War Lord

The Last Kingdom Series, Book 13

By: Bernard Cornwell

Narrated by: Matt Bates

The No.1 Sunday Times bestseller

IN THE FINAL RECKONING, CHOOSE YOUR SIDE CAREFULLY…

The epic conclusion to the globally bestselling historical series.

After years fighting to reclaim his rightful home, Uhtred of Bebbanburg has returned to Northumbria. With his loyal band of warriors and a new woman by his side, his household is secure – yet Uhtred is far from safe. Beyond the walls of his impregnable fortress, a battle for power rages.

To the south, King Æthelstan has unified the three kingdoms of Wessex, Mercia and East Anglia – and now eyes a bigger prize. To the north, King Constantine and other Scottish and Irish leaders seek to extend their borders and expand their dominion.

Caught in the eye of the storm is Uhtred. Threatened and bribed by all sides, he faces an impossible choice: stay out of the struggle, risking his freedom, or throw himself into the cauldron of war and the most terrible battle Britain has ever experienced. Only fate can decide the outcome.

The epic story of how England was made concludes in WAR LORD, the magnificent finale to the Last Kingdom series.

©2020 Bernard Cornwell (P)2020 HarperCollins Publishers Limited

Critic reviews

"Cornwell superfans should look out." (BBC History Magazine)

"England’s creation story finally comes to an epic conclusion." (History Revealed)

Perfect capstone to a great series

This final installment of The Last Kingdom series is a perfect ending for what has been a highly entertaining series. Uhtred is old, and the only thing he wants is to die at Bebbanburg. But war stirs to the north, and Uhtred must decide whether to fight for King Aethelstan or Constantine of Alba.

Uhtred's age in this story make any significant fighting in his part a bit farfetched. That's why the most ingenious part of this book is how Uhtred mostly becomes a battlefield spectator to be awed by a younger generation of warriors making their own reputations. He is the elder warlord whose experience and presence certainly help shape the battle, but he no longer seeks out battle as in his younger days.

I greatly appreciated Cornwell's historical note to close the book, and I'll be looking into his other historical fiction works.

Glorious!

It’s rare to have a satisfactory conclusion to a series as epic, rich and beloved as the Saxon Chronicles. It’s difficult to say farewell to characters that are as familiar as old friends, especially when those friendships have endured the chaos, bloodshed and adventure that the men of Bebbanburg have embarked upon. But alas! Cornwell delivers, and though no voice can animate the series like Johnathan Keeble, Matt Bates displays a mastery and ownership that blossoms this stellar ending into a breathtaking epilogue to the life and trials of Uhtred and his Wolves of Bebbanburg!

One of the best series

o over the years I have read each book in this series, anticipating the next. Sad the series ended but greatful for the years of entertainment it brought. The last Uthred book did not disappoint, Bernard Cornwell's brilliant story telling melting real events with fiction could not have been done better. 10/10, best series I've read. thank you Mr. Cornwell

Great Ending

Sadly, this is the last in a great series. I've listened to every book several times and still enjoy them. This last book perfectly wraps up the series in a calming and satisfying way. Bernard Cornwell is truly a master story teller.

A fully satisfying conclusion to the saga

No one writes historical fiction like Cornwall. Either you already knew that and it has brought you to War Lord, or somehow you are seeing this review at the wrong moment…or perhaps the right moment if you are looking for the next twelve great reads in your life. I’ll miss Uhtred of Bebbenburg, but I enjoyed every single installment of his tale — his tale and the tale of the birth of England as told from the perspective of his life’s story.

I just wish he would have died

So Mr.Cornwell didn't give me the closure I expected from him in this series ending. I figured that Utred's son would have been speaking in the epilog like he did at the beginning of the empty throne. unless he is planning a new set of books following him. but I doubt that.

Great end to a great series that has been so well

Very well read and a wonderful series. It has been an enchanting audio series for many a long winter day/night. A well developed and written series that has been most entertaining.

Going to miss Uthred

From nine years old to his eighties I've followed Uthred of Bebbanburg. Just a fantastic series and I'm incredibly sad to see its end. Going to try Cornwell's Arthurian series now, but Uthred has a special place in my mind. He is one of my favorite protagonists ever.

Wow!

So sad to come to the end of this epic story! Thank you Mr. Cornwell and Mr. Bates.

Magnificent Uhtred

A great story as usual by Bernard Cornwall & well read with a victorious Uhtred of course!