The Pagan Lord is the seventh novel in Bernard Cornwell's historical fiction series, The Saxon Stories. Set in 9th century England, the series follows the life and adventures of Uhtred of Bebbanburg, a fictional character who becomes embroiled in the conflict between the Vikings and the Saxons. In The Pagan Lord, Uhtred is now middle-aged and finds himself faced with a new enemy - a Danish warrior named Cnut. As Uhtred navigates the treacherous political landscape of 9th century England, he must also confront his own personal demons and seek revenge for the deaths of his wife and child. Throughout the novel, Cornwell's vivid descriptions and attention to historical detail bring the story to life. The reader is transported to a time of brutal battles and shifting alliances, where honor and loyalty are put to the test.
Our hero, Uhtred, has had his ups and downs in the series, but now wishes to bring together what men he can and take back his inheritance in the distant north land of Bebbanburg, but he will have to fight his uncle and progeny to do that. The Christian faith is also growing in this place that will one day be called “Angelland,” and when Uhtred kills an important bishop, he finds those of the faith also warring against him.
Our hero, Uhtred, has had his ups and downs in the series, but now wishes to bring together what men he can and take back his inheritance in the distant north land of Bebbanburg, but he will have to fight his uncle and progeny to do that. Wessex survives, but peace cannot hold the Danes in the north, led by Viking Cnut Longsword, stand ready to invade and will not rest until the emerald crown is theirs.
The reader is transported to a time of brutal battles and shifting alliances, where honor and loyalty are put to the test. Uhtred's character continues to evolve as he grapples with his pagan upbringing and his desire to reclaim his ancestral homeland of Bebbanburg. One of the strengths of The Pagan Lord is Cornwell's ability to weave together historical fact and fiction seamlessly.
Book Review: The Pagan Lord (The Last Kingdom, #7) by Bernard Cornwell
I’ve been sitting on this review for almost five days now. It’s a rare occurrence for me to take this many days to sit and really write a review, but yes, I struggled that much trying to write a review for The Pagan Lord, the seventh book in The Last Kingdom series by Bernard Cornwell. I’m going to keep this review short.
“Because there could not be peace, not while two tribes shared one land. One tribe must win. Even the nailed god cannot change that truth. And I was a warrior, and in a world at war the warrior must be cruel.”
Cornwell has always followed a structured—and repetitive—storytelling style with this series; that’s applicable for the past six books as well, not just this book. But even then, at least in the past six books, there were still surprises and the story’s progression that moves Uthred’s story and his relationship with the other characters forward. This is the biggest issue with The Pagan Lord. It’s understandable that due to the event of the previous book, it’s difficult to keep the storyline engaging and fresh, especially because the interesting side characters were almost all missing in this installment.
The plotline in the first half of this novel was great; it felt like Cornwell is preparing and moving the story forward here. Also, Uthred—despite being a prick occasionally—continues to be entertaining, and Cornwell’s prose plus the rehashed themes surrounding religion always felt intriguing. However, the second half was a pure struggle for me. The conflict with Cnut was quite likely the most uninteresting plotline of the entire series so far. I mean it, other than the great last chapter, I never felt trademarked tension found in the past six books. I’ll go as far as saying that I don’t think this volume was even necessary to read.
“I’m getting old,” I said again, and that was true. I had lived more than fifty years and most men were lucky to see forty. Yet all old age was bringing was the death of dreams.”
My opinion comes with the first time bias to consider; I watched the TV series adaptation first, and I do believe that season 3 and season 4—so far, because The Pagan Lord covers only the first half of the fourth season—have been superior compared to the novels. Cornwell himself often mentioned that the TV series adaptation did an excellent job adapting his novels, and I agree with him. The Pagan Lord was okay; it’s the weakest of the series so far for me, and there’s nothing special with this one. I personally think that the big changes executed in the TV series did Cornwell’s novels justice. I hope The Empty Throne will be better than this.
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I’ve been sitting on this review for almost five days now. It’s a rare occurrence for me to take this many days to sit and really write a review, but yes, I struggled that much trying to write a review for The Pagan Lord, the seventh book in The Last Kingdom series by Bernard Cornwell. I’m going to keep this review short.
His extensive research into the time period shines through in the authenticity of the setting and the actions of the characters. This blend of real events and fictional narrative creates a compelling and immersive reading experience. Another notable aspect of the novel is Cornwell's skill in writing battle scenes. The author's ability to capture the chaos and violence of medieval warfare is unmatched. The reader is thrust into the midst of the action, feeling the adrenaline and fear alongside the characters. Overall, The Pagan Lord is a gripping and exciting addition to The Saxon Stories series. Bernard Cornwell's masterful storytelling transports the reader to a fascinating and dangerous world, filled with complex characters and historical intrigue. This is a must-read for fans of historical fiction and anyone interested in the Viking Age..
Reviews for "The Pagan Lord: Celebrating the Wheel of the Year"
1. John - 1 star
As an avid reader of fantasy novels, I found "The Pagan Lord" to be extremely disappointing. The plot felt uninspired and lacked originality. The characters were poorly developed and lacked depth, making it difficult to connect or root for any of them. Additionally, the writing style was lackluster and failed to create a truly immersive experience. Overall, I would not recommend this book to anyone looking for a captivating fantasy read.
2. Sarah - 2 stars
I had high expectations for "The Pagan Lord" after hearing great things about the previous books in the series. However, I found myself struggling to get through the story. The pacing was inconsistent, with long stretches of dull and predictable moments followed by rushed and confusing action sequences. The dialogue felt forced and unnatural, making it difficult to become invested in the characters or their relationships. While the historical setting had potential, it was not enough to salvage the overall disappointment I felt while reading this book.
3. Mike - 2 stars
"The Pagan Lord" was a letdown for me. The plot was scattered and lacked cohesiveness, making it difficult to follow what was happening. The characters were unremarkable and failed to engage me on any emotional level. The world-building was also lackluster, with minimal descriptions and an overall lack of attention to detail. While I appreciate the historical context, I feel that the execution of the story fell flat. I would not recommend this book to readers looking for a well-crafted and immersive fantasy novel.