What do you think?
Rate this book
The Ninth Century #5
The Last Sword: England: The First Viking Age
The fifth book in the stunning The Ninth Century Series.The three defeated jarls of Grantabridge might be hiding behind the walls of their settlement as winter storms ravage, but the weather is no deterrent for another adversary, and Coelwulf holds a far more personal grudge against Jarl Halfdan.King Alfred hovers on the border with Wessex, his intentions impossible to determine; his relationship with the Viking raiders, problematic. Exposed to the south, in jeopardy from the north, Coelwulf hasn’t fought his last battle yet.Praise for The Last King"A well-written book from start to finish, full of action with lots of strong characters that you soon love. Really, truly loved it. 5 stars from me. Smashed it.""I feel as though I'm sat astride a horse, sword in hand, screaming like a banshee as I charge.""Action-packed and hard to put down.""To say this book is excellent would be an understatement. it’s a blood and gore fest for any fan of the period." Amazon Reviewer"The Last King starts with a punchy opening paragraph that instantly draws you into the story. Coelwulf is a fierce and skilful warrior with a formidable band of fighters at his side. Readers are invited to join them in the shield wall and follow them to the last bloody moments of every hectic battle. The Last King is a spirited novel; drenched in gore and positively ringing with the sound of seaxes on shields. This novel suits anyone who prefers a fast-paced tale with plenty of action. If you are a fan of Bernard Cornwell’s Uhtred series then this could help ease the wait till the next instalment." Netgalley Reviewer"an instant page-turner." Netgalley Reviewer"The battle scenes were really well written." Netgalley Reviewer"Coelwulf is a fierce warrior with an honourable battlefield moral code. Coelwulf’s character is one that you soon learn to respect and admire, along with his men. With plenty of gory battle scenes, MJ Porter’s descriptive writing really brings Coelwulf’s battles to life." Netgalley Reviewer"Fast-paced, deep character development, page-turning action, what more do you need." Netgalley Reviewer"A tale that moves fairly swiftly, breathless at times, with great battle scenes and just the right amount of humour." Netgalley ReviewerThe Ninth Century Series Coelwulf's Tales from before The Last KingThe Last KingThe Last WarriorThe Last HorseThe Last EnemyThe Last SwordThe Last ShieldThe Last SevenThe Last VikingThe Last AllianceMEET THE AUTHORI'm an author of historical fiction and non-fiction(Early English/Viking) and fantasy. I write A LOT. You've been warned.
300 pages, Kindle Edition
Published April 29, 2021
89 people are currently reading
38 people want to read
About the author
M.J. Porter
111 books256 followersI'm an author of historical fiction (Early English (before 1066)/Viking) and now five 20th-century mysteries..
The Eagle of Mercia Chronicles (featuring a young Icel from The Last King series) is now available from Boldwood Books. As is the complete Brunanburh Series and the first two books in the Dark Age Chronicles, my foray to before Saxon England was Saxon England. Enjoy.
The Ninth Century Series (The Last King), are stories of ninth-century England, but not as it's been written before, (featuring an older Icel and some other familiar faces too).
The Erdington Mysteries now has a third book in the series—The Secret Sauce. (Did you know Erdington would have been in Mercia back in the Saxon period? I know, you can't get me away from the place.) The Barrage Body is coming soon.
The Royal Women Who Made England, my first non-fiction book about the royal women of the tenth century, is available now.
I like to write. You've been warned.
Find me at
www.mjporterauthor.com or at www.mjporterauthor.blog where I blog about books and films and sometimes, writing!
https://linktr.ee/MJPorterauthor
https://mjporterauthor.sumupstore.com
You can join my monthly subscriber newsletters and gain access to the restricted page on my blog at the same time.
https://BookHip.com/MGWHLDC (Saxon stories)
https://BookHip.com/THPKCKP (mysteries only)
(I have odd reading tastes - there's no need to notice though!!) I'm also exceedingly anti-social - that you may notice but must accept!
The Eagle of Mercia Chronicles (featuring a young Icel from The Last King series) is now available from Boldwood Books. As is the complete Brunanburh Series and the first two books in the Dark Age Chronicles, my foray to before Saxon England was Saxon England. Enjoy.
The Ninth Century Series (The Last King), are stories of ninth-century England, but not as it's been written before, (featuring an older Icel and some other familiar faces too).
