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Matthew Harffy
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A Time for Swords Kindle Edition

by Matthew Harffy (Author) Format: Kindle Edition
4.5 out of 5 stars 4,769 ratings
When the Vikings launch a brutal attack on Dark Ages Britain, a novice monk's life is changed forever. The first novel in Matthew Harffy's thrilling A Time for Swords series.

Lindisfarne, AD793. There had been portents – famine, whirlwinds, lightning from clear skies, serpents seen flying through the air. But when the raiders came, no one was prepared.

They came from the North, their dragon-prowed longships gliding out of the dawn mist as they descended on the kingdom's most sacred site.

It is 8th June AD 793, and with the pillage of the monastery on Lindisfarne, the Viking Age has begun.

While his fellow monks flee before the Norse onslaught, one young novice stands his ground. He has been taught to turn the other cheek, but faced with the slaughter of his brothers and the pagan desecration of his church, forgiveness is impossible.
Hunlaf soon learns that there is a time for faith and prayer... and there is a time for swords.

Praise for Matthew Harffy:

'Harffy is a master of the Dark Age thriller... A Time for Swords is a bold opening to yet another enthralling series. It promises to be one heck of a ride' Theodore Brun, author of A Mighty Dawn

'Terrific white-knuckle action, absolutely gripping storytelling... Can't wait for the next one. Highly recommended!' Angus Donald author of Robin Hood and the Caliph's Gold

'The gripping novel evokes the turbulence and violence of the first onslaught of the Vikings. I couldn't put it down!' Christian Cameron author of Hawkwood's Sword

'Nothing less than superb... The tale is fast paced and violence lurks on every page' Historical Novel Society

'Harffy's writing just gets better and better... He is really proving himself the rightful heir to Gemmell's crown' Jemahl Evans, author of The Last Roundhead
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  1. Book 1 of 4
    A Time for Swords
  2. Print length
    498 pages
  3. Language
    English
  4. Publisher
    Head of Zeus -- an Aries Book
  5. Accessibility
    Learn more
  6. Publication date
    December 10, 2020
  7. File size
    4.1 MB
  8. Page Flip
    Enabled
  9. Word Wise
    Enabled
  10. Enhanced typesetting
    Enabled
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There are 4 books in this series.
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Editorial Reviews

Review

“A Time for Swords is a bold opening to yet another enthralling series. It promises to be one heck of a ride” ―Theodore Brun

“If you have enjoyed Bernard Cornwell's Saxon Stories and don't know where to look for your next fix – well, you've found it and you will not be disappointed!... Excellent prose, interesting characters, visceral battles and a cracking twist or two prove that Matthew Harffy is an author on the rise. An excellent first tale in what I hope will be an eventful and thrilling series'” ―Grimdark Magazine

“The gripping novel evokes the turbulence and violence of the first onslaught of the Vikings. I couldn't put it down!” ―Christian Cameron

“A riveting great read from cover to cover... An impressively crafted historical novel that will have a very special appeal to fans of the Viking Age, the clash of swords and the medieval struggle of Christianity against the pagan horde from the violent lands of Scandinavia'” ―MidWest Book Review

“If you like your fiction fast-paced and action-packed – filled with brutal and bloody battles – but also with characters with whom you can empathise and root for, then this book will not disappoint. Fans of Bernard Cornwell's Saxon Stories will lap this up” ―Aspects of History

About the Author

Matthew Harffy grew up in Northumberland where the rugged terrain, ruined castles and rocky coastline had a huge impact on him. He now lives in Wiltshire, England, with his wife and their two daughters. Matthew is the author of the critically acclaimed Bernicia Chronicles and A Time for Swords series, and he also presents the popular podcast, Rock, Paper, Swords!, with fellow author Steven A. McKay.

Follow Matthew at @MatthewHarffy and www.matthewharffy.com.

Product details

  • ASIN ‏ : ‎ B0858K91D9
  • Publisher ‏ : ‎ Head of Zeus -- an Aries Book
  • Accessibility ‏ : ‎ Learn more
  • Publication date ‏ : ‎ December 10, 2020
  • Edition ‏ : ‎ 1st
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • File size ‏ : ‎ 4.1 MB
  • Screen Reader ‏ : ‎ Supported
  • Enhanced typesetting ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • X-Ray ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • Word Wise ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • Print length ‏ : ‎ 498 pages
  • ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-1838932886
  • Page Flip ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • Book 1 of 4 ‏ : ‎ A Time for Swords
  • Customer Reviews:
    4.5 out of 5 stars 4,769 ratings

About the author

Follow authors to get new release updates, plus improved recommendations.
Matthew Harffy

Matthew Harffy

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Matthew Harffy lived in Northumberland as a child and the area had a great impact on him. The rugged terrain, ruined castles and rocky coastline made it easy to imagine the past. Decades later, a documentary about Northumbria's Golden Age sowed the kernel of an idea for a series of historical fiction novels. The first of them is the action-packed tale of vengeance and coming of age, THE SERPENT SWORD.

