The Pale Horseman (The Saxon Chronicles Series #2)

Cornwell is a great story teller and this continues the excellent start of 'The Last Kingdom'. Gripping and well researched - the historical links give an interesting insight into post Roman Britain.

It was a great book, full of amazingly detailed fight scenes and historically accurate facts. It is a great read wether you care about the reign of king Alfred or not. The part in the swamp was a bit slow but necessary to the story. Can't wait to read the next 5!

The continuing saga of Uhtred...
An amazing Viking tale filled with bloodlust, passion and Christian hardship. Damnit! Where is Thor when you need him?
My blade! My mail and my shield!

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A continuation of Cornwell's historical narrative of the clash bet Saxons and Danes in the 9th century. Characters are well-developed and interesting. Plenty of drama and battle action. Glover does a great job with the myriad of voices.

This book combines well-researched history, excellent writing, and a gripping story in a combination rarely found in popular literature. Cornwell is in a class with O'Brian and Dunnett, and perhaps Dumas.

While not generally thrilled with 1st person novels, after having read the first and now the second in the Saxon series, I really like hearing Uhtred explaining not only his thoughts, but also his discription of the happenings around him.

While not generally thrilled with 1st person novels, after having read the first and now the second in the Saxon series, I really like hearing Uhtred explaining not only his thoughts, but also his discription of the happenings around him.

I usually read historical romance and happended upon this series and decided to give it a try. Not my usual genre at all. All I can say is I'm so glad I did. The books are great, writing is the best. I've already orderdd the rest of the books in the series and will read all of Bernard Cornwells books.

The book gives an idea of the kind of lives that the people of the British Isles led a little more than a thousand years ago. The author also created some interesting characters. It is going to be an interesting series for me to read.

I loved the book but I was furious with the store because they cut off the historical note after one page - mid sentence- at the end. For my future reads of Cornwall's historical novels I will buy real books and not order them on my kindle

If you like historical fiction and the warrior tales, this book will be all you can handle.
Start with The Last Kingdom and you will be hooked. Brilliant battle descriptions put you in the heart
of the action. Better than a movie!!

Great continuing story. I plan to read all six of the Saxon Tales. This is a fun way to understand the evolution of England. While "The Pale Horseman" is fiction it does follow the story of Alfred the Great and the invasions of the Danes or as some would say the Vikings. I have read and enjoyed a number of Cornwell's books and would recommend most of them as they are a great way to understand history..

In the second installment of the story of Uhtred of Bebbanburg, the lad that won the day in the ultimate battle of the first novel becomes a young man and is plagued by the arrogance and poor judgment of his ilk as he muddles through life in Wessex in service of Alfred, yet longs to return to the Danes and his brother Ragnar.

Pale Horseman was more satisfying to me than it's predecessor, mostly because it didn't have the "Who shot JR?" ending. Entertaining. Vivid. Maybe not as much on the personalities of Alfred or the other characters. Alfred was almost incidental in this novel, though it describes a turning point in English history.

Got tired of the inanity that is Alfred and the most ridiculous jumping back and forth, from side-to-side by the narrator- depending how the wind blew - made this a shadow of the first book in this series.

Also, even though I know the priests were up everybody's rectum since the beginning of Christianity, and even though it was true that they held sway over most kings at that time, I got so sick and tired of reading over and over: "We will be saved from the Danes if only we pray to St. Judith, or St. Cecilia or St, whoever." You get what I mean. A martyr/patron saint for every day of the week - or almost - and I didn't buy this book to rehash all of my parochial grammar school education.

Pretty sure this is the last book in the series for me. Actually, probably time to find a new author. I feel BC could have written this book without A) Making Alfred look like a buffoon when we know that historically, he was a mighty king; B) He made his point about how the priests were up everyone's bum hole like once every paragraph. God, that gets old in a hurry - even though it is accurate.

I came for a fighting novel, not learning that the Mighty Alfred and his cronies would stay in a town and pray to their God to save them. As if it really works that way. Alfred, who was supposed to be a pious man would screw any man under the sun so that THE CHURCH would get more money. And the need to be call "Lord" - when, up till that point he hadn't done a thing - was so frigging annoying. He wants his men to be loyal but uses the Church to screw them every chance he got.

Does BC actually believe that God takes sides during a war? And if so, how does he choose?

IT GOT VERY, VERY OLD - VERY, VERY QUICKLY!

P.S 70% of the way through the book but don't have it in me to finish it.

Cornwell grabs the readers interest from the very beginning and doesn't let go until the last page! His books are so well written that the reader feels a pang of regret as he nears the end of each of his books.

Like the first saxon tale, this one draws on a somewhat sketchy background of historical / literary information. On that background it draws a fictional warrior and makes him the main character -- braver and sometimes more insightful than Alfred the Great. At the same time, the novel repeatedly portrays Saxon nobility, churchmen, and Christians in negative, stereotypical roles. The result is hardly historical fiction.

Though the recipient didn't receive the book, this seller offered a full refund. This was an inconvenience, but the response to remedy the issue was appreciated. I will probably not order from this seller again.

As this series is still ongoing -- the 11th book came out in 2018 -- it seems to make more sense to review each book rather than wait and do the series as a whole. That means, however, that the reviews are necessarily incomplete, because for me a series should be judgedin its entirety, in great part, with the individual volumes seen almost long extremely long chapters.

That said, "The Pale Horseman" continues the story of 9th century England through the eyes of Uthred, a young man with all the flaws of a Viking but showing the promise of hard-earned wisdom down the line. The invading Danes are threatening to exterminate the Saxon kingdoms, and Uthred first must decide which side he's really on, and then somehow survive the brutal battles and hard life of the time.

There are battles, strategems, love interests, and some magical realism, all of which Bernard Cornwell weaves together very seamlessly. "The Pale Horseman" is a worthy successor to "The Last Kingdom," and has me primed to move on to volume three -- which is the true measure of success for any series.

Ahhhhh Uhtred you are quite the lad .........
Uhtred of Bebbanburg, Lord of Northumbria is as headstrong, arrogant, and fearless as ever. Now married with a child at the age of 21, he rode into battle to Cynuit and slaughtered the Danish leader, Ubba Lothbrokson. Fully expecting recognition for the deed upon his return to King Alfred, Uhtred meets the inexorable fate he always believed in. The pompous, self-important, Odda the Younger took the credit for the slaying, and no one, not even King Alfred would ever challenge Odda since Alfred was in dire need of the troops and wealth belonging to Odda’s elderly father. Although deemed to be a Saxon, Uhtred’s very essence still belonged to the Danes having lived with them as a young boy. However, Uhtred realizes the day will come when he must make a choice to carry on fighting the Danes, or join them. Author Bernard Cornwell has written an epic tale of life in England in the year 877 and the great battle with the strong-willed Danes determined to take over their country. Many extraordinary, well developed characters grace the pages of this book and readers will be held spellbound to the conclusion. Highly recommended!

For those who have watched "The Last Kingdom," this finishes the first part of that series, at least as available on Netflix. Since I've already seen that first part, I was delighted to still be smack dab in the middle of it with this second book. I loved the first book, and now this second book, as much as I loved the series. After all, who doesn't love vikings and English history?

Cornwell does an awesome job of blending fact and fiction in 9th century Great Britain, leading us around Cornwall to fatten purses, then we run around Wessex with King Alfred in an effort to defeat the Danish hordes. We get a good picture of the motivations of all involved, as well as an understanding of the fighting customs. There's just enough difference between the book and the series to keep you guessing with your fingers crossed that Uhtred (for convenience, I just think of him as Alexander Dreymon) will manage to keep his mouth shut and his sword at the ready.

For the meticulous historian, Cornwell provides a list of the ancient/modern place names and the invented characters/changed dates. I can't wait to see what happens with Netflix round two - and the Lords of the North.

not-quite-a-spoiler - pale horseman represents a whole lot of slaughter. (although maybe the Red Horseman of War would have been more appropriate?)

Tale is told by Uhtred, as if its happening now, with a few lines of 'but back then I was only twenty-one. Now I know better."

The Danes already fought their way from the north to nearly the northern tip of Angle-land, which is actually Angles & Saxon land, with only East Anglia still Angles? And under the Dane-law. Then there's South-Saex (Sussex) and East-Saex (Essex), also under the Dane-Law.

King Alfred of West-Saex thinks his truce will hold, and our pagan hero Uhtred thinks he's an idiot. "Truce" is just another word for "time to re-arm and gather allies."

Uhtred is bored with his Christian wife who just wants peace and tranquility, so he takes a wild woman for a lover. (Lover from previous book has gone off with someone else.) Iseult is technically a captive queen, but since she used her magic to help Uhtred kill her husband, not so much of a captive.

Wife is boring and stays on the farm while Uhtred goes to meet Alfred and off to war. Lots of magic (seems to work?) and Seeing Signs that point to Alfred as the success. Ragnar from last book should have been killed (again) but not.

Last book had a Hild as someone's nasty aunt, this book has Hild as a nun, so I feel totally justified at pushing "Hild" by Nicola Griffith, possibly one of the best historical fiction ever.

[...]

Once again Bernard Cornwell hits a home run in this series "The Saxon Tales, or Chronicles (depending if USA or England). Most Americans know little of ancient England other than King Arthur, his sword,his Queen, the Round Table and his Leading Knight and best friend. We know Caesar landed there and Rome ruled parts of it and there was an ancient people. Then they know of the tales of Robin Hood and the bad Prince John and of course the Magna Carta! But few know of the struggle (except for the recent TV series "VIKINGS") between the orginal Britains and the early influx of Scandinavians creating the Saxon's, which gives birth to the Leading Character throughout this series of books. It is the struggle of the King of Wessex, later Mercia as well, King Albert (later acknowledged as "The Great") who made the concept of a united "English" people and nation and the long brutal struggle with the Viking's/Danes for control of what became Saxon and later Norman England. The descriptions of the Shield Wall, tactics of the Danes and who the battles were fought, down to strokes of the long and short swords, spears and feared battle axes. The gathering of the army comprised of serfs, slaves and those below the nobles, the farming an day to day knives, sickles, pitch forks and anything else from a simple rake, hoe or hammer was brought to the battle with little more than home spun cloth, or leather for armor! Few writers can describe the blow by blow fighting, maiming, wounding and killing of that era of war fare as does this author in such clear fashion. This series is entertaining, adventure, betrayal, oaths and loyalty that was the cement of the people of that time and the constant struggle of the priests, bishops and church to gather riches and people to them while influencing the King and rulers! Besides that it is a series that will grasp hold of you and not let go until you have read every book in the series and seek out other series of books, such as "THE RIFLEMAN" by this author to enjoy and read!

