The Burning Land

The Saxon Chronicles, Book 5

By: Bernard Cornwell

Narrated by: John Lee

The fifth installment of Bernard Cornwell’s bestselling Saxon Tales chronicling the epic saga of the making of England, “like Game of Thrones, but real” (The Observer, London)—the basis for The Last Kingdom, the hit BBC America television series.

At the end of the ninth century, King Alfred of Wessex is in ill health; his heir, an untested youth. His enemy, the Danes, having failed to conquer Wessex, now see their chance for victory. Led by the sword of savage warrior Harald Bloodhair, the Viking hordes attack. But Uhtred, Alfred’s reluctant warlord, proves his worth, outwitting Harald and handing the Vikings one of their greatest defeats.

For Uhtred, the sweetness of victory is soon overshadowed by tragedy. Breaking with Alfred, he joins the Vikings, swearing never again to serve the Saxon king. Instead, he will reclaim his ancestral fortress on the Northumbrian coast. Allied with his old friend Ragnar-and his old foe Haesten-he aims to invade and conquer Wessex itself. But fate has different plans . . .

In The Burning Land, Bernard Cornwell, “the reigning king of historical fiction” (USA Today), delivers a rousing saga of Anglo-Saxon England-an irresistible new chapter in his thrilling Saxon Tales, the epic story of the birth of England and the legendary king who made it possible.

Bernard Cornwell's is amazing as always. I did not enjoy the reader from the first paragraph!

The Saxon books are a wonderful read and so I am now listening to them through Audible. Thankfully John Lee reads only one of this series. His fast staccato style wasn't inductive to a relaxing listen. Perhaps he should have studied Frederick Davidson's amazing narrations.

Great book, fair narrator

Everything about this book was great. The narrator would have been pretty darn good too, except he is not Johnathan Keeble. I really really wish he had been contracted to do the entire series.

the explaining of giselas death

BRING JONATHAN KEEBLE BACK FOR THESE BOOKS PLEASE!!! His narration is perfect for the Saxon stories

This series is top notch!!!

Narrator reads too fast. Don’t hear much emotion compared to other narrators throughout this series.

Amazing

The book was amazing, the narrator however Remind me of Troy McClure from the simpsons reading the story.

Great story, not a fan of narrator

I have trouble with this narrator, he sounds a bit overdramatic at times. Like he's mocking almost

Always a Good goto with Cornwell

A good continuation of the Saxon Chronicles, a bit more predictable then the others, but overall good read/listen.

okay story with bad narrator

the story isn't the best in the series. In fact it's my least favorite. I only say that because I had to really listen to this several times in order to keep on track. I just personally found it a rather hard to pay attention. the voice of the biggest detriment to the book. Lee simply lacks any and all emotion in his form of narrating; which may possibly be why I didn't find it as interesting as some of the other books. the monotone style kills it for me. overall it's an okay book but I wouldn't rate this particular rendition very highly.

Still fun

The energy level never let's up book after book. looking forward to the next one.
John Lee and Jonathan Keeble are my two favorite narrators of the series so far.

good

Vikings were a bit too "Hinga dinga durgin" at times, but not a bad performance overall.