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Books › DERYNI RISING (Chronicles of the Deryni)

Cover of DERYNI RISING (Chronicles of the Deryni)

DERYNI RISING (Chronicles of the Deryni)

288 pages

A classic, courtly fantasy where political intrigue and forbidden magic collide in a richly imagined pseudo-medieval kingdom.

What it feels like

Reading this feels like stepping into a grand, tapestry-draped hall thick with incense and whispered conspiracies. The narrative unfolds at a steady, deliberate pace, immersing you in the ceremonial weight and political tension of a kingdom on the brink of upheaval. It is a deeply earnest and atmospheric experience, driven by the heavy burden of sudden leadership and the dangerous intersection of religious dogma and forbidden magic. The prose is formal and reverent, lingering on the pageantry of court life while maintaining a taut undercurrent of danger. It will thoroughly delight fans of classic, character-driven fantasy who prefer their magic intertwined with complex political maneuvering, hidden heritages, and the quiet, tense moments before a kingdom-altering storm.

Mood
  • courtly
  • tense
  • atmospheric
  • ceremonial
Tone
  • earnest
  • formal
  • reverent
  • dramatic
Pace
steady
Themes
burden of leadership · religious persecution · coming of age · political intrigue · hidden heritage
The writing
The prose is formal and descriptive, lingering on the rich pageantry, heraldry, and ritual of its pseudo-medieval world.
The arc
The journey moves from the sudden, grief-stricken shock of unexpected responsibility to a tense, hard-won embrace of forbidden power.
Who it's for
Readers who love classic, court-based fantasy steeped in political maneuvering, religious tension, and earnest coming-of-age arcs will devour this.
Content notes
  • death of a parent
  • religious persecution
  • prejudice
  • fantasy violence

About the book

In the kingdom of Gwynedd, the mysterious forces of magic and the superior power of the Church combine to challenge the rule of young Kelson. Now the fate of the Deryni -- a quasi-mortal race of sorcerers -- and, indeed, the fate of all the Eleven Kingdoms, rests on Kelson's ability to quash the rebellion by any means necessary... including the proscribed use of magic!

Description from Open Library.

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