Empty Throne Saxon Tales

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This, the 8th volume in the Saxon Stories series, is a bit of a departure from the previous ones. It's more focused on the personalities and the politics of the time than on the ongoing hostilities between the Saxons and the Vikings. It's also more focused on Uhtred's family particularly his son Uhtred and his daughter Stiorra. In addition, more attention is paid to the declining physicality of the elder Uhtred. He is no longer the young, strong, indomitable force he once was but he still can wield his sword, Serpent Breath, with power and skill. This book opens much the same way "The Pagan Lord"(#7) did. The surprise comes when you realize who the Narrator is. After the Prologue, the elder Uhtred picks up where he stopped in 'The Pagan Lord". Aethelred, the ruler of Mercia, is dying and a Witan (council) has been called to choose his successor. Uhtred is surprised to receive an invitation since he's had an ongoing affair with Aethelred's wife, Aethelflaed, who has built a reputation as a fighter but is still not a candidate to rule Mercia because she's a woman. The political maneuvering is fascinating as Edward, King of Wessex, tries to manipulate the situation so he can rule Mercia by proxy. He is supported by his primary advisor, Aethelhelm, who hopes to have his grandson succeed Edward. To do so he must get rid of the child of an early marriage by Edward which resulted in a son, Aethelstan, who, though labelled as a bastard, is actually the legal heir to Edward's crown. Uhtred loves Aethelstan and works hard to keep him alive and also teach him what he needs to know if he is ever to become a king. The plot unfolds from there and we are introduced to a Welsh leader who is trying to unite Wales just as Alfred's dream was to unite all of England. We also meet a young Norseman from Ireland who is trying to grab lands in Mercia because the Irish are driving the Norse out of Ireland. There are, of course, Uhtred's lieutenants Finan and Osferth, who have been with Uhtred for a long time and still fight by his side and give him advice whether he wants it or not. It's a wonderful story with lots of twists and turns that sometimes appear to doom Uhtred. Fortunately, he's both a survivor and a thinker so always manages to escape death's clutches. I'll have a hard time waiting for #9. I also hope Cornwell lives long enough to finish the entire series just as he did with the Richard Sharpe series.