3.5
I found this instalment strangely lacking in the author's typical voice and flare for environment. The first third of the book I found very difficult to get through and had it been a new book to me (and not a continuation of a series) I doubt I would have pushed on. By 100 or so pages it picked up a bit but it's certainly not my favourite instalment of the series.

It might be that it was a difficult book to write given some of the things that needed to happen but some just didn't make sense to me. For example, the curse. It came from no where and had me scratching my head and saying, 'The sky goes dark all the time, Uhtred. Why is this time any different?'

Some of the characters developed in ways that was both expected and dissapointing but that is life, especially during the Viking Age.

It all felt a little too check-list to me, as others below have stated. New characters that are strangely familiar, enemy to be defeated, another injury that he over comes. At this stage I'm also wondering if Uhtred has some sort of super natural power to heal given he has been stabled in the guts, the legs, walloped over the head, and is almost a Viking age pin cushion.

Anyway, Uhtred can't live forever and there are only 2 more books to go. Hoping the author recaptures the brilliance (as seen in The Last Kingdom and The Flame Bearer) to round out the series.