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gndlf's review against another edition
4.0
This book has some flaws, mainly the bonkers ratio of men to women. The setting is interesting, though not my preferred cup of tea. But the it reads really well. The pacing suits me alot. I will read the other two books, thanks to that. Skillfully written in my opinion and worth reading.
metaphorosis's review against another edition
3.0
3 stars - Metaphorosis Reviews
King Imre is a Deryni, a magic-using descendant of the race that overthrew human kings some generations back. As he begins to abuse his powers, Earl Camber of Culdi and his family, also Deryni, plot a return to the human lineage.
I loved Katherine Kurtz' Deryni books when I first read them back in the seventies. Alaric Morgan and Duncan McLain rediscover ancient magics! There's a secret council! A young man finds he has secret powers! The books were great fun. In this second series, about Camber of Culdi, I liked going back to learn what the title character was really like. I recall being sorry there wasn't more about magic, but still - Camber of Culdi! Sadly, by the time the third trilogy came out, the magic was gone - almost literally. The books had devolved into purely fantasy-political stories. I kept reading, but eventually, when a book (I think King Kelson's Bride) came out in which nothing happened, I mostly gave up. Still, I remember liking the first two trilogies a lot, so I picked up this reissue of Camber of Culdi looking forward to re-reading an old favorite.
A long time back, while I was still enjoying the Deryni series, I read Ursula Le Guin's essay “From Elfland to Poughkeepsie,” in which she cruelly points out the essentially political, non-fantasy nature of the books. I saw her point, and I dislike fictional politics, but I liked these books anyway.
On this re-read, Le Guin's views came sharply back into focus. Counter to my memory, there's almost no magic in this book. Instead, it is a heavily political story about dynastic succession, with religious trappings and a hint of magic here and there for flavor. It's well written, but almost all of the writing is about things I don't care about. While I recalled Kurtz as being focused on religion, a lot of the book is what these days people would likely call ecclesiastical porn - lots of details of vestments and monasteries and priestly devotion; certainly far more than there is about magic.
[some mild spoilers below]
The books are also heavily male-centric. There are a few females involved - the evil temptress, the innocent maiden, the sympathetic friend. Granted, the books are a bit dated, but they're from the 70s, not the 30s. It's hard to set aside "if we do not support our men in their good works, what hope is there for any of us". And, of course, it's worse to kill women than men. Yes, it's a vaguely historical fantasy, but if we can have magic powers, why not independent women? Only in the bonus story - one of the best parts of the book - is there a woman who really acts for herself. The implicit condemnation of gays is less frequent, but no more palatable. That's not even touching the devoted servants who will do anything for their kind masters.
The bad guys are caricatures, and not very credible. Camber's son is very close to the cruel tyrant, but there's never any indication of why he would be - the guy is a cartoon villain, while the son is good and noble.
The book is of two minds. On the one hand, the plot machinations are to depose Deryni in favor of humans. On the other, it's clear that Deryni are special. While it's a given of the series that Deryni have special powers, Kurtz also seems to extend their special place to other issues - for example, "a thoroughness possible only for Deryni", which doesn't seem explained by their standard powers. This special place is nowhere more clear than in dealing with Cinhil - the reluctant pretender. Without really any qualms, his 'friend' and confidante waits until he trusts her, then messes with his volition - and we're meant to feel good about it.
All in all, a vastly disappointing return to the magic of yesteryear. I came into this book expecting to love it almost as much as I had before. Instead, I was mostly bored. I'd been looking forward to re-reading the first two Deryni trilogies. Now I'm a little worried about going back even to the first one.
If you want an alternate history stuffed with the ecclesiastical trappings, political machinations, and just the faintest bit of magic, this is for you. If you want a true fantasy, you may want to look elsewhere.
King Imre is a Deryni, a magic-using descendant of the race that overthrew human kings some generations back. As he begins to abuse his powers, Earl Camber of Culdi and his family, also Deryni, plot a return to the human lineage.
