The Flame Bearer (The Last Kingdom Series, Book 10)

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We finally did it!! Knew it was coming! Uthred himself tells us in the last few paragraphs of the last book, Warriors of the Storm. After decades of exile Uthreds got an army and he’s going home!!

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 name, Cornwell. Special thanks to my Patrons on Patreon for giving me extra support towards my passion for reading and reviewing! Astonishing storytelling skills. Bernard Cornwell brought 9th and 10th century England alive for me.Bernard Cornwell ranks as the current alpha male of testosterone-enriched historical fiction . Cornwell offers dramatic battle scenes with big swinging swords. There is also treachery, male bonding, plenty of historical nuggets and a skillful examination of the powerful role played by religion in the Dark Ages. -- USA Today"

The Saxon Chronicles has been a historical fiction series following the story of King Albert the Great of Wessex and his offspring. Unlike the other books in the series, Cornwell does not have to worry about historical accuracy in this book. In this book, he can allow his imagination to run free. Of course, he still stays within the historical parameters of his series. Uhtred recaptures his Babbenberg home, land and titles. Here we are at book 10 of this series and it's not the ending. We finally get some good plot progress in this book however. I liked it more than its predecessor but since War of the Wolf is scheduled to come out later this year the series will be at at 11 books, when I think it might have better to end with 10. I have previously written that I think that the author writes the best battle scenes of anyone in this genre. The author still writes vivid battle scenes. Uhtred’s father was the lord of Bebbanburg and Uhtred was the heir. However, his uncle usurped the throne in Uhtred’s absence. Across the 10 books, Uhtred never forgets his vow to return to Bebbanburg, regain his rightful throne, and exact revenge upon his uncle. In The Flame Bearer, Uhtred finally attempts to make good on his vow. Many of the novel’s characters, including King Edward, his sister, Æthelflaed, and his son Æthelstan, the presumptive heir to the throne, Æthelhelm and his grandson (and King Edward’s second son) Ælfweard, (whom Æthelhelm would like to see king), and King Constantin, are all historical figures, but they performed none of the actions attributed to them in the novel.

Further Reading

persuades Uhtred not to kill Æthelhelm but to ransom him so he can replenish his coffers and diminish Æthelhelm's ability to buy more men into his service. Æthelstan also suggests Uhtred keep Æthelhelm's daughter – Ælswyth, who was supposed to be wed to Uhtred’s cousin as part of the resupply deal – as a hostage and this is much to Uhtred’s son’s liking as he has taken a shine to her. Uhtred then goes and tells the Scots to leave his land, which they do, for now.

The tenth 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. books down, 3 to go! Well, technically 2 more books. The last book isn’t going to be released until later this year. And trust me, I am counting down the days. But I digress. The Flame Bearer by Bernard Cornwell is the 10th book in the Saxon Stories Series. Uhtred of Bebbanburg has fought in many shield walls. He is getting older but he is still fighting his way to reclaim his family home, Bebbanburg. Britain is at peace…but it all could collapse at any moment. His son-in-law rules in Northumbria. Aethelflaed still rules in Mercia, but she is ill. Edward rules in Wessex but Uhtred’s enemies are still present in Edward’s court. The time comes for Uhtred to head to Bebbanburg but a new enemy has appeared…the Scots. Earl Haesten– A Danish Jarl (earl), who previously broke a life-oath to Uhtred who is now a dangerous enemy, seemingly based on a Viking leader of the same name recorded in the Anglo-Saxon ChronicleThe singing grew stronger as the crews of the other three ships joined in, chanting the song of burning triumph in time to their oar strokes as we beat our way northwards along the Northumbrian coast. And as the sun touched the world’s edge with the day’s new fire a small wind ruffled the water, rippling it from the east. As long as she rules, Uhtred will not raise a hand against the Saxons. The Danes’ English territory has been reduced to only Northumbria. Bebbanburg (modern-day Bamburgh), an impregnable fortress located on the rugged coast of Northumbria, is now ruled by Uhtred’s cousin, his father having died, thus cheating Uhtred of his revenge. It is under siege by invading Scots led by King Constantin with support from Danish fighters. War and fight scenes are chillingly realistic. I really felt like I was there with Uhtred, fighting every new enemy or being part of countless shield wars. I was born a Saxon, but raised by Danes, my daughter had married a Norseman, my dearest friend was Irish, my woman was a Saxon, the mother of my children had been Danish, my gods were pagan, and my oath was sworn to AEthelflaed, a Christian. Whose side was I on?” While I enjoyed this one, for me it was one of the weakest, narratively speaking, of the 10 so far. But, this book was necessary to move on. This is the book, as a reader, I’ve been waiting for. You spend the first 9 books building to get to this point and even though the narrative wasn’t quite as strong as the others, it was still totally worth it! Still super impressed with Cornwells Magical writing ability and battle scenes and how they absolutely capture the readers attention and keep you invested even after 10 books!