Sword Song

I am getting a bit tired of Uhtred’s bad attitude, especially as the narrator in his old age. I’m also wondering why Uhtred is considered so great when others have to constantly save his a**. I like the story, but it is redundant since it is the same theme throughout all of the books in this series. It would help if the author actually developed the characters a bit better. I like Uhtred in the couple of books, but by halfway through the series, I was starting to dislike him more and more. He can’t raise an army big enough to take back Bebbanburg, yet he insists on serving a king that does not reward him. Talk about digging one’s own hole. To be honest, my favorite character in this series of books is Finan. Too bad the author didn’t give us a closer look at him because Uhtred has become entirely too predictable.

I bought this immediately after watching series three of The Last Kingdom on Netflix. I was quite anxious to read something a little more engaging than my last lengthy novel, and this suited the need nicely.

We find Uhtred leading, for him, a calm life in Coccham, until he’s tempted by Alfred’s eternally dissatisfied nephew Aethelwold to listen to a viking ghost – who predicts he, Uhtred, will be King of Mercia. That’s something to contemplate while he watches his annoying cousin marry Alfred’s daughter Aethelflaed. Of course the Saxon – Dane relationship is ever uneasy, and Aethelflaed’s abusive new husband is quick to flex his new status over Uhtred when it comes to fighting for Alfred, while the church is still calling Uhtred a “pagan” (if not worse) at every turn, causing divided loyalties, danger for Aethelflaed, and no end of fighting – in fact there’s constant fighting, let’s just be frank here – and betrayal.

It’s an exciting story, which ranges a bit from the Netflix story line – so you get some surprises. If it seems a little lighter than some of Cornwell’s other efforts, perhaps that’s because it moves quickly. I was disappointed that the book only covers about half of the Netflix series III episodes, but that is a lot of ground. Hard to put down.

This is the fourth book in Cornwell’s Saxon Series. I’ve enjoyed all the books in the series, which looks like it’ll be at least 13 books. If you love historical fiction, this is truly enjoyable reading. If you’re a history buff, remember this is fiction and expect Cornwell to take liberties with timelines and relationships. This is pretty standard in historical fiction but Cornwell does it well and it’s less distracting than it could be. This series is an insightful journey into life and times in Anglo-Saxon Britain. Written from the perspective of Uhtred, son of a Northumbrian nobleman raised by Vikings, Cornwell paints a portrait inclusive of all the diverse peoples and cultures in 9th & 10th Century Britain and tells a riveting tale of the birth of England. Great reading.

The sound of Serpents Breath swing is music to my ears!

There are so many great things to say about this book, actually the whole series so far and just to think Im only into the 4th book. First let me say though, this author knows how to capture his readers. Every sentence is a cling on to the next great action. The drama and war action just constantly unfolds throughout the whole book.

Here are a few of my notes and thoughts on different things I found interesting.

Alfred has Uhtreds oath of loyalty and obedience which drives me insane because Alfred though he is king is in my opinion not worthy of Uhtreds loyalty. I really dont like Alfred the Great in this novel, no I believe He owes everything to Uhtred, as without him he would have lost his kingdom long ago, yet time and time again he rewards him with punishment. I cannot comprehend why Uhtred still fights for this man.

Aethelflaed, Alfreds daughter beautiful daughter but I can see she will be used as a tool for Alfred. Her story is beyond interesting already as he marries her off only for a gain and then the idiot she is married to is an abusive pig. Yet she is the Kings daughter and the King accepts this action and does nothing Using the reasoning from the book that Uhtred explained –

The message certainly matched Alfreds philosophy, for he believed that a kingdom could only thrive if it was ruled by law, was ordered by government, and was obedient to the will of God and the king. Yet he could look at his daughter, see her bruises and approve? He had always loved his children. I had watched them grow, and I had seen Alfred play with them, yet his religion could allow him to humiliate a daughter he loved?

Onto more cheerful things, I really like Uhtreds beloved friend Ragnar Ragnarson, hes the type of guy who is strong and fierce when he wants to be.

My favorite part of the book is the battles and the understanding of the battles by Uhtred. Here are just a few of his philosophy if you will or planning techniques that I really admired.

the joy of battle was the delight of tricking the other side. Of knowing what they will do before they do it, and having the response ready so that, when they make the move that is supposed to kill you, they die instead.
In battle a man risks all to gain reputation. In bed he risks nothing. The joy is comparable, but the joy of a woman is fleeting, while reputation is forever. Men die, women die, all die, but reputation lives after a man

Here is one scene I really liked:

Lord
You told us it was death to leave the shield wall. You left the shield wall, lord, Osferth said, almost reprovingly. I straightened and touched my arm rings. You live, I told him harshly, by obeying the rules. You make a reputation, boy, by breaking them. But you do not make a reputation by killing cripples.

I liked his take on Lust & Love:

Lust is the deceiver. Lust wrenches our lives until nothing matters except the one we think we love, and under that deceptive spell we kill for them, give all for them, and then, when we have what we have wanted, we discover that it is all an illusion and nothing is there. Lust is a voyage to nowhere, to an empty land, but some men just love such voyages and never care about the destination. Love is a voyage too, a voyage with no destination except death, but a voyage of bliss.

perhaps love is friendship more than it is lust, though the gods know the lust is always there.

LETS NOT FORGET THE LOVE WITHIN THE BOOK
I am so glad Uhtred and Gisela are together and I think I like her better than the women he has been with so far. I loved the fact that he has 2 children. Here is the description from the book.

My son. He was four years old with hair as golden-colored as mine and a strong little face with a pug nose, blue eyes, and a stubborn chin. I loved him then. My daughter Stiorra was two years old. She had a strange name and at first I had not liked it, but Gisela had pleaded with me and I could refuse her almost nothing, and certainly not the naming of a daughter. Stiorra simply meant star, and Gisela

The thing I enjoy most about this series is the way it is narrated by an Uhtred who is looking back on his life.
EXCELLENT READ! I highly recommend reading the series in order so you can follow the war and growth of each character.

More action, more oaths, and more trouble from several quarters challenge Uhtred of Bebbanburg, as he reflects upon his adventures from a mature point of view. Thankfully most of the narrative comes from Uhtred in the midst of that action, as stories told mostly from flashback are often tedious. This tale in the continuing saga of The Last Kingdom was even more enjoyable than the previous, which is significant, because multiple sequels often pale in comparison to the initial story’s spark.

The historical tidbits upon which Cornwell builds his fiction feature many battles, big and small. When combined with the many acts of cleverness and instinct with which Cornwell weaves Uhtred’s fate, every chapter entices. I really enjoyed this book and can’t wait to read more.

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