Dating Dead Men: A Novel
Average customer rating: 4 out of 5 stars
  • Beyond bad
  • I'd have to call it "average"
  • Everything and Kitchen Sink
  • It gets better later in the story, but the characters are derivative
  • More Comedy than Mystery
Dating Dead Men: A Novel
Harley Jane Kozak
Manufacturer: Broadway
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

Women SleuthsWomen Sleuths | Mystery | Mystery & Thrillers | Subjects | Books
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ASIN: 0767921232
Release Date: 2005-03-15

Book Description

Los Angeles greeting-card artist Wollie Shelley is dating forty men in sixty days as research for a radio talk show host’s upcoming book, How to Avoid Getting Dumped All the Time. Wollie is meeting plenty of eligible bachelors but not falling in love, not until she stumbles over a dead body en route to Rio Pescado—a state-run mental hospital—and is momentarily taken hostage by a charismatic “doctor” who is on the run from the Mob. Wollie fears that her beloved brother, a paranoid schizophrenic living at Rio Pescado, is involved in the murder, so rather than go to the authorities, she decides to solve the crime on her own. As she meets up with an array of small-time crooks and swaggering mobsters only slightly more sinister than the men she’s been dating, Wollie realizes that “getting dumped” is the least of her problems. Finding true love, she discovers, sometimes means learning how to avoid getting killed . . .

Customer Reviews:

1 out of 5 stars Beyond bad.......2007-08-16

The author, Harley Jane Kozak, was an actress who appeared in, among other things, StarGate SG1. Because I liked her in various roles, I thought I would give her books a shot. She came to Omaha to do a book signing when her second book was released, and I bought both her first and second book, and got them both signed.

Now that her third book is coming out in 2 weeks, I picked up the first book from my massive to-read pile and began reading. I wish I hadn't.

This book is in desperate need of a good editor. Whoever she had for the book, well, they weren't good. And Ms. Kozak's writing? It's dreadful.

I have a cousin who is seven years old. He alternately thinks he's a firefighter and a washing machine repairman, often within the same breath, and he'll concoct a full story about how he has to go out and do whatever job it is, and he can tell a story much better than Ms. Kozak.

She may have a wonderful story idea, but she has no idea how to get that story across to the reader, and the way she writes is so bad it may cause your brain to turn to mush as you read it.

I gave up at page 52. I cannot read another word. It's so painful, it's a chore, and it's a bore.

From page 52 -
"I'm so sorry. You know how, when you're in reverse, you confuse the brake and the accelator, because you're fac backwards? What?"



I assume "fac" is supposed to be "facing" and "accelator" should be "accelerator" ... but I can't be sure. She also spent half a page making absolutely sure we understand the main character's name is pronounced Wolly, just like Molly or Golly.

Spend your money on another book. If you feel you absolutely have to have this, then I encourage you to go above and click that "search inside" option. Read the first two pages, then decide if you can stomach the rest.

3 out of 5 stars I'd have to call it "average".......2007-05-28

I made it through the entire book and I didn't really have to force myself to finish it, but once I was done I didn't have that "Yeah! Great book, where's the next one?" feeling. Those who say "Dating Dead Men" is comparable to a Janet Evanovich book are off the mark in my opinion. Evanovich's books make me suspend disbelief for the most outrageously madcap situations. Harley Jane Kozak left me thinking to myself "why would these people DO that?!?". I especially felt Wollie's reason (was there a reason?) for trusting and sticking around Doc through the whole book was way too thin to believe. Wollie's friends and family and her dedication to her mentally ill brother are the most believably-drawn parts of the story. Wollie herself and her business didn't come across as very realistic to me. Not to say that Wolliie isn't likeable and that the story was unreadable, it just falls a good deal short of Janet Evanovich's Stephanie Plum and Alexandra "Barney" Barnaby books. I'll probably try the author's next book to see if her work improves because I do see potential.