Matthew has worked in the IT industry, where he spent all day writing and editing, just not the words that most interested him. Prior to that he worked in Spain as an English teacher and translator. Matthew lives in Wiltshire, England, with his wife and their two daughters.

For all the latest news and exclusive competitions, join Matthew online:

www.matthewharffy.com

twitter.com/@MatthewHarffy

www.facebook.com/MatthewHarffyAuthor

Customer reviews

4.5 out of 5 stars
4,769 global ratings

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Customers say

Customers find this book to be a captivating historical fiction adventure with a solid plot and well-developed characters. They praise its readability, with one customer noting it's a great Dark Ages read.

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Story qualityReadabilityCharacter developmentWriting quality
35 customers mention "Story quality"35 positive0 negative

Customers find the book's story captivating, describing it as a rousing historical fiction adventure with a solid plot that takes an interesting turn.

"This story was captivating and so well written! The author made me feel each battle and such emotion and connection with the characters...." Read more

"...more volumes coming in the story and I'd expect them to be a good addition to the tale." Read more

"...There was a wealth of information about life in a medieval monastery, all well and good but not heart racing...." Read more

"Mattew Harffy clearly has a great understanding of the events surrounding the Norsemens attacks and also how the English fought back...." Read more

28 customers mention "Readability"28 positive0 negative

Customers find the book to be a wonderful read, with one customer noting it's an excellent addition to the Bernicia Chronicles series.

"...This is a must read!" Read more

"Having read and loved Matthew Harffy's excellent Bernicia Chronicles series, I looked forward to this new book with breathless anticipation...." Read more

"I am new to Matthew Harfly's work, and enjoyed this book quite a lot...." Read more

"Matthew Harfy has captured my attention in this well written book one of a hopefully very long series. I look forward to reading more asap." Read more

15 customers mention "Character development"15 positive0 negative

Customers appreciate the well-developed characters in the book, with one review highlighting the protagonist's grounding and another noting the wonderful supporting cast.

"...The author made me feel each battle and such emotion and connection with the characters. This is a must read!" Read more

"...The story is full of great characters and lots of action...." Read more

"...I especially liked the main character's grounding in the world of the monastic scriptorium, as I am an hobbyist calligrapher...." Read more

"...story is a fine tale that is well written with some interesting character development. Strip away the back story and I consider this four stars." Read more

10 customers mention "Writing quality"8 positive2 negative

Customers find the book well written.

"This story was captivating and so well written! The author made me feel each battle and such emotion and connection with the characters...." Read more

"...I did not care for, but the actual story is a fine tale that is well written with some interesting character development...." Read more

"I was most pleasantly surprised by the quality of both the writing and the correct historical setting and atmosphere...." Read more

"...Definitely was well written and characters were pretty good. What I didn't enjoy was I felt like I've read this before...." Read more

