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. 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. ( )

I read the Deryni Chronicles and the Legends of Camber series 40 or so years ago. Something brought them back to mind recently and I decided to reread these nearly forgotten tales. What a treat. An interesting blend of fantasy with medieval Europe and the Catholic Church, all interwoven into an immensely intriguing tale. I am eager to start the next. ( )

This is an interesting take on an English society with the addition of magic and psychic abilities. Because the race that possesses those abilities the Deryni, once ruled as despots hundreds of years ago, they are feared and hated. The Chruch, based on the Catholic church stands against the magic users. While this is going on the crown prince is in danger of being assassinated.

It's not a very long book and a lot is going on so the characters don't get a lot of development, but hopefully they will be more fleshed out as the trilogy continues. ( )

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 and publishers didn't think women read fantasy. ( )