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  • Sword Song

  • The Last Kingdom Series, Book 4
  • By: Bernard Cornwell
  • Narrated by: Jonathan Keeble
  • Length: 12 hrs and 12 mins
  • 4.9 out of 5 stars (1,622 ratings)
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Sword Song cover art

Sword Song

By: Bernard Cornwell
Narrated by: Jonathan Keeble
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Summary

The fourth in the best-selling Alfred series from number-one historical novelist, Bernard Cornwell.

The year is 885, and England is at peace, divided between the Danish kingdom to the north and Alfred's kingdom of Wessex in the south.

But trouble stirs, a dead man has risen and new Vikings have arrived to occupy London. It is a dangerous time, and it falls to Uhtred, half Saxon, half Dane, a man feared and respected the length and breadth of Britain, to expel the Viking raiders and take control of London for Alfred.

His uncertain loyalties must now decide England's future.

A gripping tale of love, rivalry and violence, Sword Song tells the story of England's making.

©2007 Bernard Cornwell (P)2014 HarperCollins Publishers Ltd

Critic reviews

Praise for The Lords of the North:

“Beautifully crafted story-telling, complete with splendid set-piece battles and relentless derring-do, so gripping that it rarely stops to catch a breath. It demonstrates once again Cornwell's enormous skill as a historical narrator. He would have graced Alfred's court entertaining the guests with his stories” (Daily Mail)
“Cornwell takes the spectres of ninth century history and puts flesh back on their bones. Here is Alfred's world restored - impeccably researched and illuminated with the colour and passion of a master storyteller” (Justin Pollard, author of Alfred the Great)

Praise for Bernard Cornwell:

“Bernard Cornwell is a literary miracle. Year after year, hail, rain, snow, war and political upheavals fail to prevent him from producing the most entertaining and readable historical novels of his generation.” (Daily Mail)
“Cornwell's narration is quite masterly and supremely well-researched” (Observer)

What listeners say about Sword Song

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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

Love this series and love Jonathan Keeble!

This is my 3rd re-read of the series, and I always get a bit depressed when it's time to leave Keebles narration after book 4 the other narrators are great but Keeble just brings the whole world to life for me.

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3 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    3 out of 5 stars
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    1 out of 5 stars
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    4 out of 5 stars

oh no!

I had to end the story half an hour into it. After the previous books I was eagerly waiting for the next installment.
It is all down to the narrator who has not got the warrior's voice of Utred.
And I notice the remaining books are narrated by this person.
Please get Jonathan Keeble back to re-read these books from book 5 onwards.

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3 people found this helpful

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

incredibly vivid

really enjoyed the enthralling brutality of the book, without the epic battle scenes of the previous books, the smaller more detailed skirmishes, where just as good.

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1 person found this helpful

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

Can I finish it?

At the time of writing this review, I've read up to and including book 6 in the series and am now starting to tire a little of the main character, who seems to be rinsing and repeating.

I came to the series of books from the modern TV series, which I absolutely love and, to begin with, the books really did stand up to that and I loved them too. Whilst I'd like to see the series of books through, I don't think I will because they become too samey.

If you haven't read, I do recommend at least the first 3 books, which give you a great overall impression of Uhtred and his mates and are full of well written and enjoyable scenes.

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1 person found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars

Another excellent story in the series

Great book, another gripping episode of the story, with the best narrator of all, in my opinion

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1 person found this helpful

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

The most wonderful series

I have fallen in love with this story line, often listening for 4 or 5 hours at a time. Jonathan Keeble was an inspired and perfect choice. His execution of narration has been the best part of the series for me. If I'm right in thinking the next book won't be him I'll be very very disappointed.
The story it's self was full of battles, in all of their bloody detail.
The way in which the scenery, especially the light of night and day was beautifully described.
In conclusion this is by far my favourite series of books I've ever come across.

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1 person found this helpful

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

Narrator

Amazing out of this world brilliant just spot on
The
Most incredible book ever
Great



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

Less balanced, leaning more into gore

I have loved these books, and been utterly gripped by them. What a fantastic writer.

This one feels less well balanced than the previous three, favouring long descriptions of fighting over the personal, social and political drama. I’m not remotely squeamish, and have found the fighting scenes in the earlier three books very impressive. In this book they lose some impact as they are so numerous and drawn out. Even the smallest thump of a priest (there are many!) is meticulously detailed, leaving the listener slightly numbed and inured to the shock and brutality of the battle scenes.

However, an excellent book brought vibrantly to life by Jonathan Keeble. Blimey, he is such a brilliant reader! The thoughtful passages of Uhtred looking back over his life are read so sensitively that you can just feel the old man’s regrets and pride and love. The battle scenes are read with feverish energy that is thrilling (unless it goes on for far too long…). The feelings of love and fellowship he has for his lovers and friends is tender and honest. I’ll say it again: BRILLIANT reader!

Which leads me to the fact that I will not be buying the next eight books in the series. Why do publishers change the narrator part-way through a series? It happens so often and is only rarely appreciated. The reviews of the narrator of the next books are so terrible that I won’t be listening. I’m so disappointed as I am now totally engrossed. I’ll be buying the books 2nd hand to read myself instead.

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

performans

he who read these 4 books was absolutely the best to listen to. too bad it was his last book in the series. book 5 gets a new one and he sucks. I returned the book and will not buy more of this series.

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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

Excellent

I enjoyed the continuation of the story Very descriptive. As good as the previous books.

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