Review 685: The Last Kingdom

The Last Kingdom by Bernard Cornwell
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Last year on a whim at a used books store, during a sale I bought several books in this series by Bernard Cornwell. The ancient setting somehow looked appealing. Getting this deep into an author and series unknown to me is not something I typically do. But why not, it helps support a local independent bookstore.

After completing this first book, I am fine with continuing the series, even though I generally don’t read series (although exceptions abound).

Set in the late 9th century Uhtred son of Uhtred is captured by the Danes while trying to avenge the death of his older brother, and his father. Uhtred was still a boy, and Ragnor was amused by this boy’s attempt to attack him. So Ragnor adopted Uhtred.

This first book covers Uhhred’s early life, until being a married man with a young boy of his own. Uhtred became one of those men whose loyalty lies with both the Saxons of Britain and the invading forces of the Danes. He is steeped in the customs of both cultures and religions, as well as languages. It makes for a very interesting story line.