Top reviews from the United States

  • Barbara F
    5.0 out of 5 stars Absolutely Riviting
    Reviewed in the United States on October 21, 2023
    Verified Purchase
    This story was captivating and so well written! The author made me feel each battle and such emotion and connection with the characters. This is a must read!
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  • RosieB
    4.0 out of 5 stars interesting read, well researched
    Reviewed in the United States on January 10, 2021
    Verified Purchase
    Past books I've read set in the Dark-Middle Ages have had characters who spent their lives as soldiers then retired to a monastery when they got older, and presumably wiser. Not surprisingly, as the one constant source of employment in times of small kingdoms and invasions was a need for warriors. This book takes an interesting turn. A novice monk, whose father couldn't afford the gear for him to become a soldier, is present at the first major Norse looting event in the British Isles. The sacking of the monastery at Lindisfarne is a historical event and here elicits a possible corollary - what if there were monks who decided to become warriors to save their brethren? We follow Hunlaf through the journey from scribe to soldier and somewhat returning to scribe. There appear to be more volumes coming in the story and I'd expect them to be a good addition to the tale.
    One person found this helpful
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  • DaveB.
    5.0 out of 5 stars A great Dark Ages read.
    Reviewed in the United States on December 30, 2020
    Verified Purchase
    Having read and loved Matthew Harffy's excellent Bernicia Chronicles series, I looked forward to this new book with breathless anticipation. In all honesty, the first half of the book was not as compelling as the Bernicia books. There was a wealth of information about life in a medieval monastery, all well and good but not heart racing. The main character, Hunlaf, a monk, finds his inner warrior when the Norse invade his monastery. Once he has tasted taking a life in combat, he begins to question his calling and chooses to leave his vows behind. It is this second part of the book, the last half, that really sets the theme of the book, in my opinion. Hunlaf joins forces with a rag-tag group of warriors to defend his former monastery from the return of the Norse invaders. The training and eventual confrontation with the Vikings is good stuff - fit for any fan of Dark Ages fiction.
    The story is told from the viewpoint of Hunlaf at the end of his life and hints at further adventures to come. I look forward to these.
    5 people found this helpful
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  • quilling mama
    5.0 out of 5 stars Best tale of the Viking attacks and the defense against them
    Reviewed in the United States on January 31, 2024
    Verified Purchase
    Mattew Harffy clearly has a great understanding of the events surrounding the Norsemens attacks and also how the English fought back. The story is full of great characters and lots of action. Will definitely be looking for the next book cause I had a hard time putting this one down and I am already missing the characters he created.
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  • Family Gervais
    4.0 out of 5 stars A rousing historical fiction adventure
    Reviewed in the United States on September 15, 2021
    Verified Purchase
    I am new to Matthew Harfly's work, and enjoyed this book quite a lot. It felt very grounded in early medieval period while also giving full life to a crew of interesting characters. I appreciate the inclusion of a woman warrior in the mix. I especially liked the main character's grounding in the world of the monastic scriptorium, as I am an hobbyist calligrapher. People who enjoy stories like Vikings, and The Last Kingdom should also appreciate this book. Looking forward to more in the series!
    One person found this helpful
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  • LJ
    5.0 out of 5 stars Strong opening book one
    Reviewed in the United States on December 18, 2023
    Verified Purchase
    Matthew Harfy has captured my attention in this well written book one of a hopefully very long series. I look forward to reading more asap.
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  • Don
    3.0 out of 5 stars There is a good story sandwiched in this novel
    Reviewed in the United States on January 16, 2021
    Verified Purchase
    Truly terrible first two sentences. Regrettable and graphic problems with an old man's bowel movement? Is that the best the author could come up with? I tossed the book aside for awhile but came back to it based on some good reviews. The back story I did not care for, but the actual story is a fine tale that is well written with some interesting character development. Strip away the back story and I consider this four stars.
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  • C. Russell
    5.0 out of 5 stars Good story
    Reviewed in the United States on August 6, 2021
    Verified Purchase
    This is a very good story based historical facts and very enjoyable. It moves at a fairly quick pace and is a fairly quick read. A little wordy near the end as we wait fir the Viking attack but the story is very believable. Battles are short but violent and bloody. It was a hard time to live, life was cheap, and that is depicted in the book. Highly recommended. I’m looking forward to more books depicting the life and times of Hunlaf.
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Top reviews from other countries

  • Paul A Pawlak
    5.0 out of 5 stars Matthew Harffy’s Gem
    Reviewed in Australia on May 29, 2021
    Verified Purchase
    I’ve just recently been introduced to Matthew Harffy’s work by my Father in law, and this my second read (of his) is an absolute gem.

    The main characters are beautifully developed, the engrossing story line and build up to the climactic end had me unable to put this book down (after half way) until I finished.

    This historic period is my favourite, and Mr Harffy “had me” 10 pages in.

    Highly recommended. 5 stars.
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  • Magicm
    5.0 out of 5 stars Simply fantastic again
    Reviewed in Germany on December 20, 2020
    Verified Purchase
    Yet another amazing read. It just has it all. A book, and hopefully a series, to get lost in again. Thank you. Keep up the good work!
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  • Rabin
    5.0 out of 5 stars What a fantastic yarn!
    Reviewed in India on December 28, 2022
    Verified Purchase
    I read it in one go and loved every line of it. I specifically liked the constant conflict in Hunlaf's mind about his actions which sets this story apart from others of the same genre.

    This is my first Matthew Harffy book and will most certainly not be the last
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  • Jack Hammer
    5.0 out of 5 stars A good read that held my attention
    Reviewed in the United Kingdom on April 10, 2025
    Verified Purchase
    Kept me turning the pages and, at the end, wanting to go straight on to the next book in series. Well written and a pleasure to read. Thank you Mr Harffy
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  • Johanna Bond
    5.0 out of 5 stars Like being there
    Reviewed in Canada on January 15, 2022
    Verified Purchase
    He did it again, masterful writing, read all his books, series, superbe, just like being there watching in the distance, make you want to travel to those region, characters, history, are so beautifully written, now have to wait for book 2, life goes on,
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