The Red Wyvern (Dragon Mage, Book 1) [Mass Market Paperback]

Katharine Kerr (Author)

Book Description

Series: Dragon Mage | Publication Date: September 1, 1998

Katharine Kerr's richly imagined cycle of novels set in Deverry and the Westlands has earned a devoted following--and a reputation as the finest Celtic fantasy being written today. Now she returns to Deverry's war-ravaged past....

In a kingdom torn by civil war, young Lillorigga seeks to shield her dawning powers from her cruel mother Merodda's manipulation. Mistress of a magic that, untamed, could kill her, Lilli brings her terrifying visions under the kindlier tutelage of the mysterious dweomermaster, Nevyn. But soon she must choose between her own clan and the true king who fights to claim his rightful throne, between sanctuary and blood feud, loyalty and love. Little does she dream that the slaughter she invites, and the malevolence she defies, could stalk her across the ages...twisting and twining the strands of timeless destinies.

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com Review

Long, long ago in Deverry, Lillorigga, daughter of the Boar clan and cousin to the child-king, becomes enmeshed in the increasingly sinister politics at the palace of Dun Deverry. Not least among the plotters is Lilli's own mother, the enchantress Merodda. Lilli has inherited Merodda's powers, but not her taste for power. When Merodda orders the death of Lilli's foster mother, Bevyan, Lilli leaves Deverry swearing revenge. Her actions will have consequences not only in her time, but also in generations to come, as those who die are reincarnated. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

From Library Journal

Kerr returns to her historical fantasy series about Deverry and the Westlands (Days of Blood and Fire, LJ 6/15/93; Days of Air and Darkness, LJ 6/15/94). Lillorigga, a young girl with magical powers to foretell the future, is forced to use them to her scheming mother's advantage. Secretly taught to control these powers for herself, Lillorigga must balance competing needs in this tale of Celtic palace politics and murder. While Kerr's thorough knowledge of Celtic lore shines throughout the novel, a reader new to the series should read the preceding books to understand references to earlier events. For collections where the series is popular.
Copyright 1997 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

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Product Details

• Mass Market Paperback: 416 pages
• Publisher: Spectra (September 1, 1998)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0553572644
• ISBN-13: 978-0553572643
• Product Dimensions: 4.2 x 1.1 x 6.9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 7.2 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.2 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (21 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #277,784 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #90 in Books > 4-for-3 Books > Science Fiction & Fantasy > Fantasy > Historical

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

15 of 16 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars these books are chocolate for celtic-fantasy loving hearts!, September 20, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: The Red Wyvern (Dragon Mage, Book 1) (Mass Market Paperback)

As may seem slightly redundant to one who has read other K.K. fans' enthusiastic reviews, picking up "Daggerspell" on an impulse has become one of my 'favorite mistakes'. I ate them up, and in no time at all was completely smitten... I am practically addicted to these novels, and I am sorry to have finally caught up to Katherine's current writings... It means I have to wait years, wondering at the elusive conclusions (not that there ever are any) of her inevitable cliffhangers! I cringe at the thought. No more indulgence for my built-up cravings. Contrary to other reader's opinions, I think the series is getting increasingly wonderful book by book. The tale is being spun in a way that leaves more and more of the complex and beautiful tapestry revealed. The introduction of the Gaurdians adds so much dimension to the story. I am in love with the elves-Ebany!-(the People), and Rhodry, Jill, Nevyn, Evandar, Dallandra... And am thrilled that the novels stay faithful to them throughout the series. With Angmar & Rhodry's children, the three peoples of Deverry are united in blood, as the girls contain elven, dwarven, and human heritage. I have a feeling that K.K.'s master plot will come together in the final novels beautifully...

11 of 11 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Kerr's Fantasy Is Deserving Of More Attention., June 27, 1999

By 

Elyon (Mesilla, New Mexico) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Red Wyvern (Dragon Mage, Book 1) (Mass Market Paperback)

I'm a little confused as to why this book is being called "Book One of the Dragon Mage," as though Kerr has begun a new series. The story takes up right where the last book, "Days of Air and Darkness," left off. In addition, Kerr spends much of the book returning to an earlier thread of her story that was left unfully told several volumes back. This book therefore seems a direct descendent to her first eight. But why quibble?: This is a worthy successor to her earlier work.

As mentioned above, I was pleased to find her finally completing her tale of the Civil Wars, begun so many books back and left dangling for so long. I had begun to despair ever finding out in full about the conquest of Deverry by the High King and his supporters, so many of whom have played successive roles as Kerr's series unfolds. And, I gather, this part of her story is not yet fully over. In a similar vein, I was also heartened by hints that Ebany will once again be appearing, after being rather unceremoniously dumped back in "A Time of Omens." A complete jettisoning of these plot and character elements would have done much to diminish my opinion of this series. As I have thus far enjoyed it greatly, I was pleased that my faith in Kerr's writing had been rewarded.

Much more episodic than the current and, apparently, more popular works by Martin and Jordan, this work is nonetheless their equal, and deserving of more attention. While I believe this series overall is deserving of five stars, I gave this particular entry four, as I found Part 3 somewhat weaker in plot than the rest of the book. I realize this may be due to demands placed upon the author for setting up the next book, but nonetheless found this chapter unbalancing to the book's overall structure. This doesn't, however, lessen my anticipation for the publication of the next book. And for those fans already missing the passing of Jill and Nevyn, I suspect Jill in other guise is already back, and Kerr has indicated that Nevyn will shortly follow; Take heart!

13 of 14 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars My favorite fantasy series..., August 9, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: The Red Wyvern (Dragon Mage, Book 1) (Mass Market Paperback)

One of the best things I've ever done was to buy Daggerspell several years ago. Since then, I've sweated blood trying to put together the rest of the series, and finally I've succeeded - until the Black Raven comes out, that is. I also agree completely with the fact that this series is deserving of more attention compared to Jordan, Goodkind, etc.

For those of you who are waiting for the Black Raven with bated breath, I would suggest visiting www.voyager-books.com - where, oh joy, the first chapter is online to read. For people interested in the Deverry series in general, Katharine Kerr has a website that you can link to off of tor.com. And as to what is coming after the Black Raven, there will be either 2 or 3 more books - I've got conflicting information on that.

Supposedly, at the end of this series, things will all link up into one big Celtic knot, and we will finally see the whole story line. Also, all the characters are supposed to come back in the end for a grand finale. Personally, I can't wait till this happens - and I have plenty of speculations about WHAT will happen. Is Jill Rhodry's daughter in this incarnation? Will Haen Marn ever get back to Deverry? Will Nevyn be incarnated as Domnall Breich's son? Will Evandar and his people all be born into the world of men? Will I ever quit asking all these questions? No. Well, I have one final question, which is certainly one that EVERYONE will want to know. WILL THIS SERIES HAVE A HAPPY ENDING?!?