War of the Wolf: A Novel (The Last Kingdom Book 11)

What an unsatisfactory read. I love this series but I almost didn't finish this book. It was completely predictable and fairly boring. I had to constantly stop myself from just flipping through the pages. I connected very little with the Uhtred of this book; he was idiotic and foolish (I knew 100 pages before he did what was really going on), acted old, confused and inept, and I quickly grew tired of it. I "get" aging, but reading about someone whining about it isn't all that interesting.

Favorite characters who made an appearance added nothing noteworthy to the story. Their interactions with each other fell flat. The villain was not very interesting and was just a rehash of past villains. In fact, just about all of the "new" characters were a rehash of past characters. Even Uhtred's reaction to the major event of the book was almost exactly like his reaction to a similar past event in his life. In other words, more rehash. As for the major event itself, I found it completely unnecessary unless Cornwell just wants to give Uhtred more reasons to be a miserable old man.

Lastly, Cornwell left readers hanging in book 10 when Uhtred, after more than 50 years of dreaming about it, finally took back Bebbanburg. We received no insight into how that monumental event impacted Uhtred and his life. I thought leaving readers hanging was a teaser and surely Cornwell would at least mention it in the next book. Nope, not a word. Readers are left with that void.

I am so very disappointed in this book. Fans of this series and of the character called Uhtred deserved far better than this limp effort.

I've enjoyed the Uhtred series and was eagerly awaiting this new volume. it was enjoyable but was not as engrossing as previous ones. I think Uhtred, now in his sixties, is running out of steam or perhaps Cornwell is. First of all, the new villainous Norseman is much like previous villainous Norsemen, the Christian priests are still lying manipulators and the Saxons are still underhanded. Not much new there. Secondly, some of the fascinating characters are no longer around. Aethelflaeda has died, Edward is dying, and Skiorra.....better left unsaid. Aethelstan is coming into his own and we know he will be the new king as soon as Edward shakes off his mortal coil but he is becoming something of a sanctimonious prig. Third, the plots are too similar...one grasping invader after another in the North and political maneuvering in the South. Of course, Cornell is only being true to history. Now, for the positives. The action is fast paced and Uhtred is still a fascinating character, cynical, determined but sadder and older. Descriptions are vivid although I tend to skim over the bloody battles. It was a violent age and Cornwell is true in depicting this reality.
The focus this time is on Northumbria and the struggle that King Sigtryggr, Uhtred’s son-in-law, has in maintaining his rule when he is faced with the Saxons to the South, the Scots to the North, and Norsemen (recently kicked out of Ireland) in the West. Each group wants a share of Northumbria, although the Saxons really are aiming to make it part of Englalond. Uhtred, instead of enjoying his old age, comes to Sigtryggr’s aid, first advising him to agree to an absolutely demeaning treaty with Wessex, so that for the moment they can attack the invading Norsemen led by Skoll. Of course, the final outcome is assumed but the struggle with Wessex will u doubtedly be the focus of the next volume. The Uhtred saga is still spellbinding and gives the reader an understanding of a long ago era and the bloody birthpangs of the nation of England.

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What’s daring about “War of the Wolf” is author Bernard Cornwell’s decision to push his Saxon Tales beyond what seemed to be a satisfying resolution—the return of Uhtred in Book 10 to Bebbanburg to reclaim his family fortress. Initially at least, Book 11 feels like an appendage to a project already finished.

But quickly enough Cromwell provides Lord Uhtred with a powerful motive for action: revenge against a potent war lord and his intimidating sorcerer. Political and religious conflicts within “War of the Wolf” remain as complex as ever, though the players seem less imposing than when Uhtred wrangled with, for example, King Alfred in earlier books.

What has not diminished is Cornwell’s ability to describe the warfare of the period powerfully, even poetically. It gives away nothing to say that “War of the Wolf” ends with a monumental struggle because most of the books in this series do. The final two chapters are just about impossible to put down.

So this extension of the Saxon Tales is both plausible and engaging. Most readers will be happy to have Uhtred of Bebbanburg around a little longer.

Uhtred, now in his sixties, finds he is still not secure and satisfied as treachery and ambitions continue to surround him. The Scots in Alba are licking their wounds, but Norsemen, driven out of Ireland, have established forts defending lands situated in western Northumbria. Son-in-law Sigtryggr and daughter Stiorra rule Northumbria’s southeastern region from strongholds in Eoferwic (York), Dunholm (Durham) and Ribelcastre (Lancashire’s Ribchester), but their forces are thinly spread. And the Saxons are pressing northward from Mercia, where the succession is in doubt as Alfred’s son Edward is growing older and ill. So Uhtred hardly knows where to turn next to defend Stiorra and Sigtryggr, gather forces against the growing power and ambition of Norseman King Skoll, or defeat the manipulative ambitions of Ealdorman AEthelhelm to place his weak kinsman on the Saxon throne, while Uhtred’s sworn oath – to his deceased friend AEthelflaed to always protect her son AEthelstan – ties him to support someone he knows will, if crowned, someday invade Northumbria and eventually Bebbanburg. This book appears to be located in the overarching plot of the Saxon Tales as transition from Flame Bearer to the next installment of this fascinating warrior’s life story. Write on! friend Cornwell.

