The sixth in the Benicia chronicles series is not quite as good as the others but worth reading for fans of the series

I find the books in this series very difficult to put down and this one was no exception. This title was particularly gripping as Beobrand and his band are out of their comfort zone on the high seas and this mission is so personal. I'm not sure how Harffy does it but I find it so easy to visualise the Whale Road in 643 AD and relish the exploration of Frankia from his descriptions. Definitely worth a read.

I have had the distinct pleasure of following the adventures of Beobrand and his band of warriors from the very first to book to this one, the sixth in the series. In a feat that few authors ever manage to achieve, each book has been better than the last and, indeed, when I read the last one, Warrior of Woden, I sincerely doubted that Matthew Harffy could top it. But top it he has! And in spectacular style.

In Storm of Steel Beobrand has gone off in a new direction, on a personal mission, rather than one dictated by kings, and by sea rather than land. This has given scope for a fabulous new adventure and gives a new edge to the battles, both on land and sea – and against the elements. It also means new experiences, as Beobrand journeys along the south coast and into Frankia. The locations are stunning, Matthew Harffy’s descriptions of dramatic coastlines, stormy weather and the different brands of people he encounters, from lowly peasants, to pirates and warlords, all serve to transport the reader back to the 7th century, recreating the Anglo-Saxon world in the mind of the reader.

Storm of Steel is Beobrand’s 6th adventure; the stunning imagery and constant action leads the reader into Beobrand’s world in magnificent style. The action, as ever, is constant and leads the reader on a roller-coaster of a ride from the first page to the last, never quite certain that Beobrand will win through, nor even that he will survive the encounter with one of the greatest warlords of Frankia and rescue the kidnapped girl…. I’m not telling….

Matthew Harffy is an author whose writing goes from strength to strength with each book. I feel I’m repeating myself when I say ‘this is the best one yet’, but it truly is. I defy anyone to be able to put it down without wanting to read through to the end in one sitting. I certainly read late into the night, but the lack of sleep was well worth the experience of another adventure with the now-famous Beobrand and his band of warriors.

Storm of Steel is a masterpiece of a novel, the visually imagery recreated by the words evoke a world so long in the past that little remains but archaeology, and yet the reader can imagine themselves there, and fighting at the side of Beobrand, Cynan, Bassus and the rest. But there is more to fighting in all of Matthew Harffy’s books. The intricate and engrossing plot weaves its way between the battles – against man and the elements – to tell a story that is at once intriguing and gripping.

Beobrand and the Bernicia Chronicles are a phenomenon!

I cannot recommend the stories of Beobrand, told in the Bernicia Chronicles, highly enough. And Storm of Steel stands out as one of the best books I have read so far, this year.

It seems like forever since we last saw Beobrand and his brave gesithas.. in reality it hasn’t been that long.. I’m just impatient ha.

The wait is over..it’s time to join Beobrand on his latest adventure and this time not much of it will be spent on land as we take to the high seas in search of a missing girl.

While on a mission to bring the soon to be new Queen home Beobrand gets a blast from the past and is torn… he’s oath sworn to do as his King requests but that would mean leaving the girl to fate.

Luckily for Beo the decision is taken out of his hands, the new queen is known to Beo and after a night of feasting they have grown rather close..so much so she orders him to do whatever it takes to bring the little girl home.

Beobrand enlists the help if a group of sailors to aid him in his journey and very soon they are bound together in blood as they set sail on the trail of a group of pirates who have taken the girl hostage.

Twists and turns come aplenty and Beo’s life will never be the same.

The best addition to this story for me is young Brinin..he’s betrothed to Ardith, the girl who has been taken, and he joins Beobrand in the hunt. Brinin reminds me a lot of Beo, he’s young and headstrong and has a big part to play.

For me the plot was just amazing..dark and brutally gripping..the past haunts Beobrand and I really enjoyed it when the author gives you the chance to reflect on moments throughout the series that have impacted on the man Beo is today.

The last fight scene was pure wow factor.. brothers at arms..sacrifices are made that will shape the destiny of others.

This series goes from strength to strength and credit to the author that he manages to keep each story so fresh and entertaining.

As Storm of Steel is the sixth book to feature Northumbrian thegn, Beobrand, I was a bit worried that I’d be at a disadvantage having not read earlier books in the series. I’ll admit I struggled a little initially getting to grips with who was who in Beobrand’s war band. There are also passing references to significant events in earlier books. However I certainly didn’t struggle to get drawn into the story as Storm of Steel opens with a wonderfully exciting and thrillingly described scene in which Beobrand and his comrades are ambushed by pirates during a raging storm. And it’s not long before Beobrand learns something that is news to him and, I’m guessing, will be to readers of previous books in the series too.

It sets Beobrand and his comrades on a course that will involve stormy seas, intrigue, dangerous enemies at every turn and bring them up against powerful individuals in foreign lands before a final dramatic reckoning. Throughout Beobrand is conscious of those he’s left behind and the danger they may also face.

As I discovered more about his past exploits, I quickly understood why Beobrand is so feared as a warrior and inspires such loyalty from his men. I also learned something of the tragedies in his life that have shaped him. He makes a great hero, despite being battle-scarred and ruthless when necessity dictates. I may be out of my mind (or should I say ‘thought-cage’) but I was tempted to wonder if it wouldn’t be worth being kidnapped by pirates if only to have the possibility of being rescued by Beobrand!

I’m now determined to read the series from the beginning and, if Storm of Steel is anything to go by, I’m in for a real treat. It’s action-packed, dramatic and realistic: historical fiction at its best, in fact.

