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The Histories of King Kelson #1
The Bishop's Heir
"Death To All Deryni!"
Once again the Kingdom of Gwynedd under young King Kelson found itself facing the horror of war between the Church and the Deryni. And this time, there was also the threat of revolution.
Caitrin, Pretender Queen of Meara, was plotting to free Meara from its control by Gynedd and make it an independent kingdom.
And ex-Archbishop Loris was once again free from his prison. To him and the fanatics of the Church, the stranger, magical powers of the Deryni were evil witchcraft. Now, backed by six of the leading biships of the land, he was conspiring to exterminate half-Deryni King Kelson and all his Deryni friends.
It looked as if even all the young King's Deryni powers might not be enough to save the peace of Gwynedd.
Once again the Kingdom of Gwynedd under young King Kelson found itself facing the horror of war between the Church and the Deryni. And this time, there was also the threat of revolution.
Caitrin, Pretender Queen of Meara, was plotting to free Meara from its control by Gynedd and make it an independent kingdom.
And ex-Archbishop Loris was once again free from his prison. To him and the fanatics of the Church, the stranger, magical powers of the Deryni were evil witchcraft. Now, backed by six of the leading biships of the land, he was conspiring to exterminate half-Deryni King Kelson and all his Deryni friends.
It looked as if even all the young King's Deryni powers might not be enough to save the peace of Gwynedd.
364 pages, Mass Market Paperback
First published January 1, 1984
176 people are currently reading
1340 people want to read
About the author
Katherine Kurtz
93 books743 followersKatherine Kurtz is an American fantasy novel writer. She is best known for her Deryni series. She currently lives in Virginia.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 60 reviews
March 1, 2018
Good characters and an enjoyable story set in what I believe to have been a semi-historical land within Wales. The tale is dominated by the Deryni (a special 'race' of human who are endowed with extraordinary abilities). Hated and feared by the church, especially by some particular zealots, certain high-profile Deryni are hunted and persecuted with relish.
This is the first book in a trilogy, which will continue in 'The King's Justice'.
I already have several of Kurtz's books and will read the sequel soon and let you know what I think of it; I have no doubt it will be as good as this one.
This is the first book in a trilogy, which will continue in 'The King's Justice'.
I already have several of Kurtz's books and will read the sequel soon and let you know what I think of it; I have no doubt it will be as good as this one.
March 13, 2022
To appreciate this book, the first in a new trilogy, it’s probably best to have read the previous trilogy. I have returned to this series after many years and this time look forward to working my way through all of the instalments. If you like high, historical fantasy without the gratuitous violence and foul language then I highly recommend this series. The quality of the story telling is high set against a battle between those who can use magic and those who cannot. It’s also a series which grows as you make your way through the books but in a positive way.
February 7, 2023
This could be a rather epic adventure, but there are so many little side stories distracting from the main sweep. Still, it’s entertaining, and I’m invested in the young king’s future and have already started the next in the series. Why a certain somebody had to die, though, is beyond me at this point.
March 20, 2015
The Bishop’s Heir is the first book in Katherine Kurtz’s trilogy called THE HISTORIES OF KING KELSON but it’s a direct sequel to High Deryni, the third book in her CHRONICLES OF DERYNI trilogy. (Did you get that?) To get the most out of The Bishop’s Heir, you really need to read THE CHRONICLES OF DERYNI first. This review of The Bishop’s Heir will contain a couple of spoilers for the original trilogy.
King Kelson’s battle with the church is over... or so he thinks. Archbishop Loris, the man responsible for the Church’s persecution of the Deryni and for the excommunication of Morgan and Duncan, Kelson’s trusted advisors, has been sent to live out the rest of his life in confinement. Kelson, Morgan, and Duncan should now be ... Read More: http://www.fantasyliterature.com/revi...
King Kelson’s battle with the church is over... or so he thinks. Archbishop Loris, the man responsible for the Church’s persecution of the Deryni and for the excommunication of Morgan and Duncan, Kelson’s trusted advisors, has been sent to live out the rest of his life in confinement. Kelson, Morgan, and Duncan should now be ... Read More: http://www.fantasyliterature.com/revi...
August 24, 2015
The Bishop's Heir is the beginning of the next series by Katherine Kurtz following King Kelson's life. I felt this story was a real step up in story telling for Ms Kurtz. I really enjoyed how she started tying in multiple story lines in meaningful and surprising ways. Looking forward to the next in the series The King's Justice.
