Book description
In the kingdom of Gwynedd, the mysterious forces of magic and the superior power of the Church combine to challenge the rule of young Kelson. Now the fate of the Deryni -- a quasi-mortal race of sorcerers -- and, indeed, the fate of all the Eleven Kingdoms, rests on Kelson's…
Why read it?
3 authors picked Deryni Rising as one of their favorite books. Why do they recommend it?
It was this book that disabused me of the notion that fantasy had to be written in a specific way, often in highfalutin or profound language. It encouraged me to put my own stories into writing.
Though very much a historical fantasy novel, this book was easy to understand despite the unfamiliar terms and background details of a fantastical universe. I think it’s due to Katheryn Kurtz’s initial use of simple, down-to-earth language and a fairly straightforward story, which, looking back now, was probably aimed at teenagers or young adults. I was sometimes reminded of the first volume of JRR…
From Eressë's list on realistic and compelling world-building.
Long before the wizarding world of Harry Potter came a wizarding world of a whole other order. Welcome to the kingdom of Gwynedd, a world full of political, military, ecclesiastical, and magical intrigue. Once more the first in a series of novels, Deryni Rising begins to chart the conflict between the macrocosmic worlds of politics and religion and their microcosmic consequences on families and friendship. Kurtz builds a world that is both fantastical and believable, and the interplay of politics, magic, and religion is both astutely rendered and leaves you asking deeper questions about the world around you.
From Anna's list on creating an ‘inner consistency of reality’.
Deryni Rising is my top pick for the “bromance genre” due to the strong bond between several characters. These bonds grow deeper and stronger as the characters struggle to overcome growing challenges. This book is not for the faint of heart, as the author has a special talent for putting her characters through emotional torture chambers. I particularly enjoy this series because it focuses not only on physical danger, but also on the mental and emotional aspects. The characters frequently have moral and ethical dilemmas. How the characters navigate such situations reminds me that everyone should be judged on their…
From Cheryl's list on epic fantasies with epic bromances.
If you love Deryni Rising...
These Blue Mountains
A moving story of love, betrayal, and the enduring power of hope in the face of darkness.
German pianist Hedda Schlagel's world collapsed when her fiancé, Fritz, vanished after being sent to an enemy alien camp in the United States during the Great War. Fifteen years later, in 1932, Hedda…
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