The Last Kingdom: Book 1 (The Last Kingdom Series)

“The Last Kingdom” is the inaugural novel in Bernard Cornwell’s The Saxon Stories series, first published in 2004. This historical fiction novel immerses readers in the tumultuous period of 9th-century England, focusing on the life of Uhtred of Bebbanburg, a Saxon nobleman who is captured and raised by Danish Vikings.

Synopsis: The narrative follows Uhtred, who, after the death of his father, is taken captive by the Danes and assimilated into their culture. As he grows, Uhtred becomes a formidable warrior, torn between his Saxon heritage and the Viking way of life. His journey is marked by battles, political intrigue, and personal conflicts, all set against the backdrop of the Viking invasions and the efforts to unite England under King Alfred the Great.