April 21, 2025
While the previous trilogy stars Morgan, King Eelson's champion and mentor, this series stars Kelson.
Three years after the events attending upon Kelson's coronation and its immediate aftermath, former Archbishop and Primate Loris escapes from the monastery in which he is being held with the aid of old enemies of Gwynedd. To say more about the plot would involve major spoilers, so I'll say no more than that the plot is tight and derives directly from the personalities of the characters. There are several shocks along the way, and the story sets up the next book very well. The ending of the story is very emotionally affecting.
The world of the series is obviously heavily inspired by the Catholic Church, and partisans on both sides of the conflicts are clearly sincere in their beliefs. This does not prevent there being obvious good and evil; there are few more evil than true believers lacking conscience.
We get excellent character development for Kelson, Morgan, Donall, and Kelson's blood-brother Dhugal MacArdry, and very interesting events involving all of the members of the family of Dhugal's estranged uncle Sicard.
The writing here is notably more mature than that in the previous trilogy, with more believable characters, better plotting, and more interesting politics.
While it wouldn't be necessary to read the previous trilogy, reading it would benefit a reader's understanding of the politics and personalities of this series. With or without reading that series, though, this is highly recommended.
Three years after the events attending upon Kelson's coronation and its immediate aftermath, former Archbishop and Primate Loris escapes from the monastery in which he is being held with the aid of old enemies of Gwynedd. To say more about the plot would involve major spoilers, so I'll say no more than that the plot is tight and derives directly from the personalities of the characters. There are several shocks along the way, and the story sets up the next book very well. The ending of the story is very emotionally affecting.
The world of the series is obviously heavily inspired by the Catholic Church, and partisans on both sides of the conflicts are clearly sincere in their beliefs. This does not prevent there being obvious good and evil; there are few more evil than true believers lacking conscience.
We get excellent character development for Kelson, Morgan, Donall, and Kelson's blood-brother Dhugal MacArdry, and very interesting events involving all of the members of the family of Dhugal's estranged uncle Sicard.
The writing here is notably more mature than that in the previous trilogy, with more believable characters, better plotting, and more interesting politics.
While it wouldn't be necessary to read the previous trilogy, reading it would benefit a reader's understanding of the politics and personalities of this series. With or without reading that series, though, this is highly recommended.
March 3, 2021
I had forgotten how much I enjoyed the Deryni novels years ago and have just rediscovered them.
This one has the young king from the previous trilogy grown to adulthood, with several years as a king behind him. Several villains from the previous trilogy make re-appearances - namely the fanatically bigoted Edmund Loris, the former Patriarch of Gwynedd whose hatred of the talented Deryni borders on rabid obsession. This time, he is being assisted by the pretenders to the throne of nearby Meara which has been part of Gwynedd for several generations. Previous kings had made campaigns into Meara to eliminate any possible claimants and now it seems that King Kelson must consider such a campaign.
This is a classical example of the historical fantasy genre - the so-called 'best' of the middle ages with elements of magic and fantasy. As much as Kelson is a king, he is equally a young man who is forced to make some hard decisions where connected to a pair of Mearan hostages that fell into his hands. Any happy endings that are revealed are overwhelmed by tragedies.
The book ends with an excerpt from the next book in the series as well as a reprint of a short story about Bishop Arilin, a important supporting character.
Although this is the first in a new series, perhaps reading the three-part Chronicles of the Deryni first to familiarize the reader with the characters as well as other happenings that were referred to.
2021-042
This one has the young king from the previous trilogy grown to adulthood, with several years as a king behind him. Several villains from the previous trilogy make re-appearances - namely the fanatically bigoted Edmund Loris, the former Patriarch of Gwynedd whose hatred of the talented Deryni borders on rabid obsession. This time, he is being assisted by the pretenders to the throne of nearby Meara which has been part of Gwynedd for several generations. Previous kings had made campaigns into Meara to eliminate any possible claimants and now it seems that King Kelson must consider such a campaign.
This is a classical example of the historical fantasy genre - the so-called 'best' of the middle ages with elements of magic and fantasy. As much as Kelson is a king, he is equally a young man who is forced to make some hard decisions where connected to a pair of Mearan hostages that fell into his hands. Any happy endings that are revealed are overwhelmed by tragedies.
The book ends with an excerpt from the next book in the series as well as a reprint of a short story about Bishop Arilin, a important supporting character.
Although this is the first in a new series, perhaps reading the three-part Chronicles of the Deryni first to familiarize the reader with the characters as well as other happenings that were referred to.
