The Empty Throne: A Novel
Written by Bernard Cornwell
Narrated by Matt Bates
4.5/5
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About this audiobook
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 Æthelred, the ruler of Mercia, dies, he leaves no legitimate heir. The West Saxons want their king, but Uhtred has long supported Æthelflaed, sister to King Edward of Wessex and widow of Æethelred. Widely loved and respected, Æthelflaed 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).
Bernard Cornwell
BERNARD CORNWELL is the author of over fifty novels, including the acclaimed New York Times bestselling Saxon Tales, which serve as the basis for the hit Netflix series The Last Kingdom. He lives with his wife on Cape Cod and in Charleston, South Carolina.
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Reviews for The Empty Throne
116 ratings13 reviews
- Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5I liked the book and I've gotten used to this narrator. He can do different voices for each of the characters which keeps you in the story.
- Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5Always an entertaining series - but The Empty Throne was missing some of the oomph that previous editions enjoyed. This work had plenty of ties to true history (the education of future kings of England), although plot moves a bit slower here. Still a solid addition to a fun series of historical fiction.
- Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5Once again excellent writing and knowledge of the topic at hand.
- Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5The formation of England is coming to fruition in this tale that features a middle aged Uhtred, slowly recovering from a bad battle wound. His son, Uhtred, and his daughter play a big role in the story. It is almost as if the author is preparing to pass the torch to younger characters, but not quite ready just yet. Uhtred, despite being older and suffering a serious injury, still has some fight left in him.The main body of the plot involves some Game of Thrones style jockeying for the throne of Mircea, which currently resides with the dying Aethelred. There are several vying for the throne including his estranged wife, Aethelflaed, who is a part time lover to Uhtred, who he has pledged his loyalty to. Meanwhile, Aethelflaed’s brother, King Edward of Wessex, seeks to unite the kingdoms into one nation. Also, as part of the plot, Uhtred is trying to protect the life of Edward’s son, Aethelstan, as other factions plot to kill him so that he never inherits the throne.There is less battles in this novel than in some of the others in the series. Instead, there is more politics, backstabbing, jockeying for position, and intrigue. By and large, this works. I like a good fight scene as much as the next person, but political wrangling is also fun. Uhtred is a strong character, who as Aethelflaed eloquently states, is at his best when he is being disobedient, which he does frequently in this novel. He is a rebel and rule-breaker by nature. One thing that annoyed me—and it’s a small quibble—but many of the names were too much alike, and it got rather annoying after a while. Otherwise, this was a fun and enjoyable novel that I would recommend.Carl Alves – author of Two For Eternity
- Rating: 3 out of 5 stars3/5This eighth instalment of the Saxon Stories is set during AD 911. Uhtred, the main star of this and the previous books in the series, is in my opinion Bernard Cornwell’s best character creation. The author’s depictions of battle scenes are vivid and believable in all his works, but more so in the Saxon tales because Uhtred’s personality helps the reader – this one at least – to feel part of this charismatic warlord’s fights. That said, the amount of action is limited here compared to the earlier books, and this novel doesn’t move in the usual fast pace. That’s not to say it’s slow, but it’s mid-paced compared to the norm.What confrontation there is, be it physical or verbal, is expertly portrayed. The typical humour, especially Uhtred’s conversations with priests, is as entertaining as ever.In my view, what prevents Mr Cornwell from being an even better writer than he is already is, is his dialogue attribution. The actual dialogue is excellent, but for 90+ per cent of the time he interrupts the flow by needlessly reminding the reader who’s speaking, more often than not inserting this pointless information – pointless because it’s obvious who’s speaking – in the middle of sentences.Mr Cornwell maybe doesn’t realise that the strength of his characters make it clear to the reader who’s talking, just as he fails to grasp how irritating it is to have his believable dialogue swamped with superfluous attribution, which sometimes includes unnecessary adverbs.Below is a quote between Uhtred and a male character, which serves as an example of needless attribution, because with the exchange being held between the narrating character and a lesser character it’s plain who’s speaking:>‘And they took you to Tyddewi?’ I asked.He nodded. ‘I was just a child, lord,’ he said.‘Don’t tell me,’ I said, ‘there’s a dead saint there.’
- Rating: 3 out of 5 stars3/5A book more about politicial intrigue than military action. As such different from others in the series. Having read it again recently I found it slower paced than the rest of the series.
- Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5Once again Mr. Cornwell has out done himself, this is a damn good book.
- Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5A fascinating read, just like all of Cornwell ' books. I am enjoying watching Uhtred's life journey.
- Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5Bernard Cornwall has the ability to take a few snips of history and weave it into a skein to serve as the basis for great stories. His Saxon Tales are excellent and the Empty Throne is even a cut above the others.. He builds and peoples an ancient world that is feasible, interesting and fun to read about.. Uthred is a principled warrior with a mission to fulfill dead King Alfred's vision for a united Engaland.
- Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5Just another awesome book in the series, Im looking forward to next one!
- Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5Bernard Cornwell brings history to life once again, makes me laugh, improves my abilities to curse, entertains us on a long car trip, and generally rocks. Another installment in this particular series. My only regret is that the audio doesn't include the afterward, as I actually know TWO people mentioned in it. I have great friends.
- Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5This is the eighth novel in the seemingly endless series about Uhtred of Bebbanburg, now given a new lease of life through the second TV series, which is well made and seems well cast to fit the characters from the novels. The seat of action this time is Mercia and the death of its ruler Ethelred, married to Ethelfleda, the famous and powerful Lady of the Mercians, and the late King Alfred's sister. Uhtred is a less all powerful character here due being wounded, and his namesake son comes more to the fore here. Beyond this, it's the usual mayhem and killing, but well written and with a few more minor characters entering the fray.
- Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5Britain, early tenth century AD: a time of change. There are raids by the Vikings from Ireland, and turmoil among the Saxons over the leadership of Mercia. A younger generation is taking over. When Ethelred, the ruler of Mercia, dies, he leaves no heir. The West Saxons want their king, but Uhtred has long supported Ethelfraed, sister to King Edward of Wessex and widow of Ethelred.