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Deryni Rising | 
 enlarge | Author: Katherine Kurtz
Publisher: Ace Hardcover
Category: Book
List Price: $22.95
Buy New: $7.99
You Save: $14.96 (65%)
New (9) Used (8) Collectible (3) from $4.60
Avg. Customer Rating:  26 reviews
Sales Rank: 617517
Media: Hardcover
Edition: 1
Number Of Items: 1
Pages: 288
Shipping Weight (lbs): 0.9
Dimensions (in): 8.3 x 5.6 x 1.1
ISBN: 0441011683
Dewey Decimal Number: 813.54
EAN: 9780441011681
ASIN: 0441011683
Publication Date: July 6, 2004
Availability: Usually ships in 1-2 business days
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Product Description
For more than 30 years, the Deryni Chronicles have transported readers to a world of secret sorcery and courtly intrigue. Deryni Rising, the first book in the series, launched Katherine Kurtz's phenomenal, bestselling career. Now, with this special edition, including a new introduction by the author, fans of the series can revel anew in the dawning of an epic...
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| Customer Reviews: Read 21 more reviews...
Stood the test of time August 11, 2008
4 out of 4 found this review helpful
Deryni Rising by Katherine Kurtz is the first novel in the Deryni Chronicles. After reading the introduction of this book, I was surprised at two things. The first being that I had never heard of Ms. Kurtz before. The second being that I had never heard of this series, or book, before. After finding this novel in a bargain bookstore and reading the back blurb I thought I would give the book, and author, a chance. Here are my thoughts on the novel.
The plot of this book is in the traditional fantasy vein. However, being that this book has been around for along time, that seems to be expected. The plot revolves around a boy, Kelson, who is the prince of Gwynedd. Due to circumstance beyond his control he is forced to take control of the kingdom. His first decision is to call back the long exiled Morgan. Throughout the book there are a series of people trying to prevent him from taking full control. Of course, there are also the archetype, cliched, characters as well. Being that this book is some thirty years old, I can not fault these archetype characters as much as newer novels. In terms of plot lines and story, there really isn't anything here that most fantasy fans haven't read before. The beauty of this book though lies in it's simplicity. There is no fluff, and it doesn't try to be anything that it's not. It is a solid story that held my interest.
The characters in this book, Kelson and Morgan, are solid interesting characters. I would have liked to see the fleshing out of other characters though. The story is largely about Kelson and Morgan, the other characters seem to just be there to further the other two characters. Even the villain of the story, Charissa, lacks much interest because she is largely absent during the majority of the story. The dialogue in this book is pretty good, but also rather predictable as well. Aside from Kelson and Morgan though, the majority of the characters seemed forgettable and average.
A few criticisms about this novel:
1 - The lack of secondary characters. I would have liked to see additional characters fleshed out. I think it would have added an extra element to the overall story. A mysterious villain is okay, but it needs to be done in such a way that the reader is still given some information about the villain. I didn't feel that was the case here.
2 - The linear plot. Again, I understand that this book is over thirty years old, however, the plot really seemed one dimensional. This could be due to the lack of sub-plots as well. There seemed to be considerable room for sub-plots but they simply aren't there.
Some things I really liked about this novel:
1 - The prose. It has a nice, fluid feel to it. It actually almost feels as though I have been reading Ms. Kurtz'z books for a long time. The is just enough description to give me an idea of her vision without overburdening me with needless details.
2 - I really like how this book goes against the grain of fantasy books being released right now. It is only a 261 page story. Some authors writing today seem to think longer is better, that is not always the case. This book is to the point and doesn't stray from it's goal.
While I enjoyed this book, and it continued to hold my interest I am left thinking that this book may be more appreciated by fans that are new to the genre. Fans that are well read in the fantasy genre may not appreciate this book as much. For a book that is thirty years old though, this one has truly stood the test of time. After looking around briefly on the internet it appears that Ms. Kurtz is still writing books in this world, so I will be sure to check them out. It seems I have a lot of reading to do to catch up, but that is a good thing. For fantasy fans looking for a quick read I would recommend this one.
