The Worlds of Katherine Kurtz

The Deryni Series => General - Deryni => Topic started by: Bynw on March 08, 2007, 07:59:48 PM

Title: Suggested Reading Order
Post by: Bynw on March 08, 2007, 07:59:48 PM
This is my suggested reading order of the Deryni books (not counting some of the specialty books).


Deryni Rising (this is a great book to introduce someone to the Deryni)
Deryni Checkmate
High Deryni
The Bishop's Heir
The King's Justice
The Quest for Saint Camber
King Kelson's Bride
Camber of Culdi
Saint Camber
Camber the Heretic
The Harrowing of Gwynedd
King Javan's Year
The Bastard Prince
Deryni Archives
Deryni Magic
Codex Derynianus
In the King's Service
Childe Morgan
The King's Deryni
Title: Re: Suggested Reading Order
Post by: EvilEd on March 08, 2007, 08:19:44 PM
Why that order - rather than chronological or the order written?
Title: Re: Suggested Reading Order
Post by: Bynw on March 09, 2007, 01:16:48 PM
Deryni Rising was the first book written. And is able to stand alone without the need of any other books. Incase a new reader, for some crazy reason, doesn't like the story. So we just start with it and continue the trilogy from there.

The problem with reading the Camber trilogy before reading the Histories of King Kelson, is you get to know some things that can potentially spoil events in the Histories as well as King Kelson's Bride. So we read ALL of the stories with Kelson first before going back into time and reading about the now legendary Saint Camber. Not only legendary to the characters but to us the readers as well.

Once we start on the Camber stories we read the full Camber Trilogy and then read about his heirs. Now the events that take place in Deryni Magic and Deryni Archives can be read without being soilers to other stories. Deryni Tales can be tossed in around this time too. And also the Codex which really isnt a story but has soiliers none the less.

That leaves us with the current Childe Morgan trilogy currently being written and not yet complete to round it out.
Title: Re: Suggested Reading Order
Post by: kgilson on March 09, 2007, 04:16:09 PM
Since I have read all the books so many times, I now read them in chronological order.  But you are right, when I first read them, I read them in the order you stated and I am glad I did.

Karen
Title: Re: Suggested Reading Order
Post by: john on March 10, 2007, 08:18:49 PM
I like to re-read in the order of publication.  I first read the books when St. Camber was new.  I have gotten into the habit of re-reading shortly before the next book comes out.  Does not always work out that way, but I try.

pax,
john
Title: Re: Suggested Reading Order
Post by: mitche on March 12, 2007, 12:14:42 PM
In general, as new volumes have come out, I reread the series to which the volume belongs.

As DR series is being re-released, I wonder if anyone has done enough of a comparison of them to post differences.

Cheers,

Mitch Edelman
Title: Re: Suggested Reading Order
Post by: jjmjr on March 22, 2007, 06:15:39 PM
As I recall there were very few changes to either directors cut  (DR or DC) though DC did have a new opening.    And I understand HD will also have a new opening.

jerry
Title: Re: Suggested Reading Order
Post by: rebeckagypsy on May 27, 2007, 10:51:47 PM
hi,
Actually when I do read the books, i start with Kelson...  I tried to start them back when.... by reading Camber and i stalled on them....  On the other hand..if you start with Kelson, you manage to get a little bit curious about what Kelson and Co are missing history wise and it does make things easier to read the camber books after that..
j
Title: Re: Suggested Reading Order
Post by: Farm Ur-Ted on September 21, 2007, 12:08:44 PM
I've read them all in publication order, which makes the most sense for a new reader.  But I'm working up to a re-read (I've never re-read any of the books, and I suffered a bit for it during the last trilogy), and I'm going to do it in historical order.  I just can't wait to re-read Camber the Heretic.  That book still gives me chills, 25 years after reading it.
Title: Re: Suggested Reading Order
Post by: Cleothyla on September 27, 2007, 08:59:33 PM
For the longest time, I couldn't even get into the Camber Series. I love the Kelson series, probably because I like Kelson. It took me a long time to read the Bishop's Heir and the second one after that, but then I found the Quest for Saint Camber and read that before Bishop's Heir. Then I went back when I was in the mood to devour books and read them over and enjoyed them. I haven't gotten the Childe Morgan yet but when it comes out in paperback I'll definately get it. I've read In the King's Service and enjoyed that because it shed some light on Alyce, Morgan's mother and Vera, Duncan's mother.
Title: Re: Suggested Reading Order
Post by: Kelsa on October 07, 2007, 10:09:07 PM
Hi.

