What do you think?
Rate this book
The Last Kingdom #1-8
The Last Kingdom Books 1-8
BBC2’s Autumn 2015 TV series THE LAST KINGDOM is based on Bernard Cornwell’s bestselling novels on the making of England and the fate of his great hero, Uhtred of Bebbanburg. The first eight books in the series, now in one box set.
THE LAST KINGDOM, THE PALE HORSEMAN, THE LORDS OF THE NORTH, SWORD SONG, THE BURNING LAND, DEATH OF KINGS, THE PAGAN LORD, THE EMPTY THRONE.
Uhtred, born into Saxon aristocracy in ninth-century Northumbria is orphaned at ten. He is captured and adopted by a Dane and taught the Viking ways. Yet Uhtred's fate is indissolubly bound up with Alfred, King of Wessex, who rules over the only English kingdom to survive the Danish assault.
The Last Kingdom is an epic series from the master of historical fiction, that tells the tale of Alfred the Great, his descendants, and the Viking enemies they face. The struggle between the English and the Danes and the strife between Christianity and paganism is the background to this outstanding series of how England was made – and very nearly lost.
2437 pages, Kindle Edition
First published September 22, 2015
About the author
Bernard Cornwell
451 books18k followersCornwell was born in London in 1944. His father was a Canadian airman, and his mother, who was English, a member of the Women's Auxiliary Air Force. He was adopted and brought up in Essex by the Wiggins family, who were members of the Peculiar People, a strict Protestant sect who banned frivolity of all kinds and even medicine. After he left them, he changed his name to his birth mother's maiden name, Cornwell.
Cornwell was sent away to Monkton Combe School, attended the University of London, and after graduating, worked as a teacher. He attempted to enlist in the British armed services at least three times but was rejected on the grounds of myopia.
He then joined BBC's Nationwide and was promoted to become head of current affairs at BBC Northern Ireland. He then joined Thames Television as editor of Thames News. He relocated to the United States in 1980 after marrying an American. Unable to get a green card, he started writing novels, as this did not require a work permit.
As a child, Cornwell loved the novels of C.S. Forester, chronicling the adventures of fictional British naval officer Horatio Hornblower during the Napoleonic Wars, and was surprised to find there were no such novels following Lord Wellington's campaign on land. Motivated by the need to support himself in the U.S. through writing, Cornwell decided to write such a series. He named his chief protagonist Richard Sharpe, a rifleman involved in most major battles of the Peninsular War.
Cornwell wanted to start the series with the Siege of Badajoz but decided instead to start with a couple of "warm-up" novels. These were Sharpe's Eagle and Sharpe's Gold, both published in 1981. Sharpe's Eagle was picked up by a publisher, and Cornwell got a three-book deal. He went on to tell the story of Badajoz in his third Sharpe novel, Sharpe's Company, published in 1982.
Cornwell and wife Judy co-wrote a series of novels, published under the pseudonym "Susannah Kells". These were A Crowning Mercy, published in 1983, Fallen Angels in 1984, and Coat of Arms (aka The Aristocrats) in 1986. (Cornwell's strict Protestant upbringing informed the background of A Crowning Mercy, which took place during the English Civil War.) In 1987, he also published Redcoat, an American Revolutionary War novel set in Philadelphia during its 1777 occupation by the British.
After publishing eight books in his ongoing Sharpe series, Cornwell was approached by a production company interested in adapting them for television. The producers asked him to write a prequel to give them a starting point to the series. They also requested that the story feature a large role for Spanish characters to secure co-funding from Spain. The result was Sharpe’s Rifles, published in 1987, and a series of Sharpe television films staring Sean Bean.
A series of contemporary thrillers with sailing as a background and common themes followed: Wildtrack published in 1988, Sea Lord (aka Killer's Wake) in 1989, Crackdown in 1990, Stormchild in 1991, and Scoundrel, a political thriller, in 1992.
In June 2006, Cornwell was made an Officer of the Order of the British Empire in the Queen's 80th Birthday Honours List.
Cornwell's latest work, Azincourt, was released in the UK in October 2008. The protagonist is an archer who participates in the Battle of Agincourt, another devastating defeat suffered by the French in the Hundred Years War. However, Cornwell has stated that it will not be about Thomas of Hookton from The Grail Quest or any of his relatives.
