerá al fin Uhtred o tendrá que seguir esperando?
Esta entrega es pura aventura y poca historia, así que sólo queda disfrutar.
Por ponerle un pero, creo que este hombre entra demasiado rápido en faena. Abres el libro y te quedas un poco desconcertado, porque rápidamente pasa a la acción sin ningún tipo de prolegómeno. Luego, poco a poco se empiezan a situar las piezas en el tablero y comienzas a enterarte de lo que está pasando. Si encima hace meses que has leído la anterior entrega, no estaría demás un pequeño preámbulo, a modo de resumen. Pero bueno así escribe Mr Cornwell.
A por el siguiente, sin dudarlo. Saboreando las últimas entregas de esta brutal serie. Aventuras, sangre, luchas, épica, historia (lo que se puede). ¿Quién da más?
October 6, 2019
Best series read this year by far!
November 3, 2016
By the time you get to number 10 in a series, it can feel like a chore. Like you're just reading it because the characters have become family, so yeah, I guess I'll help my cousin move, or go bail my half-sister out of jail. Ho-hum.
But this....
THIS!!!!!!
This is by far my favorite book of the series. Everything has been heading to THIS. All the bloodshed, the trickery, the pain. The lost comrades and loves, the sword wounds and broken oaths.
This has everything you've grown to love from the Uhtred books. His perfect storytelling, his ruminations on the religion of the Nailed god. And Cromwell has NEVER written such pitch-perfect battle sequences.
I will follow this series until it ends, or my life does. Fate is inexorable.
But this....
THIS!!!!!!
This is by far my favorite book of the series. Everything has been heading to THIS. All the bloodshed, the trickery, the pain. The lost comrades and loves, the sword wounds and broken oaths.
This has everything you've grown to love from the Uhtred books. His perfect storytelling, his ruminations on the religion of the Nailed god. And Cromwell has NEVER written such pitch-perfect battle sequences.
I will follow this series until it ends, or my life does. Fate is inexorable.
October 2, 2020
That was one of the best endings of the whole series!
February 19, 2021
Oh, Uhtred, to return to your side after all these years, and to return for this.
It was not until the eastern horizon was edged with a sword-blade of grey light that the rowers began to sing. It began on the Stiorra, the oarsmen singing the lay of Ida, a song I knew my son had chosen because it told how our ancestor, Ida the Flamebearer, had come across the cold sea to capture the fortress on the high rock. The song claimed that Ida and his men were hungry, they were desperate, and how they had flung themselves up the rock to be beaten back by a savage enemy. They were hurled back three times, the song claimed, and their dead lay thick on the slope as they huddled on the beach, taunted by their enemies. Night was falling and a storm was brewing offshore and Ida and his men were trapped between the fortress and the churning breakers, facing death by blade or death by sea, until Ida had shouted it would be death by fire. He had burned his ships, making flames by the water, and had seized a fiery length of wood and charged alone. He was wreathed in flame, sparks flew behind him, and he flung himself on the wall and thrust flame into his enemy’s faces, and they ran, fearing this fire warrior who had come from a far land. My father had mocked the song, saying that one spear-thrust or a pail of water would have been enough to stop Ida, but it was undeniable that he had taken the fortress.
The singing grew stronger as the crews of the other three ships joined in, chanting the song of burning triumph in time to their oar strokes as we beat our way northwards along the Northumbrian coast. And as the sun touched the world’s edge with the day’s new fire a small wind ruffled the water, rippling it from the east.
The Flame Bearer, the tenth of the Saxon Stories of Uhtred of Bebbanburg, is a triumphant return from what I have always considered one of my favourite fictional book series, but also a series I had feared had grown stale.
Full review to come.
