Sword Song (Abridged): The Battle for London Audiobook

" The year is 885, England is at peace, divided between the Danish kingdom to the north and the Saxon kingdom of Wessex in the south. King Alfred the Great(the only king to have been afforded "The Great" when his name is spoken) has given Uhtred, Warrior and Viking the task of holding the frontier on the Thames. Loyalties play a great part in this story as London is the jewel the Danes, Saxons, Vikings and thieves all want to control. Uhtred's oath to King Alfred is to protect London at all costs, until the King's daughter is captured, and all is deemed lost. The author has taken some liberties, however, most of the story is based on historical fact and is part of his Saxon Series. "

" Sword Song labors its way through one bloody battle scene after another. If you enjoy reading lurid descriptions of different ways to kill someone with a sword, dagger or axe, you will really like this book. The historical background almost makes it interesting, but fails to provide sufficient detail to enable the reader to become immersed in the period. The characters are almost developed to the point where the reader cares about them, but not quite. The plot appears to be heading toward an exciting climax, but fizzles in yet another battle with much blood and gore. In the end we are all frustrated and disappointed: the characters of the story and the reader. A shoulda, coulda, woulda ending. "

" I look forward to the continuation of this series! "

" Although I enjoyed this one, probably only true Anglophiles or those interested in 9th century warfare would not find this tedious. "

" Still good, though just a bit tedious. I hope Cornwell isn't pulling a Robert Jordan on us. "

" Another quick read from Cornwell featuring Uhtred, the anti-hero, so to speak, of this Saxon historical fiction series. Nothing really spectacular here except some general early London background info. London and the Thames estuary is the key setting. I think I would benefit greatly from reading the Anglo-Saxon Chronicles and some other nonfiction books about King Alfred the Great. I do appreciate that Cornwell stays true to his theme of depicting King Alfred as sort of weakling, not to mention most of the Christians and monks. Then again, the Danes aren't all that nice either, but they aren't really pretending to be in the first place. Danes = brutal but mostly honorable. Christian Saxons = brutal and manipulative. I'm interested to see how this series gets wrapped up with its flashback narrator still going. "

" Just simply is a very disappointing novel, continuing with the cardboard, unapproachable characters of the previous. "

" Interesting to hear the saga of a warrior's life in the 800's in now England. Would be interesting to visit the civic components(street layouts) that are still visible today. Might pick up another of the series after a break "

" second time through a great series for anyone interested in English historical fiction "

" Blah blah blah, read my other reviews. Next! "

" Bloodthirsty as always, but lots of insight in the history of the era "

" This book wasn't bad, and I can see how people would enjoy the rough view of early medieval England, but the Sword Song books I have tried have both failed to grab me. "

" a worthy next chapter in the saga of Uhtred "

" The middle of a trilogy, but not confusing. Typically solid writing from Cornwell. "

" Good. Fast Read. Pretty much the same as previous novels in series. "

" I thought it was going to be the last in the series. It obviously is not. It was good even though all Uhtred did was let the Danes fight amongst themselves. I will look for the next in the series. "

" Second time around and still love it "

" I am sorry, I really enjoyed this series and look forward to reading the next installment. I am also going to pick up a couple of cornwells other books and read them... Great read, I just want to be like Uhtred when I grow up... A lot! "

" I thought this was much better than Lords of the North. This book involved more plotting (on the characters' part, not the authors) and less hacking and bloody battle scenes. "

" Uhtred "

" Very well written! The plot keeps the reader focused on the reading. One always want to read one more page before going to bed! "

" I didn't like it as much as the earlier books of this series, but still it was worth reading! "

" A little rehash of Bernards's basic outline. "

" I thought it was going to be the last in the series. It obviously is not. It was good even though all Uhtred did was let the Danes fight amongst themselves. I will look for the next in the series. "

" I love the history and Saxon/Viking culture in these books. The writing is not very good, technically and creatively, but the ideas/story line keep you reading. Some scenes are somewhat distastefully gratuitous, but the overall history and story make it somewhat palatable. "

" Another great story in this serie, the story of the wikings in England is continued... "

" Good series - good story, solid Cornwell "