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The Legends of Camber of Culdi #3
Camber the Heretic
King Cinhil, who had assured peace between the Deryni and humans in Gwynedd, was dying. And the regents who were set to rule in the place of his sickly son were evil men who could very well undo all that Cinhil had accomplished. Once they ruled, no Deryni would be safe. The only hope lay in a discovery that blocked off all Deryni talents, enabling them to go underground and appear as humans. But that meant that the race of Deryni could be saved only by being destroyed as Deryni...!
506 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 1981
53 people are currently reading
995 people want to read
About the author
Katherine Kurtz
97 books739 followersKatherine Kurtz is an American fantasy novel writer. She is best known for her Deryni series. She currently lives in Virginia.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 57 reviews
December 16, 2018
917 is a bad year to be Deryni. An underage prince assumes the throne. The regents with one exception are anti-Deryni. While there are hopeful moments in this book. It is grim and violent at times. The Deryni series remain one of my favorite fantasy series of all time.
April 7, 2024
FINALLY. This book just WOULD NOT END. I feel like I deserve a trophy for completing this marathon of epic snoozery. 🏆
I hated the (supposed) protagonists, I hated the antagonists, I hated the tedious rituals, & I hated the repeated recapping. But most importantly I hated all the ridiculously complicated & nonsensical cunning plans these nitwits came up with. Observe: lots of humans hate your race, so you…(wait for it)…create a faux-cult with a false prophet to spread the word that you’re a bunch of freaks who need their souls saved via healing…through a not-understood method nobody but one person can accomplish safely? After 12+ years to prepare, SPREADING FEAR OF YOUR OWN RACE IS YOUR BIG PLAN?! Also, the way these same plans expose Camber’s mutable morality is grating. It might have been tolerable had they been portrayed as a Lannister clan, the sort who are driven to achieve/maintain power at any cost, but nope. Instead they all wax self-righteous at the drop of a hat, ostensibly eschewing open power despite other characters (rightly) pointing out that things would go much more smoothly without so much overwrought & inexplicable secrecy. The end result is a trilogy where the reader is expected to take their goodness at face value—surely everything they do is right & proper because look at how their enemies torture children & rape pregnant women! Whaaat?! 😱 Meanwhile Camber gets his own grandkids (needlessly) killed by insisting on yet more (needless) subterfuge…& around we go yet again, the slogging dullness dragging along ad nauseam.
1.5 stars. I seriously considered rounding down, but I liked that Evaine had a more significant role in this, so I guess that’s worth 2 stars. Maybe. 🙄 I also liked when Joram groused about all the stupid secrecy & overly-complicated plans—too bad he never dug in his heels & refused to participate.
I hated the (supposed) protagonists, I hated the antagonists, I hated the tedious rituals, & I hated the repeated recapping. But most importantly I hated all the ridiculously complicated & nonsensical cunning plans these nitwits came up with. Observe: lots of humans hate your race, so you…(wait for it)…create a faux-cult with a false prophet to spread the word that you’re a bunch of freaks who need their souls saved via healing…through a not-understood method nobody but one person can accomplish safely? After 12+ years to prepare, SPREADING FEAR OF YOUR OWN RACE IS YOUR BIG PLAN?! Also, the way these same plans expose Camber’s mutable morality is grating. It might have been tolerable had they been portrayed as a Lannister clan, the sort who are driven to achieve/maintain power at any cost, but nope. Instead they all wax self-righteous at the drop of a hat, ostensibly eschewing open power despite other characters (rightly) pointing out that things would go much more smoothly without so much overwrought & inexplicable secrecy. The end result is a trilogy where the reader is expected to take their goodness at face value—surely everything they do is right & proper because look at how their enemies torture children & rape pregnant women! Whaaat?! 😱 Meanwhile Camber gets his own grandkids (needlessly) killed by insisting on yet more (needless) subterfuge…& around we go yet again, the slogging dullness dragging along ad nauseam.
1.5 stars. I seriously considered rounding down, but I liked that Evaine had a more significant role in this, so I guess that’s worth 2 stars. Maybe. 🙄 I also liked when Joram groused about all the stupid secrecy & overly-complicated plans—too bad he never dug in his heels & refused to participate.
June 8, 2016
Well. Remember how I said there were no real villains in Saint Camber? That's because they've all decamped to here ...