1 out of 5 stars Everything and Kitchen Sink .......2007-05-22

Sorry, I can't praise this like all the others. I've just given up half way through the book deciding that the author just cobbled together all the little ideas she couldn't fit into other stories. They don't form a whole, miss the whole KISS principle, key characters like Doc are unidimensional. So far I've found the protagonist's life ridiculous: she responsible for a brother in a mental institution, mother on an ashram, raised by a holocaust survivor whose memory is her best coach, who designs greeting cards and runs a stupidly named greeting card store in a bad neighborhood that is frequented by prostitutes and her elderly uncle who organizes illegal poetry readings while her clever, fashion-challenging employee works for her while doing manicures at the adjoining store and her best friend escapes her over privileged life by visiting her former furniture in the back room. The brother calls while the greeting card store is being inspected by a greeting card store inspector and leaves a message about murder and follows up about needing aluminum foil, almost ditching the deal for the protagonist to buy out her franchise. Meanwhile the protagonist is on a program of a date a day to earn research money she needs badly. Which program includes daily deliveries of clothing for the dates by the sponsoring clothing store company to clothe the protagonist's incredibly beautiful body. Which program entails daily "drive by" inspections by the datees that disrupt business and under cover greeting card store inspections. Simultaneously, the protagonist manages almost daily trips to the brother's institution where she discovers a dead body, is kidnapped by a recent parolee who steals her car and her heart, all the while petting and caring for a ferret in his pocket, while he rescues his elective mute daughter from the state foster system that has managed to put the little girl in the asylum due to a foster care housing crisis. Meanwhile because of her "relationship" with the parolee, the protagonist is chased, stalked and confronted by threatening Mafia, Swedes and other scary people in big cars. The ferret that has its own little scenes throughout belongs to the little girl who rescued it ... I gave up ... this is just too silly

3 out of 5 stars It gets better later in the story, but the characters are derivative.......2007-04-02

I have mixed feelings about this book. It took a while for me to warm up to the characters and the storyline, but I did start liking it after a while. It had some good, suspenseful moments and twists. Originally I didn't like the way Wollie was interested in "Doc" because it made her seem like an insecure, desperate woman going for the bad guy. After all, she was dating dozens of men for the Dating Project, so it wasn't hard for her to meet decent men. But Doc turns out to be a pretty OK guy, so it seemed reasonable that Wollie would fall for him.

The biggest problem I had with this book was that the characters seem borrowed straight from Janet Evanovich's Stephanie Plum series. In the first half of the book Doc reminded me of a combination of Ranger and Morelli from Evanovich's books; Fredreeq was a lot like Lula; Wollie had car problems like Stephanie Plum; and there was even a ferret ("Margaret") who ate Cheerios and raisins like Stephanie Plum's hamster, Rex.

Overall it was an enjoyable read, if slow to engage the reader in the beginning. I read it because it was recommended for fans of Janet Evanovich, but this book isn't quite on the same level.

3 out of 5 stars More Comedy than Mystery.......2006-07-14

This book won numerous awards for Best New Mystery of 2005, including the prestigious Anthony, McAvity and Agatha awards. I enjoy a good mystery, so I purchased the book based on the prizes and the good reviews.

The book is well done, but is written more in the style of a madcap farce than a traditional mystery. None of the characters believe in a realistic manner, and a lot of the twists in this book are over-the-top.

In short, this book is fine if you're looking for a comedic novel, but I would skip it if you're looking for a mystery/crime novel with a realistic plot and three-dimensional characters.

The Harrowing of Gwynedd (Volume 1 of The Heirs of Saint Camber) (The Heirs of Saint Camber, Vol 1)
Average customer rating: 5 out of 5 stars
  • More to come?
  • One of the better of the Deryni series
  • The Harrowing Of Gwynedd
  • Another book of courage and tragedy........
The Harrowing of Gwynedd (Volume 1 of The Heirs of Saint Camber) (The Heirs of Saint Camber, Vol 1)
Katherine Kurtz
Manufacturer: Del Rey
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

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  1. King Javan's Year (Heirs of Saint Camber, Vol 2) King Javan's Year (Heirs of Saint Camber, Vol 2)
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  3. Quest for Saint Camber Quest for Saint Camber
  4. Bishop's Heir (Histories of King Kelson, Vol 1) Bishop's Heir (Histories of King Kelson, Vol 1)
  5. King's Justice (Histories of King Kelson, Vol 2) King's Justice (Histories of King Kelson, Vol 2)

ASIN: 0345332598
Release Date: 1989-01-28

Book Description

Evil times had come for rthe Deryni, the humans with strange, magical powers. The Regents of the boy-king Alroy sought their destruction. And now Bishop Alister Cullen was dead, depriving the Deryni of their greatest friend. But no one could be sure he was really dead. His body lay unchanged and incorruptible. As those questions remained unanswered, the effort to save Deryni had to continue. In the meanwhile, Camber's daughter Evaine pursued the most perilous quest of all--to find among ancient foribidden scrolls the spell that might release Camber. The price to fail--or to succeed--was unthinkable.....

