The Pale Horseman
Registered by kizmiaz of Belém , Lisboa (cidade) Portugal on 3/24/2009
This Book is Currently in the Wild!
3 journalers for this copy...
"The Pale Horseman is the second book in the tale of Uhtred, Lord of Bebbanburg, and his tangled relationship with Alfred the Great, King of Wessex in the 9th Century. The story begins on the day after the events described in The Last Kingdom end, and goes on to describe the fateful year in which the Danes capture Alfred's kingdom and drive him as a fugitive into the marshes of Athelney. It seems that Wessex, and England, are destroyed, but Alfred is determined to make one desperate gamble that might save his kingdom".
This book is pretty much what I’d expected, a good story and plot with plenty of detail about the way of life and beliefs of the people in the 9th century.
Good historical research and good characters help drive the story along and once again it seems that Uthred is “doomed” to stick with Alfred (what a boring, pious, poor excuse for a king!).
In The Last Kingdom there’s a brilliant description of a battle and the shield wall terrifying experience which really makes you feel like you’re there amidst all the carnage. In this book some of the descriptions aren’t as vivid but still the author proves he has a knack for this sort of writing, the whole experience in the marshes is proof of that.
The ending was less than satisfying because it obviously leaves a lot of things hanging for the following book, and also the final battle gets settled very fast, when compared with the time it took to set up the armies and take up positions.
One of the good things is that Uthred is still a pagan and is not intending on changing religions, let’s hope he keeps that way.
I’ll be passing it along to conto who has it on her wishlist.
This book is pretty much what I’d expected, a good story and plot with plenty of detail about the way of life and beliefs of the people in the 9th century.
Good historical research and good characters help drive the story along and once again it seems that Uthred is “doomed” to stick with Alfred (what a boring, pious, poor excuse for a king!).
In The Last Kingdom there’s a brilliant description of a battle and the shield wall terrifying experience which really makes you feel like you’re there amidst all the carnage. In this book some of the descriptions aren’t as vivid but still the author proves he has a knack for this sort of writing, the whole experience in the marshes is proof of that.
The ending was less than satisfying because it obviously leaves a lot of things hanging for the following book, and also the final battle gets settled very fast, when compared with the time it took to set up the armies and take up positions.
One of the good things is that Uthred is still a pagan and is not intending on changing religions, let’s hope he keeps that way.
I’ll be passing it along to conto who has it on her wishlist.
Thanks a lot Kiz!
Sorry for the delay on journaling; I'm not sure how long it'll take to get my eyes on it, but I'll come back to say how I felt about it afterwords.
Sorry for the delay on journaling; I'm not sure how long it'll take to get my eyes on it, but I'll come back to say how I felt about it afterwords.
That's right, this book didn't surprise me but didn't fail my expectations as well. It's a typical second book of a trilogy, keeping the story going but trying to get you to buy the next book.
Anyway, I liked it as much as the first one even if, like Uthred, I long for the Danes: I liked the descriptions of life with them better (I guess more thrilling!) for life with Alfred can indeed be boring. Nevertheless, the life of people in those times is always very well crafted by Cornwell and the clashes between cultures and traditions, being it from the Saxons, the Danes, the Britons or even the remains of the "old ones" is wonderfully captured and depicted.
My favorite part was also the experience in the swamp, almost being able to feel the wet and the moist all the time.
Thanks a lot kizmiaz. It's going back home now.
Anyway, I liked it as much as the first one even if, like Uthred, I long for the Danes: I liked the descriptions of life with them better (I guess more thrilling!) for life with Alfred can indeed be boring. Nevertheless, the life of people in those times is always very well crafted by Cornwell and the clashes between cultures and traditions, being it from the Saxons, the Danes, the Britons or even the remains of the "old ones" is wonderfully captured and depicted.
My favorite part was also the experience in the swamp, almost being able to feel the wet and the moist all the time.
Thanks a lot kizmiaz. It's going back home now.
It's back and ready to keep travelling.
Journal Entry 5 by kizmiaz at Fellow Bookcrosser, A Bookbox -- Controlled Releases on Monday, April 5, 2010
Released 13 yrs ago (4/5/2010 UTC) at Fellow Bookcrosser, A Bookbox -- Controlled Releases
CONTROLLED RELEASE NOTES:
CONTROLLED RELEASE NOTES:
Hope you enjoy it.
Hope you enjoy it.
I received this book in the mail today for the First Sentences Virtual Bookbox.
I'm not familiar with the book at all, but my boss has recommended the author to me before, so I'm very happy to have it. Thank you.
I'm not familiar with the book at all, but my boss has recommended the author to me before, so I'm very happy to have it. Thank you.
It turns out that historical fiction is not "my thing" but I am happy to pass this book on to someone else to enjoy.
Reserved for the 2010 Never Judge a Book By Its Cover Release Challenge which week 32 features a book with words or pictures related to EKKA on the cover. (In this case, the Horse Show.)
And the 2010 Track Your Challenge Releases Challenge, hosted by Jare.
Reserved for the 2010 Never Judge a Book By Its Cover Release Challenge which week 32 features a book with words or pictures related to EKKA on the cover. (In this case, the Horse Show.)
And the 2010 Track Your Challenge Releases Challenge, hosted by Jare.
Journal Entry 8 by solittletime at Denny's Restaurant, 1220 Brighton Ave in Portland, Maine USA on Thursday, August 12, 2010
Released 13 yrs ago (8/12/2010 UTC) at Denny's Restaurant, 1220 Brighton Ave in Portland, Maine USA
WILD RELEASE NOTES:
Released at Denny's Restaurant, 1220 Brighton Ave, Portland, Maine (near the Westbrook line).
Welcome to BookCrossing!
Please make a journal entry to let me know that this book has been caught so I know that it has found a good home with you. If you are new to BookCrossing, when you join please indicate that you were referred by solittletime or any other journaler. (You can make a journal entry anonymously if you don't want to join.) I hope that you enjoy the book. You can make another journal entry with your comments when you are done reading.
Then, whenever you are ready to send it on its way, make a journal entry if you are giving or sending this book to a known person, or a release note if you are leaving it “in the wild” again for anyone to catch. Then watch its journey. You’ll be alerted by e-mail each time someone makes another journal entry. And it’s confidential (you are known only by your screen name and no one is ever given your e-mail address), free, and spam-free.
I hope that you will enjoy the BookCrossing experience!
Then, whenever you are ready to send it on its way, make a journal entry if you are giving or sending this book to a known person, or a release note if you are leaving it “in the wild” again for anyone to catch. Then watch its journey. You’ll be alerted by e-mail each time someone makes another journal entry. And it’s confidential (you are known only by your screen name and no one is ever given your e-mail address), free, and spam-free.
I hope that you will enjoy the BookCrossing experience!