Katherine Kurtz

The Spirituality of Imperfection: Storytelling and the Search for Meaning

Average customer rating:

Understanding and Acceptance
It made the differance
God's crack
A Book About The Reality Of Being Human
Mixed feelings

The Spirituality of Imperfection: Storytelling and the Search for Meaning
Ernest Kurtz , and Katherine Ketcham
Manufacturer: Bantam
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

Self-Esteem | Self-Help | Health, Mind & Body | Subjects | Books

General | Psychology & Counseling | Health, Mind & Body | Subjects | Books

General | Religion & Spirituality | Subjects | Books

Comparative Religion | Religious Studies | Religion & Spirituality | Subjects | Books

Look Inside Health Books | Trip | Specialty Stores | Books

Look Inside Religion & Spirituality Books | Trip | Specialty Stores | Books
Similar Items:

Not God: A History of Alcoholics Anonymous
Drop The Rock: Removing Character Defects, Steps Six and Seven, Second Edition
The Sermon on the Mount: The Key to Success in Life
You Can't Make Me Angry
There's More to Quitting Drinking Than Quitting Drinking

ASIN: 0553371320
Release Date: 1993-12-01

Book Description

I Am Not Perfect is a simple statement of profound truth, the first step toward understanding the human condition, for to deny your essential imperfection is to deny yourself and your own humanity. The spirituality of imperfection, steeped in the rich traditions of the Hebrew prophets and Greek thinkers, Buddhist sages and Christian disciples, is a message as timeless as it is timely. This insightful work draws on the wisdom stories of the ages to provide an extraordinary wellspring of hope and inspiration to anyone thirsting for spiritual growth and guidance in these troubled times.

Who are we? Why so we so often fall short of our goals for ourselves and others? By seeking to understand our limitations and accept the inevitably of failure and pain, we being to ease the hurt and move toward a greater sense of serenity and self-awareness. The Spirituality Of Imperfection brings together stories from many spiritual and philosophical paths, weaving past traditions into a spirituality and a new way of thinking and living that works today. It speaks so anyone who yearns to find meaning within suffering. Beyond theory and technique, inside this remarkable book you will find a new way of thinking, a way of living that enables a truly human existence.

Customer Reviews:

Understanding and Acceptance.......2007-05-14

Ernie Kurtz has written a comprehensive book about the acceptance of self and our human frailities that brings us into a closer relationship with a higher power and deepens our spirituality.

Sometimes over complicated and a bit confusing, but carefully
documented.

It made the differance.......2007-05-12

I was struggling with AA and my recovery and was recommended this book I read it in pieces at a time and the light bulb went on. I got it how storytelling is the true way to the heart and by passes the brain and we all can connect at that place in our stories and how AA meetings are like sitting around the fire and shareing our experiances. The idea that only through my imperfections do I experiance spirituality. And that's really true in my christian walk.

God's crack.......2007-03-13

This is a wonderful book. Especially if you're in a 12 step program,
but for anybody. It brings in a lot of spiritual history as well.

A Book About The Reality Of Being Human.......2007-02-24

.

I'll try not to be redundant as other reviewers have said it well. This book flows with spiritual insights based on the singular point that we are human and thus fallible. Failure is an inevitable part of the human experience.

If you've read 'Not God', then you know that Kurtz has a very readable style. The text flows easily from point ot point. Same holds true in this book. It is not some deep, impenetrable text, but rather prose that is accesible to anyone at any point of the spiritual path.

I have given this book to a number of friends over the years. Each one has called the reading a 'profound experience'. That's a great way to describe this book....it's an experience.

.

Mixed feelings.......2007-02-10

Kinda new age-y. Wisdom culled from many sources,nothing not discoverable in the bible. Leaves one with the felling 'all roads lead to the higher power' Won't offer eternal answers. Just an interesting read.

Average customer rating:

Disappointing - hoping for future improvement
Some interesting facets to the Deryni world and story
The most stylized Katherine Kurtz yet
The King's Protector
Childe Morgan

Childe Morgan
Katherine Kurtz
Manufacturer: Ace Hardcover
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

Epic | Fantasy | Science Fiction & Fantasy | Subjects | Books

General | Fantasy | Science Fiction & Fantasy | Subjects | Books

General | Science Fiction | Science Fiction & Fantasy | Subjects | Books

Look Inside Science Fiction & Fantasy Books | Trip | Specialty Stores | Books
Similar Items:

Codex Derynianus
In the King's Service: A Novel of the Deryni
Deryni Checkmate
The Alton Gift (Darkover)
Aerie (The Dragon Jousters, Book 4)

ASIN: 0441012825

Book Description

Alaric Morgan has been pledged to the king's service, for his Dernyi blood makes him ideal to safeguard the Haldane kings and ensure that Prince Brion shall have protection of his hereditary magic. But the Deryni are feared by the populace of Gwynedd and are viewed with deep suspicion by the Church. And the Camberian Council, which secretly oversees the activities of Deryni, scorns Alaric for his half-breed ancestry. Alaric has the king's protection, and a future mapped out for him that in time should ensure his survival as well as that of the king's heir. But Alaric is only four years old-and first he must survive to reach manhood.

Customer Reviews:

Disappointing - hoping for future improvement.......2007-06-25

This book is very much a background piece that doesn't necessarily provide new information but tries to pull together some fragments from earlier (by publishing date) work. It could have benefitted from closer editing - After Alyce's death, when Kenneth stopped at the convent on his return to Rhemuth, we were expected to overlook the fact that his youngest daughter was studying there. Had he forgotten? Was he going to tell her about her step-mother's death? In other ares, information was repeated with slightly different phrasing as if it were new.

Hopefully the third novel in this trilogy will see a return to Kurtz' usual excellent form.

Some interesting facets to the Deryni world and story.......2007-06-08

While this book doesn't have quite the same amount of adventure action as most of her other books, it develops the themes that will dominate Alaric Morgan's life quite nicely, and there is enough happening there to keep things interesting. I would have liked a little bit more of Alaric Morgan's point of view in all of this, considering that this is supposed to be his story (and the title is Childe Morgan, after all), but I am also glad to know more about his parents and how they served, not to mention some interesting insights into characters we will either meet later or hear about in the books about Kelson.

The most stylized Katherine Kurtz yet.......2007-06-03

Ostensibly the first book in a 'Childe Morgan' trilogy -- and an appreciation of the adult Alaric Morgan and his world is probably the only reason to pick up this latest Deryni novel -- this book is more of a sequel to Kurtz's previous tale of Gwynnedd, In the King's Service: A Novel of the Deryni, as it continues the life of Alyce de Corwyn and her husband Sir Kenneth Morgan as their marriage ages alongside their children.