No spoilers, just opinions. I appreciate a good story and I keep going to my favorite modern story teller to satisfy my craving for another good work in historical fiction. Bernard Cornwell can make me believe he has some mystical connection to the era and the characters he's writing about. I feel like I am immersed in Cornwell's story observing relationships, politics, hopes and conflicts of the men and women who populate his tales. Cornwell writes such believable accounts filled with vivid description that's woven into the fabric of the story. As a reader, you feel the grit, smell the smoke, commiserate with the rain soaked shivering guard, are clutched with the pain of sadness of loss and relieved by a positive turn of events. Where else do you get that in a book? This is a great story, worthy of being grouped among Cornwell's best works. I enjoyed it. If this is the first Cornwell novel you're considering I recommend you stop and go to the first book in the series and thank your lucky stars that you've got a lot of good books to get through before you get here. This is inexpensive entertainment and I recommend the purchase.

Once again Mr Cornwall has produced an adventure based in the early history of the formation of the England we know from the various kingdoms of the settling tribes and peoples of this island. It is the continuing story of our protagonist Uthred who we have followed from childhood to old age. We rejoice in his triumphs and despair with his defeats but we turn each page with enthusiasm and anticipation. That to me is what reading is all about.
The writing is great, the history, motives, brutality and loyalty are believable
To me this series and this book are to be relished and read at least twice just to be able to savor again.

I’ve been ready for Uhtred’s saga to wrap up for three stories or so, and found this one slow in the exposition. It’s another tale where Uhtred wanders around Britain, fighting the occasional skirmish as he wonders who’s plotting with whom and why.

I got drawn in towards the end, however, by Cornwell’s storytelling and the looming drama of who will succeed to the throne of what is now becoming Englaland - England.

The fictional Uhtred, of course, has no business still being alive and vital for the maneuvering of Alfred’s grandchildren, when he was around being alive and vital for the rise of Alfred himself. But, hey, it’s fiction. And maybe the warlord just has genes great enough that he can still fight at age 60 or so, in an age when most people die by the time they’re 30.

Uhtred is still profane, upbeat, fun, a master tactician and a shrewd strategist peering into the land’s swirling rivalries.

This is a more realistic Game of Thrones, based on history and devoid of dragons or zombies. (And, sadly, of nude scenes featuring Emilia Clarke.)

It does have its mystical side. Uhtred’s rival here, the Norse warlord Skoll (another great Cornwell black hat name, like The Starbuck Chronicles’ DeAth) has a strong pull on men’s loyalties. There’s a sense of inevitability about him. He has a powerful sorcerer, who spooks even Uhtred, and the latter goes through much of the episode believing himself cursed.

Uhtred ridicules Christianity for its eschewing the fighting, drinking and screwing so essential to pagan warriors, but he’s faithful to the Norse gods, believes fate and destiny to be inexorable, and thinks mystics can really see the future and hear the gods. Cornwell never shows them performing actual magic but they hold sway over men who believe they can.

Alfred’s grandson Aethelstan is a prince defending northern Mercia. Trom there up to the Scottish frontier, Uhtred’s son in law Sigtryggr rules Northumbria, including Uhtred’s ancestral holding of Bebbanburg.

While Uhtred prefers Aethelstan as southern heir, and has a life of ties to Alfred’s family, he understands whoever succeeds the ailing Edward will invade Northumbria, the last Saxon realm not part of Edward’s Christian kingdom.

Uhtred feels bound by his oaths to Alfred’s late daughter Aethelflaed, Mercian queen and also Uhtred’s lover. But he knows he also faces threats from the Scots in the north, and from Norse pagans gaining a toehold in wild Cumbraland west of Northumbria. Uhtred must constantly weigh present threats against future ones, ties of blood, and those of religion. The Christian world reviles pagans like Uhtred - while sometimes needing him to fight for them - but the Norse pagans can be fearsome enemies. Northumbria is religiously mixed and a lot Uhtred’s own warriors and subjects are Christian. Uhtred is, of course, a Saxon, but one who was raised by the Vikings who captured him as a child, and his outlook is a lot more like theirs. He has deeply conflicted loyalties.

Rivalling Aethelstan is Aethelhelm, a powerful noble wanting the throne for Alfwaerd, his nephew and another of Edward’s sons by a different wife. Aethelhelm is Uhtred’s sworn enemy, his father having been the usurper of Bebbanburg taken and later killed by Uhtred.

Marriages complicate all the rivalries. Uhtred’s son is married to Aethelhelm’s younger sister. Sigtryggr is married to Uhtred’s daughter Stiorra. Aethelstan’s twin sister emerges from a convent to become a player. Edward’s young wife maneuvers for her son to become heir.

The series isn't over. Cornwell leaves us with a major series element left unresolved.

I really credit Cornwell for his honest and detailed afterwords. He notes which characters and events are historical and which fictional. All historical writers should do this.

Almost every series reaches a point at which the author either ends on a high, or continues to milk the series for every last penny. Sharpe, Lewrie, etc ad nauseum. Personally, I think this series should have ended with the capture of Bebbanburg, and if he wanted to continue on, create a new series with his son and/or daughter as the protagonist.

I knew this would be my last purchase in this series when halfway in, I realized there were no subplots, nothing had really happened, and had already predicted the ending. No twists, no turns, just plodding relentlessly towards yet another battle where Uhtred is, yet again, miraculously rescued from certain defeat, and fights the boss bad guy and wins! Sorry Bernard, the formula only worked when there were interesting subplots and characters. This was tired and predictable.

The writer is in the same Place as Uthred. Bebbanburg is conquered, what to do with the main character now? How to continue the series? The author is at a crossroads, and he has to pick the path for Uthred. This book is darker and full of doubts.
Halfway in I feared that this would be the last volume, but then the hints about the future started popping up.

The writer is in the same Place as Uthred. Bebbanburg is conquered, what to do with the main character now? How to continue the series? The author is at a crossroads, and he has to pick the path for Uthred. This book is darker and full of doubts.
Halfway in I feared that this would be the last volume, but then the hints about the future started popping up.