2021-042
January 11, 2022
I dont know if I've been spoiled by amazing authors like Ursula Le Guin and Anne MaCaffrey, but I really expect better from female fantasy authors.
I know it was written in the eighties, but is that an excuse to have no female characters? This is an ensemble cast of ten or so men I could name, at least five that have deep history, perspective and personality, with only three named female characters that speak. And each is given about a page of existence. The daughter taken hostage who seems to be a pivotal part of the plot, yet we meet her for about 3 seconds before she is knocked unconscious, she's lectured to by the king and says about two words, and then again says 3 ish words at her own wedding.
Her mother is positioned as the main villain, and we do hear more about her, but its mostly bloodlines. We've not really been given any of her motivation, and she doesn't seem to be able to do anything without the big bad archbishop.
There is also a side character's wife who pops in for a sex scene. Her purpose seems to be an example of happy marriage, for the guys.
I know a lot of this book would have made more sense if I did not accidentally fall into the middle of a big series of trilogies, and o liked it enough to finish it, but honestly this is a big book of men stomping around, appointing a bun h of bishops, arguing about using magic and really not doing very much.
I have no urge to read anything else by this author.
I know it was written in the eighties, but is that an excuse to have no female characters? This is an ensemble cast of ten or so men I could name, at least five that have deep history, perspective and personality, with only three named female characters that speak. And each is given about a page of existence. The daughter taken hostage who seems to be a pivotal part of the plot, yet we meet her for about 3 seconds before she is knocked unconscious, she's lectured to by the king and says about two words, and then again says 3 ish words at her own wedding.
Her mother is positioned as the main villain, and we do hear more about her, but its mostly bloodlines. We've not really been given any of her motivation, and she doesn't seem to be able to do anything without the big bad archbishop.
There is also a side character's wife who pops in for a sex scene. Her purpose seems to be an example of happy marriage, for the guys.
I know a lot of this book would have made more sense if I did not accidentally fall into the middle of a big series of trilogies, and o liked it enough to finish it, but honestly this is a big book of men stomping around, appointing a bun h of bishops, arguing about using magic and really not doing very much.
I have no urge to read anything else by this author.
August 20, 2022
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.
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.
November 15, 2017
I love Katherine Kurtz's writing style, her mastery of the medieval period, and her understanding of the conflict between church and state during this time period. I helps make the world she creates believable. Her characters are true to human nature and she poses questions of morality to them that are often relevant in current times as well making her characters come alive for the reader.
This novel follows suit, and brings a new vibrant story for her characters to play out for the reading crowd. Complete with usurpers and pretenders to the throne, and angry, resentful, and power hungry church clergy, this is an installment in the Deryni series you don't want to miss.
This novel follows suit, and brings a new vibrant story for her characters to play out for the reading crowd. Complete with usurpers and pretenders to the throne, and angry, resentful, and power hungry church clergy, this is an installment in the Deryni series you don't want to miss.
December 27, 2019
Always full of surprises!
I love all of Katherine's books; and her stories. She knows very well how to engage the readers' emotions - and this one was a complete rollercoaster ride. I can empathize with Kelson attempting to make peace with Meara by marrying Sidana - but it seems like as a young man and as a king; that happiness is always an elusive thing. I can respect that perspective Katherine shares for the reader. It still is an amazing story nonetheless.
I love all of Katherine's books; and her stories. She knows very well how to engage the readers' emotions - and this one was a complete rollercoaster ride. I can empathize with Kelson attempting to make peace with Meara by marrying Sidana - but it seems like as a young man and as a king; that happiness is always an elusive thing. I can respect that perspective Katherine shares for the reader. It still is an amazing story nonetheless.
May 27, 2024
I read The Chronicles of the Deryni, the first trilogy of the Deryni when I was in Junior High. Back then, it seemed unbelievable to my friends and family that I would enjoy books so heavily steeped in a very realistic view of medieval life and with such heavy involvement of religion and the church. I'm not religious at all. But I loved it so much that it became my second favorite novel series after The Lord of the Rings. After finishing it, I quickly bought Bishop's Heir, which was the first book in the second series of Deryni novels.
But for some reason, I forgot to read it. It might have been because I was in the middle of another book when I got it, and then I forgot about it. But it languished on my bookshelf for years until one fateful spring when my entire book collection was destroyed in a flood.
Recently, I thought about it again and bought it. I'm glad I did because this novel teleported me back to Gwynedd, where I joined King Kelson as he tried to resolve a new political problem. The characters were as strong and endearing as ever, and I grew to love Kelson as a king and as a character.
