-
A Time for Swords
- A Time for Swords, Book 1
- Narrated by: Barnaby Edwards
- Series: A Time for Swords, Book 1
- Length: 17 hrs and 11 mins
- Unabridged Audiobook
- Categories: Literature & Fiction, Historical Fiction
Add to Cart failed.
Add to Wish List failed.
Remove from wishlist failed.
Adding to library failed
Follow podcast failed
Unfollow podcast failed
Buy for $24.00
No default payment method selected.
We are sorry. We are not allowed to sell this product with the selected payment method
Listeners also enjoyed...
-
A Night of Flames
- A Time for Swords, Book 2
- By: Matthew Harffy
- Narrated by: Barnaby Edwards
- Length: 18 hrs and 58 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Northumbria, AD 794. Those who rule the seas, rule the land. None know the truth of this more than the Vikings. To compete with the violent sea-faring raiders, the king of Northumbria orders the construction of his own longships under the command of oath-sworn Norseman, Runolf. When the Northern sea wolves attack for the second year, the king sends cleric turned warrior, Hunlaf, on a mission across the Whale Road to persuade the king of Rogaland into an alliance. But Runolf and Hunlaf have other plans.
-
-
Superb book
- By James Alan Webster on 05-03-22
By: Matthew Harffy
-
Wolf of Wessex
- By: Matthew Harffy
- Narrated by: Barnaby Edwards
- Length: 10 hrs and 42 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
AD 838. Deep in the forests of Wessex, Dunston's solitary existence is shattered when he stumbles on a mutilated corpse. Accused of the murder, Dunston must clear his name and keep the dead man's daughter alive in the face of savage pursuers desperate to prevent a terrible secret from being revealed. Rushing through Wessex, Dunston will need to use all the skills of survival garnered from a lifetime in the wilderness.
-
-
Great Read.
- By J.J. on 03-19-20
By: Matthew Harffy
-
Odin's Game
- By: Tim Hodkinson
- Narrated by: Rycharde Everley
- Length: 13 hrs and 48 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
In the Orkney Isles, a young woman flees her home to save the life of her unborn child. Eighteen years later, a witch foretells that evil from her past is reaching out again to threaten her son. Outlawed from his home in Iceland, Einar Unnsson is thrown on the mercy of his uncle, the infamous Jarl Thorfinn ‘Skull Cleaver’ of Orkney.
-
-
Great start
- By D.Rockwood on 09-07-21
By: Tim Hodkinson
-
The Serpent Sword
- The Bernicia Chronicles, Book 1
- By: Matthew Harffy
- Narrated by: Barnaby Edwards
- Length: 12 hrs and 9 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Beobrand is compelled by his brother's almost-certain murder to embark on a quest for revenge in the war-ravaged kingdoms of Northumbria. The land is rife with danger, as warlords vie for supremacy and dominion. In the battles for control of the region, new oaths are made and broken, and loyalties are tested to the limits. With no patronage and no experience, Beobrand must form his own allegiances and learn to fight with sword and shield. Relentless in pursuit of his enemies, he faces challenges which transform him from a boy to a man.
-
-
Fantastic!
- By John on 02-17-17
By: Matthew Harffy
-
Viking Slave
- Dragonheart, Book 1
- By: Griff Hosker
- Narrated by: Marston York
- Length: 9 hrs and 33 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
A young Saxon boy and his mother are captured in a Viking raid. Fate transforms his destiny and, thanks to an ageing one-armed warrior, he wins his freedom and becomes one with the Vikings. Clan rivalries force Dragonheart and his new Jarl to sail the seas searching for a new home. Landing on the Isle of Man, they must fight for their very survival with enemies old and new seeking their destruction.
-
-
finally!
- By vaas on 04-06-22
By: Griff Hosker
-
Kin of Cain
- A Bernicia Tale
- By: Matthew Harffy
- Narrated by: Barnaby Edwards
- Length: 2 hrs and 37 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Terror stalks the hills, moors and marshes of Bernicia. Livestock and men have been found ripped asunder, their bones gnawed, flesh gorged upon. People cower in their halls in fear of the monster that prowls the night. King Edwin sends his champions, Bassus, Octa and band of trusted thegns, to rid his people of this evil. Bassus leads the warriors into the chill wastes of the Northern winter, and they soon question whether they are the hunters or the prey.
-
-
ancient
- By bernard snipe on 05-08-20
By: Matthew Harffy
-
A Night of Flames
- A Time for Swords, Book 2
- By: Matthew Harffy
- Narrated by: Barnaby Edwards
- Length: 18 hrs and 58 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Northumbria, AD 794. Those who rule the seas, rule the land. None know the truth of this more than the Vikings. To compete with the violent sea-faring raiders, the king of Northumbria orders the construction of his own longships under the command of oath-sworn Norseman, Runolf. When the Northern sea wolves attack for the second year, the king sends cleric turned warrior, Hunlaf, on a mission across the Whale Road to persuade the king of Rogaland into an alliance. But Runolf and Hunlaf have other plans.