The Erdington Mysteries now has a third book in the series—The Secret Sauce. (Did you know Erdington would have been in Mercia back in the Saxon period? I know, you can't get me away from the place.) The Barrage Body is coming soon.
The Royal Women Who Made England, my first non-fiction book about the royal women of the tenth century, is available now.
I like to write. You've been warned.
Find me at
www.mjporterauthor.com or at www.mjporterauthor.blog where I blog about books and films and sometimes, writing!
https://linktr.ee/MJPorterauthor
https://mjporterauthor.sumupstore.com
You can join my monthly subscriber newsletters and gain access to the restricted page on my blog at the same time.
https://BookHip.com/MGWHLDC (Saxon stories)
https://BookHip.com/THPKCKP (mysteries only)
(I have odd reading tastes - there's no need to notice though!!) I'm also exceedingly anti-social - that you may notice but must accept!
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 15 of 15 reviews
February 13, 2023
Its been a whilst since I met up with Coewulf and his band of merry men. This was finished in two sittings!
What I love about this series is that it's just carnage and chaos from the very first page.
As we are already well into this series, Porter doesn't hold your hand in bringing you up to speed we just dive head first into the action.
This book is all about the battles. Shield Wall after shield Wall, axes, Swords, spears at the ready !! Porter is just incredible at writing hand to hand battles and the finale of this book is one of the best you could ever read
Loved it
What I love about this series is that it's just carnage and chaos from the very first page.
As we are already well into this series, Porter doesn't hold your hand in bringing you up to speed we just dive head first into the action.
This book is all about the battles. Shield Wall after shield Wall, axes, Swords, spears at the ready !! Porter is just incredible at writing hand to hand battles and the finale of this book is one of the best you could ever read
Loved it
November 3, 2024
I’m trying to catch up on this series by reading one book per month before the next one is published. We have some lighter moments with banter and the ballad invented by the scoop to honor Coelwulf. Naturally he isn’t thrilled with this kind of reverence.
It’s so enjoyable to see the camaraderie between the warriors. They have their quirks and grumpiness, but they’re always there for each other. And there’s a strange competition between, Icel, Edmund , and Coelwulf as to who will kill Halfdan.
The weather is a character in itself. As the days here shorten in November, the icy, frigid time during this book really gets its grip on you, the reader. There is so much snow and ice, that I couldn’t take it anymore. Hopefully there’s less cold in the next book.
A couple of scenes were especially poignant for me. Haden, Coelwulf’s horse, disappeared during a battle in a snowstorm. We don’t know if the Raiders have taken him or killed him or what happened. I had a lot of anxiety reading this scene.
The horses are an integral part of this band of brothers. They care very much for their animals. Also the scene when the female mother wolf defends her pups. You always cheer for the animal and not the person, who tries to kill them. I enjoy these little bits that weren’t part of the human battles. So even though we know there are many battles with the Raiders, I appreciate these little subplots. They are like a slice of life. It’s not only the people who try to stay alive.
On the the next one!
It’s so enjoyable to see the camaraderie between the warriors. They have their quirks and grumpiness, but they’re always there for each other. And there’s a strange competition between, Icel, Edmund , and Coelwulf as to who will kill Halfdan.
The weather is a character in itself. As the days here shorten in November, the icy, frigid time during this book really gets its grip on you, the reader. There is so much snow and ice, that I couldn’t take it anymore. Hopefully there’s less cold in the next book.
A couple of scenes were especially poignant for me. Haden, Coelwulf’s horse, disappeared during a battle in a snowstorm. We don’t know if the Raiders have taken him or killed him or what happened. I had a lot of anxiety reading this scene.
The horses are an integral part of this band of brothers. They care very much for their animals. Also the scene when the female mother wolf defends her pups. You always cheer for the animal and not the person, who tries to kill them. I enjoy these little bits that weren’t part of the human battles. So even though we know there are many battles with the Raiders, I appreciate these little subplots. They are like a slice of life. It’s not only the people who try to stay alive.
On the the next one!
May 19, 2021
There is just something about this series
It is an unusual myriad of a story-all warrior and comradeship, and he shows it in how ruthless the character is, but only in defense of his people and duty. His care that, well, they all show for their horses, shows the care the give to all things great and small in their dominion. Go Haden!!!!! All of them. It is a great story and reflection study for the more serious bookies.