The story picks up about a dozen years after Camber's canonization. Camber himself (very much alive and unsaintly) is still continuing in the role he took on midway through the previous book, and has established the Camberian Council to try to work from the shadows to mitigate tensions between the humans (some of whom still remember Deryni oppression and/or look enviously at Deryni-held lands and wealth) and the Deryni (some of whom are still bitter over loss of privilege when Cinhil overthrew Imre and restored the human Haldane line to the throne). Cinhil himself is in failing health and doesn't seem to have left any really suitable heirs. (And his reluctant bride -- well, technically, Cinhil was a reluctant groom -- did not survive the dozen years between the second & third books; that's one thing I find unfortunate about the series as a whole: The short shrift it gives to poor Meghan.)
And then, of course, Cinhil passes before his sons' majority, and the council of regents manages to rid itself of its Deryni members, and then let the pogroms begin!
Necessarily (because it's laying groundwork for the original Deryni trilogy), this is a grim book, and a dark one, and not one of those books that has a happy ending; but it's not unleavened by moments of joy and redemption. And now I suppose at some point I'll have to read all of the other books she's written, both the ones between the Camber & Deryni trilogies and the ones that are set after.
The story picks up about a dozen years after Camber's canonization. Camber himself (very much alive and unsaintly) is still continuing in the role he took on midway through the previous book, and has established the Camberian Council to try to work from the shadows to mitigate tensions between the humans (some of whom still remember Deryni oppression and/or look enviously at Deryni-held lands and wealth) and the Deryni (some of whom are still bitter over loss of privilege when Cinhil overthrew Imre and restored the human Haldane line to the throne). Cinhil himself is in failing health and doesn't seem to have left any really suitable heirs. (And his reluctant bride -- well, technically, Cinhil was a reluctant groom -- did not survive the dozen years between the second & third books; that's one thing I find unfortunate about the series as a whole: The short shrift it gives to poor Meghan.)
And then, of course, Cinhil passes before his sons' majority, and the council of regents manages to rid itself of its Deryni members, and then let the pogroms begin!
Necessarily (because it's laying groundwork for the original Deryni trilogy), this is a grim book, and a dark one, and not one of those books that has a happy ending; but it's not unleavened by moments of joy and redemption. And now I suppose at some point I'll have to read all of the other books she's written, both the ones between the Camber & Deryni trilogies and the ones that are set after.
August 25, 2008
I had read the Chronicles of the Deryni before I read any of the Legends of Saint Camber. When I finally did read the Camber books, this was the first one I read, and talk about being completely lost!!!!!!
BESURE to read Camber of Culdi, and Saint Camber first or you will have no clue what is going on in this book.
That being said, the Camber books are some of her best work. By the time you get into this book, the back lash against the deryni is growing, and it is so hard to read. At this point she has drawn you in to care for so many characters, that it is easy to shed tears as the conflict spreads. One of the best things about Katherine Kurtz is she is not afraid to kill favorite, beloved characters. In doing so, she becomes one of the greats in that the "happily ever after" we all want and wish for, is not the outcome. If you want to start with a series of books by Katherine Kurtz, Camber of Culdi is the start of this series and a good trilogy to start with.
Otherwise start with the Deryni Chronicles, Deryni Rising being the first book of that trilogy.
BESURE to read Camber of Culdi, and Saint Camber first or you will have no clue what is going on in this book.
That being said, the Camber books are some of her best work. By the time you get into this book, the back lash against the deryni is growing, and it is so hard to read. At this point she has drawn you in to care for so many characters, that it is easy to shed tears as the conflict spreads. One of the best things about Katherine Kurtz is she is not afraid to kill favorite, beloved characters. In doing so, she becomes one of the greats in that the "happily ever after" we all want and wish for, is not the outcome. If you want to start with a series of books by Katherine Kurtz, Camber of Culdi is the start of this series and a good trilogy to start with.
Otherwise start with the Deryni Chronicles, Deryni Rising being the first book of that trilogy.
dnf
July 15, 2024Again, reading with Judith Tarr on Tor.com.
I've been getting around and getting around and getting around to going back to this one. But I was talking with a friend at Christmas who pointed out that there's no point in immersing myself in grimness if I don't feel up to it. The world is grim enough at it is.
