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The Pale Horseman
(The Saxon Stories #2)
by
The second installment of Bernard Cornwell’s New York Times bestselling series chronicling the epic saga of the making of England, “like Game of Thrones, but real” (The Observer, London)—the basis for The Last Kingdom, the hit television series.
This is the exciting—yet little known—story of the making of England in the 9th and 10th centuries, the years in which King Alfred ...more
This is the exciting—yet little known—story of the making of England in the 9th and 10th centuries, the years in which King Alfred ...more
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Paperback, 384 pages
Published
December 26th 2006
by Harper Paperbacks
(first published October 3rd 2005)
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Start your review of The Pale Horseman (The Saxon Stories, #2)
Ahhhhh Uhtred you are quite the lad .........
Uhtred of Bebbanburg, Lord of Northumbria is as headstrong, arrogant, and fearless as ever. Now married with a child at the age of 21, he rode into battle to Cynuit and slaughtered the Danish leader, Ubba Lothbrokson. Fully expecting recognition for the deed upon his return to King Alfred, Uhtred meets the inexorable fate he always believed in. The pompous, self-important, Odda the Younger took the credit for the slaying, and no one, not even King
...more
The Pale Horseman is every bit as good as the first book. This, again, feels like another chapter of a man’s life. Uhtred has grown up a little and is more resolute in his ambitions since we last saw him. He has fought in his first shield wall and has completed the transformation from boy to man: he is now a proven warrior and, more importantly, he now has a growing reputation but, not necessarily a good one.
His glory has been stolen by the coward Odda the Younger. He has claimed the victory at ...more
His glory has been stolen by the coward Odda the Younger. He has claimed the victory at ...more
"There comes a moment in life when we see ourselves as others see us. I suppose that is part of growing up, and it is not always comfortable."
I read The Last Kingdom in 2015, while a book it didn't like enough to continue the series. Fast forward 2017, I started watching Vikings and I liked it very much, that in turn made me come back to this series. While the History's Viking has a different plot than this but the theme of Danes' invasion of England is where both match. I am very happy that ...more
I read The Last Kingdom in 2015, while a book it didn't like enough to continue the series. Fast forward 2017, I started watching Vikings and I liked it very much, that in turn made me come back to this series. While the History's Viking has a different plot than this but the theme of Danes' invasion of England is where both match. I am very happy that ...more
"For here starts war, carrion birds sing, and grey wolves howl."
A fragile peace still holds in the realms of Britain. After the forces of Wessex prevailed at Cynuit, the Danes have pulled back. King Alfred thinks himself safe, but in truth the last kingdom of the Saxons is in grave peril...
Writing a sequel to an amazing novel can sometimes be amazingly hard. Bernard Cornwell fulfilled that task with style, and in the process created my personal favourite Uhtred novel and proved himself a master ...more
A fragile peace still holds in the realms of Britain. After the forces of Wessex prevailed at Cynuit, the Danes have pulled back. King Alfred thinks himself safe, but in truth the last kingdom of the Saxons is in grave peril...
Writing a sequel to an amazing novel can sometimes be amazingly hard. Bernard Cornwell fulfilled that task with style, and in the process created my personal favourite Uhtred novel and proved himself a master ...more
Feb 26, 2017
Scott Hitchcock
rated it
liked it
·
review of another edition
Shelves:
historical-fiction
This one took a lot longer to get going than book one but the second half and the ending were very good. The religious overtones to everything Alfred does makes me want to root for the Danes as does the corruption of many of the priests.
Great book
I promise to review as soon as possible
I promise to review as soon as possible
Oh Bernard, how do you do what you do?
If I could write like this man, well, I'd be one very happy chick. And I do not want to write like this to make money, or make fans, or make myself famous, I just want to have this skill for myself, to know that I can do it, to know that I can create magic on paper, although, Bernard Cornwell, in this series at least, is more than merely skilled, he is an absolute master.
Would it be presumptuous of me to say that I think that he is a writer's writer? or ...more
If I could write like this man, well, I'd be one very happy chick. And I do not want to write like this to make money, or make fans, or make myself famous, I just want to have this skill for myself, to know that I can do it, to know that I can create magic on paper, although, Bernard Cornwell, in this series at least, is more than merely skilled, he is an absolute master.
Would it be presumptuous of me to say that I think that he is a writer's writer? or ...more
THE PALE HORSEMEN is the second book in the Cornwell series focusing on England before it was England. Unlike the first book, there's less fighting and more political maneuvering and focus on relationships.
