Celebrate Small Business Month with our most popular business-only savings Shop Savings Guide>
$2.99 with 40 percent savings
Print List Price: $4.99

Promotions apply when you purchase

These promotions will be applied to this item:

Some promotions may be combined; others are not eligible to be combined with other offers. For details, please see the Terms & Conditions associated with these promotions.

Sold by Amazon.com Services LLC.
Read with our free app
You've subscribed to ! We will preorder your items within 24 hours of when they become available. When new books are released, we'll charge your default payment method for the lowest price available during the pre-order period.
Update your device or payment method, cancel individual pre-orders or your subscription at
Your Memberships & Subscriptions
Kindle app logo image

Download the free Kindle app and start reading Kindle books instantly on your smartphone, tablet, or computer - no Kindle device required.

Read instantly on your browser with Kindle for Web.

Using your mobile phone camera - scan the code below and download the Kindle app.

QR code to download the Kindle App

Follow the author

Michael E. Dellert
Follow
Something went wrong. Please try your request again later.

Hedge King in Winter: First Tale in the Matter of Manred (The Matter of Manred Saga Book 1) Kindle Edition

by Michael E. Dellert (Author) Format: Kindle Edition
4.2 out of 5 stars 22 ratings
The king is crippled. Can his brother hold the kingdom together against the machinations of their rival uncle?
Read more
Previous slide of product details
  1. Book 1 of 4
    The Matter of Manred
  2. Print length
    122 pages
  3. Language
    English
  4. Accessibility
    Learn more
  5. Publication date
    January 12, 2016
  6. Reading age
    13 - 18 years
  7. Grade level
    7 - 12
  8. File size
    1.8 MB
  9. Page Flip
    Enabled
  10. Word Wise
    Enabled
  11. Enhanced typesetting
    Enabled
Next slide of product details
Unwell Hydration from Alex Cooper
Hydrate & focus with every sip Shop now

Shop this series

 See full series
There are 4 books in this series.

Editorial Reviews

Review

"It's not just good. It's one of my new favorites . . . Michael Dellert has produced a work of dark fantasy that I can't get enough of. Hedge King in Winter is only the merest taste of this complex and deeply researched world."
--Erin Sandlin, Being Southern Somewhere Else

From the Author

Read and enjoy Hedge King in Winter, the first tale in the Matter of Manred. The new on-going fantasy serial is soon to be available in Print and on Kindle.

This exciting new sword-and-sorcery action tale follows the continuing adventures of the warriors, kings, and priests of the Matter of Manred Saga.

Product details

  • ASIN ‏ : ‎ B0190XPTWG
  • Publisher ‏ : ‎ Skylander Press
  • Accessibility ‏ : ‎ Learn more
  • Publication date ‏ : ‎ January 12, 2016
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • File size ‏ : ‎ 1.8 MB
  • Screen Reader ‏ : ‎ Supported
  • Enhanced typesetting ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • X-Ray ‏ : ‎ Not Enabled
  • Word Wise ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • Print length ‏ : ‎ 122 pages
  • ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-1944400019
  • Page Flip ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • Grade level ‏ : ‎ 7 - 12
  • Book 1 of 4 ‏ : ‎ The Matter of Manred
  • Reading age ‏ : ‎ 13 - 18 years
  • Customer Reviews:
    4.2 out of 5 stars 22 ratings

About the author

Follow authors to get new release updates, plus improved recommendations.
Michael E. Dellert

Michael E. Dellert

Brief content visible, double tap to read full content.
Full content visible, double tap to read brief content.

MICHAEL E. DELLERT lives in the Greater New York City area. Following a traditional publishing career spanning nearly two decades, he now works as a freelance writer, editor, publishing consultant, and writing coach. He is also the sole writer, editor, and publisher of the blog MDellertDotCom: Adventures in Indie Publishing. He holds a Master's Degree in English Language & Literature from Drew University, and a certificate from the Cornell University School of Criticism & Theory (2009). He is the author of "Hedge King in Winter," "A Merchant's Tale," "The Romance of Eowain," and "The Wedding of Eithne," the first four books in the Matter of Manred Saga, as well as the short-story, "Calamity," about the doomed lovers Peter Abelard and Heloise d'Argenteuil, found in the "Lovers in Hell" volume of the famed "Heroes in Hell" shared-universe anthology series.

