“Verdict: Once again, Cornwell perfectly mixes the history and personalities of tenth-century England with several doses of battles, trickery, and treachery. Mysticism, history, brutality, muck, and mire combine to splendid effect in this compelling fictional version of the birth of a great nation.” - Booklist New readers: Draw a flagon of ale, and be prepared to find the first seven in the series.” - Kirkus is totally accessible and great good fun. “This novel easily stands alone, with perfectly choreographed battle scenes and political infighting. With this eighth entry in the epic Saxon Tales series, we are reminded once again why New York Times bestselling author Bernard Cornwell is “the most prolific and successful historical novelist in the world today” ( Wall Street Journal). Widely loved and respected, Æthelflaed has all the makings of a leader-but can Saxon warriors ever accept a woman as their ruler? The stage is set for rivals to fight for the empty throne. The West Saxons want their king, but Uhtred has long supported Æthelflaed, sister to King Edward of Wessex and widow of Æethelred. When Æthelred, the ruler of Mercia, dies, he leaves no legitimate heir. There are new raids by the Vikings from Ireland, and turmoil among the Saxons over the leadership of Mercia. ’īritain, early tenth century AD: a time of change. I am the son of Uhtred, who was the son of Uhtred. But an attack on him by a leading supporter of one of the candidates and an unexpected appeal for help from another, drives Uhtred with a small band of warriors south, into the battle for kingship-and England’s fate.The eighth installment of Bernard Cornwell’s bestselling series chronicling the epic saga of the making of England, “like Game of Thrones, but real” ( The Observer, London)-the basis for The Last Kingdom, the hit BBC America television series.

Uhtred was tempted to ignore the demands of the oath and stay in his northern fastness, leaving the quarrelling Anglo-Saxons to sort out their own issues. Despite attempts at pulling him into the political fray, Uhtred of Bebbanburg cares solely about his beloved Northumbria and its continuing independence from southern control.īut an oath is a strong, almost sacred commitment and such a promise had been exchanged between Uhtred and Aethelstan, his onetime companion in arms and now a potential king. There are two potential heirs-possibly more-and doubt over whether the once separate states of Wessex and Mercia will hold together. It is a time of political turmoil once more in the 10th century as the fading King Edward begins to lose control over his successors and their supporters. The twelfth installment of Bernard Cornwell’s New York Times bestselling series chronicling the epic saga of the making of England-'superior entertainment that is both engaging and enlightening” ( Washington Post), and the basis for The Last Kingdom, the hit Netflix series.

The saxon tales