The Pale Horseman (book two in the Saxon series by Bernard Cornwell) continues the bloody life chronicles of Uhtred of Bebbanburg.

Uhtred is a complex protagonist. He has many traits that are common to heroes in other books: strength, bravery, a vicious brand of loyalty, and a sense of justice that should make him easy to appreciate. Yet he is not always likeable. In fact, I would say I dislike him more often than not--and yet I continue to listen to the story.

The Pale Horsemen starts with Uhtred foolishly drawing his sword on his rival, Ealdorman Odda the Younger, during a religious ceremony, thus offending King Alfred and violating the king's laws. Uhtred is not dumb. He should know better, but his "monstrous pride," as Cornwell describes it, constantly gets Uhtred in trouble. By the end of chapter one, he has committed an unjustifiable murder (both by modern standards and the laws of the time) and put himself and his household in danger of retribution. Why did he commit such a crime? Because he was pissed of and full of, you guessed it, pride.

This is good for moving the plot and keeping "tension on every page," as Donald Maass, author of Writing the Breakout Novel, advocates. It is not good for my feelings about the protagonist. I'd like for someone to take Uhtred in hand and teach him some humanity. Yes, he is essentially a Viking and their moral code at the time of the story is different than mine. Yes, he is true to his character and possesses many positive traits.

I still struggle with the heartless brutality of Uhtred. It is kind of a love-hate relationship with this character that drives me to read on. So in the grand scheme of things, Bernard Cornwell has again proved himself a master writer.

By the end of the novel there is an impressive payoff. Why describe the story arch and character development as a payoff? That makes it sound shady, doesn’t it?

Bernard Cornwell developed all of the characters in this book honestly, except for some of the cookie cutter priests--minor characters without much spine or depth. But I digress.

Uhtred, Son of Uhtred of Bebbanburg, is a twenty-year-old saxon raised from the age of ten by Danes (called Vikings when they are raiding from the sea). He’s seen his father die and fought in the shield wall. Over the years, his survival has depended on his own strength and cunning. He is proud, violent, and a pagan like the Danes who raised him. The tender years of his youth were spent looting churches and killing priests.

Why wouldn’t he be a total barbarian? (I’ve always liked barbarians in stories, but Bernard Cornwell has a talent for showing how brutal life was in the 9th century, regardless of who you were or what God / gods you worshiped.)

By the end of The Pale Horseman Uhtred earned much more of my compassion and made me want to see more of his journey. I cared about the people he cared about, admired his strength and courage, and began to hope he will reclaim his ancestral home of Bebbanburg.

Readers who enjoy George R. R. Martin (The Game of Thrones) or Ken Follet (The Pillars of Earth) won’t go wrong picking up a copy of The Pale Horseman.

Jonathan Keeble does an absolutely brilliant job of narrating the audiobook version. Very highly recommended. In fact, I may see if Keeble has ever read the phone book or the dictionary, because I’d probably listen to them if he did.

I love this whole Saxon Chronicle Series except it is coming out too slowly and I can't wait for the next installment. This is the second of the series but you can read it standing along and it still makes a complete story because the events in this book is of pivotol importance in the life of Alfred The Great. In fact, these are the events that made him what he is.

Bernard Cornwell is a masculine storyteller who writes at the guttural level with the visceral style which suited the upheaval times and violent tempo of the society and gives us a down and dirty look of what life was like in those turbulent times. The Danes and the Norsemen seeing the success the Anglos and Saxons had had in the British Isle decided to join the hunt. The Anglos and the Saxons even though had only taken the rich land from the Celts and the Britons by conquest and had settled the fertile territories into small kingdoms for only 200 to 300 years, they had come to see Britain as their homeland and fiercely fought and defended their new territories against the new invaders who wanted the same thing. The native Celts and Britons were pushed west into Wales and southwest into Cornwall to fend for themselves.The British Isle was divided into Dane law in the north, Saxon rules in the south, and Welsh land in the west.

This book focuses on Alfred's early struggles to survive and to revive Wessex, The contrasting characters of Alfred and Uthred gives the story the dramatic tension. However the depiction of Alfred in this book, his fastedius personality, somber workaholism, adapt at using people, and attention to details in his grand visions, is so reminiscent of Aurelius Ambrosius in Mary Stewart's delightful book "The Crystal Cave". By diligence and dedication, serious Ambrosius was able to return from exile in Less Britain (Brittany) to reclaim his lost kingdom from Vortigorn and set it up for his brother Uther and later for Arthur. And by the same serious work ethics and patience, Alfred was able to emerge from the swamp to defeat the Danes and to rebuilt Wessex and set it up for his son and grandson. And Ambrosius's dream as King of Britain and of One Britain seems to have been picked up by Alfred's dream as King of All English and of One England. It is curious that the Welsh and the Britons chose to fight for their old enemy the Saxons due to religious affinity against the new enemy the pagan Danes. It is interesting that when the Normans (descents of Viking Norsemen) invaded British and defeated the Saxons 200 years later, they trotted out the old Arthurian legend to superimpose their claim.

Uthred, the hero of the chronicle, was forced by Alfred to swear an oath to him. Of course, being a proud pagan, Uthred continues to run afoul of pious Alfred and his pompous Christian court. But it seems that each time the bad luck of Uthred that freed him into a new adventure would turned out to be good luck for Alfred. The Christian priests of course would claim it's all God's glorious work.

Considering that the writer is presenting a male point of view in a warriors' world of violence and death, there are many strong and interesting women characters who managed to work around the male domination and held their own.

I especially enjoy reading the "Historical Notes" which places the stories in a true historical context. The historical notes set up the pacing of the chronicle as each story starts with a tentative peace shattered by treachery and fight starts again to accumulate into a major full scale war of some importance. Each story ends when the battle ends and a tentative peace returns. This gives the characters and us time to breath and relax and wait for the next installment.

I think this one was better than the first (though I would not recommend reading them out of order).

Uhtred (whom I understand to be a real person whose timeline and life have been reimagined here) is so much fun to read. He is both complex and surprisingly simple. Ragnar- one of my favorite characters is also fun to read about and I'm really hoping I get to see more of him in the next book. Alfred- I never expected to like, but I kind of can't help it. The way Cornwell has written him, in the words of Russell Brand, is an "idiot savant genius". And I can't help but love him for it.

The end of this book is heartbreaking, but I understand why it was written this way. It had to be done. The stakes were high and the odds seemed impossible. I can't recommend this series enough.

The easiest way I can put this is that if you enjoyed the first book in this series (The Last Kingdom) then you will almost undoubtedly enjoy this one. I probably enjoyed this one more because of the fact that by this time in the story Uhtred has “arrived.” In The Last Kingdom, there was a lot of talk of Uhtred and what he would eventually do but for a lot of that story he was growing into the man he would be and learning who that would be and not necessarily taking action. In The Pale Horseman however, he has become the man he will be for the most part. Much of his legend has already been defined and his reputation grows before him with each action he takes. This makes for much more fun storytelling for obvious reasons. He is becoming the warrior he always said he would be in The Last Kingdom… and it is awesome!
Aside from that, there are really, really strong characters here. Uhtred is obviously present and accounted for. I won’t spoil anything here but multiple characters from the first volume turn up again in this installment along with a long roster of new and, for the most part, interesting characters. If I had to be nit picky, I’d say Cornwell struggles a bit coloring characters. Sometimes, I found myself not really having a clear picture of some of the secondary characters and by the end there is a rather long list of such characters and they can become a bit jumbled and interlaced. But that is a very small issue and for the most part nonexistent.
Overall, this is a pretty fantastic book and for some reason the fact that it is largely based on actual history, with a historical note to explain any creative liberties taken and which events were based in (what we think) actually happened, is super cool to me. It really makes the book, and the whole series, a lot more appealing because the overall story arc actually happened! As I said before though, the easiest way I can put this review is this: Assuming you’ve read the first one in the series, if you enjoyed that to any extent, you will most assuredly enjoy this one. There is much the same storytelling, the same theological significance, the same stretching of loyalties between the danes and the saxons, and several of the same characters.

“The Pale Horseman” is the second book in Bernard Cornwell’s “Saxon Tales” series. I enjoyed the story, but I felt Uhtred was a bit darker in this novel. Uhtred is most definitely a pagan trying to get by in a Christian culture, and the two are at extreme odds for much of the story. This conflict is somewhat interesting, but it makes Uhtred into more of a savage Dane than it does a home-defending Saxon, which made it a little hard for me to empathize with him.

Cornwell again narrates this book from the perspective of an old man’s looking back on his life, which takes some element of risk out of the story, as you know Uhtred is going to find a way to escape and/or overcome the most desperate of odds. Despite this knowledge, it was still exciting to follow Uhtred’s conquests on the sea and battlefield. The first book included a lot of backstory on Uthred’s coming of age, but this one seemed more focused on moving him from one battle to the next with little character development. There were a couple comedic moments that helped lighten the somewhat darker mood, and kept me engaged.

Overall, I enjoyed the story, and I look forward to additional books in the series. I’m hopeful Cornwell will focus on Uhtred’s retaking of his home and avenging the cruel deaths of the elder Ragnar family found in the first book.

The Pale Horseman is the second book in Bernard Cornwell’s Saxon Chronicles Series. The story picks up with Uhtred, a disenfranchised Saxon from Northumbria. In the first book, we saw Uhtred’s childhood, the invasion of the Danes, and his growing up under Danish influence.

The apocalyptic nature of the Viking invasion of England permeates the novel. The Danish threat is ever-present, and Uhtred must decide if he will fight to save England, or conquer it. He’s a man torn between two worlds; between pagan and Christian; between Saxon and Danish; between religion and warfare.

If he chooses to be a Saxon, then he must side with the man he hates—Alfred.

