The Burning Land is yet another of Cornwell’s shining accomplishments. His portrayal of 9th century England is brilliant and spot-on, capturing the zeitgeist of the Dark Ages through the perspective of the simultaneously loveable and hateable Uhtred. The fifth novel in the series creates some of the most interesting internal conflicts within Uhtred, pulling on a bevy of characters and scenes from the older novels that lend insight into Uhtred’s character and where his loyalties truly lie - and where he wished they lied. One of my favorite things, when I read Cornwell, is his startlingly accurate portrayal of the battle. Cornwell instills details in all the right places, never being too descriptive and never gazing over too much. His balance of detail and action is impeccable.

Rich characters, intense action, and a stark reminder of the damage caused by a Christian invasion of a pagan land as they fought not only the pagans but also other Christians. This novel speaks of violent conflicts the reader cannot help but see and feel because of the imagery and the personal attachment felt by the well-defined characters.