I like Cornwell's historical fiction a great deal and can re-read some of his books (one of my tests of something worth holding onto). 'The last kingdom' and its attendant satellite texts are not so enjoyable for me as some others of his series (for example, the Sharpe books) but the first and others of this series are well told, well characterised and an eye-opening look at the ninth century in England, a time when Danes and Norsemen raided and settled. Part of the making of the land that became the British Empire. Uhtred is our first person narrator and 'hero'; I am not sure that he is quite so handsome as the TV series version but he is cut from the cloth of other historical fiction key protagonists. He is a warrior and one who should be allied with the invaders but in fact supports Alfred in the building of the land that will become Engaland. Uhtred does well according to the lights of the bloody times in which he lives. There is much to admire about him (though not perhaps if you are Christian or female).

Note that I haven't read all this series; have not read no.s 5, 6 and 7.