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Top reviews from Canada

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a boyles

I am impressed - this was a page turner

Reviewed in Canada on May 13, 2021

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I have read a lot of historical fiction from some of the very best writers - Sharon Penman, Margaret George, Bernard Cornwell, and several others. I thought "well, I will give this a try but will probably be disappointed". Boy was I surprised. The character development is deep and compelling, the story line is believable and nuanced. And there is nonstop drama, interaction and action which made it a nonstop page turner for me. I am so impressed with Matthew Harffy - he is the real deal - a top level historical fiction writer. I am almost finished book #2 of the Bernicia Chronicles and it is easily as good as the first book. If you love historical fiction you will love this series.

Rumblekat

Sets up the reader with a great foundation for reading the Bernicia chronicles that follow.

Reviewed in Canada on August 24, 2020

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Now halfway through Book 3. Each book, while presenting it's own plot , carries over sufficient continuity with characters and places to advance the reader through the series as one big literary picture, while maintaining each Book as a stand alone read. Harffy provides great descriptive writing skills of the places he takes us to, and the Battle scenes are very well orchestrated in a literary form that is hard to put down. Great read. Will keep going with the Bernicia Chronicles.

LK

Enthralling From the Start

Reviewed in Canada on June 15, 2017

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This book introduces a flawed and interesting hero whose destiny appears to be far from his origins in a farmers life. Losing his family to illness he follows his warrior brother only to find him murdered. He sets out boldly on a warrior path himself and from the beginning it's clear he was born to wield a sword and spear. This book shows how a warrior is shaped and forged in battle and in the interactions with other warriors, lords and the citizens they protect. The author describes battles and life in general in this era with such vivid intensity you can feel the pain, hear the cries and the clash of shields and swords. It's an addictive story so be prepared to buy the next one in the series! You'll want to follow this group forward into more battles.

Dean hamilton

Excellent, Shield-wall Bashing Fun

Reviewed in Canada on February 1, 2017

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The Bernicia Chronicles encompasses the familiar world of post-Roman Britain, replete with war-ravaged kingdoms and piecemeal domains. Savaged by warbands and raiders, rife with violence, alliances, shifting allegiances, and nascent Christianity, the series dives deep into the chaos of 633 AD and brutal life in Northumbria. To some writers this might seem to be a difficult hill to climb, given the number of excellent authors that have books set in post-Roman / pre-1066-and-all-that Britain but Harffy makes it look easy. Take a fascinating era, great characters, solid plots and mix it with a heady amount of sword-winging carnage.

THE SERPENT SWORD is the first book in the series, introducing the main character Beobrand, a young man thrust into a bloody quest for vengeance when his older brother is murdered. The first book lays out a gripping and compelling tale that sees Beobrand develop from inexperienced newcomer into a capable, and at times, berserker-fueled, warrior.

Harffy weaves a solid and believable story and Beobrand is a great character, one whose imperfections and temper often lead him into potentially dark choices that many fictional characters dare not go but Harffy captures his moral dilemmas with both verve and humanity. The landscape and the world of Northhumbria are drawn out with care, as are the terrifically written battle and fight sequences. Harffy does a good job drawing the reader into Beobrand’s world and making the story organic to the history and the setting.

Desdeluna

Great story. Told by a great story teller.

Reviewed in Canada on June 23, 2021

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I have read 3 books by this author and let me tell you... This man is an incredible story teller, he gets you right from the opening sentence. He has a wonderful use of the English language, which is so refreshing..Many people have forgotten how beautiful and complex a language it actually is. I highly recommend anything by Matthew Harffy

Greg Hollingsworth

I've found a new historical fiction author I love to read!

Reviewed in Canada on January 12, 2019

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I'm a long-standing Bernard Cornwell fan. I've read everything he has written to date and hold all historical fiction to his high standards. I was pleasantly surprised with my introduction to Mathew Harffy's Bernicia Chronicles (and, in fact, have since read most of the books in the series and will be reading more of Harffy's work.

Lisa Smith

Realistic and Exciting

Reviewed in Canada on November 20, 2015

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Matthew Harffy's debut novel does not disappoint those who are looking for carefully researched, gripping, historical fiction. I enjoyed this tale of Beobrand and cheered him on in his struggle to avenge his brother's death. If you like action and a fascinating setting, this book is for you. For a more detailed review, see my blog: https://lasmithwriter.wordpress.com/2015/11/06/review-the-serpent-sword-by-matthew-harffy/

diomedesbc

I love historical novels

Reviewed in Canada on January 6, 2018

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I love historical novels, read Bernard Cornwell, Tim Severin, Robert Lowe, ect. At first I was worried and had a little trouble getting into the story but after a while it was good and I couldn't put it down. Predictable times but still a good adventure with interesting characters. Can't wait to read the next book.

Top reviews from other countries

Clive

UNSURE

Reviewed in the United Kingdom on September 23, 2020

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Hmmmm, I'm really not sure about this book but, as I intend to buy the next in this series, perhaps my three-star rating is a little harsh.

Book seven in this series is centred on Bebbenburgh castle or, Bamburgh castle as it is today, just down the road from where I live so, as that tweaked my interest, I thought that I'd better start at the beginning of this series, with 'The Serpent Sword'.