This is not a book for the faint of heart or short of attention span; only hardened Kurtz fans need apply. Characters spend most of their time reciting genealogies and history, recapitulating the action of the previous book, or making allusions to events that will come to fruition only in the later ones, continuing the feel of exposition for something to come rather than independent story. The tone of In the King's Service continues as well, but even more so. This book has substantially less plot, less conflict, and less action: something that I didn't think could be possible after reading the last one. Kurtz has clearly built up her world to the point where she thinks she can dispense with these things, and write tableaux of her characters' life instead.

I never thought that I would criticize a fantasy novel for not having enough action, or for being too domestic, but I find myself making that criticism here. Everything is simply too easy. The only conflict of any kind to be found in this installment is the interminable debates of the Camberian Council over whether Character X should marry Character Y or Character Z, or whether Potential Baddie Q should be taken out preemptively or not. This could be interesting, if we weren't assured by the author and every other good character that the Camberian Council has everyone's best interests at heart, and would never contemplate anything morally iffy. This lack of ambiguity, which was always present in the Deryni novels, has become unbearable by this one. No character has to make a difficult decision, or oppose another character on ideological grounds. Paradoxically, only people who have qualms about what they are doing are the villains, who occasionally are made to weigh, say, condoning the murder of children against extirpating the Deryni. For the main characters, everything is in the clear. The king is committed to the safety of his realm and the good of his people; his nobles are deeply loyal to it and to him; with the exception of a few brutal and bigoted bishops, the church is godly and invested in the well-being of the populace; lords are invariably kind to their underlings, and the peasantry are cheerfully subservient to their good masters (cf. Diana Wynne Jones' The Tough Guide to Fantasyland: The Essential Guide to Fantasy Travel on "Good Aristocratic Feudalists"). There is something rather Victorian about this happy and virtuous realm, and the feeling is compounded by the precociously adorable and saccharine children, among which young Alaric (in his rare appearances in this rather mis-named book) takes his place with darling questions about God and fealty that the adult General Morgan of Chronicles of the Deryni would squirm to remember, even as he would have a hard time recognizing the blithe moral confidence of his parents in the even slightly more checkered world-view he imparts to his protegé King Kelson.

The King's Protector.......2007-04-12

Childe Morgan (2006) is the eighth fantasy novel in the Deryni series by internal chronology, following In the King's Service. In the previous volume, Krispin Sief MacAthan, the illegitimate son of the Deryni Lady Jessamy MacAthan and King Donal Haldane, was murdered by Father Septimus and two others. Donal summarily tried the murderers and executed the priest in the same manner as the boy had been killed. Under the threat of Interdict against Gwynedd, however, the Church forced Donal to beg forgiveness for killing a priest.

In this novel, King Donal has tried another way of providing a Deryni protector to his heir. He has granted permission for his liegeman Kenneth Morgan to marry Lady Alyce de Corwyn, provided that their son becomes the protector. The half-Deryni Alaric is not only Prince Brion's future protector, but also heir of the duchy of Corwyn. At the beginning of this tale, he is three years old and very precocious for his age.

During the Twelfth Night celebrations of 1094, King Donal surprises his court. Lady Alyce is the heir of Lendour, but naturally she is not a knight. Thus, for years the earldom has not had a lord to install their knights. So, just prior to the Accolades for the Lendour squires, the King bestows the Earldom of Lendour upon Sir Kenneth for life.

Now Lord Kenneth conducts the induction of both squires into knighthood and accepts their fealty for the king. Since Alaric is also the heir of Lendour, he is allowed to share in the ceremony. He is pleased at his participation and so are the new Lendour knights.

After the ceremonies, The Camberian Council meets briefly to discuss a major point of concern. Princess Camille Furstana -- now Mother Seraphina -- is the teacher of the two eldest Torenthi princes at Saint-Sasile. Moreover, she also has Zachris Pomeroy studying under her. The Council has discovered that she is allowing these students to delve into forbidden magics.

King Donal and his counselors are frustrated at the strong prejudices in the Church against the Deryni. Lord Kenneth literally runs into the burning of alleged Deryni in a small hamlet. The residents claim they have only done what the itinerant priests had prescribed. Now the couple and their baby are dead and nobody can be proved to be at fault.

In this story, Lord Kenneth and Lady Alyce travel to Lendour and then later to Corwyn. Alaric is displayed to his people in both places and conducts himself with some dignity. Of course, he does get dirty every now and then. Mud is particularly fascinating.

Alaric gains a personal guardian in Sir Llion Farquahar. He also becomes good friends with Duncan McLain, who is a slightly younger relative; they both like to play in the mud. He also gains a horse and a puppy along the way.

This story revolves around Alaric, but is told through the viewpoints of Lady Alyce and Lord Kenneth. Naturally, the royal family appears throughout the tale and even dominates it on occasion, but it is mostly about the Morgans.

Recommended for Kurtz fans and for anyone else who enjoys tales of medieval kingdoms, noble families and concealed magic.

-Arthur W. Jordin

Childe Morgan.......2007-03-23

Another excellent work from the master of medieval fantasy.

In Childe Morgan Katherine Kurtz provides the reader with some some of previously unknown background to the life and times of the young Alaric Morgan and the youthful Brion Haldane.

As usual, Katherine Kutz paints a detailed tapestry of mediaeval times with rich characterisation and a nice blend of intrigue and action. The novel again showcases Ms Kutz' immense knowledge of mediaeval times and religious practices and forms an integral part of the Deryni universe. It provides some very useful insights into some of the characters that appear more fully in her other Deryni novels and is not to be missed by anyone who enjoys the Deryni Saga.

Average customer rating:

The Quaint Ol' Occult Detective Returns
MORE MORE MORE
This book is an extremely imaginative blend.
A minor improvment to the series
A novel worthy of the series.

The Adept 4: Dagger Magic (Adept)
Katherine Kurtz , and Deborah Turner Harris
Manufacturer: Ace
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

Contemporary | General | Literature & Fiction | Subjects | Books

General | Fantasy | Science Fiction & Fantasy | Subjects | Books

Magic & Wizards | Fantasy | Science Fiction & Fantasy | Subjects | Books

Look Inside Fiction Books | Trip | Specialty Stores | Books

Look Inside Science Fiction & Fantasy Books | Trip | Specialty Stores | Books
Similar Items:

Adept: Death of an Adept
The Adept 3: The Templar Treasure (Adept)
The Adept 2: The Lodge of the Lynx (Adept)
The Adept 1 (Adept)
The Temple and the Stone

ASIN: 0441003044
Release Date: 2004-03-30

Book Description

Adam Sinclair, the Adept, faces mankind's most dire threat--a cult older than Christianity, with the power to resurrect a new, demonic Third Reich.