I decided she was right. I've read this before. I know what happens next and it all pretty much sucks. I also don't know that I need to read about greedy, power hungry, racist and sexist men taking power and only using it to give themselves more and hurt others. That's a bit too real right now. I'm following my friend's advice and leaving this one behind. I may go back to the Kelson ones later as they are marginally better, but then again I may not.
DNF 24 December 2017
I've been getting around and getting around and getting around to going back to this one. But I was talking with a friend at Christmas who pointed out that there's no point in immersing myself in grimness if I don't feel up to it. The world is grim enough at it is.
I decided she was right. I've read this before. I know what happens next and it all pretty much sucks. I also don't know that I need to read about greedy, power hungry, racist and sexist men taking power and only using it to give themselves more and hurt others. That's a bit too real right now. I'm following my friend's advice and leaving this one behind. I may go back to the Kelson ones later as they are marginally better, but then again I may not.
DNF 24 December 2017
July 6, 2025
3.5 stars
August 15, 2017
I've read the books in the trilogy several times. It is a series I encountered in my teens. I will admit to enjoying the entire Deryni canon, however I have a particular fondness for the earlier pre-Kelson eras. This book never seems to fail in regards to depth, or as I've found, complexity. To find the writing fresh, relevant, and still entertaining after decades is the mark of good writing.
While this book is not a light-hearted read, or deals with topics that are entirely cheery it does reflect societal and social topics that continue to plague us in the world even today. Watching characters grapple with issues, fail at times, or even have events over-take them, is honest and true to the situation. The characters continue to grow and develop (or in some cases wither and get worse). I've noticed from others reviews that they feel this is a slow moving book - yes it most likely is. But like many things in life it builds slowly, it's the little actions over time that culminate into a large and seemingly fast moving event. I think this book which continues the events of the first two novels does this brilliantly - and sets up* the the entire series and the next trilogy brilliantly. That this won a Locus Award for Fantasy is of no surprise.
* ties in would be more appropriate publication-wise, however in terms of chronology sets up is more accurate.
While this book is not a light-hearted read, or deals with topics that are entirely cheery it does reflect societal and social topics that continue to plague us in the world even today. Watching characters grapple with issues, fail at times, or even have events over-take them, is honest and true to the situation. The characters continue to grow and develop (or in some cases wither and get worse). I've noticed from others reviews that they feel this is a slow moving book - yes it most likely is. But like many things in life it builds slowly, it's the little actions over time that culminate into a large and seemingly fast moving event. I think this book which continues the events of the first two novels does this brilliantly - and sets up* the the entire series and the next trilogy brilliantly. That this won a Locus Award for Fantasy is of no surprise.
* ties in would be more appropriate publication-wise, however in terms of chronology sets up is more accurate.
November 27, 2015
Minor spoilers, although if you've read the first two, it's not really blowing much.
Anyway, so this book takes it's time (a lot of time) with no real action and a lot of talking and walking around and describing. Whenever there's a Mass, I actually feel like I'm at Mass in real time. And then suddenly this dude gets his hand chopped off and another dude gets a sword in his eye and there's genocide, genocide everywhere!
Some reviews complain that the original Deryni series that these are prequels to take place 200 years later, but there are now other novels and short stories that pick up where this left off. ( Click here for the series in chronological order).
Anyway, these are kind of like, but not quite, alternate history novels, with a sort of catholicism being the main religion and even biblical epigraphs at the beginning of each chapter, but there's magic and mental abilities, which seem to be racial (and hence the racial tension), but maybe the magic comes from the divine, which clearly exists in this world. Really neat ideas for a world.
Anyway, so this book takes it's time (a lot of time) with no real action and a lot of talking and walking around and describing. Whenever there's a Mass, I actually feel like I'm at Mass in real time. And then suddenly this dude gets his hand chopped off and another dude gets a sword in his eye and there's genocide, genocide everywhere!
Some reviews complain that the original Deryni series that these are prequels to take place 200 years later, but there are now other novels and short stories that pick up where this left off. ( Click here for the series in chronological order).
Anyway, these are kind of like, but not quite, alternate history novels, with a sort of catholicism being the main religion and even biblical epigraphs at the beginning of each chapter, but there's magic and mental abilities, which seem to be racial (and hence the racial tension), but maybe the magic comes from the divine, which clearly exists in this world. Really neat ideas for a world.
