Dragonspell (Deverry Cycle 4) [Paperback]

Katharine Kerr (Author)

Book Description

Series: Deverry Cycle 4 | Publication Date: June 13, 1991

This is a story about being caught in a web of passion destiny and magic. For years the provinces of Deverry have been in turmoil, but the conflict escalates to new heights with the kidnapping of Rhodry, heir to the throne of Aberwyn. Intent on rescuing him, his beloved Jill and the elven wizard Salamander infiltrate the distant land of Bardek, where Rhodry is held captive. Tied to Deverry by bounds of obligation, the immortal wizard Nevyn begins to see that all its problems originate from a single source - his ancient enemy, a master of dark magics, backed by a network of evil that stretches across the sea. With this realization, Nevyn understands that he too is being lured to Bardek, and into a subtle and deadly trap! Katharine Kerr's novels of the Kingdom of Deverry unfold in a world of stunning richness and depth, portrayed with unequalled imagination and realism. Now, with "Dragonspell", she returns to this enchanted kingdom for the most powerful story yet in this epic series.

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

Katharine Kerr was born in Ohio and moved to San Francisco Bay Area in 1962, where she has lived ever since. She has read extensively in the fields of classical archeology, and medieval and dark ages history and literature, and these influences are clear in her work. Her epic Deverry series has won widespread praise and millions of fans around the world.

Product Details

• Paperback: 495 pages
• Publisher: Grafton (June 13, 1991)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0586207872
• ISBN-13: 978-0586207871
• Product Dimensions: 6.9 x 4.3 x 1.3 inches
• Shipping Weight: 9.1 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.2 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (5 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,839,823 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

3.0 out of 5 stars OK plot and climax, poor romance, too many superswordspeople, August 6, 2008

By 

Trevor Kettlewell "trevsbookreviews" (Nowra, NSW Australia) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Dragonspell (Deverry Cycle 4) (Paperback)

Apologies, excuses, ages since I read it before getting to this review. Dim recollections:
Good:
- Pacing, plot rolls you along
- Nevyn's victory: well realised picture of a master taking on a nasty but inferior contender
Not so good:
- Romance. Typically bad fantasy dialogue - unrealistic, claiming depth and profundity, delivering pap. Mistakes seedy for mature.
- Rhodry must be good - he can beat anyone in a sword fight
- And so can Jill
- And so can the mega assassin turned bodyguard
Sorry, that's about it.

5.0 out of 5 stars Amazingly Complicated- a Great Read!, October 13, 2007

By 

L. Goff "Alliayha" (Irvine, CA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Dragonspell (Deverry Cycle 4) (Paperback)

I believe this book, and series, is well thought out, complicated in its depth and clarity, but thorough in detail and always wants you to read on and on to the next book. Beautifully intertwined with wit, humor, and reality. While it is a sobering tale, it is full of complications and twists that only fate can explain, as is the authors intent. Truly, this series is enthralling- granted a little difficult to follow at first- but if you love a good intriguing complicated plot that only thickens over time- this is for you! Just remember to keep track of all the names and places, they will come important as you continue with the series.

The author does a great job on weaving a plot as intriguing as the 18th century english court, and as rough and complex as any war, yet filled with empathy and an insight to human nature few authors have attempted of late. This series goes beyond a simple tale, and into a mischievous life and world untouched before. Truly, it is a piece of art, and every-time you examine it you, you will find a new facet to explore. Well worth the effort and mental concentration required to peer through all the complications- the book will always hold something new, no matter how many times you read it!

5 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Good, but it can be WAY better..., April 3, 2000

By A Customer

This review is from: Dragonspell (Deverry Cycle 4) (Paperback)

For the people that don't know, Dragonspell is also called The Dragon Revenant, which is published by Bantam Books. Kerr can definitely can do better. I kinda found the book quite tedious, despite all the action. Because the 4/5 of the book was pretty much devoted to getting Rhodry back and from his mistress (whom with their love affair I found absolutely revolting), I thought it was a complete waste to have the last 1/5 of the book to be set on the "painful separation" of Rhodry and Jill because of dweamor, and Rhodry's new wife. I mean, COME ONE PEOPLE! If anything, cut the boat trip short and all, because I don't want to waste my time just reading about how bored they were on their boat trip back.