Although Bernard Cornwell is probably most famous for the "Sharpe" novels, probably his most successful books were the "Winter King" trilogy, based on the Arthurian myths. He tried to follow that up with the less successful "Harlequin" series, and now is apparently trying again with "The Last Kingdom" and its successors.

The trilogies all appear to have much in common (apart from being superbly researched), including very similar character types transposed from one trilogy to the next. However, in the Last Kingdom, once again Cornwell doesn't seem to quite recreate the magic and empathy with the key characters in the way that he managed in the "Winter King". The obvious parallel is between King Arthur in the Winter King and King Alfred in the Last Kingdom, but whereas one felt real frustration at Arthur's flaws and genuinely wanted him to succeed, you really feel no such link with Alfred, who always appears a distant and slightly annoying figure reduced to the novel's sub text.

None of which makes The Last Kingdom a particularly bad book. But if, like me, you are still hoping that Cornwell can recreate the magic of The Winter King trilogy, then unfortunately it appears that we all have to wait a little longer.