What do you think?
The Crafter Chronicles
A Monk's Tale: A Novelette set in the world of The Crafter Chronicles
Cedric is a respected monk at the Ridderzaal monastery. But before he became a man of the cloth, he traveled the land, fighting trolls alongside dwarves and giants, living among the fearsome Krigares, and studying with elves, wizards and Shenn Frith shamans.
This novelette provides a back story for one of your favorite characters from The Crafter Chronicles. It is a great standalone read as an introduction to the world of Matthew B. Berg, or as a companion piece to his trilogy begun with The Crafter's Son. (There are no spoilers in here if you haven't yet begun the series!)
The story is about 12,000 words (roughly 1/8th the length of the first novel) and is framed around Cedric taking a nostalgic look back through his personal journals. Unlike the slower unfolding of The Crafter's Son--which serves as essentially "Act One" of a trilogy--this book gets right to the action!
Fans of David Eddings, Raymond Feist, Terry Brooks, and Robert Jordan can expect to love A Monk's Tale!
This novelette provides a back story for one of your favorite characters from The Crafter Chronicles. It is a great standalone read as an introduction to the world of Matthew B. Berg, or as a companion piece to his trilogy begun with The Crafter's Son. (There are no spoilers in here if you haven't yet begun the series!)
The story is about 12,000 words (roughly 1/8th the length of the first novel) and is framed around Cedric taking a nostalgic look back through his personal journals. Unlike the slower unfolding of The Crafter's Son--which serves as essentially "Act One" of a trilogy--this book gets right to the action!
Fans of David Eddings, Raymond Feist, Terry Brooks, and Robert Jordan can expect to love A Monk's Tale!
- GenresFantasy
90 pages, Kindle Edition
Published May 13, 2020
About the author
Matthew B. Berg
5 books29 followersMatthew B. Berg writes thoughtful stories, with rich and believable characters.
Berg tries to write the kind of stories he’d want to read himself. Tales that inspire and make the reader think. Stories that aren’t easy or predictable, and don’t shirk from darkness, grit and realism. But, in an effort to make his works accessible to a wide audience, he avoids presenting violence and sexuality in a graphic or sensationalized way.
Matthew grew up on the swashbuckling heroics of Errol Flynn and Burt Lancaster. And the creative characters and world-building of Brooks, Tolkien, Eddings, and Donaldson. He embraces the trappings of medieval/renaissance fantasy in his writing to remind you (and him) that what you are reading is an escape. Though he rejects any suggestion that wonder and adventure, romance and chivalry, lack a place in our modern world. Ultimately, he wants his readers to remember that while darkness and evil exist, there are still reasons to be hopeful. Like Breeden and his friends, humans in the real world can rise to meet the challenges of whatever we might face.
Berg tries to write the kind of stories he’d want to read himself. Tales that inspire and make the reader think. Stories that aren’t easy or predictable, and don’t shirk from darkness, grit and realism. But, in an effort to make his works accessible to a wide audience, he avoids presenting violence and sexuality in a graphic or sensationalized way.
Matthew grew up on the swashbuckling heroics of Errol Flynn and Burt Lancaster. And the creative characters and world-building of Brooks, Tolkien, Eddings, and Donaldson. He embraces the trappings of medieval/renaissance fantasy in his writing to remind you (and him) that what you are reading is an escape. Though he rejects any suggestion that wonder and adventure, romance and chivalry, lack a place in our modern world. Ultimately, he wants his readers to remember that while darkness and evil exist, there are still reasons to be hopeful. Like Breeden and his friends, humans in the real world can rise to meet the challenges of whatever we might face.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 18 of 18 reviews
April 24, 2020
I received this one if I am not wrong through a giveaway.
Definitely epic fantasy, a cross between Tolkien and Name of the wind.
A promising teaser. Maybe he will be a kick ass monk. He is already a rather weird and confusing character. I can only imagine that he will get more defined in the actual first book of the series.
I really enjoyed the opening scene with his trophies and everything. After that when we came to the introduction to the series and the world it was nice too, but kinda fast paced; but it is a novella so that doesn't mean much.
Definitely epic fantasy, a cross between Tolkien and Name of the wind.
A promising teaser. Maybe he will be a kick ass monk. He is already a rather weird and confusing character. I can only imagine that he will get more defined in the actual first book of the series.
I really enjoyed the opening scene with his trophies and everything. After that when we came to the introduction to the series and the world it was nice too, but kinda fast paced; but it is a novella so that doesn't mean much.
January 12, 2021
A short enjoyable read to introduce us to Cedric. We learn of his travels up to the point where he becomes a monk. This is obviously a way to introduce us to the land where he lives and the people who inhabit that land. There is magic, a love, gnomes, giants, elves, trolls and other interesting highlights of this journey.
Join in and welcome this trip.
Join in and welcome this trip.
February 6, 2025
I enjoyed this story! The pacing was good, I know it is a novelette set in the author’s Crafter Chronicle world, but you don’t feel like you were rushed through the story and Cedric’s tale was an entertaining one!
I am definitely adding Matthew Berg to my list of authors I need to continue to read!
I am definitely adding Matthew Berg to my list of authors I need to continue to read!