Customer Reviews:

5 out of 5 stars More to come?.......2002-12-28

This was an excellent book. I hope that this won't be the end of this generation of characters in the Deryni series. All of Ms. Kurtz novels feature main characters of strong moral value, and this is not an exception. This is a novel full of the usual well written and thought out scenes, and strong charaters. It is, as are of her Ms. Kurtz books enjoyable and believable. It has a good number of surprises as well, and it's own fair share of suspense and intrigue. The charaters struggle and risk all they have for what the feel is the greater good. They stop at nothing to do what is right, and accomplish it while attempting to hurt as few others along the way as possible. this is a page turner of a book. It won't dissapoint.

4 out of 5 stars One of the better of the Deryni series.......2002-09-26

I have mixed feelings about the Deryni series. At it's best it is very authentic, mixing a very detailed pseudo-pagan medievalism with a well thought out magical system. It fails sometimes though in the characterizations and motivations and gets rather gimmicky and embarrassingly self-imitative at times. But this book is not one of those. The books featuring St Camber and his children and the beginning of the Haldane line are generally quite fun and illustrate medieval religious issues in a fantasy format. I haven't come across too many books that deal with the issue of Sainthood in an almost physical way, which is odd because there are so many medieval based fantasy characters out there. Or if I have come across fantasy books featuring the issue of Sainthood they must have been so bad I can't remember any of them. This one is good. All the more so since it studies a character who was both admirable and interesting. And as I remember it, it's been awhile, the plot has some surprising quirks. You might want to read the three previous books that feature Camber himself, or you might want to let this story introduce you to the legend.

5 out of 5 stars The Harrowing Of Gwynedd.......1999-12-23

I applaud Katherine Kurtz's ability to introduce her characters to all readers so that they feel like family. I was moved to tears by the ending of this novel, yet was left with a smile on my face. I can only say that this is a MUST read for deryni fans, and everyone else on the planet as well. The heirs of Saint Camber is a stunning example of a fantasy series that, in another time, could be true.

5 out of 5 stars Another book of courage and tragedy...............1997-05-17

The Harrowing of Gwynedd sees the Deryni people on the verge of extinction, as a small group of them attempt to make stand. The story centers on Evaine, daughter of Camber, as she leads the struggle. She is a mother, a soceress, and a warrior, whose skills are tested to the limit. Her success or failure will determine the fate of her people. Read this book and see what happens. Her character is both strong and believeable, as her presence dominates this book
Bastard Prince: Volume III of The Heirs of Saint Camber (The Heirs of Saint Camber, Vol 3)
Average customer rating: 5 out of 5 stars
  • One of my favorites from this series!
  • Be Ready for Tears
  • The Best of the Best of the Best
  • Definitely worth a try
  • good continuation of the Deryni Saga
Bastard Prince: Volume III of The Heirs of Saint Camber (The Heirs of Saint Camber, Vol 3)
Katherine Kurtz
Manufacturer: Del Rey
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

United StatesUnited States | World Literature | Literature & Fiction | Subjects | Books | 18th Century | 19th Century | 20th Century | African American | Asian American | Classics | Collections & Readers | Drama | General | Hispanic | History & Criticism | Humor | Jewish American | Letters & Correspondence | Native American | Poetry | Short Stories | Women Writers
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GeneralGeneral | Fantasy | Science Fiction & Fantasy | Subjects | Books
DeryniDeryni | Series | Fantasy | Science Fiction & Fantasy | Subjects | Books
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ASIN: 0345332628
Release Date: 1994-05-10