 Not Free SF Reader September 3, 2007
0 out of 4 found this review helpful
In a Welsh type fantasy kingdom, magic exists, and, of course, runs in the blood of the nobility, hence they get to be in charge.
Their version of the Catholic Church is also powerful, so this is a cause for conflict, church versus the royals, and church vs magic.
This all leads up to a violent ritual confrontation over the right to be in charge, by the end, as a new prince has to establish himself after the dead of his old man.
 First book that I came to love August 26, 2007
This was the second book that I ever read. I found it one day in a drawer and I remember asking my mother if I was allowed to read it. Ironically she also was looking for the book so that she could reread it.
Anyway I started reading and I became enthralled with the fourteen year old boy who suddenly found himself King. This book had (and still does) everything; magic, mystery, a good/bad side,...and so much more. I read this book in fifth grade and I still go boack to reread it (I'm a freshman in college now).
This book is great for fantasy lovers and middle age time lovers and anyone who just loves a good story. I advise this book to anyone who needs a good book to read.
An Alternate Reality, Perhaps Not So Far Removed From Ours ... April 6, 2006
3 out of 3 found this review helpful
Begin with a world in which there are humans who can do magic! Wonderous things ... healing wounds, teleportation, bringing harmony to discord, reading the truth of a man's words from his own mind and voice. Evil and foul things ... murder from afar without the slightest trace, domination of entire peoples, tortures without the need to get the blood on one's own hands.
This is a world that is at an equivalent time to approximately 1200 A.D. in our world. The place most concerning us is Gwynned ... an analog to our Britain, though certainly not yet "Great". And the people who are able to utilize "magic" are the Deryni, an enhanced offshoot of humanity.
Can you imagine what such people, open to the perception of powers beyond our world, might experience in the sacraments of their religion? Or the strength and depth of the bonds that two might share as husband and wife?
But all is not sunshine and flowers. The Deryni are a race that are constantly observed through eyes of hatred and mistrust. They possess gifts beyond those of general humanity, and for this they are feared. And they will undergo an Inquisition, similar to the one in our history, where the Deryni take the place of the Jews and Moors ... for reasons no more wise than those which drove our inquisitors.
A haunting line drifts through all of the books in this wonderful series. One that is sadly true of the world we live in today as well as this mythical realm ... "The humans fear what they cannot understand."
And sometimes that fear drives them to horrific crimes in the name of Christianity.
This, the first book in the series, starts us with young Prince Kelson, heir to the throne of Gwynned. Kelson is abruptly placed on the short path to his Kingship as his father, Brion, is murdered through magical means. He is guarded and guided by two powerful Deryni, loyal to his father and Kelson ... Alaric Morgan and Father Duncan ... a priest in masquerade, for the Deryni are not accepted as clergy by the same twisted logic that drives the superstitions surrounding the Deryni.
There is much before our young King-to-be, barriers both magical and mundane ... much which shall show the mettle of the men he will keep his closest counsels with. And we are privileged to see young Kelson grow from the young princve to a King worthy of the respect and loyalty of such men. Toward the end, there is a mystic confrontation that he must surmount, one in which he receives aid from a most-unexpected source.
There is also an examination of the Right of Kings, a power that is derived from the human soul, but no less magical for that.
This book is the delightful first step on a truly magical journey. The characters are all well-crafted, both the ones which you will feel privileged to know, and those whom you can do nothing less than despise.
Prepare to see wonders and to peer into spaces not lit in our world. Prepare to be entranced ...
WONDERFUL MEMORIES September 30, 2005
0 out of 1 found this review helpful
I HAD BOUGHT THIS BOOK YEARS AGO, AND READ MY COPY TO DEATH.
IT IS WONDERFUL TO BE ABLE TO GO BACK TO WHEN KELSON WAS YOUNG, AND STILL UNSURE OF HIMSELF. IT IS ALSO WONDERFUL TO BE ABLE TO SEE KELSON INTERACT WITH BRION.
AS USUAL, MS. KURTZ BRINGS ALL OF HER CHARACTERS TO LIFE, AND SHE WRITES SO WELL, THAT YOU COME BACK TO REALITY WITH A START!
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