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The Last Kingdom
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The Winter King
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- Length: 19 hrs and 55 mins
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Overall4.5 out of 5 stars 635
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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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5 out of 5 stars
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Simply Brilliant
- By Matt on 29-08-14
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Agincourt
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Overall5 out of 5 stars 56
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Performance4.5 out of 5 stars 55
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Story4.5 out of 5 stars 54
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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4 out of 5 stars
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A battle royal!<br />
- By Chris Underhill on 23-02-19
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Stonehenge
- By: Bernard Cornwell
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- Length: 17 hrs and 43 mins
- Unabridged
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Overall4.5 out of 5 stars 208
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Performance4.5 out of 5 stars 188
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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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3 out of 5 stars
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its ok
- By Amazon Customer on 01-03-17
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Harlequin
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- By: Bernard Cornwell
- Narrated by: Andrew Cullum
- Length: 14 hrs and 49 mins
- Unabridged
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Overall4.5 out of 5 stars 409
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Performance4.5 out of 5 stars 374
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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.
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5 out of 5 stars
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A great story.
- By Audible customer on 16-02-15
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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 715
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Performance5 out of 5 stars 664
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Story4.5 out of 5 stars 658
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
- By Simon on 20-09-15
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Invader
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Overall4.5 out of 5 stars 128
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Performance4.5 out of 5 stars 120
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Story4.5 out of 5 stars 119
Roman Britain, AD 44. General Plautius' hard-won defeat of Caratacus should have brought peace. But though the land is conquered, it is far from tamed. A puppet king is doing little to calm the hatred of the tribes and bring them under Roman rule. Fighting is in Optio Horatius Figulus' blood. His Celtic ancestry is mocked by his fellow soldiers, but it gives him the toughness essential for survival.
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5 out of 5 stars
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Excellent
- By CT on 20-08-16
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The Winter King
- The Warlord Chronicles, Book 1
- By: Bernard Cornwell
- Narrated by: Jonathan Keeble
- Length: 19 hrs and 55 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall4.5 out of 5 stars 635
-
Performance4.5 out of 5 stars 576
-
Story4.5 out of 5 stars 580
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.
-
5 out of 5 stars
-
Simply Brilliant
- By Matt on 29-08-14
-
Agincourt
- By: Bernard Cornwell
- Narrated by: Charles Keating
- Length: 16 hrs and 13 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall5 out of 5 stars 56
-
Performance4.5 out of 5 stars 55
-
Story4.5 out of 5 stars 54
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.
-
4 out of 5 stars
-
A battle royal!<br />
- By Chris Underhill on 23-02-19
-
Stonehenge
- By: Bernard Cornwell
- Narrated by: Jonathan Keeble
- Length: 17 hrs and 43 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall4.5 out of 5 stars 208
-
Performance4.5 out of 5 stars 188
-
Story4.5 out of 5 stars 186
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.
-
3 out of 5 stars
-
its ok
- By Amazon Customer on 01-03-17
-
Harlequin
- The Grail Quest, Book 1
- By: Bernard Cornwell
- Narrated by: Andrew Cullum
- Length: 14 hrs and 49 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall4.5 out of 5 stars 409
-
Performance4.5 out of 5 stars 374
-
Story4.5 out of 5 stars 376
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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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
-
Overall4.5 out of 5 stars 715
-
Performance5 out of 5 stars 664
-
Story4.5 out of 5 stars 658
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.
-
5 out of 5 stars
-
At the Sharpe Start
- By Simon on 20-09-15
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Invader
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- Narrated by: Jonathan Keeble
- Length: 13 hrs and 15 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall4.5 out of 5 stars 128
-
Performance4.5 out of 5 stars 120
-
Story4.5 out of 5 stars 119
Roman Britain, AD 44. General Plautius' hard-won defeat of Caratacus should have brought peace. But though the land is conquered, it is far from tamed. A puppet king is doing little to calm the hatred of the tribes and bring them under Roman rule. Fighting is in Optio Horatius Figulus' blood. His Celtic ancestry is mocked by his fellow soldiers, but it gives him the toughness essential for survival.
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5 out of 5 stars
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Excellent
- By CT on 20-08-16
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Hearts of Stone
- By: Simon Scarrow
- Narrated by: Jonathan Keeble
- Length: 14 hrs and 11 mins
- Unabridged
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Overall4.5 out of 5 stars 172
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Performance4.5 out of 5 stars 152
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Story4.5 out of 5 stars 155
The Sunday Times best-selling author of The Gladiator and Brothers in Blood returns with another unpauseable, thrilling, and action-packed adventure. The fierce courage of the men and women of the Greek Resistance is brought to vivid life in Sunday Times best seller Simon Scarrow's powerful new novel of World War II. It's 1938. A perfect summer on the Greek island of Lefkas for three young people untroubled by the simmering politics of Europe.
