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gndlf's review
mysterious
reflective
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.0
apryde6226's review
4.0
Saint Camber was the first book that I read by Katherine Kurtz. I believe I was 12-13, at the time. Since then I've grown to love the world of Gwynedd. Later in the Deryni Rising and Kelson Series, both my wife and I really liked the character (Alaric Morgan). So much so that our oldest son is named Alaric. This is a great book and gives an interesting perspective on the catholic church.
mpetruce's review
2.0
You know how a lot of second books or movies in a series are kind of OK, just kind of there? That's how this one was. Except for a big ol' battle at the beginning that sets up the entire plot, nothing really happens in this book except a lot of walking around and thinking and talking. Basically, Camber, of the previous book, Camber of Culdi, has to masquerade as someone else killed in the battle and pretend to be dead. Some people are in on it, but not all. Anyway, I'll still read the third book in the series, but still, not the magic and swordfights you had in the last book.
Oddly enough, for a book based on medieval religion (read Catholic), and mentions of the Trinity and Christmas, etc., Jesus is weirdly absent. I don't mean that in a Bible thumping way, I just mean it in a "this is odd" kind of way. It's almost as if an editor thought too much mention of Jesus would be a problem (although God is mentioned regularly). Considering how pious most of the main characters are, and the fact that every chapter begins with a bible verse (although again, weirdly, none from the gospels), it just seemed a little odd.
What is interesting, and the book tries to go into this as part of the endless thinking and navel-gazing, is that (possible spoiler here, but if you read the title, it really isn't) people begin to attribute miracles to Camber working from beyond the grave when clearly he is not dead (of course, only the reader and certain characters know that). So the book calls into question the very piety and belief that have been a mainstay of so many of the Deryni books.
Oddly enough, for a book based on medieval religion (read Catholic), and mentions of the Trinity and Christmas, etc., Jesus is weirdly absent. I don't mean that in a Bible thumping way, I just mean it in a "this is odd" kind of way. It's almost as if an editor thought too much mention of Jesus would be a problem (although God is mentioned regularly). Considering how pious most of the main characters are, and the fact that every chapter begins with a bible verse (although again, weirdly, none from the gospels), it just seemed a little odd.
What is interesting, and the book tries to go into this as part of the endless thinking and navel-gazing, is that (possible spoiler here, but if you read the title, it really isn't) people begin to attribute miracles to Camber working from beyond the grave when clearly he is not dead (of course, only the reader and certain characters know that). So the book calls into question the very piety and belief that have been a mainstay of so many of the Deryni books.
davidlz1's review
4.0
I am really impressed with her storytelling. She has truly created a world in her writings. This is a great backstory to her original trilogy. It has me wanting to thumb through the original trilogy to see if I can find reference to what she covers in this set (the previous trilogy's past). But, alas, I do not own them, so I am without... Highly recommend this to those who enjoy light fantasy and medieval history.
metaphorosis's review
3.0
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.
Review:
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.
Review:
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.
eupomene's review
5.0
This is one of the happier ones -- mainly about Camber's assimilation of Alister's self and then how they made him a saint. The Deryni have a very tangible sort of faith, the Eucharist for them is more than memorial, it's a sharing. Kurtz mixes faith and magic and sacred things together so they are one, and a step above the mere human's perception. Something to strive for.
vaderbird's review
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
jwells's review
If Deryni were real, they'd be absolutely terrifying. I can't decide if this plot is more horrific or farcical, but Kurtz somehow manages to keep me reading, and she even offers us moments of beauty.