Warriors of the Storm - Bernard Cornwell

I remain constantly entertained by Uhtred and his references to goats droppings, turds and all things Danish insults. By now I've figured out Cornwell's formula for these books:
1) Uhtred is involved in a minor skirmish
2) Based on the skirmish he perceives a greater threat to Wessex/Mercia than the West Saxons/Mercians
3) He argues his point to the West Saxon/Mercian leaders who are too influenced by priests insisting they "Pray the Danes Away" that Uhtred goes a little rogue
4) Talk talk talk, strategy strategy strategy
5) Big battle, lots of insults, references to shield walls etc
6) Victory and begrudging respect from those in #3
7) Hint of big bad guy for next book

And listen, I'm reading the ninth (ninth!!!) book in this series because the formula works. It's comforting, and, even at 50, Uhtred is a babe (in my mind - he likely has no teeth and is scarred from acquiring syphilis). But I digress.

In Warriors of the Storm, Mercia has a new threat from the Norse, who, finding the Celts inhospitable in Ireland, have decided to try their hand at Mercia. Why should they succeed where others have failed? Well, they can't because we know who was king after Edward and that would seriously mess with history. So in the meantime, Uhtred has to save everyone, and he's the best at it.

I always like when people underestimate Uhtred. That Aethelflaed does it here was a nice change as she's always been mostly on his side (when she's not in his bed - get it girl!). Anyway, Uhtred wins and the bad guy in vanquished, and there is some smart state craft done by the guy everyone assumes is only as good as his sword arm. 

4/5 Stars. 

The Pagan Lord - Bernard Cornwell

My fictional love interest Uhtred is now 50, and guess what? I'm still into him. But this is exceptionally old for someone living in the 800s. So the fact that he's still holding his own in the shield wall is starting to stretch even my generous belief in his abilities. 

This time around in The Pagan Lord (that's Uhtred, duh), Mercia and Wessex have been in relatively peace for 8 years. Uhtred has been farming the land granted to him by Alfred in the last book and everything is quiet and boring. But that doesn't make for a good Uhtred book. So you know the Danes are gonna be starting something. Cnut and Sigrid were left alive after the last encounter. As was Haesten. 

But people always seem to be underestimating Uhtred. At the beginning of the book, we find Uhtred hunting down his recently ordained first born son, disowning him, and killing a monk in the process. This in turn, gives the local Bishop something to crow about and Uhtred's farm and homestead is burned down. Uhtred is forced to leave and what better time to assault Bebbanburg? His second son, Osbert, is renamed Uhtred, much like his father was, and the band of loyalists to Uhtred very nearly succeeds in taking the fortress. 

But in the meantime, Mercia is in trouble. Again. And Uhtred must save everyone. Again. Maybe this time they'll be grateful. 

You can sense in this book that Uhtred's age is catching up with him. Since Cornwell wrote himself into a corner early in the series making Uhtred the narrator from a long off hall and old age, you never really fear for Uhtred's life, but now, since the series is so good and successful, we need a younger protagonist to carry the banner (literally). I have a feeling Uhtred Uhtredson (the new one) is going to be just the man for the job. 

4/5 Stars.