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The Bernicia Chronicles #4
Killer of Kings
AD 636. Anglo-Saxon Britain.
Beobrand has land, men and riches. He should be content. And yet he cannot find peace until his enemies are food for the ravens. But before Beobrand can embark on his bloodfeud, King Oswald orders him southward, to escort holy men bearing sacred relics.
When Penda of Mercia marches a warhost into the southern kingdoms, Beobrand and his men are thrown into the midst of the conflict. Beobrand soon finds himself fighting for his life and his honour.
In the chaos that grips the south, dark secrets are exposed, bringing into question much that Beobrand had believed true. Can he unearth the answers and exact the vengeance he craves? Or will the blood-price prove too high, even for a warrior of his battle-fame and skill?
Beobrand has land, men and riches. He should be content. And yet he cannot find peace until his enemies are food for the ravens. But before Beobrand can embark on his bloodfeud, King Oswald orders him southward, to escort holy men bearing sacred relics.
When Penda of Mercia marches a warhost into the southern kingdoms, Beobrand and his men are thrown into the midst of the conflict. Beobrand soon finds himself fighting for his life and his honour.
In the chaos that grips the south, dark secrets are exposed, bringing into question much that Beobrand had believed true. Can he unearth the answers and exact the vengeance he craves? Or will the blood-price prove too high, even for a warrior of his battle-fame and skill?
Kindle Edition
First published June 1, 2017
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About the author
Matthew Harffy
35 books741 followersMatthew Harffy is the author of the action-packed series of historical novels, the Bernicia Chronicles.
Matthew’s 2020 novel, Wolf of Wessex, was his first departure from the seventh century. Taking place a couple of centuries later in the early years of the Viking Age, it tells the tale of ageing warrior, Dunston, as he tries to find a man’s vicious murderers, keep the victim’s orphaned daughter alive and uncover the dark secret that threatens to plunge the kingdom into war. The book was very well received, with The Times calling it “a treat of a book”.
His A Time for Swords series is set at the dawn of the Viking Age. It follows the adventures of monk-turned-warrior, Hunlaf, who witnesses the first attack on the monastery of Lindisfarne and feels compelled to pick up a blade and organise the defence against the Norse raiders.
Before becoming a full-time author, Matthew worked in the IT industry, where he spent most of his days 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.
Matthew’s 2020 novel, Wolf of Wessex, was his first departure from the seventh century. Taking place a couple of centuries later in the early years of the Viking Age, it tells the tale of ageing warrior, Dunston, as he tries to find a man’s vicious murderers, keep the victim’s orphaned daughter alive and uncover the dark secret that threatens to plunge the kingdom into war. The book was very well received, with The Times calling it “a treat of a book”.
His A Time for Swords series is set at the dawn of the Viking Age. It follows the adventures of monk-turned-warrior, Hunlaf, who witnesses the first attack on the monastery of Lindisfarne and feels compelled to pick up a blade and organise the defence against the Norse raiders.
Before becoming a full-time author, Matthew worked in the IT industry, where he spent most of his days 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.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 85 reviews
May 8, 2023
Been quite a while since I last followed Beobrand, and I was glad to be back! Matthew Harffy continues to expand on Beobrand as a character in fantastic ways, specifically in this as Beorband feels more comfortable as leader, and as such we see a very different dynamic with those around him.
Full Review to Come
Full Review to Come
May 14, 2021
This tremendous historical novel is the 4th volume of the fantastic "Bernicia Chronicles" series from the author, Matthew Harffy.
Story-telling is once more of a top-notch quality, all characters featuring in this great tale, whether they are real historical or wonderful fictional, come superbly to life, while the atmosphere and inhabitants of Albion in the Dark Ages are amazingly well pictured by the author.
Right inside the book you'll find two well-drawn maps, one of Albion in AD 636, and of Northumbria, divided in Bernicia and Deira, and its various neighbouring kingdoms.
At the beginning of the book you'll notice a list of Place Names that will play an important part in this wonderful historical adventure.
While at the back of the book you'll encounter a very well documented Historical Note, where the historical details are superbly explained by the author.
This book is mainly situated in the year AD 636, and we find our main protagonist, Beobrand, in various parts of Albion, first of all he's being sent south on a mission to escort two clerics, his friend Coenred and the elder Gothfraidh, to deliver two relics towards East Angeln as gifts to the former King and warrior, but now holy man and future Saint, Sigeberht, and the now King Ecgric, and while travelling there he will rescue a nun, Edmonda, and bring her safe and sound to East Angeln, and afterwards to Cantware.
What is to follow is a fabulous action-packed adventure in which at first Beobrand and his gesithas will participate in the Battle at the Great Dyke with King Ecgric and the reluctant Sigeberht against the hordes of the pagan King Penda of Mercia, secondly we will see Beobrand as a confident but also as an uncertain individual when encountering in his home-town of Hithe his old friend Alwyn and his family, a visit to his former lover Udela and her hostile husband Scrydan will turn violently against Scrydan and Beobrand has to leave that place in haste, while also the meeting with his father/uncle Selwyn will be bittersweet for Beobrand, while thirdly and finally he will get his blood-price by ending the blood-feud that existed between himself and his adversary of old, Wybert, as a revenge for the horrible violations Wybert did towards Beobrand's now dead wife, Sunniva.
Highly recommended to all lovers of Bernard Cornwell's Uhtred series, for this Beobrand is equally cunning, fearsome, loveable, courageous, insecure, superstitious and loyal to his Kings, Lords, his friends and gesithas, and all these human features will make this series just as formidable and enjoyable as the Uhtred series, and so to come back to this episode I like to call it: "An Amazing Slayer of Royals"!
Story-telling is once more of a top-notch quality, all characters featuring in this great tale, whether they are real historical or wonderful fictional, come superbly to life, while the atmosphere and inhabitants of Albion in the Dark Ages are amazingly well pictured by the author.
Right inside the book you'll find two well-drawn maps, one of Albion in AD 636, and of Northumbria, divided in Bernicia and Deira, and its various neighbouring kingdoms.
At the beginning of the book you'll notice a list of Place Names that will play an important part in this wonderful historical adventure.
While at the back of the book you'll encounter a very well documented Historical Note, where the historical details are superbly explained by the author.
This book is mainly situated in the year AD 636, and we find our main protagonist, Beobrand, in various parts of Albion, first of all he's being sent south on a mission to escort two clerics, his friend Coenred and the elder Gothfraidh, to deliver two relics towards East Angeln as gifts to the former King and warrior, but now holy man and future Saint, Sigeberht, and the now King Ecgric, and while travelling there he will rescue a nun, Edmonda, and bring her safe and sound to East Angeln, and afterwards to Cantware.
What is to follow is a fabulous action-packed adventure in which at first Beobrand and his gesithas will participate in the Battle at the Great Dyke with King Ecgric and the reluctant Sigeberht against the hordes of the pagan King Penda of Mercia, secondly we will see Beobrand as a confident but also as an uncertain individual when encountering in his home-town of Hithe his old friend Alwyn and his family, a visit to his former lover Udela and her hostile husband Scrydan will turn violently against Scrydan and Beobrand has to leave that place in haste, while also the meeting with his father/uncle Selwyn will be bittersweet for Beobrand, while thirdly and finally he will get his blood-price by ending the blood-feud that existed between himself and his adversary of old, Wybert, as a revenge for the horrible violations Wybert did towards Beobrand's now dead wife, Sunniva.
