If you desire to read something similar to “Games of Thrones” then for sure you should check out the book of Bernard Cornwell who provides an inimitable description of battles. By the way, BooKKooks has prepared the list of the best Bernard Cornwell books that you can start your acquaintance journey with.
Rated List of Best Books by Bernard Cornwell
| Rank | Review | Name | Publication Date | Pages | Rating |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 |  | Sword of Kings View Details | November 26, 2019 | 576 | 9.9 |
| 2 |  | The Flame Bearer View Details | November 29, 2016 | 304 | 9.8 |
| 3 |  | War of the Wolf View Details | October 2, 2018 | 352 | 9.7 |
| 4 |  | The Last Kingdom View Details | January 25, 2005 | 352 | 9.6 |
| 5 |  | Redcoat View Details | January 21, 1988 | 405 | 9.4 |
| 6 |  | Waterloo View Details | June 11, 1990 | 288 | 9.3 |
| 7 |  | Rei do Inverno View Details | January 1, 2001 | 544 | 9.2 |
| 8 |  | The Archer's Tale View Details | October 2, 2001 | 384 | 9.1 |
| 9 |  | Copperhead View Details | January 1, 1994 | 375 | 9.0 |
| 10 |  | Vagabond View Details | November 26, 2002 | 384 | 8.8 |
Sword of Kings: A Novel
If you are curious about what was the basis of the phenomenal TV series “The Last Kingdom” then you should look for the answer in books, in particular, in copies of Bernard Cornwell.
“Sword of Kings” is a new portion of events in Saxon chronicles that lead to England’s establishment. Here, the reader will continue living along with the main characters such as Uhtred and King Edward. However, the most spectacular action is set around the throne and its conquesting. For sure, you will enjoy getting involved in history-making episodes.
- Brights strategy thoughts
- The story is true to the times
- The plot may seem overstretched
The Flame Bearer: Saxon Tales
“The Flame Bearer” is the tenth installment of Saxon tales made by Bernard Cornwell. Unlike the latest chapter, where the things get heated because of the throne, here, Uhtred receives an illusory chance to regain his own house that was meanly stolen by his uncle. However, circumstances made him adjust his plans because of the imminent threat of ruining the peace in Britain that was too hard to achieve. Now Uhtred heads to the south to prevent Constantin of Scotland’s invading and winning the throne.
The writing is presented in hardcover and comprises 304 pages.
- Intriguing plot
- Deep characters
- The fights may be too detailed
War of the Wolf
As usual for Uhtred, he appears in the middle and becomes a crucial link in England’s establishment. Meanwhile, his inner thoughts make him believe that he is cursed since once he got rid of the one enemy he obtains another one.
However, there is no time to dig deep in it since Uhtred appears between two foes simultaneously so the decisions should be quick and efficient. Moreover, the new one has an army of crazy men who believe that they are wolves so they fight like real wolves.
- The writing makes you imagine how it looked like in real life
- The plot is quite predictable
The Last Kingdom: the Saxon Chronicles Series #1
If you are looking for the beginning of Uhtred’s story then you’ll find it in “The Last Kingdom”. Here, you will get acquainted with a young Uhtred – a historically-important character who has never even thought about fighting for the enemy – England. But everything changes when Danish Viking tribe who Uhtred was captured in childhood and raised by tries to defeat Alfred’s Kingdom, the forth and the last one. However, things were not as they were expected. And now, it’s time for Uhtred to choose the right side.
- It’s easy to read
- The plot is a page-turner
- Badly developed Uhtred’s character and his inner world
Redcoat
Aside from England’s formation, there is a nice illustration of how the United States become liberate in “Redcoat”. The plot sets in 1777 in Philadelphia where the first robins of rebellion against Britain appear. Sam Gilpin, the young man who duties to a King of England is now on the edge because of his brother’s death. But the acquaintance with rebel Jonathan Becket only adds fuel to the fire. What’s going to be next and how it influences the US future?
