Therefore, any avid fan eager to find out what the future holds for Uhtred of Bebbanburg and his band of allies may want to look towards Bernard Cornwell’s series of books.
Originally titled the Saxon Stories, these novels have adopted the name of the Last Kingdom since the Netflix adaptation was released, spanning 12 books so far and with a final entry on the way soon.
You are reading: The last kingdom books in order
If you’re keeping up with the TV show, that doesn’t necessarily mean you should skip past the earlier novels, as there are a number of changes to the later kingdom books on the way that might be confusing otherwise.
here’s everything you need to know about the latest series of kingdom books.
book 1: the last kingdom
adapted in the first season
The first installment in Bernard Cornwell’s series introduces readers to Uhtred of Bebbanburg, who was born a Saxon but raised by Danes, leaving his loyalties torn between two distinct cultures. We also see the first meeting of our serious warrior and his awkward ally, King Alfred of Wessex.
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book 2: the pale rider
adapted in the first season
The second book in the The Last Kingdom series builds on the last, as Wessex finds itself besieged on all sides by the relentless onslaught of the Vikings. Uhtred and Alfred will have to work together if they want to survive, but can they put aside their conflicting ideologies?
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book 3: the lords of the north
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adapted in the second season
in book three of the last kingdom, uhtred leaves alfred’s service to travel north to exact revenge for the brutal murder of his adoptive father. but what he finds is a fate wilder than he could ever have imagined, one that shocks him to the core.
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book 4: song of the sword
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adapted in the second season
Bernard Cornwell’s fourth entry in Uhtred’s epic tale of Bebbanburg sees his loyalties torn between what he knows to be right and a king who won’t listen to his opinion. Suffice to say, tensions are running high, and that’s before Uhtred grows closer to Alfred’s daughter, Aethelflaed.
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book 5: the burning land
adapted in the third season
book five in the last kingdom picks up some time later, where uhtred has become rich in partnership with alfred. however, as the king’s health deteriorates, he begins to secure the reign of his heir, a desperate gamble that will once again see him ask his prized warrior for everything.
buy the land on fire on amazon
book 6: death of kings
adapted in the third season
King Alfred’s days are numbered in Book Six of Bernard Cornwell’s historical fantasy, as his ailing health reaches critical condition. This places Wessex in his most vulnerable position yet, with the dream of uniting England’s disparate kingdoms on the verge of disappearing forever.
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book 7: the heathen lord
adapted in season four
The Last Kingdom Book Seven features Uhtred’s long-awaited quest to reclaim his ancestral land of Bebbanburg. But with a fearsome new Viking warlord planning an attack on the Saxons, it seems his job defending Wessex and its people is far from over.
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book 8: the empty throne
adapted in season four
While Aethelred of Mercia lies on her deathbed in book eight, her kingdom is heirless. Though his wife, Aethelflaed, shows clear leadership skills, her claims are ignored by the feuding men who are pulling the strings. But if a solution isn’t found soon, Mercia will be exposed to a devastating attack from her enemies.
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book 9: warriors of the storm
to be adapted in the fifth season
After King Edward and his sister, Aethelflaed, broker a fragile peace, there is a brief period of peace. But trouble brews once more in book nine, as the Northmen begin plotting raids on the rich lands and prosperous churches of Wessex, Mercia, and East Anglia.
buy storm warriors on amazon
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book 10: the bearer of the flame
to be adapted in the fifth season
Following another uneasy truce, uhtred plots another attempt to reclaim his homeland in book ten, which is currently occupied by his treacherous cousin. But new threats arise, throwing his plans into chaos as the armies of Scotland begin to march south.
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book 11: the war of the wolf
in book 11 of the latest kingdom series, we meet one of the fiercest vikings to date, the skoll king, who intends to lead his so-called wolf warriors to victory, slaying anyone who get in his way. The kingdom of Northumbria is in the hands of Uhtred, and one wrong move could spell doom.
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book 12: sword of kings
England is plunged into chaos as Cornwell’s story picks up in Book 12, as the Saxons battle the Vikings for land while their king falls ill due to illness. Fate dictates that Uhtred will have a decisive hand in this final battle, as two kings claim the throne but only one can rule.
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book 13: warlord
will be released on October 15, 2020
It’s the final chapter! That’s right, Cornwell is ending the Last Kingdom with this 13th entry, which will reveal Uhtred’s climactic ending to the Bebbanburg story. Securing his legacy and his rightful home for generations to come will be no easy task, as Northumbria is threatened on all sides and Britain teeters on the brink of a terrible war.
book war lord on amazon
the last kingdom is available to stream on netflix. Looking for something else to watch? check out our guide to the best tv shows on netflix and the best movies on netflix, or visit our tv guide.
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