Cornwell was sent away to Monkton Combe School, attended the University of London, and after graduating, worked as a teacher. He attempted to enlist in the British armed services at least three times but was rejected on the grounds of myopia.
He then joined BBC's Nationwide and was promoted to become head of current affairs at BBC Northern Ireland. He then joined Thames Television as editor of Thames News. He relocated to the United States in 1980 after marrying an American. Unable to get a green card, he started writing novels, as this did not require a work permit.
As a child, Cornwell loved the novels of C.S. Forester, chronicling the adventures of fictional British naval officer Horatio Hornblower during the Napoleonic Wars, and was surprised to find there were no such novels following Lord Wellington's campaign on land. Motivated by the need to support himself in the U.S. through writing, Cornwell decided to write such a series. He named his chief protagonist Richard Sharpe, a rifleman involved in most major battles of the Peninsular War.
Cornwell wanted to start the series with the Siege of Badajoz but decided instead to start with a couple of "warm-up" novels. These were Sharpe's Eagle and Sharpe's Gold, both published in 1981. Sharpe's Eagle was picked up by a publisher, and Cornwell got a three-book deal. He went on to tell the story of Badajoz in his third Sharpe novel, Sharpe's Company, published in 1982.
Cornwell and wife Judy co-wrote a series of novels, published under the pseudonym "Susannah Kells". These were A Crowning Mercy, published in 1983, Fallen Angels in 1984, and Coat of Arms (aka The Aristocrats) in 1986. (Cornwell's strict Protestant upbringing informed the background of A Crowning Mercy, which took place during the English Civil War.) In 1987, he also published Redcoat, an American Revolutionary War novel set in Philadelphia during its 1777 occupation by the British.
After publishing eight books in his ongoing Sharpe series, Cornwell was approached by a production company interested in adapting them for television. The producers asked him to write a prequel to give them a starting point to the series. They also requested that the story feature a large role for Spanish characters to secure co-funding from Spain. The result was Sharpe’s Rifles, published in 1987, and a series of Sharpe television films staring Sean Bean.
A series of contemporary thrillers with sailing as a background and common themes followed: Wildtrack published in 1988, Sea Lord (aka Killer's Wake) in 1989, Crackdown in 1990, Stormchild in 1991, and Scoundrel, a political thriller, in 1992.
In June 2006, Cornwell was made an Officer of the Order of the British Empire in the Queen's 80th Birthday Honours List.
Cornwell's latest work, Azincourt, was released in the UK in October 2008. The protagonist is an archer who participates in the Battle of Agincourt, another devastating defeat suffered by the French in the Hundred Years War. However, Cornwell has stated that it will not be about Thomas of Hookton from The Grail Quest or any of his relatives.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 16 of 17 reviews
June 6, 2017
Four Stars for The Last Kingdom Books, 1 - 8, by Bernard Cornwell, which kept me reading for about five weeks. I also completed the 9th book in the series, and wait with bated breath for what I am hoping will be the end of Uhtred's journey to the place of his birth, to his birthright.
The first eight books: The Last Kingdom, The Pale Horseman, The Lords of the North, Sword Song, The Burning Land, Death of Kings, The Pagan Lord, The Empty Throne, and the ninth book, Warriors of the Storm create a saga of blood lust, love, hate, religions, loyalty, disloyalty - a saga of life at the dawn of the tenth century.
The story is told through the eyes of Uhtred as he reminisces in his old age. He was a Lord, the Lord of Bebbanburg; however, his home was stolen from him by his uncle when his father was killed in a battle against the invading Vikings. Despite the loss of his father, Uhtred, at the age of ten, was taken in by a Viking warrior, Ragnar, who had been impressed with the young boy's spirit. At first, he was a slave but eventually became like a son to Ragnar. Uhtred, who had been born into a Christian home, learned the ways of the Viking gods, and he never gave up that faith, even though he fought on the side of the Christian Saxons.
