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jhbandcats's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
informative
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
The first half of the book wasn’t as compelling as the second - I like all the battles! But it provided necessary background on Uhtred’s complicated relationship with the Danes who kidnapped him, but whom he loved.
The English were awfully tedious compared to the Danes - only interested in living a pious and studious life. The Danes were warriors, and their interests were drinking, whoring, and fighting. They’d fight each other if no enemies were available. They definitely had a lot more fun than the dour English, and Uhtred was much happier with Ragnar and his warriors than he’d ever been with his own family. The parts with Ragnar were the strongest because of the bond between him and Uhtred.
Uhtred’s coming of age among the Danes was much more interesting than when he was forced back to Alfred and his priests. The details of life amongst the warriors were intriguing such as the love the Danes had for their ships. Overall a riveting tale of an obscure period of English history.
The English were awfully tedious compared to the Danes - only interested in living a pious and studious life. The Danes were warriors, and their interests were drinking, whoring, and fighting. They’d fight each other if no enemies were available. They definitely had a lot more fun than the dour English, and Uhtred was much happier with Ragnar and his warriors than he’d ever been with his own family. The parts with Ragnar were the strongest because of the bond between him and Uhtred.
Uhtred’s coming of age among the Danes was much more interesting than when he was forced back to Alfred and his priests. The details of life amongst the warriors were intriguing such as the love the Danes had for their ships. Overall a riveting tale of an obscure period of English history.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Alcohol, Bullying, Classism, Misogyny, Rape, Blood, Grief, Colonisation, Death, Gore, Fire/Fire injury, Injury/Injury detail, Physical abuse, War, Kidnapping, and Violence
bookbelle5_17's review
adventurous
dark
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
sad
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Review of The Last Kingdom
By: Bernard Cornwell
Uhtred was born a Saxon, but during another one of the many battles with the Danes, Uhtred is taken by Dane Earl Ragnar after his father is killed. He is raised as a Dane grows to see Ragnar as a father. King Alfred, a Christian, takes the throne intending to either convert the Danes to Christianity or slaughter. He meets Uhtred and sees how skilled of warrior he is and wants to use him, but Uhtred is still loyal to the Danes.
Uhtred’s journey was exciting and fascinating as he learns to be a warrior and struggles with identity. He still wants to claim his home castle Bebbanburg, but he cares for the Danes seeing them as his family. Later, he ends up having to join Alfred’s army for his own survival. He stays loyal, but he must make compromises pretending he’s on the Saxon side, particularly because he wants to continue being a warrior. Cornwell knows how to write a thrilling battle scene. The scenes were chaotic and bloody, but you can feel Uhtred’s passion for the fight. I like the relationship between Uhtred and Ragnar. Ragnar shows compassion for Uhtred and saw something in him, though he could have killed or held him as prisoner. Cornwell does a wonderful job weaving fiction and actual history. He leaves a note at the end letting the reader know what parts of history he changed for the narrative and what facts he included.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Religious bigotry, War, Kidnapping, Murder, Violence, Blood, and Grief
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