Customer reviews

4.2 out of 5 stars
22 global ratings

Review this product

Share your thoughts with other customers
Write a customer review

Customers say

Customers find the book's plot well-thought out and enjoy its detailed depictions of life. Moreover, the story features enthralling characters, and one customer notes the brilliant cover art and book design.

AI-generated from the text of customer reviews

Select to learn more

14 customers mention "Enjoyment"14 positive0 negative

Customers find the book enjoyable, praising its well-thought-out plot and excellent tale of intrigue. One customer notes that the author takes great pains to craft a fantasy world logically.

"...Box after it. This book has everything that I look for in old - fashioned fantasy, and so much more...." Read more

"...Dellert takes great pains to craft a fantasy world logically, which is no simple task and has certainly been done poorly by other authors...." Read more

"Filled with intrigue and political manipulation, and some very skilled word use by the author, Hedge King in Winter is a delightful read...." Read more

"The plot was quite good. The setting was described in good detail . I felt that some characters could be a little more developed...." Read more

7 customers mention "Depth"7 positive0 negative

Customers appreciate the depth of the book, with detailed depictions of life and a well-described setting. One customer notes the author's intimate knowledge of the subject matter, while another highlights how it serves as a great introduction to the world of Droma.

"...Dellert's work is very original, and he clearly understands what he has created and doesn't confuse the reader at all with inaccuracies..." Read more

"...does bear marked resemblance to the Celtic world, with realistic portrayals of ways of living, modes of trade, and social hierarchy...." Read more

"...It is apparent that Michael Dellert knows his subject matter intimately, and his use of language and names brings to mind ancient Celtic times of..." Read more

"The plot was quite good. The setting was described in good detail . I felt that some characters could be a little more developed...." Read more

6 customers mention "Pacing"6 positive0 negative

Customers appreciate the pacing of the book, with individual reviews highlighting its originality, professional layout, brilliant cover art, and well-realized setting.

"...Dellert's work is very original, and he clearly understands what he has created and doesn't confuse the reader at all with inaccuracies..." Read more

"...This is a well crafted first book in a new fantasy series, and I highly recommend it." Read more

"...A quality, well-done story all should enjoy." Read more

"A well-realized setting based closely on the milieu of early medieval Ireland --- multiple small kingdoms, dynastic rivalries and feuds, a Druid-..." Read more

5 customers mention "Character development"5 positive0 negative

Customers appreciate the character development in the book, noting its enthralling characters, with one customer mentioning that they have multiple layers.

"...I found myself connecting to the characters on a personal level, and I loved how the language is similar to that of old - English..." Read more

"...intrigues, but the system of government is captivating, with strong characters and dialogue...." Read more

"...But overall this is a solid and readable novella with plenty of room for more story to come." Read more

"...marriage intended to benefit both sides, and the introduction of myriad characters and locales, this first entry in the Matter of Manred Saga is off..." Read more

Top reviews from the United States

  • Ashley Nestler
    5.0 out of 5 stars A Wonderful Epic Fantasy
    Reviewed in the United States on May 20, 2016
    Verified Purchase
    Let me start this by saying, I LOVED THIS NOVELLA. If that is not enough to tell you how good this book is, then keep reading.

    I received "Hedge King in Winter" from Michael during the Brain to Books Con this past April in a giveaway. He sent me a signed copy of the the book a few short days after, and as soon as I got it I had to dig in and immediately knew that I would be basing the May Go Indie Now! Box after it. This book has everything that I look for in old - fashioned fantasy, and so much more.

    First of all, the cover art and book design is brilliant. The art gives the novella a renaissance fantasy feel and I felt as though I fell into the book as soon as I opened it. It was also helpful that a map of the land that Dellert created, Droma, was included in the beginning of the book. Since the land he created, and the characters, are so vast and wide it was nice to be able to have an aid to picture the story properly.

    But one of the things that I loved most about this novella was that it was short, but that Dellert packed a punch throughout the book, and I didn't become bored at any point. As soon as I finished the book, I immediately had to order the second book in the series that just released "A Merchant's Tale", and wasn't disappointed. ("A Merchant's Tale" was the second book included in the Go Indie Now! May Box).
    Dellert's work is very original, and he clearly understands what he has created and doesn't confuse the reader at all with inaccuracies (which can happen in heavily imaginative works sometimes). I found myself connecting to the characters on a personal level, and I loved how the language is similar to that of old - English (but easier to understand).