October 7, 2008
So it has come to my attention that sometimes I have to be slapped in the face to notice the obvious.
LONG before I ever read the X Men, I found through these novels that things such as racism and bigotry can be masked in literature to teach us white males that just because it doesn't happen to you doesn't mean its not happening.
I wont go through reviews on all of these novels -- much like Robert Jordan, its about the first six-eight that are incredible, and then the quality tails off noticeably.
However, the end of "St. Camber" and the entirety of "Camber the Heretic" are easily some of my favorite fantasy novels.
Not to go all spoiler-ific, but I LOVE tragedy -- its more lifelike -- and this entire series is littered with nearly enough to satisfy even the worst reader masochist.
My best guess is that George RR Martin learned about killing protagonists from Katheryn Kurtz.
All in all, each book is a quick read, and as long as you quit reading around "Harrowing", you wont be too disappointed.
LONG before I ever read the X Men, I found through these novels that things such as racism and bigotry can be masked in literature to teach us white males that just because it doesn't happen to you doesn't mean its not happening.
I wont go through reviews on all of these novels -- much like Robert Jordan, its about the first six-eight that are incredible, and then the quality tails off noticeably.
However, the end of "St. Camber" and the entirety of "Camber the Heretic" are easily some of my favorite fantasy novels.
Not to go all spoiler-ific, but I LOVE tragedy -- its more lifelike -- and this entire series is littered with nearly enough to satisfy even the worst reader masochist.
My best guess is that George RR Martin learned about killing protagonists from Katheryn Kurtz.
All in all, each book is a quick read, and as long as you quit reading around "Harrowing", you wont be too disappointed.
October 20, 2024
I often follow history and sometimes current events through the filter of novels that I've read, and I decided to re-read this because of a scene that popped into my head during the news coverage of Pope Benedict's resignation and the descriptions of how the new pope will be chosen.
This book has a very powerful narrative, which makes me immediately want to re-read the next book (by internal chronology The Harrowing of Gwynedd). Despite being written as the final book of a trilogy, Camber the Heretic also serves to set up "what happens next?".
This book has a very powerful narrative, which makes me immediately want to re-read the next book (by internal chronology The Harrowing of Gwynedd). Despite being written as the final book of a trilogy, Camber the Heretic also serves to set up "what happens next?".
December 18, 2016
This trilogy just did not hold up on the re-read. Now not only were the protagonists all incredibly arrogant, they were all obsessed with secrecy for reasons that are never clear (or consistent) and frequently the actions taken were dumb and without good reason. It is never explained why certain decisions were made beyond a "required for the plot" and it kept throwing me out of the story.
Plus, if you're feeling victimised because people keep accusing you of running a conspiracy to cling to some sort of power, don't form a secret council to manipulate the legitimate government. It just makes you look ridiculous.
Plus, if you're feeling victimised because people keep accusing you of running a conspiracy to cling to some sort of power, don't form a secret council to manipulate the legitimate government. It just makes you look ridiculous.
September 7, 2020
A powerful ending to the first trilogy (according to Kurtz's timeline). The plot is not as original and twisting as Saint Camber, rather moving forward in a more-or-less very predictable manner. Nonetheless, Kurtz continues with her vivid descriptions and makes further interesting character development. Overall, it is a good story well told and well worth reading. Indeed, the Deryni series would make a fine adaptation to film, if it were kept reasonably true to the books and done in the mold of a Peter Jackson film.
Kurtz clearly did her homework in depth, her portrayal of medieval European life make these stories almost seem like well-told history, but for the Deryni magic, of course. As with Saint Camber, I quibble a little as to how tepid the protagonists' response is to the antagonists' actions against them. For instance, in real medieval quarrels, it was not uncommon for competing declarations of excommunication, interdiction, banishment and attainder, etc., and the protagonists' failure to make use of their offices and resources is unconvincing and otherwise comes off as out-of-character for at least the more scrappy, spirited ones. Not that I suggest even such counteractions necessarily would have changed the basic outcome of her plot, but it would have made for a bit more gripping reading.
The issues she raises concerning race and racial hatred continue to make a tale like this relevant as more than mere entertainment. However, it has been years since I read these books and I'd forgotten just how much simple pleasure reading them gives, so they are good in their own right for that. She writes in a way that a person could read it as a stand-alone, but it's much better read after the first two in the trilogy. A good read!
