Warriors of the Storm
Warriors of the Storm is the ninth historical novel in The Saxon Stories series by Bernard Cornwell, first published in October 2015. It is set in 10th-century Mercia, Northumbria and Northern Ireland and continues to follow the fortunes of the fictional Uhtred of Bebbanburg.
 First edition cover | |
| Author | Bernard Cornwell |
|---|---|
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Language | English |
| Series | The Saxon Stories |
| Genre | Historical novel |
| Publisher | HarperCollins |
Publication date | 8 October 2015 |
| Media type | Print (hardback) |
| Pages | 320 hardback edition |
| ISBN | 978-0-00-750407-7 (first, hardback edition) |
| Preceded by | The Empty Throne |
| Followed by | The Flame Bearer |
Plot summary
After becoming the ruling lady of Mercia, Æthelflaed is establishing control over her lands and retaking still more of it from the Danes. Meanwhile, her brother and ally Edward, king of Wessex, is conquering East Anglia. Only Northumbria remains firmly under Danish control, but the constant threat of new Viking incursions still remains.
Characters in "Warriors of the Storm"
Fictional
- Uhtred of Bebbanburg - the protagonist, dispossessed Ealdorman of Bebbanburg, narrator[1]
- Finan the Agile - Irish slave and warrior Uhtred has befriended
- Osferth - Aethelflaed and Edward's illegitimate elder brother
- Uhtred Uhtredson - Uthred's younger son, originally named Osbert
- Father Oswald - Uthred's elder son, named Uthred before being disinherited, named Judas by Uhtred.
- Stiorra - Uthred's daughter, married to Sigtryggr Ivarsson
- Brida - Former lover of Uhtred. Ally to Ragnall Ivarsson. Lady of Dunholme and widow to Ragnar.
- Berg - One of Uhtred's best warriors. Saved from execution by Uhtred as a boy in Wales.
- Eadith - Uhtred's lover. Former lover of Æthelred.
Historical
- Æthelflæd – King Alfred's daughter and widow to Athelred
- King Edward - King Alfred's son and King of Wessex
- Æthelstan - son of King Edward from his first wife, Ecgwynn
- Earl Haesten – A Danish Jarl (earl), who previously broke a life-oath to Uhtred who is now a dangerous enemy, seemingly based on a Viking leader of the same name recorded in the Anglo-Saxon Chronicle
- Ragnall Ivarson
- Sigtryggr Ivarsson
- Bishop Leofstan – Newly appointed Bishop of Chester.
Reviews
Kirkus refers to this addition to the series as "sometimes ribald, but always smartly done". It then suggests fans might be disappointed by its lack of length.[2]
References
- "Sword Song detail". bernardcornwell.net. Retrieved 10 November 2015.
- "Warriors of the Storm review". Kirkus Reviews.com. 1 November 2015. Retrieved 10 November 2015.