I've read and like the Sharpe series but this is the first of the Saxon Tales series I've read and I enjoyed it. One caveat if you like your heroes to have simple names like Fred it ain't going to happen. Saxon names are challenging but as I'm not reading aloud it's OK, Cornwell also helpfully puts a glossary of names at the front of the book. I used to live in Berrocscire who knew! So on to the story. Uhtred (see what I mean?) is a Lord, a savage warrior and Danish from his named swords to his Thor's hammer amulet, he believes in Odin's Hall not heaven and while technically a good man he's won't think twice about hanging 10 workers to make the others work harder. He is also sworn to Alfred of Wessex, a Christian - (hmm have to read the other books to find out how that happened).
In this book the Vikings aren't just coming, they've taken London. Alfred orders Lord U to turf the Vikings out and then give London to his (Lord U's) cousin as a wedding present. The Vikings want to join forces with Uhtred and make him King of Mercia using the "fates" to dangle the offer in front of him. If he takes up the offer U will break his sworn oath to Alfred. No sooner has he made his decision than a prize far greater than London falls into enemy hands and Alfred tasks U to get it back. Chock-full of battles and strategy Sword Song also has enough family betrayal and palace intrigue to keep the book interesting, it also hints at dark things to come.
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