The opening of this book was slow for me to get into but it certainly held my interest far more than previous instalments.

New characters that were fresh and offered Uhtred a different method of interaction were a welcome inclusion. It's still a marvel that after so much time and so many injuries, Uhtred is still front and centre of the shield wall and still beating enemies in hand to hand combat.

That aside, the premise for going south was surprising. An oath to 'lavender tits' seemed a little out of character and the sequential questionable decisions. In the end, though, the outcomes were satisfying even if there were some convenient deaths to bring new characters in.

It has me wondering though, all those books ago, when it was foretold that Stiora would be the mother of kings, was that all for nought? Now that she is dead, and her children... there are no kings to come from her lineage.

Anyway, I enjoyed this one. Still not favourite but I'm looking forward to how this series ends.