If he chooses to be a Dane, then he must find his adopted father’s heir, Ragnar, before it’s too late. If Ragnar dies, Uhtred will lose his only ally.

I found the second installment in this series to be slow going at first. It lacked the initial spark of the first novel, but I think this is largely due to the historical reality of this time period. That is, not a whole lot was going on during these intermittent years. The novel picks up speed, however, and by the middle chapters the reader is thoroughly immersed in the plot and time period. If there is one thing Bernard Cornwell does so well, its historical immersion. He has an uncanny ability to create vivid characters in other ages. While some of his characters seem interchangeable, and even a bit shallow, his portraits of Uhtred and Alfred are memorable and worth reading—from both a historical and literary perspective.

Spoiler alert:

I did not like how the author handled Iseult’s death. It was mentioned as an afterthought, a line plugged in during a battle scene. For a main character’s death to be handled like this felt cheap. She deserved better, and so did the reader.

The build up to the battle of Ethandun wasn’t as exciting as that of Cynuit in book one, but the battle scenes were up to par, and the adventure was strong. While the book is part of a series, it stands well enough on its own—you don’t need to read the others to know what is going on. Cornwell does a good job of sprinkling backstory throughout. The conclusion of the book naturally lends itself toward a sequel.
The next book in the series is called Lords of the North (2007).

3.5/5 stars.

"For a few months in early 878 the idea of England, its culture and language, were reduced to a few square miles of swamp."

This is the period of history covered by Cornwell's The Pale Horseman. This second book in the Saxon Stories series continues the story of Uhtred, born in Northumbria, raised by Danes, sworn to the Saxons. Uhtred struggles with torn loyalties, and through his thoughts and experiences, the reader gains an understanding of how the Saxons were almost decimated and why the Danes failed. Desire to join the Danes and their lifestyle that suits him better, Uhtred grows hateful toward the Christian wife whom King Alfred convinced him to marry. However, he also feels driven to support the Saxons and is tempted by the idea of someday reclaiming his inheritance in Northumbria.

Cornwell's characterizations are thoughtful and believable. Alfred the Great is not always great. He is clever and pious almost to a fault. He is overly cautious and depends too much on God to solve his problems without any action on his own part. Uhtred is first and foremost a warrior and isn't always choosy about who he is killing and plundering, yet somehow the reader is still convinced to sympathize with him. The development of quiet, barbaric Steapa Snotor reminds us that there is always more to people than what we see at first glance.

This is a great novel for anyone who enjoys detailed history without any romanticizing. Believe me, there is no way that anyone could accuse Uhtred of being romantic! Battles are detailed and gory. The time period is expertly described so that one feels transported back to the 9th century.

I found the first book in the series, The Last Kingdom, to be entertaining but somehow superficial, like something was missing in the depth of the characters and in the story lines. By contrast, I was engrossed by this second book; the plot takes many an intriguing twist and turn (I really enjoyed Bernard Cornwell's story-telling skills in this book); and the characters and their relationships have taken on highly satisfying degrees of depth and complexity. I just finished The Pale Horseman a moment ago, and I look forward to book 3 with great anticipation.
This series is a most enjoyable way to learn about a fascinating period in history -- late 9th-Century in what is today England and Wales. I hadn't known, for example, that the Danes came very close to conquering that entire area; that a King named Alfred was pivotal in thwarting the Danes in that quest; nor that the size of the armies involved in crucial battles were in fact so very small -- tiny when compared to those of the Napoleonic period, for example.
While I was reading this book, Scotland's voters rejected a referendum to become independent from the UK. I couldn't help but appreciate how things have evolved in that part of our planet, as back in the 9th century, such matters would have been settled in horrific battles among sword- and ax-wielding armies ... of 4,000 or 5,000 men.

This was the August pick of my Goodreads Book Club. It is the second in Cornwell’s Saxon Tales series.
I had some difficulty finding the right version. It looked like there might be different versions. When I looked for it on Audible, there was one version that was about 14 hours, and another about 5 and a half hours. Three different covers, one of which was meant to tie in with the TV series on BBC, but they are the same book. The short version on Audible is the abridged version.
When I knew I had the right book, I started reading. I was a little worried at first, because the POV character kept telling how every relationship would progress in the future. Fortunately, he stopped doing that. It’s more fun when you see relationships turn and threats emerge without being forewarned.
So once the author focused on each scene as it was happening, I really liked it. A fascinating story that takes us behind the scenes of one of the most important battles in the history of Britain. I always liked characters who are outsiders like Uhtred. Born a Saxon, raised among Danes, he’s not sure where his loyalties lie. Even when he commits to King Alfred, his paganism still makes things difficult for him. The Saxons don’t completely trust him, Alfred tries to convert him, and it causes tension with his wife. He is brash and sometimes stokes flames of ill will into roaring infernos. But his familiarity with the Danes allows him to gather vital intelligence for Alfred. That and his prowess as a warrior make him indispensable to the Saxons and their emerging king. There are exciting fight scenes and lesser battles, tension and intrigue, loss and heartbreak, leading up to the climactic battle at the end.
As a historical fiction reader, this has everything I could want. I imagine it will appeal more to men than women. Action oriented but with character development. You get an idea of why medieval history was such a rich source of inspiration for George R. R. Martin.

Yet again, Cornwell has cracked it! This is exactly as historical fiction should be: bring that history to life.

One cannot help but be swept along as Uhtred recalls his adventures in Wessex and the south west of England. He questions King Alfred and the Christian ideology of the early Saxons, when one could only find favour with the King through demonstrating complete commitment to God. Consequently, his greatest enemies are the priests of Alfred's court. His enemies in battle, no matter what their reputation, hardly seem to bother him at all.

Uhtred is a great character, made even better by his flaws. I kept wanting to yell, "No! You idiot! They've set you up! Go the other way!" But the added danger caused by his naivety and occasional stupidity, just adds more spicy action to his tale.

As his career progresses from an early incarnation of First Sea Lord, to roaming general, his loyalties are always divided between his spiritual home with the Vikings, and his physical home as an Englishman. His upbringing amongst Vikings definitely saves his skin on several occasions.

As with The Last Kingdom, there is plenty of blood and gore, some very graphic descriptions of battle and single combat, and a smattering of sex, but not too much, or enough, of the latter, depending on your point of view.

This is a fast-pace, action-packed book, and it is highly entertaining. There are many amusing scenes in the book , the best of which, by far, is Cornwell's, Uhtred's, take on the famous King Alfred's burnt cakes episode. It is just wonderful! If he hadn't been so wrapped up in telling Uhtred about his strategy to regain Wessex from the Danes, King Alfred the Great would never have suffered the indignity! What did the woman do to him? Well, whatever she did, it made me roar with laughter!

Enough said. Read it!

Young Uhtred of Northumbria, ejected from his birthright, and having been raised by the Danes though he's technically Anglo-Saxon, has developed into a fearsome warrior, the sort of fighter who has found a home in the shield wall. In the climactic battle of the previous volume (this is the second in the series), he killed Ubbe, one of the three Lothbrok brothers whose invasion of England has conquered three of the island's four kingdoms, leaving only Wessex under the decidedly non-warrior-like Alfred to maintain the possibility of an English nation. Alfred would always rather negotiate and exchange oaths with his enemies than fight them -- maybe prayer will do the job rather than swords -- and tendency, against all advice, almost spells disaster as this episode begins. Guthrum breaks the truce (again) and sacks Alfred's capital of Winchester, leaving the king and a few retainers, including Uhtred, to escape into the fens at Athelney, in the Somerset Levels, where the Danes can't bring their concentrated force to bear and where the longships can't penetrate. Uhtred, a thoroughgoing pagan who prefers the company of the Danes, and who can't stand Alfred's mealy-mouthed piety, nevertheless makes an oath to be the king's man until the Danes are beaten. Maybe he's feeling more like an Anglo-Saxon these days, or maybe it's because he's getting older; he's all of twenty years old now. In any case, in Cornwell's well-thought-out story, it's Uhtred who acts as Alfred's war leader in the dark days in the swamps while the Danes prowl around the perimeter like a fox around a badger hole. Alfred makes forays out to the Danish strongholds, insisting he has to be seen by his people as being willing to take risks, and -- against all the odds -- he successfully summons the fyrds of the southern counties for an all-or-nothing fight in the spring. All this is completely historical, of course; if Alfred's outnumbered forces hadn't managed to at least fight Guthrum's Grand Army to a standstill at Edington in 878, it would have been all over for England. Cornwell does battle scenes better than almost anyone writing these days, whether it's early medieval or the Peninsular campaign against Napoleon, and he also has a good grasp of what makes up the warrior personality. There are more volumes to come and I'll continue to immerse myself in them.

Having heard The Last Kingdom on Audio CD, I waited a few months before getting the sequel as it seemed, for one, that it couldn't live up 2 it's predecessor and, for two, like Mr Cornwell's inspiration had run out with the first one. Indeed, it is common for the pilot of a series to be fantastic, only for the sequels to be formulaic and predictable (Rome, anyone?)

Happily, I'd say that this novel was actually better than the first as the plot covers a much more interesting section of Alfred/ Uhtred's life than did the previous one. It's fascinating to hear such an interesting storyline, interwoven with History, and the aggressive male passion that Uhtred displays makes you wish you could spring from your day job and go slay a few Vikings!

So hooked was I that I got to the end & am still mulling it over in my head a week after. So intense is the experience of both the narration & the excellent writing, that it comes as an unusual plot twist to be told in the historical note that not all of it is true. I won't reveal what the twist is, but is sufficient to say that elements of the story are history, but of the fuzzy variety...

What can I say, then, that will persuade you that this is an interesting book / audio book to buy? Only this: that although it may not be 100% historical (and Cornwell may use an identikit formula for his books), it is still worth reading at least one of his series of books and, from experience, this series seems a good place 2 start.

"The Pale Horseman," by Bernard Cornwell, continues Cornwell's "Saxon Stories" trilogy that began with "The Last Kingdom." Cornwell's title to the trilogy is probably more accurate than the popular description of these books as "Cornwell's story of Alfred the Great."

It's true that Cornwell has chosen as the backbone of his story Alfred's defeat of the Danes (aka "Vikings," but Cornwell properly pointed out in "TLK" that "viking" is a verb) against seemingly impossible odds. Alfred is an important player in the books as the King of Wessex, the last of the four kingdoms of England that have not been conquered by the Danes.

