Sword of Kings (The Last Kingdom Series, Book 12)

By: Bernard Cornwell

Narrated by: Matt Bates

*A brand new companion to the Last Kingdom series, Uhtred’s Feast, is available to pre-order now*

An oath of loyalty.
Two warring kings.
A destiny he didn’t choose…

England is in turmoil as Vikings and Saxons battle for territory. Rumours build about the fatal sickness of the King, and the country awaits an heir.

A violent clash at sea forces the warrior lord Uhtred to lead his men from his Northumbrian fortress to London and plunge into the eye of the storm. For two kings claim the empty throne, and a new kingdom cannot be born without bloodshed.

Uhtred’s sword will leave one king dead and the other victorious. But sometimes it is hard to know the will of the gods…

‘Nobody in the world does this better than Cornwell’ LEE CHILD

Critic reviews

Praise for Sword of Kings:

‘Cornwell’s skill [is] in ageing his warrior-hero, who now creaks as he fights and is haunted by those he has loved and lost’ The Times

‘The master still adding to his wonderful Saxon Chronicles’ Sunday Times Magazine

‘Legendary … excellent storytelling, as ever’ Sunday Sport

Praise for Bernard Cornwell:

'Strong narrative, vigourous action and striking characterisation, Cornwell remains king of the territory he has staked out as his own' SUNDAY TIMES

‘Like Game of Thrones, but real’ OBSERVER

'Blood, divided loyalties and thundering battles' THE TIMES

'A violent, absorbing historical saga, deeply researched and thoroughly imagined' WASHINGTON POST

‘The best battle scenes of any writer I’ve ever read, past or present. Cornwell really makes history come alive’ George R.R. Martin

‘Cornwell draws a fascinating picture of England as it might have been before anything like England existed’ THE TIMES

‘He’s called a master storyteller. Really he’s cleverer than that’ TELEGRAPH

‘A reminder of just how good a writer he is’ SUNDAY TIMES

‘Nobody in the world does this better than Cornwell’ Lee Child

Good edition to the story of Uhtred

I have read all the other Saxon Tales or Last Kingdom books and the story taken in its entirety is excellent. It is disappointing in this book that Uhtred would even consider running from a fight. Too much of the book ponders on his indecision. This is still the authors decision as Uhtred ages that this is part of his story and worth reading. This book is well written and the performance is excellent. Maybe I just don’t like that Uhtred is aging. I expected him to be arrogant and defiant till the end.

And again - excellent

The story of Utred continues and like the other 11 books is excellent. It took a bit to get accustomed to the narrator but he did a great job and all the pronunciations were consistent with previous books. I am excited for the next book.

Corwell never disappoints! Another nail bitter!

non-stop action and laughs! I love this series! I can't wait for the next installment!

Bernard Cornwell Does Not Disappoint

Bernard Cornwell has done it again. Sword of Kings entertains as a new favorite of Cornwell’s Saxon Stories (Last Kingdom) series. Uhtred is an all time favorite literary character of mine and I simply don’t want the adventures to end for this endearingly flawed, oath bound, hero. As always, I had trouble pressing the stop button. The narrator Matt Bates once again provides an excellent performance bringing the characters to life.
Having read many of Cornwell’s series including, Sharpe’s series and others, he has created yet another masterful entertaining work. Well done!

Needs more Keeble

Great read, but this whole series would've been better if Johnathan Keeble were the narrator.