Book Description

THE PRINCES IN THE TOWER

The power-hungry former Regents of the three Haldane princes were pleased. They controlled Gwynedd once more, now that Rhys Michael was king--malleable, wine-loving, and soft. Or so they thought...
Unbeknownst to the Regents, Rhys Michael was coming into his birthright. With secret Deryni aid, he struggled to grasp the magic bequeathed to all anointed kings. And when Marek--heir to Gwynedd's last degenerate deposed Deryni despots--marched into Gwynedd at the head of an army, even the Regents had to admit that Rhys Michael must take to the field himself as king to repel the pretender.
Rhys Michael saw his chance at last. He swore that the power of the throne--from now on and for all time to come--was to be held by Gwynedd's rightful king. For this, for his sons, and for his country, the king would risk all...
FIRST PAPERBACK PUBLICATION


From the Paperback edition.

Customer Reviews:

5 out of 5 stars One of my favorites from this series!.......2004-01-31

"The King's Justice" and "The Bastard Prince" are my two favorites in this series -- fantastic writing; wonderful, well-developed characters; adventure; intrigue; brotherhood; loyality; friendship; sacrifice; and some humor thrown in for good measure. Who could ask for more?

5 out of 5 stars Be Ready for Tears.......2002-12-28

A great book, but a tear jerker. Kartherine Kurtz has always had a knack for making her characters real and loveable, and this novel is no exception. Her character development and description is simply amazing as always.

The story outlines Gwynedd's growing difficulty with their Torenthi neighbor, and the threat that an illigitimate heir to the Torenthi throne poses. The ending is a shocker, especially since Mrs. Kurtz has a goal of always keeping her readers guessing. She has reached her goal yet again. It is my hope that the story will continue even further yet.

5 out of 5 stars The Best of the Best of the Best.......2000-11-03

I have been a devoted fan of this series since my aunt sent me the Bishops heir as a Christams Present when I 13. I opened that book and saw that this was just the latest in a well established series. Well being just a bit Obsessive complusive about reading things inorder I went and bought the entire series leading up to it, well after a few months anyway it takes a while to get up that kinda money when you don't even have a job yet ;>. I have been hooked ever since...In fact the huges lags of time between books in this series are one of the more fustrating things in life. With each book Kurtz proves why it take so long though, and this was the greatest of them all. I was totally Obsessed with this one when a read it a few years back. When I got the end, I just about cried because the book was that good, and the story that moving, and the fact I was going to now have to wait 4 years + most likely to see its like again. Thankfully Terry Goodkind came along and helped me pass the time somewhat. So basically, if you love fantasy and you read Eddings, Goodkind, Jordan, and Martin read this read the whole thing yo will not be dissapointed.

4 out of 5 stars Definitely worth a try.......2000-06-21

Many of Kathryn Kurtz's strengths as a writer shine in this book: realism (hard though it may be for us readers, and properly described as gothic), unabashed romance and violence, and clearly drawn battle lines.

Kurtz does fall into several traps. I do hate to say this book fits the mold--for there are fascinating moments for which I think this book definitely deserves a chance on its own merits--but I probably should. Noble Haldane kings, beautiful ladies in distress, Deryni and humans alike who will do what they have to in order to gain power... The underground Deryni movement seems uninspired in many ways since Camber's death, unable to fight the Regents on any more than a strictly practical level. Maybe that is a reflection of the Deryni presence at that time, a reality that explains a later Camberian Council that suffers from a lack of faith and ideals.

I could wish that young Rhys Micheal were more convincing in some ways, more aware of his unfortunate role in bringing about as well as solving his royal dilemma. Michaela, Rhysel, and Joram show the same lack of development. Kurtz's observations about prejudice and discrimination are obscured at times by her protagonists' disregard for the consequences of their own actions.

There is, however, much to like in this newest addition to the Deryni saga. Queron Kinevan's development is welcome. He comes into his own after all he has passed through. Rhys Micheal is a very engaging character in many ways, and his death, like the deaths of his brother Javan and his namesake Rhys Thuryn, leaves an ache that is part of good storytelling. I liked his solution to the regent problem. Kurtz doesn't pull punches, so you're never sure the bad guys aren't going to win. Many of the deficiencies that may marr Kurtz's characterizations of the good guys are gloriously absent among her villains; the Regents are a fascinating cross section of corrupt humanity. So enjoy this chivalric romance; for all its faults, it's still quite a story.