I won't include spoilers here because I hope this review might convince you to read the book. It's well worth the effort. You could read it without having read the first trilogy, but I would highly recommend reading The Chronicles of the Deryni first, starting with Deryni Rising, if you haven't already.
This remains my second favorite fantasy world, with Conan's Hyborian Kingdoms taking a close third. I'm fully immersed now in the next books and plan to read the entire collection of Deryni novels (which is pretty extensive).
But for some reason, I forgot to read it. It might have been because I was in the middle of another book when I got it, and then I forgot about it. But it languished on my bookshelf for years until one fateful spring when my entire book collection was destroyed in a flood.
Recently, I thought about it again and bought it. I'm glad I did because this novel teleported me back to Gwynedd, where I joined King Kelson as he tried to resolve a new political problem. The characters were as strong and endearing as ever, and I grew to love Kelson as a king and as a character.
I won't include spoilers here because I hope this review might convince you to read the book. It's well worth the effort. You could read it without having read the first trilogy, but I would highly recommend reading The Chronicles of the Deryni first, starting with Deryni Rising, if you haven't already.
This remains my second favorite fantasy world, with Conan's Hyborian Kingdoms taking a close third. I'm fully immersed now in the next books and plan to read the entire collection of Deryni novels (which is pretty extensive).
March 14, 2025
A long beloved series now on ebook
Loved this series when I first found it more years ago than I care to admit. I literally killed three paperback copies of it I read it so often, so an e-reader version is wonderful. And to find a short story I only ever found in a library book..... Golden.
Loved this series when I first found it more years ago than I care to admit. I literally killed three paperback copies of it I read it so often, so an e-reader version is wonderful. And to find a short story I only ever found in a library book..... Golden.
November 3, 2025
Some slow sections, particularly some of the backstory, and the novel only got going towards the end. All the 'goodies' are a bit too nice, and there was rather too much religion for me - I skipped at lot. Quite a long section of the sequel is included, together with an account of how Bishop Arilan was consecrated, so the actual book stops at 75%.
November 14, 2025
I have just finished the Camber and heirs to St Cambers and had read the original Deryni series before that.
So I had lost track of a lot of the minor characters involved in this book.
Anyway, 4 stars as I got really involved and couldn't put the book down.
A few things at the end took me by surprise. Interested to see where the next book leads.
So I had lost track of a lot of the minor characters involved in this book.
Anyway, 4 stars as I got really involved and couldn't put the book down.
A few things at the end took me by surprise. Interested to see where the next book leads.
June 2, 2017
Starting up this series again, there are a lot to get through. It is interesting to continue with the lives of these Denyri and the struggles that obviously resemble ones in real life that have gone on for many.
May 24, 2018
Possibly a 4! This continues the ongoing saga of us vs them, human vs Deryni, oh and the Haldane Kingship, political and medieval, secular and non secular, episcopal sheananigans, not one for happy endings, that them continues, but this book has less ritual and more substance, long live King Kelson
October 12, 2018
Great!
Another wonderful book by a masterful storyteller. Kurtz has created another world with believable and well fleshed out characters. I am sure I will enjoy the rest of the trilogy.
Another wonderful book by a masterful storyteller. Kurtz has created another world with believable and well fleshed out characters. I am sure I will enjoy the rest of the trilogy.
July 21, 2021
A good re-read. I like the books, and recommend them. This book sets the stage quite nicely for the two that follow it in the trilogy. Interesting backdrop, good character development, no miraculous stuff to make up for inconsistencies in the story.
January 15, 2022
I am re-reading these series after 30+ years, however, not I'm not finding them as engrossing as I did then. First read, I could barely put them down, but now, I'm having trouble making myself read them.
January 21, 2023
A busy, multi level saga
Kings and armies with the church very involved in the politics of it all and some magical talent is woven through this tale. I seemed like this book lays the ground for a much larger, longer tale, ending with many questions.
Kings and armies with the church very involved in the politics of it all and some magical talent is woven through this tale. I seemed like this book lays the ground for a much larger, longer tale, ending with many questions.
May 18, 2023
Deryni Mysteries
A very involved, compelling story. The Reader should most definitely read Katherine Kurtz’s books on St. Camber. The Deryni legacy is a fascinating story. Kurtz’s stores will enhance your understanding of this book and make it more enjoyable.
