Ratings8
Average rating3.5
The breathtaking history of the Deryni continues as the greatest hero of a medieval fantasy realm is forced to make the ultimate sacrifice The evil king is dead, and thanks to the efforts of revered Deryni magic-user Camber of Culdi, a human liege occupies the throne of Gwynedd for the first time in nearly a century. The yoke of tyranny has finally been lifted from the shoulders of an oppressed people who suffered for decades under the cruelty of the ruling magical race. But Camber’s job remains unfinished. The dangerous remnants of a conquered enemy still mass at the borders. Worse still, the former monk and new ruler King Cinhil is desperately unhappy wearing the crown, and is resentful of all Deryni, Camber in particular, and their arcane abilities. Now, with the stability of a fragile kingdom at stake, its greatest champion must make the ultimate sacrifice: Camber of Culdi must cease to exist.
Series
3 primary booksThe Legends of Camber of Culdi is a 3-book series with 3 primary works first released in 1976 with contributions by Katherine Kurtz.
Series
16 primary books17 released booksDeryni Chronology is a 17-book series with 16 primary works first released in 1970 with contributions by Katherine Kurtz, Laura Jefferson, and Daniel Kohanski.
Reviews with the most likes.
2.5 stars Metaphorosis reviews
Having deposed a Deryni tyrant, Camber and his family struggle to convince Cinhil, reluctant human king, to accept his new role and stop pining for his calm, monastic life.
One of the things I'd forgotten until this re-read of the serious is just how morally flexible Camber and his crew are. In the first series, Alaric and Morgan see Camber as a legendary figure who could do no wrong. While this trilogy allows for the fact that Camber's just a man, we're clearly still supposed to see him as always on the side of good and right. In fact, it becomes a little annoying just how righteous he is - at least in his own eyes and the eyes of the author. The truth is that he's astonishingly manipulative and Machiavellian. Ends, in this case, virtually always justify the means; the token protests and qualms are just that - tokens, not to be taken as serious obstacles. Even within the heavy religious layer, devotion to god takes second place to political need. It wouldn't all be so troublesome if it weren't for the fact that we're clearly meant to see all these decisions as amply justified, because Camber is on the side of Right. He warns against Deryni exploitation of vulnerable humans, even as he exploits vulnerable humans for his own goals.
There's also a much stronger fascination with clothing than I recalled. If you're not interested in a detailed description of sumptuous religious habiliments, you'll be able to skip long paragraphs.
A big appeal of the books for me was always the magic that later generations were slowly discovering. Here, in the earlier time... they're busy discovering the magic of an earlier generation. And a lot of what they find is both awfully convenient, and thinly described. A couple of warding cubes, a religious invocation, some mumbling, and you're pretty much good to go. Need a particular skill? Camber and crew are bound to discover it just in time.
Don't ruin your memory of this book by re-reading it.