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Death of Kings: A Novel Audiobook
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(4.00) - 2,889 listener ratings
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Publisher Description
The sixth installment of Bernard Cornwell’s 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 BBC America television series.
As the ninth century wanes, England is perched once more on the brink of chaos. King Alfred is dying; with his passing, the island of Britain seems doomed to renewed warfare. Alfred wants his son Edward to succeed him, but there are other Saxon claimants to the throne—as well as ambitious pagan Vikings to the north.
With the promise of battle looming again, Uhtred, the Viking-raised but Saxon-born warrior, whose life seems to shadow the making of England itself, is torn between competing loyalties. Uhtred’s loyalty, and his vows, are to Alfred—not to his son—and despite long years of service to the old king, Uhtred is still reluctant to commit to Alfred’s cause. His own desire is to reclaim his long lost ancestral lands and castle to the north. As the king’s warrior he is duty-bound, but the king’s reign is nearing its end, and his death will leave a vacuum of power. Uhtred is forced to make a momentous choice: either take up arms—and Alfred’s mantle—to realize his dream of a united and Christian England, or be responsible for condemning it to oblivion.
Death of Kings is a harrowing story of the power of tribal commitment and the dilemma of divided loyalties. This is the making of England magnificently brought to life by “the best historical novelist writing today” (Vince Flynn).
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"Bernard Cornwell is one of my favorite authors so it is no wonder that I thoroughly enjoyed this further adventure of Uhtred, Alfred's reign is nearing its end and once again Uhtred is called upon, reluctantly as always, to defend and save the kingdom. Uhtred has aged (45), but he still is formable on the shield wall, wields Serpent Breath mightily, and is wily setting up a battle. This is the sixth book in the Saxon Tales. You do not have to have read the prior novels to appreciate this one, but I highly recommend doing so for the enjoyment."
— Steve (4 out of 5 stars)
Quotes
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“[Cornwell] writes morally complicated and intricate stories, and he’s won a following not just among readers but also among fellow writers.”
— New York Times -
“Gripping…Mr. Cornwell’s Saxon Stories subvert myths of national origin as few would dare. They are ‘unofficial histories’—and all the more realistic for that.”
— Wall Street Journal -
“Compelling.”
— Publishers Weekly -
“Cornwell’s love scenes are as deft as his action scenes, though far fewer, of course—all driven by a hard-shelled, sporadically soft-hearted, always charismatic protagonist.”
— Kirkus Reviews (starred review)
Awards
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A New York Times bestseller
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A USA Today bestseller
Death of Kings Listener Reviews
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Joan, 2/11/2023
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Michael Mcgilvray, 6/24/2022
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William Stockwell, 7/11/2021
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" I fell in love with the story and Stephen Perring. The writing, so rich, it was easy to place the images in your imagination. I listened to another book of this English tale and doesn't seem to have the same draw to the story as Stephen's version does. Five stars for the book and Stephen Perring! "
— Izzie, 1/1/2019 -
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Jade, 1/6/2017
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" The Death of Kings by Bernard Cornwell is the sixth book in the Saxon Series. Listen to them in order. The tale gets better and better. This particular book is narrated by Stephen Perring and he is very good. Exellent book. "
— Chap, 5/4/2016 -
" dreadful, a dreadful book i was such a fan of this series but this is just a filler in. mr cornwell could/should have wrapped this story up 4 or 5 books but me thinks he is in it for the money and gonna draaaag it out , what a pity "
— Peter, 2/20/2014 -
" good. almost great. but not as thrilling as the first three books in this series. "
— Brian, 2/10/2014 -
" Narrativa excelente, bastante detalhada nas batalhas, o que deixa os acontecimentos empolgantes! "
— Tiago, 2/8/2014 -
" Bernard Cornwell seems to find his stride again in this one. He still doesn't seem as passionate as he did when he started the series, or maybe I am just getting too familiar with the storylines, but this one is a step up from the last one. Cornwell's effortless mixt of history and drama is annoyingly good. I can't imagine how much research he does for his stories, but it is impressive. I will continue to read these until Utred either dies or finally claims Bebbanburg. "
