When young Kelson, King of Gwynedd is reported drowned in a search for the legendary Saint Camber, Nigel was deemed to be king. But his son, Conoll, was too jealous and struck down his own father. Conoll had forgotten Saint Camber....
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From Publishers Weekly
Kurtz is queen of the prolifering fantasy subgenre that adds a magical element to dynastic historical romances. In her medieval Welsh setting, the persecution of the witch-like Deryni race is only gradually relenting as the group's members attain high positions in court and in the rigid, established Church. As part of this rehabilitation, young King Kelson, himself Deryni, hopes to restore the place of the Deryni Saint Camber. Reflecting and commenting on these central themes of ignorance and superstition moving toward knowledge and faith are suspenseful subplots of secret magical tutelage, a king's courtship, ecclesiastical elections, a murder case, etc. In Kurtz's version of a triple-decker Victorian novel, teeming with distinctive characters, fascinated by theology and genealogy, her weakness for cliches and homilies is surmounted by a rare craftsmanship with narrative exposition that is also dramatic and moving. This is the final volume of Kurtz's third Deryni trilogy, The Histories of King Kelson.
Copyright 1986 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to the Hardcover edition.
Copyright 1986 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to the Hardcover edition.
From School Library Journal
YA Young King Kelson of Gwynedd, having finally put down an attempt to usurp his throne ( The Bishop's Heir 1984, The King's Justice 1985, both Ballantine), decides to a search for relics of Camber, the deposed patron saint of the Deryni. Kelson is determined to restore the Deryni and St. Camber to respectability. Shortly into his journey, Kelson and his foster brother fall from a cliff into a raging river and are presumed dead when no bodies are found. Meanwhile, Kelson's cousin Conall has been secretly learning magic, and when he hears of Kelson's "death," he determines to take over the kingdom and Kelson's intended bride as well. This is the final volume in the third trilogy about the Deryni. Kurtz' writing skills seem to improve with each book, her characters gaining more depth and humanity, her plots more movement and imagination. The series continues to be popular with young adults. Betsy Shorb, PGCMLS, Md.
Copyright 1986 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to the Hardcover edition.
Copyright 1986 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to the Hardcover edition.
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Customer Reviews
Most helpful customer reviews
1 of 1 people found the following review helpful
By indanthrene
Format:Mass Market Paperback
It's hard for me to be objective about this novel. I grew up with the Deryni books, I read them over and over again, and the first six (Deryni Rising, Deryni Checkmate, High Deryni, Camber of Culdi, Saint Camber, and Camber the Heretic) represented one of my favorite fantasy novel sagas of the time, huge in scope, vast in the apparent stretch of time, richly detailed by an author who knew the historical period, ahhh, it was hard for me to find anything that could measure up.
I waited, with great anticipation, the arrival of the third trilogy, heavily advertised. Bishop's Heir proved excellent and The Kings Justice was also quite interesting (and although I didn't know it, the seeds of my disatisfaction were sown here).
The Quest for Saint Camber, though. The title implied so much, and I knew that this author, so brilliant so far, would never do anything trite, easily expected, or trivial.
However, from the get go, the novel led me down a path of anguish. All the characters started going in odd directions, as if a great fleet had lost its commander, they stumbled around, failed to see things right in front of them, and then were surprised when they were bitten. I felt sick to my stomach, literally.
I went through a short term depression over my disappointment with this book (at that age, my novels were all I had). I will most certainly never read this novel again. I wish it had never been published, much less that I had spent money on it.
Perhaps my expectations were too high, but then, eight previous novels had led those expectations to a high pinnacle . . . the fall hurt.
Format:Mass Market Paperback
This is one of Kurtz best works and a highly enjoyable read. It pits family members against one another, king's against subjects, Deryni against deryni, and emotions against everyone. Keep kleenex and alot of time handy for this one, because you will need both! Kurtz does a masterful job of bringing the characters to life and vividly describes the heart ache and dissapointment of parents who lose a son, a man who loses the love of his life, and a king who must survive against the toughest odds only to come home and be emotionally destroyed. I DEFINATELY recommend this novel.
By A Customer
Format:Mass Market Paperback
Because you are never going to put it down. Once I opened it I never shut it until I had finished. It's very gripping and emotional. I would have a kleenex handy while reading. However I was saddened by yet another of Kelson's near brushes with happiness. That boy has the worst luck with women. He needs to find a nice girl to settle down with. Anyway I think it's about time for Katherine to get us off the edge of this cliff. We need the the next book. Please write the next book. Please?
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3.7 out of 5 stars
Most recent customer reviews
5.0 out of 5 stars
A great read that is difficult to put down
The main theme of the book seems to be Kelson's search for relics of Saint Camber, but there is much more going on than that. Read more
Published on April 9 1998
4.0 out of 5 stars
Fitting conclusion, but leaves you wanting more.
This book is excellent. It resolves many important conflicts that the previous books brought up, such as getting Dhugal acknowledged as the Deryni Healer-priest Duncan's son, and... Read more
Published on Mar 18 1998
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