HISTORY: at this time England was something of a bunch of Saxon Kingdoms. Seven, if memory serves. The Saxons had actually taken most of the Kingdom from the Britons & Welsh and had held a good chunk for several hundred years. Now, it's the late 800s and the Danes are seriously beating ...more
HISTORY: at this time England was something of a bunch of Saxon Kingdoms. Seven, if memory serves. The Saxons had actually taken most of the Kingdom from the Britons & Welsh and had held a good chunk for several hundred years. Now, it's the late 800s and the Danes are seriously beating ...more
I can't even......
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"And I looked," Pyrlig said to me, "and I saw a pale horse, and the rider's name was death,"
You like Viking?
You like badasses like my boyfriends, Uhtred??
You want a GOOD STORY????? THEN READ THIS BOOK!!!!!!
Also, I think its safe to say that buying all the books in the series before finishing the first one was a wise choice...
"REINVIGORATE, MAN!" I shouted, then calmly began my review.
Cornwell always does a decent job of adding in just enough historical detail, both physical and immediate, to the story as well as historic and atmospheric for the background. Then he layers on his stock, misunderstood hero regardless of time or place and serves up another entertaining action/adventure story. Hard to argue with a winning recipe, other than the argument that the palette desires something new sooner or later, and that ...more
Cornwell always does a decent job of adding in just enough historical detail, both physical and immediate, to the story as well as historic and atmospheric for the background. Then he layers on his stock, misunderstood hero regardless of time or place and serves up another entertaining action/adventure story. Hard to argue with a winning recipe, other than the argument that the palette desires something new sooner or later, and that ...more
Destiny is all..
Executive Summary: Another enjoyable Historical Fiction book that I probably would have liked a bit better if I hadn't already known what was coming from watching the TV show. I'm really looking forward to book three now.
Full Review
In retrospect I wish I had read this book before watching The Last Kingdom. I had no idea that a 10 episode season would cover two books. That's partly because they glossed over half of the first book, and partly because they cut a lot of detail out.
I had been ...more
Full Review
In retrospect I wish I had read this book before watching The Last Kingdom. I had no idea that a 10 episode season would cover two books. That's partly because they glossed over half of the first book, and partly because they cut a lot of detail out.
I had been ...more
Set between 876 - 878 AD, the Second Saxon Stories novel follows Uhtred’s life in he’s early twenties.
I really liked how the book covered a much shorter timespan than the previous volume, I felt that I got to know Uhtred more as a character.
This series is getting better and better!
I really liked how the book covered a much shorter timespan than the previous volume, I felt that I got to know Uhtred more as a character.
This series is getting better and better!
A worthy follow up to its predecessor. Bernard Cornwell, apart from having a talent for writing epic duels and battles, is also proving to be a great story teller. I loved all the new characters he added and enjoyed revisiting the old ones, including the Danes.
Uhtred's arc was fun. Mainly because he's becoming a great warrior and we get to see him build his reputation. Proud and arrogant, fearless and unpredictable and thus respected and feared. But now he is also growing into a leader and a ...more
Uhtred's arc was fun. Mainly because he's becoming a great warrior and we get to see him build his reputation. Proud and arrogant, fearless and unpredictable and thus respected and feared. But now he is also growing into a leader and a ...more
The Pale Horseman gets a solid 4 stars. BC is a very good writer but I’m not feeling like he is stretching himself here. Not that his writing is flawed, no way. I could not put this book down and just raced through it. I thought his battle scenes were as bloody and chaotic and good as ever. His characters were likeable or despicable and you do care about them. But it seemed too much of a template to get 5 stars. His main character, Uhtred, is a young rebellious youth, much like the main
...more
This is a wonderful second novel in The Saxon Stories series. The young English nobleman Uhtred, captured and raised by the Danes, is called upon by King Alfred to save his kingdom from the Danes. King Alfred is just learning about human nature, and does not recognize when his enemies are being deceptive. But he is smart, and he learns from his mistakes.
Uhtred is a warrior, and he is very good. He revels in his fight. He yearns for battle, with incredible enthusiasm. But he is still young and ...more
Uhtred is a warrior, and he is very good. He revels in his fight. He yearns for battle, with incredible enthusiasm. But he is still young and ...more
Jul 06, 2016
Tosh
rated it
it was amazing
·
review of another edition
Shelves:
bernard-cornwell,
re-read
**RTC
This isn't just a war over land, it's a war about God. And Alfred...is Christ's servant...