— Roberto, 1/28/2014 -
" Okay, just not my favorite subject. "
— Jim, 1/8/2014 -
" Have enjoyed every one of these books, despite them being often about soldiers, battles and so,forth. Love the characters and the historical background of Saxon and Viking times. Really pays to start with book 1 and follow the narrative throguh "
— Ann, 1/3/2014 -
" Book six in the Uhtred series. I love these and am pleased BC is going all the way with the story of the beginnings of England as a unified country (800's AD). Now that Alfred is dead I am guessing that the next one completes the story. "
— Michael, 12/30/2013 -
" For some reason I enjoyed this book much more than the others in the series, and the hero, who usually annoys me, didn't. Recommended. "
— Brian, 12/30/2013 -
" Quick read. Alfred dies. War ensues. Uhtred triumphs. I liked it. "
— Leonard, 11/20/2013 -
" Uhtred at his best = Cornwell at his best. "
— Alun, 10/23/2013 -
" When is the next one?!? So much fun to read! "
— Frank, 10/19/2013 -
" I found the fictional story of Uhtred of Bebbanburg intertwined with the historical events of Alfred the Great to be fascinating. I look forward to future books that complete Uhtred's conquest to recapture Bebbanburg. Fate is inexorable! "
— Josh, 9/16/2013 -
" Could have given it four stars. Cornwell develops a very good story and pays careful attention to the history of the period and the real people of the times. "
— Clif, 9/16/2013 -
" The latest volume of Cornwell's The Saxon Tales is another page-tuner. Our old friend, Uhtred, impresses once again as a great warrior and a forceful narrator. "
— Rich, 8/7/2013 -
" Four stars, just for St. Cuthbert the Unnecessary/the Foolish/the Silent "
— Erik, 8/1/2013 -
" I really enjoyed this book. My favorite in this series is the first book ("The Last Kingdom"), but this one comes really close. Nobody does battle scenes like Bernard Cornwell. "
— Miguel, 7/19/2013 -
" Typical Bernard Cornwell - easy to read, lots of action, good "boys own" fun. It seems this series will run and run. "
— Kate, 7/4/2013 -
" Good read but all the Uhtred stories are merging into one and they very much the same story just split. I do hope it ends soon. Although I do enjoy reading them. "
— David, 5/29/2013 -
" A welcome return to the 'Alfred' series for me with more of the usual arse kicking shield wall battles that accompany this series. Always a winner with me. "
— Joe, 2/4/2013 -
" I love bernard cornwell. excellent book. should read the others in the series first. "
— Barbara, 1/29/2013 -
" Long awaited 6th in the Alfred series. Happy to hear there will be a seventh! "
— Tony, 9/10/2012 -
" Awesome! I hope there is a #7 in the works!! I love the shield wall scenes ( and of course the entire rest of the story line as well). This book was one of the best in the series in my opinion due to all the fighting :) "
— Tina, 8/18/2012 -
" Utred saves the kingdom again with a climatic battle. I am always amused by his antagonism and dislike of the powerful clergy, well depicted. Hoping the last book will be available soon, to see if he dies with a sword in his hand! "
— Oliver, 7/7/2012 -
" Good, I have read all 6. This was a fun quick read. Pretty much standard formula. Some great historical detail. "
— Bill, 6/20/2012 -
" England is fighting for unification and the Danes are firmly entrenched on the northern end of the British Isles. War and strife are rampant and loaalties aare easily switched. A nice read but a large number of archic names. "
— Fredrick, 2/7/2012 -
" I love Uhtred, the main character, but this latest book is not as strong as the previous ones from the series. Is the author starting to just churn out this series? Still a ripping yarn, but not as good as the previous books in the Saxon series. "
— James, 1/22/2012 -
" Enjoyable, as always, though the constant battles get tiresome as Uhtred singlehandedly fights off the Danes on behalf of the British kings he half despises and half admires for uniting the Saxons into what eventually became England. "
— Trina, 1/21/2012 -
" OK, I admit that I am a Bernard Cornwell addict but I loved this book. The Saxon series just gets better with each book. "
— Ted, 1/16/2012
About Bernard Cornwell
Bernard Cornwell, born in London, worked for the BBC and Thames Television before coming to the United States to write full time. His sweeping historical novels, including the acclaimed Richard Sharpe series and many more, make him a number one bestselling author in the United Kingdom and around the world. He is the author of the acclaimed New York Times bestselling Saxon Tales series, which serves as the basis for the hit television series The Last Kingdom.
About Stephen Perring
Stephen Perring is an actor, voice artist, singer, and guitarist who trained at the Bristol Old Vic Theatre School.