I was just reading the "suggested order" and following comments.  Since I started reading the Deryni books back in the late 70's, I have always started with Camber of Culdi and read them in chronilogical order.  I used to re-read all the books from the "beginning" before reading a new novel in the series.  Once she hit 10 books in the series, I started to look at the "re-reading" with trepidation since it would take me sooooo long to get to the new book.  Then the new books fit in the middle of the old ones, and it became difficult to read them "in order" with the newest at the end.  So I tried just reading the new trilogies, but I found that if I didn't do the re-reading from the beginning, I would miss or forget tidbits that were mentioned or suggested in the new books, and I'd be back in the old books before finishing the new one anyway. 

So, now I find out where the latest set of books are going to be in order of history, wait until the first two in the series are done and read chronilogically up to that point, read the new books - hopefully timing it so that the 3rd in the series is out when I get to that point, and then read the rest of the series from there.  That seems to be the most fulfilling way of reading the books - at least for me.  Needless to say, though, my copy of Camber of Culdi has been read so many times that it's starting to fall apart  ::)  (it is only a paperback - I buy hardcovers now - more chance of surviving all the re-reading).   

I haven't started re-reading them yet, but I was given Childe Morgan for my birthday.  I don't know where KK is with the 3rd in that series but it's only 8 books before I'll be looking for it so I may wait a bit longer before I pick up poor Camber this time... ;D
Title: Re: Suggested Reading Order
Post by: Obiwan3 on October 09, 2007, 03:56:01 PM
Well, I don't think the book police will be coming after to you if you don't follow the "suggested" reading order. The order is just that, a suggestion. The best part of re-reading is re-imagining the stories again. I find I see new nuances in the stories as I re-read them. Your enjoyment is the thing!
Title: Re: Suggested Reading Order
Post by: Shiral on October 11, 2007, 04:15:18 PM
Quote from: Obiwan3 on October 09, 2007, 03:56:01 PM
Well, I don't think the book police will be coming after to you if you don't follow the "suggested" reading order. The order is just that, a suggestion. The best part of re-reading is re-imagining the stories again. I find I see new nuances in the stories as I re-read them. Your enjoyment is the thing!

NO one expects the Book Police, just as they don't expect the Spanish Inquisition!!!
RUN, RUN, Hide! They're coming!!  ;)

Actually, you can start with KKB and work your way backwards if that's what works for you. The "suggested reading order" is exactly that--just a suggestion. Everyone has their favorite wayto read the series. Some like Chronological order, and some go for the published order. It depends on what series you're in the mood to read right THEN.

Melissa
Title: Re: Suggested Reading Order
Post by: Bynw on October 11, 2007, 08:52:56 PM
The book police, they live inside of my library
The book police, they come to me in my chair
The book police, they're coming to arrest me, oh no.
Title: Re: Suggested Reading Order
Post by: derynifanatic64 on January 09, 2008, 06:25:53 PM
Chronological order would probably be better for someone who is new to the Deryni series.
Title: Re: Suggested Reading Order
Post by: Cardiel on February 22, 2008, 07:39:54 PM
I started with The Quest For Saint Camber.

At the time I was working in a bowling alley, back behind the automatic pinsetters.  Unless something went wrong and I got a service call, I had a lot of time on my hands.  One day I picked up that book at a drugstore on the way to work, and started reading it.  I got about 10 or so pages into it, and I just couldn't get into the book at all.  If I wasn't basically a captive with nothing to do but look at the brick walls, I would have put down the book and never picked it up again.

Luckily for me, I kept plowing through it, and before long I simply couldn't put it down.  After I finished that book, I saw there were others in the same trilogy, and other Deryni trilogies as well.  I ordered them all, and I've read each and every one at least five times each, and most probably 10+ times.

