The Bernicia Chronicles

Latest release: December 8, 2022
Series
10
Books
The Serpent Sword
Book 1·Jun 2016
0.0
·
'HISTORICAL FICTION DOESN'T GET MUCH BETTER THAN THIS' ANGUS DONALD
AD 633

Beobrand is a young man with a shadowy past. As an outsider in the kingdom of Bernicia, he is compelled to join his brother, Octa, as a warrior in the household of King Edwin. He must learn to fight with sword and shield to defend the war-ravaged kingdoms of Northumbria.

In a period of great upheaval for Dark Age Britain, all he finds is death and war. Men and women strive to seize control of their destinies in a time of despair, and the land is rife with danger as warlords vie for supremacy and dominion. Amongst the blood and the betrayals, Beobrand learns of his brother's near-certain murder. Inexperienced but ruthless, Beobrand must form his own allegiances and learn to fight as a warrior with sword and shield.

Driven by a desire for vengeance and a relentless pursuit of his enemies, he faces challenges which transform him from a boy to a man who stands strong in the clamour and gore of the shieldwall. As he closes in on his kin's slayer, can Beobrand mete out the retribution he craves without sacrificing his honour... or even his soul?
Praise for Matthew Harffy:
'Nothing less than superb... The tale is fast paced and violence lurks on every page' Historical Novel Society

'Beobrand is the warrior to follow' David Gilman

'A tale that rings like sword song in the reader's mind' Giles Kristian

'A brilliant characterization of a difficult hero in a dangerous time. Excellent!' Christian Cameron

'A terrific novel. It illuminates the Dark Ages like a bolt of lightning' Toby Clements

'Battles, treachery, revenge and a healthy dose of Dark Age adventure' Simon Turney

'Matthew Harffy tells a great story' Joanna Hickson

'Harffy's writing just gets better and better... He is really proving himself the rightful heir to Gemmell's crown' Jemahl Evans

'Harffy has a real winner on his hands... A genuinely superb novel' Steven McKay

'A breathtaking novel that sweeps the reader into a dark and dangerous world' Paul Fraser Collard
Storm of Steel
Book 6·May 2019
4.5
·
AD 643. Anglo-Saxon Britain. A gripping, action-packed historical thriller and the sixth instalment in the Bernicia Chronicles.
Heading south to lands he once considered his home, Beobrand is plunged into a dark world of piracy and slavery when an old friend enlists his help to recover a kidnapped girl.

Embarking onto the wind-tossed seas, Beobrand pursues his quarry with single-minded tenacity. But the Whale Road is never calm and his journey is beset with storms, betrayal and violence.

As the winds of his wyrd blow him ever further from what he knows, will Beobrand find victory on his quest or has his luck finally abandoned him?
Praise for Matthew Harffy:
'Nothing less than superb... The tale is fast paced and violence lurks on every page' Historical Novel Society

'Beobrand is the warrior to follow' David Gilman

'A tale that rings like sword song in the reader's mind' Giles Kristian

'Historical fiction doesn't get much better than this' Angus Donald

'A brilliant characterization of a difficult hero in a dangerous time. Excellent!' Christian Cameron

'A terrific novel. It illuminates the Dark Ages like a bolt of lightning' Toby Clements

'Battles, treachery, revenge and a healthy dose of Dark Age adventure' Simon Turney

'Matthew Harffy tells a great story' Joanna Hickson

'Harffy's writing just gets better and better... He is really proving himself the rightful heir to Gemmell's crown' Jemahl Evans

'Harffy has a real winner on his hands... A genuinely superb novel' Steven McKay

'A breathtaking novel that sweeps the reader into a dark and dangerous world' Paul Fraser Collard
Fortress of Fury
Book 7·Aug 2020
5.0
·
Beobrand is besieged in the action-packed instalment in the Bernicia Chronicles set in AD 647 Anglo-Saxon Britain.
War hangs heavy in the hot summer air as Penda of Mercia and his allies march into the north. Caught unawares, the Bernician forces are besieged within the great fortress of Bebbanburg.

It falls to Beobrand to mount the defence of the stronghold, but even while the battle rages, old and powerful enemies have mobilised against him, seeking vengeance for past events.

As the Mercian forces tighten their grip and unknown killers close in, Beobrand finds himself in a struggle with conflicting oaths and the dreadful pull of a forbidden love that threatens to destroy everything he holds dear.

With the future of Northumbria in jeopardy, will Beobrand be able to withstand the powers that beset him and find a path to victory against all the odds?

Love these historical thrillers? Pre-order A Time for Swords today – the start of an exciting new series from bestselling author of the Bernicia Chronicles, Matthew Harffy.
Praise for Matthew Harffy:
'Nothing less than superb... The tale is fast paced and violence lurks on every page' Historical Novel Society.

'Beobrand is the warrior to follow' David Gilman.

'Visceral tales of battle, revenge, and honour, but the saga of Beobrand never loses sight of what it means to be a hero in such a bloody age' Graham McNeill.

'A tale that rings like sword song in the reader's mind' Giles Kristian.

'Historical fiction doesn't get much better than this' Angus Donald.

'A brilliant characterization of a difficult hero in a dangerous time. Excellent!' Christian Cameron.

'A terrific novel. It illuminates the Dark Ages like a bolt of lightning' Toby Clements.

'Battles, treachery, revenge and a healthy dose of Dark Age adventure' Simon Turney.

'Matthew Harffy tells a great story' Joanna Hickson.

'Harffy's writing just gets better and better... He is really proving himself the rightful heir to Gemmell's crown' Jemahl Evans.

'Harffy has a real winner on his hands... A genuinely superb novel' Steven McKay.

'A breathtaking novel that sweeps the reader into a dark and dangerous world' Paul Fraser Collard.
Forest of Foes
Book 9·Dec 2022
4.7
·
In this action-packed new Bernicia Chronicles adventure from Matthew Harffy, Beobrand finds himself in a dangerous foreign land, caught between warring factions of royalty and the Church.

AD 652.
Beobrand has been ordered to lead a group of pilgrims to the holy city of Rome. Chief among them is Wilfrid, a novice of the church with some surprisingly important connections. Taking only Cynan and some of his best men, Beobrand hopes to make the journey through Frankia quickly and return to Northumbria without delay, though the road is long and perilous.

But where Beobrand treads, menace is never far behind. The lands of the Merovingian kings are rife with intrigue. The queen of Frankia is unpopular and her ambitious schemes, though benevolent, have made her powerful enemies. Soon Wilfrid, and Beobrand, are caught up in sinister plots against the royal house.

After interrupting a brutal ambush in a forest, Beobrand and his trusted gesithas find their lives on the line. Dark forces will stop at nothing to seize control of the Frankish throne, and Beobrand is thrown into a deadly race for survival through foreign lands where he cannot be sure who is friend and who is foe.

The only certainty is that if he is to save his men, thwart the plots, and unmask his enemies, blood will flow.

Reviews for Matthew Harffy

'A brilliant characterization of a difficult hero in a dangerous time. Excellent!' Christian Cameron
'He is really proving himself the rightful heir to Gemmell's crown.' Jemahl Evans
'A genuinely superb novel.' Steven McKay
'Beobrand is the warrior to follow.' David Gilman