Warriors of the Storm

A Novel

By: Bernard Cornwell

Narrated by: Matt Bates

The ninth installment of Bernard Cornwell’s bestselling series 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.

A fragile peace reigns in Wessex, Mercia and East Anglia. King Alfred’s son Edward and formidable daughter, Aethelflaed, rule the kingdoms. But all around the restless Northmen, eyeing the rich lands and wealthy churches, are mounting raids.

Uhtred of Bebbanburg, the kingdoms’ greatest warrior, controls northern Mercia from the strongly fortified city of Chester. But forces are gathering against him. Northmen allied to the Irish, led by the fierce warrior Ragnall Ivarson, are soon joined by the Northumbrians, and their strength could prove overwhelming. Despite the gathering threat, both Edward and Aethelflaed are reluctant to move out of the safety of their fortifications. But with Uhtred’s own daughter married to Ivarson’s brother, who can be trusted?

In the struggle between family and loyalty, between personal ambition and political commitment, there will be no easy path. But a man with a warrior’s courage may be able to find it. Such a man is Uhtred, and this may be his finest hour.

They keep getting better, awesome story.

Bernard is a master of painting vivid mental images while still keeping the action moving along. His series on Arthur 'The Winter King' and his other story 'The Archers Tale' are all very entertaining.

Want the Old Narrator Back

This new one is okay but he really messes your relationships built with the characters and your imagination over the past 7 books. His accent is too cockney English, which makes me picture all the Vikings like Oliver Twist villains.

Cornwall is rushing write these books to get them out and it shows.

Love all his books

Listened to them all, just wish the same narrator had been used for all the books, Matt Bates did a great job.

Excellent

Would you recommend this audiobook to a friend? If so, why?

yes

Any additional comments?

Having read all of Bernard Cornwall's books, I regard this as one of his best in the Uthred series. Some clever plot twists and a satisfying conclusion with a sequel indicator at the end which gives us something to look forward to. Why are some of your commentators taking the reader to task? He was perfectly fine.

Another excellent chapter of Saxon Tales.

Love binge listening and enjoy doing this in December each year - so far I have finished the first nine and look forward to the Flame Bearer.