The Burning Land (Saxon Tales #5)

The fifth Saxon saga affirms once again that Bernard Cornwell is one of the best writers of historical fiction

As the ninth century begins to wind down, King Alfred of Wessex is old and dying. The Danes feel the opportunity to conquer Wessex whose great leader has foiled them before is now. Warlord Harald Bloodhair leads the Viking horde invasion by sea and land Mercia and Wessex.

Alfred turns to his oath-bound loyal Saxon pagan warrior Uhtred of Bebbanburg; the warlord defeats Harald, but also breaks his pledge of fealty. Deciding enough of England and its treachery, the warlord and his warriors head home to reclaim his family land. They confront other war parties and a witch's curse only to take another spin back in the world of Alfred and his increasingly Christian nation as the he Danes from East Anglia and the Vikings from Northumbria head once again towards Mercia and Wessex.

The fifth Saxon saga (see Sword Song).affirms once again that Bernard Cornwell is one of the best, if not the top writer, of pre William the Conqueror Dark Ages historical fiction. The story line is fast-paced and filled with plenty of bloody action. However, it is an ailing dying Alfred nearing the end of his "Great" reign and the Saxon pagan warlord Uhtred who bring the period alive as the barbarians are at the gate, but it takes a barbarian to prevent them from entering. Fans will relish this deep tale as The Burning Land is increasingly Mercia and Wessex as Alfred no longer can defend them.

Harriet Klausner

5 out of 6 people found this review helpful.

SAXON VERSUS DANE CONINTUES

The convention continues of a story told by Uhtred, a surly, ancient pagan warrior who was ignored in the official written depictions of history because he had been an embarrassment. However, his reputation as a cunning, ruthless, and terrifying warrior and his proven success makes him an indispensable embarrassment to King Alfred of Wessex and the Saxon English as they seek to retain and regain England. Uhtred's aversion to his overly pious and stingy liege only increases after Alfred declares him an outlaw for killing a priest that slandered his dead wife. Uhtred would rather fight with his Danish friend than for Alfred. However, there are three overpowering motivations in Uhtred's life - his reputation, his love of King Alfred's daughter, Aethelflaed, and his desire to reclaim his ancestral Northumbrian birthright stolen by his uncle. King Alfred manipulates Uhtred through the latter's love of and pledge to his daughter to thwart Danish attempts to add Mercia and Wessex to their Northumbrian and East Anglia domain by defeating them in the battles of Fearnhamme and Benfleet. This excellent series will continue and we can expect Uhtred to continue to be a puppet to the same motivations.

2 out of 3 people found this review helpful.

Saga Continues

Bernard Cornwell's Historic Fiction Series always leave a person impatiantly waiting for the next book to be published. The book finishes some plot lines from the previous books in the series and opens new plots. Though Cornwell uses the same recipe for the majority of his books, they are overwhelmingly entertaining and a refreshing change of pace from the over descriptive style that now seems to be commonplace. My Library contains the majority of Mr. Cornwell's body of work and it will continue to increase with every historic fiction novel he writes.
Uhtred again faces his enemies across the battle line and behind. While pretty ladies have been his undoing and uprising in previous books the same happens here with his wife, a Dane, and Alfred's daughter. Meanwhile, Uhtred gets closer to his main goal of taking his home back from his Uncle.

1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.

He does it AGAIN! Well done!

Cornwell's writing style matches that of James Michner. You read without realizing that you are reading and learning HISTORY! The fictional characters blend so well with the REAL characters that you feel they are ALL real.
Scene setting is done with all aspects of the town, village, city made easy to visualize. Action scenes make you feel like you are experiencing it with the people involved. He makes you feel the cold or heat, smell the odors and hear the sounds.
I have read all of his novels and it has gotten to the point that I buy his novels without regard to the title...just CORNWELL on the cover is enough to convince me to make the purchase. I have not been dissapointed yet.

1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.

superb saxon story

Another superb saxon story from the best historical writer in the business. It treads some new ground, but keeps up with favorite characters also. A history lover would be hard pressed to do better.

1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.

Great series to read

I have never hated a book .... so don't take my world for it, Read it!

Worthwhile series

Violent, fast paced and fun. Really enjoy the series.

Great book.

This is a wonderful read. We love all the books in this series.

Read it!!

The history is fascinating and Cornwell tells it well even though it is via a novel. England is fascinating!! This whole series on the kings of England has been an engrossing read.

Can't wait for the next one in the series!

Just finished this one a couple of minutes ago. It took me a longer time to finish this one due to circumstances unrelated to how the story was written but I'm finally glad that I'm done with it. That was a very triumphant ending (so far) and I can't wait till the new one comes out in this series.

Good Read but very formula

I thought the first book in the series was excellent. I thought it was the first Cornwell book I'd read. As it turns out I'd read Gallow's Thief years earlier, (GREAT BOOK). Anyway as the series continues books 2-5 are the same book. Pure formula.
That said it is still a good read. I

Amazing

one of the best series ive read. I never want to put it down. i think there will be a #6 with all the loose ends there are

Rousing Saxon Tale

Uhtred is back, along with his freinemies Ragnar, Haesten, King Alfred, and others. Uhtred is a bit older now, and more cynical than ever about politics and religion. In this installment, he's once again fighting on the side of the Saxons, though at heart he's still a Viking, and continues to regret his oath of loyalty to King Alfred. He escapes north for awhile, but the wily Alfred uses his daughter as bait to lure Uhtred back to the south. The introduction of Skade, an evil lady who makes Lucrezia Borgia look like Little Mary Sunshine, adds spice and interest to the story. And of course, Uhtred's obsession with reclaiming his inheritance of the castle at Bebbanburg continues. As always, narrative-driven and highly entertaining.

The "Tales" just keep getting better.

Cornwell is amazing. Uhtred and his wry sense of humor in the middle of gore, battle, sheild walls - the gods are capricious, you know. Uhtred, as much as he wants to be "free", just can't help himself to do the right thing. Cornwell's battle descriptions are so intense that I find myself forgetting to breathe. Please...we're all ready for Saxon Tales #6....

I've just recently been introduced to Cornwell's novels and I love them. Couldn't put this one down.

I love history but find history books mostly boring. Historical novelist like Cornwell has a way of telling me the best stories (and true story's are always the best), keeping my interest, and also teaching me something about our past I didn't know. Cornwell has really strong fictional characters and also makes the real ones come to life.

Has some romance, but the "manly" kind. Loved "The Burning Land" and highly recommend.

The Burning Land

I have been a fan of Mr. Cornwell for many years. I have read the entire Sharpe series, the Warlord series, as well as the Grail Quest. He is never disappointing. I have just finished The Burning Land. The way he ends this novel only leaves me wanting to read the sequel asap.When will this come about?

The Saga Continues

Alfred the Great holds England together again. With his trusty Enforcer Uthred's valiant feats Alfred continues to bolster Christianity and nationalism against the nomadic Saxon pagans. Faced with overwhelming odds, good always triumphs over evil as Cornwell's version on ancient English history marches on.

Excellent Series

Bernard Cornwell does it again. This has been my favorite series of his and I sure hope there will be a book #6. As was stated by another poster, this one leaves a lot of loose ends so maybe there will be a book 6.

Cornwell is still great in this fifth book of the Saxon tales.

However, it still leaves certain plotlines unresolved. When can we expect Book 6?!!

great series.

another good book in the great series. It just makes you want to read on
about his life story. Great way to get history out there. Can't wait for
the next.