The Pale Horseman by Bernard Cornwell (2006, Paperback, Large Print)

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.

As with his Sharpe series, Cornwell tells a great tale that keeps you sitting on the edge of your easy chair. This is the second book in a three-part series about the Viking invasion of England as told in the first person by someone who lives in that time and fights for King Alfred the Great, who was responsible for driving the Vikings back to Denmark. It's a good read ( there is much bloodshed and fighting- be warned) and along the way I've learned quite a bit about a part of English history that I never knew. I highly recommend!!

If you like mid evil times Mud+blood and battles this is the book for you.!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!