The Pale Horseman - (Last Kingdom (Formerly Saxon Tales)) by Bernard Cornwell (Paperback)

About the Book

The sequel to the "New York Times" bestseller "The Last Kingdom" continues the exhilarating adventures of Uhtred and King Alfred the Great. Uhtred discovers--in his moment of greatest peril--a newfound loyalty and love for his native country and ruler.

Book Synopsis

The second installment of Bernard Cornwell's New York Times bestselling series chronicling the epic saga of the making of England, "like Game of Thrones, but real" (The Observer, London)--the basis for The Last Kingdom, the hit television series.

As the last unvanquished piece of England, Wessex is eyed hungrily by the fearsome Viking conquerors. Uhtred, a dispossessed young nobleman, is tied to the imperiled land by birth and marriage but was raised by the Danish invaders--and he questions where his allegiance must lie. But blood is his destiny, and when the overwhelming Viking horde attacks out of a wintry darkness, Uhtred must put aside all hatred and distrust and stand beside his embattled country's staunch defender--the fugitive King Alfred.

The Pale Horseman is a gripping, monumental adventure that gives breathtaking life to one of the most important epochs in English history--yet another masterwork from New York Times bestselling author Bernard Cornwell.

From the Back Cover

As the last unvanquished piece of England, Wessex is eyed hungrily by the fearsome Viking conquerors. Uhtred, a dispossessed young nobleman, is tied to the imperiled land by birth and marriage but was raised by the Danish invaders--and he questions where his allegiance must lie. But blood is his destiny, and when the overwhelming Viking horde attacks out of a wintry darkness, Uhtred must put aside all hatred and distrust and stand beside his embattled country's staunch defender--the fugitive King Alfred.

New York Times bestselling author Bernard Cornwell's The Pale Horseman is a gripping, monumental adventure that gives breathtaking life to one of the most important epochs in English history.

"Cornwell's characters are vividly drawn, betrayals lurk around every corner, the humor is as sharp as the swords, and the action is non-stop." --NPR

Review Quotes

"Historical novels stand or fall on detail, and Mr. Cornwell writes as if he has been to ninth-century Wessex and back. Much has changed since the ninth century, but some things, and some feelings, are timeless." - Wall Street Journal
"Superior entertainment that is both engaging and enlightening....Historical adventures as smart and vigorous as Cornwell's are in short supply." - Washington Post
"Entertaining" - Arizona Republic
"Filled with bawdy humor, bloodlust, treachery and valor, this stirring tale will leave readers eager for the next volume ." - Publishers Weekly
"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." - USA Today
"Great stuff, as always, from the master." - Kirkus Reviews
"A suavely rendered tale ... [brings] turbulent times to vivid life." - Philadelphia Inquirer
"Bernard Cornwell does the best battle scenes of any writer I've ever read, past or present." - George R.R. Martin
"[Soaked] in nasty political intrigue, ripsnorting battles, and pungent blasphemy.... Glorious." - Entertainment Weekly
"A big-bellied, bushy-bearded tale of 9th century England. Our hero is Uhtred, a good-hearted lout with a pleasantly sour disposition; he's like a 9th century Han Solo....He endows the book with an unexpectedly complex, thoughtful soul." - Time
"A crackerjack adventure tale from a master of the craft." - Booklist