Highly recommended to all lovers of Bernard Cornwell's Uhtred series, for this Beobrand is equally cunning, fearsome, loveable, courageous, insecure, superstitious and loyal to his Kings, Lords, his friends and gesithas, and all these human features will make this series just as formidable and enjoyable as the Uhtred series, and so to come back to this episode I like to call it: "An Amazing Slayer of Royals"!
June 1, 2017
Book four, I have been following Beobrand’s trail of vengeance now for two years. It is a trail filled with death, destruction and devastation. I have witnessed Beobrand grow from a young “green” warrior into a leader of men.
What I really like about Harffy’s writing is the fact that he keeps it real. Many authors want to romanticize history, flower it up and create an unrealistic image. Harffy is writing about a dark time in history, his characters are not only gritty, they are dirty; they live a hard life, they have bigger concerns than getting a little dirt under their fingernails. Harffy has presented life as it was, not as we would like to think it was.
The presentation of attitudes and actions are equally as accurate. Harffy goes places that some authors are loath to go. History is filled with actions and attitudes that we deem unacceptable by today’s standards, but these things happened, sometimes the only difference between the good guy and the bad guy was simply who was able to present their side of the story. Kudos to Harffy for going to those dark places in our past.
Beobrand is a perfect character to use in the presentation of this time and place. Harffy can use him to illustrate the real life from this period. We only know the stories of kings and bishops; Beobrand was your “Joe Average”, well, perhaps a bit above average in his skills, and as my Roman authors would say, “Fortuna smiled on him” – a lot. How may Beobrands were there during this period? Good men, who made a difference, that time forgot. Harffy can tell us the story he wants and no one can say it didn’t happen like that, as long as he keeps the big picture accurate.
The fact that I am still following the story says something about Harffy’s skill as a storyteller and author. I have been captivated by the story and want to see it through to the end.
What I really like about Harffy’s writing is the fact that he keeps it real. Many authors want to romanticize history, flower it up and create an unrealistic image. Harffy is writing about a dark time in history, his characters are not only gritty, they are dirty; they live a hard life, they have bigger concerns than getting a little dirt under their fingernails. Harffy has presented life as it was, not as we would like to think it was.
The presentation of attitudes and actions are equally as accurate. Harffy goes places that some authors are loath to go. History is filled with actions and attitudes that we deem unacceptable by today’s standards, but these things happened, sometimes the only difference between the good guy and the bad guy was simply who was able to present their side of the story. Kudos to Harffy for going to those dark places in our past.
Beobrand is a perfect character to use in the presentation of this time and place. Harffy can use him to illustrate the real life from this period. We only know the stories of kings and bishops; Beobrand was your “Joe Average”, well, perhaps a bit above average in his skills, and as my Roman authors would say, “Fortuna smiled on him” – a lot. How may Beobrands were there during this period? Good men, who made a difference, that time forgot. Harffy can tell us the story he wants and no one can say it didn’t happen like that, as long as he keeps the big picture accurate.
The fact that I am still following the story says something about Harffy’s skill as a storyteller and author. I have been captivated by the story and want to see it through to the end.
June 8, 2017
Beobrand, mighty warrior, lord of his own hall, leader of his own war band but still tormented by events in the past. Sent by King Oswald on a seemingly innocent mission finds himself embroiled in war and conflict. He also finds that the main tormentor, the man he has pledged to kill, is among the foes arrayed against him. In this latest installment of The Bernicia Chronicles, the author has taken this rash, headstrong, Dark Age warrior, and as he has done throughout this series has turned up the angst, turned up the rash/reckless responses, and turned up the brooding melancholy. A short quote, "It seemed it was his wyrd to become that which he most despised."
The author also exhibits his same flair for bringing the reader into the scene he is describing, whether it is Reaghan placating/pleading her goddess or Beobrand in the midst of sword-song. Killer of Kings is a multi-layered, page turner; an excellent addition to what has become one of my favorite series. 4.6 stars
The author also exhibits his same flair for bringing the reader into the scene he is describing, whether it is Reaghan placating/pleading her goddess or Beobrand in the midst of sword-song. Killer of Kings is a multi-layered, page turner; an excellent addition to what has become one of my favorite series. 4.6 stars
May 21, 2018
Mr. Harffy has another hit. In this fourth installment of The Bernicia Chronicles, Beobrand finds himself and his men involved in a war against the ruthless Penda of Mercia. He had not planned to fight in this battle but got caught up in events and politics beyond his control while accompanying a group of holy men to a monastery. Meanwhile, he must leave his land and family in the care of trusted friends knowing there is always a chance that enemies could sweep in from other kingdoms and wreak havoc.
Matthew Harffy knows how to write Medieval battle scenes. The violence and gore fairly leap off the pages. Some of the descriptions were, quite honestly, hard to read, but as I have said before, this is how things were during this period. It was not often pretty.
I am thoroughly enjoying this series. I am starting Book V and there will be a Book VI next year. Way too long to wait, IMO, but that's how it is. This is historical fiction at its finest.
Matthew Harffy knows how to write Medieval battle scenes. The violence and gore fairly leap off the pages. Some of the descriptions were, quite honestly, hard to read, but as I have said before, this is how things were during this period. It was not often pretty.
I am thoroughly enjoying this series. I am starting Book V and there will be a Book VI next year. Way too long to wait, IMO, but that's how it is. This is historical fiction at its finest.
March 16, 2023
another great adventure
It was easy to immerse myself straight into this third story about Beobrand. I’m still wondering who the men in the prologue were though.
But anyway, where is Beobrand when we meet him? He’s in trouble again albeit not of his making. He’s on a mission to deliver monks and gifts to King Sigeberht, but ends up involved in a battle of which he shouldn’t be a part. While he’s so far, Rowena is becoming more and more upset with Reaghan. Bad things are brewing back in the homestead. These characters are so real. I feel like I really know them.
So there was excellent storytelling of these two different situations. I was always excited to get back to the story to see what would happen next to our beloved characters. So many questions I had. Will Beo ever get revenge against Wybert? Is Reaghan safe without Beo around? Will more close friends lose their lives in these battles? Is Nelda still interfering in Beo’s life and will she get her revenge?
These are answered and I can’t imagine what’s next!
It was easy to immerse myself straight into this third story about Beobrand. I’m still wondering who the men in the prologue were though.
But anyway, where is Beobrand when we meet him? He’s in trouble again albeit not of his making. He’s on a mission to deliver monks and gifts to King Sigeberht, but ends up involved in a battle of which he shouldn’t be a part. While he’s so far, Rowena is becoming more and more upset with Reaghan. Bad things are brewing back in the homestead. These characters are so real. I feel like I really know them.
