The Last Kingdom

This book is pure sugar. Like playing Call of Duty but more historical. Uhtred is a real life badass. What an actual person with actual legends about them might have been like. And he's also an arrogant, prideful young man. He makes no apologies and destroys his enemies. He fights for himself, his friends, and his name—and nothing else. No cause, no reflection from the viewpoint of modern morality. It feels great.

Only 4 stars because the writing is extremely straightforward. Really it should be a 4.5. The book accomplishes everything it wants to do and no more. It doesn't reach for anything and often ‘tells.' But you know what? That's fine. The Last Kingdom is an epic adventure without those things. It doesn't need to be changed one bit. I just feel weird giving it a perfect score.