Matthew Harffy is best known for historical fiction set in early medieval Britain. His popular Bernicia Chronicles, beginning with The Serpent Sword, have won readers over with their gritty action, strong sense of place, and vividly drawn world.
If you enjoy Matthew Harffy’s novels, these authors are well worth exploring next:
Bernard Cornwell is an easy recommendation for Harffy fans. His novels combine rich historical texture, hard-fought battles, and characters who feel grounded in the brutal realities of their age.
His The Last Kingdom introduces Uhtred, an Anglo-Saxon raised by Danes and divided between rival loyalties. Like Harffy’s fiction, the series captures the violence, faith, and shifting allegiances of the Saxon era.
Giles Kristian writes fast-moving historical fiction steeped in grit, danger, and camaraderie. His books often center on warriors bound by loyalty, ambition, and survival.
If Harffy’s realistic portrayals of battle and brotherhood appeal to you, start with Blood Eye, the opening novel in the Raven series. It follows a young man swept into the brutal world of Viking raiders in 9th-century England.
Ben Kane is a strong pick for readers who enjoy immersive storytelling and vivid combat. He has a talent for bringing military campaigns to life while keeping the human stakes front and center.
Try The Forgotten Legion, set during the height of Roman power. It follows men cast far from home as they face war, betrayal, and the struggle to endure.
Simon Scarrow delivers energetic historical adventures packed with intrigue, warfare, and loyalty. His fiction often explores the bonds and pressures that shape soldiers in dangerous times.
A great place to begin is Under the Eagle, which introduces Roman soldiers Macro and Cato as they confront bitter campaigns and ruthless enemies.
Conn Iggulden will likely appeal to Harffy readers who appreciate strong characterization alongside carefully built historical settings. His novels bring major figures and turning points in history to life with real momentum.
In The Gates of Rome, the first book in the Emperor series, a young Julius Caesar comes of age in a city defined by rivalry, ambition, and political danger.
If you liked Harffy’s dark, action-focused storytelling, Angus Donald is a natural next step. His books are bold, atmospheric, and full of tension.
Try Outlaw, his gritty reimagining of Robin Hood as a dangerous yet magnetic outlaw. It’s a suspenseful read shaped by loyalty, betrayal, and violence.
Christian Cameron writes historical fiction with impressive realism and scope. If Harffy’s immersive worlds and martial detail are what keep you reading, Cameron should be on your list.
Take a look at Killer of Men, which plunges readers into the fierce struggles of the ancient Greek world, where courage and survival are constantly tested.
Robert Low will suit readers who enjoy raw, hard-edged historical adventure. His novels are filled with fierce warriors, harsh landscapes, and the sense that danger is never far away.
Consider The Whale Road, an intense Viking tale about a band of warriors chasing fortune and glory through treacherous trials.
Theodore Brun writes gripping historical fiction with strong pacing and a vividly imagined sense of time and place. His work should appeal to anyone who likes Harffy’s blend of action and atmosphere.
Brun explores themes of honor, destiny, and identity with confidence. Try A Mighty Dawn, a compelling story of a warrior driven from his home and forced to seek redemption through hardship and courage.
James L. Nelson is a great option if you want historical fiction with speed, scale, and a strong sense of adventure. He is especially known for vivid seafaring action and gripping naval conflict.
His books highlight both the strengths and flaws of the men who fight and sail through dangerous eras. Check out Fin Gall, a dramatic Viking story filled with longships, sea battles, and fierce rivalries.
Steven A. McKay is another good fit for readers who enjoy action-heavy medieval fiction. He combines historical texture with brisk plotting and believable characters.
One of his best-known novels, Wolf's Head, offers a fresh take on the Robin Hood legend, mixing adventurous storytelling with a grounded historical feel.
Fans of Matthew Harffy who value immersive settings and military realism will likely enjoy S.J.A. Turney. His fiction often focuses on campaigns, strategy, and the experience of soldiers on the ground.
A strong starting point is Marius' Mules: The Invasion of Gaul. Told from a soldier’s perspective, it brings Julius Caesar’s campaigns to life in a style that is both accessible and historically rooted.
David Gilman is well worth trying if you like historical fiction with layered plots, intense action, and capable protagonists. His novels balance momentum with careful attention to period detail.
His book Master of War follows the English archer Thomas Blackstone during the Hundred Years’ War, delivering plenty of battlefield drama along with strong character development.
C.C. Humphreys is a strong choice for readers drawn to atmosphere and character as much as action. He writes vivid historical fiction with memorable protagonists and high emotional stakes.
His novel Vlad: The Last Confession offers a compelling take on the life of Vlad the Impaler, blending drama, historical depth, and an intriguing central figure.
Readers who enjoy Harffy’s gritty, battle-driven storytelling should also take a look at Anthony Riches. His novels are meticulously researched and packed with tension, conflict, and strong military detail.
Start with Wounds of Honour, the first novel in his Empire series, which follows a young Roman officer navigating intrigue, betrayal, and war in Roman Britain.