Thank you to NetGalley and Aria for the read of Matthew Harffy’s, Storm of Steel.

Anglo-Saxon Britain. The year AD 643. Beobrand returns in Storm of Steel.

Beobrand’s life takes a turn for the unexpected when Udela, a friend from his youth harbouring a secret, seeks him out to rescue her daughter Ardith, who was sold to pirates by her drunkard father.

Given consent to undertake the rescue mission, Beobrand gathers his band of battle-seasoned warriors, finds a captain with a ship and a crew, and sets sail after the ruthless band of pirates.

Beobrand and his loyal men encounter many exploits, surprise schemes, and treachery. There are ambushes, graphic blood-shedding, sword-fighting, seaxe and spear throwing, and devastating shipwrecks. Beobrand’s larger-than-life reputation continues to impress, but it is his great warrior status that make his enemies want to overpower him, and cause the weak to quake in his presence.

Historically, the author recreates the time periods knowledgeably and with excellent details. I am a big period fan and was very impressed with the precision that Harffy describes the brutality of the era, and the true-to-life conditions of the voyages at sea. The reader vividly pictures how rough the seas are when pummelled with fierce storms, and how the men, both experienced and novice, managed to survive. Those were dark days for ships and seamen, with disease and the ocean claiming their share of sailors, and pirates taking whatever might have been left.

Storm of Steel steeps the reader in Beobrand’s exciting, adventurous, gripping story of action and adventure on the high, stormy seas, and without skipping a beat, onto dry land facing new enemies and menacing dangers.

I enjoyed it immensely and highly recommend it.

BLURB
AD 643. Anglo-Saxon Britain. A gripping, action-packed historical thriller and the sixth installment in the Bernicia Chronicles. Perfect for fans of Bernard Cornwell.
Heading south to lands he once considered his home, Beobrand is plunged into a dark world of piracy and slavery when an old friend enlists his help to recover a kidnapped girl.
Embarking onto the wind-tossed seas, Beobrand pursues his quarry with single-minded tenacity. But the Whale Road is never calm and his journey is beset with storms, betrayal and violence.
As the winds of his wyrd blow him ever further from what he knows, will Beobrand find victory on his quest or has his luck finally abandoned him?
REVIEW
While the previous books in this series have shown Beobrand in all sorts of dilemmas, and in a wide range of emotions, Storm of Steel has managed to raise the bar. The opposing forces within this warrior chieftain; anguish, pride, brutal in war and anger, generous and kind, are displayed throughout this absolute page turning episode of Dark Age Britain. As is expected in a time where violence and brutality are seemingly constant companions, the tale is full of action, a storm of steel. But what really makes this part of the saga most appealing to me is the depth of character Beobrand has become. Without giving anything away, the situations, the anguish, angst, frustration, and doubts Beobrand has to deal with make this tale tick. He is long past the inexperienced young warrior in book 1, and with every ordeal he becomes more human, less exalted. The rest of the cast ain't too shabby either. The author continues his wonderful portrayal of the warrior band of brothers; their camaraderie, their fierce loyalty to their lord, their battle proven worthiness, their grief at the loss of a friend. Their mettle is tested again and again in this tale of rescue and revenge. Surprises aplenty as Beobrand navigates the tortuous path woven for him by The Norns. 5 stars

A very engaging and entertaining book.
It's well written, fast paced and it never bores.
The characters are fleshed out, the historical background well researched.
I look forward to reading other books by this author.
Highly recommended.
Many thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for this ARC, all opinions are mine.

Great pirating tale. I thoroughly enjoyed the plot and main characters. Harffy has written a great action tale.

Storm of Steel is the next book in the Bernicia Chronicles, following the life of Beobrand - henceforth known as 'grimdark' Beo or just plain grumpy. Life seems quite hard for Beo, often torn between the decisions he makes and the oaths he must fulfil, and this is just another of those occasions when he's forced to take actions he might not strictly have wanted to.
The majority of Storm of Steel takes place at sea, or near the sea. There's a lot of 'ship' stuff and the weather, as always in Anglo-Saxon England (he he) is rubbish, and its winter and no one sails in the winter, apart from grimdark Beobrand. There are storms aplenty and it always seems to rain/snow/sleet! There's a lot of sea sickness and quite a bit of action. And then, almost abruptly, the book ends.
There are many things about the book that are good, but at times the story feels a little laboured, and I still don't like the scenes where the POV moves away from Beobrand. The story is not particularly complicated, and because it's Beobrand, even the scenes where his life might be in peril, are destined to end with his survival. That said, the final big 'scene' is very well written and enjoyable (but yes, it takes place both at sea. on the shore and in the rain - in fact, I think it's snowing and sleeting), but I would have liked a bit more here, rather than moving forward to a few months later.
A firm 4/5 and my thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for the review copy.

Storm of Steel
Matthew Harffy
Book 6

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This book was received as an ARC from NetGalley ,in exchange for an honest review. Opinions and thoughts expressed in this review are completely my own


Storm of Steel, is another masterly written historical fiction in The Berrnicia Chronicles.
Harffy is am immensely talented author. He delivers once again in creating each scene is richly atmospheric. Every detail has been put in place for a reason. Always brutally honest in recreating historical fiction time periods. This book lives up to its promise. Well developed characters and the authors strong ability to catapult you to that time period. Makes for thrilling adventurous read. I really enjoyed this last book in this series and highly recommend it. I look forward to reading more books by Matthew Harffy in the future.

I just reviewed Storm of Steel by Matthew Harffy. #StormOfSteel #NetGalley
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