So there was excellent storytelling of these two different situations. I was always excited to get back to the story to see what would happen next to our beloved characters. So many questions I had. Will Beo ever get revenge against Wybert? Is Reaghan safe without Beo around? Will more close friends lose their lives in these battles? Is Nelda still interfering in Beo’s life and will she get her revenge?
These are answered and I can’t imagine what’s next!
June 8, 2017
By the time an author has put out a series of books that I have fallen in love with, totally buying into it as a reader, I have every expectation that the next book in the series will not disappoint. It would take a lot for me not to love something that continues a saga already having a life of its own within the halls of my imagination. While I can think of one or two series that have declined over its too-long-lived life, the Bernicia Chronicles is certainly not one of these series!
Killer of Kings is book four in Matthew Harffy's Bernicia Chronicles, and this newest addition is every bit as enjoyable as the first three. Because I've enjoyed the series as a whole, it is very difficult for me to separate this book out as an "individual" apart from the rest; rather I see it as one more step in the progression of Beobrand's longer journey.
Only just recently home from another adventure, Beobrand is sent south again on yet another errand for his king. Along the way certain happenings prick his moral code, forcing him into action, and entrapping him in a maelstrom of swirling political currents not of his making. He becomes a victim of manipulation, used by those who know his value as a warrior.
His strength of character is tested, and in this he gains some new ground. New alliances are made, troubles seem to be sorted, and Beobrand thinks he will soon be able to head home to sort out his lingering personal issues. Things seem to be going Beobrand's way. And then disaster strikes.
This section of the book climaxes with a bloody and brutal battle, probably the bloodiest Harffy has penned yet. The results of this battle set up the next part of the book, sending Beobrand careening off down a dark path where the reader is left to question whether or not he can salvage the pieces and get back to normal life.
Devastated by what he thinks is the decimation of his band of most loyal gesithas, Beobrand hits bottom, once again questioning his worthiness and abilities as a leader of men. This is a familiar trap for him, and his bleak reverie is certainly understandable considering what he just went through. In his era, integrity was solidly tied to one's ability to provide and protect. In this way, Beobrand thinks himself a failure because he his men to be lost. A victim of PTSD? Perhaps.
Woven throughout Beobrand's story is the continuing struggle of Beobrand's love interest, Reaghan, to be accepted into the circle of family, friendship, and community that is Ubbanford, Beobrand's home. A former Pictish slave rescued by Beobrand, Reaghan finds herself in uncharted territory as lady of the manor in a very unofficial way. This role has won her few friends and an enemy who plots with one of Beobrand's oldest enemies to find resolution, one way or the other. Meanwhile Beobrand finds a resolution of his own regarding one of the longest running plot mysteries since series' onset. The revelation is sudden yet highly rewarding.
While some readers might find the slowed pace of the second half of the book in terms of the sheer action to be disappointing, I find it the most rewarding, for it's in this second half that many threads are woven together, creating a satisfying picture of the events leading up to the place Beobrand was at the beginning of the series. Perhaps this one word -- satisfaction -- is the best way to describe how I felt about this book as a whole.
The heart of The Bernicia Chronicles as far as I'm concerned, is the development of Beobrand's character. It is this aspect more than any other which draws me back time and time again. Harffy does an excellent job in Killer of Kings growing and evolving Beobrand, making him progress in some areas while he continuously falters in others.
I honestly struggled to find anything new for which to praise this fantastic author. Matthew Harffy has created a conceivable and authentic world firmly set in the distant past, and so far his track record is unblemished. Beobrand and his faithful confrere of gesithas have solidly established themselves as a force to be reckoned with, deserving to be counted amongst the best that historical fiction has to offer.
Killer of Kings is book four in Matthew Harffy's Bernicia Chronicles, and this newest addition is every bit as enjoyable as the first three. Because I've enjoyed the series as a whole, it is very difficult for me to separate this book out as an "individual" apart from the rest; rather I see it as one more step in the progression of Beobrand's longer journey.
Only just recently home from another adventure, Beobrand is sent south again on yet another errand for his king. Along the way certain happenings prick his moral code, forcing him into action, and entrapping him in a maelstrom of swirling political currents not of his making. He becomes a victim of manipulation, used by those who know his value as a warrior.
His strength of character is tested, and in this he gains some new ground. New alliances are made, troubles seem to be sorted, and Beobrand thinks he will soon be able to head home to sort out his lingering personal issues. Things seem to be going Beobrand's way. And then disaster strikes.
This section of the book climaxes with a bloody and brutal battle, probably the bloodiest Harffy has penned yet. The results of this battle set up the next part of the book, sending Beobrand careening off down a dark path where the reader is left to question whether or not he can salvage the pieces and get back to normal life.
Devastated by what he thinks is the decimation of his band of most loyal gesithas, Beobrand hits bottom, once again questioning his worthiness and abilities as a leader of men. This is a familiar trap for him, and his bleak reverie is certainly understandable considering what he just went through. In his era, integrity was solidly tied to one's ability to provide and protect. In this way, Beobrand thinks himself a failure because he his men to be lost. A victim of PTSD? Perhaps.
Woven throughout Beobrand's story is the continuing struggle of Beobrand's love interest, Reaghan, to be accepted into the circle of family, friendship, and community that is Ubbanford, Beobrand's home. A former Pictish slave rescued by Beobrand, Reaghan finds herself in uncharted territory as lady of the manor in a very unofficial way. This role has won her few friends and an enemy who plots with one of Beobrand's oldest enemies to find resolution, one way or the other. Meanwhile Beobrand finds a resolution of his own regarding one of the longest running plot mysteries since series' onset. The revelation is sudden yet highly rewarding.
While some readers might find the slowed pace of the second half of the book in terms of the sheer action to be disappointing, I find it the most rewarding, for it's in this second half that many threads are woven together, creating a satisfying picture of the events leading up to the place Beobrand was at the beginning of the series. Perhaps this one word -- satisfaction -- is the best way to describe how I felt about this book as a whole.
The heart of The Bernicia Chronicles as far as I'm concerned, is the development of Beobrand's character. It is this aspect more than any other which draws me back time and time again. Harffy does an excellent job in Killer of Kings growing and evolving Beobrand, making him progress in some areas while he continuously falters in others.
I honestly struggled to find anything new for which to praise this fantastic author. Matthew Harffy has created a conceivable and authentic world firmly set in the distant past, and so far his track record is unblemished. Beobrand and his faithful confrere of gesithas have solidly established themselves as a force to be reckoned with, deserving to be counted amongst the best that historical fiction has to offer.
September 13, 2017
My book review: So Beobrand and his war band are off on another quest and find themselves in serious shit again. Unfortunately, I was unable to five star this book because of the Author's lack of writing skills in regards to timing. Often, the most suspenseful and action packed scenes were continuously, (and annoyingly), timed to occur around 2:00 in the morning or so making it very difficult to stay awake. Beobrand is on the cusp of learning some major information about himself and the next thing I know, my wife is kicking me out of bed telling me it's time to go adulting, (with merely a pot of coffee and thirty minutes of mental preparation. You can begin understand my aggravation with this book, I'm sure). So, in summary, some folks died that you didn't want to die. Some folks died that you wanted to die. Major plot lines running through the series were neatly tied up leaving me eagerly anticipating the fifth installment so I can discover what it is I am so eagerly anticipating. The end.