Since then, I've acquainted several good friends with the Deryni universe, and I always start them the same way I started.  And I've never had a single one of them come back and say they had anything but love for KK. :)
Title: Re: Suggested Reading Order
Post by: morgan on February 26, 2008, 11:11:07 AM
When I read the Deryni series the 1st time I started from...the end! I found "high deryni" in the library and only after start the reading I realised that it was the 3rd of a series. Then, when I looked for the other 2, I found before "deryni checkmate" and, only after some times "deryni rising"!
Only 1 or 2 years later, it went out a new edition with all the 3 books in one and then I bought it and read it in the right order!
Title: Re: Suggested Reading Order
Post by: lancingboy on May 07, 2008, 02:13:08 AM
The only books in that series I have are Deryni Rising, Deryni Checkmate, High Deryni (I think) and I think that's all of them. They're put up at the moment so I don't remember lol. I don't even remember how many I've checked out of the library, but I think it was the King's Justice and Bishop's whatever. Those really confused me though because they were a different timeframe of the ones I currently have in my possession.
Title: Re: Suggested Reading Order
Post by: deanot on May 18, 2008, 02:49:23 PM
Quote from: derynifanatic64 on January 09, 2008, 06:25:53 PM
Chronological order would probably be better for someone who is new to the Deryni series.

Could someone list the Chronological Order?  I read several books a VERY long time ago, and would like to start at the beginning of the story again...
Title: Re: Suggested Reading Order
Post by: TheDeryni on May 18, 2008, 03:02:24 PM
Hi,

Camber of Culdi, Saint Camber then Camber the Heretic are the first 3 in the Deryni saga, timewise. Deryni Archives can also be considered the first since it is set before any of the novels, I believe.
Title: Re: Suggested Reading Order
Post by: mikegeo on June 13, 2008, 12:03:59 AM
I don't think it matters as much what order you read them in as long as you group certain stories together.  For example:

Deryni Rising

Deryni Checkmate
High Deryni

The Bishops's Heir
The King's Justice

The Quest for Saint Camber
King Kelson Bride

Camber of Culdi
Saint Camber

Camber the Heretic
The Harrowing of Gwynedd

King Javen's Year
The Bastard Prince

In the King's Service
Childe Morgan

Outside of Deryni Rising none of the books on their own contains a whole story, but these 2 book groups contain a fairly complete story that would satisfy most readers.  Looking at this 2 book structure also makes me think there will be 2 more Childe Morgan books, not 1.
Title: Re: Suggested Reading Order
Post by: Shiral on June 13, 2008, 12:56:02 AM
Quote from: mikegeo on June 13, 2008, 12:03:59 AM
I don't think it matters as much what order you read them in as long as you group certain stories together.  For example:

Deryni Rising

Deryni Checkmate
High Deryni

The Bishops's Heir
The King's Justice

The Quest for Saint Camber
King Kelson Bride

Camber of Culdi
Saint Camber

Camber the Heretic
The Harrowing of Gwynedd

King Javen's Year
The Bastard Prince

In the King's Service
Childe Morgan

Outside of Deryni Rising none of the books on their own contains a whole story, but these 2 book groups contain a fairly complete story that would satisfy most readers.  Looking at this 2 book structure also makes me think there will be 2 more Childe Morgan books, not 1.


Hi Mike, I see you're the newest member, so welcome. =o)

At first  I was very surprised at your suggested reading order, then I thought about it. And... those two book groupings DO work to tell a complete story arc of themselves.  Gosh darn, looks like it's time for  a reread. =o)

