Sword Song (Alfred the Great 4)
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Review
Praise for ‘The Lords of the North’:
‘Beautifully crafted story-telling, complete with splendid set-piece battles and relentless derring-do, so gripping that it rarely stops to catch a breath. It demonstrates once again Cornwell’s enormous skill as a historical narrator. He would have graced Alfred’s court entertaining the guests with his stories’
Daily Mail
‘Cornwell takes the spectres of ninth century history and puts flesh back on their bones. Here is Alfred's world restored – impeccably researched and illuminated with the colour and passion of a master storyteller’
Justin Pollard, author of ‘Alfred the Great’
Praise for Bernard Cornwell:
'Bernard Cornwell is a literary miracle. Year after year, hail, rain, snow, war and political upheavals fail to prevent him from producing the most entertaining and readable historical novels of his generation.'
Daily Mail
'Cornwell's narration is quite masterly and supremely well-researched'
Observer
Product Description
The fourth in the bestselling Alfred series from number one historical novelist, Bernard Cornwell.
The year is 885, and England is at peace, divided between the Danish kingdom to the north and Alfred's kingdom of Wessex in the south. But trouble stirs, a dead man has risen and new Vikings have arrived to occupy London.
It is a dangerous time, and it falls to Uhtred, half Saxon, half Dane, a man feared and respected the length and breadth of Britain, to expel the Viking raiders and take control of London for Alfred. His uncertain loyalties must now decide England's future.
A gripping tale of love, rivalry and violence, Sword Song tells the story of England's making.
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Most Helpful Customer Reviews
22 of 23 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback|Amazon Verified Purchase
Well I'll get all the negative stuff out of the way first! Uhtred really is just a dark ages 'Sharpe' he even has an Irish side kick now and whilst Sharpe was loathed as a commoner amongst upper class twit fellow officers, Uhtred is loathed because he is a pagan amongst pious preachy christians!
That said for many years I loved Sharpe! and likewise I am loving Uhtred and the Saxons, a major part of our national history largely ignored till now! Romans and vikings by the score, Saxons, hardly any!.
Back to the book it's architypical Cornwell. Our hero is unloved by his masters, out numbered by his foe's but backed up by his savage comrades. Yes we've seen it a hundred times before from Cornwell but it is such a winning formula and he does it probably better than anyone. Also I like the stories being told from the first person perspective by Uhtred himself as you really feel like you are in the heart of the action.
This book starts with the re-taking of London from the Danes an actual event but then takes a sharp left down imagination lane to put Uhtred in a daring rescue bid. As with most Cornwell stories the action is compelling gritty and believable, the book is fast paced though perhaps a hundred pages short of what we normally expect of him.
We are promised more Uhtred action shortley by the author and I'll no doubt be there with my credit card though I hope he doesn't over do it as I felt he did with Sharpe as there are so many other great bits of history he can take us to but I have not quite had enough of Uhtred yet! So I'll be sharpening my battle axe for next time.
That said for many years I loved Sharpe! and likewise I am loving Uhtred and the Saxons, a major part of our national history largely ignored till now! Romans and vikings by the score, Saxons, hardly any!.
Back to the book it's architypical Cornwell. Our hero is unloved by his masters, out numbered by his foe's but backed up by his savage comrades. Yes we've seen it a hundred times before from Cornwell but it is such a winning formula and he does it probably better than anyone. Also I like the stories being told from the first person perspective by Uhtred himself as you really feel like you are in the heart of the action.
This book starts with the re-taking of London from the Danes an actual event but then takes a sharp left down imagination lane to put Uhtred in a daring rescue bid. As with most Cornwell stories the action is compelling gritty and believable, the book is fast paced though perhaps a hundred pages short of what we normally expect of him.
We are promised more Uhtred action shortley by the author and I'll no doubt be there with my credit card though I hope he doesn't over do it as I felt he did with Sharpe as there are so many other great bits of history he can take us to but I have not quite had enough of Uhtred yet! So I'll be sharpening my battle axe for next time.
