Goodreads: The Pale Horseman (The Saxon Stories #2)

Author: Bernard Cornwell

Published: 13th October 2009 (HarperCollins)

Source: Charity Shop

Rating: 3/5 (Liked it)

Official Summary: “This is the exciting—yet little known—story of the making of England in the 9th and 10th centuries, the years in which King Alfred the Great, his son and grandson defeated the Danish Vikings who had invaded and occupied three of England’s four kingdoms.

At the end of The Last Kingdom, The Danes had been defeated at Cynuit, but the triumph of the English is not fated to last long. The Danish Vikings quickly invade and occupy three of England’s four kingdoms—and all that remains of the once proud country is a small piece of marshland, where Alfred and his family live with a few soldiers and retainers, including Uhtred, the dispossessed English nobleman who was raised by the Danes. Uhtred has always been a Dane at heart, and has always believed that given the chance, he would fight for the men who raised him and taught him the Viking ways. But when Iseult, a powerful sorceress, enters Uhtred’s life, he is forced to consider feelings he’s never confronted before—and Uhtred discovers, in his moment of greatest peril, a new-found loyalty and love for his native country and ruler.” – Goodreads

Review: I am really enjoying this series, nothing is white or black. It is all grey. Even Uhtred’s loyalty was in question in several places, even to himself. He knew his ultimate goal which is to take his home back, but other than that he just wants to fight. Fight and follow someone who will win. In this story that isn’t clear. It looks like maybe the Vikings are going to win and yet still Uhtred still sticks with his word. It shows a lot of about who he is and who he is becoming.

It wasn’t as action driven as the first but there was still plenty. It was also great to see people actually listening to him more, taking his advice.