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The Flame Bearer
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Get rid of that music!!!!
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Overall4.5 out of 5 stars 1,501
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The first book in a brand-new series, The Last Kingdom is set in England during the reign of King Alfred. Uhtred is an English boy, born into the aristocracy of ninth-century Northumbria. Orphaned at 10, he is captured and adopted by a Dane and taught the Viking ways. Yet Uhtred's fate is indissolubly bound up with Alfred, King of Wessex, who rules over the only English kingdom to survive the Danish assault. The struggle between the English and the Danes and the strife between christianity and paganism is the background to Uhtred's growing up.
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Fate is unstoppable
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- Length: 19 hrs and 55 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall4.5 out of 5 stars 782
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Performance4.5 out of 5 stars 711
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Story4.5 out of 5 stars 715
Uther, the High King of Britain, has died, leaving the infant Mordred as his only heir. His uncle, the loyal and gifted warlord Arthur, now rules as caretaker for a country which has fallen into chaos - threats emerge from within the British kingdoms while vicious Saxon armies stand ready to invade. Uther, the High King of Britain, has died, leaving the infant Mordred as his only heir. His uncle, the loyal and gifted warlord Arthur, now rules as caretaker for a country which has fallen into chaos - threats emerge from within the British kingdoms while vicious Saxon armies stand ready to invade.
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- Unabridged
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Overall0 out of 5 stars 0
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Performance0 out of 5 stars 0
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Harlequin
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- Unabridged
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Overall4.5 out of 5 stars 508
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Performance4.5 out of 5 stars 463
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Story4.5 out of 5 stars 465
The year is 1342. The English, led by Edward III, are laying waste to the French countryside. The army may be led by the King, but it is the archers, the common men, who are England's secret weapon. The French know them as Harlequins. Thomas of Hookton is one of these archers. But he is also on a personal mission: To avenge his father's death and retrieve a stolen relic.
-
5 out of 5 stars
-
A great story.
- By Audible customer on 16-02-15
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Stonehenge
- By: Bernard Cornwell
- Narrated by: Jonathan Keeble
- Length: 17 hrs and 43 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall4.5 out of 5 stars 248
-
Performance4.5 out of 5 stars 222
-
Story4 out of 5 stars 223
Bernard Cornwell's brilliant novel, reissued for fans to find out the story behind the stones. This is the tale of three brothers and of their rivalry that created this great temple. One summer's day, a dying stranger carrying great wealth in gold comes to the settlement of Ratharryn. The three sons of Ratharryn's chief each perceive the great gift in a different way. The eldest, Lengar, the warrior, harnesses his murderous ambition to be a ruler and take great power for his tribe.
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5 out of 5 stars
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Overall4.5 out of 5 stars 138
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Performance4.5 out of 5 stars 129
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Story4.5 out of 5 stars 127
Young Nicholas Hook is dogged by a curse, haunted by what he has failed to do and banished for what he has done. A wanted man in England, he is driven to fight as a mercenary archer in France, where he finds two things he can love: his instincts as a fighting man, and a girl in trouble. Together they survive the notorious massacre at Soissons, an event that shocks all Christendom. With no options left, Hook heads home to England, where his capture means certain death.
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3 out of 5 stars
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Get rid of that music!!!!
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Overall4.5 out of 5 stars 19
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Performance4.5 out of 5 stars 16
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Story4.5 out of 5 stars 16
AD 838. Deep in the forests of Wessex, Dunston's solitary existence is shattered when he stumbles on a mutilated corpse. Accused of the murder, Dunston must clear his name and keep the dead man's daughter alive in the face of savage pursuers desperate to prevent a terrible secret from being revealed. Rushing through Wessex, Dunston will need to use all the skills of survival garnered from a lifetime in the wilderness.
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4 out of 5 stars
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Classic Old Grizzly Tale!
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Enemy of God
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Overall4.5 out of 5 stars 86
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Performance4.5 out of 5 stars 52
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The continuing story of Arthur, the second in a trilogy that began with The Winter King. The novels bring Arthur and his world to vivid life.
Arthur is a man battling for his vision of the future in a brutal age, dragged down by suspicions and magics of the past, surrounded by intrigue, dependent on his skill at war and genius for leadership.
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5 out of 5 stars
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The Arthurian legend given substance
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God of Vengeance
- The Rise of Sigurd 1
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- Unabridged
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Overall4.5 out of 5 stars 400
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Performance4.5 out of 5 stars 364
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Story4.5 out of 5 stars 365
Norway, AD 785. It began with the betrayal of a lord by a king.... King Gorm puts Jarl Harald's family to the sword but makes one fatal mistake - he fails to kill Harald's youngest son, Sigurd. His kin slain, his village seized and its people taken as slaves, Sigurd wonders if the gods have forsaken him. Hunted by powerful men, he is unsure who to trust, and yet he has a small band of loyal followers at his side.