Uhtred's story, because this is what the Last Kingdom books are about, will leave you turning the pages. It will give you an insight into the early times as Engaland tried desperately to become one country under the one almighty God, fighting against the pagan invaders. However, it also made me think about religion as a whole, how so many battles and wars have been fought in the name of God, or in the name of gods, burying the lowly people in the red-green sod.
I cheered for Uhtred, but I wept for him, as well, for, despite being a mighty warrior who continually saved the Saxons, he suffered so many personal losses. He was a man who was used by the kings, betrayed, ridiculed by the priests, lost the love of his life, fought for the Christians while wearing Thor's hammer, and whose only real ambition was to return to Bebbanburg, his home. Uhtred commanded loyalty from his men, but not through threats, through respect. His most faithful companion is Finan, an Irishman who had shared an oar with Uhtred when he was betrayed and enslaved.
As you can imagine, there is much one could say after reading nine novels; however, I want you to read these books. Despite being fictional, there is a lot of truth in them. They will enlighten you about a time when the world was in turmoil - ah, but it still is, isn't it? The books use actual historical individuals - ex., Alfred, the Christian Saxon king - and battles fought to maintain control of the country; but the story places a very likable, fictional character in the middle of the turmoil. Having said that - is Uhtred actually fictional?
Each book refers back in time, occassionally, to past incidents, which sometimes bored me because I read them so quickly. However, for someone who wishes to take their time completing the series, the flashbacks are beneficial. The books are also not for the faint of heart, because war is not for those individuals. If you are looking for a "nice" story, these books are not - they are raw, and in your face with the realities of what war really is. I actually wondered, at times, while reading through each book, how there were even any people left with all the killing and destroying that went on.
But, I digress. I am not here to preach to you about war - the glory and non-glory of it. I just want you to enjoy the series as much as I have. Take care, fellow readers ... your, Writer on the Run, Mary M. Cushnie-Mansour
The first eight books: The Last Kingdom, The Pale Horseman, The Lords of the North, Sword Song, The Burning Land, Death of Kings, The Pagan Lord, The Empty Throne, and the ninth book, Warriors of the Storm create a saga of blood lust, love, hate, religions, loyalty, disloyalty - a saga of life at the dawn of the tenth century.
The story is told through the eyes of Uhtred as he reminisces in his old age. He was a Lord, the Lord of Bebbanburg; however, his home was stolen from him by his uncle when his father was killed in a battle against the invading Vikings. Despite the loss of his father, Uhtred, at the age of ten, was taken in by a Viking warrior, Ragnar, who had been impressed with the young boy's spirit. At first, he was a slave but eventually became like a son to Ragnar. Uhtred, who had been born into a Christian home, learned the ways of the Viking gods, and he never gave up that faith, even though he fought on the side of the Christian Saxons.
Uhtred's story, because this is what the Last Kingdom books are about, will leave you turning the pages. It will give you an insight into the early times as Engaland tried desperately to become one country under the one almighty God, fighting against the pagan invaders. However, it also made me think about religion as a whole, how so many battles and wars have been fought in the name of God, or in the name of gods, burying the lowly people in the red-green sod.
I cheered for Uhtred, but I wept for him, as well, for, despite being a mighty warrior who continually saved the Saxons, he suffered so many personal losses. He was a man who was used by the kings, betrayed, ridiculed by the priests, lost the love of his life, fought for the Christians while wearing Thor's hammer, and whose only real ambition was to return to Bebbanburg, his home. Uhtred commanded loyalty from his men, but not through threats, through respect. His most faithful companion is Finan, an Irishman who had shared an oar with Uhtred when he was betrayed and enslaved.
As you can imagine, there is much one could say after reading nine novels; however, I want you to read these books. Despite being fictional, there is a lot of truth in them. They will enlighten you about a time when the world was in turmoil - ah, but it still is, isn't it? The books use actual historical individuals - ex., Alfred, the Christian Saxon king - and battles fought to maintain control of the country; but the story places a very likable, fictional character in the middle of the turmoil. Having said that - is Uhtred actually fictional?