- Nice descriptions of landscapes and characters
- The plot is full of events
- Lots of characters are clichés
Waterloo: Sharpe’s Final Adventure
“Waterloo: Sharpe’s final Adventure” is one of the first works of Bernard Cornwell. In fact, this book is just an installment of Sharpe’s adventure. But here, Sharpe has a really important mission: to prevent the battle and persuade inexperienced Prince of Orange to start doing something before it’s too late.
While allies are still on the way to Brussels, the French army seizes the moment and gives no opportunity to think about Dutch troops’ victory.
- The battle description feels realistic
- The book makes you engaged in the battle
- There are some historic faults
Rei do Inverno: Em Portugues do Brasil
As a matter of fact, the next most popular and best selling book by Bernard Cornwell is not in English but in Brazil Portuguese. However, the plot is still the same and it is tightly related to the world-known saga about beloved Uhtred. Unfortunately, this installment will tell you about the main protagonist’s death and his heir – baby Mordred. Thus, the Kingdom’s destiny is on borne of uncle Arthur who is a warlord. But, what will win: his romance with Guinevere or sense of responsibility especially when the enemies are on their guard.
- The story is really accurate
- The characters are well-described
- Some scenes may seem too brutal
The Archer’s Tale: The Grail Quest, Book 1
“The Archer’s Tale” is the first book among ones about the Grail Quest. This installment is about the main character archer Thomas from a small village by the sea in England who became a victim of the raid. In fact, he was the only one who survived so he decided nothing but avenge himself by killing his family and return the relict. That’s how he found himself involved in a quest of Holy Grail.
- The plot is alluring
- Brilliantly described characters
- Some characters resemble the other ones described in previous books by Cornwell
Copperhead: Starbuck Chronicles
“Copperhead” is the second installment of Chronicles about Nathaniel Starbuck. The action is set in 1862. Nate (short from Nathaniel) is a confederate in a Civil War and he comes back to a front line traps in jail. He is mistakenly considered a spy sent by Yankees and only he knows that it’s not true. And that’s where the real odyssey begins: he heads to find the real villain.
- Excellent strategy
- The plot is captivating
- The romantic episodes may seem useless
Vagabond: The Grail Quest, Book 2
The “Vagabond” is a continuation of the Holy Grail quest that made Thomas eliminate the murderer of his family – black rider. And it seems that he’s absolutely unstoppable to reach that goal, but there appears another enemy who also seeks the holy relic – Dominican inquisitor. However, in order to get the black rider, the young archer can even move the mountains and bloody-minded inquisitor is only the ordinary obstacle that he passes through.
- The description of the scenes are beautifully depicted
- The plot is gripping
- Reading may be too long
Interesting Facts
Every masterpiece has its own history and things that promoted its creating. But what happened to the books of Bernard Cornwell and what made them successful? Perhaps, you may find the answers in the interesting facts about them:
- George R.R.Martin (author “Game of Thrones”) said that the battle scenes in Cornwell’s books were the best that he ever read.
- Bernard Cornwell has written 24 copies about Sharpe’s adventures.
- “The Winter King,” “Enemy of God” and “Excalibur” are the most beloved books by Bernard Cornwell.
- After finishing the trilogy of Grail Quest that includes: “The Archer’s Tale”, “Vagabond” and “Heretic”, Cornwell started writing the fourth book but then stopped because he thought that the story of the archer is finished.
- There appears Richard Sharpe’s son as a supporting character in the Starbuck Chronicles.
Hope these facts promoted you to start reading at least one of the books written by the author who is superior in describing battles and fan of history. If you have read them already, then, when is the next book by Cornwell is a question you want to find the answer to immediately.
Final Thoughts
If you are looking for saturation of actions and intriguing twists of plots then you won’t find something more decent than the works of Bernard Cornwell. Special attention deserves the early works that deservedly became trend-starters in the cinematography. Moreover, their sequels are not less captivating but even more gripping because they are tightly related to the real historical facts that become alive. Don’t doubt and start reading at least one of the mentioned-above copies – all of them are carefully selected by BooKKooks with love.
References
- Bernard Cornwell – http://www.bernardcornwell.net/
- Bernard Cornwell – https://en.wikipedia.org/
- Are the Sharpe Novels by Bernard Cornwell Worth Reading? – https://www.quora.com/