The shield wall is a terrible place. It is where a warrior makes his reputation, and reputation is dear to us.
Wow! That last 50 pages or so were awesome...That's just an estimate, since I listened to the audio and didn't have the page count right in front of me.
After several disappointing endings in books lately, this was refreshing. The finish actually brought my rating up, instead of the opposite as some have done recently.
I've long heard that Bernard Cornwell is the best at describing battles. If I wasn't convinced already, I am now.
After several disappointing endings in books lately, this was refreshing. The finish actually brought my rating up, instead of the opposite as some have done recently.
I've long heard that Bernard Cornwell is the best at describing battles. If I wasn't convinced already, I am now.
This was a brutal read. I love historical fiction when it gets real like this. The characters were vivid and realistic. The author understands the era and how to bring us into it.
All of the basic themes are present, betrayal, revenge, cruelty, heroism etc. The story never really slows down- it's pace is consistent with a building sensation towards the end. This was a good, brutal read. So far this series is a go-to consistently good read that I will return to from time to time.
All of the basic themes are present, betrayal, revenge, cruelty, heroism etc. The story never really slows down- it's pace is consistent with a building sensation towards the end. This was a good, brutal read. So far this series is a go-to consistently good read that I will return to from time to time.
I just wanted to take the time to mention just how much I'm enjoying this series to date and to thank all the readers who have recommended this series to me over the years.....Loving this stirring series of a bygone era. Well crafted with a wonderful hero in Uhtred, and a superb cast of supporting characters. Time and money well spent.
What a fun series this is turning out to be. I read the first book in this series and then proceeded to binge watch every single episode of the TV version on Netflix in less than one day. From having already seen the episodes this book covers, I knew what was going to happen. It was a pleasant surprise that this wasn't exactly the TV version. So there were new elements.
I loved the MC. He was a strong POV and it comes through in vivid and rich way. What's not to love? I have the next one in the ...more
I loved the MC. He was a strong POV and it comes through in vivid and rich way. What's not to love? I have the next one in the ...more
Uhtred the warrior lord must decide whether to help the Saxon King Alfred to defend the kingdom of Wessex against the invading Danes.
An entertaining adventure, full of action and leading to a spectacular battle scene, this was a gripping read. The time and place are brilliantly evoked, conveying what it was like to live in 9th century Wessex, as different tribes fought for supremacy, and Christianity took on the pagan gods.
The main problem for me is that Uhtred is a bit of a cartoon character. ...more
An entertaining adventure, full of action and leading to a spectacular battle scene, this was a gripping read. The time and place are brilliantly evoked, conveying what it was like to live in 9th century Wessex, as different tribes fought for supremacy, and Christianity took on the pagan gods.
The main problem for me is that Uhtred is a bit of a cartoon character. ...more
I have read all the books so far in Cornwell’s Saxon series, and this is my favorite book so far. Of course, since I loved “The Last Kingdom” so much, I almost couldn’t wait to get my hands on it, and then read it in two days.
What can I say; I just adore mean old Uhtred, despite his flaws and his sometimes unethical behavior. I do believe one of Cornwell's flaws is he doesn’t write the best female characters, but I find his male characters so interesting and fun, it doesn’t bother me much.
I ...more
What can I say; I just adore mean old Uhtred, despite his flaws and his sometimes unethical behavior. I do believe one of Cornwell's flaws is he doesn’t write the best female characters, but I find his male characters so interesting and fun, it doesn’t bother me much.
I ...more
This is the second of the series but you can read it standing alone and it still makes a complete story because the events in this book are of vital importance in the life of Alfred The Great. In fact, these are the events that made him what he is. There is enough adventure, betrayal, oaths, and loyalty that was the seal of the people of that time and the constant struggle of the priests, bishops and church to gather riches and people to them while influencing the King and rulers! Full review
...more
Jul 13, 2014
Rosanna
rated it
it was amazing
·
review of another edition
Shelves:
historical,
fiction
"One more defeat and there would probably never have been a political entity called England. We might have had a Daneland instead, and this novel would probably have been written in Danish."
That was actually a quote from the authors "historical note" listed at the books end.
I'm always nervous to read a second book in a series as I'm usually always disappointed. But, I loved book one so much and wanted to continue with Uthreds story. I happy to report that book 2 was all and more then I ever ...more
That was actually a quote from the authors "historical note" listed at the books end.
