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

Amazing way to unfold glory of Lord UthredTaking back his FortressTen Books and Lovely journey of War Lord

Sometimes, a series can go on too long. Sometimes, authors are tempted to drag a story out until the reader rather wishes it had ended a few books ago. So I will say right away that, for me, we should never have reached this latest book in Bernard Cornwell's series detailing the fictional life of Uhtred of Bebbanburg. Why it's gone on so long, I'm not sure. But the early books have now been turned into TV drama, which will have greatly increased sales, and may have persuaded author or publisher to prolong the series beyond its natural life.The series started very promisingly. After all, Cornwell is a great writer of historical fiction, and Uhtred is an interesting and likeable character. However, after the first few books, several successive volumes were really very repetitive. Yes, they meshed with historical figures and events, but effectively each story had basically the same premise. After coming to the rescue at the end of the previous book, Uhtred is sent away again, because he's a pagan, a problem, an outsider. Then trouble comes, and he's finally recalled and saves the day. Oh, there are tales in between, mainly around his attempts to recapture his ancestral lands and castle, but sometimes I wondered if I was re-reading a book I'd already read.This volume has Uhtred nearer to his goal of retaking Bebbanberg, but events intervene, and he has other promises to honour before he can return home. Pleasingly, this story has more of the originality and inventiveness we normally associate with Cornwell. One or two new characters appear who bring some much needed depth and one or two older participants prepare to leave the stage. The action is as real as always, and the politics and religious skulduggery are all there.As usual, one cannot fault the author's writing; Cornwell is a master of his art (or he has an exceptional editor). His writing flows, leading you from page to page, from scene to scene, without you being aware of the passage of time. The threads of the story overlap and interweave seamlessly. The problem for me, even in this improved episode, is that I no longer really care about the characters. There is no longer any real suspense.This is the best of the recent entries in the series. I will probably read the next volume, but I'm certainly not waiting with baited breath, as I was when the series began. I'm not sure how many books are left before poor old Uhtred can rest his tired bones, but I sincerely hope it's soon. I think Cornwell owes him some peace.*You can read all my reviews in full on my blog. The link is on my profile page.*

The 10th novel in Bernard Cornwall’s ‘Last Kingdom’ series. The story continues in the reign of King Edward (Alfred the Great’s son) and the Saxon’s now control much of England. There is a truce between the Saxons and the Vikings, so our hero Uhtred, decides he will attempt to retake Bebbanburg, the family estate that was stolen from him by his Uncle when he was a boy. As with the rest of the series, this is a highly entertaining book, that moves at a fast pace with lots of action. A lot less focus on historic fact in this novel. This is due to the need to concentrate on our fictional hero’s ambitions. However, this does not detract from yet another excellent book from a master storyteller. Another great read.

Uhtred rides again! Yaaay! He's doing a little less maiming and killing personally and handing over to his son a bit more, but he's still as sharp and sneaky as ever. But does he win back his ancestral home, the one thing that's eluded him throughout his long life? Have to read the book to find out!My daughter-in-law keeps saying to me 'how can you read all this violent stuff?' but life was more violent then. The king rode into battle, usually, at the head of his army. As Mr Cornwell keeps saying, you could smell your enemy's breath and, if you were injured, you probably died. With a tiny bit of imagination, you can fight in the shieldwall with Uhtred and feel the terror of it. Nowadays, Uhtred would probably be really successful in Mergers and Acquisitions and no actual blood would be spilt! But he's a really smart, kind, loyal man and he's so easy to identify with and to root for. I love these books to bits and I hope he lives forever!

This is the tenth novel in the Uhtred series. In this one, King Edward the Elder's son in law Aethelhelm is plotting with various others to ensure that this grandson succeeds to the throne, rather than the King's eldest son, by an earlier wife, Athelstan. Danes, Scots and various others all form part of the complex tapestry of struggle across the country. More centrally, our "hero" Uhtred finally succeeds in his lifetime's ambition to recapture his ancestral home, the fortress of Bebbanburgh, usurped by his uncle when he was a child. Needless to say, this struggle involves the usual bloodlust and battle-joy, Uhtred and his followers swimming through the blood of their enemies to win victory. But this victory does not mark the end of Uhtred's story, as there are at least two more books to follow.

Book 10 in the series- I have all the others, and have paid actual money for all of them. I hardly need to tell you any more.Uhtred is an Anglo-Saxon warlord at the time of King Alfred. As this book opens, Alfred has been dead for a few years, and Uhtred is trying hard to recapture his ancestral home from his usurping cousin.He's a tough guy and a certain amount of bloodshed is involved when someone gets in his way. But it's really about politics, with warfare as the application of that scienceIt's a pity the Cornwell has stopped doing the American Civil War series. Perhaps Starbucks complained?The historical note is interesting - basically, the author made it all up! It's refreshing to see such honesty