Quick Book reviews - Death of Kings - Bernard Cornwell, Girl with the Dragon Tattoo - Stieg Larsson

Death of Kings - Bernard Cornwell.

The latest in Cornwells Lord Uhtred series.  This one finds devout pagan, Danish raised Uhtred still fighting for the Saxons.  Alfred the Great is nearing the end of his life without seeing his dream of all England united in a single kingdom... the squables with the Danelaw in the majority of the north of the country overshadow this.  With Alfred near to death some scheme to take the crown of Wessex for themselves, others eye Mercia the puppet kingdom that is a buffer between Wessex and Danelaw.  Others want peace - peace?  With Uhtred about?  No chance!  Even in his 40s he is the most feared Saxon warrior.  This brilliantly tells the history around the narrative of Uhtred and his follows.

I love Cornwell's stuff - if you love old history and fictional novels based way back when - read this.  Makes you proud to be British and descended from these tough guys!  As I sit there reading it on a Kindle in the HS1 into St Pancras...  GRRR!  Maybe I should shout "Shield wall on me" next time they cancel the 17:27 to Broadstairs and see what happens?

The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo

Lot of hype around these 3 books and the death of the author - however I can see why.  Captivating read frankly.  Brilliant if odd main characters, twisted plot lines evil villains at each turn, even Nazi's!!  One of the best thrillers I've read in ages.  Top stuff.

If only I was like the main character - he seems to be able to bed any female between 25 and 60 with no more than a smile and his intellect... cobblers!

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