Customer Reviews:

The Quaint Ol' Occult Detective Returns .......2005-04-08

At first blush DAGGER MAGIC seems to have all the elements that make up a really well told thriller. The fourth book in THE ADEPT series concerns the discovery of sacred oriental black magic texts on board a derelict Nazi submarine, and an evil Tibetan monk who turns out to be an Ubermensch hiding incognito.

Ludlum, Follett and Forsyth could do no better in creating mesmerizing plot elements. Added to this, DAGGER MAGIC has a wonderful subplot about a character's past life incarnation that is impinging disastrously on the present day. Kurtz and Turner Harris' writing is detailed and gives the reader a fine sense of place.

So why only two stars?

Essentially because although DAGGER MAGIC is a quality work it's becoming very evident that THE ADEPT is getting tired. After taking a hiatus from the Lodge of the Lynx in THE TEMPLAR TREASURE, Kurtz and Turner Harris have yoked this novel to the further adventures of Lynx-Master Francis Raeburn. Somehow, you know you've read it before. It's obvious from the outset that Raeburn is going to manage to elude Sir Adam Sinclair's Hunting Lodge yet again, leading us into Book Five.

Frankly, Raeburn isn't that interesting or that evil. Kurtz and Turner Harris haven't given the character any depth or complexity. He may be the Master of a Black Lodge but he's far too au courant to make you cheer for his downfall. Raeburn is a caricature of a nasty politician or a bad boss, not a picture of a man dedicated to all forms of wickedness. He seems to have no particular vices other than a yen for personal power, and so what? In short, Aleister Crowley he ain't.

What the esteemed Lynx-Master should be doing is seducing schoolgirls, smoking opium, and funding assassination squads, not examining ancient grimoires with a magnifying glass. What a dangerous pastime for a man to cultivate. The worst thing I can say about Raeburn is that he's rude and treats the servants like coolies. Hardly a fit heir for all the evils of the world.

By making their primary bad guy such a milquetoast, Kurtz and Turner Harris have practically guaranteed that the epic battle between good and evil that is the backbone of this series degenerates into a proxy fight between the impeccably tailored Sir Adam and the equally impeccably tailored Raeburn.

I'd like to like this book. The earlier volumes all have a quirky charm which is not missing here, but this book probably would be much better if the authors had put less effort into moving their continuing plotline along and more into good plain storytelling. As it is, despite it's strengths, DAGGER MAGIC doesn't stick with you.

MORE MORE MORE.......2002-05-24

PLEASE PLEASE .............
MORE OF THE ADEPT. ALL OF THE BOOKS ARE GREAT READING..
COULD SPEND HOURS RAVING ABLUT THIS SERICES.
PLEASE MORE THAN JUST 5.

This book is an extremely imaginative blend........1999-05-17

I loved "Dagger Magic" and the other Adept novels. I would not recomend it for serious reading, but it is fun and imaginative, and had interesting devolopments of the Adept World View. Some readers may be put off by it's glimpse in the life of Adam Sinclair Style, and the fact that the supposed main focus of the book is stuck in the last quarter of it. I still found my emotions aroused, and my imagination put to the test. Perhaps it should not go down in literary history, but it has inspired me to read the other Adept books, I have already read the first one.

A minor improvment to the series.......1998-12-17

This is the third book on The Adept series and it is finally one that can be read without yawning. I wouldn't call it a late-night-turn-the-pager as advertised but is more interesting then the previous books. A major disapointment, starting in book two, is the fact that the developing relation between Adam/Ximena and Pergegrin/Julia is reduced to a few sentences where the reader is informed that something is going on. Especially with Adam where we are told in an entire! paragraph about a relation that is supposedly going on for over a year. In Peregrins case we are suprised with the fact that they are marrying. I would have expected more interaction between the characters prior to engagement. Especially as the plots dragged on and there would have been ample room for that. At least this book has an interesting prologue and Peregrin gets a bit more involved than only being the servant of Adam. Even if it is only at the beginning, but it is a start.

A novel worthy of the series........1997-12-29

Although the book bore no resemblance to the synopsis whatsoever, I found it to be a most enjoyable addition to the series thus far. Readers of the previous novels in this series will find themselves able to jump right in where they left off, with little or no refreshing of their memories.
I have only two issues that I feel are worth mentioning. One, there is a point in the book where DCI McLeod is waiting for a phone call from a fellow Detective. A misprint will confuse the reader, as Noel says that he will ask "Scanlan" a question that needs asking. Unfortunately, "Scanlan" is not the name of the detective Noel is waiting to hear back from. It is the name of the victim in the case they are working on. If the reader is not sharp, this error will cause a bit of confusion for a moment or two.
Secondly, I feel that the story line involving Sir Adam's hit and run patient was left glaringly unfinished. Perhaps we will see this story line brought to some sort of conclusion in the next installation of the series.

All-in-all though, minor quibbles aside, I would have to say that Kurtz and Turner-Harris have supplied another wonderful addition to the series. I polished it off in a matter of hours and found myself re-involved in the lives of characters that I hadn't visited in months. It was enjoyable, fast-paced and intriguing. Well done!

The King's Justice (Histories of King Kelson)
Average customer rating:

One of the best of the series!

Great story

Finally a King

An interesting yet challenging book

A masterpiece

The King's Justice (Histories of King Kelson)
KATHERINE KURTZ
Manufacturer: Del Rey
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

United States | World Literature | Literature & Fiction | Subjects | Books | 18th Century | 19th Century | 20th Century | African American | Asian American | Classics | Collections & Readers | Drama | General | Hispanic | History & Criticism | Humor | Jewish American | Letters & Correspondence | Native American | Poetry | Short Stories | Women Writers
Deryni | Series | Fantasy | Science Fiction & Fantasy | Subjects | Books
Look Inside Fiction Books | Trip | Specialty Stores | Books
Look Inside Science Fiction & Fantasy Books | Trip | Specialty Stores | Books
Similar Items:

Bishop's Heir (Histories of King Kelson, Vol 1)

Quest for Saint Camber

Harrowing of Gwynedd (Kurtz, Katherine)

Bastard Prince (Heirs of Saint Camber)

King Javan's Year (Heirs of Saint Camber, Vol 2)

ASIN: 0345318250
Release Date: 1985-11-12

Book Description

Young Kelson Haldane, King of Gwynedd, heir to both royal and Deryni magical powers, was still no match for ex-Archbishop Loris and the Pretender Queen Caitrin who sought his death. Yet, he raised an army against them both, knowing that honor made defeat impossible....

