Book info

• Title The Empty Throne
• Author Bernard Cornwell
• Year 2014
• Genre Historical

In the battle for power, there can be only one ruler. The ruler of Mercia is dying, leaving no apparent heir. His wife is a born leader, but no woman has ever ruled over an English kingdom. And she is without her greatest warrior and champion, Uhtred of Bebbanburg. An empty throne leaves the kingdom exposed to rival West Saxons and to the Vikings, who are on a bloody rampage once more. A hero is needed, a hero who has been in battle all his life, who can destroy the double threat to Mercia. A hero who will ultimately decide the fate of a nation...

Thoughts

I was a bit miffed to start with as the early pages are from the point of view of Uhtred’s son. I didn’t think he was dead from his wounds last book, but I also didn’t particularly want to hear the story told by anyone else. We’ve come this far with Uhtred, he’s the one we want to hear from! It does eventually switch to our guy, and things pick up from there. The search for the sword is interesting and the result surprising, but the best moments are Uhtred dealing with his daughter Stiorra, reconciling the prevailing views of women at the time and his understanding that she’s a strong powerful character in herself. What will happen next?

Rating: 4 / 5