Kurtz clearly did her homework in depth, her portrayal of medieval European life make these stories almost seem like well-told history, but for the Deryni magic, of course. As with Saint Camber, I quibble a little as to how tepid the protagonists' response is to the antagonists' actions against them. For instance, in real medieval quarrels, it was not uncommon for competing declarations of excommunication, interdiction, banishment and attainder, etc., and the protagonists' failure to make use of their offices and resources is unconvincing and otherwise comes off as out-of-character for at least the more scrappy, spirited ones. Not that I suggest even such counteractions necessarily would have changed the basic outcome of her plot, but it would have made for a bit more gripping reading.
The issues she raises concerning race and racial hatred continue to make a tale like this relevant as more than mere entertainment. However, it has been years since I read these books and I'd forgotten just how much simple pleasure reading them gives, so they are good in their own right for that. She writes in a way that a person could read it as a stand-alone, but it's much better read after the first two in the trilogy. A good read!
November 15, 2017
King Cinhil, the former monk, and also the only heir to the throne of Gwynedd, has finally come into his own with three young sons. Upon Cinhil's death however, the long feared chain of events caused by the fear of the Deryni race is set into motion. Cinhil has been protected thus far by Camber, and his family, but a small group of well-connected humans, who will now be regents to the future king of Gwynedd, will do anything to seize power and destroy the Deryni the fear so much. Can Camber and his family stop them yet again and spare their magical race from destruction?
Ms. Kurtz has an amazing way of putting human emotion into words that will make any reader feel exactly what her character's endure. She can take a magical race of humans and make everything they do seem real and believable. One can grow attached to her characters to the point that you could actually picture them in detail, and possibly guess how they would react to any given situation. Ms. Kurtz leaves nothing out. Her attention to detail is astonishing.
This is a fantastic sequel to this series, and I don't want the series to end.
Ms. Kurtz has an amazing way of putting human emotion into words that will make any reader feel exactly what her character's endure. She can take a magical race of humans and make everything they do seem real and believable. One can grow attached to her characters to the point that you could actually picture them in detail, and possibly guess how they would react to any given situation. Ms. Kurtz leaves nothing out. Her attention to detail is astonishing.
This is a fantastic sequel to this series, and I don't want the series to end.
November 8, 2021
In rereading this trilogy after many years (read decades), I was happy to note that Kurtz's writing, characterization, and world-building remain just as strong and original as they were back in the day.
That remains true of this final volume. So, first and foremost, if you have never read Kurtz's work you are in for a treat.
Having said that, I did find that the plotting of book 2 was less successful than that of book 1, and sadly the trend continues here. Oh, it's cohesive enough and carries on with the overarching storyline begun in Camber of Culdi. The main problem is that it is a bit predictable and, worse, ends with enough loose ends to suggest further volumes were on the way. To my knowledge, though, that never happened, leaving this reader, at least, feeling disappointed and unsatisfied. Still, the books strengths are legion so I will give it 3 stars.
That remains true of this final volume. So, first and foremost, if you have never read Kurtz's work you are in for a treat.
Having said that, I did find that the plotting of book 2 was less successful than that of book 1, and sadly the trend continues here. Oh, it's cohesive enough and carries on with the overarching storyline begun in Camber of Culdi. The main problem is that it is a bit predictable and, worse, ends with enough loose ends to suggest further volumes were on the way. To my knowledge, though, that never happened, leaving this reader, at least, feeling disappointed and unsatisfied. Still, the books strengths are legion so I will give it 3 stars.
January 2, 2018
A wonderful ending to the Camber of Culdi series. I am glad that I started here, as getting the background history on the Deryni situation has really changed my view as I started the Chronicles of the Deryni series that I started.
I didn't realize how attached to the characters I was until a few of the main ones died off, and I felt totally depressed and bereft about it. I guess I didn't finish on hating Camber as much as I did at the start. I like that Katherine's characters are magical characters in a medieval setting, yet they are so believable and relateable from the viewpoint of a woman in 2018.
I have to say that I am so glad that Evaine existed, as the book needed a strong woman presence to even things out a bit.
All in all, I loved this series and already started the next Deryni series. So far, so good!