-
-
Superb book
- By James Alan Webster on 05-03-22
By: Matthew Harffy
-
Wolf of Wessex
- By: Matthew Harffy
- Narrated by: Barnaby Edwards
- Length: 10 hrs and 42 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
AD 838. Deep in the forests of Wessex, Dunston's solitary existence is shattered when he stumbles on a mutilated corpse. Accused of the murder, Dunston must clear his name and keep the dead man's daughter alive in the face of savage pursuers desperate to prevent a terrible secret from being revealed. Rushing through Wessex, Dunston will need to use all the skills of survival garnered from a lifetime in the wilderness.
-
-
Great Read.
- By J.J. on 03-19-20
By: Matthew Harffy
-
Odin's Game
- By: Tim Hodkinson
- Narrated by: Rycharde Everley
- Length: 13 hrs and 48 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
In the Orkney Isles, a young woman flees her home to save the life of her unborn child. Eighteen years later, a witch foretells that evil from her past is reaching out again to threaten her son. Outlawed from his home in Iceland, Einar Unnsson is thrown on the mercy of his uncle, the infamous Jarl Thorfinn ‘Skull Cleaver’ of Orkney.
-
-
Great start
- By D.Rockwood on 09-07-21
By: Tim Hodkinson
-
The Serpent Sword
- The Bernicia Chronicles, Book 1
- By: Matthew Harffy
- Narrated by: Barnaby Edwards
- Length: 12 hrs and 9 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Beobrand is compelled by his brother's almost-certain murder to embark on a quest for revenge in the war-ravaged kingdoms of Northumbria. The land is rife with danger, as warlords vie for supremacy and dominion. In the battles for control of the region, new oaths are made and broken, and loyalties are tested to the limits. With no patronage and no experience, Beobrand must form his own allegiances and learn to fight with sword and shield. Relentless in pursuit of his enemies, he faces challenges which transform him from a boy to a man.
-
-
Fantastic!
- By John on 02-17-17
By: Matthew Harffy
-
Viking Slave
- Dragonheart, Book 1
- By: Griff Hosker
- Narrated by: Marston York
- Length: 9 hrs and 33 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
A young Saxon boy and his mother are captured in a Viking raid. Fate transforms his destiny and, thanks to an ageing one-armed warrior, he wins his freedom and becomes one with the Vikings. Clan rivalries force Dragonheart and his new Jarl to sail the seas searching for a new home. Landing on the Isle of Man, they must fight for their very survival with enemies old and new seeking their destruction.
-
-
finally!
- By vaas on 04-06-22
By: Griff Hosker
-
Kin of Cain
- A Bernicia Tale
- By: Matthew Harffy
- Narrated by: Barnaby Edwards
- Length: 2 hrs and 37 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Terror stalks the hills, moors and marshes of Bernicia. Livestock and men have been found ripped asunder, their bones gnawed, flesh gorged upon. People cower in their halls in fear of the monster that prowls the night. King Edwin sends his champions, Bassus, Octa and band of trusted thegns, to rid his people of this evil. Bassus leads the warriors into the chill wastes of the Northern winter, and they soon question whether they are the hunters or the prey.
-
-
ancient
- By bernard snipe on 05-08-20
By: Matthew Harffy
-
The Dragon Sword
- Danelaw Saga, Book 1
- By: Griff Hosker
- Narrated by: Marston York
- Length: 9 hrs and 51 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
This story is set at the end of the 10th century and charts the journey of a young warrior, whose father, Bersi, is killed during a raid on Wessex. Sven Bersisson has to grow up quickly and to follow in his father’s footsteps. Sweyn Skull Taker, his uncle, becomes his foster father and they raid Wessex and Frankia, where the young warrior becomes a man. King Sweyn Forkbeard, the king of Denmark, uses their clan to help in his dream of defeating the Norwegians and then taking the throne of England.
-
-
This is “good” Griff Hosker.
- By trevor on 07-19-21
By: Griff Hosker
-
The Last Berserker
- Fire Born 1
- By: Angus Donald
- Narrated by: Ade Dimberline
- Length: 12 hrs and 55 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
771AD, Northern Europe. Bjarki Bloodhand and Tor Hildarsdottir are journeying south into Saxony. Their destination is the Irminsul, the One Tree that links the Nine Worlds of the Middle-Realm. In this most holy place, they hope to learn how to summon their animal spirits so they can enter the ranks of the legendary berserkir: the elite frenzied fighters of the North.
-
-
Great description of berserker concepts
- By Gael Dalton on 01-06-22
By: Angus Donald
-
The Lords of the Wind
- The Saga of Hasting the Avenger, Book 1
- By: C.J. Adrien
- Narrated by: Gildart Jackson
