The latest in the series of books about the magical race "Dernyi" set in a fictional kingdom of Gwynedd. This book is about the political and religious upheavals surrounding King Donal Haldane, the grandfather of King Kelson, and the eventual conception of the heroes, Alaric Morgan and Duncan McLain. Full of swords, a little sorcery, the precarious stability of a kingdom in medeival times and the power of the church heirarchy. Kurtz always weaves in detailed accounts of pageantry and heraldry. An enjoyable read.

An escape into fantasy! But brings into play many parallels abouth european governments during our feudal era.

I always have loved Kurtz's detailed descriptions of religious and royal processes. She also uses a lot of death in her plot lines, not many characters become wise old men in her world.

This was clearly a set-up book for the later adventures of King Brion, Alaric Morgan and Duncan McLain. So, I was disappointed in the lack of action in this one.

Katherine Kurtz has been writing about the Deryni for over twenty years now, and I've enjoyed every single tale. She has also made forays into historical fiction relating more closely to our time. A good author in either world.

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Created Nov 30, 2003 at 11:51am • Submit your own review...