Uhtred Rides Again

If you have picked up Bernard Cornwell's The Pagan Lord, chances are quite good that you've read the previous six books in the series. So it should come as little or no surprise to know what you've got ahead of you as a reader, and, if you are like me, you are going to be just as thrilled with this seventh installment as you were three, four, five, or six installments ago.

So what is our Uhtred up to in The Pagan Lord? Being his usual arrogant, irrepressible self, and leading a small core of men across what is now England and back again. Early on, Uhtred accidentally kills a church officer, an incident that incites much of Christendom to want his head on the proverbial platter. After having his estate burned, Uhtred decides the time has come to reclaim his right to Bebbanburg, and he attacks with little or no support. From there, he finds himself deciphering the mystery of whom is holding Cnut's family hostage, and, in the process, putting himself and his men willingly in danger in order to give Alfred's son Edward the time he needs to attack the devious Cnut. It's all business as usual for Uhtred, a man whose intelligence and bravery place him amid the major battles of the early tenth century.

Cornwell has given us a true hero in Uhtred; even when he's at his most arrogant, he still exudes the charm and wits that make him a leader in a time of outlaws and kings. I love how Uhtred gets himself into tight spots from which there seems to be no escape, and yet, somehow, he does; I love that he faces the day with a clear knowledge that it may be his last but he will still make the most of it. Cornwell's battle scenes are exceptional; he places you among the fighters, allowing you to feel every thrust and blow. I admit it; I'm totally enamored of Uhtred and his tales, and there will never be enough chapters for this reader. The Pagan Lord is yet another riveting entry that kept me enthralled right up to the last word. I cannot wait to find out where we will head together next.

~taminator40

Sword Song!

The more I think about Sword Song by Bernard Cornwell, the more I like it. Of course it is the fourth book in the series, which means I've had to like *something* or I wouldn't have kept reading for so long. And I admit that there were a few times while I was reading this that I was mentally comparing it to the previous novels and it wasn't stacking up nearly as well. But then...then...I started getting into the action and suddenly I was as caught up as ever. Uhtred is a hero to cheer on; he's always true to his ideals and that's what I admire most. Despite the plethora of gore, I was captivated by the fighting and maneuvering, and I'm sure I'll be eagerly searching out the next novel when it arrives. I can recommend this one to anyone who enjoys a good historical novel complete with good guys, evil ones, battles, sneak attacks, true love, and undead messengers. My amazon review can be found at http://tinyurl.com/2d2tu3.

~taminator40

Lords of the North Review

I finished Lords of the North by Bernard Cornwell today. It's the third in the Saxon Chronicles, kindly lent to me by book buddy Beth. (Thanks!) While I liked the first book in the series, I really enjoyed The Pale Horseman (#2) and this one. Uhtred, our hero, is over-the-top in many ways but just too cunning and full of himself not to love. Here's the link for my amazon.com review:

http://tinyurl.com/2rc3ln


If you do decide to follow the link, please vote one way or the other. I like knowing others have read my reviews and have a feeling about them, pro or con.

On a side note, I'm really depressed that this is only read #11 for the year. I just haven't been reading as quickly as usual. I'm not even sure what I'll pick up to read next. With over 200 books lying there just waiting, you'd think this wouldn't be a problem, right? Wrong. I'm such a mood reader. Right now I've got a Teresa Medeiros book waiting for me and I hope it's the light, engaging read I'm looking for next. I just hate it when I feel like I can't settle on a book. I did pick up The Boy in the Striped Pajamas to see how it fit this p.m., but only a few pages in I realized that it wasn't what I'd thought it was going to be, so it got put aside and listed at pbs (www.paperbackswap.com). It's already been requested.

So I'll report tomorrow on whether or not the Medeiros book pulls me in. It remains to be seen. I think I'm turning into a grump.

~taminator40