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maplegrey's review against another edition
adventurous
reflective
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
testaroscia's review
4.0
Having just finished Dan Jones’s Essex Dogs you sense the contrast between a historian writing a Historical Novel and a writer doing the same. Unless you are Hillary Mantel the latter always seems more successful. I have to trust that Cornwall has done his homework and it certainly appears to be so. But it is in the characterization that he is so good. The period is a very confusing one and he does a very good job in bringing it to life.
deetjitro's review against another edition
4.0
I don’t want to part with Northumbrian-themed stories, so continuing with Bernard Cornwell’s The Last Kingdom suits my current mood. I understand I am late to the trend, especially after the TV series aired, but I kept reading.
Delving into Uhtred’s journey amidst historical events, I tried to navigate his shifting loyalties and the rich cast of characters. As the story unfolds, I find myself rooting for Uhtred’s return to his Danish roots, drawn to the authenticity of his connections and the allure of a more primal existence. The novel’s evocative portrayal of battles and personal conflicts keeps me riveted, eagerly turning pages late into the night.
I find the whole book to be a detailed build-up story of the making of Uhtred. It took the whole first part of The Last Kingdom to tell Uhtred’s upbringing among the Danes who came to England looking for prosperous lands to continue living. I’m not particularly happy that I found myself away from Northumbria by the last chapters. I thought Uhtred would return to Bebbanburg at the end, but nope. Not yet.
The Last Kingdom didn’t toy with my emotions too much because perhaps I already knew what would happen and who would not survive. As I said, I re-read the chapter on English history about the Great Heathen Army. It’s a different feeling, unlike reading Bernicia Chronicles when my emotions were tossed, slammed, and thrown into the fire between one chapter after the other.
I would definitely read the next book, The Pale Horseman. I think I even want to finish the whole series with my reading pace. I am actually thinking about reading The Grail Quest series by Bernard Cornwell. It will be out of my comfort zone (the early Medieval/Anglo-Saxon period), but I think I’ll put those books on my TBR list. Let’s dive into The Pale Horseman!
full review here
Delving into Uhtred’s journey amidst historical events, I tried to navigate his shifting loyalties and the rich cast of characters. As the story unfolds, I find myself rooting for Uhtred’s return to his Danish roots, drawn to the authenticity of his connections and the allure of a more primal existence. The novel’s evocative portrayal of battles and personal conflicts keeps me riveted, eagerly turning pages late into the night.
I find the whole book to be a detailed build-up story of the making of Uhtred. It took the whole first part of The Last Kingdom to tell Uhtred’s upbringing among the Danes who came to England looking for prosperous lands to continue living. I’m not particularly happy that I found myself away from Northumbria by the last chapters. I thought Uhtred would return to Bebbanburg at the end, but nope. Not yet.
The Last Kingdom didn’t toy with my emotions too much because perhaps I already knew what would happen and who would not survive. As I said, I re-read the chapter on English history about the Great Heathen Army. It’s a different feeling, unlike reading Bernicia Chronicles when my emotions were tossed, slammed, and thrown into the fire between one chapter after the other.
I would definitely read the next book, The Pale Horseman. I think I even want to finish the whole series with my reading pace. I am actually thinking about reading The Grail Quest series by Bernard Cornwell. It will be out of my comfort zone (the early Medieval/Anglo-Saxon period), but I think I’ll put those books on my TBR list. Let’s dive into The Pale Horseman!
full review here
kaelynputnam's review against another edition
4.0
LOVED this book. The experience was so immersive and I felt like I was there the whole time. This is the sort of book that makes you want to go out and buy all the sequels immediately, read them, and then start back at the beginning.
erikajay's review against another edition
4.0
I always root for the Vikings!
This was my first Cornwell book and I thoroughly enjoyed it. He does an amazing job of bringing history to life.
This was my first Cornwell book and I thoroughly enjoyed it. He does an amazing job of bringing history to life.
seba_reads's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
informative
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
car_theauthor's review against another edition
adventurous
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
tmessersmith89's review against another edition
adventurous
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
sandysmith's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
informative
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
I'm gradually adding books I've read in 2021 to give a true reflection of the books I've read since keeping records. This was the first book I read in 2021, and is what kick started my reading journey having put reading on the back burner whilst bringing up the children, previously being an avid reader. A story of Alfred and Ahtred. Historical fiction (Saxons). Ahtred is born in the 9th century and orphaned at 10. Captured and adopted by a Dane and taught the viking ways. Could to Alfred King of Wessex who survives a Danish assault. The struggles between the English and the Danes, Christianity versus paganism. Marriage ties him to the saxons, so he fights against the Danes who adopted him. So very far out of my comfort zone, picked as a bookclub choice that I would never had chosen for myself but I ended up enjoying it.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Violence, Cursing, Death, Death of parent, Rape, and War
Moderate: Blood, Slavery, and Miscarriage