Here's the problem; the story itself is pretty good, well constructed with rounded out characters and it moves along nicely, but the writing style leaves much to be desired and has the naivety of a young and inexperienced author. The poor writing style jars the whole story and I found myself, after the first couple of chapters, deciding that I'd flog through to the end but not buy any more from Mr Harffy. At that point, this wasn't a book that drew me back to it, keen to read the next thrilling installment; I was getting through it because I very, very, rarely fail to complete a book once I've started it.

Gradually, things changed. The story drew me in and it seemed to me that the writing style improved a little; it now felt as though it had been written by a sixteen year old rather than a twelve year old. When i reached the end, I was hooked on the story and I want to know what happens next so, on that basis, I'm prepared to give Mr H another chance and I'll buy the next in this series. If his writing improved over the course of one novel, then perhaps his next outing will show some further improvement.

So, on the basis that I do intend to read the next in this series, I wanted to give a three and a half star rating and, as you can see, I opted for three rather than four. Harsh but, hey, that's me!

Martin Lake

Stunning and engrossing

Reviewed in the United Kingdom on June 19, 2015

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The Serpent Sword is a stunning book. I can’t recall when I read a book as engrossing and entertaining. It’s a gripping story told with style and verve.

This is an epic tale of men and women swept up by terrible events. The hand of fate lies heavy on them but they strive their utmost to seize and shape their destinies. In doing so they court disaster and despair. The novel is powered by an intricate interplay between character and plot, each driving the story forward with unstoppable momentum.

Matthew Harrfy creates a world of unforgettable characters. Beobrand is a young man forced to face terrible choices. Sometimes he chooses wisely, other times less well. His journey is one of pain and peril and kept me reading non-stop. His enemy, Hengist, is a masterly creation, complex, beguiling and utterly ruthless. Other characters, men and women, are drawn so well I almost felt I’d met them. I walked with them in the wilds of 7th century England.

The story moves at a fast pace, with one heart-stopping event followed hard on the heels by another. There’s no time to rest for the characters in the novel and no time for the reader to do so either. I read the book in one sitting. I went to bed thinking about it and woke up the same.

Matthew Harrfy is a master story-teller; the Serpent Sword a wonderful book. I can’t wait to read the sequels.

Andy Whitley

Brilliant read

Reviewed in the United Kingdom on March 1, 2020

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I have returned to this book after finishing the 6th in the series.
I feel a review is required in case anyone checks before reading. From the beginning I loved this book and the following ones. If you want adventure great fighting and wonderful descriptions through out these are the books for you.
I can't wait for number 7. Mathew Harffy has a great skill of story telling and within each book is a poetic descriptive phase which I read over and over it was that captivating. I won't reveal one as each person is different. But this writer has class.
I have read lots of these historical tales and can say, for me , these books are amongst the best.

Alex

A really fast paced and immersive historical fiction!

Reviewed in the United Kingdom on December 18, 2021

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The Serpent Sword was such a fast paced, thrilling read, that I listened to on audiobook.

Our main character is Beobrand, who is easy to love and root for, and his coming of age story is a fast tracked one which helps us get to the action faster.

Matthew Harffy brings edge of your seat action and an eye for historical detail, expertly capturing the atmosphere and setting. I liked the fact at the end of the book, Harffy explains his thought processes behind many of the historical references, where creative liberties were taken etc. and it really puts into perspective how much work went into making the book as true to the time period as possible whilst maintaining the excitement and action that makes Beobrand’s tale particularly engaging.

There isn’t a reliance on adrenaline alone to propel the story though and I really liked Beobrand’s honest internal strife and the inner turmoil he goes through, weighing up the man he wants to be and questioning his own ethics.

This links into what is probably the heart of the book, which is revenge. It’s tricky to make a reader care enough to share the character’s passion for vengeance and this is another aspect that makes this such a page turner in that you do share these feelings and each encounter has you willing Beobrand on. There are some despicable characters, and there are those that commit despicable acts that are otherwise portrayed as good people. It serves as a good reminder that when taken out of ‘normal’ stress free circumstances, there is a primal, animalistic nature within some humans – yet this should not serve as an excuse for heinous actions.

There is one scene in which Beobrand has to weigh up whether to seek justice against one such character, and it is satisfying to see justice served and actions having consequences rather than our protagonist taking the easy route. Beobrand is definitely in the Goldilocks zone in terms of not being too cold or barbaric to relate to, whilst also being real enough not to develop into a shining hero of chivalry – he can be brutal and there is a level of fear he invokes in other men at times, but there are moments we see his softer side. This is a theme that runs through the book and is done very well; characters are human, with flaws, layers to their personalities, loyalties and betrayals, grabs for power and acts of both kindness and evil when you might not expect them.

The Serpent Sword is a real page turner, full of entertainment, brutality, emotive moments and well researched history. If you like historical fiction and a good dose of action, I’m confident you’ll love this.

BM

Best British historical series ever!

Reviewed in the United Kingdom on March 24, 2020

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I have bought 100s of books from Amazon but have never been compelled to write a review until now.
The Serpent Sword grabbed my attention from the start. I found it difficult to put down and sometimes my school marking suffered as a result of reading this book. The main character is believable and has to fight his way through every page of the book.
One of the best British historical series that I have come across. I am reading the third book now 'Blood and Blade' and it is every bit as good as the first one.
If you have an interested in the history of Britain in 600 AD start reading today - you will not regret it!

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