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5 out of 5 stars
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Blood, Betrayal, and Violent Vengeance
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Master of War
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- Unabridged
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Overall4.5 out of 5 stars 349
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Performance4.5 out of 5 stars 322
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Story4.5 out of 5 stars 323
England, 1346. For Thomas Blackstone the choice is easy - dance on the end of a rope for a murder he did not commit, or join the king's invasion. As he fights his way across northern France, Blackstone learns the brutal lessons of war. Vastly outnumbered, Edward III's army will finally confront the armoured might of the French nobility on the field of Crécy. It is a battle that will change the history of warfare.
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3 out of 5 stars
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Part one is good.
- By mrmalaya on 11-09-17
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Sharpe's Tiger: The Siege of Seringapatam, 1799 (The Sharpe Series, Book 1)
- By: Bernard Cornwell
- Narrated by: Rupert Farley
- Length: 14 hrs and 14 mins
- Unabridged
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Overall4.5 out of 5 stars 937
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Performance5 out of 5 stars 871
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Richard Sharpe avoids the tyrannical Sergeant Obadiah Hakeswill and endeavours to rescue a British officer from under the nose of the Tippoo of Mysore. But in fleeing Hakeswill, Sharpe enters the exotic and dangerous world of the Tippoo. An adventure that will require all of his wits just to stay alive, let alone save the British army from catastrophe.
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5 out of 5 stars
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At the Sharpe Start
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Rebel (The Starbuck Chronicles, Book 1)
- By: Bernard Cornwell
- Narrated by: Andrew Cullum
- Length: 16 hrs and 50 mins
- Unabridged
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Overall4.5 out of 5 stars 157
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Performance4.5 out of 5 stars 142
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Story4.5 out of 5 stars 141
The first book in Bernard Cornwell's best-selling series on the American Civil War. It is summer 1861. The armies of North and South stand on the brink of America's civil war. Nathanial Starbuck, jilted by his girl and estranged from his family, arrives in the capital of the Confederate South, where he enlists in an elite regiment being raised by rich, eccentric Washington Faulconer.
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2 out of 5 stars
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Sounds automated dull and difficult to follow
- By Tmck on 15-01-19
Summary
The brand-new novel in Bernard Cornwell's number one best-selling series on the making of England and the fate of his great hero, Uhtred of Bebbanburg. BBC2's major TV show The Last Kingdom is based on the first two novels in the series.
From the day it was stolen from me, I had dreamed of recapturing Bebbanburg. The great fort was built on a rock that was almost an island; it was massive, it could be approached only on land by a single narrow track - and it was mine.
Britain is in a state of uneasy peace. Northumbria's Viking ruler, Sigtryggr, and Mercia's Saxon Queen, Aethelflaed, have agreed to a truce. And so England's greatest warrior, Uhtred of Bebbanburg, at last has the chance to take back the home of his traitorous uncle, which was stolen from him so many years ago - and which his scheming cousin still occupies.
But fate is inexorable, and the enemies Uhtred has made and the oaths he has sworn combine to distract him from his dream of recapturing Bebbanburg. New enemies enter into the fight for England's kingdoms: the redoubtable Constantin of Scotland seizes an opportunity for conquest and leads his armies south.
Britain's precarious peace threatens to turn into a war of annihilation. But Uhtred is determined that nothing, neither the new enemies nor the old foes who combine against him, will keep him from his birthright. He is the Lord of Bebbanburg, but he will need all the skills he has learned in a lifetime of war to make his dream come true.
Critic reviews
"Like Game of Thrones, but real." ( Observer)
"Blood, divided loyalties and thundering battles." ( The Times)
"Strong narrative, vigourous action and striking characterisation, Cornwell remains king of the territory he has staked out as his own." ( Sunday Times)
"A violent, absorbing historical saga, deeply researched and thoroughly imagined." ( Washington Post)
"The best battle scenes of any writer I've ever read, past or present. Cornwell really makes history come alive." (George R. R. Martin)
"Cornwell draws a fascinating picture of England as it might have been before anything like England existed." ( The Times)
"He's called a master storyteller. Really he's cleverer than that." ( Telegraph)
"A reminder of just how good a writer he is." ( Sunday Times)
"Nobody in the world does this better than Cornwell." (Lee Child)
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Reviews - Please select the tabs below to change the source of reviews.
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- Judy
- 02-01-17
Another brilliant story
Where does The Flame Bearer rank among all the audiobooks you’ve listened to so far?