I didn't realize how attached to the characters I was until a few of the main ones died off, and I felt totally depressed and bereft about it. I guess I didn't finish on hating Camber as much as I did at the start. I like that Katherine's characters are magical characters in a medieval setting, yet they are so believable and relateable from the viewpoint of a woman in 2018.
I have to say that I am so glad that Evaine existed, as the book needed a strong woman presence to even things out a bit.
All in all, I loved this series and already started the next Deryni series. So far, so good!
February 21, 2019
A satisfying - if sometimes remarkably bloody - end to Camber's kingmaking days. I read this series first, and haven't gotten to the others in the series yet, but given the ending, I presume he isn't done just yet. I have to say that the Catholicism was a welcome and fascinatingly integrated part of the series so far, and the best treatment of it I've ever read. A lot of authors will introduce a sort of Catholic-lite religion to their setting, with the flavor of monks or priests. Kurtz goes all the way. Latin verses, biblical quotes, observing both the ceremony and the meaning behind them with no cutting corners. The best treatment of how it must feel to be invested with both holy and arcane power at the same time, and the revelations of divinity through sorcery.
August 24, 2020
The powerful final volume of the "Legends of Camber of Culdi" series packs quite a punch. The events leading up to the persecution of the Deryni showcase the author's understanding of history, and the emotional investment in the story is testament to her characterization. The central characters--Camber, Joram, Evaine, and Rhys--all come to life with full personalities.
The only weakness in this volume is that there are so many pivotal events that require setup, and those are sometimes told, not shown, in a few longer narratives rather than through dialog or action. The alternative, though, would have been a massive book with far more tangents than necessary.
Plenty of Bad Things Happen in this book, and the strength of the story lies in the intelligence and dignity with which the characters react. The trilogy maintains the feel of "history brought to life" throughout, creating a realistic medieval realm of rich politics, religion, and events.
The only weakness in this volume is that there are so many pivotal events that require setup, and those are sometimes told, not shown, in a few longer narratives rather than through dialog or action. The alternative, though, would have been a massive book with far more tangents than necessary.
Plenty of Bad Things Happen in this book, and the strength of the story lies in the intelligence and dignity with which the characters react. The trilogy maintains the feel of "history brought to life" throughout, creating a realistic medieval realm of rich politics, religion, and events.
March 16, 2024
Book three in the series is equally good. When King Cinhill dies leaving sons who will not attain majority for many years, the regents he has left in charge of the sons prove to be venal, corrupt, and extremely anti-Deranyi (the humans with magic). They manage to get rid of all Deranyi advisors to the boys and begin a program not unlike the Nazis purge of Jews from politics, education, and eventually land and lives. Included in the purge is the stripping of Sainthood from Saint Camber and the destruction of his monastery and shrines.
June 30, 2019
I used to adore this series. It doesn't hold up for me 40 years later. Camber has made a messy, messy situation for himself over the last few books -- living under a secret identity, creating a king that didn't want to be king, not addressing the resentment that had been building for decades against his magic-using ethnic group -- and this is the chapter where all that crashes down on him. Reading this as an adult, it seems very fair, that ruining of so many of his plans....
April 16, 2019
This review was first published on Kurt's Frontier.
Winner of the 1982 Balrog Award
Synopsis:
The kingdom of Gwynedd’s fragile peace is ending. King Cinhil is dying. The strife that has existed between the humans and the magical Deryni is boiling to the surface. His heir is a boy of twelve with ambitious regents set to rule until (or if) he comes of age. They are determined to eliminate the Deryni, even those that helped the boy’s father. Chief among them is Camber of Culdi, sainted for his sacrifice for the good of all people. (In the previous book, he changed his form into that of Bishop Alistair Cullen, so he’s still lead character.) Now, Camber is reviled as a heretic and must find a way to protect his people from the genocidal ambitions of the regents and their puppet king.
Review:
Katherine Kurtz has written an alternative history fantasy novel based loosely on medieval Europe. The names seem based on Welsh. This is the third book in the Legends of Camber of Culdi. Full disclosure, I have not read the first two.
In this alternative medieval Europe, there is a magical race known as the Deryni. The book hints that they were once on top and used their magic powers to oppress humans. At the time of this book, humans distrust the Deryni, and the Catholic-like faith that both adhere to is on the verge of outlawing them. There are also Deryni who seem to go out of their way to prove the prejudices right. Saint Camber and the Cambrian Council helped King Cinhil to the throne, and he has kept the peace. Unfortunately, he is dying. The kingdom of Gwynedd hangs on the edge of disaster, as the regents who will rule until one of Cinhil’s sons is ready for the throne seem bent on genocide.
