The Last Kingdom by Bernard Cornwell

The Last Kingdom by Bernard Cornwell, historical fiction, 333 pages.
This is the first book in Cornwell's "Saxon" series. The book takes place in the late 800s as the raiders from the north are slowly taking control of great swathes of what will someday be England. Uhtred, son of Lord Uhtred of Bebbanburg, lives in the kingdom of Northumbria. When the Danes (Cornwell points out that these folks were not called vikings, that viking was something they did, but it is late and I am tired and I will probably still call them Vikings) come and his father is killed in battle, young Uhtred is taken captive and raised by Earl Ragnar the Fearless. Uhtred adjusts well, and learns to love his Viking family. As the wars continue across the land, and after Ragnar is betrayed, Uhtred finds himself having to decide at whose side he will stand in the coming battles. Cornwell always does a good job with his characters and with his settings. The books ring true. I look forward to reading the rest of this series.

Check our Catalog