Continuing the outstanding success of The Last Kingdom this is the second installment of Bernard Cornwell s fantastic series following the fate of Alfred the Great & the forging of Britain. Uhtred Northumbrian born raised a Viking & now married to a Saxon is already a formidable figure & warrior. But at twenty he is still arrogant pagan & headstrong so not a comfortable ally for the thoughtful pious Alfred. But these two with Alfred s family & a few of Uhtred s companions are apparently all that remains of the Wessex leadership after a disastrous truce. It is the lowest time for the Saxons. Defeated comprehensively by the Vikings who now occupy most of England Alfred & his surviving followers retreat to the trackless marshlands of Somerset. There forced to move restlessly to escape betrayal or detection using the marsh mists for cover they travel by small boats from one island to another hoping that they can regroup & find some more strength & support. They seek refuge in Athelney a tidal swamp to which Alfred s kingdom has shrunk. Uhtred finds himself torn between his Danish foster brother & the winning Vikings & his growing respect for the stubborn leadership of Alfred. He must decide whether to rebuild the Saxons strength from his watery base & help them to take on the Vikings once more. THE PALE HORSEMAN is a splendid story of divided loyalties & desperate heroism with a wonderful range of characters from Vikings to British kings in their Cornish fortresses from political but passionate priests to enduring fishermen & farmers desperately striving to survive as the battle sweeps over them. Uhtred & Alfred Vikings & Saxons are a winning combination for Bernard Cornwell.