Customer Reviews:

One of the best of the series!.......2004-01-31

"The King's Justice" and "The Bastard Prince" are my two favorites in this series -- fantastic writing; wonderful, well-developed characters; adventure; intrigue; brotherhood; loyality; friendship; sacrifice; and some humor thrown in for good measure. Who could ask for more?

Great story.......2003-03-19

This is another of Katherine Kurtz's great books about the Deryni. I wish there were many more to read. I have most of them.

Finally a King.......2002-12-28

I was very pleased with the way the character of King Kelson has developed. He has finally begun to show what he is made of. He will be a very fun character to continue reading about.

An interesting yet challenging book.......2000-05-08

I really didn't enjoy reading this book, yet it was challenging. Even though there was some fighting action that kept me in suspense, I had a hard time remembering some of the characters. I would read about one family and then start reading about another family. Then, when a character tells that another person is in the family, I get confused. One reason might be that I read volume II of this book, instead of volume I. Even though I was confused, I would recommend this book to someone who likes to read about knights and learn about a 17 year old teenager who struggles to do his best job as a king.

A masterpiece.......1999-12-23

In this book kelson finally becomes a true King. He finds out that life is far from fair, but you have to live it anyway. He takes up challenges and causes that he probably never even concidered existed before, and i must say Mrs. Kurtz puts it to paper masterfully. She manages to take the readers into the kingdom of Gwynedd, and puts you right into the action next to her main characters I have grown to know and love. She keeps us on our toes with action and twists and turns in the story, so much so that it's more like watching a movie then reading a book.

Average customer rating:

Is this Katherine Kurtz or Car and Driver?
Sir Adam Sinclair- Laird of Strathmourne, Baron of Templemor, Master of the Hunt!
Quaint Ol' Occult Detective Stuff
Biggles style Boys Own Adventure blather...
Offensively Dull

The Adept 1 (Adept)
Katherine Kurtz , and Deborah Turner Harris
Manufacturer: Ace
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

Contemporary | General | Literature & Fiction | Subjects | Books

General | Fantasy | Science Fiction & Fantasy | Subjects | Books

Look Inside Fiction Books | Trip | Specialty Stores | Books

Look Inside Science Fiction & Fantasy Books | Trip | Specialty Stores | Books
Similar Items:

The Adept 2: The Lodge of the Lynx (Adept)
The Adept 3: The Templar Treasure (Adept)
The Adept 4: Dagger Magic (Adept)
Adept: Death of an Adept
The Temple and the Stone

ASIN: 0441003435
Release Date: 2003-11-25

Book Description

Sir Adam Sinclair, nobleman, physician, and scholar, is the only man who can stand against an unholy cult of black magicians threatening his homeland.

Customer Reviews:

Is this Katherine Kurtz or Car and Driver?.......2007-05-05

I love the Deryni series and bought this book thinking it would be another fun Katherine Kurtz novel. While there are elements of Ms. Kurtz style and knowledge throughout, I tend to think that the co-author, Ms. Harris, is, for some reason, absolutely obsessed with cars. For some bizarre reason she spends endless paragraphs throughout this book discussing the features and merits of the cars driven by every character and this peculiar digression completely detracts from the book. The rest of the series is equally as odd and it got to the point as I was reading, that I kept wondering to myself, "so how is she going to get in the details on the car" and it became a self guessing game. (When, in one of the novels, he actually has to BUY a car.... well, you get it!)

Basically, this whole series is total drivel and not worthy of Ms. Kurtz. Dont bother buying it as it will only irritate you.

Sir Adam Sinclair- Laird of Strathmourne, Baron of Templemor, Master of the Hunt!.......2006-09-27

First of all, I want to point out that this novel starts out VERY slowly. In fact, the first time that I started the book I simply put it aside after three chapters because it bored me so. It seemed like it dealt with nothing but endless details on dress, motorcars, manor houses, and furnishings. I suppose the authors thought that all this was necessary to frame Sir Adam as a member of the gentry, but to those of us who do not worship wealth and the wealthy it is all merely tortuous and tedious. Several years later I tried reading it once again. I forced myself to push through the first 50 or so pages- no matter how boring it was- and it actually finally turned into something interesting.

Sir Adam Sinclair, Baronet, is a man of many facets. To the world he appears to be a wealthy, titled physician and psychiatrist (his mother, also a physician, corresponded with Jung.) However, to the adepts of the Inner Planes he is a magus of awesome accomplishments, a servant of the Light, and Master of the Hunt. He works the highest sort of magic in the service of Light to restore balance and harmony. In his own words, he seeks perfection of the spirit, which is regarded as an ongoing process of pursuing wholeness, with the ultimate goal of reunion with the Divine Light. He has pursued this goal down through the ages, in many reincarnations- all of which he can remember.

This first tale in the series deals with the efforts of dark magicians to raise the spirit of Michael Scot (Scotland's greatest magus) in order to learn his secrets. They do this with crude disregard for all laws both supernatural and man-made. It is the duty of Sir Adam as Master of the Hunt to see to it that justice is done and balance is restored.

Besides being a believable work on the subject of high magic (with many interesting details and ideals), this is also a competent work of detective fiction and a decent atmospheric piece on the history and lore of traditional Scotland.

In any case, if you get past the first 50 pages it is a worthwhile page-turner.

Quaint Ol' Occult Detective Stuff.......2005-03-11

THE ADEPT is the first volume in a series of five novels featuring the Scottish Baronet Doctor Sir Adam Sinclair who is a psychiatrist, antiquarian, and occult practitoner.

The plot of this introductory novel is simple: Sir Adam and his associates, Peregrine Lovat and Noel McLeod, each of whom has some type of paranormal ability, set out in search of a magickal artifact stolen by some really, really bad guys who are dedicated to serving the Darkness. Oh my! Can you guess who wins?

THE ADEPT is a fun read, but don't consider taking it seriously even for a moment. The main characters are devotees of a mishmash of Western Mystery Tradition elements that the authors never reduce into a logical system, leaving Sir Adam to utter invocations to Ra, Adonai and Christ all in one breath. If you're a purist about such things, leave THE ADEPT alone.

Theosophy aside, the authors seem dedicated to writing in a style reminiscent of drawing room melodramas of yore. Shades of Bruce Wayne, Sir Adam lives alone at Strathmourne House except for his faithful manservant, Humphrey, who spends an inordinate amount of time pouring tea, lighting fires in the library fireplace, and making absolutely certain that his employer can make the cover of Gentleman's Quarterly at a moment's call. All right, so what's so wrong with that, your mother asks?

The rest of the characters are equally proper with stiff upper lips that can carve the Greenland icecap into a million decorative swans in a trice. Yes, and they do use words like "trice" in this book.

Of course, nobody really lives like Sir Adam anymore (did they ever?), even the rich and unbearably so, so...particularly them, actually.

