Lords of the North - Couverture rigide

Cornwell, Bernard

Couverture rigide

ISBN 10 : 0060888628 ISBN 13 : 9780060888626

Editeur : Harper, 2007

Synopsis

Book by Cornwell Bernard

A propos du livre

Présentation de l'éditeur :

From Bernard Cornwell, the undisputed master of historical fiction, hailed as "the direct heir to Patrick O'Brien,"* comes the third volume in the exhilarating Saxon Chronicles: the story of the birth of England as the Saxons struggle to repel the Danish invaders.

The year is 878, and as Lords of the North begins, the Saxons of Wessex, under King Alfred, have defeated the Danes to keep their kingdom free. Uhtred, the dispossessed son of a Northumbrian lord, helped Alfred win that victory, but now he is disgusted by Alfred's lack of generosity. Uhtred flees Wessex, going north to search for his stepsister, who was taken prisoner by Kjartan the Cruel, a Danish lord who lurks in the formidable stronghold of Dunholm.

Uhtred arrives in the north to discover rebellion, chaos, and fear. His only ally is Hild, a West Saxon nun fleeing her calling, and his best hope is his sword, Serpent-Breath, with which he has made a notable reputation as a warrior. He needs other partners if he is to attack Dunholm, and chooses Guthred, a seemingly deluded slave who believes he is a king. Together they cross the Pennines, where fanatical Christians and beleaguered Danes have formed a desperate alliance to confront the terrible Viking lords who rule Northumbria.

Instead of victory Uhtred finds betrayal. But he also discovers love and redemption as he is forced to turn once again to his reluctant ally, Alfred the Great. It is Alfred who sees opportunity in Northumbria's chaos, and Alfred who looses Uhtred and his stepbrother, Ragnar, onto Dunholm, the invincible fortress on its great spur of rock. A breathtaking adventure, Lords of the North is also the story of the creation of England, as the English and Danes fight against each other, but also find common cause and create a common language. In the end they will become one people, but as Uhtred will discover, their union is forged through the white heat of battle.

* The Economist

Revue de presse :

“Glorious.” (Entertainment Weekly)

“Splendid...Cornwell...breathes life into ancient history with disarming ease, peppering it with humor and even innocence.” (Publishers Weekly)

“So soaked with blood and testosterone that it reads like a sword-and-sorcery fantasy, parlaying flamboyant violence and never-ending conflict into simple, unruly fun....There are bawdy insults and simmering feuds, betrayals and a woman worthy of Uhtred’s love. And a fine promise from Cornwell: Uhtred’s wars are not over.” (Arizona Republic)

“Uhtred’s adventures are thrilling to read. It is not necessary to have read the previous books in the series, as each is self-sustaining. The creation of the world of the ninth century by Cornwell is extraordinary. His attention to detail is wonderful. There is not a moment of this book that anyone who loves to read about personal armed combat and conquest will find boring.” (Roanoke Times)

“Excellent sport... from the expert.” (Kirkus, starred review)

“Rousing...Of course, all plotlines lead to combat, and Cornwell does not disappoint as Uhtred and his beloved Danish foster brother Ragnar engage their sworn enemy, Kjartan the Cruel, in one final, horrible battle.” (Booklist)

“For readers who find contentment in reading historical novels featuring clanking swords and battlefield carnage, Bernard Cornwell should be at the very top of your list...The Saxon Chronicles is very possibly his best...Wildy exciting...Cornwell keeps the pace crackling.” (USA Today)

À propos de cette édition

• Éditeur: Harper
• Date d'édition: 2007
• ISBN 10: 0060888628
• ISBN 13: 9780060888626
• Reliure: Relié
• Numéro d'édition: 1
• Nombre de pages: 336