Bernard Cornwell has done it again: the eighth book in his Saxon Tales series, The Empty Throne, features not only Uhtred, the wily warrior protagonist of the seven previous books, but Aethelfleadh, the widow of the late king of Mercia in tenth-century England. The couple are united in their dream of a united Britain, shoving out the Viking and Welsh invaders. Well-drawn characters, vivid battle scenes, and a fast-moving plot are sure to delight new and old readers alike.
While you're waiting, you might want to pick up Hild, a book I posted on last year. While set even earlier than Cornwell's books, its compelling female protagonist and attention to period detail makes for an entertaining read by Nicola Griffith.
Patricia Bracewell's second of a trilogy, The Price of Blood, is just out. Along with Shadow on the Crown, it traces the life of Emma, queen of Ethelred the Unready, as she tries to secure the dynasty as well as England itself. Relegated to childbearing duties instead of the royal council by her paranoid husband, Emma quickly realizes she will have to work on developing allies of her own to keep the kingdom from imploding. She's also in love with the king's son, and that adds to the intrigue. There are plenty of people with designs on the realm, including those pesky Vikings, and one is glad to have both a list of dramatis personae and a glossary of Middle English terms. Once again, well-drawn characters and a propulsive storyline along with a little romance make this a worthwhile read.
If you can't wait for the final book in Bracewell's trilogy to see how things turn out, Helen Hollick's thick, engrossing The Forever Queen also covers the life of Queen Emma. Let's just say she ends up the wife of two kings and the mother of two as well. Emma is a little more feisty in Hollick's work, and the tone is also a little lighter. This is another well-researched tome with a large cast and fast-moving plot that the author is good enough to keep under control.
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