It was not until the eastern horizon was edged with a sword-blade of grey light that the rowers began to sing. It began on the Stiorra, the oarsmen singing the lay of Ida, a song I knew my son had chosen because it told how our ancestor, Ida the Flamebearer, had come across the cold sea to capture the fortress on the high rock. The song claimed that Ida and his men were hungry, they were desperate, and how they had flung themselves up the rock to be beaten back by a savage enemy. They were hurled back three times, the song claimed, and their dead lay thick on the slope as they huddled on the beach, taunted by their enemies. Night was falling and a storm was brewing offshore and Ida and his men were trapped between the fortress and the churning breakers, facing death by blade or death by sea, until Ida had shouted it would be death by fire. He had burned his ships, making flames by the water, and had seized a fiery length of wood and charged alone. He was wreathed in flame, sparks flew behind him, and he flung himself on the wall and thrust flame into his enemy’s faces, and they ran, fearing this fire warrior who had come from a far land. My father had mocked the song, saying that one spear-thrust or a pail of water would have been enough to stop Ida, but it was undeniable that he had taken the fortress.
The singing grew stronger as the crews of the other three ships joined in, chanting the song of burning triumph in time to their oar strokes as we beat our way northwards along the Northumbrian coast. And as the sun touched the world’s edge with the day’s new fire a small wind ruffled the water, rippling it from the east.
The Flame Bearer, the tenth of the Saxon Stories of Uhtred of Bebbanburg, is a triumphant return from what I have always considered one of my favourite fictional book series, but also a series I had feared had grown stale.
Full review to come.
October 12, 2016
5 stars. No spoilers. Just read it!
August 17, 2020
The tenth entry of the Saxon Chronicles is a gripping addition that edges Uhtred closer and closer to his ultimate goal of taking Bebbanburg.
“We should know who they are," I said, "before we kill them. That's just being polite.”
Although The Flame Bearer a little quieter than the previous books, it feels like the calm before the storm, and the ending is just simply fantastic. Uhtred has about him his loveable cast of friends and together, they begin to plan the capture of his birthright.
The Flame Bearer shares similar themes with other entires of this series, such as Uhtred’s oaths, his urge to take Bebbanburg from his cousin and his worries over his family. He is older and older each day, not only a grumpy man but one who is beginning to fear his death will come soon.
“It's better to make the wrong choice," my father had continued, "than to make no choice at all.”
Seeing this side of Uhtred makes you see him in a very different light. Instead of the dark and witty warrior - which he still is - there is a more personal side to him, one with emotions and worries alike anyone.
“I remember Ragnar laughing one day. "It is so kind of the Christians! They put their wealth in one building and mark it with a great cross! It makes life so easy.”
I really enjoyed this read, though not as strong as the last few, but that’s probably because I’ve been binging them. The tension did build excellently however, and the ending is gripping and bloody. Exactly what we love to see in an Uhtred story.
“You should always plan your battles form the enemy's point of view.”
5/5 - Destiny is drawing closer, as are the clutches of death. Friends fight new enemies and Uhtred must find a way to take back his home. Will he manage it? Read and find out!
“We should know who they are," I said, "before we kill them. That's just being polite.”
Although The Flame Bearer a little quieter than the previous books, it feels like the calm before the storm, and the ending is just simply fantastic. Uhtred has about him his loveable cast of friends and together, they begin to plan the capture of his birthright.
The Flame Bearer shares similar themes with other entires of this series, such as Uhtred’s oaths, his urge to take Bebbanburg from his cousin and his worries over his family. He is older and older each day, not only a grumpy man but one who is beginning to fear his death will come soon.
“It's better to make the wrong choice," my father had continued, "than to make no choice at all.”
Seeing this side of Uhtred makes you see him in a very different light. Instead of the dark and witty warrior - which he still is - there is a more personal side to him, one with emotions and worries alike anyone.
“I remember Ragnar laughing one day. "It is so kind of the Christians! They put their wealth in one building and mark it with a great cross! It makes life so easy.”
I really enjoyed this read, though not as strong as the last few, but that’s probably because I’ve been binging them. The tension did build excellently however, and the ending is gripping and bloody. Exactly what we love to see in an Uhtred story.
“You should always plan your battles form the enemy's point of view.”
5/5 - Destiny is drawing closer, as are the clutches of death. Friends fight new enemies and Uhtred must find a way to take back his home. Will he manage it? Read and find out!
May 13, 2023
This is the series if been on and of on for the longest time. Started reading it about 16 years ago I think. The sentimental aspect of with all the memories I've got while reading it both makes it hard to continue but also keeps making me come back.
May 30, 2017
3.5*'s.