5 out of 5 stars good continuation of the Deryni Saga.......1998-01-02

This book continues the fine tradition of the Deryni Saga of Katherine Kurtz. Having been hooked on Ms. Kurtz's books for some time, this one was not a disappointment. Although I do not always agree with turns of the plot, Ms. Kurtz always has a surprise waiting for the reader. It is this suspense, and bringing of the characters to life, that makes her books special and The Bastard Prince continues in this tradition. Rhys Michael has been king for eight years, under the tight control of the regents which ruled during his childhood. Faced with a challenge from Miklos, a prince of Torenth, and claimant to his crown, Rhys Michael accepts his challenge. Not only must the young king contend with his rival, but also his domineering regents, and newfound Deryni powers of the Haldane legacy, which must be kept a secret until the time is right. A very good continuation of the Deryni saga. Can't wait for the next one to be published.
Saint Camber (Volume II in the Legends of Camber of Culdi)
Average customer rating: 5 out of 5 stars
  • Deryni History
  • Recommended reading.
  • A fast moving novel!
  • One of the best
  • One action packed, suspenseful book coming at you!
Saint Camber (Volume II in the Legends of Camber of Culdi)
Katherine Kurtz
Manufacturer: Del Rey
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Mass Market Paperback

Kurtz, KatherineKurtz, Katherine | ( K ) | Authors, A-Z | Science Fiction & Fantasy | Subjects | Books
GeneralGeneral | Fantasy | Science Fiction & Fantasy | Subjects | Books
DeryniDeryni | Series | Fantasy | Science Fiction & Fantasy | Subjects | Books
GeneralGeneral | Science Fiction | Science Fiction & Fantasy | Subjects | Books
GeneralGeneral | Series | Science Fiction | Science Fiction & Fantasy | Subjects | Books
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  5. Quest for Saint Camber Quest for Saint Camber

ASIN: 0345347684
Release Date: 1987-08-12

Book Description

When Camber of Buidi, master of arcane Deryni powers, led a successful revolution against Imre, his sister Ariella, plotted war against Cinhill, her brother's successor. But Cinhill didn't want a fight, he didn't want power, and it was up to Camber to save crown and country....

Customer Reviews:

5 out of 5 stars Deryni History.......2004-04-19

I have read all the deryni series and this one is a good one. There is a really good twist in this book that will affect the events in all the other books in the series. It is also action pact with a hint of mystery, magic, and suspence. A good read, should be the 2nd one read in the whole series. Enjoy!

4 out of 5 stars Recommended reading........2003-08-09

I continue to enjoy this book, just watching Camber getting himself into more trouble.

Camber, the elderly Deryni lord who led a human revolt against his own magic-wielding kind in the land of Gwynedd, begins to cope with the aftermath of the successful coup.

King Cinhil, once a monk, blames Camber for the loss of his vocation and the infinite difficulties of his new life and is not coping with them (or his ertswhile magic-wielding allies) well at all.

If Camber's priestly son Joram knows his father, Camber will do whatever it takes to make sure Cinhil--and Gwynedd--come out right. Even risking death...or worse, his soul!

Camber, in this book and it's sequel (Camber the Heretic), is at his strong-willed, best-intentioned, and soul-searching best. His dilemmas and solutions to them, bad and good, make an impression on the reader as well as the kingdom he serves.

5 out of 5 stars A fast moving novel!.......2002-12-28

This is a very fast moving, action packed, enjoyable book! A great compliment to the previous Deryni novels. A must read and a gauranteed favorite of all ages.

5 out of 5 stars One of the best.......2002-04-15

This review is actually directed at all Deryni novels. I havent read them for a few years and have moved several times and only have 5 or 6 of the total deryni series but am going to buy all of them again. They are among the best books I have ever read and I have a large collection of about 150 books. If you are a fan of SciFi/Fantasy you will love this book. Without giving away too much this is one of the most pivotal of all the books by giving away some of the intrigue and a double person?

