R E K. (bigstone) - , reviewed on 8/20/2022 + 1438 more book reviews

This historical fantasy occurs in fictionalized medieval England and Scotland, with magical powers shown by the Deryni, a people mistrusted or heralded as beneficial by people of the kingdom. King Kelson has reigned peacefully for several years when villains from the first trilogy re-appear. (This is the second trilogy of the series.) The notorious fanatical and bigoted Edmund Loris, former Patriarch of Gwynedd has an obsessive hatred of the Deryni believing that magical powers oppose doctrines of the church. Imprisoned for years, he escapes to conspire with throne pretenders from Meara, a part of Gwynedd for many generations.

Earlier kings were plagued by such conspiracies fomented by pretenders but the peace loving King Kelson has ruled well. Now, however, he must cope with opposing factions joined by clergy members who despise his Deryni background. Assassination attempts, murders, kidnappings, daring escapes and rescues, and conflict escalates. Dhugal MacArdry, a lord who fostered with Kelson, joins the king's advisers. A a young man who loves his clan and supports his foster brother wholeheartedly, Dhugal is more but no one, not even Dhugal himself, knows how or why.

Knights, squires, and armies that cannot travel during winter are true to historical accounts. The interfering Catholic church is part of the plot. The writing flows smoothly as the book develops with a complex plot of characters both old and new. The ending leaves the reader yearning for the second book in this trilogy: The King's Justice.

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