Lords of the North
by Bernard Cornwell
published
July 13th 2006
by Harper Collins Canada
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binding
Paperback, 366 pages
isbn
0007219695
(isbn13: 9780007219698)
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other reviews (showing 1-20 of 409)
Read in November, 2006
LORDS OF THE NORTH BY BERNARD CORNWELL: In Lords of the North (coming January 23rd), the wonderful writer of great historical periods and characters brings us the third in his increasingly popular Saxon Chronicles series, as he tells the story of King Alfred the Great’s life and his work in unifying the many kingdoms into the country we know today as England.
We continue with our hero, Uhtred of Bebbanburg, who has just helped Alfred save and maintain control over the land of Wessex, there...more
We continue with our hero, Uhtred of Bebbanburg, who has just helped Alfred save and maintain control over the land of Wessex, there...more
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Read in April, 2008
This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers. To view it, click here.
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Read in September, 2007
recommends it for:
Cornwell fans
Cornwell does it again. I keep thinking after reading so many of his books of the same genre I should be feeling guilty like I'm reading Star Trek or romance novels or something... but they're just so damn good.
Not every one is great, and none of them have lived up to the Warlord trilogy but this series is pretty spectacular and the narrator's voice is perfect for the story. Hearing it is like visiting an old friend. I thought that this would be the last book of Utred because in the middl...more
Not every one is great, and none of them have lived up to the Warlord trilogy but this series is pretty spectacular and the narrator's voice is perfect for the story. Hearing it is like visiting an old friend. I thought that this would be the last book of Utred because in the middl...more
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Another part of the series started by "The Last Kingdom". I felt that this book doesn't stand so well on its own - it seems like Cornwell is trying to make a long running series a la Sharpe out of the Uhtred story, and in this book he seems to be trying to remedy some of the shortcomings of the previous books. Alfred, who was a fairly major player in the first two books, doesn't really appear much in this book, and it breaks the pattern of the climactic set piece battle set in the prev...more
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Read in September, 2008
I enjoyed this very much, although I wonder just how wise it is to drive suburban streets while listening to graphic descriptions of people hitting each other with sharp swords. Having listened to the previous book in this series, it was very interesting to hear differences in the styles of the two readers - having become used to Tom Sellwood's more restrained style for The Pale Horseman, it took me a little time to get used to Richard Armitage's more vigorous narration for this book (ah, but he...more
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Read in March, 2008
Cornwell is one of my absolute favorite authors and this book is right up to his usual standard.
In many ways this series (The Saxon Tales) seems to be an attempt by Cornwell the move away from his usual formula (as exemplified by the Sharpe books). Mind you, it is a subtle departure. Still, he uses fewer of his "standard" characters, he experiments with some new plot devices, and the dialog has a bit of a different flavor. The books are also written in first person, which I'm ...more
In many ways this series (The Saxon Tales) seems to be an attempt by Cornwell the move away from his usual formula (as exemplified by the Sharpe books). Mind you, it is a subtle departure. Still, he uses fewer of his "standard" characters, he experiments with some new plot devices, and the dialog has a bit of a different flavor. The books are also written in first person, which I'm ...more
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Read in November, 2007
recommends it for:
Adults with an interest in historical fiction of ninth century England.