March 28, 2023
Another 10/10 in the Bernicia Chronicles.
There is always so much emotion and heart between the lines for the characters and the history. I absolutely adore Beo and all his men and with each book you feel like coming home to friends and the comfort of good people and great bloody battles. I love the series so much - and dare I say it - its better than the Saxon Tales but psst don't tell Uhtred.
There is always so much emotion and heart between the lines for the characters and the history. I absolutely adore Beo and all his men and with each book you feel like coming home to friends and the comfort of good people and great bloody battles. I love the series so much - and dare I say it - its better than the Saxon Tales but psst don't tell Uhtred.
June 8, 2017
I received the copy on Netgalley (but it took a bit to read it)
Perhaps peace was this hollow emptiness he felt, but he did not believe so. His nights were yet filled with dreams of blood and death, leaving him sweat-drenched and shaking.
I have read Killer of Kings in one day, just as Harffy's other books in the series because I just cannot put them down until I'm done.
Starting the book with a murder of two ex-heirs (and maybe still legal heirs) is a bit risky. It raised my expectations, and yet I was not disappointed in the book. It is another great book with the adventures of Beobrand, and also of those of his men whom he left behind to guard his hall and his people.
In this book, Beobrand pursues the man who defiled his wife, Wybert, and yet the man keeps getting away. Beobrand is full of revenge, but he keeps having to put it aside, to do bidding for his king. The king who sends him to the south to safeguard the relics and two monks, one of them being Beobrand's friend Coenred. Yet, what Beobrand does not realise until the scroll is read, is that safeguarding the relics and the monks was not exactly why the king sent him and his war band to East Anglia. His best friend is in Wessex and Beobrand misses him, but at the end this is what saves his life.
Beobrand is also tortured by not being successful in avenging Sunniva, as Wybert keeps escaping him (and changing his lords), and still by the thoughts whether he is a good man or not. When he visits home, he gets to know an important part of his past, namely who his uncle really is.
Another thing that haunts him are the faces of all that died, either for or against him. Harffy describes these nightmares realistically. However, the nightmares do not prevent Beobrand from fighting. As the men praise him for his deeds that are sung by scops, Beobrand remains humble and even describe the real feelings before and during the battle, that it is not as glorious as the stories say afterwards.
I found the battles really interesting and well-describes, as well as realistic (though I do not know much about medieval warfare). They made me even more interested, as I love to read about a good battle. And Beobrand is not always uninjured, he is like all men, he gets injured, even though sometimes he has an enormous amount of luck. He is bothered by his actions, as mentioned before, but then again this does not prevent him from fighting more battles. He is a good lord, worried for his men, and devastated when he thinks that he's the only survivor of the battle.
It is another amazing book in the series and I cannot wait for the next one.
Perhaps peace was this hollow emptiness he felt, but he did not believe so. His nights were yet filled with dreams of blood and death, leaving him sweat-drenched and shaking.
I have read Killer of Kings in one day, just as Harffy's other books in the series because I just cannot put them down until I'm done.
Starting the book with a murder of two ex-heirs (and maybe still legal heirs) is a bit risky. It raised my expectations, and yet I was not disappointed in the book. It is another great book with the adventures of Beobrand, and also of those of his men whom he left behind to guard his hall and his people.
In this book, Beobrand pursues the man who defiled his wife, Wybert, and yet the man keeps getting away. Beobrand is full of revenge, but he keeps having to put it aside, to do bidding for his king. The king who sends him to the south to safeguard the relics and two monks, one of them being Beobrand's friend Coenred. Yet, what Beobrand does not realise until the scroll is read, is that safeguarding the relics and the monks was not exactly why the king sent him and his war band to East Anglia. His best friend is in Wessex and Beobrand misses him, but at the end this is what saves his life.
Beobrand is also tortured by not being successful in avenging Sunniva, as Wybert keeps escaping him (and changing his lords), and still by the thoughts whether he is a good man or not. When he visits home, he gets to know an important part of his past, namely who his uncle really is.
Another thing that haunts him are the faces of all that died, either for or against him. Harffy describes these nightmares realistically. However, the nightmares do not prevent Beobrand from fighting. As the men praise him for his deeds that are sung by scops, Beobrand remains humble and even describe the real feelings before and during the battle, that it is not as glorious as the stories say afterwards.
I found the battles really interesting and well-describes, as well as realistic (though I do not know much about medieval warfare). They made me even more interested, as I love to read about a good battle. And Beobrand is not always uninjured, he is like all men, he gets injured, even though sometimes he has an enormous amount of luck. He is bothered by his actions, as mentioned before, but then again this does not prevent him from fighting more battles. He is a good lord, worried for his men, and devastated when he thinks that he's the only survivor of the battle.
It is another amazing book in the series and I cannot wait for the next one.
August 27, 2017
It really shouldn't come as a great surprise to me these days, but it still does.
What?!
Well, that Matthew Harffy's books and stories get better with each new edition. Better story, better character development, better writing, better in every single way you want a Historical Fiction book to be better. Maybe it's because I was fortunate enough to be in at the start, with Matthew sending me a copy of his first (self-published?) book The Serpent Sword, back in the day. There, the potential and promise was clear to me, now, with Killer of Kings and the Kin of Cain novella, Matthew is really writing his way into the very highest levels of his genre.
Too over the top?
Not a bit of it, just get hold of this superb book and judge for yourself. Am I'm right, or am I right? You'll know it.
Mathew is in the midst of creating magic here, with his tales of Beobrand's trials and tribulations. I understand, I think, more about the character now, maybe more about what Matthew is trying to do with him. He's more mature, deeper and more responsible in his attitude and actions. All of which, is mirrored in the story and the writing. Like the writing, the tale is spreading out, we are also learning more about how the rest of the country was at that time, the ebbing and flowing and shifting of loyalties. But the whole is underpinned by the character of Beobrand, his growing realisation of what he actually wants in life, what has to be done, and especially, who has to be killed to achieve that.
It doesn't mean that Matthew has reached the top (and had to stop) and there isn't room for improvement. There are still a couple of rough edges to smooth, some raised eyebrows to remove. But what has struck me most about this book, is the sheer joyous quality of the writing. Yes, there are battles, yes there is blood, lots of it, and revenge and blood. But... a lot of Historical Fiction authors, and potential Historical Fiction authors, do seem to think that all we (real) Historical Fiction lovers are after, is blood. Lots of it. As if, if there isn't a huge opening battle, several battles in between and a huge battle at the end, we're not going to rate it. Clearly, the bodice-ripping, Jackie Collins set 300-years ago nonsense that (Cornwell aside), dominates the official Historical Fiction charts, has no place in any genre of Historical Fiction. That goes without saying. But, authors seem to think we need to see blood-soaked, blood-spattered, blood-this, blood-that and blood-the-other, in their promotion of their books, or we're not going to buy it. Matthew does have perhaps one to many mentions of battle lust, battle-fury, sword-song, (!), even slaughter-sweat (!!) and harvest of man-flesh (groan!). But! That really doesn't matter. He has become self-aware! And not just because I extract the Michael out of all that sort of stuff: "Why do all tales speak of feeding the ravens and soaking the land in slaughter sweat?" As one character puts it. A good question. Really. However, it's the atmosphere, the melancholy, the uncertainty, the doubt, the sheer what the fuck is going on?!, he conjures of the period, that is what is making his books absolutely essential reading for true Historical Fiction fans nowadays. I am sat here reading it, while the story, and it's like smoke wreathing its way around me, working its way up to my head and transporting me back, to the sights, the sounds, the smell and the (to a 20th century boy) different world that was 7th century Britain. That thought is pointing to something else I think Matthew would have great success in weaving into his books. How did the people at the time, feel about their past? Their own past where they came from, given they're Anglo Saxons, and the history of the land to which they are now come, and are fighting to defend. Beobrand has his issues with the Picts, they're still there. But what about the Romans? They use Roman roads, albeit fallen into disrepair, presumably also their buildings, and the Wall, of course, but how did they feel about them? OK, there's probably not an awful lot of source material from the period to work on, but something past the walls and roads built by giants routine, would work its way in just nicely I think. I hope so.
