A couple of years ago, I had the absolute pleasure of sharing a signing table with Author Mindy Klasky at the RWA Indie Book Signing in Denver. Here’s a little-known tidbit: Mindy can do magic. No, seriously! She uttered “Katherine Kurtz” and “Deryni” in the same incantation and Boom! Forever friendship bond was sealed.
Shortly thereafter, I discovered the word “Deryni” on the
GoodReads page of another online author friend, Daniel Sullivan, which led to a
fun PM discussion on this epic book series we both love.
Are you scratching your head and thinking, “Who is
Katherine Kurtz, and what the heck is a Deryni?” Well, I am so happy to tell you about them!
What was better about Katherine Kurtz’s medieval fantasy series? Setting and plot, of course. Exploring an alternate Earth history, definitely. And the magic of the Deryni, a race of humans with preternatural powers who co-existed peacefully with regular humans--until they didn’t. A man named Camber and his family try to avert the coming persecution of the Deryni. Desperate to save their people, they uncover a way to live covertly among humans for centuries. Still, witch hunts for their kind continued, and the monarchy was controlled by those who served their own self-interests.
The fallout of the persecutions finally land square on
the shoulders of a young prince who finds himself abruptly wearing his beloved father’s
crown. Kelson faces adversaries who wish him dead, or under their control. He
is forced to grow up fast. Some of the lessons he learns are harsh, including
the heartbreaking prejudices of a close family member. Still, he is determined
to be king to all his subjects, human and Deryni.
I just can’t recommend these books highly enough! Sadly,
finding them in paperback is challenging these days, however they’re all
available on Kindle and many have an audio-book version. I’ve listed them below,
with links and in chronological reading order. Once you’ve read them, be sure
to let me know what you think!
Are you already familiar with this fantastic universe?
Tell me how you discovered the Deryni in the comments.
Happy reading…or listening!
XOXO,
Lea
~*~*~*~*~
USA Today Bestselling Author, Lea Kirk, loves to transport her readers to other worlds with her sci-fi romances.
When she’s not busy writing about the blue and green aliens of her Prophecy series, she’s hanging out with her hubby, five kids (the nerd herd), and a spoiled Dobie mix pup.
She is currently working on the fourth book in her Prophecy series, and three new books for her Silverstar Mates series featuring age 50+ protagonists coming this fall. (The Intergalactic Dating Agency)
For more on Lea's books (past, present, & future), check out her:
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8 comments:
I loved these books. I have most of them in PB and I’m slowly adding the Kindle version. I haven’t read them in years,but I plan a reread soon.
Not too many people I know have read this series, so I was happy to see you blog about it.
It's exciting whenever I discover others who have read it. Yay, Liz! I have all of the PB, and plan to start rereading them in 2021. It'll be my treat for cramming out four novellas this year. lol. XOXO
Hey, I remember that magical moment!
Kurtz's series were the most formative, in my journey to becoming a writer. Her characters were so real to me, and her intricate magic rituals felt like correspondence from secret friends. I'm always *thrilled* when I see people spreading the word about this not-known-well-enough series!
I wasn't familiar with these- thanks for sharing :)
Agreed, Mindy. Her stories have had a profound effect on my writing style. I honestly wish she'd written more in this series. :)
I'm so glad you shared this series. I'd not heard of them. I'm always looking for "new" classics. BTW, The Chronicles of the Deryni paperback collection is $847 on Amazon! I think I'll stick with the Kindle version. :)
Yeah, the print versions are obscenely expensive now. Glad I bought all mine 40 years ago! lol
Camber of Culdi was the first novel I purchased for myself with my own money. It was 1976, and I was nine. Up to then, all the novels I had read had been gifts from family at birthdays and Christmas. This book was far and away my favorite. I became a huge Deryni fan, reading the Kelson books, the Camber trilogy, and anything Deryni that I could get my hands on. I finished the "Childe Morgan" trilogy a year ago, and I can say that Kurtz has not lost her touch! In my fifties now, and she remains my favorite author.
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