Book info

• Title The Flame Bearer
• Author Bernard Cornwell
• Year 2016
• Genre Historical

Britain is in a state of uneasy peace. Northumbria’s Viking ruler, Sigtryggr, and Mercia’s Saxon Queen Aethelflaed have agreed a truce. And so England’s greatest warrior, Uhtred of Bebbanburg, at last has the chance to take back the home his traitorous uncle stole from him so many years ago – and which his scheming cousin still occupies. But fate is inexorable and the enemies Uhtred has made and the oaths he has sworn combine to distract him from his dream of recapturing Bebbanburg. New enemies enter into the fight for England’s kingdoms: the redoubtable Constantin of Scotland seizes an opportunity for conquest and leads his armies south. Britain’s precarious peace threatens to turn into a war of annihilation. But Uhtred is determined that nothing, neither the new enemies nor the old foes who combine against him, will keep him from his birthright. He is the Lord of Bebbanburg, but he will need all the skills he has learned in a lifetime of war to make his dream come true.

Thoughts

We’re into the last few books of this Saxon Stories series now and finally, FINALLY, Uhtred has his sights firmly set on his home castle. He’s been banging on about it for ten books and we have reached the battle to end all battles - does he manage to retake it? I won’t spoil it for you but I’m sure you can guess the answer. I enjoyed this read a bit more than some of the previous ones, and it’s great revisiting these characters and progressing the story. I’m looking forward to the next one!

Rating: 4 / 5