Customer Reviews

The Bishop's Heir (Histories of King Kelson / Katherine Kurtz)

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4 star:		(2)
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I can easily describe Katherine Kurtz The Bishop's Heir in one sentence: Brilliant. This novel, which is book one of the three part Chronicles of King Kelson, is absolutely brilliant. Kurtz weaves a rich tapestry of intrigue and war all set in an alternate reality.

The plot of the story is strong, which is typical of a Kurtz novel. She obviously is well read on medieval History (M.A. in Medieval English History) and religion, which adds a depth to this novel that most fantasy authors could only dream of achieving. Rather than take the worn out theme perfected by Tolkien (and then worn out by subsequent copy cats) she devises a plot based around the desire for power and combines it with racism and genocidal desires (themes from our own time).

No review of this novel would be complete without a discussion of Ms. Kurtz's use of religion to drive the plot. Something most fantasy novels simply brush over is the religion of the characters involved. If, and that's a big if, religion is mentioned, it's usually some bland form of paganism similar to just about every other fantasy novel out there. Not this one. The use of the Catholic Church, along with it's heirarchy of nuns and priests, bishops and monks, gives these books a depth I've not seen in a fantasy novel since, perhaps, the master himself. Like the Lord of the Rings, The Bishop's Heir reads like a great historical novel, rather than a half baked fantasy.

If you are yearning for a good fantasy with some magic, lot's of plot, and well written characters, you've come to the right place.

This is the first of her books that I ever read. I found her description of ritual to be very moving. Enough so, that I gained better insight into the attraction of religion.

She has created a world not dissimilar to Europe around the time of the dark ages. Reading one of her books makes you see the history of Europe with new eyes and interest. An added bonus for your kids who are just getting up to that section of history. She delves deeply and to great effect into the politics of a kings court.

I say 'undiscovered', because it is difficult to find her books in the library or at the book store, you can generally pick up one or two somewhere, but not the whole collection. However, those that know her writing, seem to always want more. Our local library has four of her books - all of which have been stolen from the library. While a pity, certainly she has a following.

I don't think she writes with a master plan, book 1-book 10 of a series. Instead she seems to write about something, and then explore what happened before that to this character, or after to that one, or 'between' events. Makes is difficult to get a linear progression of a story, but then history is like that.

Anytime I run into one of her books at the bookstore, I buy it.

I can scarcely imagine an author who has done a better job of creating a world that is as meticulously researched, historically accurate and heartbreakingly tragic. This series is an installment in a prolonged effort by Kurtz and this first book is splendid. Depicting the start of the reign of a young King, newly come to power and his struggles to become who he wishes and not what others would have him be.

The author writes with such expertise in depicting the world and conditions that the characters live in, that you are truly there. It's gritty and dark and entirely realistic. The characters are flawed, but that is the beauty of the craftsmanship because they are all the better for being something other than the infallible heroes that so often bedeck this genre.

The author's depiction of the role of Church, politics and intrigue are flawlessly intertwined. The very title of this book is controversial enough to pique the interest of any student of human history. I really enjoyed that she so closely emulates what really happened, but still blends in the fantastic and sets it some place other than our world.

Prepare to be entertained and educated, but make the effort and take the time because this is what we all hope to read and so seldom find.

The ideas in this book spark a lot of interest: magic, a bishop with a son (who's not even a bastard!), a suppresed race, a kingdom on the brink of war...all revolving around the nobility, church, and royal family of Gwynedd. For anyone who loves midevil fantasy and magic, this book is a must-read.

AS one of Mrs. Kurtz biggest fans, i have to say i was pleasantly surprised with the twists of this novel. With the intruduction of Dhugal as a main characters, and managing to tie him in to the "family" so nicely was simply amazing. I was glad to see further character growth and developement and was impressed with how they seem to be learning from each other(and past mistakes). I highly recommend this novel to anyone who enjoys fantasy of any kind.

What an amazing work! So many different things for so many different characters were developed in this book, and I couldn't have been more pleased.

As a reader I always read series. The Deryni series is one of my favorite series! There is action in it(so much that I couldn't put it down).Mrs.Kurtz has the ability to set a plot and to take it under control, which is something many people lack. She tells the story in a way that when you sometimes compare it with your everyday life, you say well, there are many people who are stuck somewherer in life because of others(like poor Kelson). I recommend this book to anyone who enjoys fantasy books and hope that Mrs.Kurtz comes up with other series about Deryni!

Kurtz creates a fascinating medieval fantasy world in this first book in the series. Power struggles between Church and state, civil war, well developed characters, and of course, magic. If you like fantasy, magic, and political intrigue, you'll love this book. Her writing style improves with each novel she writes. I hope she's working on another Deryni series, they're one of my favorites!

I first read this book 20 years ago. I could pick it up today and still be entertained reading it. There are not many books that stand the test of time like that.

Katherine Kurtz is a master. Everything she writes is brillant.

The Bishop's Heir is Kurtz's best work to date. The characters are realistic, the story is spellbinding. You'll pick it up and never want to put it down. If you like fantasy books this is a must!