The Empty Throne: A Novel (Warrior Chronicles)

In the eighth installment of Bernard Cornwell’s Saxon Tales, with King Alfred now gone and buried, readers might think the series is winding down, but it is quite the opposite. Uhtred of Bebbanburg was thought mortally wounded at the end of The Pagan Lord, but he is still alive, and not necessarily well. His grievous wound is very slowly healing, meanwhile he has to work with his son and men to make sure the church and those in power don’t elect who they want to rule. Uhtred has a powerful leader, Æthelflaed, sister to King Edward of Wessex.

In addition to electing new rulers, Uhtred is also on the hunt for his sword. It was taken from him, and is purported to be in the hands of Bishop Asser, who is somewhere deep in the heart of Wales. Then, at some point, he’s going to end up in a big battle with some Vikings.

In true Cornwell fashion, The Empty Throne has it all for a gripping historical fiction novel, and current fans will rejoice while new readers will have no problem getting hooked as the author keeps them engaged in everything.