Books : Sword Song (Alfred the Great 4)

Rating: - Uninspiring
As I find this period of British history fascinating I thought I'd give Sword song a try, but I must admit defeat - I have abandoned reading it after ony 73 pages. Yes, it has period feel, yes, the research is there - but it fails to hold me. I find the personalities less than gripping, and the story doesn't really flow for me. Obviously a matter of taste as the author is very popular!
I would recommend the books by Alfred Duggan from the same period - the same gritty imperfect heroes, but a style I much prefer.

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Rating: - not as good
Sadly, I was very disapointed with this book, definitely not a patch on the other three, I really was very disapointed and feel quite let down. Alfred was portrayed as a untrustworthy idiot, only interested in his books and his priests. The Danes I am sure would have most certainly killed any "traitor" out of hand, and were the Irish ever involved? if they were, I certainly never learnt that in school, and in my day we were actually taught History although we did know that the Norseman did land there in Eire and make settlements, as they did in America.
I just hope that the next book is better.

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Rating: - History lessons you don't fall asleep during!
Well I'll get all the negative stuff out of the way first! Uhtred really is just a dark ages 'Sharpe' he even has an Irish side kick now and whilst Sharpe was loathed as a commoner amongst upper class twit fellow officers, Uhtred is loathed because he is a pagan amongst pious preachy christians!

That said for many years I loved Sharpe! and likewise I am loving Uhtred and the Saxons, a major part of our national history largely ignored till now! Romans and vikings by the score, Saxons, hardly any!.

Back to the book it's architypical Cornwell. Our hero is unloved by his masters, out numbered by his foe's but backed up by his savage comrades. Yes we've seen it a hundred times before from Cornwell but it is such a winning formula and he does it probably better than anyone. Also I like the stories being told from the first person perspective by Uhtred himself as you really feel like you are in the heart of the action.

This book starts with the re-taking of London from the Danes an actual event but then takes a sharp left down imagination lane to put Uhtred in a daring rescue bid. As with most Cornwell stories the action is compelling gritty and believable, the book is fast paced though perhaps a hundred pages short of what we normally expect of him.

We are promised more Uhtred action shortley by the author and I'll no doubt be there with my credit card though I hope he doesn't over do it as I felt he did with Sharpe as there are so many other great bits of history he can take us to but I have not quite had enough of Uhtred yet! So I'll be sharpening my battle axe for next time.

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Rating: - Sword Song (Alfred the Great 4)
I do agree with Barks. When is the next one going to be published? This series of books throws some light on the Dark Ages amidst high adventure. Plenty of blood and gore and a superb story with some twists to keep the reader page turning.

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Rating: - Great series - not a great book
I was really looking forward to this book after the first 2 complete belters in the series and a good 3rd. However, im sad to say i was let down. Uhtred is an awesome character but this story does drag on. Im sure this is not the case but i feel the book was released too quickly to continue the story and not as much care and attention went into it as in the first 2 books in the series. There are some cool bits dont get me wrong - the last battle to release the river blockade is pretty cool and Uhtred beating up a few power hungry king boot lickers (along with a few priests!! :) but the rest is a bit boring. Too much emphasis on religion. I know religion was important during this period but this is historic fiction so mention religion a bit but put in more battles, please. I started The Winter King for the 2nd time(the awesome arthur book by the great Cornwell) after and that is the sort of quality this book is missing. Shame - the series is getting worse book by book - lets hope the 5th gets back to the standard of the 1st 2.