So, final pedantry: If it's intentional, it's (another) stroke of genius. He sometimes, appropriately enough given the Anglo-Saxons' origins, uses Danish sentence word-order, "How came you to that place?" In Danish, if a sentence starts with anything but the subject - time, place, etc -, the word order is different to English, with the verb coming before the subject. "Hvordan kom du til stedet?" Word for word. And, a term we use all the time in Denmark, to mean a very, very short period of time, a moment, some 1,300-odd years after his books are set, 'et øjeblik.' An eye-blink, as used by Beobrand in chapter 32...There ya go!
Thank you, thank you and thank you again to Matthew Harffy for letting me be even a small part of his journey. And it's not over yet. There is clearly much, much more to come from our brightest emerging Historical Fiction talents.
*A tip: Read it while playing The Last of The Mohicans soundtrack - does wonders!
The only book blog worth reading: Speesh Reads
What?!
Well, that Matthew Harffy's books and stories get better with each new edition. Better story, better character development, better writing, better in every single way you want a Historical Fiction book to be better. Maybe it's because I was fortunate enough to be in at the start, with Matthew sending me a copy of his first (self-published?) book The Serpent Sword, back in the day. There, the potential and promise was clear to me, now, with Killer of Kings and the Kin of Cain novella, Matthew is really writing his way into the very highest levels of his genre.
Too over the top?
Not a bit of it, just get hold of this superb book and judge for yourself. Am I'm right, or am I right? You'll know it.
Mathew is in the midst of creating magic here, with his tales of Beobrand's trials and tribulations. I understand, I think, more about the character now, maybe more about what Matthew is trying to do with him. He's more mature, deeper and more responsible in his attitude and actions. All of which, is mirrored in the story and the writing. Like the writing, the tale is spreading out, we are also learning more about how the rest of the country was at that time, the ebbing and flowing and shifting of loyalties. But the whole is underpinned by the character of Beobrand, his growing realisation of what he actually wants in life, what has to be done, and especially, who has to be killed to achieve that.
It doesn't mean that Matthew has reached the top (and had to stop) and there isn't room for improvement. There are still a couple of rough edges to smooth, some raised eyebrows to remove. But what has struck me most about this book, is the sheer joyous quality of the writing. Yes, there are battles, yes there is blood, lots of it, and revenge and blood. But... a lot of Historical Fiction authors, and potential Historical Fiction authors, do seem to think that all we (real) Historical Fiction lovers are after, is blood. Lots of it. As if, if there isn't a huge opening battle, several battles in between and a huge battle at the end, we're not going to rate it. Clearly, the bodice-ripping, Jackie Collins set 300-years ago nonsense that (Cornwell aside), dominates the official Historical Fiction charts, has no place in any genre of Historical Fiction. That goes without saying. But, authors seem to think we need to see blood-soaked, blood-spattered, blood-this, blood-that and blood-the-other, in their promotion of their books, or we're not going to buy it. Matthew does have perhaps one to many mentions of battle lust, battle-fury, sword-song, (!), even slaughter-sweat (!!) and harvest of man-flesh (groan!). But! That really doesn't matter. He has become self-aware! And not just because I extract the Michael out of all that sort of stuff: "Why do all tales speak of feeding the ravens and soaking the land in slaughter sweat?" As one character puts it. A good question. Really. However, it's the atmosphere, the melancholy, the uncertainty, the doubt, the sheer what the fuck is going on?!, he conjures of the period, that is what is making his books absolutely essential reading for true Historical Fiction fans nowadays. I am sat here reading it, while the story, and it's like smoke wreathing its way around me, working its way up to my head and transporting me back, to the sights, the sounds, the smell and the (to a 20th century boy) different world that was 7th century Britain. That thought is pointing to something else I think Matthew would have great success in weaving into his books. How did the people at the time, feel about their past? Their own past where they came from, given they're Anglo Saxons, and the history of the land to which they are now come, and are fighting to defend. Beobrand has his issues with the Picts, they're still there. But what about the Romans? They use Roman roads, albeit fallen into disrepair, presumably also their buildings, and the Wall, of course, but how did they feel about them? OK, there's probably not an awful lot of source material from the period to work on, but something past the walls and roads built by giants routine, would work its way in just nicely I think. I hope so.
So, final pedantry: If it's intentional, it's (another) stroke of genius. He sometimes, appropriately enough given the Anglo-Saxons' origins, uses Danish sentence word-order, "How came you to that place?" In Danish, if a sentence starts with anything but the subject - time, place, etc -, the word order is different to English, with the verb coming before the subject. "Hvordan kom du til stedet?" Word for word. And, a term we use all the time in Denmark, to mean a very, very short period of time, a moment, some 1,300-odd years after his books are set, 'et øjeblik.' An eye-blink, as used by Beobrand in chapter 32...There ya go!
Thank you, thank you and thank you again to Matthew Harffy for letting me be even a small part of his journey. And it's not over yet. There is clearly much, much more to come from our brightest emerging Historical Fiction talents.
*A tip: Read it while playing The Last of The Mohicans soundtrack - does wonders!
The only book blog worth reading: Speesh Reads
June 1, 2017
I received a free EArc from Netgalley.
Killer of Kings is the fourth full-length novel in The Bernicia Chronicles, but only the third that I've read, although I've also read the short-story that accompanies the series which I actually enjoyed more than the full-length novels because it was about Beobrand's brother, who seems to be a wee bit cheerier than poor grumpy Beobrand.
Killer of Kings starts very strongly - the short prologue is excellent and I thought, because of what happens in it, that it was the beginning of something quite monumental. Sadly that's not the case and instead, the first 50% of the novel is taken up with almost only one battle. Personally, I found it to be a very long build up to the battle, and then dismissed far too quickly.
The remainder of the story is very much a trip down memory lane for Beobrand, and this bit of the novel I really quite enjoyed before Beobrand goes off to settle an old blood feud.
