War Lord

The plotline in each of these books is very clever, with unexpected surprises along the way, and this final installment is no different. Bernard Cornwell managed to wrap up the series in a brilliant way, actually drawing a couple of tears from me at one point. I look forward to starting the series from the beginning, and enjoying each stage in Uhtred’s life all over again.

The writing is exemplary, the story fascinating and the characters memorable. It was an amazing romp through the events that established the English empire. I can’t recommend it enough. Every volume is a chapter in the multi-generational struggle to establishment of Alfred’s United Kingdom.

Uhtred is his own man, never more so than in this final story, where he defies kings again and again in pursuit of his destiny. Yes, it’s more than time for him to retire, but Cornwell has him go out in style.

Story-telling is as ever of a top-notch quality from this author, the atmosphere, living conditions, and hostile surroundings in and out of Northumbria come superbly off the pages, while all characters, whether real historical or wonderful fictional, come vividly to life within this wonderful tale about history in the making.