This would have been a good place to end the story but I doubt Mr Cornwell is putting his cash cow to bed. That said another enjoyable story in the Uhtred saga.
This would have been a good place to end the story but I doubt Mr Cornwell is putting his cash cow to bed. That said another enjoyable story in the Uhtred saga.
June 18, 2017
Spectacular addition to series! I hope Mr. Cornwell writes more about Uhtred of Bebbanburg.
I had a super long review written for this series but I deleted the document accidentally so let me share with you at least some major points to explain my reasons for loving this series so much:
* Astonishing storytelling skills. Bernard Cornwell brought 9th and 10th century England alive for me.
* Unforgettable narrator. Uhtred of Bebbanburg is unapologetic and ruthless yet lovable and admiration worthy character with brilliant military strategic mind. He is a true hero!
* Complex and fascinating side characters that you will love to come back to.
* Constant philosophical battle between paganism and Christianity that depicts given period precisely.
* Well thought-out storyline and twists.
* War and fight scenes are chillingly realistic. I really felt like I was there with Uhtred, fighting every new enemy or being part of countless shield wars.
All in all, The Warrior Chronicles/Saxon Stories series (all 10 available books) is spectacular story with spectacular writing. It is one of the best historical fiction stories I have ever read and it is the perfect example of how to write engaging historical fiction series that never get boring or predictable!
Moreover, I loved author’s note at the end of every book where author explained which parts were based on historical facts and which parts of his novel he made up.
RECOMMENDED!
„Wyrd bið ful ãræd.“ – „Fate is inexorable.“
I had a super long review written for this series but I deleted the document accidentally so let me share with you at least some major points to explain my reasons for loving this series so much:
* Astonishing storytelling skills. Bernard Cornwell brought 9th and 10th century England alive for me.
* Unforgettable narrator. Uhtred of Bebbanburg is unapologetic and ruthless yet lovable and admiration worthy character with brilliant military strategic mind. He is a true hero!
* Complex and fascinating side characters that you will love to come back to.
* Constant philosophical battle between paganism and Christianity that depicts given period precisely.
* Well thought-out storyline and twists.
* War and fight scenes are chillingly realistic. I really felt like I was there with Uhtred, fighting every new enemy or being part of countless shield wars.
All in all, The Warrior Chronicles/Saxon Stories series (all 10 available books) is spectacular story with spectacular writing. It is one of the best historical fiction stories I have ever read and it is the perfect example of how to write engaging historical fiction series that never get boring or predictable!
Moreover, I loved author’s note at the end of every book where author explained which parts were based on historical facts and which parts of his novel he made up.
RECOMMENDED!
August 5, 2019
RTC...as I said previously, I am binge reading this series and another series.
I love you Mr. Cornwell !! (did I use my inside voice for this? ;) )
Leofric is my fav character and love Father Beocca ! (In both the books and the series.)
ARSELING FOREVER !! (though the REAL word is spelled earsling, fyi )
https://youtu.be/-9hQBVSEMVg lol
I love you Mr. Cornwell !! (did I use my inside voice for this? ;) )
Leofric is my fav character and love Father Beocca ! (In both the books and the series.)
ARSELING FOREVER !! (though the REAL word is spelled earsling, fyi )
https://youtu.be/-9hQBVSEMVg lol
October 14, 2017
I wish every day was an Uhtred day. When I am reading a new book in the series, this character just brings so much enjoyment to my week.
There is something about the books that makes them so stress free to read too. They are written well and yet you don't have to work hard. Plenty of lovely prose in them if you want to notice it. Heaps of outstanding dialogue, which is hard not to notice. The laughs are plenty. The characters are rich in personality. It all blends so perfectly in these books and you can knock one over so quickly. Maybe too quickly. As now there is the long wait for the next book and I had already dragged out reading this one in anticipation of another one in the series coming in 2017, but it didn't, so now I wait until the end of 2018 I guess.
This book is one of the most significant of the series. You would have to read it to know why. I can't really go into that without dropping in massive spoilers. It is just...monumental and prodigious. Read it to know why, and if you are a fan of the series, then enjoy!