- Length: 11 hrs and 17 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Orphaned as a child by a blood feud and sold as a slave to an exiled chieftain in Ireland, the boy Hasting had little hope of surviving to adulthood. The gods had other plans. A ship arrived at his master's longphort carrying a man who would alter the course of his destiny and take him under his wing to teach him the ways of the Vikings. His is a story of a boy who was a slave, who became a warlord, and who helped topple an empire.
-
-
Heading is said to be both optional & required!
- By shopper on 12-06-20
By: C.J. Adrien
-
Viking Blood and Blade
- By: Peter Gibbons
- Narrated by: Nicholas Jordan
- Length: 9 hrs and 48 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
AD 865. The fierce Vikings stormed onto Saxon soil hungry for spoils, conquest, and vengeance for the death of Ragnar Lothbrok. Hundr, a Northman with a dog's name...a crew of battle hardened warriors...and Ivar the Boneless. Amidst the invasion of Saxon England by the sons of Ragnar Lothbrok, Hundr joins a crew of Viking warriors under the command of Einar the Brawler. Hundr fights to forge a warriors reputation under the glare of Ivar and his equally fearsome brothers, but to do that he must battle the Saxons and treachery from within the Viking army itself...
-
-
Good book, horrible narrator
- By Matthew Beach on 11-23-21
By: Peter Gibbons
-
English Knight
- The Anarchy Series, Book 1
- By: Griff Hosker
- Narrated by: Malk Williams
- Length: 8 hrs and 54 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
The throne of England is slipping from King Henry’s grasp. His only son has drowned in the English Channel, and the predators are gathering ready to devour both England and Normandy. When the last of King Harold’s housecarls returns to England to die, he brings with him a reluctant hero who will save the kingdom. Alfraed, son of Ridley, is the first of a new breed; he is an English knight.
-
-
INSTA-KNIGHT - JUST ADD CONFLICT
- By Craig on 04-14-22
By: Griff Hosker
-
Crécy: The Age of the Archer
- Sir John Hawkwood, Book 1
- By: Griff Hosker
- Narrated by: Marston York
- Length: 8 hrs and 40 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
A hero’s journey begins in an exhilarating new series by Griff Hosker. In 1335 the Black Death was just 13 years away from England, but there were other threats and dangers. Young John Hawkwood is forced to leave his home and seek a life in London. There he learns how to survive and, more importantly, how to fight. Leaving his life as an apprentice tailor he follows the army and King Edward to fight the Scots. He has a skill: he can not only use a bow, but he can use a sword and his mind.
-
-
If you like Bernard Cornwell
- By the don on 03-17-21
By: Griff Hosker
-
Hawkwood's Sword
- The Brand New Adventure from the Master of Historical Fiction
- By: Christian Cameron
- Narrated by: Peter Noble
- Length: 21 hrs and 13 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
1368. War is coming between France and Spain, and England, and in Italy the pope and the Visconti princes are battling for bloody supremacy. The worst years of Sir William Gold's life are about to begin. Leaving the side of his commander, Sir John Hawkwood, William embarks on a journey to serve the Count of Savoy, finding fame and favour in his service. But when his wife and children are struck down by the plague, William uses the poisoning of the Duke of Clarence as an excuse to escape on a witch hunt across Southern France and embark on a pilgrimage that he'd always pledged to do.
-
-
The Outstanding Chivalry Series Continues
- By Suspect on 08-04-21
-
God of Vengeance
- The Rise of Sigurd 1
- By: Giles Kristian
- Narrated by: Philip Stevens
- Length: 15 hrs and 29 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Norway, AD 785. It began with the betrayal of a lord by a king.... King Gorm puts Jarl Harald's family to the sword but makes one fatal mistake - he fails to kill Harald's youngest son, Sigurd. His kin slain, his village seized and its people taken as slaves, Sigurd wonders if the gods have forsaken him. Hunted by powerful men, he is unsure who to trust, and yet he has a small band of loyal followers at his side.
-
-
Fine adventure tale
- By Brother Adrian on 03-04-17
By: Giles Kristian
-
God's Hammer
- Hakon's Saga, Book 1
- By: Eric Schumacher
- Narrated by: Shaun Grindell
- Length: 12 hrs and 13 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
It is 935 A.D., and the North is in turmoil. King Harald Fairhair has died, leaving the High Seat of the realm to his murderous son, Erik Bloodaxe. To solidify his claim, Erik ruthlessly disposes of all claimants to his throne, save one: his youngest brother Hakon. Erik's surviving enemies send a ship to Wessex, where the Christian King Athelstan is raising Hakon. Unable to avoid his fate, he returns to the Viking North to face his brother and claim his birthright, only to discover that victory will demand sacrifices beyond his wildest nightmares.
-
-
A story of the Vikings and the Christians
- By Carolynn on 11-14-18
By: Eric Schumacher
-
Lord Edward's Archer
- By: Griff Hosker
- Narrated by: Marston York
- Length: 8 hrs and 16 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
