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  • Warriors of the Storm

  • The Last Kingdom Series, Book 9
  • Written by: Bernard Cornwell
  • Narrated by: Matt Bates
  • Length: 12 hrs and 12 mins
  • 4.8 out of 5 stars (128 ratings)

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Warriors of the Storm

Written by: Bernard Cornwell
Narrated by: Matt Bates
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Publisher's Summary

The new novel in Bernard Cornwell's number-one best-selling series on the making of England and the fate of his great hero, Uhtred of Bebbanburg.

BBC2's major autumn 2015 TV show The Last Kingdom is based on the first two books in the series.

A fragile peace is about to be broken.... King Alfred's son, Edward, and formidable daughter, Æthelflaed, rule Wessex, Mercia and East Anglia. But all around the restless Northmen, eyeing the rich lands and wealthy churches, are mounting raids.

Uhtred of Bebbanburg, the kingdoms' greatest warrior, controls Northern Mercia from the strongly fortified city of Chester. But forces are rising up against him. Northmen allied to the Irish, led by the fierce warrior Ragnall Ivarson, are soon joined by the Northumbrians, and their strength could prove overwhelming. Despite the gathering threat, both Edward and Æthelflaed are reluctant to move out of the safety of their fortifications.

But with Uhtred's own daughter married to Ivarson's brother, who can be trusted?

In the struggle between family and loyalty, between personal ambition and political commitment, there will be no easy path. But a man with a warrior's courage may be able to find it. Such a man is Uhtred,and this may be his finest hour.

©2015 Bernard Cornwell (P)2015 HarperCollins Publishers Limited

What the critics say

"A tense, powerful and compulsive story." ( The Times)
"Strong narrative, vigourous action and striking characterisation, Cornwell remains king of the territory he has staked out as his own." ( Sunday Times)
"Blood, divided loyalties and thundering battles." ( The Times)
"A violent, absorbing historical saga, deeply researched and thoroughly imagined." ( Washington Post)
"The best battle scenes of any writer I've ever read, past or present. Cornwell really makes history come alive." (George R. R. Martin)

What listeners say about Warriors of the Storm

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

Perfect as usual

Great characters, fun dialogues and clever buildups that lead to epic battles.

Bernard Cornwell is by far the best historical fiction writer ever. And this volume of this epic saga is just another proof of that.

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  • Overall
    2 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    3 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    2 out of 5 stars

Predictable as usual

Boring!
Cornwell's novels follow a predictable template. Usually he adds interesting facts such as referencing historical fiction. In this book, however, he underplays events that could have made the reading more enjoyable. I had the feeling I was reading through a writer's block. Brain fuzz.
In summary, Uhtred and his band of ultra-loyal henchmen face insurmountable odds, he is forced to make a series of 'difficult' (predictable) decisions based on actions by his antagonists. Concurrently, Uhtred, in all ways obvious, creates a rift with his followers, (3rd level NPCs) and those he loves/loved. With much 'suspension of our disbelief' unrealistic luck prevails. wrinkles are ironed out. Uhtred is lightly beat up and to the simple minded characters he is once again praised as an unwitting hero. Gag
Cornwell, you need more substance, more main dish, not a weak conglomeration of side items.
In reflection, I have found Cornwell loses his mojo mid-series and is hit and miss by the end.
In addition, my opinion if the narrator is neutral. I do miss Keeble's voice acting. The current narrator is to unemotional. Except sometimes he yells into the mic after voicing the text quietly. Dramatic effect? No - annoying to be blunt.
Will I carry on with the series?
Possibly, because I watched the Netflix series and I am ammused how much the screenwriters have diverted from the Novels.

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  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    4 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

Awesome story

At times, it can be hard to separate the reader from the actual story but I try very hard because Jonathan Keeble ruined all readers of this series for me. His narration was excellent and filled with excitement. That being said, this has definitely been a better performance by Matt Bates but it really irks me that some of the simpler character names were butchered. Very popular names such as Ragnor and Ivar were mispronounced and they appeared often so it does become annoying. That being said, a better performance. The saga continues and builds very interestingly

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

Brilliant- best yet.

Matt Bates shines. And the story! Vivid, fun, satisfying, lucidly told and inching ever closer to that wave beaten place carefully marked by stone and water. I’m thankful for the story and the telling.

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

Best Book Yet!!

By far the best book of the series! Great action full of suspense! Highly recommended!

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