Hedge King in Winter: First Tale in the Matter of Manred

The Matter of Manred Saga #1

by Michael E. Dellert

The king is crippled. Can his brother hold the kingdom together against the machinations of their rival uncle?

122 pages, Kindle Edition

Published January 12, 2016

About the author

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 author of the fantasy fiction novellas "Hedge King in Winter" and "A Merchant's Tale." His first full-length fantasy novel, "The Romance of Eowain," was published in July 2016, and his next full-length fantasy novel, "The Wedding of Eithne," is due in March 2017.

Reviews

[Trebonius Octavianus · Rating 5 out of 5]

Accidents Can Be A Destiny Changer!

Michael E. Dellert, pens a terrifically well written ebook that had me swiftly flipping the electronic pages.

Filled with enthralling characters, I found the Novella's plot to be robustly developed, and down right original. Albeit original, this fantasy period piece reminds me of a blend between, HBO's, 'The Game of Thrones,' and History Channel's, 'Vikings.'

The Hedge King in Winter is a fantastic Fantasy Sword & Sorcery read; 5 Stars!

[Lavern Winters · Rating 4 out of 5]

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 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.

[Ryan Guy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Coming in at under 125 pages, this tale of warring clans had a lot of substance. The story's pace was methodical with the plot revolving around the war strategies and political intrigues of a vulnerable kingdom struggling to maintain its current leadership despite opposition from enemies near and far. With undercurrents of magic, an arranged 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 to a great start.

[Joshua Hair · Rating 5 out of 5]

This turned out to be a fantastic foray into a new world. Thank you, Mister Dellert, for the chance to delve into the Matter of Manred. Although short, this novella packs a punch. Not with guts and gore though; Mister Dellert delivers an intriguing, insightful look into the kingship of an ancient civilization. I can't wait to pick up the next chapter!

[Ivy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Hedge King in Winter swept me into a world of icy landscapes and political intrigue. The struggles of loyalty and betrayal felt raw and real, as though I was standing in the snow beside the king himself. It’s a story that lingers in the heart long after the last word.

[James Robinson · Rating 5 out of 5]

The atmosphere of this tale is breathtaking, cold, unforgiving, yet alive with passion and determination. The Hedge King is a character carved out of strength and sacrifice, and his story unfolds with such intensity that I couldn’t look away. Truly unforgettable.

[Craig Williams · Rating 3 out of 5]

Reading this felt like stepping into another world — a place where survival, honor, and betrayal collide. The Hedge King isn’t just a ruler, he’s a man facing impossible choices, and that makes him so compelling. I could feel the snow, the fear, and the courage in every page.

[Camila Adam · Rating 4 out of 5]

The writing captured me from the first moment. The winter setting is not just a backdrop but a living, breathing presence that shapes the story. Every twist reminded me that loyalty has a price, and power always comes at a cost. A gripping, powerful read.

[Smith Amelia · Rating 5 out of 5]

The author crafts a vivid picture of a kingdom on the brink, where winter itself feels like a rival power. The pacing is deliberate yet immersive, and the Hedge King’s struggles echo universal themes of sacrifice and leadership. It’s a story that rewards patience and reflection.

[James · Rating 4 out of 5]

This tale blends the atmosphere of a harsh winter with the political maneuvering of a fractured realm. The characters are nuanced, flawed, and deeply human, which makes their choices resonate. It’s both a character study and a survival narrative rolled into one.

[julian · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved how this book blended politics and action. The scenes where Eowain wrestles with leadership despite not wanting the crown really stuck with me. The rescue of Lady Eithne was the perfect payoff.

[Jarvis · Rating 4 out of 5]

Power, Betrayal, and Brotherhood
I loved how the author explores not just battles for crowns, but the bonds of family under strain. The crippled king and his brother’s struggle felt raw and real. Highly recommended for readers who crave morally complex medieval drama.

[Adam · Rating 4 out of 5]

Medieval Intrigue Done Right
The rival cousin’s cunning makes him a villain you love to hate, while the brother’s determination to hold the realm together kept me invested. This is the kind of book that makes you stay up too late saying “just one more chapter."

[Godwin · Rating 4 out of 5]

A gripping medieval tale full of betrayal, ambition, and political intrigue. The tension between the brothers and the scheming uncle had me on edge the entire time. Highly recommend for fans of epic kingdoms and power struggles!

[Evelyn Adam · Rating 4 out of 5]

I loved the central conflict, the crippled king and his brother stepping into power against a rival uncle. The middle was intense and kept me guessing, but the ending felt a little too quick. Still, the character arcs were satisfying, and the sense of suspense made it well worth the read.

[Evelynbookmatch · Rating 5 out of 5]

If you love court politics, betrayal, and power struggles, this book delivers. The writing style is sharp and filled with tension, and every conversation feels like it could spark a civil war. The uncle is one of the most chilling villains I’ve read in years.

[Chris · Rating 3 out of 5]

The plot was solid, but I found myself wanting more detail about the kingdom itself — its people, culture, and landscapes. The family drama is compelling, but I wanted the setting to feel richer. Still, the rivalry and suspense carried the book.

[James Peter · Rating 3 out of 5]

The uncle is written so well that I found myself half-admiring his cunning even as I hated him. Every scene he was in crackled with tension. The push-and-pull between loyalty and betrayal made this one of the best reads I’ve had all year.

[Catherine Peter · Rating 4 out of 5]

I was pulled in immediately by the premise. The pacing was strong and the tension never let up. I would have loved to see more development of the brother outside his role as protector, but overall, this was a gripping, page-turning experience.

[Christine · Rating 5 out of 5]

I read this in two sittings! Every chapter ended with me needing to know what came next. The balance of action, dialogue, and political scheming kept me on the edge of my seat. A must-read for anyone who loves intrigue-filled drama.

[Wendy Moore · Rating 4 out of 5]

The characters were complex and believable, but some chapters dragged with slower political buildup. Once the uncle’s schemes came to light, though, the story picked up and delivered a thrilling finish.

[Jamespeter · Rating 5 out of 5]

What I loved most is that this isn’t just about swords and battles , it’s about minds at war. The crippled king, the loyal brother, and the ambitious uncle all play a dangerous chess game, and watching it unfold was masterful.

[Joshua · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book explores heavy themes: betrayal, weakness, and the burden of leadership. Yet there’s a thread of hope woven through it, especially in the brother’s determination. It’s dark, but not hopeless, which made it more rewarding than many grim fantasies.

[Jessica · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great book, but I had some difficulty reading some of the words.

I won this book in a giveaway.

[Victoria Wren · Rating 5 out of 5]

A masterpiece of atmosphere and emotion. This story proves that even in the harshest winter, the human spirit fights to endure.

[Simon Calloway · Rating 4 out of 5]

The ending left me speechless. Powerful, tragic, and fitting for the journey the Hedge King endured.

[Wilson, James · Rating 4 out of 5]

The story felt very grounded in a Celtic-inspired world. I liked the atmosphere and snowy battles, though some of the middle chapters dragged a little. Still a strong start to the saga.

[Anderson, David · Rating 3 out of 5]

Absolutely riveting. I couldn’t stop reading once the bandits showed up. Eowain’s transformation from reluctant brother to true leader was excellent.

[Thompson, Olivia · Rating 4 out of 5]

The best part for me was the tension between Eowain and his cousins. The author captured that sense of family betrayal so well. A few names were confusing at first, but I got used to it.

[Kim, Hannah · Rating 3 out of 5]

The battles were vivid, though I found the political negotiations more compelling than the action. It’s a smart fantasy.