13th Century, Wales and England. To young Gruffyd, life has been unkind. Eking out a meagre living with his father, he has learned very quickly how to look after himself in the hostile borderlands. His father, an archer, has taught him well, and at 17 Gruffyd is a keen and able bowman. Young, loyal and skilled, it’s not long before Gruffyd finds himself following in his father’s footsteps, working as an archer in the bordering castle. But tragedy strikes when his lord commits a devastating deed, and Gruffyd is forced to make a life altering decision.
-
-
Well told story and superb narration but.....
- By Brother Adrian on 06-06-20
By: Griff Hosker
-
Blood on the Crown
- Struggle for the Crown, Book 1
- By: Griff Hosker
- Narrated by: Marston York
- Length: 10 hrs and 1 min
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Will, son of Harry, is about to join one of the freebooting mercenaries who serve the Black Prince in Gascony and Spain. Soldiers of fortune, they fight for pay and for loot. Circumstances mean that he comes to the attention of the heir to the English throne, Prince Edward, and is chosen as the bodyguard for his sons, Edward and Richard. When the Black Prince dies before his father and his elder brother, Edward, also dies, a young Richard of Bordeaux becomes heir to the throne, and Will has a greater responsibility than he expected.
-
-
Held my interest
- By Yvonne T, Griffin on 06-10-20
By: Griff Hosker
-
Robin Hood and the Castle of Bones
- By: Angus Donald
- Narrated by: Mike Rogers
- Length: 8 hrs and 35 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Spring, 1192. Robin Hood and his band of men, travelling home from the Third Crusade, find themselves in the lush, wine-rich Duchy of Burgundy. When they are captured by a renegade knight and taken across the River Saone to the rival County of Burgundy, they are plunged into a nightmarish world of treachery, deceit and cold-blooded murder.
-
-
Excellent coming of age
- By Colin - dEAD HANDS WOODwORKING on 12-20-21
By: Angus Donald
Publisher's Summary
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.
Critic Reviews
"Harffy's writing just gets better and better.... He is really proving himself the rightful heir to Gemmell's crown." (Jemahl Evans)
More from the same
What listeners say about A Time for Swords
Average Customer RatingsReviews - Please select the tabs below to change the source of reviews.
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
- K. Wilson
- 08-29-21
Overall a Good Story. I was SUPER IRRITATED as each person could
not absorb new information. I understand that they were young men with little experience in fighting. But OMG it drove me crazy that these discussions were still happening weeks after they began their training.
I hope if future novels follow out of this novel, the author will have corrected the amount of time spent arguing over ridiculous problems. I had to play the speed at 1.8 during certain frustrating sections. I enjoy this type of fiction so i give it a ‘good’ & and will try next novel if it appears.
2 people found this helpful
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
- Matthew
- 05-14-22
So Excited About This Series!
If you’re searching for a series like Bernard Cornwell’s Saxon Chronicles/Last Kingdom series (this series takes place during the same period), or you share my taste for historical fiction authors like Conn Iggulden, Sharon Kay Penman, Christian Cameron, Griff Hosker, Philippa Gregory, Elizabeth Chadwick, Maurice Druon, David Gilman, etc., GET INTO THIS SERIES!
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
- Scott
- 04-17-22
Good start to a new series.
Barnaby Edwards does an excellent job with the narration with a 5 star performance in my opinion.
All historical fiction series start with an origin story for the main character and this one starts with a young monk witnessing a viking raid and his fight or flight reaction.
Story is good, character development for main character and supporting characters is very good. The first 2 books develop plot lines and back stories for several characters that will add to the longevity of the series in my opinion. These are the things that separate a good series from a great series.
I will be following the development of this series with intrest.
I also enjoyed the historical facts at the end of the books and the explanations of the fictional plot lines.
A solid 4 star start to a potentially excellent series.
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
- Rodney
- 01-20-22
if you like Saxon Chronicles, you'll love this.
kind of piggy backs off Bernard Cornwell, but I love Cornwell so I'm completely okay with that. great story and can't wait for the next book.
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
- GGO
- 07-27-21
Great Storytelling!
It started out slow but still managed to keep my interest I guess because of the solid writing thru out. Good character development and plot lines. Now I'm waiting for the next installment.
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story