A very involved, compelling story. The Reader should most definitely read Katherine Kurtz’s books on St. Camber. The Deryni legacy is a fascinating story. Kurtz’s stores will enhance your understanding of this book and make it more enjoyable.
November 29, 2023
I remember this world from reading a couple of the Camber of Culdi series. A society with swords and nobility like a Knights of the Round Table era, but with a strain of magic in some families.
Gotta say I prefer the take as told by David Eddings in his multiple series, but this book was okay.
Gotta say I prefer the take as told by David Eddings in his multiple series, but this book was okay.
April 11, 2019
This is a nice one
May 12, 2020
very good series I am rereading.
August 14, 2022
Dang! I just like these types of stories!
This was the first book of this series. I found and read the second one first. :(
Now to try and find the 3rd and 4th books!
This was the first book of this series. I found and read the second one first. :(
Now to try and find the 3rd and 4th books!
January 7, 2023
The book started a bit slow. Then everything clicked into place & I loved this book! It's exciting & teases with so many relationships. I had a hard time putting it down. I definitely would recommend 'The Bishop's Heir' to anyone who likes a bit of magic & intrigue blended with a medieval setting!
August 6, 2024
oldie in a good series - Magic in the (Catholic Like) Church with chivalry and dynasty drama
September 5, 2018
Katherine Kurtz does a phenomenal job providing us with a world and a church hierarchy foreign and yet so familiar as it parallels our own medieval Catholic Church. She weaves a spell binding tale of magic while also immersing you in the politics and intrigue of a very human world. A very good book that you will not be able to put down till the last page is read!
May 26, 2024
Katherine Kurtz is a master medievalist, and it always shows in her Deryni books. This title is the first in a trilogy The Chronicles of King Kelson, that takes place three years after the events of Deryni Rising,Deryni Checkmate, and High Deryni. (And it is probably best to read those three before tackling this series.)
Barely into his kingship, and really just on the edge of manhood, King Kelson of Gwynedd is confronted with yet another uprising against his rule, this time from the province of Meara which was once an independent kingdom but was merged (or so his ancestors thought) with Gwynedd after a marriage joined the two royal lines a hundred years earlier. His own magical abilities are still mostly untrained, and in any case, magic is not the best method of attack or defense against a rebellion headed by leaders who consider magic anathema, black arts in violation of the Church's dogma.
The pageantry of a royal wedding and three bishops being consecrated (one among the rebels, who have a "rump" patriarchate of rebellious churchmen as well as their own army and a queen pretender with three heirs) form a background for skirmishes and diplomacy. All is presented in careful medieval terms with a lot of beautiful language. The story is a cliff hanger, though, and will clearly require one to read the rest of the trilogy.
I read this using Amazon's "Whispersync" technology, which allows you to flip back and forth between the printed text and the audiobook (Audible) and it worked well though I found it a bit cumbersome to have to make sure the Kindle Fire or other device was connected to wifi both when starting and when ending a session. If you fail to do that, the link to the current location in the text is lost. It is probably just as easy to always stop at a chapter heading, since you can skip to the appropriate chapter easily in either Kindle or Audible versions. The audiobook was quite good, with multiple readers and even musical insertions at some points.
Barely into his kingship, and really just on the edge of manhood, King Kelson of Gwynedd is confronted with yet another uprising against his rule, this time from the province of Meara which was once an independent kingdom but was merged (or so his ancestors thought) with Gwynedd after a marriage joined the two royal lines a hundred years earlier. His own magical abilities are still mostly untrained, and in any case, magic is not the best method of attack or defense against a rebellion headed by leaders who consider magic anathema, black arts in violation of the Church's dogma.
The pageantry of a royal wedding and three bishops being consecrated (one among the rebels, who have a "rump" patriarchate of rebellious churchmen as well as their own army and a queen pretender with three heirs) form a background for skirmishes and diplomacy. All is presented in careful medieval terms with a lot of beautiful language. The story is a cliff hanger, though, and will clearly require one to read the rest of the trilogy.
I read this using Amazon's "Whispersync" technology, which allows you to flip back and forth between the printed text and the audiobook (Audible) and it worked well though I found it a bit cumbersome to have to make sure the Kindle Fire or other device was connected to wifi both when starting and when ending a session. If you fail to do that, the link to the current location in the text is lost. It is probably just as easy to always stop at a chapter heading, since you can skip to the appropriate chapter easily in either Kindle or Audible versions. The audiobook was quite good, with multiple readers and even musical insertions at some points.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 60 reviews