The Saxon Chronicles series follows the fictional warrior, Uhtred, in an ongoing conflict between the Christian English, and pagan Danes for control of ninth century England. While the main protagonist is fictional, most of the other prominent characters and events are based on actual characters and events. It is a fascinating look into the culture, people, and conflicts of the time. Cornwell’s characters are believable and interesting and you will become utterly immersed in the struggles. ...more
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Read in December, 2007
This is the third in The Saxon Tales series and, surprisingly, the best thus far. These works of historical fiction tell the story of King Alfred the Great's efforts to unite Saxon/Christian England against the encroaching pagan Danes. This series isn't as good as Cornwell's Warlord Chronicles trilogy, which is a terrific, imaginative retelling of the Arthurian legend. That's absolutely a classic and, while The Saxon Tales series doesn't match that trilogy, what they share in common is a nega...more
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Continuing on in the Saxon tales, Lords of the North delivers the type of political intrigue that frustrates you to NO end... full of glorious (if not gruesome) battle and furthering belittlement of that funny little religion that would spread to dominate much of the world, and certainly england at the time. Our hero is actually making some progress in what the reader supposes ought to be his outcome, after a swift kick in the crotch of hope, because by book three we are trained to know that the...more
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Read in October, 2007
This series has been my first dip into historical fiction and I'd say Cornwell did a great job of getting me hooked. Happy to hear it sounds like this'll be more then a trilogy because I love Uhtred like I loved Arnold in Conan before he became my governor. I love the brutality of these stories and even more the comradery. I love how he turns all his women into nuns. I love Thyra & the dogs at the end of this. Very much a great read. Looking forward to the next!
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Now officially my favorite series from BC. This is the third of four about Dark Ages England, historical fiction and apparently accurate. The main character is like Conan. One of the reviews on the back called him the "the Han Solo of the Ninth Century." I like that. The depiction of Christian religion at this time is hilarious. I got this one in the mail before the second. Out of order, but I had to finish it anyway. Awesome.
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recommended to Matthew by:
My brother-in-law Keith
This is the third book of the Saxon series, The last Kindom, The pale horseman, Lords of the North, and Sword Song. The series cronicals the Viking invasion of England and a English boy (prince) who is kidnaped in a riad and raised by a viking war lord. I really enjoyed the first three and have the fourth on hold.
Matt
Matt
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Read in October, 2008
recommends it for:
HISTORICAL FICTION READERS
MORE HISTORY ABOUT THE BEGINNINGS OF ENGLAND DURING KING ALFREDS AND KING GUTHRED'S TIME. IT FOLLOWS THE TALE OF UHTRED OF BEBBANBURG AND HIS QUEST TO GET HIS LAND AND TITLE BACK WHILE SERVING KING ALFRED. LOTS OF BLOOD AND GUTS BUT ALSO THE LOVE AND LOYALTY BETWEEN UHTRED AND HIS FRIENDS.
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I thought this was the most enjoyable book in the saxon series so far. Maybe it's because the main character is becoming more dementional. I do enjoy learning about the different political, religous struggles that shaped what is now known as England. I am looking forward to the next book.
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Read in April, 2008
I initially "read" this as an audio book (narrated by the amazing Richard Armitage) and was so captivated that I had to read the hard copy, too.
It's a rolicking good adventure story full of blood, gore, honor, love, betrayal and just desserts. "Fate is inexorable." Or is it?
It's a rolicking good adventure story full of blood, gore, honor, love, betrayal and just desserts. "Fate is inexorable." Or is it?
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This is the second book in a series. I didn't read the first one, but this book made me want to read the third one (which the library doesn't have yet, so I'll have to get back to you). If you don't like war and Anglo-Saxons, avoid this book.
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Read in June, 2008
This book was very readable. I enjoyed the story a lot but this book seemed to be a bit more predictable. Unlike with the previous two books, you can guess what will happen. But even knowing what was coming, I still liked the story.
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Read in April, 2008
2 stars = average read. Typical viking book, if its your thing you will like it. Has a cheesy Lord of the Rings/Eragon fill (swords with names,kings in disguise)
I Rate it PG-13 for language and pillage and rape talk
I Rate it PG-13 for language and pillage and rape talk
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Read in February, 2008
recommends it for:
Anyone at all, excellent series
I have this as an audio-book read by Richard Armitage (you have to be careful as there is an abridged version by someone else). It is so good that I then went out and bought the book and the others in the series.
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Read in April, 2008
Empieza mejor que acaba y tiene algún pasaje -en especial el penúltimo episodio- un tanto increíble. En cualquier caso, una digna tercera entrega de la -hasta el momento- mejor saga de Cornwell.
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