But this is not a story primarily about Alfred -- those looking for a hagiography of England's only officially "Great" king will be disappointed. "The Pale Horseman" is primarily the story of Uthred, a Saxon of Northumbria, who was raised by Danes, admires and loves them, but now finds himself fighting them alongside Alfred and the Saxons.

Uthred and Alfred make for a jarring comparison, with Alfred generally getting the shorter end of the stick from Mr. Cornwell. Uthred is a fun character while Alfred is often disappointing. Uthred is a lusty pagan whereas Alfred is a pious Christian (to be fair, Cornwell makes clear that in his youth, Alfred did his fair share of wenching). Uthred is a mighty warrior, whereas Alfred is sickly and thin. Uthred knows that the Danes must be beaten with the sword, while Alfred is quick to offer Christian charity to his vanquished foes -- often to have those same foes rise up against him again. Uthred has faith in his pagan gods (who seem to be able to pull off a miracle or two every now and then), while Alfred doggedly follows the Christian god and his leech-like, ineffective priests. Uthred is a true warrior, Alfred is a poor politician.

And so it goes. What saves "The Pale Horseman" from being a second-tier book is Cornwell's mastery of the details of the period. Short of a time machine, Cornwell's "Saxon Stories" are as good as it gets as far as tossing the reader into the harsh Wessex countryside -- this is a land of rough hills, dense swamps, bitter cold, numbing rain, and occasional splendour. Cornwell captures all of this with his trademark economy, and eventually you feel like you're walking and talking with Uthred and his comrades rather than reading about them.

I have to say that "The Pale Horseman" is not my favorite Bernard Cornwell book. I don't think it rises to the heights he has attained with his other novels, and I think that may be more me than Cornwell. Cornwell's Alfred is an interesting character, but I grow impatient with him. The thesis of the books so far is that if Uthred hadn't been around, Alfred would never have amounted to much. At some point, Cornwell's going to have to show some of Alfred's mettle -- so far, Alfred has been Cornwell's most frustrating character since his take on Lancelot in the "Warlord" trilogy.

And for some odd reason, the battle scenes in "Horseman" feel a bit truncated compared to Cornwell's other works. Nobody writes a better real-world battle scene than Cornwell, and while "Horseman" builds and builds and builds to a climactic battle, it doesn't quite deliver the goods in the way that so many other Cornwell battle scenes do. Hmm. Maybe he's just spoiled me over the years.

As an aside, Cornwell takes an interesting step here and ever-so-slightly connects two trilogies. In Uthred's time, King Arthur is cherished by the Saxons as a warrior-king. Yet Uthred observes that Arthur was King of the Britons, and he fought the Saxons (the "Sais") -- in battles that Cornwell described so vividly in his earlier trilogy. Uthred wonders, if Arthur came back, as so many Saxons pray, wouldn't he just fight the Saxons, too, as well as the Danes? These are the kinds of unexpected thoughts that Uthred has that make him so much fun.

Again, this is not Cornwell's best novel. But he's written about fifty excellent books so far, so we can't expect him to keep topping himself. If you're a fan of Cornwell's works, check this one out. If you haven't read Cornwell yet, I'd recommend starting with Richard Sharpe, or the "Warlord" trilogy, or "Stonehenge," or the "Grail Quest" trilogy, or "Redcoat," or . . .

Bernard Cornwell, perhaps our best writer of the historical adventure novel today, again scores high with the second book in his Saxon Stories. I'm a devoted follower of Cornwell, and in my opinion, these books rank with the better Sharpe stories and exceed The Heretic.

The Pale Horseman tells the historical story of the 9th-century Danish (Norse or 'Viking') invasion and Alfred's struggle for the survival of Wessex and his idea of a united England. The Danes have already defeated Northumbria, East Anglia, and Mercia. Then the Danes broke the truce and Alfred's kingdom shrunk to an area of vast swamps and tidal flats known as the Somerset Levels.

With the help of our fictional warrior, Uhtred, a man caught between loyalty and desire, Alfred rallies the fyrd - a people's army of sorts - to the great battle of Ethandun in 878 CE.

Alfred's victory saved Wessex and indeed the possibility of "England" - a Danish victory and perhaps that island would be called Daneland (although had the Danes never invaded Alfred would never have had the opportunity to unite the disparate Saxon kingdoms). In any event, much remains to be done. Alas, we must await Cornwell's third installment, The Lords of the North due out in the US in January 2007.

Highly recommended for fans of Cornwell or anyone who enjoys historical adventure stories. The battle descriptions put the reader right in the clash of steel, the chanting, the roaring insults, banging of shields, blood, earthy human odors, the bloodlust, the horrible injuries and brutal deaths.

Uhtred, born a Northumbrian, raised a Dane, serving the king of Wessex against the Danes, some of whom who he has fought along side in his past. Such is the life of a 10th century warrior.

This book continues the SAXON CHRONICLES, following book one, "The Last Kingdom". Although I would recommend that anyone reading this should read the first book, I would not say that it is absolutely necessary; but why skip book one when the story is so good?

This book finds Uhtred, the rightful Ealdorman of a county that was taken from him when he was a boy and his father died. Uhtred was taken captive by the Danes (the Vikings) and raised by a Danish warrior named Ragnar. Uhtred grew with only two goals, to become a warrior like his adoptive father Ragnar, and to take back his land from his uncle who stole the territory when Uhtred's father died.

The entire story is actually used to tell the story of Alfred the Great, the king who saved what is now England, from the Danes who would have taken control of the entire island.

This is wonderful historical fiction and I highly recommend it to anyone that enjoyed Bernard Cornwell's ARTHUR or GRAIL TRILOGIES. Mr. Cornwell is a master storyteller, weaving historical facts with fictional characters to tell an interesting and educational tale about our oft forgotten past.

The middle ages, the dark ages, are my favorite historical period, and this captures that period beautifully; it is descriptive as needed, but not bogged down with trite details.

This, as was the first book, is wonderful. I am eager to begin book three, "Lords of the North" and know that I will be on pins-and-needles as I await the release of book four in the series, "Sword Song", which is due to be released in October 2007 in the UK and in January 2008 in the US.

Bernard Cornwell has that unique gift--a gritty, hard-hitting, involving ability to credibly place a reader back in another time. He does this by driving exciting stories with well-drawn, complex and growing characters. I enjoy all of Bernard's work, but in particular feel the intensity of his first-person POV novels, notably the fabulous "Arthur" books -- The Winter King, Enemy of God and Excalibur -- and now in magnificent form in the "Saxon Chronicles" or the "history" of Alfred the Great. In this second book he brings classic Cornwell form by involving us in the great one's life through a flawed, conflicted main character Uhtred, rather than choosing the point of view of Alfred the Great. Where Uhtred was a boy in the first book, who grew to manhood -- an equally compelling story -- here, Uhtred is the man who must struggle with his love of the Northmen who raised him versus his birth-loyalty to his countrymen (the Saxons) and their driven King Alfred. The characters drive the action, not the other way around, and we truly come to enjoy being around Uhtred. First person is not a handicap in this tapestry, it is the secret of the success of this series, just as it was with the Arthur cycle. I'll read anything by Bernard Cornwell, but this has to be my favorite. Perhaps it's the period. This is the time when "civilization" emerged from the "dark ages" yet oddly the reader cheers for the "barbarians." The author holds nothing back, conveying the violence of the period, a convincing portrait of the religious confusion of the time, an oddly convincing portrayal of the great king who here, at least, is drawn as a bit of a religious fanatic who in spite of his weaknesses wins out. Brilliant story-telling.

I enjoyed this book. The Pale Horseman, a historical novel, is the second book in the "Saxon tales", a series of sagas during the reign of Alfred the Great of England in the late 800s. The series recounts the Danish invasion of England and the subsequent resistance of the Saxon population. Nominally the series is about Alfred the Great, his ascent to power as King of Wessex, his attempt to secure his kingdom and recapture the rest of England.

This story is mostly about the preparation of Albert the Great's army for the decisive battle to drive the Danish out of Wessex. It further relates the battles against the invading Danish. The main character is Uhtred, a man who is the extant Ealdorman of in Bebbanburg, a castle in the kingdom of Northumbria.

Uhtred is a very proud man who is constantly in trouble with his superiors, but Uhtred is also a great warrior who speaks Danish and understands both the Danish strategies and the art of warfare. Despite his troubling ways, Uhtred becomes a valued asset to Alfred and the army.

I enjoyed the scenes in the moors of western Wessex and the cunning for human survival while building an army in the swamps. The details of Danish and Saxon culture are impressive. The battle scenes are bloody and vicious. The strategies are clear, and the pace of the battles explicit.

If you like historical fiction, if you enjoy viewing brutal battles, and if you appreciate learning about the roots of the English culture, you will enjoy this book.

I had to think a long while before giving this book only 4 stars. However, this continuation of the story of Uhtred and Alfred the Great started painfully slow for me. The author provided A LOT of background information from the first book and while it was a nice refresher before picking up the story, it seemed as if he repeated himself far too often in regard to Uhtred's dislike of Alfred. It almost felt as if the author didn't know where to go with the story and so was almost "thinking out loud" yet filling pages in the process while the story lagged. I expressed my dislike of the book's opening to an author friend who encouraged me to press on saying the book picked up well in the middle. He was correct -by the middle of the book, the story was moving and the "cliff hangers" at the end of each chapter left me salavating for more of the story. I really loved the book - after about the first 90 pages or so. Excitement reigned supreme and I could not turn the pages fast enough! I closed the book hungry for more and eagerly anticpate the 3rd in the series! Cornwell spins an amazing tale when he gets going - his characters are vivid and interesting. His stories are gripping and addictive. I highly recommend this book but have to encourage lovers of The Last Kingdom not to be discouraged at the slow start in The Pale Horseman.

The second book in the series, The Pale Horseman, is filled with glorious action and brilliant characters that will keep you on the edge of your seat. Cornwell takes a rather blurry time in history and brings to life all the Danes and Saxons in startlingly real fashion.