I found the novel to be moderately entertaining but would have appreciated more sophistication in the plot line. As I said, 50% of the novel is concerned with only one battle, and so what comes after feels at times rushed and also a little bit too easy for old Beobrand to accomplish what he wants. He quickly takes up with moaning and grumbling about his injuries (as he did throughout book 3) but he is almost a happier Beobrand than throughout the previous book.
Overall, he is too easily swayed from his own wishes by weak attempts to incite him to honour which fall a little flat. The ongoing Christianity/Pagan Gods thing is, I know, a staple of the time period, but as with the Bernard Cornwell books, I feel it could be handled in a far more sophisticated manner, if not, entirely forgotten about for much of the book. Penda the Pagan was, as the author admits, no persecutor of Christians and as such, it's difficult to make the East Anglian battle about religion - it was about ambition and strength, and we are told little about what happens as a consequence of the battle in terms of who is, or isn't king, and what impact this might have had on Penda and Oswald..
The side-story - taking place at home and in his absence - is used to string the novel along - a battle scene followed by what's happening in his absence - and while I know this is a literary convention employed by many to great affect. I found the back story to be a distraction from Beobrand's tale, and also, a little too predictable, even as it mingles with Beobrand's journey to his childhood home.
Overall I think the novel is a firm three star, bordering on a four, and therefore I've given it a four. The author has a strong view of the Albion inhabited by Beobrand and his comrades and this is a strength of the novel.
Killer of Kings is the fourth full-length novel in The Bernicia Chronicles, but only the third that I've read, although I've also read the short-story that accompanies the series which I actually enjoyed more than the full-length novels because it was about Beobrand's brother, who seems to be a wee bit cheerier than poor grumpy Beobrand.
Killer of Kings starts very strongly - the short prologue is excellent and I thought, because of what happens in it, that it was the beginning of something quite monumental. Sadly that's not the case and instead, the first 50% of the novel is taken up with almost only one battle. Personally, I found it to be a very long build up to the battle, and then dismissed far too quickly.
The remainder of the story is very much a trip down memory lane for Beobrand, and this bit of the novel I really quite enjoyed before Beobrand goes off to settle an old blood feud.
I found the novel to be moderately entertaining but would have appreciated more sophistication in the plot line. As I said, 50% of the novel is concerned with only one battle, and so what comes after feels at times rushed and also a little bit too easy for old Beobrand to accomplish what he wants. He quickly takes up with moaning and grumbling about his injuries (as he did throughout book 3) but he is almost a happier Beobrand than throughout the previous book.
Overall, he is too easily swayed from his own wishes by weak attempts to incite him to honour which fall a little flat. The ongoing Christianity/Pagan Gods thing is, I know, a staple of the time period, but as with the Bernard Cornwell books, I feel it could be handled in a far more sophisticated manner, if not, entirely forgotten about for much of the book. Penda the Pagan was, as the author admits, no persecutor of Christians and as such, it's difficult to make the East Anglian battle about religion - it was about ambition and strength, and we are told little about what happens as a consequence of the battle in terms of who is, or isn't king, and what impact this might have had on Penda and Oswald..
The side-story - taking place at home and in his absence - is used to string the novel along - a battle scene followed by what's happening in his absence - and while I know this is a literary convention employed by many to great affect. I found the back story to be a distraction from Beobrand's tale, and also, a little too predictable, even as it mingles with Beobrand's journey to his childhood home.
Overall I think the novel is a firm three star, bordering on a four, and therefore I've given it a four. The author has a strong view of the Albion inhabited by Beobrand and his comrades and this is a strength of the novel.
October 25, 2019
Comparable (in quality) to Cornwell, Cameron, Donald, Low, etc.....
Highly recommended!
Highly recommended!
June 6, 2017
Beo’s back and this one is just as brutal as it’s predecessors. Beobrand is older but still as sharp and hot-headed as always.
Old enemies show their faces again but this time Beobrand might actually be able to rid himself of them..that ever present shadow looming over him.
War is coming and while on a mission for Oswald Beo is sucked in and the bloodlust takes holds..it’s time for a blood feud to be settled.
We get a great mix of action and suspense as the focus switches from Brobrand to Reaghan back home struggling to figure out her place in Beobrand’s absence. She's resented by others because of her past but she's powerless to change it.. While the action is non-stop this switch of focus really gave it a suspenseful build up.
Chapter 15 was my favourite chapter of the story, real white knuckle moment. Scary and exciting at the same time.
Harffy once again holds no favouritism with his characters..not all Beo’s gesithas will make it home… but neither will Beobrand’s enemies.
The character I most enjoyed was Wynhelm. I didn’t like him at first but as he developed throughout the tale I warmed to him like I felt Beo did to. Although he may rub Beo up the wrong way he’s loyal and is faultless in his logic.
The one difference I felt this book had over the rest in the series is that Beobrand gets some closure, so it does leave me wondering what could possibly happen next.
Harffy is one of my top authors who never disappoints.
Killer of Kings is a strong book that solidifies this series as being one of the best to be published in recent years.
My verdict - 5* all the way!
Old enemies show their faces again but this time Beobrand might actually be able to rid himself of them..that ever present shadow looming over him.
War is coming and while on a mission for Oswald Beo is sucked in and the bloodlust takes holds..it’s time for a blood feud to be settled.
We get a great mix of action and suspense as the focus switches from Brobrand to Reaghan back home struggling to figure out her place in Beobrand’s absence. She's resented by others because of her past but she's powerless to change it.. While the action is non-stop this switch of focus really gave it a suspenseful build up.
Chapter 15 was my favourite chapter of the story, real white knuckle moment. Scary and exciting at the same time.
Harffy once again holds no favouritism with his characters..not all Beo’s gesithas will make it home… but neither will Beobrand’s enemies.
The character I most enjoyed was Wynhelm. I didn’t like him at first but as he developed throughout the tale I warmed to him like I felt Beo did to. Although he may rub Beo up the wrong way he’s loyal and is faultless in his logic.
The one difference I felt this book had over the rest in the series is that Beobrand gets some closure, so it does leave me wondering what could possibly happen next.
Harffy is one of my top authors who never disappoints.
Killer of Kings is a strong book that solidifies this series as being one of the best to be published in recent years.
My verdict - 5* all the way!
October 30, 2017
I enjoyed it; more action and adventure for Beobrand. We see the resolution of certain plot lines with new ones coming up. It looks like there are plans to turn this into a long series of books. My biggest criticism is that the main character's ongoing self hatred is getting a little tiring. Perhaps some character evolution leading to more self acceptance, or at least new dimensions to his old turmoil would encourage me to keep reading the series in the long term. Still I'm still likely to want to read next book at some point, hopefully that craving will wait sometime until after it is released.
September 19, 2018
Great book.
I’m so glad I read Serpent Sword. That book started me on the story of Beobrand and his story has gotten continually better with each book. This book was wonderful. Onto the next!
I’m so glad I read Serpent Sword. That book started me on the story of Beobrand and his story has gotten continually better with each book. This book was wonderful. Onto the next!
October 8, 2023
My experience probably would have been better if I hadn’t listened to it on audio. The narration chosen for this book is pretty bad.
June 6, 2017
He does not think of himself as a hero, yet in the ale houses they sing of his battles and activities from his first skirmishes up until his present actions in recent battles.
