Death of Kings

The Last Kingdom, Book 6

By: Bernard Cornwell

Narrated by: Matt Bates

Length: 12 hrs and 36 mins

Publisher's summary

The master of historical fiction presents the iconic story of King Alfred and the making of a nation.

As the ninth century wanes, England appears about to be plunged into chaos once more. For the Viking-raised but Saxon-born warrior, Uhtred, whose life seems to shadow the making of England, this presents him with difficult choices.

King Alfred is dying and his passing threatens the island of Britain to renewed warfare. Alfred wants his son, Edward, to succeed him but there are other Saxon claimants to the throne as well as ambitious pagan Vikings to the north.

Uhtred‘s loyalty – and his vows – were to Alfred, not to his son, and despite his long years of service to Alfred, he is still not committed to the Saxon cause. His own desire is to reclaim his long lost lands and castle to the north. But the challenge to him, as the king’s warrior, is that he knows that he will either be the means of making Alfred’s dream of a united and Christian England come to pass or be responsible for condemning it to oblivion.

This novel is a dramatic story of the power of tribal commitment and the terrible difficulties of divided loyalties.

This is the making of England magnificently brought to life by the master of historical fiction.

©2019 Bernard Cornwell (P)2019 HarperCollins Publishers Limited

Poor Narration

Although an improvement on the previous narrator, it simply isn't as good as the original narrator, Jonathan Keeble. The accent is not brilliant but worse, the pronunciation: Steapa pronounced 'steepa' instead of 'Stee-app-a"and worse Ragnar pronounced as Rangar - unforgivable editing. I shall probably return all the other books in the series and order them as Kindle books as this is driving me to distraction and completely spoiling the story

Great Story

Like many others, I'm not a great fan of the Narrator. For example, his attempt at an Irish accent sounds more like an American.

Compelling storytelling

Totally engrossed in the series. I find even though I want it to last, I am listening to it in my spare time, it is so good.
I loved the early narration by J Keeble but also enjoy Matt Baker’s performance.
Not sure how Bernard Cornwall creates such wonderful stories each novel and depicts the battle scenes with such skill, but each novel in the series is very enjoyable and rewarding.

Great series

Another great episode in the Saxon stories, the battle at the end was well written and narrated. The narrator by the way has rapidly grown on me after the recent change. Pagan lord has been downloaded and started to continue Uhtreds story.

Magnificent evocation of Medieval Britain

The author has conjured a rich world for his characters to inhabit, a world of conflict, fading Roman ruins, warlike Danes, religious turmoil. The storytelling weaves through this believable world bringing history to life in a way that no history book can. You feel a connection, a longing to be part of the adventure, the battle, a witness to the forming of the Nation of England. And that connection grows with each book, as Uhtred carries us through his life with all its tragedy, humour, love, swords and warrior companionship.

not the same series anymore

still can't get into the series now they have changed narrator, just so poor and dull

Another Uhtred epic

Another action packed adventure with my favourite pagan lord! Wyrd bith ful arad indeed!

Great story

Loved the continuation of the series . Also loved the narration this time! Perhaps when changing narrator it just takes a little getting used to? Loved it!

Mixed feelings

Narration wasn’t the best but I’ve heard worse. My main gripe is no historical note at the end like all the books and no accompanying pdf with the map and place names etc. that you find in the books
Really disappointing that they aren’t included

Fantasy

A ripping yarn of love and battle, of intrigue and politics. Highly recommend it to anyone.