Dr. Sinclair's real enemies aren't the Satan worshipers of the world, they're the people who make Mr. Blackwell's List; oh yeah, and wealthy celeb wannabes like Paris Hilton and Donald Trump. I say Sir Adam should lay off the Kabbalah and give those two elocution lessons. THAT would be fighting evil.

It's total make believe. Still, THE ADEPT entertains, and is most definitely worth a light read, especially if you want some topnotch men's fashion tips.

Biggles style Boys Own Adventure blather..........2001-09-03

...which I *hope* the authors were doing deliberately. If you're looking for 3-D characters, meaningful exploration of mystic tradition, and a strong thrilling plot, this series is not for you. However if an easy Hardy Boys style book is what you're after, and you're under 16, this series is a bit of fun. Now the negative points. The magic shown suffered a lot from what seemed to be the authors constant grandstanding of their own personal beliefs, and apparent concern at frightening the reader off. This is supposed to be a *fantasy* book, despite using a variety of real mystical systems as a basis, yet there is constant and wearying reassurance to the reader that all is subject to Christian vetoing. This black and white quality serves to remove a great deal of tension and any and all character conflicts/developments that could have happened. Next: I am honestly confused as to whether either author has ever visited the UK. I'll write it off as part of the hopefully deliberate Biggles syndrome, but all the tweed and pearls and och aye the noo, really grated after a while. There was a constant sense of 'Oh look, honey, ain't this quaint?' throughout. I actually thought the books were supposed to be set in the 1950's for a moment there, so unrecognisable are their characters. Weirdest of all is the near-constant class snobbery-- far from being the inbred partying/bloodsporting berks most UK'ers expect from their aristocracy, they're all highly intelligent, and magickal to boot. All the poor plebs are (of course) ignorant serfs who look to Adam and co for guidance, with Mcleod providing a token working class touch. Then there's the lack of any decent female characters. I wanted to vomit every time Julia's 'gentle doe-like demeanour' was mentioned. The main flaw in these books however, is the lack of conflict and action. None of the main characters ever seem even mildly imperilled. They're never upset, they're never angry, they never have sex, they never swear, in short; they're not recognisably *human*. And that is what makes these books a readable curiosity, a variation on the Nancy Drew theme; perhaps good for 12-16 year olds, but nothing more.

Offensively Dull.......2001-07-27

For some reason, the author is far more concerned with what her characters are wearing than with what they are doing. The magic portrayed in the book is a smarmy and very dull brand of Western Mystery Tradition occultism. The portrayal of Scottish people is sterotypical and patronizing, and in Gaelic areas of Scotland the characters are not portrayed as Gaels, but as the same stereotypical lowland Scots. Every scene was so agonizingly dull that to continue reading was almost literally painful. In other words, I don't recommend this book!

The Adept 3: The Templar Treasure (Adept)

Average customer rating:

Still More Quaint Ol' Occult Detective Stuff
They know Magick but I'd like some realistic characters
A fascinating blend of fantasy and history
Good mix of historical fact and fantasy
Knights is much better than the first two of the series

The Adept 3: The Templar Treasure (Adept)
Katherine Kurtz , and Deborah Turner Harris
Manufacturer: Ace
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

Contemporary | General | Literature & Fiction | Subjects | Books

General | Fantasy | Science Fiction & Fantasy | Subjects | Books

Historical | Fantasy | Science Fiction & Fantasy | Subjects | Books

Look Inside Fiction Books | Trip | Specialty Stores | Books

Look Inside Science Fiction & Fantasy Books | Trip | Specialty Stores | Books
Similar Items:

The Adept 4: Dagger Magic (Adept)
The Adept 2: The Lodge of the Lynx (Adept)
Adept: Death of an Adept
The Adept 1 (Adept)
The Temple and the Stone

ASIN: 0441003451
Release Date: 2004-01-27

Book Description

Adam Sinclair, the Adept, must locate the stolen Seal of Solomon-an artifact under the care of the Knights Templar-before dangerous forces unleash the demons the seal has kept bound for centuries.

Customer Reviews:

Still More Quaint Ol' Occult Detective Stuff.......2005-04-07

THE TEMPLAR TREASURE is the third of THE ADEPT novels. The best written book in the series, it is also somewhat like a prodigal son, having a storyline and plot totally divorced from the rest of the books.

Rather than doing battle with The Lodge of the Lynx as in the rest of the series, Sir Adam and his associates are faced with a renegade French archaeologist and occultist, Henri Gerard, who has discovered the secret of King Solomon's treasures and is on a mad quest to recover them and the wealth and power he believes they represent.

Kurtz and Harris are indefatigable here in providing literally chapters' worth of lore about the Knights Templar and their connections to historic Scotland, as well as finally defining the occult traditions of their protagonists.

THE TEMPLAR TREASURE is spiced with some really intriguing medium/seance/reincarnation scenes that seem entirely plausible within the scope of the novel.

Best of all, Kurtz has "borrowed" General Sir John Cathal Graham from her wonderful novel LAMMAS NIGHT. Gray Graham brings a whole nuanced texture to THE TEMPLAR TREASURE which makes it unique in the ADEPT series. It's clear Kurtz adores the character of Graham and his scenes make up some of the best writing in the book.

The scene descriptions are detailed without being heavy-handed. Sir Adam, Peregrine and Inspector McLeod seem to have settled into an easy camaraderie. The stilted "drawing-room" tone of the first two ADEPT novels is muted, and the characters all exhibit a certain dry wit and a sense of poking fun at themselves throughout that makes THE TEMPLAR TREASURE a minor gem.

Give this novel FOUR AND ONE-HALF STARS and a chance to grow on you.

They know Magick but I'd like some realistic characters.......2001-05-30

I just finished this in the Adept series, and plan to read 'em all.I am SO at polar odds about these books, though. Kurtz and Turner REALLY know their stuff about cerimonial magick, the Knights Templar, Fae folk, Reincarnation and the Quabbalah-just for starts! That they so seemlessly weave it into a rousing adventure is enough to make me keep on(I cant wait to read #4, Dagger Magic where they will hopefully make good the promise in Lodge of the Lynx that Hitler was a black magician)But WHY are the characters so shallow!?!Peregrine is never described as any more then "blond and owl eyed" Adam has "distinguished greying temples" and drives a Jag. FORGET about any female characters, except for Adams mother they are convienent background material. I find it almost hard to care about these people, but the elegant and descriptive writing, the lushious depections of castles, magickal artifacts and the most beautiful mansions you ever wished you lived in PLUS the AUTHENTIC (And so rare to me)weaving of real magick and lore into the plot will keep me reading anyway. Better then most fantasy fiction. And I hear their new Knights Templar series is better.

