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The Burning Land: A Novel Audiobook
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(4.00) - 4,944 listener ratings
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Publisher Description
The fifth installment of Bernard Cornwell’s bestselling Saxon Tales 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.
At the end of the ninth century, King Alfred of Wessex is in ill health; his heir, an untested youth. His enemy, the Danes, having failed to conquer Wessex, now see their chance for victory. Led by the sword of savage warrior Harald Bloodhair, the Viking hordes attack. But Uhtred, Alfred’s reluctant warlord, proves his worth, outwitting Harald and handing the Vikings one of their greatest defeats.
For Uhtred, the sweetness of victory is soon overshadowed by tragedy. Breaking with Alfred, he joins the Vikings, swearing never again to serve the Saxon king. Instead, he will reclaim his ancestral fortress on the Northumbrian coast. Allied with his old friend Ragnar-and his old foe Haesten-he aims to invade and conquer Wessex itself. But fate has different plans . . .
In The Burning Land, Bernard Cornwell, “the reigning king of historical fiction” (USA Today), delivers a rousing saga of Anglo-Saxon England-an irresistible new chapter in his thrilling Saxon Tales, the epic story of the birth of England and the legendary king who made it possible.
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"I've been bouncing between 3 and 4 stars on this series, though they could probably all get 4 stars. This is the last one published, with a teaser that number 6 is in the works. I'm glad for the break, but honestly can't wait for the next one. Political, bloody, mythic, historical fiction covering the founding of England and the Saxon/Dane wars. Great characters, great set pieces, and did I mention bloody? Killing someone with a dagger through the eyeball and into the brain - in detail. Yum. OK, I'm off to an earlier period with the same author, The Warlord Chronicles - King Arthur et al - an easy trilogy."
— Richard (4 out of 5 stars)
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“Slathered in blood and gore, Saxon warlord Uhtred of Bebbanburg hacks his way through the ninth century in the exciting fifth installment to bestseller Cornwell’s Saxon Tales…Vivid descriptions of merciless battlefield slaughter, rape, and destruction are artfully related by a masterful storyteller.”
— Publishers Weekly -
“Cornwell has been described as a master of historical fiction, but that may be an understatement. Cornwell makes his subject material come alive. Better, his major protagonist is totally believable and human.”
— Library Journal -
“Cornwell, a master of martial fiction, makes history come alive with his rousing battlefield scenes.”
— Booklist
Awards
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A New York Times bestseller
The Burning Land Listener Reviews
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" The pacing of the narrative is a bit too quick. I would have liked to find a way to slow the audio down, by my player had no capability to slightly slow it down. The choice was only too fast or too slow. I like John Lee as a narrator, and I think the problem was an engineering problem. The recording was processed at a speed that was too fast. It was, however, a very good story. "
— Joan, 7/20/2021 -
" This is a wonderful series. Great reading and detail. "
— Jade, 5/21/2017 -
" The Burning land is the 5th book in the Saxon Series from Bernard Cornwell. It is a historical fiction of the birth of England and it fantastic! I suggest you start with book 1 "The Last Kingdom" as they should be read in order. "
— Chap, 5/4/2016 -
" Old reliable- another solid story, consistently between the three and four star mark. I wish he would finish them. This is a better series than the Archer series. "
— Coy, 2/12/2014 -
" a most excellent offering in the Saxon Tales.... "
— Penny, 2/9/2014 -
" This is a great series. "
— Sharon, 1/29/2014 -
" Although this rounded off the series neatly, it really was a step too far. I think some judicious editing to have compacted the 5 part series into 4 parts would have sufficed. There is not a huge amount of repetition, fortunately, but it has simply been too long drawn out. The early novels in the series were very readable, with great insights into Danish conquering, and the emerging country of England-hitherto a number of independent counties which co-existed to greater or less degree. I had hoped the last in the series would have examined how Uhtred recaptured Bamburgh (did he retake it?), and conclude the tale in this way-instead we see Alfred's forces at the end of yet another battle-so I suspect there may be a 6th in the series at some point! "
