The Empty Throne is Cornwell’s best Uthred tale yet. If there is a throne for writers of this particular type of muscular historical fiction, then Cornwell is firmly wedged in it. And on this evidence, he is not budging.
Cornwell once again shows his acknowledged mastery of fast-paced storytelling, full of exciting incident and an unflinching approach to bloodshed.
Excellent . .. Mysticism, history, brutality, muck, and mire combine to splendid effect in this compelling fictional version of the birth of a great nation.
This novel easily stands alone, with perfectly choreographed battle scenes and political infighting . .. . The lusty, rollicking narrative.... is totally accessible and great good fun. Cornwell’s done it again. New readers: Draw a flagon of ale, and be prepared to find the first seven in the series.” — Kirkus
“Excellent . .. Mysticism, history, brutality, muck, and mire combine to splendid effect in this compelling fictional version of the birth of a great nation.” — Booklist
“Verdict: Once again, Cornwell perfectly mixes the history and personalities of tenth-century England with several doses of battles, trickery, and treachery. Is there a fan of historical fiction anywhere who has not yet read a Cornwell? If so, hook them on this series, and they will knight you.” — Library Journal
“The Empty Throne is Cornwell’s best Uthred tale yet. If there is a throne for writers of this particular type of muscular historical fiction, then Cornwell is firmly wedged in it. And on this evidence, he is not budging.” — The Times (London)
“Cornwell once again shows his acknowledged mastery of fast-paced storytelling, full of exciting incident and an unflinching approach to bloodshed.” — Daily Mail
“An effortlessly engaging ride.” — Mail on Sunday, EVENT Magazine
Cornwell once again shows his acknowledged mastery of fast-paced storytelling, full of exciting incident and an unflinching approach to bloodshed.
Excellent . .. Mysticism, history, brutality, muck, and mire combine to splendid effect in this compelling fictional version of the birth of a great nation.
Historical novelist Bernard Cornwell's Saxon Tales series may not be to all tastes, but Matt Bates's narration adds a great deal of pleasure He deftly manages the variations in pacing and keeps clear who is speaking—Aethelred, Aethelflaed, Aethelhelm, Aethelstan, or any combination. Deploying varying tones as well as regional and class accents, he doesn't need to create individual voices except in the cases of a few characters. Those who have been following the series will not be disappointed as Uhtred Uhtredsson fights battles in Mercia and Wales, plots to gain the throne of Mercia for Lady Aethelflaed, and worries about his children. D.M.H. © AudioFile 2015, Portland, Maine
2014-12-07
As conspiracies breed in their wake, Lord Uhtred of Bebbanburg and Lady Æthelflaed ally to drive invaders from Mercia in Cornwell's (The Pagan Lord, 2014, etc.) eighth in his Saxon series. "In the year of our Lord 911," Alfred the Great is gone. "Alfred had dreamed of uniting the Saxons. That meant driving the Danes out of northern Mercia, from East Anglia, and, eventually, from Northumbria." King Edward now rules Wessex, and Lord Æthelred is Edward's reeve in Mercia, but he's been mortally wounded in battle, and it is his wife, Lady Æthelflaed, who has "the love of the Mercians." A heroine lost in history's mist, the lady is Cornwell's homage to a warrior, a leader who preserved Mercia against invading Danes and the Vikings encroaching from Ireland. With her lover Uhtred, Æthelflaed fights battles across "Englaland"—the best and bloodiest against the Viking lord Sigtryggr—and manipulates the ealdormen (lords) to accept her leadership upon Æthelred's death. This novel easily stands alone, with perfectly choreographed battle scenes and political infighting between Æthelhelm, Edward's father-in-law, "the richest man in Wessex," and Eardwulf, Æthelred's traitorous henchman. The protagonists, and Uhtred's daughter, Stiorra, who flees with Sigtryggr, are perfectly drawn. Other characters shine: the giant Gerbruht and Folcbald, Frisian warriors; Finan, Uhtred's droll second-in-command; and Eadith, Eardwulf's sister, who wins Uhtred's affection and heals him with his vanquished enemy's sword. Despite Cornwell's use of ancient names and places, the lusty, rollicking narrative (accompanied by a map) is totally accessible and great good fun. Cornwell's done it again. New readers: Draw a flagon of ale, and be prepared to find the first seven in the series.