5 out of 5 stars One action packed, suspenseful book coming at you!.......1999-08-04

Suspence, intrigue, mystery, and humor, all packed into one book. This book goes into the Protocol of Orin, a guide to many ancient, complicated Deryni practices. The plot is excellent and this book is guarenteed to keep you on the edge of your seat!
Quest for Saint Camber
Average customer rating: 4 out of 5 stars
  • Hard to be Objective
  • A great disappointment . . .
  • An Amazing Adventure, with epic results
  • Better clear your calendar b4 reading this book.
  • A great read that is difficult to put down
Quest for Saint Camber
Katherine Kurtz
Manufacturer: Del Rey
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Mass Market Paperback

Kurtz, KatherineKurtz, Katherine | ( K ) | Authors, A-Z | Science Fiction & Fantasy | Subjects | Books
GeneralGeneral | Fantasy | Science Fiction & Fantasy | Subjects | Books
GeneralGeneral | Series | Fantasy | Science Fiction & Fantasy | Subjects | Books
DeryniDeryni | Series | Fantasy | Science Fiction & Fantasy | Subjects | Books
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  3. Bastard Prince (Heirs of Saint Camber) Bastard Prince (Heirs of Saint Camber)
  4. King Javan's Year (Heirs of Saint Camber, Vol 2) King Javan's Year (Heirs of Saint Camber, Vol 2)
  5. Harrowing of Gwynedd (Kurtz, Katherine) Harrowing of Gwynedd (Kurtz, Katherine)

ASIN: 0345300998
Release Date: 1987-08-12

Book Description

When young Kelson, King of Gwynedd is reported drowned in a search for the legendary Saint Camber, Nigel was deemed to be king. But his son, Conoll, was too jealous and struck down his own father. Conoll had forgotten Saint Camber....

Customer Reviews:

4 out of 5 stars Hard to be Objective.......2002-12-28

I find it hard to objetivly reveiw this book. It found that it was very well written, and presented, and I truly had a hard time putting it down. I did have trouble however trying to figure out why Katherine Kurtz went this direction with the characters. I found all that happened very interesting and captivating, but the events seemed so out of place when compared to the path taken in earlier books. I am not dissapointed, just surprised. It felt as if the characters left their usual way of life and went on an african safari postponing everything else. Even taking all of that into consideration Ms. Kurtz has kept her amazing ability to write intact. Her characters are still believable, and her development of them and the plot are captivating.

1 out of 5 stars A great disappointment . . ........2000-11-13

It's hard for me to be objective about this novel. I grew up with the Deryni books, I read them over and over again, and the first six (Deryni Rising, Deryni Checkmate, High Deryni, Camber of Culdi, Saint Camber, and Camber the Heretic) represented one of my favorite fantasy novel sagas of the time, huge in scope, vast in the apparent stretch of time, richly detailed by an author who knew the historical period, ahhh, it was hard for me to find anything that could measure up.

I waited, with great anticipation, the arrival of the third trilogy, heavily advertised. Bishop's Heir proved excellent and The Kings Justice was also quite interesting (and although I didn't know it, the seeds of my disatisfaction were sown here).

The Quest for Saint Camber, though. The title implied so much, and I knew that this author, so brilliant so far, would never do anything trite, easily expected, or trivial.

However, from the get go, the novel led me down a path of anguish. All the characters started going in odd directions, as if a great fleet had lost its commander, they stumbled around, failed to see things right in front of them, and then were surprised when they were bitten. I felt sick to my stomach, literally.

I went through a short term depression over my disappointment with this book (at that age, my novels were all I had). I will most certainly never read this novel again. I wish it had never been published, much less that I had spent money on it.

Perhaps my expectations were too high, but then, eight previous novels had led those expectations to a high pinnacle . . . the fall hurt.

5 out of 5 stars An Amazing Adventure, with epic results.......1999-12-23

This is one of Kurtz best works and a highly enjoyable read. It pits family members against one another, king's against subjects, Deryni against deryni, and emotions against everyone. Keep kleenex and alot of time handy for this one, because you will need both! Kurtz does a masterful job of bringing the characters to life and vividly describes the heart ache and dissapointment of parents who lose a son, a man who loses the love of his life, and a king who must survive against the toughest odds only to come home and be emotionally destroyed. I DEFINATELY recommend this novel.