— Elaine, 1/23/2014 -
" Great historical fiction. Cornwell's style easily takes me to that time and place to follow along with Uhtred through 9th century Mercia. "
— Jack, 1/19/2014 -
" Great read - can't wait for the next in the series as I want to find out what happens next "
— David, 1/12/2014 -
" "Chaos and bee stings." "
— Ruthie, 12/18/2013 -
" same story as the others in the series but always enjoyable "
— Adam, 12/14/2013 -
" As always Mr.Cornwell has spun a compelling story rife with historical elements. It is a great tale of Saxon and Dane conflict set in early England. A well writtena nd enjoyable story. "
— Reggie, 12/1/2013 -
" I enjoy this man's writing. He brings the middle ages in England alive. "
— Patricia, 11/13/2013 -
" I have a special fascination with Anglo Saxon history and so have enjoyed Cornwell's series. As always, Cornwell spins a fast and engaging narrative. However, I do not think this series measures up to the Sharpe novels, perhaps because they portray life and battle through a common soldier's eye. "
— Eruditus, 10/26/2013 -
" I love this series. Rich detail. Great action and story. "
— Kathy, 10/21/2013 -
" Well done, Bernard. I love these Saxon Stories. I'm already waiting for #6. "
— Dustin, 9/19/2013 -
" I'm enjoying this book more than I thought I would. I really like the good sportsmanship and common sense of the main character, Uhtred. He and the author have a different perspective than I do, though: several pages about a battle and only one paragraph about sex? Seriously? "
— Marie, 2/12/2013 -
" Book 5 in Cornwell's so-called Viking books, continuing the story of Alfred the Great and Uhtred of Bebbanburg and the creation of what would come to be called, in later years, England. "
— David, 7/29/2012 -
" Another excellent addition to Cornwell's Saxon Tales. "
— Carrie, 5/24/2012 -
" Just finished up the last of the series today, and I can wait for the new release in November. "
— Trevin, 4/16/2012 -
" Another great book if you love Cornwell. "
— Josh, 3/27/2012 -
" Another tremendous book from one of ths great stoty tellers. This is a gripping story as aee all of the King Alfred novels. I'm not going go try to precis the story as you really have to read it for yourself. As always it is meticulously researched. Highly recommmended. "
— Gordon, 3/25/2012 -
" Another very engaging chapter in this enthralling saga. "
— Ross, 1/2/2012 -
" Can't wait for the next one in the series "
— Max, 9/27/2011 -
" Violent historical telling of the danish invasions during the 9th century of what is now England. Exciting installment in the Saxon chronicals. "
— Phil, 8/9/2011 -
" First sentence -"Not long ago I was in some monastery." "
— Douglas, 7/2/2011 -
" Man I love these Viking stories... "
— Basil, 6/24/2011 -
" Another enjoyable entry in the series. Cornwell fans will like this. "
— Pudding, 6/3/2011 -
" I found out that this is book 5 in the series, but it didn't seem to matter. I really enjoyed the history of Europe and the characters. It reminded me a bit of Outlander by Gabaldon with the battles, traveling throughout the country, family feuds and relationships, just without the romance. "
— Holly, 5/24/2011 -
" Think this is the 4th of the series. While I enjoyed the story, don't think I'll read the other books, as the brutality of the 9th-10th centuries is a bit much. "
— Lucy, 3/7/2011 -
" Entertaining and quite a bit of new information. I like historical story that have a bit of fact behind them. "
— Sahar, 2/3/2011 -
" An amusing read, but the series is getting repetitive. Same story, different location. "
— Rich, 1/31/2011
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 John Lee
John Lee is the winner of numerous Earphones Awards and the prestigious Audie Award for Best Narration. He has twice won acclaim as AudioFile’s Best Voice in Fiction & Classics. He also narrates video games, does voice-over work, and writes plays. He is an accomplished stage actor and has written and coproduced the feature films Breathing Hard and Forfeit. He played Alydon in the 1963–64 Doctor Who serial The Daleks.