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 Empty Throne - Bernard Cornwell

A mere 22 days ago, I finished The Pagan Lord and wondered how my main squeeze Uhtred was going to continue his dominance of the Mercian and Saxon fighters. You see, his chest, like mine, was pierced by a sword at the end of the last book and I wasn't sure he was going to make it. 

Cornwell, obviously being aware of Uhtred's appeal (I was going to write charm, but that's not quite it), decided to toy with my heart and have the opening chapter of The Empty Throne penned by the younger Uhtred. I was saddened that Uhtred had been put out to pasture so unceremoniously, although I doubted he had died. And I was slightly warming to the idea that Uhtred2 (his son) would carry on the legacy of irreverent humor and calling people turds. 

But, alas the second chapter picks up with our trusted narrator and although he's not doing well (he's got a weeping infected wound) he still manages a few barbs now and then. And as always he's 1/4 to 1/2 a step in front of everyone else. So when King Edward's father in law decides to flex his muscles in Mercia, threatening Aethelstan's life and Aethelflaed's daughter with marriage, Uhtred knows he's got to set some things right. 

In the meantime, he needs to find the sword that pierced him in order to be healed. He's sure that someone is using witchcraft to continue to torture him. And who better to tell him than a lady who is having a change of allegiances after her brother turns out to be a whimpering rat turd. 

In the end, Uhtred is intimately involved in making Aethelflaed the Lady of Mercia and protecting the kingdom of Mercia from marauding Norsemen. It will be interesting to see if Uhtred2 has more narrative involvement in the next installment. You know I'll be reading it.

4/5 Stars.