As the book opens, our hero, Uhtred, is a bit at loose ends; he's still serving Alfred, King of Wessex, but he is also thinking longingly of his Danish friends and lifestyle. Admittedly bored with both his wife Mildrith and his life, Uhtred "borrows" a royal boat and spends some time haranguing and raiding along the coast. Made to face the music, he finds himself having to defend his actions and his life; however, the Danes take that moment to launch an invasion which drives not only Uhtred from his home, but also the Christian Alfred. Scheme upon scheme and battle after battle ensue and Cornwell keeps us amid the action in fine style. I found myself turning the pages readily as I wanted to know what would happen to not only Uhtred, but his woman Iseult, his grudging companion Steapa, and the most wonderful character introduced in this book, Pyrling the priest.

This installment is a pure delight, giving us a series of exciting battles, difficult yet intriguing characters, and tension of all sorts. I am eagerly looking forward to the third book, Lords of the North. This one's a keeper.

Following on fromThe Last Kingdom, "The Pale Horseman" takes up the story of Uhtred of Bebbanburg in the year 877. Wessex has been overrun by the Danes under Guthrum and Svein, both rampaging and plundering the country. Alfred survives as the King of a swamp, but desperate days call for desperate measures.

Uhtred kills Ubba the Dane in the Battle of Cynuit, but because he chased after his wife, the credit went to Odda the Younger, a rival. Uhtred's struggles to find harmony as a pagan in an intensely Christian environment provide much of the tension in the plot. His relationships with Alfred, Aelswith, Mildrith and others are far from easy. Uhtred's own arrogance and pride are also much in focus, manifesting in some naughtiness at times.

Cornwell again excels at this type of historical epic, creating a sequel that only adds to the first volume. Uhtred's complexity as a person continues to intrigue, especially as he struggles to find his own sense of identity amongst conflicting obligations.

I enjoyed this volume as much as the first and would recommend it to any and all. One bit of advice, though it may sound obvious: read the first volume before this one. I do not think this one would make a good stand-alone story, honestly. They are both fantastic books and I cannot wait to hit the third one!

I read the first book in this series, The Last Kingdom, more than a few years ago and while I loved it, for some reason I never picked up the sequel until now. The previous novel was the first Bernard Cornwell novel that I had read, but I knew that it would not be the last. This author is very good at making history feel immediate and real, and has a good grasp of the time period which he brings to life in an authentic and often frightening way. I’m very glad that I live in the modern age and will never have to stand in a shield wall, I actually got anxious reading Cornwell’s description of this type of battle. Very well done, but not for the squeamish.

A fine yarn. I loved the thorough immersion into ninth-century England. Uhtred, the main character and narrator, is a thoughtful observer. Like all multi-volume series, the story lacks the strong character evolution and conflict resolution found in single novels; but Uhtred is, for the most part, refreshingly self-aware. His constant hostility to ninth-century Christianity struck me as a miss-application of modern attitudes to a far different historical period. I don't imagine someone living then, particularly someone raised under Christian influence, would voice such overt contempt for the everyday religiosity of the period.

Bernard Cornwell's Alfred the Great series really form one long novel, though they are self-contained stories that are also readable separately. These are well-written tales of derring-do, with plenty of battles and adventure interspersed with political and sexual intrigue. Cornwell also takes an interesting stab at capturing the religious politics of the time, and the deadly contest between Christianity, supported by the Saxons, and Norse paganism as championed by the Danes. Indeed, it was a great narrative idea to have Uhtred, the hero, a Saxon but a pagan.

The series was recommended to me by an Anglo-Saxonist, who said it was historically plausible. This friend, in particular, says Cornwell portrays Alfred realistically, with all his ambiguities and his scheming piety. Moreover, the author signals any conscious historical departures - such as the date or location of a battle when it is uncertain - in an appendix. Well worth reading, and The Pale Horseman is a worthy sequel.

Instead of duplicating the other excellent reviews of this book I would like to add a couple of comments.

This book recounts in fascinating detail the early days of Saxon King Alfred when England was nearly conquered by the Danes, his retreat to the swamps of Athelney where he reformed his forces leading to the eventual victory over the numerically superior Danish forces at Ethandum.

This book stands on its own and can be read without the others; however since the Saxon Chronicles build sequentially the reader may prefer to start at the beginning with The Last Kingdom which develops the main characters and overall themes of 9th century Saxon England.

I especially recommend the Audio CD. Tom Sellwood's brilliant narrative complements the story so perfectly. Each character's voice fits the character, complete with Danish accents. I felt like I was living in the times with this narrative. (Note the CD narrator is different, and to my mind much preferable, to the audiobook download/sample). A sample of Sellwood's narrative for the third in the seriesis available on Audible [...]

A supurb continuation of the The Last Kingdom, this story picks up almost where the last one left off. The 800's Wessex comes to life again in this story of King Alfred's man Uthred of Northumbria, whose sympathies lie more with the Danes, Alfred's enemies, than his king. Such realism, such characters, getting inside Uthred's head is fascinating. Brida and Ragnar return from book one. And we meet some unforgettable new ones - Leoferic, Iseult and Steapa. Another great tale. By almost a classic - I mean it is great for the last 5 years, but I wouldn't say it is amongst the greatest historical fiction stories of all time. Fate is all.

In THE LAST KINGDOM, his previous novel of ninth-century England, Bernard Cornwell reminded us that "Viking" is in fact a verb and not a proper noun. The people we now think of as Vikings were then known as the "Danes," the same individuals who now populate Denmark and Minnesota. Viking is not who they were, it was what they did --- and what they did was wage war, wreak havoc, and generally make hairy nuisances of themselves to the outside world. Going Viking meant you were going for mead and plunder and battle and the blood of enemies congealing in a pool at your feet. It was something we'd now call a lifestyle choice.

The second book in Cornwell's ninth-century trilogy is THE PALE HORSEMAN --- referring both to the deadly horseman of the Christian apocalypse and a fictional Danish warrior, Svein of the White Horse, who leads one of the invading forces into Saxon England. The narrator is Uhtred of Bebbanburg, a displaced Saxon noble whose Northumbrian holdings were overrun by the Danes and treacherous relatives when he was young. In the first book he was captured by the Danes and grew to be a fierce warrior in the shield wall. This novel follows Uhtred dealing with his split loyalties --- both to his pagan gods and Danish training, and to Arthur, King of the West Saxons, who is trying to rid England of Danish influence and unify the country under one crown.

In his heart, Uhtred would rather leave civilization behind. It has brought him nothing --- a loveless marriage, a debt-ridden estate in Devonshire, and the enmity of the Church and his fellow Saxons (who nickname him "Uhtred the Wicked"). On the other hand, going Viking can get Uhtred the silver he needs to pay off his debts and the fame he needs to raise a battle host to storm the castle that is his birthright.

If you think all of this sounds too crude and violent for your taste, you are almost assuredly right. (The bit about the congealing blood of the enemies probably gave it away.) You'd be much closer to the mark, however, if you said that it all sounds too formulaic --- that it's a typical tale of personal ambition set against the backdrop of war and battles. The pattern and even the plot twists will be familiar to everyone who's read Cornwell's novels about the Napoleonic Wars or (for example) C.S. Forester's Hornblower series.

However, two factors contribute to making THE PALE HORSEMAN readable and enjoyable for those who aren't already fans of the genre. First, Cornwell is a superb amateur historian and devotes special care to making sure that his work reflects the history of the time about which he writes. This is a special challenge for the ninth century, given the paucity of contemporary sources and the linguistic challenges of dealing with Middle English. (Cornwell limits this, wisely, to place names and provides a handy translation guide at the front of the book.)

Cornwell's scholarship is most evident in the character of Alfred the Great, who the narrator Uhtred often treats as a creature of contempt. Alfred is portrayed as an effective yet reluctant war leader, but one whose judgment is often sacrificed to his faith. Alfred's Christian piety leads him into superstition, and he is occasionally manipulated by his bishops --- who tend to do things such as assume that God will drop fire on the heads of the invading Danes. (The impious Uhtred gulls Alfred into approving one particular stratagem by claiming it is based on the parting of the Red Sea by Moses.) Cornwell's focus on Alfred's religion marks him as a man of his time and anchors us in the ninth-century mindset.

The other factor, thankfully, is that Cornwell's books are simply fun. THE PALE HORSEMAN is a blood-soaked romp of swords, shields, daggers, duels, pagan shadow queens, and all sorts of other treats for the reader (not to mention that the descriptions of ninth-century battles tend to drive out the dreary realities of twenty-first century war). The Uhtred character is a little too stolid to be compelling, but he's always in the thick of battle, and Cornwell takes second place to no one in explaining both the strategy and carnage of historic battlefields.

For those who like mixing their action and adventure with sound historical research and scholarship, THE PALE HORSEMAN is as welcome as a long draught of mead or a bag of silver coins. And if you have enough of those Danish butter cookies left over from the holidays to enjoy while you're reading, so much the better.

--- Reviewed by Curtis Edmonds, who writes the "Northbound" blog at [...] and is hard at work on his second novel.

The second in the series, this picks up where "The Last Kingdom" left off. The young, dispossessed noble Uhtred, now an arrogant young pagan warrior, forges an uneasy alliance with the religious Alfred, the last English monarch standing between the Danes and their total domination of Britain. Driven into the swamps, Uhtred must protect Alfred as he tries to rally the nation for one last desperate stand against the Danes, who are seeking to eliminate Saxon resistance once and for all.

Uhtred's loyalties are torn between the Saxons, native to the land like him, and to the Danes who raised him, particularly his protector's son Ragnar. Uhtred takes up with the bewitching pagan sorceress Iseult. His enemy Odda the Younger, along with his fearsome warrior Steapa, want Uhtred dead. All roads lead across the swamps near the Severn to the fateful battle of Ethandun, where an army of Saxon farmers must take on the fearsome Vikings with history in the balance.

Let me say, this is the first book that I have ever finished in one day, and I did read every word. This is a great book; good laughs and great fun! However, I don't believe it was as grand as the first in the series. It took some time for the story to fully excite me; unlike the first. However, perhaps i'm just too enthralled with Cornwell's creation of the pagan hero in the first book (and moreover his role model, Ragnar, whom I'd like to name my son after).