A fascinating blend of fantasy and history.......2001-01-08

Suspend your logic for a trip into a magical world with The Adept series. Yes, Kurtz and Harris make good use of just enough historical fact to maintain plausibility, while adding a good dose of fantastical magic for a wonderful read. While The Templar Treasure may not contain enough fact for fans of that bygone order, it does contain some reasonably accurate description of Qabalistic ritual. I am certain that either Kurtz or Harris are familiar enough with the Golden Dawn tradition to have fashioned their psychic detective in similar tradition. A delightful read.

Good mix of historical fact and fantasy.......2000-04-22

Having renewed my interest in fantasy/sci-fi book reading just recently, i came across this book at a second hand bookshop. Being familiar with the author's past works, i expected the same Knight/Chivalry stuff from the author with the added magic/sorcery mix added. The book was a good read. The mix of historical fact and fictional elements were very interesting and made me very interested about the stories of the Templar Knights and Scottish history.

However it wasn't a perfect book with the ending a little too predictable.

Knights is much better than the first two of the series.......1997-09-17

After admitting that I am an avid fan of Kurtz, I was somewhat disappointed with this series. The first book I thought was terrible. The characters found in the book are wonderful, but the story is just too out there for even this fantasy lover's taste. The second was better however, and the third was better still. Although not up to par with the Deryini series, it has its good moments. As the title suggests, it is a story that has a great deal to do with the history of the Knights Templar; their fall from grace, and the legends that still surround them. That was what I found fascinating about the book. Well researched, with mention of various books that tell of the Templars, it makes for interesting reading for anyone who is interested in these enigmatic people. Without giving away the ending of the book, I would like to say that it was very disappointing however. Going from the lords and ladies of Scotland to an all out gorilla warfare scene pushes the limit of the imagination just a tad too far

The Harrowing of Gwynedd (Volume 1 of The Heirs of Saint Camber) (The Heirs of Saint Camber, Vol 1)

Average customer rating:

More to come?
One of the better of the Deryni series
The Harrowing Of Gwynedd
Another book of courage and tragedy........

The Harrowing of Gwynedd (Volume 1 of The Heirs of Saint Camber) (The Heirs of Saint Camber, Vol 1)
Katherine Kurtz
Manufacturer: Del Rey
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

General | Fantasy | Science Fiction & Fantasy | Subjects | Books

General | Science Fiction | Science Fiction & Fantasy | Subjects | Books

Look Inside Fiction Books | Trip | Specialty Stores | Books

Look Inside Science Fiction & Fantasy Books | Trip | Specialty Stores | Books
Similar Items:

King Javan's Year (Heirs of Saint Camber, Vol 2)
Bastard Prince (Heirs of Saint Camber)
Bishop's Heir (Histories of King Kelson, Vol 1)
King's Justice (Histories of King Kelson, Vol 2)
Quest for Saint Camber

ASIN: 0345332598
Release Date: 1989-01-28

Book Description

Evil times had come for rthe Deryni, the humans with strange, magical powers. The Regents of the boy-king Alroy sought their destruction. And now Bishop Alister Cullen was dead, depriving the Deryni of their greatest friend. But no one could be sure he was really dead. His body lay unchanged and incorruptible. As those questions remained unanswered, the effort to save Deryni had to continue. In the meanwhile, Camber's daughter Evaine pursued the most perilous quest of all--to find among ancient foribidden scrolls the spell that might release Camber. The price to fail--or to succeed--was unthinkable.....

Customer Reviews:

More to come?.......2002-12-28

This was an excellent book. I hope that this won't be the end of this generation of characters in the Deryni series. All of Ms. Kurtz novels feature main characters of strong moral value, and this is not an exception. This is a novel full of the usual well written and thought out scenes, and strong charaters. It is, as are of her Ms. Kurtz books enjoyable and believable. It has a good number of surprises as well, and it's own fair share of suspense and intrigue. The charaters struggle and risk all they have for what the feel is the greater good. They stop at nothing to do what is right, and accomplish it while attempting to hurt as few others along the way as possible. this is a page turner of a book. It won't dissapoint.

One of the better of the Deryni series.......2002-09-26

I have mixed feelings about the Deryni series. At it's best it is very authentic, mixing a very detailed pseudo-pagan medievalism with a well thought out magical system. It fails sometimes though in the characterizations and motivations and gets rather gimmicky and embarrassingly self-imitative at times. But this book is not one of those. The books featuring St Camber and his children and the beginning of the Haldane line are generally quite fun and illustrate medieval religious issues in a fantasy format. I haven't come across too many books that deal with the issue of Sainthood in an almost physical way, which is odd because there are so many medieval based fantasy characters out there. Or if I have come across fantasy books featuring the issue of Sainthood they must have been so bad I can't remember any of them. This one is good. All the more so since it studies a character who was both admirable and interesting. And as I remember it, it's been awhile, the plot has some surprising quirks. You might want to read the three previous books that feature Camber himself, or you might want to let this story introduce you to the legend.

The Harrowing Of Gwynedd.......1999-12-23

I applaud Katherine Kurtz's ability to introduce her characters to all readers so that they feel like family. I was moved to tears by the ending of this novel, yet was left with a smile on my face. I can only say that this is a MUST read for deryni fans, and everyone else on the planet as well. The heirs of Saint Camber is a stunning example of a fantasy series that, in another time, could be true.

Another book of courage and tragedy...............1997-05-17

The Harrowing of Gwynedd sees the Deryni people on the verge of extinction, as a small group of them attempt to make stand. The story centers on Evaine, daughter of Camber, as she leads the struggle. She is a mother, a soceress, and a warrior, whose skills are tested to the limit. Her success or failure will determine the fate of her people. Read this book and see what happens. Her character is both strong and believeable, as her presence dominates this book

Average customer rating:

An Encyclopedia of all things Deryni
Good, but not quite up to Hype

Codex Derynianus
Katherine Kurtz , and Robert Reginald
Manufacturer: Underwood Books
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

General | Science Fiction | Science Fiction & Fantasy | Subjects | Books

History & Criticism | Science Fiction | Science Fiction & Fantasy | Subjects | Books

Look Inside Fiction Books | Trip | Specialty Stores | Books

Look Inside Science Fiction & Fantasy Books | Trip | Specialty Stores | Books
Similar Items:

Childe Morgan
The Eleven Kingdoms: A Map of the Deryni World
In the King's Service: A Novel of the Deryni
Deryni Checkmate
King Kelson's Bride

ASIN: 1887424962

Book Description

In 1998, the first edition of Codex Derynianus was published in a limited edition that quickly became astronomically expensive. Now fans can have the entire text of that edition along with extensive new material. This encyclopedic overview details Katherine Kurtz's Deryni world, the setting of her 17-book saga that began with Camber of Culdi. and reveals many never-before-told details of the people, places, and objects of importance to the world of the magic-wielding Deryni. The book is packed with chronologies of events, genealogies of the peoples, and colorful maps of the Deryni world, exploring every aspect of the Eleven Kingdoms. In addition to being an authoritative reference, Codex Derynianus is also an ambitious work of creative fiction as penned by Brother Theophilus from within the setting of the Eleven Kingdoms, providing original stories, vignettes, humorous pieces, serials, and poems that expand and enrich the Deryni universe.

