DERYNI CHECKMATE: Amazon.ca: Katherine Kurtz: Books

Customers Who Bought This Item Also Bought

Deryni Rising

by Katherine Kurtz

3.9 out of 5 stars (17) CDN$ 8.99

High Deryni

by Katherine Kurtz

4.4 out of 5 stars (5) CDN$ 8.99

Quest for Saint Camber: Vol. III of the Histories of King Kelson

by Katherine Kurtz

3.8 out of 5 stars (5)

THE BISHOP'S HEIR

by Katherine Kurtz

4.7 out of 5 stars (6)

King's Justice

by Katherine Kurtz

4.4 out of 5 stars (5)

› Explore similar items

Product Description

From the Publisher

The late Lester del Rey had a theory about the biological seat of Deryni power, a theory that he could have related in astonishing specificity. I just remember that he said it must come from somewhere in the nose, something related to the olfactory senses. I always thought that wa snot a very glamourous way to look at an exciting, epic sweep of fantasy. But after all, magic has to come from somewhere.

--Veronica Chapman, Senior Editor --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

Tag this product

(What's this?)

Think of a tag as a keyword or label you consider is strongly related to this product.
Tags will help all customers organize and find favorite items.

Customer Reviews

13 Reviews

5 star:		(5)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(2)
1 star:		(4)

Average Customer Review

3.1 out of 5 stars (13 customer reviews)

Share your thoughts with other customers:

Create your own review

Most helpful customer reviews

5.0 out of 5 stars Branching into Series, April 3 2001

By	Jason Gonella "philosopher" (Lancaster, CA USA) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

This review is from: Deryni Checkmate (Mass Market Paperback)

With this book, Kurts takes Deryni Rising, and transitions it from stand alone novel to introduction to a series, and she does a good job of it as well. There are many possible threads left over from the first book, and she picked them up adeptly.

Since there exists in Gwynned a race of Sorcerers known as the Deryni, there would exist people who hate and/or fear them. In this world they are found largely in the church. This sets up a conflict between the King and his Archbishop, the two single most powerful individuals in the kingdom. That all of this happens on the eve of war makes it more stressful for King Kelson, and Archbishop Loris would rather go down in flames than compromise.

The allegories that can be made for racism are abundant and clear, as the status of Deryni is inherited, so can one be held responsible for an accident of birth?

Was this review helpful to you? Yes No (Report this)

3.0 out of 5 stars Vast improvement!, Sep 12 2000

By	jonnyrizz (Seattle, WA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Deryni Checkmate (Mass Market Paperback)

I really didn't enjoy the first book in the series much, because it was so narrow in scope. In this book, however, Kurtz adventures out into the world she created and has multiple conflicts happening at once. A fantasy book that focuses on three characters (I'm referring to Deryni Rising) is such a bore to read, especially when they aren't well-developed!

I'm hoping the 3rd book will also be an improvement on this one, as many of the characters are still too shallow, and the shifting point of view gives away the thoughts of some characters whose thoughts should be more of a surprise (for example, the Morgan's would-be assassin on the boat, and Rimmell the architecht).

Was this review helpful to you? Yes No (Report this)

5.0 out of 5 stars Fantastic, Mar 29 2000

By	Revelations2:12@aol.com (US of A) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Deryni Checkmate (Mass Market Paperback)

This was a wonderful book, and I also must disagree with the low ratings. While not as good as the first book, the book was still good. A lot of new characters were introduced, and Kelson becomes a more interesting character.

Was this review helpful to you? Yes No (Report this)

Share your thoughts with other customers: Create your own review

› See all 13 customer reviews...

Most recent customer reviews

2.0 out of 5 stars Phew--a stinker
I just read this series because I had picked up "The Harrowing of Gwynnedd" in a second-hand store and really enjoyed it. Read more

Published on Mar 10 2000 by Mary L. Roane

2.0 out of 5 stars Phew--a stinker
I just read this series because I had picked up "The Harrowing of Gwynnedd" in a second-hand store and really enjoyed it. Read more

Published on Mar 10 2000 by Mary L. Roane

4.0 out of 5 stars Great continuation of the story.
I'm am sitting here wondering if those people who gave this book such a bad review even read it; or perhaps they didn't understand it. Read more

Published on Dec 22 1999 by Brandie L Thompson

5.0 out of 5 stars Deserves a higher rating than many others give here.
I think part of the reason the other people here give it such a low rating is because so many tragic incidents occur and that disagrees with them. Read more

Published on Oct 6 1999