Magic and mysticism come alive in this magnificent historical fantasy from the New York Times-bestselling author of the Chronicles of the Deryni. 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 medieval kingdom of Gwynedd. For nearly a century, Camber’s family has had … nearly a century, Camber’s family has had little choice but to loyally serve the ruling Festils, Deryni usurpers who employed dark magic to wrest the throne from the rightful Haldane liege.
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 shattered when the despot and his evil mistress-sister, Ariella, cause the death of Camber’s beloved son.
The grim demands of justice and vengeance drive Camber far from his family’s estates in search of the last of the Haldane line. This descendant of kings will not be easily persuaded to accept Camber’s unthinkable plan. But with the kingdom in turmoil, the aging mage and the reluctant Haldane heir must confront together the awesome, terrible might of the Festils for the good of all.
The first book in Katherine Kurtz’s epic medieval fantasy series is filled with irresistible suspense, action, adventure, and political intrigue, leading Publishers Weekly to hail the author as possessing “a rare craftsmanship with narrative exposition that is also dramatic and moving.”
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I highly recommend this complete series. I first read this in my early twenties, and it has had a huge effect upon my own world building, first in my RPG games, and now in my own writing. Kurtz’s ability to create a complete and believable fantasy world really set the bar high for me.
If you are looking for a complete saga with in-depth characters and a over arching plot-line, this is a fantastic read.
Sometimes an article can make you read a novelist you have seen in used bookstores for years. This article from the Strange Horizons website gave spotlight to Katherine Kurtz’s Deryni novels. I had seen the Deryni novels in my local used bookstores here in San Antonio for a while. I will admit I never had no desire to read them and dismissed the series as typical epic fantasy. However, I read the aforementioned article and learned that Kurtz’s impact on the genre was a lot more widespread that I had known. The Deryni novels had influenced writers like Guy Gavriel Kay and George R.R. Martin. Since she had that kind of influence on the genre, I decided to try out Katherine Kurtz.
Camber of Culdi is the first book of the second published trilogy of Deryni novels. However, I learned from the author’s website it is the first book in chronological order of the series. The Deryni world is influenced by 10th, 11th, and 12th England, Scotland, and Wales and the story takes place in the kingdom of Gwynedd. Gwynedd is rule by the evil Imre of Deryni heritage and his sister, Ariella. And their relationship is a lot closer than sibling relationship should be. Camber of Culdi who is also of Deryni heritage has watched Gwynedd become ruined by Imre’s rule.
The Deryni possess magical powers that come into conflict with the humans of Gwynedd. The medieval church (based on the Roman Catholic Church) views their magical power as evil and has caused tension between the two parties and other Deryni (like Imre) who want absolute power. Kurtz develops in the interracial and religious conflicts well in the novel and kept me interested as a reader.
Camber learns of a living descendant from an earlier kingdom that could help him defeated Imre and his sister. The patron sends men to find out if this descendant of the old Haldane kings is actually alive. Camber’s men find the descendant and learns he has become a monk. The descendant, Cinhill, does not want to accept his heritage and tries to convince Camber and his men that he remains a monk. Gwynedd is on the brink of ruin and Camber persuades and manipulates Cinhill of his heritage and rightful place in Gwynedd society.
Kurtz does an excellent job of characterization for both heroes and villains and I learned quickly that no one is safe from their fate. I could see where George R.R. Martin took a page out of Kurtz’s playbook on how treat characters in his A Song of Ice and Fire series. Camber of Culdi was an excellent page-turner and the religious, historical element added a different dimension to the genre at the time it was published in 1976. The novel did not have a dated feel but there were aspects about King Imre’s character I thought could have been handled better.
I’m glad to have discovered Camber of Culdi and I’m looking forward to reading the remaining two books in this trilogy: Saint Camber and Camber the Heretic. I believe Katherine Kurtz is a novelist that has been overlooked in the genre and deserves to be rediscovered for a modern audience.
A wonderful book by a wonderful author.