Bernard Cornwell

The Pale Horseman (The Saxon Chronicles Series #2)

Continuing the outstanding success of The Last Kingdom, The Pale Horseman is the second installment of Bernard Cornwell's fantastic series, following the fate of Alfred the Great ,and the forging of Britain.It is the lowest time for the Saxons. Defeated comprehensively by the Vikings who now occupy most of England, Alfred and his very small group of surviving followers retreat to the trackless marshlands of Somerset. There, forced to move restlessly to escape betrayal or detection, using the marsh mists for cover, they travel by small boats from one island refuge to another, hoping that they can regroup and find some more strength and support.Only Uhtred remains resolute. Determined to discover the enemy's strategies, he draws once again on his Viking upbringing, and attempts to enter the Viking camps. His plan is to become accepted by their leaders, and to sit in their councils and uncover their plans. But once there, the attractions of his many friends among the Vikings coupled with his disillusion with the Saxons' leadership and anger at Alfred's criticism of his own conduct, draws him back again to his allegiance to the Vikings.The Pale Horseman, an even more powerful and dramatic book than The Last Kingdom, brings both Uhtred and the Saxons' dilemmas vividly to life.

The Pale Horseman

Kaycee Castleman

This was fun! It's a lot more fun to learn about historical things when they are laced with fiction. It seemed to go on a bit longer than I felt necessary with characters coming and going quite often. I think I enjoyed this one a fair bit more than the first one though. 

I feel that I will pick up the next in the series but it may be a while.

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The Pale Horseman unfortunately pales in comparison to the first book of this series, The Last Kingdom.

Horseman picks up with Uhtred‚Äôs story set during the Danes‚Äô conquest to take over England. Uhtred‚Äôs alliances shift between King Alfred and the Danes as Uhtred pursues his goal of taking his land back from his treacherous uncle. 

The story chronicles Uthred‚Äôs campaign of pillaging and marauding as he seeks to avoid the boredom of married, civilian life and tries to build enough wealth to satisfy the debt he inherited from his wife. He also needs money to raise an army if he plans to take back his land from his treacherous uncle. He eventually finds himself back in the service of King Alfred. After agreeing to an ill-advised truce with the Danes, Alfred is betrayed and must flee from the Danish army. The ragged remnants of his court take refuge in the swamp, where they plot to take back Alfred‚Äôs throne. The inevitable battle between Alfred‚Äôs men and the Danes requires Uthred to commit to one side or the other.

This second installment of the series was not nearly as gripping as the first. The first 1/3 or so of the book meandered about in terms of plot before things finally came together and gathered steam. Sometimes in a series, one of the books functions more as a foundation for subsequent books. Typically, that makes the book more explanatory and less interesting. I think that Horseman may be one of those ‚Äúbridge‚Äù series titles, as it sets up the next installment where I‚Äôm sure Alfred will continue to piece together what‚Äôs left of England and pursue his dream of uniting the many independent kingdoms under one country and one rule. 

If the first book had not been such a great read, I probably wouldn't be in a hurry to continue with this series, but I‚Äôm willing to give things another shot with book 3, Lords of the North.

Lucas Coelho

Another great chapter to Uhtred’s story. I just could not put this book down.

Dearna Mulvaney

Noah Cross

Luke Harkness

The second book in the epic and bestselling series that has gripped millions. A hero will be forged from this broken land. As seen on Netflix and BBC around the world.

The Pale Horseman (The Last Kingdom Series, Book 2)

Ben S

Ellen Sjögren 

Donna Roucoulet 

Kate Lillie

Gabriel Ayuso

Alecz Hansen

Emma Fitzgerald 

Rory O'K

Ryan McDowell

THE PALE HORSEMAN the compelling sequel to the bestselling THE LAST KINGDOM. Uhtred, Northumbrian born, raised a Viking and now married to a Saxon, is already a formidable figure and warrior. But at twenty he is still arrogant, pagan and headstrong, so not a comfortable ally for the thoughtful, pious Alfred. But these two, with Alfred's family and a few of Uhtred's companions, are apparently all that remains of the Wessex leadership after a disastrous truce. It is the lowest time for the Saxons. Defeated comprehensively by the Vikings who now occupy most of England, Alfred and his surviving followers retreat to the trackless marshlands of Somerset. There, forced to move restlessly to escape betrayal or detection, using the marsh mists for cover, they travel by small boats from one island to another, hoping that they can regroup and find some more strength and support. They seek refuge in Athelney, a tidal swamp to which Alfred's kingdom has shrunk. Uhtred finds himself torn between his Danish foster brother and the winning Vikings, and his growing respect for the stubborn leadership of Alfred. and help them to take on the Vikings once more. THE PALE HORSEMAN is a splendid story of divided loyalties and desperate heroism, with a wonderful range of characters from Vikings to British kings in their Cornish fortresses, from political but passionate priests to enduring fishermen and farmers desperately striving to survive as the battle sweeps over them. Uhtred and Alfred, Vikings and Saxons, are a winning combination for Bernard Cornwell.

The Pale Horseman (The Saxon Chronicles Series #2)

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