I have to say, I found the scenes between Uhtred and Constantin to be some of the most enjoyable scenes between two characters of the whole series to date. Well, at least of those I can recall and I am sure there are other 'greats' and after ten books, I simply do not remember them. But Constantin is such a character, a good match for Uhtred, and Cornwell plays both enigmatic characters off each other so well.
This book is like the others in most ways. Vile, cunning priests, extraordinary warriors, great deeds and deceptions, ineffective and underwhelming nobility and rulers, travelling all over the countryside and then travelling all over it back again, lots of insults parried back and forth between Dane and Saxon, Saxon and Saxon, Pagan and priest, a bit of sea action, port action...gold action...fire action...screaming action...living life to the fullest...dying miserably..yeah, it's all there for the fan of this series...plus that one significant and momentous thing. It is there too.
Loved it! Love it more just thinking about it! 5 brightly burning stars for you Flame Bearer.
There is something about the books that makes them so stress free to read too. They are written well and yet you don't have to work hard. Plenty of lovely prose in them if you want to notice it. Heaps of outstanding dialogue, which is hard not to notice. The laughs are plenty. The characters are rich in personality. It all blends so perfectly in these books and you can knock one over so quickly. Maybe too quickly. As now there is the long wait for the next book and I had already dragged out reading this one in anticipation of another one in the series coming in 2017, but it didn't, so now I wait until the end of 2018 I guess.
This book is one of the most significant of the series. You would have to read it to know why. I can't really go into that without dropping in massive spoilers. It is just...monumental and prodigious. Read it to know why, and if you are a fan of the series, then enjoy!
I have to say, I found the scenes between Uhtred and Constantin to be some of the most enjoyable scenes between two characters of the whole series to date. Well, at least of those I can recall and I am sure there are other 'greats' and after ten books, I simply do not remember them. But Constantin is such a character, a good match for Uhtred, and Cornwell plays both enigmatic characters off each other so well.
This book is like the others in most ways. Vile, cunning priests, extraordinary warriors, great deeds and deceptions, ineffective and underwhelming nobility and rulers, travelling all over the countryside and then travelling all over it back again, lots of insults parried back and forth between Dane and Saxon, Saxon and Saxon, Pagan and priest, a bit of sea action, port action...gold action...fire action...screaming action...living life to the fullest...dying miserably..yeah, it's all there for the fan of this series...plus that one significant and momentous thing. It is there too.
Loved it! Love it more just thinking about it! 5 brightly burning stars for you Flame Bearer.
February 20, 2017
I have been following the story of Uhtred of Babbenberg since the first book in the Saxon Stories. In this book Uhtred achieves his goal he has had since book one.
The Saxon Chronicles has been a historical fiction series following the story of King Aaelfred the Great of Wessex and his offspring. Unlike the other books in the series, Cornwell does not have to worry about historical accuracy in this book. In this book, he can allow his imagination to run free. Of course, he still stays within the historical parameters of his series. Uhtred recaptures his Babbenberg home, land and titles.
The book is well written and the historical accuracy of the series has been meticulous. Cornwell is the master of historical fiction; he is also the master of the battle scene. His description is packed with detail and emotions. His battle scene is so dramatic he places the reader in the middle of the battle with all the sights and smells. I have enjoyed all the fascinating characters in this series, real and imaginary. I would guess this is the end of Uhtred’s story. But Cornwell does have the rest of English history to tell us about. This was a great series and a fun way to learn English history.
Matt Bates does a good job narrating the story. Bates has narrated this series since book seven. Bates is an actor and audiobook narrator.
The Saxon Chronicles has been a historical fiction series following the story of King Aaelfred the Great of Wessex and his offspring. Unlike the other books in the series, Cornwell does not have to worry about historical accuracy in this book. In this book, he can allow his imagination to run free. Of course, he still stays within the historical parameters of his series. Uhtred recaptures his Babbenberg home, land and titles.
The book is well written and the historical accuracy of the series has been meticulous. Cornwell is the master of historical fiction; he is also the master of the battle scene. His description is packed with detail and emotions. His battle scene is so dramatic he places the reader in the middle of the battle with all the sights and smells. I have enjoyed all the fascinating characters in this series, real and imaginary. I would guess this is the end of Uhtred’s story. But Cornwell does have the rest of English history to tell us about. This was a great series and a fun way to learn English history.