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5 out of 5 stars
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Another gripping, historic tale.
- By Ian C Dando on 01-11-16
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The Fort
- By: Bernard Cornwell
- Narrated by: Robin Bowerman
- Length: 13 hrs and 6 mins
- Unabridged
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Overall3.5 out of 5 stars 134
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Performance4 out of 5 stars 75
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Story4 out of 5 stars 75
A stand-alone battle book, set this time in the eighteenth-century in the rebellious colony of Massachusetts.This new novel takes place during the very early days of the rebellion, or the War of Independence, before Washington and before the organization of a colonial army. A small British fleet with a few soldiers on board had sailed in to be met, to their surprise, with an overwhelming strength of local militia.
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5 out of 5 stars
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Why do you read Bernard Cornwell?
- By R. Fowler on 02-06-11
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Arena
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- Narrated by: David Thorpe
- Length: 15 hrs and 57 mins
- Unabridged
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Overall4.5 out of 5 stars 109
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Performance4.5 out of 5 stars 103
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Story4.5 out of 5 stars 103
Pavo's journey begins when he encounters the Roman soldier Macro, who has been charged with his training. Bonds of friendship develop between the two men, both aware that their fates depend not only on Pavo's skills in the arena but also on the whims of powerful and ruthless senators. Can Pavo survive to fulfil his most cherished goal - revenge for the murder of his father at the hands of a champion gladiator?
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5 out of 5 stars
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love it
- By Amazon Customer on 31-08-16
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Rebel (The Starbuck Chronicles, Book 1)
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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
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Young Bloods
- Wellington and Napoleon, Book 1
- By: Simon Scarrow
- Narrated by: Jonathan Keeble
- Length: 19 hrs and 28 mins
- Unabridged
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Overall4.5 out of 5 stars 631
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Arthur Wesley (the future Duke of Wellington) was born and bred to be a leader. With a firm belief that the nation must be led by a king, the red-coated British officer heads for battle against the French Republic, to restore the fallen monarchy. Napoleon Bonaparte joins the French military on the eve of the Revolution. He believes leadership is won by merit, not by noble birth. When anarchy explodes in Paris, he's thrust into the revolutionary army poised to march against Britain.
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5 out of 5 stars
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Outstanding
- By MR W Daly on 05-02-17
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Sword and Scimitar
- By: Simon Scarrow
- Narrated by: Jonathan Keeble
- Length: 16 hrs and 13 mins
- Unabridged
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Overall4.5 out of 5 stars 174
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Performance4.5 out of 5 stars 141
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Story4.5 out of 5 stars 144
Malta, 1565: a vital outpost between the divided nations of Europe and the relentlessly expanding Ottoman Empire. Faced with ferocious attack by a vast Turkish fleet, the knights of the Order of St John fear annihilation. Amongst those called to assist is disgraced veteran Sir Thomas Barrett. Loyalty and instinct compel him to put the Order above all other concerns, yet his allegiance is divided.
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5 out of 5 stars
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enjoyment excitement
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Summary
Caught up in the power struggle between two kings, powerless to stop the bloodshed and compelled to take a side, this is a powerful tale of loyalty, war and the struggle to survive.
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. He is left uncertain of his loyalties but a slaughter in a winter dawn propels him to the English side and he will become a man just as the Danes launch their fiercest attack yet on Alfred's kingdom. Marriage ties him further still to the West Saxon cause but when his wife and child vanish in the chaos of the Danish invasion, Uhtred is driven to face the greatest of the Viking chieftains in a battle beside the sea. There, in the horror of the shield-wall, he discovers his true allegiance.
The Last Kingdom, like most of Bernard Cornwell's books, is firmly based on true history. It is the first novel of a series that will tell the tale of Alfred the Great and his descendants and of the enemies they faced, Viking warriors like Ivar the Boneless and his feared brother, Ubba. Against their lives Bernard Cornwell has woven a story of divided loyalties, reluctant love, and desperate heroism. In Uhtred, he has created one of his most interesting and heroic characters and in The Last Kingdom one of his most powerful and passionate novels.
Critic reviews
"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)
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What members say
Average customer ratings
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- A D MCCLENAGHAN
- 13-12-14
Fate is unstoppable
What made the experience of listening to The Last Kingdom the most enjoyable?
A fantastic tale by a master of historical fiction, brilliantly performed by an actor who brings the characters to vivid life.
What other book might you compare The Last Kingdom to, and why?
Gates of Fire by Steven Pressfield. Just as The Last Kingdom draws you into the world of the Vikings and Saxons, Gates of Fire recreates ancient Greece and the warriors that defended it against the might of the Persian Empire. These are books that celebrate the warrior ethos in all its bloody glory with a bold, dark humour.
Which character – as performed by Jonathan Keeble – was your favourite?
