The Last Kingdom

by Bernard Cornwell
The Last Kingdom cover
Good Books rating 4.75
Historical Fiction
Technical:
  • ID: 1574
  • Added: 2025-10-08
  • Updated: 2025-10-08
  • Published: 2004-01-01
  • Formats: 7
  • Reviews: 3
Buy online
Waterstones
Paperback • £9.99
Bookshop
Format • £9.49

The Last Kingdom follows the life of Uhtred of Bebbanburg, an English boy captured and raised by Vikings. His unique upbringing places him at the heart of the conflict between the Danes and the Saxons. As he grows, Uhtred's loyalty is torn between the Viking warriors who raised him and his English heritage. His fate becomes linked to Alfred, the king of Wessex, the sole English kingdom resisting the Danish invasion. The story explores themes of identity, loyalty, and the struggle for power in a tumultuous era. Bernard Cornwell's vivid storytelling and historical detail bring the Viking age to life, making The Last Kingdom a compelling blend of adventure and historical fiction. The novel is the first in the Saxon Stories series, offering readers a gripping introduction to a world of war, politics, and personal conflict.

Reviews
Adventures of a Tudor Nerd · 2022-04-05
brilliant 4.75

The book is described as a triumph and an absolute joy to read. The reviewer highly recommends it for anyone who enjoys fantastic historical fiction.

The reviewer describes The Last Kingdom as a triumph and an absolute joy to read, highlighting its compelling narrative and rich historical detail. They find the book to be a fantastic addition to the historical fiction genre and highly recommend it to anyone looking for an engaging and well-crafted story. The reviewer appreciates the depth of the characters and the intricate plot, which make the book a standout in the genre.

Quick quotes

    The Last Kingdom is a triumph. An absolute joy to read and one that I cannot recommend enough for anyone who wants a fantastic historical fiction.

    The narrative is compelling and the historical detail is rich and immersive.

    The characters are deeply engaging and the plot is intricate and well-crafted.

Grimdark Magazine · 2020-05-27
excellent 4.50

The book is praised for its excellent drama and well-realised characters, making it an extremely enjoyable historical fiction read. The reviewer appreciates the rich detail and engaging narrative.

The reviewer found The Last Kingdom to be a thrilling and enjoyable read, highlighting the excellent drama and well-realised characters that bring the story to life. They particularly appreciate the rich detail and engaging narrative that makes the historical setting feel vivid and immersive. The reviewer also notes that the book is chock-full of action and intrigue, making it a compelling read from start to finish.

Quick quotes

    The Last Kingdom was an extremely enjoyable historical fiction read that features excellent drama, well-realised characters, and is chock-full of action and intrigue.

    The narrative is engaging and the historical setting is vividly brought to life.

    The characters are well-developed and the drama is excellent.

Elitist Book Reviews · Vanessa · 2016-08-30
great 5.00

The reviewer enjoys the straightforward prose and humor, finding the book easy and quick to read. Uhtred's candid observations are particularly appreciated.

Vanessa appreciates the straightforward prose of The Last Kingdom, which makes the book an easy and quick read. She particularly enjoys the humor and Uhtred's candid observations, which add a layer of authenticity and charm to the narrative. The reviewer finds the book engaging and entertaining, with a pace that keeps the reader hooked from beginning to end.

Quick quotes

    His prose is nothing fancy, and that's OK; in fact it makes the books easy, quick reads.

    I also love the humor and Uhtred's candid observations.

    The pacing is excellent, keeping the reader engaged throughout.

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