The Last Kingdom by Bernard Cornwell

This is the first book in the The Saxon Stories, which tell the tale of Alfred the Great and his descendants through the eyes of Uhtred, an English boy born into the aristocracy of ninth-century Northumbria, captured by the Danes and taught the Viking ways. The story begins with the Danes invading Uhtred's north England home, killing his father in battle, and his capture. His captor takes a liking to him, and teaches him to be a warrior. As he matures, he fights for the Danes, but plot twists lead him back to the English side, to serve King Alfred. This book concludes with Uhtred, now a man and married with an infant son, winning a decisive battle against the invading Danes. Cornwell plays up the contrast between the English Catholics and their priests, who heavily influence King Alfred, and the pagan Danes with their lusty warrior ways. A great start to the series. 329 p.