Loved spending time with Uhtred again. Loved that Althelflaed is finally coming into her own and being badass. Forever and always love Finan, even if he wasn't too involved in the story. ( )

Another really enjoyable one. Sometimes I wonder if Cornwell hates Uhtred, never lets the guy have any heathen fun. ( )

At the end of the ninth century, King Alfred is in I’ll health; his heir an untested youth. Alfred’s enemy, the Danes, having thus far failed to conquer Wessex, now see their chance for victory. Savage warrior Harold Bloodhair attacks, but Uhtred, Alfred’s reluctant warlord, proves his worth outwitting Harold and handing the Vikings one of their greatest defeats.
For Uhtred, the sweetness of victory is overshadowed by tragedy. Breaking with Alfred, he joins the Vikings, swearing never again to serve the Saxon king. ( )

Book number 5 in The Saxon Chronicles. I found this to be the least favorite of the books thus far because of the extensive, bloody battle scenes. However, it was one of the most poignant, as Uhtred's wife, Gisela, dies in childbirth. Doesn't take Uhtred too long to become involved with King Alfred's daughter though, when he has to save her from her husband who intends on having her raped and then murdered. The Danes receive word that King Alfred is dead; although it is premature. Cornwell certainly has an eye for historical detail. On to book 6! 356 pages ( )

Uhtred is getting older, it's time for him to leave Wessex and reclaim his birthright of Bebbanburg. Fate however has other plans and he finds himself breaking one oath only to be honour bound by another! Bernard Cornwell has a master skill to make gruesome, violent battle scenes not only readable and very believable but so exciting that he holds me in rapt anticipation in spite of nail biting tension! This series just gets better and better. ( )