My Adult Book of the Year:

Bernard Cornwell: Warriors of the Storm

Published by Harper Collins, hardback, 8th October 2015

The new novel in Bernard Cornwell's number one bestselling series on the making of England and the fate of his great hero, Uhtred of Bebbanburg. BBC2's major Autumn 2015 TV show THE LAST KINGDOM is based on the first two books in the series. A fragile peace is about to be broken...King Alfred's son Edward and formidable daughter, Aethelflaed, rule Wessex, Mercia and East Anglia. But all around the restless Northmen, eyeing the rich lands and wealthy churches, are mounting raids. Uhtred of Bebbanburg, the kingdoms' greatest warrior, controls northern Mercia from the strongly fortified city of Chester. But forces are rising up against him. Northmen allied to the Irish, led by the fierce warrior Ragnall Ivarson, are soon joined by the Northumbrians, and their strength could prove overwhelming. Despite the gathering threat, both Edward and Aethelflaed are reluctant to move out of the safety of their fortifications. But with Uhtred's own daughter married to Ivarson's brother, who can be trusted? In the struggle between family and loyalty, between personal ambition and political commitment, there will be no easy path. But a man with a warrior's courage may be able to find it. Such a man is Uhtred,and this may be his finest hour.

This magnificent series tells the story of how England became England - it's full of real people and a handful of made-up characters, real battles and events. For me, the magic lies in the place-names of towns and settlements we are all familiar with, and in Bernard's brilliant characters and descriptions. It's a thrilling series, and in recent months has becomemy all-time favourite series of books, books I would choose to read above all others. Unbelievably good.