The Last Kingdom, by Bernard Cornwell
5/5
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Honestly, one of the best books I’ve read recently. It goes straight into my “Favourite Historical Fiction Novels” category. Let’s dive into the review.
The Plot
Uhtred is the son of the Ealdorman of Bebbanburg, a fortress in Northumbria. As a nine-years-old, he is not interested in learning his letters, taught by Father Beocca. Instead, he wants to be a valiant warrior, and one day, he can finally accompany his father on the battlefield. His father’s and other Ealdormen’s armies want to take back Eoferwic, which had just been conquered by the Danes, and Uhtred should be there only as a spectator, on a hill far from the battle. However, he disobeys his father’s orders, he launches himself in an attack against a Dane, who laughs at him, disarms him, and kidnaps him. The attack to Eoferwic fails, Uhtred is orphaned and now his life is in the hands of Ragnar, an Earl and warlord among the Danes. Ragnar likes Uhtred and his courage (or foolishness), and decides to make him a Dane. And so Uhtred grows up among the Danes, he believes in their Gods, he becomes a warrior and Ragnar’s son. Treason, however, is awaiting. And it’s the treason of one of the fellow Danes, Kjartan, that has consequences that will force Uhtred to reconsider completely his loyalties and his role.
The Good
Everything. Ok I will be more specific.
First of all, it is historically accurate. Very accurate. So the ones in the book are not pop-culture Vikings, they are true historical Danes. And the Anglo-Saxons are accurate too. The author did a great job consulting different sources and documents.
The story is gripping and Uhtred is not depicted as the usual war hero that saves the day. He has to learn how to command people, he has to learn how to use his abilities to his benefit, and he has to understand that courage and foolishness are very different.
The battles are incredibly detailed, so much that in certain moments I felt like I was there, watching the action and hearing the battle cries.
The Bad
None, really.
My Opinion
I’d 100% recommend this book to people that have a soft spot for Vikings and the invasion of Britain, and to people who like stories with a lot of strategy, politics, and battles. I absolutely loved this book, and I already bought the second one in the series.