Matt Bates does a good job narrating the story. Bates has narrated this series since book seven. Bates is an actor and audiobook narrator.
July 14, 2023
4.5 stars
September 8, 2023
Grazie all’instaurarsi di una tregua di almeno un anno sottoscritta tra Aethelstead, regina del Wessex, suo fratello Edward che guida la Mercia e Sygtryggr, Signore della Northumbria, è giunto il momento propizio per Uther di Bebbanburg di sferrare l’attacco decisivo al castello e alle terre che l’odioso cugino gli ha sottratto quando lui era ancora un bambino di 9 anni e coronare il sogno di un’intera vita. Uthred è perfettamente a conoscenza delle grandi difficoltà per riuscire ad entrare nella rocca di Bebbanburg ma, oltre ad essere un guerriero esperto e coraggioso, lo accompagnano l’astuzia e l’ingegno e quel pizzico di follia che è a volte la fortuna degli audaci e così questa volta non si arrenderà fino a che avrà un alito di vita. E accompagnato dai suoi fedelissimi e indomiti guerrieri sferrerà l’attacco decisivo.
In questo X° capitolo della saga altomedievale ambientata nella terra dei Sassoni d’Inghilterra tre secoli prima dell’arrivo di Guglielmo il Conquistatore, lo scrittore Bernard Cornwell [1944], per sua stessa ammissione nelle note finali al libro, riconosce di aver del tutto lasciato da parte le pur scarse fonti storiche del periodo e di aver permesso alla fantasia di farla da padrone più che nei precedenti capitoli. E per questa volta glielo perdoniamo!
In questo X° capitolo della saga altomedievale ambientata nella terra dei Sassoni d’Inghilterra tre secoli prima dell’arrivo di Guglielmo il Conquistatore, lo scrittore Bernard Cornwell [1944], per sua stessa ammissione nelle note finali al libro, riconosce di aver del tutto lasciato da parte le pur scarse fonti storiche del periodo e di aver permesso alla fantasia di farla da padrone più che nei precedenti capitoli. E per questa volta glielo perdoniamo!
December 7, 2020
Another masterpiece by Bernard Cornwell!
Obviously, I'm loving this series. These are short, easy reads.
Obviously, I'm loving this series. These are short, easy reads.
July 12, 2020
10 books down, 3 to go! Well, technically 2 more books. The last book isn’t going to be released until later this year. And trust me, I am counting down the days. But I digress. The Flame Bearer by Bernard Cornwell is the 10th book in the Saxon Stories Series. Uhtred of Bebbanburg has fought in many shield walls. He is getting older but he is still fighting his way to reclaim his family home, Bebbanburg. Britain is at peace…but it all could collapse at any moment. His son-in-law rules in Northumbria. Aethelflaed still rules in Mercia, but she is ill. Edward rules in Wessex but Uhtred’s enemies are still present in Edward’s court. The time comes for Uhtred to head to Bebbanburg but a new enemy has appeared…the Scots.
I think I have said this in one of my previous reviews of this series…Uhtred needs a break. He has only sacrificed his entire life fighting for one king after the next to preserve the peace in Britain. Does anyone appreciate him? NO. Well, his men appreciate him. They have been through battle after battle and they are the most feared force in Britain. I must say, I do love that we see the Scots again. The Scots are an enemy of Uhtred but their relationship isn’t exactly hostile. They have mutual respect for each other. The warrior banter never gets old. While the story contains so many life or death situations and that brief humor is always appreciated.
As always, the two best aspects of this series are the historical detail and the characters. The historical detail is so perfect that I feel completely immersed in the book. But I love the characters. They are real, flawed, and bring history to life.
Matt Bates narrates this book as well and he is just wonderful. He nails every accent, personality, gender, and age. There is so much passion as he reads that it is difficult to press pause. Another 5 out of 5 stars for this installment of the Saxon Stories!
