The Bastard Prince
by Katherine Kurtz
The Heirs of Saint Camber (3), Deryni Novels: timeline (May 928 - December 928), Deryni Novels: chronological order ((Heirs of Saint Camber 3) 6), Deryni Novels: publication order (17)
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A young king manipulated by evil hands becomes a champion of justice when a magical pretender to the throne challenges his sovereignty For six years, forces of evil and repression have ruled medieval Gwynedd after eliminating two rightful kings of the Haldane line. Keeping the current young liege, King Rhys Michael, weak with wine, the council of regents and its fanatical allies in the church have been virtually unstoppable in their quest to dominate and destroy the mystical Deryni who share show more their land. But now a credible threat has arisen: A Deryni claimant to the throne has taken up arms against the cruel oppressors of his magical race. With a mighty army at his command, Prince Marek-the bastard son of King Imre, Gwynedd's last Deryni ruler-has challenged the Haldane reign, and Rhys Michael's masters realize the young king must be roused from his stupor to confront the interloper. However, the young Haldane monarch is not the malleable, drunken puppet the regents imagine-and when his long-dormant arcane powers are awakened, Rhys Michael will put his own clandestine plans in motion to right the wrongs of recent history no matter what the cost. The fourth trilogy in Katherine Kurtz's magnificent chronicles of the Deryni concludes with awesome power in this stirring tale of war, faith, magic, and justice. Populated by a large cast of unforgettable characters, the thrilling history of an alternate medieval world unfolds in all its epic splendor and tragedy, strongly reaffirming Kurtz's well-deserved place among the finest storytellers and world-builders in all of fantasy fiction. show lessTags
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This is almost a 'historical' fiction book. As with the previous books, if you have ever looked at the lists of kings of Gwynedd from the previous books, you know which kings ruled, and for how long. Even so, the author makes the story of the earliest Haldane kings and their battles against the evil regents good reading. Even if you know how it is going to come out, its well worth reading about how it all happens. As with most of her books, you'll enjoy these if you like reading what feels like historical fiction, with Deryni magic thrown in. Unfortunately, this is almost the last of the Deryni books ever written, and it starts to feel a bit strained at times.
A truly great series, but the original trilogy is still the best.
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Author Information
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Katherine Kurtz was born in Coral Gables, Florida on October 18, 1944. She received a four-year science scholarship to the University of Miami where she graduated with a B.S. in Chemistry. She completed an M.A. in medieval English history at UCLA while writing her first two novels, and working as an instructional designer for the Los Angeles show more Police Academy. She is also a professionally trained hypnotist, a student of comparative religion, and somewhat of an authority on heraldry and chivalry She has also joined with Deborah Turner Harris, and together they have written five books in an adept series of occult detective thrillers set in modern Scotland. Her first editing foray, Tales of The Knights Templar, appeared from Warner Books in 1995, which wa followed by a second volume, On Crusade: More Tales of The Knights Templar. (Bowker Author Biography) show less
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Common Knowledge
- Canonical title
- The Bastard Prince
- Original publication date
- 1994-06
- Dedication
- For
my very dear friend,
DENIS O'CONOR DON,
Prince of Connacht.
If Ireland were still a monarchy,
he would be High King. - First words
- The nagging drizzle of the night before had yielded to clearing skies at dawn, but a persistent overcast remained even at noontime on this chill day in early June of the Year of Our Lord 928, now seventh in the reign of Rhys ... (show all)Michael Alister Haldane, King of Gwynedd.
- Last words
- (Click to show. Warning: May contain spoilers.)She smiled as her son came running back to hug her, and had a smile, too, for Cathan and the archbishop as they gave ready hands to lead her out of that place of death and into a more hopeful future.
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- Popularity
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- Reviews
- 2
- Rating
- (3.63)
- Languages
- English, French, German
- Media
- Paper, Ebook
- ISBNs
- 5
- ASINs
- 2
