Bibliography

Date first published	23 Oct. 2014
ISBN Number	978 0 00 750416 9
Page Count	302 h/b
h/b= hardback : p/b= paperback

Storyline

England is fractured, torn apart more by internal fighting than the threat of Viking invasion.

The ruler of Mercia is dying, leaving no legitimate heir. His wife is a formidable fighter and great leader, but no woman has ever ruled over an English kingdom. And she is without her strongest warrior and champion, Uhtred of Bebbanburg. So the scene is set for an explosive battle between elders and warriors for an empty throne.

The vacant throne leaves a dangerous opportunity for rival West Saxons to seize Mercia. But Edward of Wessex is distracted by the succession of his own throne, with two heirs claiming the right to be West Saxon King. And while the kingdoms are in disarray, the Vikings, this time coming from the west, will go on the rampage once more.

The very future of England hangs in the balance. A hero is needed, a hero who can destroy the threat to Mercia, a hero who will ultimately decide the fate of a nation...

Review

I was not sure what to expect from this book, as the last book (The Pagan Lord), I felt was rather flat, and hadn't gripped me in the same way as some of the other books, so I suppose from perhaps low expectations came a pleasant surprise.

Much of the early books enjoyed a hint of excitement from the antaganism between Uhtred and Alfred, with Alfred's death a lot of that antaganism has gone, although there is still the constant threat from the priests. As the book blurb points out there is no King as such in Mercia, and it looks as if the ancient realm will cease to exist, as there is no one noble who is capable of taking the role of king. Uhtred himself is still suffering from the wound taken in the last book, and might die at any moment.

Normally in this type of situation, with no-one to fight the books dim, Uhtred is after all a warrior, and an idle warrior is a boring one. However the early part of the story is centred around Uhtreds scheming to stop the destruction of Mercia. After all he knows Alfreds daughter is more than capable of ruling, but her enemies want her put into a nunnery, to rot away. Uhtred also has the young Athelstan to look after and protect.

So unlike the previous story that I felt was flat, this has plenty of action, and scheming from all parties. Uhtred also becomes briefly Christian to spring a very clever trap on his foes, and although Aethelflaed cannot become Queen, she does have control, and the loyalty of the nobles, and so is able to turn her attention to the latest Viking Warlord looking for glory.

By the end of the book Aethelflaed is Lady of Mercia, Athelstan has been bloodied, and best of all Uhtred healed, and again ready for war.

To sum up, a very nicely crafted, well paced book, with just enough action to keep everyone happy, a real return to form.

Previous	Index	Next