Customer Reviews

The Quest for Saint Camber (Volume III of the Histories of King Kelson)

5 star:		(2)
4 star:		(3)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

This book is excellent. It resolves many important conflicts that the previous books brought up, such as getting Dhugal acknowledged as the Deryni Healer-priest Duncan's son, and Conall's assumption of the Haldane powers, and Rothana and Kelson's feelings for each other. I was delighted to read the scene where Duncan and the Church make their peace, for in all the books about Gwynnedd, Duncan's conscience is very troubled that he must keep is benign Deryni powers secret if he is to remain faithful to his calling of being a priest. However, in my opinion the book is not satisfying in the regards of Keson's search for relics of Saint Camber. It leaves you hanging. But the book is wonderful, and if you enjoy Kurtz' tales of Gwynnedd, you will enjoy this one.

The main theme of the book seems to be Kelson's search for relics of Saint Camber, but there is much more going on than that. Kelson at last comes to terms with the death of Sidana and realizes his growing love for Rothana. Kelson and Rothana promise to wait for his return from the quest before deciding on their future together. While on the quest Kelson and Dhugal are lost, last seen going down a crumbling cliff side and into a raging river. Kelson's jealous cousin, Conall, whether by accident or design, falls into place as the heir to the throne and regent after he brings about Nigel's debilitating seizure. As heir and regent, Conall needs a bride and has set his sights on Rothana. Many loose ends concerning Dhugal's heritage and Duncan's relationship with the church are wrapped up in this book.

This is a great read that sweeps you along and pulls you in, much like the river that Kelson and Dhugal are lost in. In the end it left me wanting more.

Because you are never going to put it down. Once I opened it I never shut it until I had finished. It's very gripping and emotional. I would have a kleenex handy while reading. However I was saddened by yet another of Kelson's near brushes with happiness. That boy has the worst luck with women. He needs to find a nice girl to settle down with. Anyway I think it's about time for Katherine to get us off the edge of this cliff. We need the the next book. Please write the next book. Please?

Volume 3 of the 'Histories of King Kelson' is an enjoyable read, with the same complicated, interesting characters as the rest of her series (and the one before). I wouldn't say it is as well written as some of the other books, the plot wanders around a bit in the middle, and the section with the Servants of Saint Camber seemed a bit pointless. I still found it hard to put down as the characters are so interesting I couldn't wait to find out what had happened. Still, after five books (including the three in 'The Chronicles of the Deryni'), you have made a bit of a commitment to these characters anyway. That is the other caveat to this book, you really need to have read the previous books in the series first.

It's hard for me to be objective about this novel. I grew up with the Deryni books, I read them over and over again, and the first six (Deryni Rising, Deryni Checkmate, High Deryni, Camber of Culdi, Saint Camber, and Camber the Heretic) represented one of my favorite fantasy novel sagas of the time, huge in scope, vast in the apparent stretch of time, richly detailed by an author who knew the historical period, ahhh, it was hard for me to find anything that could measure up.

I waited, with great anticipation, the arrival of the third trilogy, heavily advertised. Bishop's Heir proved excellent and The Kings Justice was also quite interesting (and although I didn't know it, the seeds of my disatisfaction were sown here).

The Quest for Saint Camber, though. The title implied so much, and I knew that this author, so brilliant so far, would never do anything trite, easily expected, or trivial.

However, from the get go, the novel led me down a path of anguish. All the characters started going in odd directions, as if a great fleet had lost its commander, they stumbled around, failed to see things right in front of them, and then were surprised when they were bitten. I felt sick to my stomach, literally.

I went through a short term depression over my disappointment with this book (at that age, my novels were all I had). I will most certainly never read this novel again. I wish it had never been published, much less that I had spent money on it.

Perhaps my expectations were too high, but then, eight previous novels had led those expectations to a high pinnacle . . . the fall hurt.

This is one of Kurtz best works and a highly enjoyable read. It pits family members against one another, king's against subjects, Deryni against deryni, and emotions against everyone. Keep kleenex and alot of time handy for this one, because you will need both! Kurtz does a masterful job of bringing the characters to life and vividly describes the heart ache and dissapointment of parents who lose a son, a man who loses the love of his life, and a king who must survive against the toughest odds only to come home and be emotionally destroyed. I DEFINATELY recommend this novel.

I find it hard to objetivly reveiw this book. It found that it was very well written, and presented, and I truly had a hard time putting it down. I did have trouble however trying to figure out why Katherine Kurtz went this direction with the characters. I found all that happened very interesting and captivating, but the events seemed so out of place when compared to the path taken in earlier books. I am not dissapointed, just surprised. It felt as if the characters left their usual way of life and went on an african safari postponing everything else. Even taking all of that into consideration Ms. Kurtz has kept her amazing ability to write intact. Her characters are still believable, and her development of them and the plot are captivating.