- Nick F
- 08-08-21
Fantastic story and storytelling
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.
3 people found this helpful
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story

- neil
- 07-17-21
Another quality story
I first read the 'wolf of wessex' by Matthew Harffy and every title I've listened to or read since hasn't disappointed. This is a captivating story that takes you back in time and brings the characters to life .
3 people found this helpful
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story

- Amazon Customer
- 11-14-21
Excellent
I like Matthew Harffey's books, especially the historical notes at the end. It gives insight to the actual historical facts and what he has based the story around. That makes it more interesting and more feasible.
2 people found this helpful
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story

- Robert
- 09-16-21
Brilliant
Brilliant book fantastic story from start to finish, the narrator is absolutely awesome, one of Matthews best
2 people found this helpful
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story

- tomduffill
- 08-27-21
Fantastic new series
Have read and enjoyed ‘Benicia Series’ but not sure we’re it has left to go. Then started this new series by Mathew Harffy and just excellent! Loved the fact that you weren’t sure where it was going next and the tip of the hat to magnificent 7 and Seven samurai just brought the whole thing together. Cant wait!!
Download!
2 people found this helpful
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story

- Amazon Customer
- 08-10-21
Another great Saga starting. Here
Loved it, great that it continues on from Beobrand and he is mentioned in this book.
2 people found this helpful
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story

- Mr Nightingale
- 06-24-21
Bizarre Narration.
I returned this after a couple of hours, due to the excruciating narration style. I've never heard anything so hammy, am dram and self indulgent in my life.
2 people found this helpful
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story

- Christine
- 03-16-22
the author is a fantastic story teller.
Great story as usual, cant wait for the next. completely immersed in the action, great.
1 person found this helpful
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story

- Johnny
- 01-30-22
Enjoyed the listen
A good story well told.. the historical aspect at the end ties things together a bit.. but it was a bit predictable to do this more humour is needed I think the main character is a bit of a Tortured soul that gets a bit monotonous for me..
but I’m not a writer! Well narrated and I would get the next book if there was one
1 person found this helpful
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story

- charlotte charnick
- 08-17-21
Is immersive after a very shaky start
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!
1 person found this helpful