Harffy writes him well, develops his character as he grows into the hardened warrior he has become. Kings, Eorls and Lords know his name and his fame. Although torn and tormented within he is a champion amongst men.
As with the previous novels Beobrand fights mostly for the honour and safety of others. The story lines are compelling and there are twists and turns and shocks built in to every one.
Harffy' Bernicia tales are great reading. He brings the period alive with a gritty realism, he fills it with people you can believe existed.
We have to wait until next year for the next edition. Hurry up Harffy, it's tool long.
Harffy writes him well, develops his character as he grows into the hardened warrior he has become. Kings, Eorls and Lords know his name and his fame. Although torn and tormented within he is a champion amongst men.
As with the previous novels Beobrand fights mostly for the honour and safety of others. The story lines are compelling and there are twists and turns and shocks built in to every one.
Harffy' Bernicia tales are great reading. He brings the period alive with a gritty realism, he fills it with people you can believe existed.
We have to wait until next year for the next edition. Hurry up Harffy, it's tool long.
July 13, 2017
Review:
What can i say that i have not already said about this series?
Full review and extract: https://parmenionbooks.wordpress.com/...
What can i say that i have not already said about this series?
Full review and extract: https://parmenionbooks.wordpress.com/...
July 2, 2021
‘Killer of Kings’ features a blend of quality battles, tense encounters, and some decent drama.
I liked it in the most part, but as with many historical novels, the author puts so much effort in getting the history elements correct that essential creative writing skills are neglected. Main problem being too much ‘telling’ and not enough ‘showing’. Don’t tell the reader that King Penda was ‘seemingly amused’– show his amusement with action, or body language, or a facial expression.
Adverb overuse is another evil, and the biggest problem with adverbs is they ‘tell’. For example, when a male character ‘made his way quietly”, this tells us how the character got from A to B but we don’t see it. He ‘crept’, for example, not only ‘shows’ the action, it flows better because it’s more concise.
Adverbs are at their most superfluous with this kind of thing: ‘more quickly’ and ‘more loudly’, whereas ‘quicker’ and ‘louder’ convey the meaning with a concise verb.
Adverbs and ‘telling’ are blatant in instances like this: ‘walked slowly and stealthily’, which could be ‘shown’ with ‘crept’ or ‘stalked’. There’s always a stronger verb than ‘walked’, none of which require any help from adverbs.
To tell the reader that a king was ‘clearly shocked’ is ‘telling’ at its worst. In fiction, if you use ‘clearly’ or ‘obviously’, be assured that you’re not ‘showing’ the reader anything.
Two other style issues that irritated me are the overuse of ‘then’ (to state what happens next), and ‘had’ (past perfect).
To keep using ‘then’ is lazy and unimaginative. It’s fine in children’s books, but for gritty historical fiction I expect more imagination. Most can be cut, the rest replaced.
The frequent use of ‘had’ in the past perfect tense is something all authors should avoid, as it reports on the scene as opposed to taking the reader into the action as it unfolds. The odd one is inevitable, but in this book it’s consistent, even though it’s easy to cut them down.
For one thing, this narrative is in the past tense, so ‘had’ should only be used if a sentence sounds odd without it. For example, ‘He had said’ works fine as ‘he said’ because ‘said’ is in the past tense. ‘She had sat down’ works better as ‘She sat down’ because ‘sat’ is past tense. If a scene that’s past is being recalled, all that’s needed is to inform the reader that these events have already happened, after which the frequent use of ‘had’ is unnecessary.
In this novel, we get the likes of ‘had seen’, which annoys and baffles me when ‘saw’ is available.
This is also one of many novels across all genres that describes a character as shedding ‘silent tears’. Are tears ever loud? You can cry at different volume levels but tears themselves aren’t known for making a noise.
On the plus side, this author uses some excellent similes. I was impressed with his creativity in this department. Also, he recreates the period well, making me feel like I’m in the seventh century.
Despite the criticisms, I liked this novel well enough to read the next in the series.
I liked it in the most part, but as with many historical novels, the author puts so much effort in getting the history elements correct that essential creative writing skills are neglected. Main problem being too much ‘telling’ and not enough ‘showing’. Don’t tell the reader that King Penda was ‘seemingly amused’– show his amusement with action, or body language, or a facial expression.
Adverb overuse is another evil, and the biggest problem with adverbs is they ‘tell’. For example, when a male character ‘made his way quietly”, this tells us how the character got from A to B but we don’t see it. He ‘crept’, for example, not only ‘shows’ the action, it flows better because it’s more concise.
Adverbs are at their most superfluous with this kind of thing: ‘more quickly’ and ‘more loudly’, whereas ‘quicker’ and ‘louder’ convey the meaning with a concise verb.
Adverbs and ‘telling’ are blatant in instances like this: ‘walked slowly and stealthily’, which could be ‘shown’ with ‘crept’ or ‘stalked’. There’s always a stronger verb than ‘walked’, none of which require any help from adverbs.
To tell the reader that a king was ‘clearly shocked’ is ‘telling’ at its worst. In fiction, if you use ‘clearly’ or ‘obviously’, be assured that you’re not ‘showing’ the reader anything.
Two other style issues that irritated me are the overuse of ‘then’ (to state what happens next), and ‘had’ (past perfect).
To keep using ‘then’ is lazy and unimaginative. It’s fine in children’s books, but for gritty historical fiction I expect more imagination. Most can be cut, the rest replaced.
The frequent use of ‘had’ in the past perfect tense is something all authors should avoid, as it reports on the scene as opposed to taking the reader into the action as it unfolds. The odd one is inevitable, but in this book it’s consistent, even though it’s easy to cut them down.
For one thing, this narrative is in the past tense, so ‘had’ should only be used if a sentence sounds odd without it. For example, ‘He had said’ works fine as ‘he said’ because ‘said’ is in the past tense. ‘She had sat down’ works better as ‘She sat down’ because ‘sat’ is past tense. If a scene that’s past is being recalled, all that’s needed is to inform the reader that these events have already happened, after which the frequent use of ‘had’ is unnecessary.
In this novel, we get the likes of ‘had seen’, which annoys and baffles me when ‘saw’ is available.
This is also one of many novels across all genres that describes a character as shedding ‘silent tears’. Are tears ever loud? You can cry at different volume levels but tears themselves aren’t known for making a noise.
On the plus side, this author uses some excellent similes. I was impressed with his creativity in this department. Also, he recreates the period well, making me feel like I’m in the seventh century.
Despite the criticisms, I liked this novel well enough to read the next in the series.
April 28, 2020
"All you can do," said Wynhelm, reaching out and placing a hand on Beobrand's shoulder, "is try your best to make the right decisions, be just and bring your gesithas fame and glory. That is all they seek from you. Nothing more. They know who they follow. It is too late to worry now. Tomorrow we will stand in the shield wall and we will kill or be killed. That is our wyrd."
And so, another blood soaked tale of Beobrand the morose and back thinking and worrying warrior falls into its pattern of fighting, magic and blood feud.
This time our hero manages to see some of his blood feuds settled, his mind unsettled by family revelations and new enemies created.