Customer Reviews:

An Encyclopedia of all things Deryni.......2006-10-09

I had been looking for Codex Derynianus since the first edition was released in 1998. At that time it was a limited edition that quickly sold and second hand copies were extremely expensive and frequently over one hundred dollars. No library carried it. The book is some sort of guidebook / history / encyclopedia of the Eleven Kingdoms in Katherine Kurtz's Deryni Universe. It has been one of my favorite fantasy series for some time, though I far prefer the novels set earlier in the chronology. The world itself is ours, though a thousand years ago. It has the same religious backgrounds, but there is a race with the ability to do magic called the Deryni. The church has persecuted them mightily and there is much to do with the kingdom of a land called Gwynedd, which is located where our England is. It's a brutal fantasy series, but is fantastically written.

When Katherine Kurtz released a second edition of her Codex Derynianus I was finally able to locate a copy through my local library and I found out what the book really is. This is essentially an encyclopedia of her created world with entries on every single character that appears, every location mentioned or visited, and every kingdom and ruler. These entries are written in a form as if someone 1130 wrote the entries and his personal opinions (not those of Kurtz, but the fictional character) come through, especially when writing about the Deryni persecutions of the past and Hubert MacInnis.

There is also a timeline of the Eleven Kingdoms which gets into a good amount of detail when covering the events of the novels. It is this timeline that finally gives us hints of what went on in the year 948. I bring this up because that is the single year that has interested me the most in this series. It is 20 years after The Bastard Prince and is not covered in any novel, but Kurtz includes genealogies at the back of her novels and quite a few of the major characters presented in her books all die in 948. This is not likely a coincidence. Kurtz is at her best when she is the most brutal to her characters, so I imagine that when she gets around to writing the 948 book, it'll be a very good one. The timeline gives some coverage to what happened in 948, but I doubt that it tells the whole story.

So, Codex Derynianus is a good resource for those looking for background and reminders on the characters, events, and locations of the Deryni novels of Katherine Kurtz. It is clearly not a novel and thus not truly an exciting read. It's a fantasy resource for the work of one author. In that sense it is excellent, but for the average reader of fantasy I can't recommend it.

-Joe Sherry

Good, but not quite up to Hype.......2005-12-05

As a dedicated reader of the Deryni books, I have been looking for a copy of this book -- the Holy Grail of the Deryni world -- for years. I was therefore very excited to find a new edition at my local bookstore. Now, don't get me wrong -- I enjoyed this book, which contains a lot of interesting information about the Eleven Kingdoms...although most of the "new" information seems to be about Torenth and Ms. Kurtz's versions of the Roman and Byzantine Empires. But ignore the hyped descriptions of what this book is: it is primarily an A-Z encyclopedia of characters, places etc. in the books. The genealogies did not reveal much more than what is in the books, and frankly the maps were, IMHO, better in the books.

Worst amongst the misleading description found on the book (and in most professional reviews) is the claim that the book "is also an ambitious work of creative fiction as penned by Brother Theophilus from within the setting of the Eleven Kingdoms, providing original stories, vignettes, humorous pieces, serials, and poems that expand and enrich the Deryni universe." I'm not really sure where this was supposed to be. The "Brother Theophilus" material appears to be a relatively short prologue and epilogue. Amongst the enclopedia entries there are a couple lengthy entries that take the form of travelogues -- but they usually describe very minor characters or locations, which I found less interesting than they could have been.

The bottom line is that this is a good enclopedic listing of the characters and, to a lesser degree, the places of the Deryni Universe, but I would not buy it if you are looking for more than that.

Bastard Prince: Volume III of The Heirs of Saint Camber (The Heirs of Saint Camber, Vol 3)

Average customer rating:

One of my favorites from this series!
Be Ready for Tears
The Best of the Best of the Best
Definitely worth a try
good continuation of the Deryni Saga

Bastard Prince: Volume III of The Heirs of Saint Camber (The Heirs of Saint Camber, Vol 3)
Katherine Kurtz
Manufacturer: Del Rey
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

General | Fantasy | Science Fiction & Fantasy | Subjects | Books

Look Inside Fiction Books | Trip | Specialty Stores | Books

Look Inside Science Fiction & Fantasy Books | Trip | Specialty Stores | Books
Similar Items:

King Javan's Year (Heirs of Saint Camber, Vol 2)
Harrowing of Gwynedd (Kurtz, Katherine)
King Kelson's Bride
Quest for Saint Camber
Bishop's Heir (Histories of King Kelson, Vol 1)

ASIN: 0345332628
Release Date: 1994-05-10

Book Description

THE PRINCES IN THE TOWER

The power-hungry former Regents of the three Haldane princes were pleased. They controlled Gwynedd once more, now that Rhys Michael was king--malleable, wine-loving, and soft. Or so they thought...
Unbeknownst to the Regents, Rhys Michael was coming into his birthright. With secret Deryni aid, he struggled to grasp the magic bequeathed to all anointed kings. And when Marek--heir to Gwynedd's last degenerate deposed Deryni despots--marched into Gwynedd at the head of an army, even the Regents had to admit that Rhys Michael must take to the field himself as king to repel the pretender.
Rhys Michael saw his chance at last. He swore that the power of the throne--from now on and for all time to come--was to be held by Gwynedd's rightful king. For this, for his sons, and for his country, the king would risk all...
FIRST PAPERBACK PUBLICATION

From the Paperback edition.

Customer Reviews:

One of my favorites from this series!.......2004-01-31

Be Ready for Tears.......2002-12-28

A great book, but a tear jerker. Kartherine Kurtz has always had a knack for making her characters real and loveable, and this novel is no exception. Her character development and description is simply amazing as always.

The story outlines Gwynedd's growing difficulty with their Torenthi neighbor, and the threat that an illigitimate heir to the Torenthi throne poses. The ending is a shocker, especially since Mrs. Kurtz has a goal of always keeping her readers guessing. She has reached her goal yet again. It is my hope that the story will continue even further yet.

