The Legends of Camber of Culdi

by Katherine Kurtz

Book Overview

Camber was the greatest of the Deryni who wanted to retire. But it was not to be. The kingdom of Gwynedd groaned under the tyranny of Imre and his sister and mistress, Ariella. And when Camber learned that Cinhil Haldane, a descendant of the previous kings, still lived, he was determined to set him on the throne in place of the evil ones....

• Format: Hardcover
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0345280318
• ISBN13: 9780345280312
• Release Date: January 1976
• Publisher: Ballantine Books
• Length: 314 Pages
• Weight: 1.01 lbs.

Customer Reviews

Camber is real enough to sit beside me while I write this...

Or so it seems. I've been a fan of Katherine Kurtz' work for quite some time. I read this book first, since it was chronological in her canon, but it was not her first book of the Deryni series. The feeling of mystery and mysticism are very strong in all Kurtz' works, but I find her Camber series books to be the most intriguing. The characters of Camber and his family are so beautifully and intricately described that you can almost feel their presence in the room with you as you're reading. The plot and all its convoluted intrigues are finely wrought and believable, as long as you suspend belief, of course, in the ordinary course of things. Kurtz' world, so much like ours of the medieval period, fools you for a moment into thinking it's just a Dark Ages religious story. Then the magic is woven, subtly, lovingly, into the story. The religious aspects are very detailed and clearly are based on Catholic theology, but diverge when the magic enters. But the magic only heightens the solemnity of the faith, not detracts from it. Some people have criticized Kurtz and others like her for toying with the Catholic faith, but I see she means no disrespect, but instead, reveres the faith. Most of all, her Deryni stories are moral tales denouncing religious and ethnic persecution. This is really the essence of her work. Read them for the power of faith over prejudice.

Are Christianity and Fantasy Compatible?

These days there are those worried about this question. As a devout Roman Catholic, let me state that Kurtz's Deryni novels answer this question in the affirmative.Her heroes are obviously devout people of Faith and of high moral and ethical standards, willing to sacrifice their personal welfare to do the right thing. They prove the value of self sacrifice again and again. The use of scripture to head off chapters is a nice touch as well.I highly recommend this novel for anyone tired of the same old Tolkien-derived elves and goblins in their fantasy.

What an Interesting Thought Out Work of Fantasy

While most people start with "Deryni Rising", this book is what brought me into the Deryni epic, about the legendary Saint Camber, appearing as a regular man. Or as close to that as a Deryni can get, actually.This book has action, adventure, suspense, political intrigue, and sacrifice, the last often lacking in pulp fantasy. The system of magic is based on the Ceremonial Magic of Europe, and should also be familiar to the reader.Gwyned is clearly a anglo/celtic/welsh country, a setting close to home to almost anyone who speaks English, so you are able to step right into the mindset of the characters. That makes it an easy read on it's own.

review on the deryni world......

Katherine kurtz has always been my favourite athor. Her combination of the medieval world and her deryni characters is really weel detailed and researched. There is lots of character developement and conflict. Her ideas are original and full of ingenuity. Anyone who lies History and magic will love her books!

A conflict of loyality verus justice.

Camber of Culdi is a story about a plot to overthrow the tyrannic King Imre of Festil, and replace him with the last survivor of the Haldane line, who happens to be a middle aged monk. Eighty years before, it was the Festils who overthrew the last Haldane king. More importantly, this book introduces us to Camber, the man behind the legend; an aging, wise, and moderate person, whose family has served the Festils loyally for generations, and only joins the plot, after his son is murdered by Imre. This book combines a conflict of loyality verus justices, with reason against radicalism. It is well written and its plotline is quite believeable. It is a great book for pure escapism. Read it and enjoy