The primary champion, Uhtred, is a well balanced character, who embraces the pagan lifestyle of his enemies, while serving Christian Wessex. He's very human, but very pagan. An everyday hero FOR the everyday hero! Refreshing, truly a release from structured society, and the readers know it immediately! A must read for us pagans out there!!!

Best line of the book (278): "Life is simple," I said. "Ale, woman, sword, and reputation. Nothing else matters." (-Uhtred)

-Cornwell himself is a champion writer. I greatly look forward to continuing the series with the next two books in the series, and all his others.

Bernard Cornwell continues the saga of Uhtred, Alfred the Great, the Danes and the struggle to create England. Cornwell's predecessor novel, "The Last Kingdom," was great . . . and "The Pale Horseman" is better.

Uhtred is a minor Saxon noble whose lands have been taken from him by his treacherous uncle who has aligned himself with the invading Danes. At 20, Uhtred is little more than a savage. Killing comes naturalle to him. Alfred the Great is the last surviving Saxon King, a man given to religious piety, which Uhtred has little use for. Uhtred spent time as a slave to the Danes and literally became one of them, a pagan warrior.

"Horseman" begins with Uhtred being betrayed by a glory seeking noble who takes credit for Uhtred's victory in a battle described in "Kingdom." Uhtred is disfavored by the King and made to humble himself. Giving little heed to his oath of allegiance, Uhtred engages in a bit of free-lance piracy and, to cap things off, a bit of self-dispensed judgment, killing one of his workers.

He is called to account for himself at Alfred's court. Trial by combat is interrupted by a Danish invasion.

Alfred is driven into a swamp where, by chance, Uhtred joins him. From here Alfred is determined to retake his kingdom and, ultimately, unite all England.

Cornwell is a superb storyteller. He brings the stark brutality of the age home with the resonance of swords clashing. Deftly he skewers the greedy religionists. His portraits of swaggering, ignorant, grasping petty nobles are swiftly drawn and piercing. Literally Cornwell produces the stink of the era, the ignorance, the coarseness of life. His battle scenes are marvels: you can feel the fear, the raw courage, the brutality of combat.

This is the very height of adventure, particularly if you have a taste for history. Cornwell promises yet more on Alfred the Great and his uniting of England. I look forward to the next installment.

Jerry

For those with a liking for adventure, freebooting and viking raids, The Pale Horseman, Cornwell's second installment in his tale of the formation of England under King Alfred (known to posterity as "the Great") has it all. It's an energetic and fast paced narrative of the Saxon nobleman, Uhtred Uhtredsson, out of the old Anglo-Saxon kingdom of Northumbria, who, after losing his freedom to Danish vikings and his ancestral holdings to a perfidious uncle, re-establishes himself, albeit with no little resentment, in the camp of King Alfred of Wessex, the last Saxon king still fighting the Danish invaders. England's history is rich with invasion and war, particularly at this early time, and Cornwell successfully mines it for good material.

Uhtred is not a highly sympathetic character, having been raised a viking by his Danish captors and being more interested in getting his own back than in the well being of those around him. Still, he is a convincingly realistic one. We have little reason to think that he would have been any less self-interested or brutal than the people and culture around him warranted. This tale, of course, is set in the early part of the viking age, at its height in fact, when Danish and Norse freebooters were swarming across the British Isles, grabbing what they could and killing whatever they couldn't take away with them. For those familiar with the later Icelandic saga literature which actually reflects a very different era, the level of violence and cruelty may come as a bit of a shock. But there's little reason to doubt that that's how it was and Cornwell presents it with panache. One may not like seeing Uhtred turn on his "allies" in a pinch but it's believable and, as a character, he does maintain a kind of internal consistency and a certain sense of personal honor.

Essentially the hero of the tale is at odds with everyone at the outset though he will eventually find himself thrown into uncomfortable alliance with, and allegiance to, the dyspeptic Saxon king who is intent not only on hanging onto his own kingdom (for which he must defeat the predatory Danes) but in expanding his rule to unify the shattered remnants of the other broken Saxon kingdoms. This is as much a book about English history as about vikings and if you like fast paced adventure with well-drawn characters, Cornwell has provided it. It's a little weak in the seriousness department, being mostly a tale of action and scheming and fighting, but it is as tightly woven a narrative as one is likely to see, with nary a moment to take a breath. I liked this one better than its predecessor, The Last Kingdom, and based on this alone I'll probably read the third installment when I get the chance. On the other hand, I didn't much care for Uhtred because of his brutality and bloodlust, but he sort of grows on you -- and he is, after all, a creature of his times. More, it pays to remember that the Angles, Saxons and Jutes in their day weren't much better to the native Britons than the Danes were in this era to them. So, as they say, what goes around comes around.

Anyway, I'm not always a fan of Cornwell (I didn't like Winter King, the first installment in his three part Warlord Chronicles, based on the Arthurian era) but this time he's sold me and I'll be the one doing the buying after this, at least as far as the sequel to this one is concerned.

SWM

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The Golden Warrior: The Story of Harold and William

Eric Brighteyes: The Works of H. Rider Haggard

Styrbiorn the Strong

Two Ravens

The King of Vinland's Saga

This is the second of Cornwell's books about the 9th century England of King Alfred the Great as seen through the eyes of Uhtred. I'd recommend that the books are read in order: each book builds on its predecessor.

Uhtred sees - and moves between - both sides in the conflict between the Danish and the Kingdom of Wessex. He is ultimately fighting to recover the lost estates of his father but has sufficient links with both sides in the conflict to be useful to both. And, perhaps, trusted by neither because his loyalties are clearly divided.

Again, Cornwell makes the battle scenes of the front line (the Shield Wall) come alive in their chaos and bloodshed. At the same time, the struggle between the pagans and the Christians is part of the fabric of the story.

I like the character of Uhtred as depicted by Cornwell. I found the novel both entertaining and enlightening.

Highly recommended.

Jennifer Cameron-Smith

In The Pale Horseman (sequel to The Last Kingdom), Bernard Cornwell surges on with his series on the life of Alfred the Great, but not simply with a furthering of the plot, but some clear development in both story, character, and the whole point Cornwell is trying to make with this series.

In Pale Horseman we now learn that our hero from the last book, Uhtred of Bebbanburg, while just as skilled in his knowledge of languages, way with words, as well as his ability with his trusty sword - Serpent-breath - is actually not that great of a guy. When he has to spend time at home with his child and pious wife who wants him to be a good Christian, he treats them with disdain and instead goes off with his buddies on one of Alfred's ships, kills a lot of people, and steals considerable amounts of wealth, as well as kidnapping his very own pagan sorceress. While the pathetic excuse for this case can be made that "it's what men did back then," I find it an admirable move by Cornwell to make the protagonist out to be a character that most would find at the least disreputable. But ultimately these facets of Uhtred's character only serve to make him more believable, which is certainly a critique of the characters in Cornwell's other works.

At the same time, he magnificently captures the feel of the period. Here you have the Saxons trying to defend their country (which they invaded just four hundred years before and occupied) against the Vikings and Danes who all but succeed in their conquering of Britain. Cornwell even goes on to say in his elucidating "author's note" that if it weren't for Alfred's decision, when all seemed lost, to still fight back and win, that Cornwell would be telling this story in Danish. Whether you're a Saxon, a Viking, or a Briton; identity was something both questioned and sought after in this melting pot of a country. Cornwell cleverly reveals this with Uhtred's ability to speak many languages, as well as being often thought a Viking or a Briton, but not a Saxon, which he considers himself.

At the end when all that remains of Saxon Britain is a small area of marsh in Wessex, Alfred unites his people who end up banding together from all areas of the surrounding country, and manages to defeat and push the Vikings out of his land, making Wessex the one strong remaining Saxon place left in all Britain. It was with this victory that Alfred earned the title "great." The book ends with the future knowledge and hope that Alfred the Great will begin taking back the rest of Britain and pushing the Vikings out for good.

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Bernard Cornwall has written another book with Utred as his conflicted hero. Utred loses two women in this story and wins a great victory over his adopted Danes, but you know that the Saxon king will somehow short change him again. I look forward to the next book in this series.

This second novel is Cornwell's series is every bit as good as the first, you can feel yourself being sucked into the whole Dark Age period, the war the brutality and the people of this period are fascinating. And as always Cornwell's writing style is great and if a fan of action then you'll enjoy this work it's packed full of swords, axes, battles and blood, you could ask for more.

Uhtred is faced with a dilemma, whether or not to fight for the Saxon King Alfred or fight with the Dane warriors he knows best, he finally makes his decision when Alfred offers him command of his small but powerful navy. And from here Uhtred faces numerous dangerous situations from naval battles to surviving the invasion of a massive Dane army and rescuing Alfred from the swamps of Wessex. All the while he wonders if he is doing the right thing in fighting for the Saxons.

Uhtred is back with a vengeance in this continuation of Cornwell's treatment of the reign of Alfred the Great. Born a Northumbrian ealdorman, but raised by the Danes who captured him, Uhtred is a man with mixed loyalties. He loves and respects the pagan Danes, and dislikes the Christian Saxons, but is drawn to those who speak his language and share his heritage.

Uhtred is a typical Cornwell hero--brash, proud, and sometimes unthinking. However, he does manage to be a sympathetic character, and we admire his courage and loyalty. Cornwell exercises his fascination with ancient feminine magic by introducing Iseult, a Briton "shadow queen" with whom Uhtred promptly becomes infatuated.

It is Alfred's struggle with the Danes that drives this story, however. Will he manage to pluck victory from the jaws of defeat? You will find out after one of Cornwell's famous battle descriptions, and will be waiting impatiently for the next volume in this series.

The Danes have overrun Wessex!

Alfred, Uhtred, and Leofric have to play swamp fox till the Saxons get their act together and take the Main Chance, but who cares about politics and war when you've won yourself a genuine Cornish witch-queen?

2nd book in the Saxon Chronicles. This books picks right up where the first book left off. You go right into the story on page one and it keeps you engrossed with the 'just one more page' desire as it grabs your attention and keeps it. To Cornwell's major credit there is very little retelling of what went before this volume in 'The Last Kingdom'.

This is a major historical novel series. If you hare at all enthralled with Viking (Scandinavian) history or of the British Isles this series is a must read for you.

This is the second in Cornwell's Saxon series but you didn't have to read The Last Kingdom (the first in the series) to enjoy this one.

