Another great entry. Love this series. ( )

This delivers the usual pace, style, and cracking battles scenes we've all come to expect from this series. But that was the problem for me: this felt like we were going over old ground, with Uhtred not really in any different place by the end of the story in either his quest or his relationships (although I really enjoyed the sub-plot about Finan's backstory). It's time to head for Bebbanburg, but we're not there yet. It feels like Cornwell is reluctant to leave out any of the historical events and machinations that are needed to get him there - a few skipped years might be good for the pace of the storytelling. ( )

A fragile peace reigns in Wessex, Mercia, and East Anglia. King Alfred’s son Edward and formidable daughter Aethelflaed, rule the kingdoms. But all around the restless Northmen, eyeing the rich lands and wealthy churches, are mounting raids.
Uhtred controls northern Mercia from strongly fortified city of Chester. Forces are gathering against him. ( )

Book #9 in the Saxon Stories (now renamed the Last Kingdom). Quite a bit happens in this novel: Ragnall, the treacherous Dane is defeated by Uhtred, who combined forces with Sigtryggr (Ragnall's brother and Uhtred's son-in-law). Brida has returned to take her vengeance upon Uhtred. She begins by castrating Uhtred's son, Father Oswald. 326 pages ( )

When I take a break from this series and return to it, I’m amazed at how much I enjoy it. The writing is clear and vivid enough to make me feel as if I am trailing around behind Uhtred as he lives his life.

In this story, the Danes in Northumbria are brought together with Irish warriors by Ragnall Ivarson, brother to Uhtred’s son-in-law. We get to see the end of an old enemy who joined in with Ragnall and has plagued Uhtred for years.

After years of helping Athelflaed fend off the Danes from swallowing up Mercia and having his advice to end the conflict for good and all, Uhtred once again holds off Ragnall’s invasion while awaiting Athelflaed’s reinforcements. At the end, she forbids him to sail to his daughter’s aid when Uhtred discovers Ragnall has left behind men in Ireland to beseige and kill his brother so he can have Stiorra.

Uhtred does what Uhtred does, going to rescue his family. They return to finish the fight against Ragnall, which ends predictably with a shieldwall and a wonderfully written fight.

We learn a bit more about Finan, Uhtred’s friend and liegeman from his days as a slave. Some family disagreements, if not mended, are at least benevolently ignored. And the fights — by Alfred’s line to unite England and by Uhtred to reclaim his birthright — continue. ( )