44 of 47 people found the following review helpful
Format:Hardcover
I read the 3 first books in this series (The Last Kingdom, Pale Horseman, and Lords of the North) quite some time ago, found them all three excellent historical novels, so started "Sword Song" with high expectations. Rest assured: it's near perfect.
In "Sword Song" the struggle between Saxons and Danes has reached a new phase, with Alfred consolidating the kingdom of Wessex and trying to get a grip on the (leaderless) Mercia. Uthred has become Alfred's most important warlord, but he feels equally drawn to the Viking-world in which he grew up, and just then an army of Vikings arrives and captures London...
I really can't do this book enough justice: the battle scenes are as good as ever (and there's plenty), but above all I love the way in which Uthred keeps developing as a character. The arrogant, young warrior has become a mature man (with a fearsome reputation, true enough), and a loving husband and father.
I for one am eagerly awaiting the next book in the series.
In "Sword Song" the struggle between Saxons and Danes has reached a new phase, with Alfred consolidating the kingdom of Wessex and trying to get a grip on the (leaderless) Mercia. Uthred has become Alfred's most important warlord, but he feels equally drawn to the Viking-world in which he grew up, and just then an army of Vikings arrives and captures London...
I really can't do this book enough justice: the battle scenes are as good as ever (and there's plenty), but above all I love the way in which Uthred keeps developing as a character. The arrogant, young warrior has become a mature man (with a fearsome reputation, true enough), and a loving husband and father.
I for one am eagerly awaiting the next book in the series.
13 of 14 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
Our Hero Uhtred just as he thinks things are settling down, he gets some new enemies to fight.... well it wouldn't be a Cornwell without would it? He is stuck fighting for the Saxons and their King Alfred, of which he has no love, and against the Danes who he has an affinity to. Not suprisingly this gives him problems just about every where he turns. This first person narrative style is different to the other Cornwell series and is a nice change. This is not the strongest in the series, but still excellent. well researched, gripping historical fiction from the master Bernard Cornwell! Only problem is I dont know when the next book is due.......
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Most Recent Customer Reviews
i not only got a book but i learnt a lot
not only a good read in the sequence of books in the Alfred series - but also enabled me to gain historical knowledge as well - not my usual read but ended up reading the full... Read more
Published 1 month ago by jaybee
Great
I have not been a Bernard Cornwell fan until this series of books.
I now must re-evaluate because I love this series from 'The Last Kingdom' right up to 'Death of... Read more
I now must re-evaluate because I love this series from 'The Last Kingdom' right up to 'Death of... Read more
Published 4 months ago by Mr. Colin Rankin
Fine historical series
Bernard Cornwell's Alfred the Great series really form one long novel, though they are self-contained stories that are also readable separately. Read more
Published 8 months ago by reader 451
A great tale based on a time we know little about!
Bernard Cornwell is one of the best story tellers there is. He uses real historic fact as a base for his fast moving tales of intrigue and heroism. Read more
Published 11 months ago by Richard Bulmer
Atmospheric and Enjoyable
Bernard Cornwell's adventures in Saxon England, featuring Uhtred of Bamburgh are nearly as good as his Sharpe novels. Read more
Published 12 months ago by Mr. Ross Maynard
More death and mayhem with Uhtred
In this, the fourth of the chronicles of Uhtred and the birth of the English nation under Alfred, the year is now 885 and the Danes appear to have been subdued. Read more
Published 12 months ago by Keen Reader
Bored Song
Commitment should be applauded when it happens, but only if it is a good thing. Marriage is a good commitment, vowing to eat a bathtub full of baked beans is not only a bad... Read more
Published 14 months ago by Sam
Sword Song.
This being the 71st review of the book, i would envisage most of what i could add has been added already. Read more
Published 15 months ago by Jacks
great read
Nice historical fiction. Not sure how accurate it is but I do not really care. Things happen, characters are nicely built. I feel I am witnessing the characters grow and change. Read more
Published 16 months ago by Carmen York
sword song
i briught this as a gift for my husband and he found the book most enjoyable,as he had already read the other books
Published 18 months ago by lamplady
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