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  • Sword Song

  • The Last Kingdom Series, Book 4
  • By: Bernard Cornwell
  • Narrated by: Jonathan Keeble
  • Length: 12 hrs and 12 mins
  • 4.9 out of 5 stars (226 ratings)

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Sword Song

By: Bernard Cornwell
Narrated by: Jonathan Keeble
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Publisher's Summary

The fourth in the best-selling Alfred series from number-one historical novelist, Bernard Cornwell.

The year is 885, and England is at peace, divided between the Danish kingdom to the north and Alfred's kingdom of Wessex in the south.

But trouble stirs, a dead man has risen and new Vikings have arrived to occupy London. It is a dangerous time, and it falls to Uhtred, half Saxon, half Dane, a man feared and respected the length and breadth of Britain, to expel the Viking raiders and take control of London for Alfred.

His uncertain loyalties must now decide England's future.

A gripping tale of love, rivalry and violence, Sword Song tells the story of England's making.

©2007 Bernard Cornwell (P)2014 HarperCollins Publishers Ltd

Critic Reviews

Praise for The Lords of the North:

“Beautifully crafted story-telling, complete with splendid set-piece battles and relentless derring-do, so gripping that it rarely stops to catch a breath. It demonstrates once again Cornwell's enormous skill as a historical narrator. He would have graced Alfred's court entertaining the guests with his stories” (Daily Mail)
“Cornwell takes the spectres of ninth century history and puts flesh back on their bones. Here is Alfred's world restored - impeccably researched and illuminated with the colour and passion of a master storyteller” (Justin Pollard, author of Alfred the Great)

Praise for Bernard Cornwell:

“Bernard Cornwell is a literary miracle. Year after year, hail, rain, snow, war and political upheavals fail to prevent him from producing the most entertaining and readable historical novels of his generation.” (Daily Mail)
“Cornwell's narration is quite masterly and supremely well-researched” (Observer)

What listeners say about Sword Song

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Still enjoying the series

I very much enjoy the narrator Jonathan Keeble
And I’m a bit devastated that soon there is a new narrator in the series,
Fully recommended and still looking forward to the next book

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Prefer unabridged books

It was a terrific story - I was sorry when the book finished.
Jonathan Keeble's narration was brilliant. Funny, entertaining, thrilling, moving.

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Great Fourth Book!

Based on the reviews and the preview that I have just listened to this will be my final book that I will listen to in this series. Why change narrator after four books, which were all told by a great story teller. It’s not the fault of the the next narrator, unfortunately for him the task of picking up after his predecessor, who was perfect for the role hasn’t worked. If you miss the first four books then you’ll not be drawing comparisons unlike those who have listened to them and found it either difficult or impossible to listen to another tell the story. Why they changed narrator is beyond my understanding, I just buy the books,

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Talented performance

This exciting adventure comes to life with the talented performance of Jonathan. I can’t wait to listen to the next book.


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Gripping yarn

Brilliantly written and narrated action-packed tale of the English warrior with a Danish passion for a life of fighting. Jonathan Keeble delivers reminiscing of Utred with such conviction and emotion that he becomes the protagonist. Ready for next in the series!

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Great fourth book in the series

Continues the saga of the Alfred Series. Another great story and great narration. This book focuses on Alfred’s daughter.

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Bring back Jonathon Keeble...

This is one of the best series I have ever listened to, and I have done many complete series including Wilbur Smith's Courtney's, Harry Potter, Dune, and both the Belgariad and the Malloreon, but this is perhaps the best of all. Jonathon's voices, accents and such hve been amazing. These are so much more in depth than the tv series, and I wish I'd read (listened) to these books before I'd watch the Netflix series. Now I've heard that the narrator who took over from here isn't as good, so I am cautiously optimistic that they were wrong... We shall see!

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Goodbye Mr Keeble

Unfortunately this is where I part company with Uhtred on Audible. Had a listen to a sample of Matt Bates and boy have they got the casting wrong for the rest of these books

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  • 21-06-2021

Essex War

Fantastic narration as always and a brutal battle on Canvey Island to seal the deal.

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Excellent!

The narrator is so amazing, I can't get enough of this series. Each book is getting better and better, Cornwall imerses you into this world.

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