Personally, I find it difficult not to enjoy a Cornwell novel. He has a gift of providing just enough history to satisfy the discerning while continuing the narrative at a nail-biting pace.

The Pale Horseman continues King Alfred's struggle to preserve Wessex from invading Viking hordes. The story is told from the viewpoint of the fictional Uhtred of Bebbanburg, a dispossessed young nobleman who has lived among the Danes and is contemptuous of Alfred's piety and caution. His actions at the critical battle of Cynuit in the previous novel should have made him a hero. Instead his thunder has been stolen by Odda the Younger who claims the honor for himself.

Bitter, Uhtred is tempted to join the Danes and he vaccilates between loyalty and defection throughout the novel. But blood ties prove stronger than disappointments and he overcomes them to stand beside Alfred in the fight to save the kingdom. Cornwell can't be equaled when it comes to depicting the horror of the battlefield and there's plenty of blood and guts as well as bawdy humor and romance as well.

The saga continues in Lords of the North, the next in the series.

"I saw a pale horse and the rider's name was death."

(The Apocalyse of John 6, 8)

On January 6th 878 the pagan Danish ruler of East Anglia, "Guthrum the Old" defeats the westsaxonian army in the battle of Cippanhamm/Wiltunscir (Chippenham/Wiltshire). With his family and few fellows King Ælfred succeeds in escaping into the march landscape of the river Pedredan. From his swampy hiding place the christian king of Wessex summons the Fyrd (people army), which has to assemble on 6th May 878 at Ethandun (Edington/Wiltshire) to fight the final decisive battle against the danish invaders.But briefly after that, with the victory in the battle of Cynuit/Sumorsæte (Cannington/Sommerset), again hope for the last anglo-saxon kingdom arises, because the leader of the invasion army, Ubbe Ragnarson, is killed, his "Hrefn" (Ravenbanner) captured....

....as far as the historical events, that C. Walter Hodges took already in his historical youth novel "The Marsh King" (1967), but Cornwell now has modified for his novel cycle about "Alfred the Great". In his "Historical Note" the author grants the fact, that because of fictional reasons he moved the Saxon victory forward a year to form the ending of "The Last Kingdom". Therefore he had to invent a second skirmish at Cynuit and the danish chieftain "Svein of the white horse", before he finally returns to the historical events....

Uhtred Uthredson, Cornwells fictitious protagonist, was robbed of his fame and the famous "Ravenbanner" he had captured after he defeated and killed Ubbe Ragnarsons, by Ealdorman Odda the younger one. After that the Northumbrian Ealdorman, who still worhips Odin, Thor and all the other old gods, starts an unorthorized operation with his old buddy Leofric in making his own vikings-raid to Cornwalum. For making booty he allies with Vikingchief "Svein of the white horse", who cames from Ireland. Uhtred kills the welsh king Peredur and releases one of his wives, the briton "shadowqueen" Iseult, who was hold as prisoner by the local ruler, because she can is able to look ahead. But the welsh monk Asser (the later biographer of "Alfred the Great") reports these and further, but not commited crimes of so called "Uhtred dærwe" to the King of Wessex. Soon after "Uthred the Wicked" has to answer to the witan for his heathen outrages. By a duel with giant Steapa Snortor, the follower and bodygaurd of his enemy "Odda the younger one" Uthred wants to prove his innocence. But a new assault of the Danes brings the duel to a premature end....

For reader's information there are a map of Southwest-Britain at the end of the 9th Century and an alphabetical list, that compares the anglosaxon names of loccalities with their danish and presentday designations. "The Pale Horseman" is a suspense-packed sequel of "The Last Kingdom" . The literary deviating from the actual occurences causes a little reduction of the novels historical substance....

....which follows a reduced evaluation of 4 the storestars, but nevertheless calls for an immediate continuation of the reading matter with part III "The Lords of The North"!

Cornwell has found a niche in the pop historical fiction market. I contribute much of his success to his novels' readability. Most of them can be read in one sitting within a few hours, and The Pale Horseman is no exception. The reason is Cornwell's clear, crisp style and focus on dramatic storytelling. He sets a brisk pace, eschews exposition in favor of action, and avoids excessive adjectives and adverbs. Many of his books follow a formula: The protagonists are skillful warriors, less than virtuous but always loyal, and ruggedly handsome enough to attract well bred ladies. Cornwell excels at describing battles, and The Pale Horseman is at its best when Uhtred is killing someone. I like how Cornwell depicts soldiers as businessmen: Their business is killing, and they do it for wealth, women, and reputation. Most of his soldiers are not mindless brutes but clever, practical strategists. They don't like to risk losing men, ground, or fame. The novel also has a grim sense of humor. I recommend it to any fan of Cornwell, historical fiction, or military adventure.

This novel is the second with Uhtred in this series. They battle for England under King Alfred. Alfred is not very likable or very wise to the untrustworthiness of many people and offers too many chances. He very nearly loses everything to that fact. Good book! Well written and full of interesting characters.

The Pale Horseman is the sequel to the best selling Last Kingdom and continues the the tale of the great warrior Uhtred, born in Northumberland. Raised as a Viking but he is now married to a Saxon girl. He is a pagan and his alliance with the pious Alfred the Great does not sit easily on the shoulders of either man.

However after a disastrous truce with the Dane's, only Alfred's family and Uhtred and a small number of his companions are left of the leaders in Wessex and they have been driven deeper and deeper into a swamp, where they are helpless to try to gather forces to stand against the Dane's

The Vikings now hold most of England and it has been a disastrous time for the Saxons. Uhtred find himself torn between the growing respect he has for Alfred and the love he has for his Danish foster brother and the all conquering Vikings. He has to wrestle with his heart and decide whether to try and rally the Saxons and drive out the Vikings, or change sides and go to his foster brother.

I've read a lot of fantasy novels that have similar settings to this book. I can't remember being so immersed in what seems like a real midevil setting. The dirt, poverty, chaos seem so believable and real. Comic books and fantasy novels always claim to have abiguous heroes but Uthred had got to be the ultimate anti-hero. The thing is you can understand why and it all makes a crazy kind of sense. The other thing Cornwall gets right is the clash of cultures that resulted in the rich culture of England that still exists to this day. This is a real page-turner yet the drama is not made up of just giant heroic acts but seemingly small things. There is one key act by a minor character that will make you say "if he didn't do that, there would be no England" and Cornwell makes that completely believable. I'm going to be reading a lot more of Cornwall's work and I advise others to do the same. One word of warning... midevil combat is pretty gory and violent and you won't be spared that.

Thanks to Netflix I discovered the Saxon series, one of the best historical fiction series I have read. There aren’t any dragons, but there’s plenty of intrigue and combat! Can’t wait to start the next one!

This novel is the sequel to THE LAST KINGDOM and it continues the exciting tale of Uhtred and King Alfred (better known as Alfred the Great). Uhtred and King Alfred's relationship is still tenuous at best, however, Uhtred is has formed respect for this resilient king. Uhtred is still divided between his allegiance to King Alfred and his Danish foster-brother, Ragnar.

He knows that in the great battle that is to come he must choose between them. Uhtred is ultimately unhappy with the wife and farm he is given by Alfred as there is a great debt attached to it. He's bored and misses his raiding days. He eventually embarks on a raid with his former shipmates (under King Alfred) and disguises his ship as a Danish/Viking raider. His raiding adventures bring him to the Shadow Queen; Iseult who leaves with him after her husband's kingdom is destroyed.

The adventures continue and you can feel Uhtred frustrations with both King Alfred and his former allies. This second installment was even better than the first and I look forward to the next with great anticipation!

I've enjoyed the Saxon Series and have found all of them engrossing. Characters believable and especially like how the author tries to stay true to history. My only con for these books -- trying to keep the names, places and mapping them clear. Thank goodness for my Kindle. I highlight each new character/place and often refer back to the initial introduction to clarify their relevance.

This is the second book in the SAXON series. While it didn't hold my interest as much as the first novel, THE LAST KINGDOM, it lived up to Cornwell's usual fast-paced, action-filled drama.

THE PALE HORSEMAN continues the story of the fictional Uhtred and the clash between the Danes and the Saxons. It centers around Wessex, the last Saxon stronghold, and it builds up to the battle of Ethandun (now Edington, Wiltshire).

Cornwell portrays Alfred as a pious, weak and lucky leader, which may seem a bit of a stretch. But if he were the strong, brave, irreverent character that Uhtred is, there would be no room in the story for the hero.

This is the second book in the SAXON series. While it didn't hold my interest as much as the first novel, THE LAST KINGDOM, it lived up to Cornwell's usual fast-paced, action-filled drama.

THE PALE HORSEMAN continues the story of the fictional Uhtred and the clash between the Danes and the Saxons. It centers around Wessex, the last Saxon stronghold, and it builds up to the battle of Ethandun (now Edington, Wiltshire).

Cornwell portrays Alfred as a pious, weak and lucky leader, which may seem a bit of a stretch. But if he were the strong, brave, irreverent character that Uhtred is, there would be no room in the story for the hero.

I'm an avid reader. I read everything from history to technical and self-help to autobiographies and adventure books and fiction, everything from thrillers to sci-fi.

The Pale horseman (and the Last Kingdom) ranks among the most entertaining of my reads. It is totally gripping, engulfing you in Uthreds world that at times you can so vividly feel your self in his shoes that it is almost frightening. The historical background further adds to the entertaining value. It makes you wonder that maybe there existed a man or men like Uthred in that era? The storytelling aspect is also very fit for this tale. With Uthred's 1st person account of events, telling the story presumably in old age. He lays judgement on his actions or inactions and his companions. Also, he sometimes implies in advance when something unexpected is about to happen, further incresing the tension. Since I'm an icelander and having studied icelandic and nordic history, including the Viking-era, I can vouch for the "authenticity" relating to viking life, customs and religion. And with icelandic being the language that most resembles the old nordic languages, more than a few old danish words in the books sound familiar.

I can't wait to begin reading Lords of the north.

