Synopses & Reviews
New York Times bestselling author Katherine Kurtzs novels of the Deryni have been hailed by Anne McCaffrey as an incredible historical tapestry of a world that never was and of immensely vital people who ought to be.” Now Kurtz weaves a thrilling conclusion to the epic Childe Morgan trilogy, in which bonds of both magic and loyalty will be put to the ultimate test
Alaric Morgan always knew his purpose in lifeto stand alongside the king of Gwynedd. The old king knew that whichever of his sons succeeded to the throne would benefit from having a Deryni at his side. Alaric and the young Prince Brion Haldane were bound together by magica magic to be called upon when Brion was most in need.
Now eighteen, Brion has ascended to the throne and seven-year-old Alaric has come to court. Through the coming years, both will grow to manhood and come to realize their destinies. Brion will strive to solidify his power and position, seek out a bride to secure his legacy, and ultimately, when faced with an unbeatable foe, call upon Alaric to fulfill his oath.
Meanwhile, Alaric slowly learns the extent of his powers and how to use them, and will face the prejudice that many have against Deryni in its ugliest form. He will experience bittersweet first love, great personal loss, and the hard lessons one gains from both. And he will be there to unleash the full power of his Deryni magic at Brions command.
For Alaric isand always will bethe Kings Deryni.
Review
Shinn's novels are always surprising. (St. Louis Dispatch) Shinn's most successful book. (SF Revue)
Review
“Shinn has written an enthralling mystery with compelling, gritty characters.” —
Library Journal “A lyrical love story.”—Night Owl Reviews
“The tale…meanders like a stream, with strong characterizations and poetic prose polishing the story until it shines.”—Publishers Weekly (starred review)
Review
Praise for The King's Deryni “A fantastical blend of magic and passion written with a keen eye for detail…Longtime fans and newcomers alike will fall under the spell Kurtz weaves.”—RT Book Reviews
Praise for the Novels of the Deryni
“Kurtz has created a fascinating idealization of the Middle Ages and infused it with a kind of magic one can truly believe in.”—Fantasy Review
“Terrific medieval realism.”—Publishers Weekly
“Kurtzs fans will celebrate this continuation of In the Kings Service.”—Booklist
“Interesting…A fascinating character…Fans of the series…will appreciate…when the Deryni use their magic.”—Midwest Book Review
Synopsis
Award-winning author Sharon Shinn has been hailed as "the most promising and original writer of fantasy to come along since Robin McKinley" by Peter S. Beagle. Now, she weaves a new world wrought with magic and mayhem, in which the fate of a troubled land may rest in the hands of those few who would remain loyal to their king-and each other.
Synopsis
Gillengaria seethes with unrest. In the south, hostility toward magic and its users has risen to a dangerous level, though King Baryn has ordered that such mystics are to be tolerated. It is whispered that he issued the decree because his new wife used her magic powers to ensnare him…
The King knows there are those in the noble Twelve Houses who could use this growing dissent to overthrow him. So he dispatches the mystic Senneth to assess the threat throughout the realm. Accompanying her is a motley band of magic-users and warriors including Tayse, first among the King’s Riders—who holds a hard view of mystics in general, and Senneth in particular.
But as the unlikely allies venture farther into the south, they will face death in a land under the sway of a fanatical cult that would purge Gillengaria of all magic users. And they will come to realize that their only hope of survival lies in standing together…
Synopsis
ONE OF PUBLISHERS WEEKLY'S BEST BOOKS OF THE YEAR
Master storyteller Sharon Shinn has thrilled readers with her national bestselling Twelve Houses series. Now experience her original new novel in which love and loyalty are tested at every turn....
For fifteen years, Maria Devane has been desperately, passionately in love with Dante Romano. But Maria knows that Dante can never give everything of himself backat least not all of the time. Every month, Dante shifts shape, becoming a wild animal. He cant choose when he shifts, the transition is often abrupt, and, as he gets older, the time he spends in human form is gradually decreasing.
Maria has kept his secret since the beginning, knowing that their love is worth the danger. But when a string of brutal attacks occurs in local parks while Dante is in animal form, Maria is forced to consider whether the lies shes been telling about her life have turned into lies shes telling herself...
Synopsis
ONE OF PUBLISHERS WEEKLY'S BEST BOOKS OF THE YEAR
Master storyteller Sharon Shinn has thrilled readers with her national bestselling Twelve Houses series. Now experience her original new novel in which love and loyalty are tested at every turn....
For fifteen years, Maria Devane has been desperately, passionately in love with Dante Romano. But Maria knows that Dante can never give everything of himself backat least not all of the time. Every month, Dante shifts shape, becoming a wild animal. He cant choose when he shifts, the transition is often abrupt, and, as he gets older, the time he spends in human form is gradually decreasing.
Maria has kept his secret since the beginning, knowing that their love is worth the danger. But when a string of brutal attacks occurs in local parks while Dante is in animal form, Maria is forced to consider whether the lies shes been telling about her life have turned into lies shes telling herself...
About the Author
Sharon Shinn is a journalist who works for a trade magazine. Her first novel, The Shape-Changer’s Wife, was selected by Locus as Best First Fantasy Novel of 1995. She has won the William L. Crawford Award for Outstanding New Fantasy Writer, and was twice nominated for the John W. Campbell Award for Best New Writer. She has also received a RT Reviewers’ Choice Award and won the 2010 RT Book Reviews Career Achievement Award in the Science Fiction/Fantasy category. A graduate of Northwestern University, she has lived in the Midwest for most of her life.