Melissa
Title: Re: Suggested Reading Order
Post by: vajewa on September 11, 2011, 08:10:03 PM
I read them as they came out starting with Deryni Rising.  I have since read them in chronological order and would recommend that DR, DC, HD be read first, in that order then one could read them either chronologically or in the order they were written.
Title: Re: Suggested Reading Order
Post by: Imladris on July 06, 2012, 05:08:01 PM
I take Katherine's suggestion and read in order of publication... but that is probably because I am old and after reading the first three, the first Camber book came out, and ever since I have been chomping at the bit for the next one! And in some cases was a very, very long wait!  I think I first saw Codex Derynianus listed as a forthcoming book in the late seventies or early 80's, then it would disappear.  Got my copy when it showed on Amazon as a forthcoming and let me place an advance order.  Didn't know if it would ever materialize.  Was ecstatic when it did.
Title: Re: Suggested Reading Order
Post by: Shodaniel on March 15, 2017, 03:46:27 PM
Just finished "King Kelson's Bride" about 5 minutes ago.  Read them all in chronological order, which to me made the most sense.  To be fair, I've read them all as they've come out, so this was a treat.  Well worth it.
Title: Re: Suggested Reading Order
Post by: Shodaniel on March 15, 2017, 03:49:41 PM
Just finished "King Kelson's Bride" about 5 minutes ago.  Read them all in chronological order, which to me made the most sense.  To be fair, I've read them all as they've come out, so this was a treat.  Well worth it.
Title: Re: Suggested Reading Order
Post by: bronwynevaine on March 15, 2017, 09:50:14 PM
The first Deryni book I ever read was The Bishop's Heir in the late 1980s or early 1990s. I finished that trilogy, read the Camber trilogy, read the original trilogy, then reread the Kelson trilogy. I generally have to reread in chronological order. It's a tough call, but I prefer the Camber-era books.

(When my older children were 1 and 3 their My Buddy and Kid Sister dolls were named Kelson and Bronwyn.)
Title: Re: Suggested Reading Order
Post by: drakensis on March 18, 2017, 03:47:22 AM
The Bishop's Heir was my first introduction to the series as well. Borrowed from the lending library if I recall correctly. I caught up with the published books at some point between King Javan's Year and The Bastard Prince (since the latter is the first one I bought new).
Title: Re: Suggested Reading Order
Post by: Laurna on March 18, 2017, 11:35:39 AM
I loved the Bishop's Heir and I can see where if that was the first Deryni book read it would hook you into the series. Drakensis and bronwynevaine it is good to hear that it did just that.

For me, back in 1981 my second year in college, when I needed escape from heavy duty homework, I discovered the book Deryni Raising in the basement of an old building turned into a used book store. The image of Alaric Morgan, riding into the beautiful medieval city of Rhemuth on his black steed with his aid Derry at his side, and then subtly causing a whip to lash back at the abusive man who wheeled it, was and is embedded in my mind.
Title: Re: Suggested Reading Order
Post by: Jerusha on March 18, 2017, 03:58:20 PM
My first journey in the Deryniverse was Deryni Rising.  I don't remember if it was late high school or early college when I bought the paperback, but it still has the sticker on it, and it cost me $2.95!
Title: Re: Suggested Reading Order
Post by: DesertRose on March 18, 2017, 04:18:31 PM
It's probably either a minor miracle or a testament to how nerdy I am that I ever read the whole series, since I picked up Deryni Magic at a book clearance sale that was held in what had once been a home-improvement store (along the lines of Home Depot or Lowe's, it was a big space), and I was both confused and intrigued reading it, since it's meant to be a companion book and not really something to be read independently of the rest of the Deryni series. 

I don't really recommend going about it the way I did, since I basically did things in the most backwards way possible, LOL.   ;D

But I started accumulating the rest of the series at used book shops, since I bought Magic in the early 1990's, so a lot of the ones that were published earlier were not so easy to find in bookstores that sell new books.  It was either The Harrowing of Gwynedd or King Javan's Year that was the first one I bought newly published.

And here I am; the only works of hers that I don't own in hard copy are The Legacy of Lehr (which, I must confess, I've never read either), St. Patrick's Gargoyle (though I just snapped that up on Kindle yesterday), the two Templar books (The Temple and the Stone, which I also just snagged yesterday on Kindle, and The Temple and the Crown), a first edition Codex Derynianus (I have a second edition, though), and Venture in Vain, and the latter two are limited editions, so they're a bit thin on the ground.
Title: Re: Suggested Reading Order
Post by: revanne on March 18, 2017, 10:06:05 PM
Back in 1984 when I was 25 I returned to Oxford to collect my Master's degree - Oxford still having the medieval system whereby you can convert a Bachelor's degree to a  Master's after 4 years on payment of £10, which even as a penurious new Mum was within my reach. (My daughters who have both worked extremely hard for their Master's degrees are seriously unimpressed).

