The Empty Throne: Book 8 (The Last Kingdom Series) - Softcover

Cornwell, Bernard

Softcover

ISBN 10: 0008132097 ISBN 13: 9780008132095

Publisher: HarperCollins, 2015

Synopsis

The eighth novel in Bernard Cornwell’s number one bestselling series on the making of England and the fate of his great hero, Uhtred of Bebbanburg.

In the battle for power, there can be only one ruler.

England is fractured, torn apart more by internal fighting than the threat of Viking invasion. The ruler of Mercia is dying, leaving no legitimate heir. His wife is a formidable fighter and great leader, but no woman has ever ruled over an English kingdom. And she is without her strongest warrior and champion, Uhtred of Bebbanburg. So the scene is set for an explosive battle between elders and warriors for an empty throne.

The vacant throne leaves a dangerous opportunity for the rival West Saxons to seize Mercia. But Edward of Wessex is distracted by the succession of his own throne, with two heirs claiming the right to be West Saxon king. And while the kingdoms are in disarray, the Vikings, this time coming from the west, will go on the rampage once more.

The very future of England hangs in the balance. A hero is needed, a hero who can destroy the threat to Mercia, a hero who will ultimately decide the fate of a nation...

About this title

Review:

Praise for Bernard Cornwell:

‘The best battle scenes of any writer I’ve ever read, past or present. Cornwell really makes history come alive’ George R.R. Martin

‘Cornwell is always in full command of his material’ SUNDAY TIMES

‘Like GAME OF THRONES, but real’ Observer

‘Tense, powerful, compulsive’ THE TIMES

‘He’s called a master storyteller. Really he’s cleverer than that’ TELEGRAPH

‘Nobody in the world does this better than Cornwell’ Lee Child

From the Back Cover:

The eighth installment of Bernard Cornwell's bestselling series chronicling the epic saga of the making of England, -like Game of Thrones, but real- (The Observer, London)--the basis for The Last Kingdom, the hit BBC America television series.

My name is Uhtred. I am the son of Uhtred, who was the son of Uhtred . . .'

Britain, early tenth century AD: a time of change. There are new raids by the Vikings from Ireland, and turmoil among the Saxons over the leadership of Mercia. A younger generation is taking over.

When AEthelred, the ruler of Mercia, dies, he leaves no legitimate heir. The West Saxons want their king, but Uhtred has long supported AEthelflaed, sister to King Edward of Wessex and widow of AEethelred. Widely loved and respected, AEthelflaed has all the makings of a leader--but can Saxon warriors ever accept a woman as their ruler? The stage is set for rivals to fight for the empty throne.

With this eighth entry in the epic Saxon Tales series, we are reminded once again why New York Times bestselling author Bernard Cornwell is -the most prolific and successful historical novelist in the world today- (Wall Street Journal).

About this edition

• Publisher: HarperCollins
• Publication date: 2015
• ISBN 10: 0008132097
• ISBN 13: 9780008132095
• Binding: Paperback
• Number of pages: 320