Three fantasy novels of intrigue, betrayal, and magic in medieval Gwynedd by the New York Times-bestselling author of the Deryni series–bonus story also included. Camber of Culdi: Long before Camber was revered as a saint, he was a Deryni noble, one of the most respected of the magical race whose arcane skills set them apart from ordinary humans in the kingdom of Gwynedd. Now, the land suffers … of Gwynedd. Now, the land suffers under the tyranny of King Imre, whose savage oppression of the human population weighs heavily on Camber’s heart–a heart that is about to be shattered by a tragic loss that will lead him to confront the usurpers whose dark magic haunts the realm.
Saint Camber: The yoke of tyranny has finally been lifted in Gwynedd, but Camber’s job remains unfinished. The dangerous remnants of a conquered enemy still mass at the borders, and the new ruler is desperately unhappy wearing the crown. With the stability of a fragile kingdom at stake, its greatest champion must make the ultimate sacrifice: Camber of Culdi must cease to exist.
Camber the Heretic: The king’s heir is a mere boy of twelve, and the malevolent regents who will rule until young Alroy comes of age are determined to eliminate all Deryni. Suddenly, the future of Gwynedd hangs in the balance, and Camber–once adored as a saint, but now reviled as a heretic–must find a way to protect his people before everything and everyone he loves is destroyed in the all-consuming flames of intolerance and hate.
Filled with mysticism and magic, these sagas reminds us that “Kurtz’s love of history lets her do things with her characters and their world that no non-historian could hope to do” (Chicago Sun-Times).
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Great story, have followed it for a long time. The characters come alive and you feel as though you know them, you get involved in their lives, feel their sadness, happiness and accomplishments and hate for the books to end. Definitely recommend this series and this author.
The Camber series helped to kick off my love of reading. Marvelous characters in a well built world. Be prepared to be captivated!
Katherine Kurtz is a favorite author. In this trilogy, we follow the world building of the Deryni stories, during a period when the Deryni were hated and hid in plain sight. A good series of stories, entertaining, occasionally tragic, made one wish that such powers were real.
Saint Camber of Culdi is a flashback series where the world created is fleshed out. It can be read alone but reading the trilogy without first reading the history of King Kelson leaves some gaps that leaves you scratching your head at the end.
If you enjoy high fantasy blended with leap-off-the-pages characters, a very developed system of magic, sword fights that leave you breathless, and romance that sings through the ages, you owe it to yourself to read this trilogy.
Ms.Kurtz us a fine writer. I’d recommend any of her Deryni stories. She’s spent lots of time making her worlds magical and realistic at the same time. One finds one cheering for the Deryni and sometimes wishing her characters would not be so ‘charitsble’ yo the humans and smite them all. Excellent books. You’ll be sure to enjoy.
Kathrine Kurtz’s writing is superior! Great characters and well thought-out stories.
Kurtz is a master of historical fiction and almost pulls off the impossible: keeping her characters true to the era, but also showing that the problems they faced are still problems for modern society.
The entire series is a stunning pseudo-historical barn burner
wonderful series. I started to read the series because I read the author was talented and she is. Try the first book and you will be hooked!
Good, but tough read of the restoration of the Haldanes. The persecution of the Deryni that follows is … hard.
This is the prequel to her most famous trilogy. It sets up a totally believable situation which leads to the more famous series. All of her books are well worth the time to read.
read anything by her!
Very complex world, with intricate political structure. Great writing.
I read these books when they were first published decades ago. I was delighted to discover that when I reread the books again in e-book format that they were as entertaining as I remembered.
This is a great series for anyone who enjoys magic, fantasy, and alternative history. Rich and complex, Kurtz creates a world in which the Deryni, who have magical powers, influence the history of what is otherwise a recognizable England, with well-researched details of the time period, and changes just enough different to create an entire new world.
Fantastic stories of people with great psychic powers in an alternate Great Britain. Among the top fantasy books ever.