Once again I thoroughly enjoyed reading about 9th Century England and the various kingdoms. Lords of the North focuses, not surprisingly, on the Kingdom of Northumbria, to where Uhtred has been trying to return since the Saxon Stories began. Following his victory at the battle of Ethandun (Edington), Alfred has granted Uhtred a small holding, and Uhtred is, understandably, a bit miffed. But he takes Hild and his horse to bury his horde and then heads north to try to figure out a way to reclaim his lands. But the North is in disarray. Arriving in Eoferwic (York), Uhtred finds the Danes have been slaughtered based on the sermons of a priest. Fearing eventual retribution, Saxons are fleeing the town and Uhtred agrees to go with a wealthy merchant. In order to go where the merchant intends, Uhtred must past through Kjarten's lands, thus bringing him within sword distance of his enemies and satisfying a cliff hanger of a confrontation begun in the very first novel.
This encounter was ultimately satisfying because it answered so many questions left from the first novel, principally, what happened to Thyra!? And it's always satisfying to finally see Uhtred get some of the respect he deserves for being such a great warrior (not until after he's been thoroughly humbled of course).
This novel also brought forth a new love interest for Uhtred, Gisela is sister to Gothrid, the new King of Northumbria. And it was nice that she didn't die this time around. (Sorry Iseult).
All and all this was a solid book in the series, although it did, at times, have a bit of padding that was evident. I continue to be thoroughly entertained by these, even if they do prompt my husband to ask which one of us went to engineering school (he thinks I'm a giant nerd).
4/5 Stars.
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