The story should be exciting, and the concepts explored by Katherine Kurtz are interesting. However, there is no action, with a great deal of things describe in exposition. She is telling rather than showing, and it is a long book.
Winner of the 1982 Balrog Award
Synopsis:
The kingdom of Gwynedd’s fragile peace is ending. King Cinhil is dying. The strife that has existed between the humans and the magical Deryni is boiling to the surface. His heir is a boy of twelve with ambitious regents set to rule until (or if) he comes of age. They are determined to eliminate the Deryni, even those that helped the boy’s father. Chief among them is Camber of Culdi, sainted for his sacrifice for the good of all people. (In the previous book, he changed his form into that of Bishop Alistair Cullen, so he’s still lead character.) Now, Camber is reviled as a heretic and must find a way to protect his people from the genocidal ambitions of the regents and their puppet king.
Review:
Katherine Kurtz has written an alternative history fantasy novel based loosely on medieval Europe. The names seem based on Welsh. This is the third book in the Legends of Camber of Culdi. Full disclosure, I have not read the first two.
In this alternative medieval Europe, there is a magical race known as the Deryni. The book hints that they were once on top and used their magic powers to oppress humans. At the time of this book, humans distrust the Deryni, and the Catholic-like faith that both adhere to is on the verge of outlawing them. There are also Deryni who seem to go out of their way to prove the prejudices right. Saint Camber and the Cambrian Council helped King Cinhil to the throne, and he has kept the peace. Unfortunately, he is dying. The kingdom of Gwynedd hangs on the edge of disaster, as the regents who will rule until one of Cinhil’s sons is ready for the throne seem bent on genocide.
The story should be exciting, and the concepts explored by Katherine Kurtz are interesting. However, there is no action, with a great deal of things describe in exposition. She is telling rather than showing, and it is a long book.
April 5, 2023
Whoa
Kurtz doesn't pull punches in this final book describing why "Beware Deryni! Here lies danger!!" Seeing the world around the characters we've come to care about descend into the chaos that we knew had to occur was maddening in its inexorability, yet satisfying in its thoroughness.
Kurtz doesn't pull punches in this final book describing why "Beware Deryni! Here lies danger!!" Seeing the world around the characters we've come to care about descend into the chaos that we knew had to occur was maddening in its inexorability, yet satisfying in its thoroughness.
June 18, 2019
Family trees are the worst, especially if they have the date of death. That made it particularly hard to endure, waiting for the death of certain characters. But this was an amazing close to The Legends of Camber of Culdi. I hope the next books are not so grim
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February 21, 2021This series grew on me as I went along, and this book does end with a heck of a hook for the next trilogy, but all told I think I'm stopping here. Having read the Kelson books, I know things don't get better, and I imagine the next three books are rather dark.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
March 4, 2025
A Fitting Conclusion
If you’ve read the Kelson stories, you know how this ends. Great story. Very difficult to read at times, not because it’s bad in any way but because of some harrowing scenes. Highly recommended!👍🏻
If you’ve read the Kelson stories, you know how this ends. Great story. Very difficult to read at times, not because it’s bad in any way but because of some harrowing scenes. Highly recommended!👍🏻
October 4, 2025
This has been the best of these books so far.
By reading the original trilogy first I had an idea of what to expect but it was still brutal.
Really puts a worse light on Cinil as there was not a huge swing in character on those he chose as regents - should have been obvious what path they'd take.
By reading the original trilogy first I had an idea of what to expect but it was still brutal.
Really puts a worse light on Cinil as there was not a huge swing in character on those he chose as regents - should have been obvious what path they'd take.
July 5, 2017
Great story, but I'm much more sympathetic to the human characters than I was when I first read it.
August 20, 2017
I started reading the Deryni series quite a while ago. As I re-read this trilogy I wonder why I ever stopped. I look forward to reading all the books in chronological order.
December 7, 2017
Great finish to the trilogy. Leaves hope in the middle of darkness.
February 22, 2018
Third book (chronologically) is the Deryni series. A heavy body count sets the stage for the next generation of leaders. Love this series!
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