This is a fantastic follow-up to The Last Kingdom. While the style and subject matter of Cornwell's books rarely changes (war and warriors, women and pillaging), the overall story is king and it is told masterfully. Yes, at times it is overstated, formulaic and even clichéd in places, but Cornwell is one of those who focuses on the journey, rather than the end result. I read his books because they take me to a far off time and place and let me imagine a world such that I almost feel a part of it. It's not so much a history lesson as lived history. And its not a history that is lived by kings and princes, but one lived by the poor guy that stands in the front row of a shield wall, feeling his gorge rising and his bowels loosening in sheer terror. The king plays a bit-part as Uhtred, the deposed lord of lands he has not been in since he was 10, puppet of Alfred, more Dane than Englishmen, lone pagan in a throng of prayer-mad priests and monks, slashes and grinds and wisecracks his way to the forefront of any action.

Next, I expect, Uhtred and his foster-brother, Earl Ragnar, have an appointment in Northumbria with Kjarten and Sven, on their way to Bebbanburg. At least I hope so.

Well, the title is somewhat short of the Seven Deadly Sins. Mr. Cornwell has done it again on his second novel on Uhthred, Alfred and the Vikings. He has very well depicted killings, greeds and lusts among the characters he has described.

This novel is the second of third of the Alfred series depicting Anglo-Saxon Britons with their final resistance to the Vikings. England would have been no more if the Vikings had won the war that time.

Needless to say, I am giving this novel another five star, which I have also done so for the Last Kingdom (first in the Alfred series).

I must say I am disappiointed. Why? Because I'm pretty sure that no other book that I'll read immediately after this can hold a candle to this amazing work by Cornwell.

This is the second installment of Cornwell's Saxon series. The first book, THE LAST KINGDOM set the stage for the events happening in this installment. I didnt think that it could get much better than THE LAST KINGDOM, but oh, I was wrong. THE PALE HORSEMAN has all the elements of the 1st book that made it great. This time around, however, there is a little less fighting and more politics. The pacing is done well and we're introduced to some new memorable characters. (A Christian priest in the shield wall!)

Thank God that Cornwell puts out a book or two every year... Because soon we'll finish this series (maybe?) with the book, LORDS OF THE NORTH COUNTRY.

BRILLIANT.

Bernard Cornwell hit the nail on the head with this series about Uthred the Saxon who works (controversially) for Alfred the king. The problem this book faces is that it has to describe one of the least interesting periods in Saxon warfare which reflects on the book. B.C. tends to write in a masterful way but even that cannot help the fact that the situations in the books are sometimes slightly boring. This is one of the very few B.C. books that I have to award 'only' a 3-star.

The battle strategies, the crazy religious back & forth ( God can't enjoy what we do in His name smh) the betrayal. I hate modern day drama or reality shows but give me history in its beautiful & ugly & I am entrances

The second series in the Saxon chronicles - picking up where The Last Kingdom left off- 9the century England and Uhtred go's raiding into Conrwall and though hired by Briton king Peredur, to defend his kingdom against the Danish chieftain Svein of the White Horse, he teams up with Svein and kills Peredur, pillaging his kingdom and capturing Peredur's Queen, the beguiling and strikingly beautiful Pagan priestess and shadow Queen. He rescues several fascinating women including the spunky red-haired prostitute Eanflæd, and the lovely nun, Hild at Cippanhamm. This book, unlike its predecessor, explores the characters of several fascinating women, which was a great bonus here.

Much of the novel revolves around Uhtred's divided loyalties between the Danes he grew up among, and the Saxons of which he was born into. He serves the West Saxon King Alfred, but despises Alfred, described in this series as weak and neurotically pious.
We also explore the rivalry between Christianity and paganism in the England of this time. The novel climaxes with the famous Battle of Ethandun where Alfred, with the indispensable help of Uhtred takes back Wessex from the Danish hordes. An eventful and exciting novel taking us back into Cornwell's recreation of 9th century England.

In this second novel of what I have independently dubbed (and forgive a fan's presumption, Mr. Cornwell) the 'Uhtred Series'; the hard fighting, hard drinking and hard wenching hero, is for my money probably the best historical portrait I've ever seen.

In THE LAST KINGDOM, where we are introduced to Uhtred as a young boy, the ending of the book as he grows to a young man, just leaves you wanting more. Happily for all lovers of real history mixed with compelling characters, Bernard Cornwell has obliged.

As a writer and former history teacher, I am so in awe of the way in which he has taken a character out of the 'dark ages' of warring Saxons and Danes and brought him to vivid life. Especially since it would have been so easy to turn this sword wielding protagonist into a cartoon 'Conan the Barbarian' type hero. Mr Cornwell doesn't let that happen. Uhtred lops off heads where needed, steals when it's expedient and romps with abandon even though it inevitably leads to tragic consequences.

I've read the majority of Bernard Cornwell's work and while the history and charaters are always first rate, I can say without reservation, that The Last Kingdom and Pale Horseman, are his best yet.

Write quickly Mr. Cornwell - I can't wait for the next!

This second book in the series is amazing Cornwell has created one of his best characters in Uhtred Ragnarson. The fun is confined to Uhtred but also to the excellent supporting cast that Cornwell has created. It has everything I've come to expect from Cornwell books action, adventure humor and fantastic battles. With a Cornwell book you know its always going to be worth it.

Not to be rude but Mr. Cornwell now can you get back to writing the Nat Starbuck series? Those books were excellent as well.

If you are a Bernard cornwall fan or of if you have never read any of his books this series is fantastic. I can't say any more, just has you right there. The characters you come to know and love and the story ling is informative and thrilling.

My one big huge problem with this book is....

If Ulthred is anywhere near the man these books make him out to be, Alfred would have been killed 20 times already...

My big disappointment is, I know I will continue to read and Alfred will continue to live.

I highly recommend this book to anyone that enjoys historical fiction with an emphasis on militaria. The author paints a vivid picture of life in a war-ravaged Essex during the Danish invasions. The book is a fast read with action on most every page. The heros are flawed and life-like. The final battle scene is one of the best I have read. If I could write this well, I'd quit my job.

As usual Cornwell creates the antihero that every man would like to be for just a day. You also have to love his cynical treatment of organized religion. Hey, some things never change. If you're a Clint Eastwood kind of guy, you will enjoy pretty much any book by this author. I recommend the whole series.

I have been a fan of Bernard Cornwell for years, and have always enjoyed the Sharpe novels. This new series set in Saxon England is interesting historically, and the story moves rapidly. I did have a couple of quibbles, and if Mr. Cornwell or his editor is checking his sales rank at the store and happens to read this,
know it is from a frequent reader. Please retire the words "sour" and "snarl". It must be tough with a couple of new books every year to keep the vocabulary fresh, but these words appear too frequently(sometimes more than once on the same page!). Also, although our protagonist is an unlettered pagan, he tosses off words like "inexorable". Perhaps that was a common word back in the ninth century.

Another wonderfully told story from Bernard Cornwell. Historical fiction at its best! The continuing tale of the prince turned slave, turned warlord who struggles to reconcile his Norse(Viking) up-bringing and his true roots as a Briton. All the while in the thick of Alfred the Great's struggles to free Saxon England of the pagan hoards from the north.

This is Cornwell at his best - excellent descriptions which take yopu back to a previous age and the Danish invasion of our shores. He gives a good overview whilst making it compelling reading with an excellent story line. All who take History to A level should read this book and it's predecessor!! It brings our history to life.

What an excellent read!!

Being a big fan of the show Vikings and historical fiction, I really have gotten into this series. The book is interesting, has some suspense, and you really get to know the characters, as well as the history at the time of the story's narrative. Great book, but it needs to be read as part of the trilogy it is. I wouldn't recommend reading ti by itself.

I had tried to purchase this book whilst on holiday in England and it was out of print,so I ordered it via the store and it was well worth the wait.Cornwell mingling of fact and fiction and his gripping style of writing leaves you with an unputdownable book if I had more time on my hands I would have read it in one sitting.

If you're looking for a sequel that is better than the original then look no further. The Pale horseman is a great book by a great author. It does have less battles than The Last Kingdom but far exceeds expectations with the great plot and character buildings. I can't wait for the final part in this trilogy.

Similar to other series titles, The Pale Horseman was a major disappointment. Instead of building upon its predecessor, the story became stale rather quickly. Yes, Utred is anti-established religion, yes, he falls in love with another mysterious spicy woman, yes, he wows the crowds with his fighting prowess. It seems like Cornwell is more focused on merely bridging the reader toward the purchase of the next volume rather than actually writing another great tale.

Cornwell is great at drawing the reader into his characters and writing in a vivid manner that really makes you feel like you are a part of the heroes life. My only dissapontment was that the story seemed to end abruptly and left me hoping for the next book, of which, tjere isnt yet. In his historical notes he mentions that this is somewhat a history of his family from Bebbanburg, and the way he worded it made it seem to me that there may be future books that continue the story. If you like GRRM you will like this authors style as well.

Cornwell is a master of capturing history but he is also a master storyteller. There is a steady tension throughout this novel. It's not just in the conflict between the Saxons and the Danes but between Uthted and Alfred, Uthtred and his divided loyalties that drive this story. And it will keep you up reading long past bedtime.

This thing just ain't cut out from the same cloth as the Last Kingdom. It starts out with Uhtred losing a lifetime opportunity b'coz he wants to go home and shag his wife, who he dumps for the nunnery later anyway. I like Uhtred and his attitude, but this book is really uneventful.

Take my advice. Don't buy it. Bernie's rich. Doesn't need our charity. I donated the book to a kid in Afghanistan.

As this series is still ongoing -- the 11th book came out in 2018 -- it seems to make more sense to review each book rather than wait and do the series as a whole. That means, however, that the reviews are necessarily incomplete, because for me a series should be judgedin its entirety, in great part, with the individual volumes seen almost long extremely long chapters.

That said, "The Pale Horseman" continues the story of 9th century England through the eyes of Uthred, a young man with all the flaws of a Viking but showing the promise of hard-earned wisdom down the line. The invading Danes are threatening to exterminate the Saxon kingdoms, and Uthred first must decide which side he's really on, and then somehow survive the brutal battles and hard life of the time.

There are battles, strategems, love interests, and some magical realism, all of which Bernard Cornwell weaves together very seamlessly. "The Pale Horseman" is a worthy successor to "The Last Kingdom," and has me primed to move on to volume three -- which is the true measure of success for any series.