I think I have said this in one of my previous reviews of this series…Uhtred needs a break. He has only sacrificed his entire life fighting for one king after the next to preserve the peace in Britain. Does anyone appreciate him? NO. Well, his men appreciate him. They have been through battle after battle and they are the most feared force in Britain. I must say, I do love that we see the Scots again. The Scots are an enemy of Uhtred but their relationship isn’t exactly hostile. They have mutual respect for each other. The warrior banter never gets old. While the story contains so many life or death situations and that brief humor is always appreciated.
As always, the two best aspects of this series are the historical detail and the characters. The historical detail is so perfect that I feel completely immersed in the book. But I love the characters. They are real, flawed, and bring history to life.
Matt Bates narrates this book as well and he is just wonderful. He nails every accent, personality, gender, and age. There is so much passion as he reads that it is difficult to press pause. Another 5 out of 5 stars for this installment of the Saxon Stories!
June 3, 2018
Executive Summary: I enjoyed this one more than Warriors of the Storm, but at this point I'm eager for the series to get wrapped up.
Full Review
Here we are at book 10 of this series and it's not the ending. We finally get some good plot progress in this book however. I liked it more than its predecessor but since War of the Wolf is scheduled to come out later this year the series will be at at 11 books, when I think it might have better to end with 10.
I love Uthred and Finnan and Æthelflæd and all the rest, but I'm ready for a conclusion. Uthred is already pretty old (especially for the time period). That's even more unbelievable considering he's a warrior who can be pretty reckless at time, even if age has granted him some wisdom along the way.
There's not a whole lot I can say about this book that isn't just straight up plot spoilers, but it did remind me why I've enjoyed the series so much. I was mostly reading this book 1 chapter at a time, but there was a night where the book was too good to put down and by the end of the book the final part was very enjoyable.
I agree with the Author's note that there is more story left to be told, I just hope he goes about so quickly and if he doesn't end with War of the Wolf that he's only got at most 12 books by the end.
Full Review
Here we are at book 10 of this series and it's not the ending. We finally get some good plot progress in this book however. I liked it more than its predecessor but since War of the Wolf is scheduled to come out later this year the series will be at at 11 books, when I think it might have better to end with 10.
I love Uthred and Finnan and Æthelflæd and all the rest, but I'm ready for a conclusion. Uthred is already pretty old (especially for the time period). That's even more unbelievable considering he's a warrior who can be pretty reckless at time, even if age has granted him some wisdom along the way.
There's not a whole lot I can say about this book that isn't just straight up plot spoilers, but it did remind me why I've enjoyed the series so much. I was mostly reading this book 1 chapter at a time, but there was a night where the book was too good to put down and by the end of the book the final part was very enjoyable.
I agree with the Author's note that there is more story left to be told, I just hope he goes about so quickly and if he doesn't end with War of the Wolf that he's only got at most 12 books by the end.
March 20, 2024
Bebbanburg - finally, August 24, 2017
Verified Purchase
This review is from: The Flame Bearer (Saxon Tales Book 10) (Kindle Edition)
Cornwell puts such vehement hostility towards Christianity, and rather a lot of it, into Lord Uhtred's thoughts and words, that I have to wonder why. Of course a pagan follower of Thor and the old Nordic gods could be expected to be hostile to Christianity but Cornwell has put much more of it into this volume than is needed for the storyline. Those of us who have read the preceding volumes already know Uhtred's feelings on the subject. In the unlikely event that a newcomer to the series would begin with volume 10, there is still much more than is needed for that newcomer to understand Uhtred. This and other examples of similarities among the ten volumes of this series are beginning to make me a bit weary of it. Not enough to make me stop reading it but enough that I uncharacteristically delayed reading THE FLAME BEARER for some months after receiving it. Once I began, it did hold my interest enough that I read it in a couple of days. Cornwell still has a way with words, history and battle descriptions. He is a master of historical fiction and the English language.
