In typical Conwellian fashion, the battle scenes are magnificent, but the author also deserves points for incorporating a healthy dose of romance and intrigue into the rousing plot. Cornwell’s stylistic verve extends to main character Uhtred, a marvelously complex figure…. “The fourth installment of the acclaimed Saxon Tales series resonates with the same masculine vigor as the first three volumes. Cornwell remains in full control of this colorful, violent material, and his steadily deepening portrait of Alfred’s nascent England continues to enthrall.” - Kirkus, starred

As always, the battle scenes are particularly vivid, opening a window on the utter chaos of hand-to-hand combat among heavily armed bands of men. Like its predecessors, Sword Song offers a generous display of Cornwell’s characteristic virtues: larger-than-life characters, direct, uncluttered prose and a precise evocation of the harsh realities of the distant past.

“Cornwell tells Alfred’s story with wit, intelligence and absolute narrative authority. Cornwell remains in full control of this colorful, violent material, and his steadily deepening portrait of Alfred’s nascent England continues to enthrall.” - Washington Post Book World

Heck, we’d even extol Uhtred’s budding spells of sober reflection about life and love - if we weren’t certain he’d slice an ear off for saying so.” - Entertainment Weekly “As expected, the warfare is ferociously bloody, the sacrilege pointedly barbed, and the story expertly paced. All in all, this satisfying tale leaves you hungry for more of Uhtred’s adventures.” - USA Today Sword Song also has something new: a really terrific and moving love story…. There is also treachery, male bonding, plenty of historical nuggets and a skillful examination of the powerful role played by religion in the Dark Ages. As usual, Cornwell offers dramatic battle scenes with big swinging swords. “Bernard Cornwell ranks as the current alpha male of testosterone-enriched historical fiction….

Sword song the battle for london