I adore the Uhtred series. I could be a Shield Maiden! I do more housework/gardening when listening to this series, than at any other time. Almost do anything to plug in and escape.
What did you like best about this story?
There is a cynical humour and an earthiness but at the same time, I feel that there is a lot of well-researched knowledge in the stories. There is a flow that picks me up and sweeps me along, almost breathless.
Which character – as performed by Matt Bates – was your favourite?
Matt Bates is Uhtred! as soon as I hear his voice, he transports me to Anglo-Saxon England.
Was there a moment in the book that particularly moved you?
Lots of times.
Any additional comments?
Please tell me that this isn't the last in the series!!!
3 people found this helpful
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- SnappyJon
- 27-11-16
Fabulous
An excellent storyline and wonderfully read. I'd been looking forward to this and wasn't disappointed!
2 people found this helpful
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- Vaan
- 22-11-16
Is this the end?
Loved it but does the saga finish here? I do hope not! It is brilliantly read with some great accents.
4 people found this helpful
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Performance3 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- lima
- 07-08-17
An Awesome Book Series
Would you recommend this audiobook to a friend? If so, why?
I have only reviewed the last book as I couldn't be bothered to do all 10. I would definitely recommend this series. Bernard Cornwell has a way of making everything so believable. His historical detail has a lot to do with it.
If you liked the Warlord chronicles you will like this. And if you havn't read the warlord chronicles then do so, it's better than this series.
Any additional comments?
It's a shame the original narrator didn't do all 10 book's. It does spoil it a bit when it's a talking book and the voice's keep changing.
1 person found this helpful
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- R Bligh
- 02-02-17
absolutely brilliant!
this was a brilliant book just like all the rest of the series good books.
1 person found this helpful
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- David
- 28-12-16
thanks
I have read all of the books leading to this one but was unable to find time . so over the holidays I got a glass full , sat down refused to do anything else until I had listened to the conclusion , a true work of art thanks Bernard ! well read and delivered by audio. best day for a while ... thanks.
1 person found this helpful
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Overall3 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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Story3 out of 5 stars
- Lenw
- 05-11-16
Too much padding
This is not up to his usual standard.The story had a predictable ending and much time was spent endlessly repeating the perceived outcomes and political motives of the various characters.He is usually much better than this.
1 person found this helpful
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Overall1 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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Story1 out of 5 stars
- Ryan
- 14-10-16
Yet another short story from Bernard
I have been following this series from the very beginning and they have been fantastic but the last two books are just scratching at the barrel of ale. Where's the story ? I miss the adventures and the side stories ? I miss the cannot wait feeling for the book to come out and sit and listen for 13 epic hours of intrigue, relationships and war... now it's fulling his return to his castle. All this time waiting for an amazing war, an amazing battle, an amazing build up to ... there you go here's your castle. Very very disappointed. This book should of been so much more... when I think of The lords of the North, Death of Kings or even the battle scenes in The Pagan Lord.....this latest instalment falls flat on its face. Come on Bernard you can do so much more
1 person found this helpful
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- Amazon Customer
- 09-10-16
this is a great chapter to the Saxons story
everybody will enjoy this chapter of this series is full of excitement twists and Utred humor.
with compassion glory and the traditional twists everything finally comes to him thank you Bernard Cornwell
1 person found this helpful
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- I. Morgan
- 22-12-16
great book again in this fantastic series
Bloody awesome and I will be looking forward to the next in the series. superb
2 people found this helpful
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- C. Ian Keay
- 05-02-17
Another winner
A compelling story, wonderfully performed by Matt Bates. I need more of these stories from Bernard Cornwell!
1 person found this helpful
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- Nigel A.
- 30-10-16
A fine ending to a long tale.
Well narrated and a fine story to finish Utred's journey. Although who knows if it's the end ;-)
1 person found this helpful
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- panagiotis
- 07-10-16
Wow
I know that reviewing this book is a waste of time as it is number 10 in a series but I will do it anyway as tribute to the author
I've read a lot of books, I believe more than 400 in fact. This was one of the best!
Well done sir, and thank you
1 person found this helpful
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- Patrick Herbert
- 25-10-17
Probably one the best in the series
Uthreds last stand is action packed and ties up the series well. Although the end could use a little more dialogue especially between old friends like Uthreds and Finnan but, overall you've got to love the way we not only finally answer the question: "will Uthred ever retake bebbanburgh?" but, also, get to reminisce with the character on his achievements to date.
Ultimately, the biggest disappointment in the book is that I've now finished a series that I've been following for years through the paperback and audio books. I can only hope that the next few years of the tv show are just as gripping (even though I know the story and uthreds nicer than he is here)