Verified Purchase
This review is from: The Flame Bearer (Saxon Tales Book 10) (Kindle Edition)
Cornwell puts such vehement hostility towards Christianity, and rather a lot of it, into Lord Uhtred's thoughts and words, that I have to wonder why. Of course a pagan follower of Thor and the old Nordic gods could be expected to be hostile to Christianity but Cornwell has put much more of it into this volume than is needed for the storyline. Those of us who have read the preceding volumes already know Uhtred's feelings on the subject. In the unlikely event that a newcomer to the series would begin with volume 10, there is still much more than is needed for that newcomer to understand Uhtred. This and other examples of similarities among the ten volumes of this series are beginning to make me a bit weary of it. Not enough to make me stop reading it but enough that I uncharacteristically delayed reading THE FLAME BEARER for some months after receiving it. Once I began, it did hold my interest enough that I read it in a couple of days. Cornwell still has a way with words, history and battle descriptions. He is a master of historical fiction and the English language.
August 13, 2022
Solid 4.
September 2, 2025
Uhtred finally battles for Bebbanburg! Good lord it took forever to get to this point. I really enjoy this series but I think there should be significantly less books. I mean there are 3 more books and I feel like it could easily be wrapped up with 1 more.
February 3, 2019
This is the penultimate volume of The Saxon Stories by Bernard Cornwell. The first several books of the series have been made into a TV series The Last Kingdom" by BBC and Netflix. The TV series is very good; the books are better. They are better because they portray how the hero of the story, Uhtred, reacts to the Saxons in the south and the Danes to the north.
Like all of the previous books, this story is exciting. Much of the book is devoted to preparations that Uhtred undertakes to recapture his birthright, the castle and land of Bebbanburg. The castle is occupied by his cousin, and is nearly impregnable, with high walls on high ground, and water on one of the sides. A fight to take over the castle would be a massacre. Moreover, Uhtred is surprised to find that an army of Scots has surrounded the castle and is attempting to starve out his cousin. Uhtred cannot possibly defeat the Scots, as he is outnumbered.
There are more surprises in store for Uhtred, who must think quickly on his feet, under the chaos of battle. Sometimes, he makes some rash decisions that he realizes are mistakes only too late. He comes up with some innovative backup plans that put his enemies into desperate situations. And this is one of the things that I appreciate the most about this series. In every episode, our hero Uhtred comes up with a novel solution to overcome seemingly overwhelming odds during a battle. Sometimes the solutions occur to him on the spur of the moment, while in other situations he plans well ahead of time. Uhtred is always rash and impetuous when he is not fighting; but during a battle he usually keeps his wits.
This book features something unusual. Bernard Cornwell describes what it is like to be in a pitched battle, especially a shield wall. Cornwell portrays how utterly frightful the battles are to individual warriors. Even battle-hardened warriors must prepare themselves psychologically ahead of time, to get up the courage to be in a shield wall. A shield wall is nearly unstoppable, except when two shield walls face each other.
Again, I did not read this book--I listened to the audiobook, as read by Matt Bates. It is a joy to listen to Bates' narration.
Like all of the previous books, this story is exciting. Much of the book is devoted to preparations that Uhtred undertakes to recapture his birthright, the castle and land of Bebbanburg. The castle is occupied by his cousin, and is nearly impregnable, with high walls on high ground, and water on one of the sides. A fight to take over the castle would be a massacre. Moreover, Uhtred is surprised to find that an army of Scots has surrounded the castle and is attempting to starve out his cousin. Uhtred cannot possibly defeat the Scots, as he is outnumbered.
There are more surprises in store for Uhtred, who must think quickly on his feet, under the chaos of battle. Sometimes, he makes some rash decisions that he realizes are mistakes only too late. He comes up with some innovative backup plans that put his enemies into desperate situations. And this is one of the things that I appreciate the most about this series. In every episode, our hero Uhtred comes up with a novel solution to overcome seemingly overwhelming odds during a battle. Sometimes the solutions occur to him on the spur of the moment, while in other situations he plans well ahead of time. Uhtred is always rash and impetuous when he is not fighting; but during a battle he usually keeps his wits.
This book features something unusual. Bernard Cornwell describes what it is like to be in a pitched battle, especially a shield wall. Cornwell portrays how utterly frightful the battles are to individual warriors. Even battle-hardened warriors must prepare themselves psychologically ahead of time, to get up the courage to be in a shield wall. A shield wall is nearly unstoppable, except when two shield walls face each other.
Again, I did not read this book--I listened to the audiobook, as read by Matt Bates. It is a joy to listen to Bates' narration.
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