== A plot carried out with trickery, lies and deceptions == “Camber of Culdi” was the fifth book published in the long series of fifteen Deryni fantasy novels (plus two books of short stories and two reference books, including the massive guide of the Deryni World, Codex Derynianus). But chronologically this it is the second tome, covering the time from June 905 to January 907. It is also the second volume of the trilogy named “Legends of Camber of Culdi”. If you have not read any of these novels I would suggest going chronological but with a caution: the back of the books can include charts of lineages of kings and the MacRories which may serve as spoilers to what happens in later books. The publication history spans thirty-six years and yet another book has been anticipated for seven years but will probably never be written.In Volume I, the cruel Festillic King Imre of Gwynedd was deposed and died by his own hand as he surrendered to his fate. After eight decades of Festillic reign the Haldane line was restored by the reluctant priest Benedict taking the throne to become King Cinhil I. This Volume II starts with a war which is forced on Gwynedd by invading troops from the kingdom of Torenth to the east. That is where King Imre’s sister Ariella fled when her brother was deposed. Having relatives and allies in Torenth, she lays claim to Gwynedd and is supported by in that venture by Torenthian partisans. Since fleeing she has given birth to a bastard son, Marek, who was incestuously conceived with her brother the king. The existence of this infant prince poses a future threat to the Haldane reign. From Volume I we continue to follow Camber MacRorie, Earl of Culdi, patron of Deryni magic, and his surviving adult children, son Joram, a priest, and daughter Evaine, who is engaged to Lord Rhys Thuryn, a physician and Healer. We also become well acquainted with Alister Cullen, Vicar General of the Order of Saint Michael; Anscom, Archbishop of Gwynedd; Jebediah, Earl Marshal of Gwynedd; Guaire, Lord of D’Arliss and personal attendant to Camber; as well as King Cinhil, all of whom feature prominently as the story develops. In order to hasten the reluctant king’s fervour to embrace his regal role and administrative responsibilities, Camber and Joram hatch a plot to get into his good graces through friendly encouragement and persuasion. But their use of trickery, lies, deceptions and large doses of Deryni magic threaten to unravel their scheme at every turn.Katherine Kurtz is a master storyteller, creating settings and characters that come alive. Yes, there are some boring sections in this book but the reader is well rewarded by the time the conclusion arrives. Shadows of foreboding are lurking about what will happen in Volume III, “Camber the Heretic.”
You know how a lot of second books or movies in a series are kind of OK, just kind of there? That's how this one was. Except for a big ol' battle at the beginning that sets up the entire plot, nothing really happens in this book except a lot of walking around and thinking and talking. Basically, Camber, of the previous book, Camber of Culdi, has to masquerade as someone else killed in the battle and pretend to be dead. Some people are in on it, but not all. Anyway, I'll still read the third book in the series, but still, not the magic and swordfights you had in the last book.Oddly enough, for a book based on medieval religion (read Catholic), and mentions of the Trinity and Christmas, etc., Jesus is weirdly absent. I don't mean that in a Bible thumping way, I just mean it in a "this is odd" kind of way. It's almost as if an editor thought too much mention of Jesus would be a problem (although God is mentioned regularly). Considering how pious most of the main characters are, and the fact that every chapter begins with a bible verse (although again, weirdly, none from the gospels), it just seemed a little odd.What is interesting, and the book tries to go into this as part of the endless thinking and navel-gazing, is that (possible spoiler here, but if you read the title, it really isn't) people begin to attribute miracles to Camber working from beyond the grave when clearly he is not dead (of course, only the reader and certain characters know that). So the book calls into question the very piety and belief that have been a mainstay of so many of the Deryni books.
What do You think about Saint Camber (1979)?
This is a re-read, originally read the series back in junior high or so. I think I enjoyed it a lot more back then. This particular volume is very slow moving, with particular focus on religion and angst, as opposed to the battles and magic of the previous stories in the deryni series. I'm certainly not going to give away the big twist of the book, but it focuses almost exclusively on the character of Camber, and I found myself wishing that the story would go back to the side characters, since I found them to be far more interesting (Joram, Evaine, Rhys, etc.) I guess we'll see how the 3rd book in the trilogy goes, but I have some other stuff to read first!
—Hoyt
