Customer Reviews
Uninspiring - By: Dr. H. Beentje, 01 Oct 2008 
As I find this period of British history fascinating I thought I'd give Sword song a try, but I must admit defeat - I have abandoned reading it after ony 73 pages. Yes, it has period feel, yes, the research is there - but it fails to hold me. I find the personalities less than gripping, & the story doesn't really flow for me. Obviously a matter of taste as the author is very popular!
I would recommend the books by Alfred Duggan from the same period - the same gritty imperfect heroes, but a style I much prefer.
not as good - By: Mw R. Moore, 08 Aug 2008 
Sadly, I was very disapointed with this book, definitely not a patch on the other three, I really was very disapointed & feel quite let down. Alfred was portrayed as a untrustworthy idiot, only interestedin his books & his priests. The Danes I am sure would have most certainly killed any "traitor" out of hand, & were the Irish ever involved? if they were, I certainly never learnt thatin school, &in my day we were actually taught History although we did know that the Norseman did land therein Eire & make settlements, as they didin America.
I just hope that the next book is better.
History lessons you don't fall asleep during! - By: Mr. A. I. Harrison, 05 Jul 2008 
Well I'll get all the negative stuff out of the way first! Uhtred really is just a dark ages 'Sharpe' he even has an Irish side kick now & whilst Sharpe was loathed as a commoner amongst upper class twit fellow officers, Uhtred is loathed because he is a pagan amongst pious preachy christians!
That said for many years I loved Sharpe! & likewise I am loving Uhtred & the Saxons, a major part of our national history largely ignored till now! Romans & vikings by the score, Saxons, hardly any!.
Back to the book it's architypical Cornwell. Our hero is unloved by his masters, out numbered by his foe's but backed up by his savage comrades. Yes we've seen it a hundred times before from Cornwell but it is such a winning formula & he does it probably better than anyone. Also I like the stories being told from the first person perspective by Uhtred himself as you really feel like you arein the heart of the action.
This book starts with the re-taking of London from the Danes an actual event but then takes a sharp left down imagination lane to put Uhtredin a daring rescue bid. As with most Cornwell stories the action is compelling gritty & believable, the book is fast paced though perhaps a hundred pages short of what we normally expect of him.
We are promised more Uhtred action shortley by the author & I'll no doubt be there with my credit card though I hope he doesn't over do it as I felt he did with Sharpe as there are so many other great bits of history he can take us to but I have not quite had enough of Uhtred yet! So I'll be sharpening my battle axe for next time.
Sword Song (Alfred the Great 4) - By: Alan Law, 02 Jul 2008 
I do agree with Barks. When is the next one going to be published? This series of books throws some light on the Dark Ages amidst high adventure. Plenty of blood & gore & a superb story with some twists to keep the reader page turning.
Great series - not a great book - By: Mr. Bt Walther, 25 Jun 2008 I was really looking forward to this book after the first 2 complete beltersin the series & a good 3rd. However, im sad to say i was let down. Uhtred is an awesome character but this story does drag on. Im sure this is not the case but i feel the book was released too quickly to continue the story & not as much care & attention went into it asin the first 2 booksin the series. There are some cool bits dont get me wrong - the last battle to release the river blockade is pretty cool & Uhtred beating up a few power hungry king boot lickers (along with a few priests!! :) but the rest is a bit boring. Too much emphasis on religion. I know religion was important during this period but this is historic fiction so mention religion a bit but putin more battles, please. I started The Winter King for the 2nd time(the awesome arthur book by the great Cornwell) after & that is the sort of quality this book is missing. Shame - the series is getting worse book by book - lets hope the 5th gets back to the standard of the 1st 2.