4 out of 5 stars Better clear your calendar b4 reading this book........1998-07-29

Because you are never going to put it down. Once I opened it I never shut it until I had finished. It's very gripping and emotional. I would have a kleenex handy while reading. However I was saddened by yet another of Kelson's near brushes with happiness. That boy has the worst luck with women. He needs to find a nice girl to settle down with. Anyway I think it's about time for Katherine to get us off the edge of this cliff. We need the the next book. Please write the next book. Please?

5 out of 5 stars A great read that is difficult to put down.......1998-04-09

The main theme of the book seems to be Kelson's search for relics of Saint Camber, but there is much more going on than that. Kelson at last comes to terms with the death of Sidana and realizes his growing love for Rothana. Kelson and Rothana promise to wait for his return from the quest before deciding on their future together. While on the quest Kelson and Dhugal are lost, last seen going down a crumbling cliff side and into a raging river. Kelson's jealous cousin, Conall, whether by accident or design, falls into place as the heir to the throne and regent after he brings about Nigel's debilitating seizure. As heir and regent, Conall needs a bride and has set his sights on Rothana. Many loose ends concerning Dhugal's heritage and Duncan's relationship with the church are wrapped up in this book.

This is a great read that sweeps you along and pulls you in, much like the river that Kelson and Dhugal are lost in. In the end it left me wanting more.
King Javan's Year (Heirs of Saint Camber, Vol 2)
Average customer rating: 4.5 out of 5 stars
  • Great Read
  • Evil overcomes Good
  • The eternal battle between good and evil.
  • my favorite of all the deryni novels
  • Like this Deryni book
King Javan's Year (Heirs of Saint Camber, Vol 2)
Katherine Kurtz
Manufacturer: Del Rey
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Mass Market Paperback

Kurtz, KatherineKurtz, Katherine | ( K ) | Authors, A-Z | Science Fiction & Fantasy | Subjects | Books
GeneralGeneral | Fantasy | Science Fiction & Fantasy | Subjects | Books
DeryniDeryni | Series | Fantasy | Science Fiction & Fantasy | Subjects | Books
Similar Items:
  1. Bastard Prince (Heirs of Saint Camber) Bastard Prince (Heirs of Saint Camber)
  2. Harrowing of Gwynedd (Kurtz, Katherine) Harrowing of Gwynedd (Kurtz, Katherine)
  3. Quest for Saint Camber Quest for Saint Camber
  4. King Kelson's Bride King Kelson's Bride
  5. Bishop's Heir (Histories of King Kelson, Vol 1) Bishop's Heir (Histories of King Kelson, Vol 1)

ASIN: 0345384784
Release Date: 1993-11-01

Book Description

With young young King Alroy on his deathbed, the power-hungry Regents are plotting to keep the legitimate heir from ascending the thrown. But Prince Javan is a formidable opponent. And the Regents vow to stop at nothing to wrest back control of Gwynedd. To prevail against the Regents, to rule his kingdom justly, and even to live, Javan has to be strong. He has to be clever. And he has to be very lucky indeed...

Customer Reviews:

5 out of 5 stars Great Read.......2007-09-10

This is a great novel with great characters - the only problem is that we know from the family tree at the rear of the book that King Javan's year is not going to be a happy ending. As always Katherine's characters are her strength and even the bad guys are much more than cardboard cut outs.
Highly recommend this triology

4 out of 5 stars Evil overcomes Good.......2003-09-14

The second volume of the 'The Heirs of Saint Camber' series this volume tells anther depressing tale of treachery and evil overcoming good. At the end most of the good characters are killed including the main character so much of the book is spent developing. Even though I had trouble just finishing the book it's still highly recommended. If you haven't read one of Kurtz's Deryni books the setting is a medieval human kingdom with a human race, the Deryni, that have magic-like powers. Most of the series plots revolves around ordinary human - Deryni conflict. If you haven't read any Deryni books start with either 'Deryni Rising' the first book written or 'Camber of Culdi' the chronologically first Deryni book written.

5 out of 5 stars The eternal battle between good and evil........2002-12-28

I am in a love/hate relationship with this book. The book was so well written you quickly become attached to the characters and fall in love with them. You find a continuation of events from previous novels accompanied by new developments. This of course leaves you wanting more. It is for all of these reasons that I loved the book.

I hate this book for only one reason, and it directly correspondes with my fast growing love for the characters and how and when King Javan's Year comes to an end. A must read, but be prepared for tears.

