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The Burning Land

The Last Kingdom Series, Book 5

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The Burning Land

By: Bernard Cornwell
Narrated by: Matt Bates
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About this listen

The fifth novel in Bernard Cornwell’s epic and bestselling series on the making of England and the fate of his great hero, Uhtred of Bebbanburg.

BBC2’s major Autumn 2015 TV show THE LAST KINGDOM is based on the first two books in the series.

In the last years of the ninth century, King Alfred of Wessex is in failing health, and his heir is an untested youth. The Danes, who have failed so many times to conquer Wessex, smell opportunity…

First comes Harald Bloodhair, a savage warrior leading a Viking horde, who is encouraged to cruelty by his woman, Skade. But Alfred still has the services of Uhtred, his unwilling warlord, who leads Harald into a trap and, at Farnham in Surrey, inflicts one of the greatest defeats the Vikings were ever to suffer.

This novel, the fifth in the magnificent series of England's history tells of the final assaults on Alfred's Wessex, that Wessex survived to become England is because men like Uhtred defeated an enemy feared throughout Christendom.

©2019 Bernard Cornwell (P)2019 HarperCollins Publishers Limited Action & Adventure Genre Fiction Historical Mystery, Thriller & Suspense Thriller & Suspense War & Military World Literature Royalty Fiction England Military Viking War

Critic Reviews

"Cornwell draws a fascinating picture of England as it might have been before anything like England existed." (The Times)

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Enjoyed the storyline however the change of narator from the first 4 books was a poor decision.

change of narator

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Why was the Narrator changed , I have listened to thousands of audio books over the years driving road trains and Jonathan Keeble is probably the best Narrator I have heard , these story's are fantastic and he really brought them to life . No offence to Matt Bates but he's dull , I'll struggle to get through this one and the rest of the series is narrated by Matt .. Why !!

Narrator changed

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the change of narrator was soooo disappointing and every time he butchered the pronunciation of main characters like Gisela it triggered a flare of frustration. really lazy to not to have listened to previous narrations & no effort to ensure continuity

Why wouldn’t the new narrator take the time to learn how to pronounce main character names!!!

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I found that the pronunciation of names is not consistent and takes away from the story and is at times confusing. I love the series both in book and movie form (The Last Kingdom) but the naming issue spoilt this book for me

The Burning Irritation

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I really missed Jonathan Keeble. Matt Bates was good.
thanks Bernard for the great characters

Jonathan Keeble

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Why change the narrator from the first books? This narrator didn’t even pronounce the characters names correctly, really let down the whole experience, I was close to asking for a refund

Narrator was a let down

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It was a good story but it just didn’t keep me riveted like the last ones. To be honest I’m not sure if it’s the story itself or the new/different narrator. The narrator does a good job but is so bland in comparison to the narrator in the first lot of books. He was truly amazing and brought such life to the book. This narrator is still pretty good but it’s just not the same.

Probably my least favourite in the series

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honestly I'm an hour into this book and I can't do it... the narrator is completely off, wrong pitch for the character, slurring his words, mispronunciation of names, places, horrible accents and character work. I'm sure he's great for a more light hearted kids book or something similar but for something like this where you need power, authority and gruffness. complete fail with recast on the narrator

terrible narrator

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I loved books 1 - 4 and was excited to buy this book but I am sorry the narration didi not work for me.
The previous narrator was brilliant and I dont know why he was changed but you lost me
I got to chapter 5 and then returned the book - so sad I could not listen to the rest of the series

I am so very dissapointed with the narration

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I thoroughly enjoyed Jonathon Keeble's narration of the first three books of the series, and reading reviews of Matt Bates' narration of the subsequent books left me doubting whether to continue on with Outred's journey.
I am so glad that I did. Matt Bates' nartation is just as enjoyable. He brings life and animation to the characters and story with a style that, while not as animated, loud and enthusiastic as Mr Keeble's, I find very easy to listen to and I quickly sink into the story.
For all of those deciding whether to continue on wirh the series, I say get your helmets and chainmail on, sharpen your swords and form a battle shield for a totally epic ride.

Another great Outred adventure

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