King Kelson's Bride

Melinda Helfer

Once again Ms. Kurtz creates compelling characters, a byzantine plot and magical wonder for a beguiling reading experience.
— Romantic Times

Publishers Weekly - Publisher's Weekly

The latest entry in the bestselling Deryni series is, like its predecessors, set in a land analogous to medieval Wales and featuring the Deryni, a human minority with magical powers. It also resolves the longstanding question of when King Kelson Haldane of Gwynedd is going to get married. He has missed two opportunities, one due to a lady's death and the other to family treachery. He has no wife and no heir save his uncle and cousins, but the old rivals and users of corrupt Deryni magic in neighboring Torenth do have heirs. They also have as many ambitions and as few scruples as ever, so the intrigues fly thick and fast when Kelson seeks to wed Araxie, daughter of the Hort of Orsal, another ruler from the Haldane line. Overcoming these complications (which include the usual magical sequences, at which the author remains as polished and expert as ever) brings Kelson and Araxie together, until what began as an alliance of state warms into a love match--which readers who have followed Kelson this far will agree he deserves. The sympathetic characters are almost too nice, the pacing is often leisurely and a certain lack of the gritty details of medieval society is apparent. Even so, Kurtz, one of the founders of modern historical fantasy, after nearly 30 years continues to be one of its most accomplished practitioners. (June) Copyright 2000 Cahners Business Information.|

KLIATT

This latest entry in the Deryni series has young King Kelson facing two daunting tasks: returning the 14-year-old Torenthi king, Liam-Lajos, to his kingdom for his coronation, and choosing a bride. Unknown forces in Torenth threaten Liam's life and crown, but Kelson is more daunted by the second problem. His first bride died in his arms, the love of his life refuses to be his queen, and he must choose another to assure the succession. The resulting adventures offer equal helpings of danger, angst and romance. The uninitiated may feel there's some padding (the exact same conversations involving the King's choice of a bride occur over and over), and new readers may find the cast of characters and the political situations have their heads spinning. But overall, this is an extremely satisfying addition to the series. Essential for libraries with the other Deryni books, and a good choice for most collections. (A Novel of the Deryni) KLIATT Codes: SA—Recommended for senior high school students, advanced students, and adults. 2000, Berkley, Ace, 471p., $7.50. Ages 16 to adult. Reviewer: Deirdre B. Root; Ref. Libn., Middletown P.L., Middletown, OH , November 2001 (Vol. 35, No. 6)

VOYA

Kurtz's fans will be pleased at the appearance of this new novel, which continues the tale of King Kelson and concludes the King Kelson series. The book opens with two drawn-out discussions speculating as to whom King Kelson of Gwynedd will choose for his bride, and newcomers to the world of the Deryni may give up in frustration. As the novel continues, however, Kurtz expertly fills in the backgrounds of principal characters without giving the impression that this is a history book. The plots and machinations in the story seem realistic descriptions of royal successions and marriages, especially for what could easily be medieval Britain, Ireland, and Africa, with a lot of magic added. Kelson is under much pressure to choose a wife, particularly as his ward, Prince Liam-Lajos of Torenth, returns to his homeland to claim his crown. Kelson also must ensure that before and during his coronation, Liam survives assassination attempts by his jealous uncles. The plot is complicated, and the many characters travel to various locations. Kurtz assists the reader by including both an index of characters and an index of places as appendixes. Liam survives his coronation, and Kelson marries, although both must overcome many hurdles in doing so. Avid Deryni readers will rush to this book, and novices to the series will not be disappointed. Index. VOYA CODES: 5Q 3P S A/YA (Hard to imagine it being any better written; Will appeal with pushing; Senior High, defined as grades 10 to 12; Adult and Young Adult). 2000, Berkley, 387p, $22.95. Ages 16 to Adult. Reviewer: Marlyn Roberts

SOURCE: VOYA, October 2000 (Vol. 23, No. 4)

Library Journal

Forced to accept the fact that he cannot marry the woman he loves, Kelson Haldane, king of Gwynedd, seeks a political union in the hope that he can salvage some happiness for his kingdom if not for himself. Plans for a royal marriage, however, must compete with a delicate diplomatic mission to Torenth, where old enemies and potential allies wage a war of treachery and deceit that threatens the fragile peace between Torenth and Gwynedd. The latest addition to Kurtz's popular "Deryni" series continues the tale of a world where two races--human and Deryni--struggle to overcome ancient enmities and find a path to peace and understanding. A good choice for most fantasy collections, particularly where the series has a following. Copyright 2000 Cahners Business Information.\

Carolyn Cushman

…one of the happiest, if not momentous, books in this series.
— Locus

Fantasy Review

Kurtz has created a fascinating idealization of the Middle Ages and infused it with a kind of magic one can truly believe in.

Kirkus Reviews

After a long hiatus (The Quest for Saint Camber, 1986, etc.), Kurtz again takes up the saga of Kelson Haldane, king of the medieval, Celtic-flavored kingdom of Gwynedd. Having, last time out, vanquished Conall, the evil prince who usurped his throne and married his bride, Kelson finds no peace: Gwynedd is threatened by potentially hostile neighbors, so he must marry and produce an heir. The progressive, enlightened Haldane kings have magic-powered Deryni blood in their veins, so the mundane, reactionary forces of darkness work sedulously to destroy them. Kurtz's strengths lie in her patient accumulation of telling detail, well-articulated plots, and believable magics. Should bring the fans flocking, and attract newcomers too.