This is the first book in Bernard Cornwell's Saxon Chronicles, and if you like historical fiction you will not want to miss this one. Cornwell takes us to the mid-800's (yes, that's 800, not 1800) for the story of Uhtred, a young English boy who is taken hostage by a group of marauding Danes and adopted by them.
I wasn't sure I was going to like the book at first. It's very heavy on war and battle, which is not particularly my thing. But the characters just grabbed me, particularly Uhtred, who is a smart kid who seems to be able to handle what anyone throws at him, and Ragnor, the violent but good-hearted and principled Dane who changes his life forever. It's also a really compelling and true story about how the Dane's picked the kingdoms of the British Isles apart until only one - Wessex, ruled by Albert - is left standing. This is basically the beginning of the birth of modern-day England, and Albert has become known as Albert the Great.
History buffs, anglophiles, and battle-lovers will all enjoy this book. I'm looking forward to reading the next one!
The Last Kingdom
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