The Empty Throne
First edition cover
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| Author | Bernard Cornwell |
|---|---|
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Language | English |
| Series | The Saxon Stories |
| Genre | Historical novel |
| Published | 23 October 2014 HarperCollins |
| Media type | |
| Pages | 400 hardback edition |
| ISBN | (hardback edition) |
| Preceded by | The Pagan Lord |
| Followed by | Warriors of the Storm |
The Empty Throne is the eighth historical novel in The Saxon Stories series by Bernard Cornwell, first published in October 2014. It is set in 10th-century Mercia and Dyfed.
911: The forces of Wessex and Mercia have united against the Danes, but instability and the threat of Viking raids still hang heavy over Britain’s kingdoms. For Aethelred, Lord of the Mercians, is dying, leaving no heir and the stage is set for rivals to fight for the throne.
Uhtred of Bebbanburg, Mercia's greatest warrior, has always supported Athelflaed to be Mercia's next ruler, but will the aristocracy ever accept a woman as their leader? Aethelred's widow and sister to the king of Wessex is the candidate. As the Mercians squabble and the West Saxons try to annex their country, new enemies appear on the northern frontier. The Saxons desperately need strong leadership, but instead they are fighting each other to fill an empty throne. They threaten to undo the unity and strength that underlies Englaland.
One reviewer wrote of this installment, "copious bloodletting, ever-so-slightly anachronistic profanities, and intriguing political maneuvering", obviously liking what Cornwell has written as the latest in the Saxon Tales. "Cornwell’s action-sequences are pearls of pure adrenaline", amid well-constructed characters with the historical detail skillfully woven into the plot.
Kirkus Reviews says, "the lusty, rollicking narrative is totally accessible and great good fun.".
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