5 out of 5 stars my favorite of all the deryni novels.......2002-10-29

I believe this was the first of the Deryni novels that i read, so perhaps my fondness for the book stems from that. I knew nothing about the Deryni, the history of the Eleven Kingdoms, or the Regency; but this world drew me in and kept me there.

If you have read any of the Deryni novels and have looked at the Haldane lineage, you know how long Javan lived and served as king. From the title "King Javan's Year", you have an idea what is going to happen.

In so many fantasy novels, the main characters are treated lightly and make it through and they save the day. In the Deryni novels, things are much darker for the protagonists and what surprised me was how vicious things were against Javan. Through all of this darkness, the light of who Javan is shines through and I really cared what happened to him and was somewhat upset at how this ended...

I suppose that is the mark of a good writer, that you can be drawn into the the world and care about the characters. The characters i care the most about, though, are those who are earliest in the timeline (Joram, Evaine, Camber, Javan, etc)...i really hope Katherine Kurtz returns to the earlier times of the Eleven Kingdoms. Until that day, i will continue to read about Camber and his children.

4 out of 5 stars Like this Deryni book.......2002-10-06

This is one of the Deryni books that is still set in the Cambrian age, that is during the life of, or shortly after the death of St Camber MacRorie. The Haldane heirs have returned, thanks to Camber and his family, and taken over from the declining and nasty Festil Kings. King Cinhil, the former monk, was succeed by the eldest of his twin sons, the sickly and weak-willed boy King Alroy, now King Alroy's brother, young Javan takes the throne and must fight the forces that threaten Deryni and justice alike. Javan is remarkably intelligent and knows what the fight is about, but he suffers from a club foot which makes ignoramuses and plotters alike whisper that he is cursed and unfit for the throne. Add to that the instigations of a nasty Archbishop (this is a pro-pagan/pro-celtic series) charged with "protecting the King" and you'll see that Javan and his MacRorie allies have their work cut out for them.
The Harrowing of Gwynedd : The Heirs of Saint Camber, Vol. I
Average customer rating: Not rated
    The Harrowing of Gwynedd : The Heirs of Saint Camber, Vol. I

    Manufacturer: Del Rey
    ProductGroup: Book
    Binding: Hardcover
    ASIN: B000HKLG74
    The Quest for Saint Camber
    Average customer rating: Not rated
      The Quest for Saint Camber

      Manufacturer: Ballantine Books
      ProductGroup: Book
      Binding: Hardcover
      ASIN: B000HMTT8K
      Saint Camber (Legends of Camber of Culdi, Volume 2)
      Average customer rating: Not rated
        Saint Camber (Legends of Camber of Culdi, Volume 2)

        Manufacturer: Del Rey
        ProductGroup: Book
        Binding: Hardcover
        ASIN: B000BN6OHY
        Saint Chamber: Volume II in the Legends of Camber of Culdi
        Average customer rating: Not rated
          Saint Chamber: Volume II in the Legends of Camber of Culdi
          Katherine Kurtz
          Manufacturer: Del Rey/Ballantine Books
          ProductGroup: Book
          Binding: Hardcover

          DeryniDeryni | Series | Fantasy | Science Fiction & Fantasy | Subjects | Books
          ASIN: B000HN1NQK
          The Bastard Prince (Final book in the Heirs of Saint Camber Series)
          Average customer rating: Not rated
            The Bastard Prince (Final book in the Heirs of Saint Camber Series)
            Katherine Kurtz
            Manufacturer: Del Rey
            ProductGroup: Book
            Binding: Paperback

            DeryniDeryni | Series | Fantasy | Science Fiction & Fantasy | Subjects | Books
            ASIN: B000OHAPE0

            Books:

            1. Dead Man Running (Torie O'Shea Mysteries)
            2. Dearly Beloved
            3. Figure Drawing: The Structure, Anatomy and Expressive Design of the Human Form, 6th Edition
            4. Gold-Hall and Earth-Dragon: 'Beowulf' as Metaphor
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            7. Gun, with Occasional Music (Harvest Book)
            8. Hardcase (Joe Kurtz Novels)
            9. Hate Crime: A Novel of Suspense
            10. Heart Trouble

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