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Title: The Traitors' Pit
Author: V. M. Whitworth
Narrator: Laurence Kennedy
Format: Unabridged
Length: 11 hrs and 50 mins
Language: English
Release date: 05-09-13
Publisher: Whole Story Audiobooks
Genres: Fiction, Historical
Publisher's Summary:
Young cleric, Wulfgar, does not believe that his older brother is capable of treason. Yet Wystan stands accused of plotting to overthrow King Edward and place his cousin, Seiriol, on the throne. It is clear that Seiriol intends to lead an army to conquer Leicester, and he appears unstoppable.
With the army gathering force, can Wulfgar unearth the evidence to exonerate his brother before he suffers a traitor's death...?
Members Reviews:
I want more Wulfgar
Love the Wulfgar novels. When is Whitworth going to produce a third?
Beginning of a new reign
This is the second book about Wulfgar, the young deacon who is the son of one of King Alfredâs thegns and serves as the secretary to Athelfled, the Lady of Mercia and Alfredâs daughter. The action takes place in AD 899, straight after the first volume and following the death of King Alfred. His son, known by historians as Edward the Elder (reigned AD 899-924) is still unsecure on his throne and has to face the rival claim of Athelwald Atheling, son of Alfredâs elder brother.
Wulgfarâs elder brother Wystan, and two other thegns of Wessex, has been arrested and are awaiting trial for treason and for attempting to murder Edward on behalf of his cousin Athelwald. The plot failed and the alleged culprits are to be condemned to die as traitors. The young deacon will do his utmost to defend his brother, save his life and clear his name while, in the north, trouble brews and an invading army gathers.
Once again, the author has come up with a rather superb story, with some interesting characterisation of historical figures, such as the ruthless and unscrupulous Athelwald (in sharp contrast with Bernard Cornwellâs version, for instance), the brave Lady of Mercia and the old, sympathetic but too trustful warlord Knut, King of York who is only known through the coins that he minted. We do not know how Knut met his end so that the version presented in this book is of course fiction. However, we do know that Athelwald replaced him and reigned for about three years so that the authorâs violent and bloody version of âregime changeâ is at least plausible.
Again also, one of the most interesting fictitious characters is that of the sympathetic Wulfgar whose courage and perseverance in proving the innocence of his brother and clearing his name are fully on display, regardless of the risks or of the personal costs. Also interesting are the tensions between Wulfgarâs desires and ambitions and his conflicting loyalties between his childhood friends and protectors (Athelfled and Athelwald) and his enemies and tormentors (Wulfarâs very unpleasant bullying bastard brother but also Edward). The characterisation of Edward King of Wessex as an insecure bully is perhaps the piece that I found the least convincing in this novel but, for me at least, it was the only flaw.
Four strong stars and I very much hope that the author will finally decide to publish the sequel.
Wulfgar's saga continues, and more to come I hope.
An excellent second episode of Wulfgar. I was so involved with plot and characters I had to keep reading quickly to find out what would happen next. Then I got to the end, and I still want to know what happens next--hopefully more to come. Meanwhile, I'll go back through it a little more slowly and enjoy the historic details, descriptions of everyday life, and beautiful descriptions of the landscape.
