Bane of Bernicia by Matthew Harffy

A continuation of the story of an Early Medieval warrior set in Bernicia (modern day Northumberland) and Mercia (modern day Midlands), where the story opens exactly where the last story ends. However, it's straightforward enough that previous reading isn't necessary to enjoy this book as a stand alone.

The hero, Beobrand, alongside a couple of his other bandmates, hoped to return home from a mission in Rome to a peaceful land. Unfortunately, they discover that a dangerous alliance forming between the Mercians and the Picts (modern day Scotland). The king of Bernicia is informed but he is busy arranging a political wedding between his son and the daughter of the Mercian king to be bothered by this right now. Plus, the Mercians want to take the youngest son as an insurance against the alliance falling through.

The story is full of quick to anger, tall, broad shouldered, muscled machismo, and is therefore littered with violent skirmishes. It doesn't help that Beobrand is blamed for breaking the existing truce. The men are commanded by the queen to retrieve her son and set about a secret plan to capture him.

This is an easy to read tale written in modern language without the pseudo-Medieval jargon that often crops up in historical novels. Written in the third person with points of view of Beobrand and a couple of other characters. There are a number of likeable characters, many of them very handsome to boot, as well as brutish unlikeable ones, some a bit roguish although most are aware of their honour and duty. Other themes are the fragility of peace, sacrifice, betrayal and the cost of duty. This is the eleventh book in the series, proving the popularity of Bebrand and his men.

What this book excels in is depicting the everyday life of people the Early Medieval, or Anglo-Saxon, period. The clothes, food, weapons and tools are shown in a natural way without heavy information dumps. I also like how the landscape is represented and of course, the English weather.

​The blend of historical and fictional characters works well and is worth reading if you want to learn about life at this time, while enjoying plenty of action and adventure.​

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Published by Head of Zeus, Aria & Aries on 4 June 2026.
​Advance review copy supplied by the publisher.

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