It is an unusual myriad of a story-all warrior and comradeship, and he shows it in how ruthless the character is, but only in defense of his people and duty. His care that, well, they all show for their horses, shows the care the give to all things great and small in their dominion. Go Haden!!!!! All of them. It is a great story and reflection study for the more serious bookies.
May 12, 2021
If you have read all 5 books about Coelwulf and his loyal warriors you don't need a review from me, you know its addictive, action packed and cant wait to see what they get up to next. You become a Mercian at heart and the loss of any warrior or even his beloved horse is devastating.
May 4, 2021
Coelwulf - A believable portrait of Mercia's king
A compelling installment of Dark Ages England along before there was an England! This is the fourth book of the fascinating King Coelwulf who was a.peer of Alfred the Great. Page-turner that only disappoints in that it is the end of the book. Excellent!
A compelling installment of Dark Ages England along before there was an England! This is the fourth book of the fascinating King Coelwulf who was a.peer of Alfred the Great. Page-turner that only disappoints in that it is the end of the book. Excellent!
May 21, 2021
I've been so impatient waiting for this book. If you've read my previous reviews on the series you will know I love this series and this instalment was definitely not a disappointment. If you have an interest in the ninth century and vikings this may be the series for you.
Events begin this time with Coelwulf at home in Northampton in the midst of winter. Still recovering from his last encounter with the raiders, all believe they are safe for the winter, they were wrong.
Once again Coelwulf and his warriors are faced with danger and death in the face of the raiders, the weather doesn't make things easy for them as they battle through the cold and snow to ensure Mercia remains safe.
The prologues of this series always have my heart racing. MJ Porter has a way of drawing you in from the very beginning and the action doesn't stop there. Full of gruesome battles, banter and camaraderie I can't help but imagine myself in the company of the warriors although I am glad I'm not, with all the death and gore they face.
One of Coelwulf's warriors became a firm favourite for me in this book and that's Icel, I still adore Coelwulf, Pybba and Rudolf but Icel's character really came out in this instalment and MJ has done a fantastic job of bringing him into the limelight a bit more.
The horses of the warriors are just like the regular characters, their personalities and traits have grown throughout the series and through the descriptives it's easy to imagine each horse and rider.
This book for me had many moment where I found myself holding my breath, not sure if I wanted to continue reading. In no way am I saying it was bad, rather I've grown to really like the characters and partly didn't want to read what I thought may be coming in the next couple of pages.
This is easily my favorite series and as always I will eagerly await the next instalment. As long as you don't mind gore battle scenes and swearing, this book will make you laugh, it will make you sad, and it will make you wish for the next book.
The book could be read as a stand alone but I'd recommend reading them all just because they're brilliant.
Events begin this time with Coelwulf at home in Northampton in the midst of winter. Still recovering from his last encounter with the raiders, all believe they are safe for the winter, they were wrong.
Once again Coelwulf and his warriors are faced with danger and death in the face of the raiders, the weather doesn't make things easy for them as they battle through the cold and snow to ensure Mercia remains safe.
The prologues of this series always have my heart racing. MJ Porter has a way of drawing you in from the very beginning and the action doesn't stop there. Full of gruesome battles, banter and camaraderie I can't help but imagine myself in the company of the warriors although I am glad I'm not, with all the death and gore they face.
One of Coelwulf's warriors became a firm favourite for me in this book and that's Icel, I still adore Coelwulf, Pybba and Rudolf but Icel's character really came out in this instalment and MJ has done a fantastic job of bringing him into the limelight a bit more.
The horses of the warriors are just like the regular characters, their personalities and traits have grown throughout the series and through the descriptives it's easy to imagine each horse and rider.
This book for me had many moment where I found myself holding my breath, not sure if I wanted to continue reading. In no way am I saying it was bad, rather I've grown to really like the characters and partly didn't want to read what I thought may be coming in the next couple of pages.
This is easily my favorite series and as always I will eagerly await the next instalment. As long as you don't mind gore battle scenes and swearing, this book will make you laugh, it will make you sad, and it will make you wish for the next book.
The book could be read as a stand alone but I'd recommend reading them all just because they're brilliant.
December 7, 2023
BLURB
The fifth book in the stunning The Ninth Century Series.
