Deryni Rising

This is the first of Kurtz's NUMEROUS books set in the Deryni world. High fantasy of an earlier era, this focuses on the death of the current king and the difficulties surrounding the inheriting of the throne. Interesting and somewhat unique (especially at the time) in fantasy, we have the Catholic Church itself as a major player in this fantasy world, separate and distinct from magic which is generally inherited by blood or rite from a race called the Deryni. Religious fanaticism and racism both play ongoing roles in this world. There are some strong female characters, including the primary antagonist.
I think one of the most interesting things about this first book is that the entire thing (minus the prologue) essentially takes place show more over the course of 24 hours. It was a good way to keep the pacing moving along, and not fall victim to a lot of detailed world-building in the first book by keeping the story so small and tight (less than a dozen truly important characters) despite the scale of its impact on the world.
I'm glad this was the next in the stack of inherited old fantasy and science fiction. I've been working through them, mostly from the 60s-80. At least as far as the fantasy was concerned I was growing worried that I had grown too old, too sophisticated as a reader, and/or just gotten to accustomed to newer (and often more grimdark) ways of telling these stories that I wasn't able to really enjoy work from the era during which I first fell in love with fantasy.
While this definitely hearkens back to a style of story-telling in fantasy that is definitively different than today, I still really enjoyed it. Whether it truly is or not, it *feels* slower paced, less grim. The magic was a little all over the place, but I know later on Kurtz pins down the system in a much more detailed way (there's a book just about how the magic works), but that feels normal for time period of fantasy during which this was written. I think this is readily accessible to adults, teens, and advanced young readers, just the kind of cross-demographic appeal fantasy was supposed to have. show less

I don't remember who among my friends first recommended the Deryni books to me (in my teens or young twenties, I believe) but whoever it was, much thanks. They're great sword and sorcery fantasy. What makes them unique is that they're a blend of historical fantasy and high fantasy. What marks a book out as high fantasy is a completely imaginary world with no links to real history--legend maybe, but the ties are tenuous, even when like Tolkien's Middle Earth, Lackey's Valdemir or Pierce's Tortall, they have a pseudo-medieval feel.

This on, the other hand, is Christian Europe--yet not quite. Gwynedd is recognizably Britain--more so than what you see usually see in high fantasy, even if there aren't any real historical parallels to the show more Haldane dynasty--or the Deryni for that matter, magically talented people who are persecuted by the Church. But more unusually, their "Holy Church" is quite recognizable as the Roman Catholic Church, and the church's beliefs are important to the characters, particularly Duncan McLain, a secret Deryni and ordained priest, one of my favorite characters in the series. Another very appealing character is Prince Kelson, who here must fight to keep the throne he inherits after his father's assasination. show less

Set in Gwynedd, a medieval, pseudo-Welsh kingdom, the realm is split between ordinary humans and the Deryni, a race possessing powerful psychic and magical abilities. Centuries of fear and religious intolerance have driven the Deryni into hiding. The Haldane royal line has secretly possessed Deryni powers but kept them hidden to maintain their rule.

There is a sudden, brutal murder of King Brion Haldane by Charissa, an ambitious and vengeful Deryni sorceress. Brion’s heir, Prince Kelson, is thrust into the role of king at just 13 years old. Kelson’s legacy is immediately challenged by Charissa, who plans to overthrow the human-dominated government and claim the throne for herself.

To defeat her, Kelson must quickly undergo dangerous show more trials to unlock his own magical heritage and undergo a lifetime of magical training in a matter of days. Aided by his mentor, the Deryni Duke Lord Alaric Morgan, and his cousin Father Duncan McClain, Kelson must embrace his forbidden powers to face Charissa in a climactic magical duel. show less

I've been going back to classic fantasy books. I missed this one when it came out, but it's the first of the Deryni series, first published in 1970.
It occurs in Gwynedd, where King Brion rules as leader of one of the Eleven Kingdoms. Brion is human but has powers bequeathed to him by the Deryni, a race of people with magic and psychic powers now persecuted by the Church. His general is Alaric Morgan, a half-Deryni who has been training the heir, Prince Kelson. A Deryni sorceress named Charissa assassinates Brion, but rumors paint Morgan as the killer.
This is epic high fantasy roughly based on Welsh legends and history. This book has spawned fifteen books that take place in this world, though this one can be read as a complete story. show more The world-building is fascinating and involved, with political machinations in both the court and church taking place among murders and magic. It's more YA fantasy than Game of Thrones, but a very satisfying introduction to a spellbinding world and characters that I will be reading more about. show less

The first(ish) in the much-read, much-beloved Deryni fantasy series. I found the characters flat, the plot nearly nonexistent, and the writing style so hackneyed and cheesy that I almost choked laughing. The female characters (the few that there are) all simper and weep hysterically (save the Evil one, who simpers and tries to look sultry). The male characters are all the bestest swordsmen ever with lean bodies and catlike grace. The only characters of color are all Evil. etc. This book was published in the 70s, so I suppose it could have been worse, but I don't intend to torment myself by reading anything else by Kurtz.

Fantasy about a young king struggling to face down his enemies in a magical kingdom that is surprisingly rich in Catholic ceremony. Has moments of real resonance, but also plenty of cringe worthy sections.

I love this series. Almost Authurian in feel. Young King Kelson almost a young Arthur and Alaric Morgan almost a Merlin. Big difference is that you have a race of magic people called Deryni (of which Morgan is one). For 200 years they have been persecuted because of course the church counts magic as evil so the Deryni must be as well. Kelson's father and now Kelson are trying to change that but the descendant of the Deryni rulers who once ruled Gyennedd wants the throne back and plans to kill young Kelson in a magic duel to do so before Morgan can find the key to release Kelson's own abilities.

Oh and to the reviews that complain about the female characters in this book.... the other books have better characters. Plus it was the 1970s show more and publishers didn't think women read fantasy. show less