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In an alternate Middle Ages, a new chapter begins in the magnificent fantasy saga of the Deryni, as the magical race faces annihilation by royal enemies and a radical church These are the darkest days for the Deryni of Gwynedd, the magical race that once ruled this medieval kingdom but now find themselves despised and hunted by the governing regents following the death of King Cinhil. Dead also is Camber of Culdi, who served as the Deryni's most faithful friend in the royal court. With young King Alroy too immature and weak to rule effectively, no one holds the power to halt the reign of genocidal terror that sweeps across the land--not even Prince Javan Haldane, Alroy's twin, who recognizes the perfidy of the regents and religious zealots hovering around his royal brother. But there is an equally distressing concern for the surviving children of Camber, whose body remains uncorrupted weeks after his death, suggesting that his soul may be trapped somewhere between earth and heaven--and nothing short of the ultimate sacrifice can set Camber free. Award-winning fantasist Katherine Kurtz continues her chronicles of an extraordinary medieval race in a magnificent series that picks up where her acclaimed Camber of Culdi trilogy left off. A story of intolerance, faith, and courage, rich in character, magic, wonder, and evocative detail, Kurtz's brilliantly imagined alternate history is one of the shining jewels of fantasy fiction.… (more)
User reviews
However, I'm a sucker for a holocaust story. And the love between
The Harrowing of Gwynedd relates the beginning of the darkest time for the Deryni. The beginning of the persecutions and executions that will last for decades (probably centuries - I'm a bit foggy on the details since it's been years since I read this novel). Bishop Allister Cullen, who is really Camber of Culdi using a shape-changing geis, is unable to stem the tide of the inevitable human backlash against the Deryni. The Regency council for the young king Alroy writes and enacts many anti-Deryni laws, severely curtailing their rights as citizens and the church also prevents them from seeking solace in the clergy. In fact, the church only stops short of excommunication if the Deryni renounces his heritage and lives meekly beneath the boot heal of the humans.
Kurtz is good at political intrigue both in a medieval court and among the clergy. The characters strive to preserve their heritage and struggle to ensure the survival of their race.
I enjoy reading the Deryni novels. Sometimes there is romance, sometimes a mystery, and almost always intrigue.
Let's start with my negatives?
First of all, the magic. On one hand, yes, I love it, and it's very interesting. But I'm not exactly sure
Which is a small comment I'd like to note with her writing style: sometimes too descriptive, other times, not enough.
Also... I want to know where this place even exists since it seems to be in our world? Or is it like... another world of our world and there's another heavenly world beyond that? *shrugs*
Other than that... I don't really think I had much qualms with it. Few little things here and there.
Positives:
I really enjoyed being with Javan in this. I love Javan, and it aches my heart seeing the title of the next book and knowing what's going to happen to my baby.
And I really enjoyed a lot of the other characters, including ones I was ''meh'' about in Saint Camber.
The plot? Oh gosh, it's so nice to have such a political and strategic story to follow. It's really fun to try and come up with strategies and guess what the characters are going to say and do next (our protagonists and antagonists alike). But also, it's just a one of those nice changes to see in fantasy. Especially from one written at the time it was.
Overall, I really like how Katherine Kurtz writes. I'm excited to continue on with reading the entire Deryni series!