The life of a novice monk will be changed forever when the Vikings attack in a new historical adventure from Matthew Harffy.

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 AD793, 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.

Hunlaf soon learns that there is a time for faith and prayer… and there is a time for swords.

Praise for Matthew Harffy:

'Historical fiction doesn't get much better than this' Angus Donald.

'Matthew Harffy's tale of England in the Dark Ages is nothing less than superb… The tale is fast paced and violence lurks on every page' Historical Novel Society.

'I was gripped from the very first sentence… I thoroughly recommend it for all historical fiction readers' Martin Lake.

'A tale that rings like sword song in the reader's mind' Giles Kristian.

'A terrific novel. It illuminates the Dark Ages like a bolt of lightning' Toby Clements.

'Battles, treachery, revenge and a healthy dose of Dark Age adventure' Simon Turney.

'Matthew Harffy tells a great story' Joanna Hickson.

'Harffy's writing just gets better and better… He is really proving himself the rightful heir to Gemmell's crown' Jemahl Evans.

'A breathtaking novel that sweeps the reader into a dark and dangerous world' Paul Fraser Collard.

The Cross and the Curse