I see that there are yet two more episodes of The Bernician Chronicles for me to buy and read, but meantime I will try and find a less complex and morose hero to read about to cheer me a up a bit - at least this time some of those Beobrand loves and likes are left alive.
And so, another blood soaked tale of Beobrand the morose and back thinking and worrying warrior falls into its pattern of fighting, magic and blood feud.
This time our hero manages to see some of his blood feuds settled, his mind unsettled by family revelations and new enemies created.
I see that there are yet two more episodes of The Bernician Chronicles for me to buy and read, but meantime I will try and find a less complex and morose hero to read about to cheer me a up a bit - at least this time some of those Beobrand loves and likes are left alive.
December 4, 2018
Matthew Harffy continues to deliver on Dark Ages thrill and chills with the fourth volume of his Bernicia Chronicles. As usual there is brilliant battle action and political intrigue, but many sub-plots set in motion in the early volumes come to fruition in this story in very satisfying ways. Harffy's writing is a joy to read (or listen to, as I listened to the audiobook narrated by Barnaby Edwards), full of evocative prose that effectively recreates seventh century England. It's a land peopled by warriors, thanes, witches, peasants and kings of every stripe. It's a time when Christianity wars with older religions for the souls of kings and common men. It's a trip well worth taking and I cannot recommend Killer of Kings too highly... although I strongly recommend that any new reader start with volume one. Excellent work.
June 4, 2019
The fourth instalment in Matthew Harffy’s Bernicia Chronicles, a series of action-packed historical fiction books set against the backdrop of the clash between peoples and religions in Dark Ages Britain, is just as enjoyable as the previous books.
Matthew really brings this period of English history to life through thrilling storytelling, Beobrand is a true Anglo-Saxon hero very much in the Beowulf mould, in an age where a Warriors honour and renown mean everything. I was thrilled that Penda, the heathen ruler of Mercia has finally been introduced, although an enemy of Beobrand and of Bernicia, he has more depth to him than just being the token bad guy, and it is absolutely wonderful that Matthew shows him much respect for being the mighty ruler that I truly believe that he was.
I can’t wait for my library to get hold of the next instalment in this saga.
Matthew really brings this period of English history to life through thrilling storytelling, Beobrand is a true Anglo-Saxon hero very much in the Beowulf mould, in an age where a Warriors honour and renown mean everything. I was thrilled that Penda, the heathen ruler of Mercia has finally been introduced, although an enemy of Beobrand and of Bernicia, he has more depth to him than just being the token bad guy, and it is absolutely wonderful that Matthew shows him much respect for being the mighty ruler that I truly believe that he was.
I can’t wait for my library to get hold of the next instalment in this saga.
August 4, 2017
Engrossing historical fiction
Beobrand rides far in this fourth book in the series, and of course fights in the shield wall again.
Blood is spilled, loss ensues, friendships grow stronger, blood feuds take another turn.
The time period was one I knew little about when I began the series, but by now it is much more familiar. Beobrand and his following are a window to a fiercer time, yet people are people and the longing for revenge, God, and love still remain.
Please do yourself a favor and read this series!
Beobrand rides far in this fourth book in the series, and of course fights in the shield wall again.
Blood is spilled, loss ensues, friendships grow stronger, blood feuds take another turn.
The time period was one I knew little about when I began the series, but by now it is much more familiar. Beobrand and his following are a window to a fiercer time, yet people are people and the longing for revenge, God, and love still remain.
Please do yourself a favor and read this series!
November 25, 2019
Another cracking installment of the Bernica Chronicles, although a lot of the story in this one takes place in other parts of the country, including East Anglia, Kent, Mercia. Beobrand is a little older than the earlier books, in some cases a little wiser but still plenty of fire, although mixed with a heady dose of the introspection that makes Beobrand a much more interesting character to follow than a generic skilled warrior of these times. Some threads running through the earlier books are tied up, and it seems to bring a chapter to a close in the protagonist's story.
July 25, 2017
Another fabulous page turner from the pen of Matthew Harffy. I really enjoyed being immersed once again into Beobrand's world. Looking forward to the next book!
July 31, 2017
Another good one!
A great plot with plenty of twists. I kept thinking I knew what was coming, but missed most of my predictions. A troubled hero makes for a great read.
A great plot with plenty of twists. I kept thinking I knew what was coming, but missed most of my predictions. A troubled hero makes for a great read.
January 12, 2018
This book has received a Discovering Diamonds Review:
Helen Hollick
founder #DDRevs
"A definite must for Anglo-Saxon readers who like their heroes to be truly heroic!"
Helen Hollick
founder #DDRevs
"A definite must for Anglo-Saxon readers who like their heroes to be truly heroic!"
March 7, 2019
Best of the series.
Such a fantastic set of books. I love the style and I love the characters. So many tales woven within the story. On to the next!!!
Such a fantastic set of books. I love the style and I love the characters. So many tales woven within the story. On to the next!!!
June 9, 2020
I really enjoy this series - the writing is great, the structure of the story screams interesting, and the time in which it is set is one which very few people write about. Indeed, aside from stories based on Mort D'Arthur and then tales from Christian Priests regarding the Vikings and their raids and settlements, the latter half of the first millennia AD is little written about, and indeed there is little known about it. I don't think the Saxons, Jutes and Angles used writing to record their conquest of this wonderful isle, as indeed the Vikings didn't: the introduction of written accounts seems to be a mainly Roman and thus Christian habit, and all archaeologists and historians really have to go on are relics and hoards discovered and tales passed through their bards of adventures and exploits of heroes. I'm pretty sure this gives a rather distorted view of life - there must have been, and indeed were, farmers, traders, women, children, carpenters, iron-workers etc... else how did the warriors live and fight? We don't hear much of them, even in the sources we do have, for obvious reasons, and it's a shame their lives are not better known or revered.
Harffry brings to life a lot of the hardships of life in the times of these tribes settlement in Britain. They ruled far north, past the borders of what is now named England, up to Edinburgh and beyond, above which lived the Picts - this was a time of petty kings, of trivial battles and skirmishes, of struggles for power and the deaths of many natives and Scandinavian folks alike. It's lovely to read a series which captures these tribes who gave their names to our country (England), many of our cities and towns, even many of our people have names derived from the Saxons: and it's very interesting to find just how much of England is still recognizable now from the Saxon period - even from the period before, and I not only enjoyed this due to it's great story line, interesting and full characters, realistic and interesting events, but also for the atmosphere given to this wonderful book.
Harffry brings to life a lot of the hardships of life in the times of these tribes settlement in Britain. They ruled far north, past the borders of what is now named England, up to Edinburgh and beyond, above which lived the Picts - this was a time of petty kings, of trivial battles and skirmishes, of struggles for power and the deaths of many natives and Scandinavian folks alike. It's lovely to read a series which captures these tribes who gave their names to our country (England), many of our cities and towns, even many of our people have names derived from the Saxons: and it's very interesting to find just how much of England is still recognizable now from the Saxon period - even from the period before, and I not only enjoyed this due to it's great story line, interesting and full characters, realistic and interesting events, but also for the atmosphere given to this wonderful book.
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