The three defeated jarls of Grantabridge might be hiding behind the walls of their settlement as winter storms ravage, but the weather is no deterrent for another adversary, and Coelwulf holds a far more personal grudge against Jarl Halfdan.
King Alfred hovers on the border with Wessex, his intentions impossible to determine; his relationship with the Raiders, problematic.
Exposed to the south, in jeopardy from the north; Coelwulf hasn’t fought his last battle yet.
REVIEW
It seems the Raiders are rather disrespectful of the time-honored tradition of not waging war in winter. Oh, and not just ordinary winter weather…a freaking non-stop blizzard. And that is not the only egregious goings on…they attempt to render the Mercians horseless… As you can imagine, Coelwulf is not a happy King. All of which makes for another rousing tale, though I would caution you, my fellow reader, you may need to wrap up in the warmest woolies you have, and have a hot beverage on hand. It is bloody work, and it is bloody freaking cold. 5 stars
The fifth book in the stunning The Ninth Century Series.
The three defeated jarls of Grantabridge might be hiding behind the walls of their settlement as winter storms ravage, but the weather is no deterrent for another adversary, and Coelwulf holds a far more personal grudge against Jarl Halfdan.
King Alfred hovers on the border with Wessex, his intentions impossible to determine; his relationship with the Raiders, problematic.
Exposed to the south, in jeopardy from the north; Coelwulf hasn’t fought his last battle yet.
REVIEW
It seems the Raiders are rather disrespectful of the time-honored tradition of not waging war in winter. Oh, and not just ordinary winter weather…a freaking non-stop blizzard. And that is not the only egregious goings on…they attempt to render the Mercians horseless… As you can imagine, Coelwulf is not a happy King. All of which makes for another rousing tale, though I would caution you, my fellow reader, you may need to wrap up in the warmest woolies you have, and have a hot beverage on hand. It is bloody work, and it is bloody freaking cold. 5 stars
January 30, 2022
Another rip-roaring page turner
More adventures with Coelwulf and his posse, well written and pacy but structured and precise in detail and historical content. Well done and cannot wait to finish the series in the next book ! Up there with Bernard Cornwell’s The Last Kingdom series and Vikings 👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻
More adventures with Coelwulf and his posse, well written and pacy but structured and precise in detail and historical content. Well done and cannot wait to finish the series in the next book ! Up there with Bernard Cornwell’s The Last Kingdom series and Vikings 👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻
November 16, 2021
Finally
A courageous ensures of warriors, injuries, hopes, dreams, and the rise and fall of a great opponent in this exciting diatribe.
A courageous ensures of warriors, injuries, hopes, dreams, and the rise and fall of a great opponent in this exciting diatribe.
October 10, 2024
Great, fast paced and furious
I am thoroughly enjoying this series. It's a great story, and absolutely gets the spirit of the fighting man.
We use harsh language and banter to get us through difficult times. We cajole and deride our closest of friends as a way to get through it and secure our brotherhood.
Brilliant
I am thoroughly enjoying this series. It's a great story, and absolutely gets the spirit of the fighting man.
We use harsh language and banter to get us through difficult times. We cajole and deride our closest of friends as a way to get through it and secure our brotherhood.
Brilliant
March 9, 2025
Battle and Fight
Okay, what can I say this historical fiction is amazing and is an action,this book reminds me of the actions of Robert E.Howard and Conan,, once again I need to say that it is well written. And you start to hope for the characters.
Okay, what can I say this historical fiction is amazing and is an action,this book reminds me of the actions of Robert E.Howard and Conan,, once again I need to say that it is well written. And you start to hope for the characters.
September 7, 2021
As always very good read look forward to next book
Excellent story worth reading and to follow on to next chapter as from modern area in media worth knowing history
Excellent story worth reading and to follow on to next chapter as from modern area in media worth knowing history
January 29, 2024
And so it goes
The saga continues and the King yet lives, it seems all these characters are invincible, but for how much longer?
The saga continues and the King yet lives, it seems all these characters are invincible, but for how much longer?
January 31, 2024
More action, more fighting, and even more raiders! Will Coelwulf ever run out of raiders to kill? Love the non stop action these books have.
sff-ok-bx
December 21, 2025bx,Rokp
Displaying 1 - 15 of 15 reviews