Each book refers back in time, occassionally, to past incidents, which sometimes bored me because I read them so quickly. However, for someone who wishes to take their time completing the series, the flashbacks are beneficial. The books are also not for the faint of heart, because war is not for those individuals. If you are looking for a "nice" story, these books are not - they are raw, and in your face with the realities of what war really is. I actually wondered, at times, while reading through each book, how there were even any people left with all the killing and destroying that went on.
But, I digress. I am not here to preach to you about war - the glory and non-glory of it. I just want you to enjoy the series as much as I have. Take care, fellow readers ... your, Writer on the Run, Mary M. Cushnie-Mansour
September 13, 2017
Amazing, had a hard time putting it down!
September 7, 2021
Ive never really tried historical fiction before and im very glad i did. This series is truly epic, the setting, the history, the characters all roll up to make it a truly gripping story.
Yes a lot of this is made up or inferred from various sources but the author says at the end of each novel what is and isnt factual and where he gleaned his information from so you're never misled.
Despite the stories often featuring similar scenes and repeated plots in many ways, it manages to keep the story fresh and the reader involved. I was truly surprised that i finished all the books in one go without a break and honestly im raring to go on the next ones.
Highly recommend.
Yes a lot of this is made up or inferred from various sources but the author says at the end of each novel what is and isnt factual and where he gleaned his information from so you're never misled.
Despite the stories often featuring similar scenes and repeated plots in many ways, it manages to keep the story fresh and the reader involved. I was truly surprised that i finished all the books in one go without a break and honestly im raring to go on the next ones.
Highly recommend.
September 22, 2017
I stumbled on Sword Song in a wee bookshop in Scotland and started reading it, thinking it was the first of the series. I loved it so much I started doing some research and found out I was reading the fourth book. I immediately bought the first three and read them straight in a week and a bit. Absolutely amazing how Bernard Cornwell seems to know everything about the time.
March 24, 2021
Generally enjoyed it as it approximates my fave fantasy genre. At times, there were too many filter words for my liking, and in one of the books I got sick of reading about how good Finan's eyes were. If I recall correctly, the 7th & 8th books in this collection were the best for reducing this.
Having watched the TV show first, there are some things I think the show did better (of course, they had to have the source material to start with). I like the TV-Hild didn't sleep with Uhtred. They have a lovely relationship on screen. Hild is just another one of Uhtred's conquests in the books.
Going to admit that I skipped some of the fight details; that's just me.
Enjoyed some of the banter between Uhtred-Finan, Uhtred-Storra, Uhtred-Aethelstan.
Having watched the TV show first, there are some things I think the show did better (of course, they had to have the source material to start with). I like the TV-Hild didn't sleep with Uhtred. They have a lovely relationship on screen. Hild is just another one of Uhtred's conquests in the books.
Going to admit that I skipped some of the fight details; that's just me.
Enjoyed some of the banter between Uhtred-Finan, Uhtred-Storra, Uhtred-Aethelstan.
February 3, 2018
A very exciting historical fiction series set in a very intriguing time of British history. It tells the story of Northumbrian Lord raised by Danes. The books are action packed and do a great job depicting war during Viking times. Follow these up with the Thomas of Hookton novels!
March 31, 2019
Flew through these, pausing only for quick wiki checks about modern outcomes of ancient places.
Great stories and the tv series is equally addictive. Unusual for both book and screen to rate highly but they do.
Great stories and the tv series is equally addictive. Unusual for both book and screen to rate highly but they do.
August 3, 2021
Definitely enjoying this series. There is a certain repeatitiveness to it all wins woman, loses woman, saxon/Dane back and forth, in good graces and out of it. But all an enjoyable ride. 5 books to go
May 24, 2017
I love these books. I've read them then reread them when I new book came out countless times.
July 21, 2019
Much better than the Netflix series
March 26, 2022
This series of books are wonderfully written. I love the character and plot development—a truly inspiring author.
February 4, 2016
One of the best series I've ever read
January 2, 2017
By far one of my favorite book series
February 5, 2017
Historical fiction about the viking invasion of the 10th century of England - not romance.
Really loved this series so far.
Really loved this series so far.
Read
September 11, 2018These books are amazing. Cornwell really did his research. Although the theme tends to get redundant it still is an excellent read and goes on for 11 books.
Displaying 1 - 16 of 17 reviews