I loved Katherine Kurtz' Deryni books when I first read them back in the seventies. Alaric Morgan and Duncan McLain rediscover ancient magics! There's a secret council! A young man finds he has secret powers! The books were great fun. In this second series, about Camber of Culdi, I liked going back to learn what the title character was really like. I recall being sorry there wasn't more about magic, but still - Camber of Culdi! Sadly, by the time the third trilogy came out, the magic was gone - almost literally. The books had devolved into purely fantasy-political stories. I kept reading, but eventually, when a book (I think King Kelson's Bride) came out in which nothing happened, I mostly gave up. Still, I remember liking the first two trilogies a lot, so I picked up this reissue of Camber of Culdi looking forward to re-reading an old favorite.
A long time back, while I was still enjoying the Deryni series, I read Ursula Le Guin's essay “From Elfland to Poughkeepsie,” in which she cruelly points out the essentially political, non-fantasy nature of the books. I saw her point, and I dislike fictional politics, but I liked these books anyway.
On this re-read, Le Guin's views came sharply back into focus. Counter to my memory, there's almost no magic in this book. Instead, it is a heavily political story about dynastic succession, with religious trappings and a hint of magic here and there for flavor. It's well written, but almost all of the writing is about things I don't care about. While I recalled Kurtz as being focused on religion, a lot of the book is what these days people would likely call ecclesiastical porn - lots of details of vestments and monasteries and priestly devotion; certainly far more than there is about magic.
[some mild spoilers below]
The books are also heavily male-centric. There are a few females involved - the evil temptress, the innocent maiden, the sympathetic friend. Granted, the books are a bit dated, but they're from the 70s, not the 30s. It's hard to set aside "if we do not support our men in their good works, what hope is there for any of us". And, of course, it's worse to kill women than men. Yes, it's a vaguely historical fantasy, but if we can have magic powers, why not independent women? Only in the bonus story - one of the best parts of the book - is there a woman who really acts for herself. The implicit condemnation of gays is less frequent, but no more palatable. That's not even touching the devoted servants who will do anything for their kind masters.
The bad guys are caricatures, and not very credible. Camber's son is very close to the cruel tyrant, but there's never any indication of why he would be - the guy is a cartoon villain, while the son is good and noble.
The book is of two minds. On the one hand, the plot machinations are to depose Deryni in favor of humans. On the other, it's clear that Deryni are special. While it's a given of the series that Deryni have special powers, Kurtz also seems to extend their special place to other issues - for example, "a thoroughness possible only for Deryni", which doesn't seem explained by their standard powers. This special place is nowhere more clear than in dealing with Cinhil - the reluctant pretender. Without really any qualms, his 'friend' and confidante waits until he trusts her, then messes with his volition - and we're meant to feel good about it.
All in all, a vastly disappointing return to the magic of yesteryear. I came into this book expecting to love it almost as much as I had before. Instead, I was mostly bored. I'd been looking forward to re-reading the first two Deryni trilogies. Now I'm a little worried about going back even to the first one.
If you want an alternate history stuffed with the ecclesiastical trappings, political machinations, and just the faintest bit of magic, this is for you. If you want a true fantasy, you may want to look elsewhere.
texile's review against another edition
4.0
CW: on-screen infant murder
So that was a nasty shock, but overall a reasonably absorbing read; will continue with the series.
So that was a nasty shock, but overall a reasonably absorbing read; will continue with the series.
bev_reads_mysteries's review against another edition
4.0
I loved this when I read it many moons ago (early 80s at the latest)--so I'm giving it four stars based on foggy memories of that love. I don't know if this would be my kind of book now.
vaderbird's review against another edition
3.0
5 star - Perfect
4 star - i would recommend
3 star - good
2 star - struggled to complete
1 star - could not finish
4 star - i would recommend
3 star - good
2 star - struggled to complete
1 star - could not finish
marhill31's review against another edition
4.0
3.75 Stars
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.
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.
fealomeril's review
adventurous
dark
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.25
jwells's review against another edition
The POV is thankfully more under control, compared to the first (Kelson) trilogy. I enjoyed this book more and I'm glad I kept reading.
ruimateus's review against another edition
5.0
I really loved how Katherine Kurtz managed to put this huge story into 300 pages. It doesn't drag but it's not too fast-paced either, it's just perfect. This Deryni world really is something