The Best of the Best of the Best.......2000-11-03

I have been a devoted fan of this series since my aunt sent me the Bishops heir as a Christams Present when I 13. I opened that book and saw that this was just the latest in a well established series. Well being just a bit Obsessive complusive about reading things inorder I went and bought the entire series leading up to it, well after a few months anyway it takes a while to get up that kinda money when you don't even have a job yet ;>. I have been hooked ever since...In fact the huges lags of time between books in this series are one of the more fustrating things in life. With each book Kurtz proves why it take so long though, and this was the greatest of them all. I was totally Obsessed with this one when a read it a few years back. When I got the end, I just about cried because the book was that good, and the story that moving, and the fact I was going to now have to wait 4 years + most likely to see its like again. Thankfully Terry Goodkind came along and helped me pass the time somewhat. So basically, if you love fantasy and you read Eddings, Goodkind, Jordan, and Martin read this read the whole thing yo will not be dissapointed.

Definitely worth a try.......2000-06-21

Many of Kathryn Kurtz's strengths as a writer shine in this book: realism (hard though it may be for us readers, and properly described as gothic), unabashed romance and violence, and clearly drawn battle lines.

Kurtz does fall into several traps. I do hate to say this book fits the mold--for there are fascinating moments for which I think this book definitely deserves a chance on its own merits--but I probably should. Noble Haldane kings, beautiful ladies in distress, Deryni and humans alike who will do what they have to in order to gain power... The underground Deryni movement seems uninspired in many ways since Camber's death, unable to fight the Regents on any more than a strictly practical level. Maybe that is a reflection of the Deryni presence at that time, a reality that explains a later Camberian Council that suffers from a lack of faith and ideals.

I could wish that young Rhys Micheal were more convincing in some ways, more aware of his unfortunate role in bringing about as well as solving his royal dilemma. Michaela, Rhysel, and Joram show the same lack of development. Kurtz's observations about prejudice and discrimination are obscured at times by her protagonists' disregard for the consequences of their own actions.

There is, however, much to like in this newest addition to the Deryni saga. Queron Kinevan's development is welcome. He comes into his own after all he has passed through. Rhys Micheal is a very engaging character in many ways, and his death, like the deaths of his brother Javan and his namesake Rhys Thuryn, leaves an ache that is part of good storytelling. I liked his solution to the regent problem. Kurtz doesn't pull punches, so you're never sure the bad guys aren't going to win. Many of the deficiencies that may marr Kurtz's characterizations of the good guys are gloriously absent among her villains; the Regents are a fascinating cross section of corrupt humanity. So enjoy this chivalric romance; for all its faults, it's still quite a story.

good continuation of the Deryni Saga.......1998-01-02

This book continues the fine tradition of the Deryni Saga of Katherine Kurtz. Having been hooked on Ms. Kurtz's books for some time, this one was not a disappointment. Although I do not always agree with turns of the plot, Ms. Kurtz always has a surprise waiting for the reader. It is this suspense, and bringing of the characters to life, that makes her books special and The Bastard Prince continues in this tradition. Rhys Michael has been king for eight years, under the tight control of the regents which ruled during his childhood. Faced with a challenge from Miklos, a prince of Torenth, and claimant to his crown, Rhys Michael accepts his challenge. Not only must the young king contend with his rival, but also his domineering regents, and newfound Deryni powers of the Haldane legacy, which must be kept a secret until the time is right. A very good continuation of the Deryni saga. Can't wait for the next one to be published.

In the King's Service: A Novel of the Deryni

Average customer rating:

Terrific
In the King's Service
Where's the magic?
Very entertaining
Warning, this is historical romance, not fantasy.

In the King's Service: A Novel of the Deryni
Katherine Kurtz
Manufacturer: Ace
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

Epic | Fantasy | Science Fiction & Fantasy | Subjects | Books

General | Fantasy | Science Fiction & Fantasy | Subjects | Books

Historical | Fantasy | Science Fiction & Fantasy | Subjects | Books

Look Inside Science Fiction & Fantasy Books | Trip | Specialty Stores | Books

All 4-for-3 Deals | 4-for-3 Books Store | Stores | Books
Similar Items:

Childe Morgan
King Kelson's Bride
Codex Derynianus
Bastard Prince (Heirs of Saint Camber)
King Javan's Year (Heirs of Saint Camber, Vol 2)

ASIN: 0441012094
Release Date: 2004-12-28

Book Description

In this first book of an all-new Deryni trilogy, New York Times bestselling author Katherine Kurtz takes readers back in time--before King Kelson's bride...before King Kelson's birth... when the magical Deryni blood was sought by the most powerful men and women in the kingdom of Gwynedd. Back when a man named Donal ruled over all.

Customer Reviews:

Terrific.......2007-06-18

I couldn't give this book five stars if I compared it to some of her best books. But comparing it to every other fantasy book out there, Kurtz's book shines, as always. If I could ask for improvement it would be for a little more intricate, a little more subtle court intrigue and more adventure. I like the twists and turns of Kurtz's novels. Delightful read.

In the King's Service.......2007-01-22

For those of us who loved the first three Deryni books, this is a wonderful chance to meet Alaric Morgan's parents and King Kelson's father and grandfather. The book is well written and thoroughly enjoyable, as all of Ms. Kurtz' books are, but not recommended for first time readers of the Deryni Saga. It is slow moving and a little short on action but great on character development and background. If you loved the story of Alaric Morgan and King Kelson, you will enjoy finding out how they got there.

Where's the magic?.......2007-01-16

My review will echo several others here in that I am a huge Katherine Kurtz fan and this novel was a disappointment for me. The world that Kurtz created and we loved that involved the first two trilogies centering around Saint Camber and then King Kelson Haldane were delights to read. Reading this book was equivalent to reading "The Crossroads of Twilight" from Robert Jordan from a dedicated fan's perspective. The use of magic in the book is muted and mainly revolved around the psychic dimension of the Deryni powers. I will read the reviews of the next book before buying.

Very entertaining.......2006-03-04

I have to agree with many of the reviews here and say that this story does not have much of a plot as the other books did. It is pretty much just a story of the 2 generations before Kelson. We all know how it has to end but we don't know exactly how the story gets there. I think that this book is a must for any serious Katherine Kurtz fan for that reason.

Warning, this is historical romance, not fantasy........2005-01-10

If your looking for the old Deryni action, the clash of arms, the onslaught of repressed mental powers, you won't find it here. This is primarily a romance novel; you know, which princess will be married to which "powerful knight, prince, etc,. at the behest of the King. What little action there is, is given short shrift. You really have to go back to the early novels of the Deryni to get much action (The Chronciles of the Dernyi, Volumes 1-4.) Most of the more recent novels of the Deryni are actually romantic novels in disguise.

Authors:

Authors

Authors