Death of Kings

Title: Death of Kings

Author: Bernard Cornwell

Publisher: HarperCollins
Year: 2011
Pages: 330
Series: The Last Kingdom/ The Saxon Stories #6
Genre: Historical Fiction

Reading Time: 18 - 20 June

Binding: Kindle
Goodreads

Stars:
★★★★★

Blurb:

 Alfred, the great king, is said to be dying. Rivals of his succession are poised to tear the kingdom apart. The country Alfred has worked thirty years to build is about to disintegrate.

 Uhtred, the King's arrior, Viking born but Saxon bred, wants more than anything else to go and fight to reclaim his stole Northumbrian inheritance. But the knows that if he deserts the King's cause, Alfred's dream - and indeed the very future of the English nation - will very likely vanish.

 Death of Kings is an outstanding novel by a master storyteller of how England was made - and very nearly lost.

Review:

 I'd like to start my review with a note on why I'm here, the adaptation of the series currently available on Netflix. The series up until this point has been one series for two books, with series one and two mostly faithfully lifted. The content is excellent so the screen writers don't need much further inspiration. I believe this was also the point at which the series was also still being produced by the BBC. Therefore this book should be represented by the second half of the third series and having watched it I had certain expectations. It was an absolutely excellent couple of episodes and only has the bare bones of the book, so I was a tad disappointed but that is no fault of the book itself and therefore this series continues under a 5-star rating!

 We are picking back up a few years following The Burning Land, Uhtred is now 41 and this book spans another few years, Uhtred is considered an old warrior at this point. Definitely sure some other characters have had ages carried across incorrectly from when they were first introduced, a minor thing but as I'm reading them back to back it's easier to notice. Uhtred is a more mature character than earlier in the series now due to his experience, he's renowned and feared by both Danes and Saxons. Still can't keep his hands to himself though!

 Alfred is weakening and leaving his people in fear of what should happen upon his death. Will the Danes approach, pillaging, raping and burning all in sight? Will Uhtred return to Bebbanburg? Will he remain and protect the kingdom? I don't think even Uhtred knows at some points in this book.

 Aethelwold returns in full force in this book, though we're not seeing him for long periods due to Uhtred's point of view and retrospective narrative. His treachery is plain to all and undeniable at this point but the Christian Alfred can be ever forgiving. So many treacheries in this book, all entertaining and one well written so as not arouse much suspicion by the men or us readers. Mind games are being played by both sides in this war as battle still waits to come.

 Aethelflaed continues to impress, I love the quick wit she has with Uhtred and I can't wait for her to be rid of that hateful husband. I only hope her brother Edward can come to sense as quickly as her and value Uhtred's help above those others that are whispering in his ears.

 The Pagan Lord is next and I just don't know where the series is going now that I can see such a separation for the series. There are things I definitely wanted to read about but now there's more mystety for me than before, very exciting stuff!