From Publishers Weekly
A young king seeks to save his people from powerful and corrupt nobles and prelates in this middle volume of the latest Deryni trilogy (following The Harrowing of Gwynedd ). Crippled Prince Javan gains the throne of Gwynedd after the death of his brother, King Alroy, despite machinations by the five former regents, who mean to make him a monk and crown his more biddable younger brother. With a small band of loyal knights and advisers, Javan must gain the respect of the people, guard himself against assassination and attempt to ameliorate, if not repeal, the vicious laws enacted by the Church to destroy the Deryni, a race with psychic powers that shares the land. Though a human, Javan is gifted with some of these powers, a heritage of his royal family line, but he must learn to use them surreptitiously or share the fate of the Deryni. As the subtle battle escalates, with Javan receiving aid from powerful but hidden Deryni, the prospect of losing power drives the regents to extreme measures. Kurtz, author of three previous Deryni trilogies, builds a deeper, more complex and more thoughtfully developed world with each succeeding volume.
Copyright 1992 Reed Business Information, Inc.
From Library Journal
The death of young King Alroy brings his twin brother Javan to the throne of Gwynedd, and the Council of Regents is thrown into turmoil when the new king proves less amenable to their control. Set in one of the darkest times of Gwynedd's history, this latest novel in the Deryni chronicles focuses on the grim determination of its protagonist. Familiar clashes between Deryni sorcery and Church fanaticism combine with scenes of emotionally charged drama and tragedy to create a medieval fantasy that Kurtz's many fans will welcome. A good purchase for most fantasy collections.
Copyright 1992 Reed Business Information, Inc.
by Katherine Kurtz
by Katherine Kurtz
by Katherine Kurtz
by Katherine Kurtz