Apart from the brilliantly performed lead Uhtred, Earl Ragnar the Fearless is realised with real strength and humour. Like Uhtred you can't help loving him, despite his bloody Viking ways. His humour and thirst for life is in stark and brilliant contrast to the pious priests and monks who dominate the Saxon lands.
Did you have an emotional reaction to this book? Did it make you laugh or cry?
The Last Kingdom is an exciting listen, filled with action and adventure, and a warrior spirit that had me laughing out loud with its larger than life characters who live and die hard.
Any additional comments?
This is my first experience of Bernard Cromwell's books, but it will not be my last. I loved it. It has also sparked my interest in historical fiction in general and this period in particular. I shall certainly be listening to the other books in this series and will look out for others to try. I have heard Jonathan Keeble's narration before (in a less than inspiring James Herbert novel) but this was outstanding. One of the best performances I've heard in a long while and I'm looking forward to hearing more. Fate is unstoppable.
8 of 8 people found this review helpful
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Overall4 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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Story4 out of 5 stars
- William
- COLWYN BAY, United Kingdom
- 30-07-14
A Suprise to find , a Joy to listen to
Would you recommend this audiobook to a friend? If so, why?
Any History fan who likes 8-9th century England will enjoy a tale of a young boy growth to manhood in Viking torn England.
Who was your favorite character and why?
the main character as its focused on him Uhtred son of Uhtred.
Which scene did you most enjoy?
The big storm at sea.
Was there a moment in the book that particularly moved you?
the big battles
Any additional comments?
If you like Viking or Anglo Saxons you will enjoy this book that is based on a young boy and his experiences. His battles loves and joys through the trials of the world he is born into. the narrator was top notch by the way. the book good and gritty. please listen.
4 of 4 people found this review 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
- Stuart M
- 06-06-17
Fantastic
Such a fantastic story that is wonderfully narrated. Would recommend to anyone. Better than the TV show, which is very good!
2 of 2 people found this review 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
- Christopher Wilton
- 30-11-15
Curious choice of prose-style, but it works brilliantly.
I was a little put off at first when I realised that the story would be told retrospectively by the hero, as a chronicle of his life.
However, this didn't detract from the enjoyment and the narrator's performance even enhances it for the most part.
It's an interesting period of English history I knew very little about before starting the book.
Very different from Sharpe, which I'm more familiar with, but on the whole still excellent.
I will definitely be purchasing the next in the series, as long a the narration remains good.
2 of 2 people found this review helpful
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Overall4 out of 5 stars
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Performance4 out of 5 stars
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Story4 out of 5 stars
- Mr Doug White
- England
- 20-05-14
Reliably riveting
Where does The Last Kingdom rank among all the audiobooks you’ve listened to so far?
It's certInly up there with one of the more compelling reads. Took me a while to get used to Mr Keebles performance but when I did I was hooked
Who was your favorite character and why?
Leofrig. Perhaps the only honest character in the book and fills the diamond in the ruff comic aside role
What about Jonathan Keeble’s performance did you like?
Solid character interpretation and good timing and pace
Any additional comments?
I found this a little difficult to get into at first and I am still not sure how much I like or empathise with Uthred the main character. King Alfred is defiantly betrayed as a man not to be trusted and certainly does not trust Uthred and with good reason. His loŷalties change throughout the story but that makes it more compelling, you are never sure which way he will turn. Set against the backdrop of a country on the very edge of extinction the story draws you in effortlessly in the way you would expect of an experienced author. For all those who like a bit of historical fiction and for those looking for a new series to add to their collection, defiantly worth a try
2 of 2 people found this review 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
- richard martin
- 17-10-18
Just awesome
Awesome writing, awesome performance. Just awesome. Best audio book I've ever had. Totally loved it.
Would have just written 'awesome' but review required 15 words minmum. Could have written 'awesome' 15 times I suppose.
1 of 1 people found this review 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
- Mrs S.
- 01-09-18
WONDERFUL!!
Saw the TV series but the book has so much more important detail. Brilliant! Looking forward to the next
1 of 1 people found this review 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
- AliL
- 06-08-18
Riveting story, excellent narration. Bravo!
Bravo! Jonathan Keeble’s narration brought Bernard Cornwell’s engrossing story of Uhtred to life. Just bought second in series and can’t wait to get started. I have read and loved other Bernard Cornwell’s series, Sharpe, Grail Quest, Warlord Chronicles, so why I ask myself has it taken so long for me to reach out for this series!?
1 of 1 people found this review 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
- 03-08-18
unreal
I literally couldnt stop listening to this. as soon as it finished, i started again.
1 of 1 people found this review helpful
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
- Jane
- 30-07-18
Superb
An excellent story full of history, battles, love and adventure told by the best narrator, the perfect combination
1 of 1 people found this review helpful