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A Time for Swords

A Time for Swords, Book 1

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A Time for Swords

By: Matthew Harffy
Narrated by: Barnaby Edwards
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About this listen

When the Vikings attack, a novice monk's life is changed forever in Matthew Harffy's new historical adventure.

Lindisfarne, AD 793. There had been portents - famine, whirlwinds, lightning from clear skies, serpents seen flying through the air. But when the raiders came, no one was prepared. They came from the North, their dragon-prowed longships gliding out of the dawn mist as they descended on the kingdom's most sacred site. It is 8th June AD 793, and with the pillage of the monastery on Lindisfarne, the Viking Age has begun. While his fellow monks flee before the Norse onslaught, one young novice stands his ground. He has been taught to turn the other cheek, but faced with the slaughter of his brothers and the pagan desecration of his church, forgiveness is impossible.

©2020 Matthew Harffy (P)2021 W F Howes Fiction Historical Fiction Medieval Middle Ages Viking Royalty

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Critic reviews

"Harffy's writing just gets better and better.... He is really proving himself the rightful heir to Gemmell's crown." (Jemahl Evans)
All stars
Most relevant
Loved it, great that it continues on from Beobrand and he is mentioned in this book.

Another great Saga starting. Here

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Having Finished a number of books in similar series to this by other authors, I wasn’t sure if I would enjoy this particular book. However, it turned out to be a fantastic lesson well narrated and I thoroughly recommend it to people who enjoy the genre.

Recommended.

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Well written and beautifully crafted story, narrator made it all the more interesting enjoyed the listen

Good listen

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Narrator just gets better and better with each book. This is a story well deserved of the top notch Barnaby Edwards. Highly recommended this evenly paced listen.

Fantastic story and storytelling

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I have listened to the series of books that are linked to this, avidly. I was expecting the same ‘jump in and go’ from this book. Not so, for me. This was due to the narration. I found the voice over acted and annoying to the point that I wanted to return the book. I couldn’t, do I thought I may as well carry on. At some point, the narration and story clicked and it was super. I’m searching now for more in this series!

Is immersive after a very shaky start

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