I'm always nervous to read a second book in a series as I'm usually always disappointed. But, I loved book one so much and wanted to continue with Uthreds story. I happy to report that book 2 was all and more then I ever ...more
I enjoyed this book every bit as much as I enjoyed the first one. This series has quickly become one of my favorites, as has the author.
At the risk of giving away any of the plot, I'll keep this short. Uhtred & his companions have become so dear to me, it's like I have no choice but to continue their story, so I know I'm going to keep reading this series.
I think what does it for me is Cornwell's writing. His writing flows so well that the pages flew by, and I wasn't even aware that I was ...more
At the risk of giving away any of the plot, I'll keep this short. Uhtred & his companions have become so dear to me, it's like I have no choice but to continue their story, so I know I'm going to keep reading this series.
I think what does it for me is Cornwell's writing. His writing flows so well that the pages flew by, and I wasn't even aware that I was ...more
Yet again, Cornwell has cracked it! This is exactly as historical fiction should be: bring that history to life.
One cannot help but be swept along as Uhtred recalls his adventures in Wessex and the south west of England. He questions King Alfred and the Christian ideology of the early Saxons, when one could only find favour with the King through demonstrating complete commitment to God. Consequently, his greatest enemies are the priests of Alfred's court. His enemies in battle, no matter what ...more
One cannot help but be swept along as Uhtred recalls his adventures in Wessex and the south west of England. He questions King Alfred and the Christian ideology of the early Saxons, when one could only find favour with the King through demonstrating complete commitment to God. Consequently, his greatest enemies are the priests of Alfred's court. His enemies in battle, no matter what ...more
I’ve had several books from the Saxon Chronicles on my TBR for quite a while but only started reading them after watching the TV series, Last Kingdom on BBC. The first book, The Last Kingdom, begins the story of Uhtred, a Saxon boy taken by the Danes while attacking Northumbria in the late 800’s.
In The Pale Horseman, Uhtred is now in his early 20’s -- a man with a wife, a child and a sworn oath to his king, Albert. Albert’s Wessex is the last of the “English” kingdoms remaining as the others ...more
In The Pale Horseman, Uhtred is now in his early 20’s -- a man with a wife, a child and a sworn oath to his king, Albert. Albert’s Wessex is the last of the “English” kingdoms remaining as the others ...more
I really liked this book especially the first part and the last part, but it did not have as many interesting danes in it like the first book.
What made the first book awesome for me was the number of interesting danish characters, and although this book has its danish characters but we do not explore them as much as I would have liked.
We continue the story of Uthred in this book, and he goes from all cycles of fall/depression/hope and finally resurrection.
The battle scenes continue to be ...more
What made the first book awesome for me was the number of interesting danish characters, and although this book has its danish characters but we do not explore them as much as I would have liked.
We continue the story of Uthred in this book, and he goes from all cycles of fall/depression/hope and finally resurrection.
The battle scenes continue to be ...more
As always for me me Bernard Cornwell writes another cannot put down series. This is the 2nd book of the Saxon Kingdom series & a page turner. I just loved before each battle how King Alfred would compare it to a battle from the Bible.
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| Goodreads Librari...: Incorrect cover image | 2 | 12 | Sep 06, 2018 05:06AM | |
| Michael Palance | 1 | 9 | Aug 16, 2017 07:02PM | |
| The Not a Book Cl...: TPH: Section 3 - Chapters 9-13 (Full Spoilers) | 18 | 19 | Dec 23, 2016 04:59PM | |
| The Not a Book Cl...: TPH: Section 2 - Chapters 5-8 | 12 | 14 | Dec 20, 2016 04:56AM | |
| The Not a Book Cl...: TPH: Section 1 - Chapters 1-4 | 10 | 24 | Dec 16, 2016 07:03PM | |
| The Not a Book Cl...: TPH: General Discussion (No Spoilers) | 13 | 20 | Jan 12, 2016 08:17AM |
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Cornwell was born in London in 1944. His father was a Canadian airman, and his mother, who was English, a member of the Women's Auxiliary Air Force. He was adopted and brought up in Essex by the Wiggins family, who were members of the Peculiar People, a strict Protestant sect who banned frivolity of all kinds and even medicine. After he left them, he changed his name to his birth mother's maiden
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The Saxon Stories
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“There is such joy in chaos. Stow all the world's evils behind a door and tell men that they must never, ever, open the door, and it will be opened because there is pure joy in destruction.”
—
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“Life is simple," I said. "Ale, women, sword, and reputation. Nothing else matters.”
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