August 11, 2021
This was a great story. I like the way Cedric goes from the present to the past while he is reading his journals. To read each passage is interesting, and it kept my attention throughout. I really like Cedric's character, although we don't really see much of him as a knight, we get to know him as a person.
July 18, 2021
A collection from Cedric’s journals introduces the series. This was the first book I read in the Crafter Chronicle series. Cedric has lived quite an exciting life. Enjoyed this story and decided to try out the series. I am enjoying the series - A Monk's Tale, A Cat's Paw, The Crafter's Son and The Queen and A Soldier. Looking forward to the next book.
July 11, 2021
A good introduction to the series and to the authors writing. Well written short story featuring the backstory of Cedric a monk who will feature in the books to follow. An enjoyable gentle read. An author I am looking forward to reading more of. I received a complimentary copy from the author and am leaving a honest voluntary review.
March 10, 2020
Not even halfway through the first chapter I fell in love with Cedric as a character and before the second I was amazed at the author’s ability to seamlessly switch between POV’s using old diary entries as a very effective device to fully develop Cedric’s backstory.
Not since C.S Lewis and a place called Narnia has a story captured my imagination and suspended my disbelief. As I read I began to really believe that Cedric lived and kept journals. Even though we skipped entries for the flow of the tale, I truly believed that this particular journal “smaller than the others. More weathered and tatty,” really existed in our reality. By the end of the book I was glad that I had read it first. I wasn’t done with Cedric, or his adventures as a monk teaching a craftmen’s son, and I can’t wait to dive into book 1.
Not since C.S Lewis and a place called Narnia has a story captured my imagination and suspended my disbelief. As I read I began to really believe that Cedric lived and kept journals. Even though we skipped entries for the flow of the tale, I truly believed that this particular journal “smaller than the others. More weathered and tatty,” really existed in our reality. By the end of the book I was glad that I had read it first. I wasn’t done with Cedric, or his adventures as a monk teaching a craftmen’s son, and I can’t wait to dive into book 1.
August 14, 2021
Well written novella to introduce the series. I don’t usually give 5 stars for such short stories, but I really enjoyed this one. Cedric has been living the life of a monk and is reflecting on his past by reading his journals.
He is given the task of training some new recruits at the end and I look forward to the next book.
I liked this introduction to the series following. A first read by this author for me. But I will try to follow up on the rest of the books. I was given a copy by the author in return for an honest review.
He is given the task of training some new recruits at the end and I look forward to the next book.
I liked this introduction to the series following. A first read by this author for me. But I will try to follow up on the rest of the books. I was given a copy by the author in return for an honest review.
October 24, 2020
A quick read and a great story .
The main character is a monk and his name is Cedric .
This tells of his adventures of his life.
Battles ,magic you name it.
Told in a unique way and in good detail ,which will keep you reading more of this most enjoyable story.
The main character is a monk and his name is Cedric .
This tells of his adventures of his life.
Battles ,magic you name it.
Told in a unique way and in good detail ,which will keep you reading more of this most enjoyable story.
December 13, 2020
And this fantasy short combines magic, old religion, the gods, journey’s war and all that went before Cedric becoming a Monk. The tale is of his search for learning and ultimately his task of teaching others.
June 7, 2021
I like novelette . Especially if never read the Author . Give you taste what there like .
About Monk journey into a news land . Likeable enough character.
Plus did it job . Will try a full Novel in this series
3-1/2 stars out of 5
About Monk journey into a news land . Likeable enough character.
Plus did it job . Will try a full Novel in this series
3-1/2 stars out of 5
April 27, 2020
A good read. Enjoyed the novella quite a lot.
June 16, 2020
Provides some good backstory for The Crafter's Son.
November 6, 2020
Really enjoyed it and am looking forward to more.
February 15, 2021
Nice bridge
As I red, I kept thinking "This would be a great D&D story!" Ha! Wasn't disappointed to read that was an influence. Will recommend.
As I red, I kept thinking "This would be a great D&D story!" Ha! Wasn't disappointed to read that was an influence. Will recommend.
August 31, 2021
A great introduction of brother Cedric and what we have to look forward in The Crafters Chronicles, Cedric is a respected monk at the Ridderzaal monastery, but before he became a Monk he tells us of his tales in service to the King, fighting trolls with the help of dwarfs and giants, until he gets bitten and crippled is given leave by the King to pursue his study with the elves and gain the knowledge from the Gods, a nice pacing read, fantastic characters, I have found this short story quite enlighten and enjoyable, highly recommend..😁
October 6, 2021
A well written tale of what appears to be the beginning of a series of tales for this monk, even though in his later life, is turning from his past and leaving loved ones behind as he serves his king one last time to make way for his continued studies and teaching the next generations as he seeks to find and serve the one true God.
September 16, 2021
Decent
The main character was quickly developed and believably real. The author has talent which shows how well the main character talks to himself in such a natural way. The story serves as an introduction to further adventures along a new path and new life.
The main character was quickly developed and believably real. The author has talent which shows how well the main character talks to himself in such a natural way. The story serves as an introduction to further adventures along a new path and new life.
Displaying 1 - 18 of 18 reviews