Historical Fiction

Nearing the end of the series, which started back in 2004! Can you believe it? 'The Saxon Stories', meanwhile turned into a TV-series under the title 'The Last Kingdom', has been published over the course of 17 years. It's a sort of coming-of-age of Osbert, eh, Uhtred... of Bebbanburg, the castle he always wanted to recapture/reconquer/reclaim ever since the Vikings invaded England (or rather, Northumbria, as England didn't exist yet), and farther into the other kingdoms (East Anglia, Mercia, and Wessex; not forgetting other territories, too, but they are less important for the series).

I haven't reviewed the last few volumes (for whatever reason), but number 7, 'The Pagan Lord', was, after a very good run, the first "less good" novel. Things got much better again, though I did leave a gap of eight years before continuing the series, for various reasons, several out of my control.

So, with volume 8, what with Aethelred sick and dying, Aethelflaed becoming Queen of Mercia, also thanks to Uhtred, it was another joy to dive back into this wonderful series.

'The Empty Throne', 'Warriors of the Storm', 'The Flame Bearer' (Here he finally managed to recapture Bebbanburg and thus find inner peace, settle down, and enjoy a well-deserved retirement. But somehow, fate would decree that he rest later, as the next volumes would have him back on the road and fend off new invaders and dangers to the throne(s) of Wessex and Mercia) and 'War of the Wolf', Mr Cornwell more than delivered the goods. Uhtred still fighting around the various kingdoms, remaining royal to his oats, eh, oaths, whilst trying to make progress in his project to reclaim Bebbanburg.

A busy man, loved by many, despised by his enemies and Christian priests, except those he got along with.

In 'Sword of Kings', we see a much older Uhtred, a more than foolish Uhtred, who should have stayed at home after his last, heavy, weary battles in 'War of the Wolf'. But those events would have consequences for the next volumes, as many ends were not tied up yet. Like the claim to the throne of Wessex and Mercia (and East Anglia). King Edward would at some point, due to age and health issues, have to pass on the power. However, bad influence and power-hungry men, like one of his generals/advisors, Aethelhelm), had a different future in mind.

Edward had two children to succeed him: Aethelwaerd and Aethelstan, the last one being raised/protected by Aethelflaed and Uhtred, to make sure he survived. And this would be the core of 'Sword of Kings'. Uhtred, whilst not needed at all, would indulge in his pride and once again ride out to protect the interests of Aethelstan and King Edward. Like in a previous volume - the 10th or 11th - East Anglian troops were lured away, as a so-called army was on its way to invade. Previousy, it was Uhtred who had been lured away for a non-existing threat. And so, Uhtred returns to save the day.

Not exactly as this time he would make many mistakes, many miscalculations. His intuition would be wrong many times. But despite this all, he remained stubborn, not wanting to delegate (much), ... In fact, at this old age, he'd become a rather pathetic image of his former self.

Of course, it wouldn't be a good story, if it didn't end well. Uhtred did get beaten up, tried to see many times a sign of the gods in every flying bird, sound of the wind, what-have-you, to such an extent it became tedious and even obnoxious. Also, at his old age, not really worrying about his wife, children (he did lose his beloved daughter Stiorra previously, she reigned with Sigtrygger - a Dane Uhtred had fought and subjugated in 'Warriors of the Storm' - in Eoferwic/Yorvik, Northumbria)), grand-children, but all the more about the kingship of Edward and Aethelstan, he came across as a selfish old man. A man more interested in his image, his reputation, and leaving all the fighting and policing to the next generations.

Long story short, 'Sword of Kings' is an uneven novel. It has its moments - Bernard Cornwell is one hell of a writer of battles, which are bloody, cruel, ... and show how man can be cruel to his own species. I did like, though maybe they were a wee bit too many in number, the flashbacks, the reflections of Uhtred on times and experiences past. They helped in refreshing my memory on the events in previous novels. Last but not least, despite this not being a very good book, Mr Cornwell's writing did make up for that.

The ending was a bit rushed, I find, and not what I had hoped or expected it to be. Sure, Uhtred has become old, should have retired a long time ago, certainly not have interfered here, but in all his stubbornness, he did help turn the tide. Also, and again, there were some threads left unresolved. Those have been resolved now, but let's see what 'War Lord' will bring, as Uhtred swore an oath to Aethelstan, but the latter also swore one to the former. Time to end it all, so there can be a proper conclusion.

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For more information on the series, there's this fandom-website. ( )

As always, Cornwell does not disappoint. ( )

very good but NOT great. There is an air of finality about this book. Utred is approaching 60/70 and is getting past it. Finan is the same age. There is no stopping time or progress. A curious thing: Utred never kills a priest in the whole book. Aside: Will BC fire up the Starbuck/American Civil War series? God I hope so. ( )

Uhtred really took it on the chin in this one, but like usual, bounced back in spectacular fashion. I’m really starting to get sad with this being the penultimate book of the series.
What do I do when I finish? ( )