Reviews

High Deryni by Katherine Kurtz

goobdiddy's review against another edition

3.0

This was my least favorite of this trilogy. It had a very slow first half, and the ending was very abrupt and disappointing. It's also a bit weird re-reading this about 35 years after the first time, since this book suffers from the common 1970s problem of very few female characters (which just seems odd compared to modern writing). I'm planning on reading more Deryni books in the future, since it's still a good classic fantasy series, despite the issues.

rbixby's review

5.0

The best of the three.

apryde6226's review

4.0

I've been reading the Deryni series off and on since I was in junior High. This is one of the best, in a lot of ways.

neglet's review

A good conclusion to this trilogy, expanding our knowledge of the world while also wrapping up this particular story arc. Good twists and turns, although the characters are very good or very evil. Fans of historical fantasy will enjoy.

emilyinprint's review

unhaul

davidlz1's review

4.0

This was the final installment of the Chronicles of Deryni trilogy. I really did enjoy this collection. It still amazes me that I had never heard of this series (or author) before. While it is a fantasy novel, it feels very much tied into historical fiction with magical elements. Ms. Kurtz's writing is satisfactorily detailed enough to keep the mind engaged. For some, there certainly may not be enough action, but that is truly not the attraction of her writing. It is her detail and plot that is simply incredible.
She has kept this franchise alive with plenty more installments. I look forward to exploring her world in the future (probably when Shelbi returns for her next co-op term!).

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

divadiane's review against another edition

3.0

I honestly don't know what to think. This third installment was much more interesting and engaging than the 2nd, but there are 2 major denouements that just fizzle because of an easy solution that just happens.

First, Warin's complete change of heart because of Morgan's Mind-seeing and demonstration of his healing abilities and the following pardoning and lifting of the excommunication of Duncan and Morgan was just too easy and fast.

Second, the final battle of arcane powers doesn't even get going, because Rhydon is actually someone else masquerading and waiting, for what actually? An easy way to end the book without any of the good guys dying? Why not poison Wencit years ago?!?

Ah well, a disappointing end to an otherwise very good book. I did like how each of the main characters grappled with their feelings and moral conduct.

verumsolum's review against another edition

4.0

I struggle to understand my reaction to these books. I have enjoyed them, and want to return to this world again, but when I try to imagine how I would describe the books, I don’t comprehend my reaction to them. I feel in a weird position where I can tell you that I definitely enjoyed them, despite the knights and swords stuff not usually being to my taste. This is also a very... churchy book, but in a way that felt comfortable to me, somebody who used to be very active in the church and now find myself struggling to know my place in it now, when so much of what I used to believe I don’t any longer.

So, while I enjoy these books, I think they speak most to parts of me that I don’t think are common among those who know me online in 2021. I think I might more readily recommend these books to some people I used to know than to those I know today.

All of that may be a long-winded way of saying: Trust your gut. If you think you’ll enjoy these books, try them. If parts of their descriptions leave you worried about how you’ll react, give them a pass.

winters's review against another edition

adventurous fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Loveable characters? Yes

4.0