    Michael E. Dellert is a gem of an author and I am so happy to have won his book, worked with him, and featured him in our May Go Indie Now! Box. I highly recommend "Hedge King in Winter" for readers of all ages and will be buying the rest of the series as soon as the books are released.

    (REVIEW BY ASHLEY NESTLER - [...]
    3 people found this helpful
    Helpful
     Report
  • Erin Sandlin
    4.0 out of 5 stars A well crafted, complex, and exciting new work of fantasy
    Reviewed in the United States on April 7, 2016
    Verified Purchase
    Because I don't want to reveal too much about the story to those who've not yet read it for themselves, I won't be providing a synopsis in this review. What I will say is that the quality of this work is exemplary. Dellert takes great pains to craft a fantasy world logically, which is no simple task and has certainly been done poorly by other authors. It does bear marked resemblance to the Celtic world, with realistic portrayals of ways of living, modes of trade, and social hierarchy. As an anthropologist, this was a huge mark in its favor, because I wasn't constantly having to suspend my disbelief and could simply enjoy the progress of the narrative.

    I think it's safe to reveal that the story is driven by both external events and internal development. Eowain, the protagonist, is constantly spurred forward on a path not of his choosing, even while he struggles to cope with the dangers and pitfalls of his particular world. I thoroughly enjoyed the complex situations and detailed depictions of life in this fantasy universe. This is a well crafted first book in a new fantasy series, and I highly recommend it.
    One person found this helpful
    Helpful
     Report
  • Tom Fallwell
    5.0 out of 5 stars A truly excellent tale of intrigue.
    Reviewed in the United States on July 18, 2016
    Verified Purchase
    Filled with intrigue and political manipulation, and some very skilled word use by the author, Hedge King in Winter is a delightful read. It is apparent that Michael Dellert knows his subject matter intimately, and his use of language and names brings to mind ancient Celtic times of old and a setting that reminds one of the Arthurian legends. Yet, this is a completely different setting and stands on its own. I found the story very enjoyable and a great introduction to the world of Droma, setting up the people and culture for further tales and stories.

    I consider this book a great start to what is sure to become a great series, and I am looking forward to reading more. We are introduced to Eowain and his friend and family, and while the details of the characters personalities are only beginning, I get the sense more in-depth character studies will be involved in future books of the series. I would definitely recommend this book to those who love medieval styled fantasy with an only mild touch of the magical.

    All in all, it becomes obvious to me that this is an author whom I will watch closely and I will be reading more about Eowain in the future. A quality, well-done story all should enjoy.
    2 people found this helpful
    Helpful
     Report
  • Amazon Customer
    4.0 out of 5 stars Good story, looking forward to the rest of the series.
    Reviewed in the United States on January 15, 2016
    Verified Purchase
    The plot was quite good. The setting was described in good detail . I felt that some characters could be a little more developed. The king was primarily shown as a stubborn man where his brother was a little more developed and shown to be a loyal man without great aspirations to become king himself. Still, they could use more development. I'm hoping that will occur in sequels to this book.
    I did have a difficult time with many of the names for people and places. There were places I found the sentence structure excessively wordy and some that were awkward. The use of some archaic words slowed me down because I looked them up to make sure they were words and their meaning tone certain they were used correctly.
    The story can be left as a stand alone, but there is definitely room for much more. I do look forward to the rest of the series. Enough so that I would happily volunteer to be a beta reader for this series. The book is appropriate for teens as well as adults. I give this a four out of five rating.
    2 people found this helpful
    Helpful
     Report

Top reviews from other countries

  • Reader Kindle
    5.0 out of 5 stars Lovely novella—a great inroad into the author’s work
    Reviewed in the United Kingdom on July 1, 2020
    Verified Purchase
    Very well written on the sentence level, this little novella is as atmospheric as it is well-plotted.

    Eowain is brilliantly sketched and his challenges in Droma are set up in such a way that the reader’s interest lingers beyond this novella. There’s everything that you expect from a fantasy with swords and wars and politics and more.

    I’ve picked up the series, and recommend that you do the same.
    Report

Report an issue


Does this item contain inappropriate content?
Report
Do you believe that this item violates a copyright?
Report
Does this item contain quality or formatting issues?
Report