I stayed with an old college friend and her husband for a week and they gave me Deryni Rising to read "You'll like this, it's got religion in it".  I was hooked by the combination of fantasy which I loved, and  the Christian worldview that somewhat weirdly ( in the view at least of most of my family and friends)  I shared. Within that week I had read the first of the Kelson era trilogies and the first Camber era trilogy and they lodged in my imagination. From time to time I made attempts to look for the books again but never with any luck.

Scroll on nearly 30 years, 3 children, about 30 assorted pets and ordination to the Anglican priesthood later, to when I acquired a Kindle and found some novels co-authored by Katherine Kurtz (the Adept stories). I enjoyed them but they didn't have Duncan or Joram in them, a big drawback. The Deryni series were not then available in electronic format in the UK but access to Amazon revealed the possibility of cheap second hand copies from across the pond and I revisited the originals and devoured the rest of the series. Having read everything published on the Deryni and still hungry I went looking on the Web and found Rhemuth Castle open to well-intentioned members of the public and a gracious welcome offered by it's denizens. What did I use to do with my spare time?
Title: Re: Suggested Reading Order
Post by: Laurna on March 18, 2017, 11:29:14 PM
Quote from: revanne on March 18, 2017, 10:06:05 PM
I revisited the originals and devoured the rest of the series. Having read everything published on the Deryni and still hungry I went looking on the Web and found Rhemuth Castle open to well-intentioned members of the public and a gracious welcome offered by it's denizens. What did I use to do with my spare time?

Haha!  I know what you mean, Revanne.

Actually Rhemuth Castle has saved me from hours upon hours of World of Warcraft. I find I can not read and write on the same day I play WOW. Therefore I consider Rhemuth Castle good for my brain. Much more interactive than mindless gaming. I am so glad we did not have gaming when I was in college, I may never have read these books if I had that avenue for escapism. It is good to remind myself to keep reading. And it is good to motivate young people to read.
Title: Re: Suggested Reading Order
Post by: whitelaughter on March 20, 2017, 04:15:44 AM
Haven't read the 'later' books (last I read was Harrowing) but up to that point read in publication order.
The obvious advantage of chronological order is that the canonization of Camber will be as much a shock to the reader as it was to the characters. I didn't find any 'spoilers' for the later books; the Quest is mostly learning about things that happened after Camber as near as I could see.
I'd still recommend starting with Deryni rising though; it is a superb stand alone work.
Title: Re: Suggested Reading Order
Post by: Lioness08332 on August 30, 2017, 04:00:05 PM
I haven't read any of these books in many many years. I have recently reacquired a few of them & I'm looking to fill in the holes in the collection this weekend at my local used book stores (wish me luck) and with Amazon & Half Price Books. This has always been my favorite series and Ms. Kurtz, my favorite author.  I am so glad this topic was here because I could not for the life of me remember where to start! Thanks for the help! Fortunately, I do have Deryni Rising!
Title: Re: Suggested Reading Order
Post by: DesertRose on August 30, 2017, 04:32:10 PM
Quote from: Lioness08332 on August 30, 2017, 04:00:05 PM
I haven't read any of these books in many many years. I have recently reacquired a few of them & I'm looking to fill in the holes in the collection this weekend at my local used book stores (wish me luck) and with Amazon & Half Price Books. This has always been my favorite series and Ms. Kurtz, my favorite author.  I am so glad this topic was here because I could not for the life of me remember where to start! Thanks for the help! Fortunately, I do have Deryni Rising!

Welcome!  I know the used bookstore nearest me usually has copies of most of the Deryni series, or at least, they did last I looked.  Amazon usually has used copies in decent shape, too, for fairly reasonable prices, unless you're looking for a first-edition Codex Derynianus, in which case you'd better be ready to spend some $$$$.   :P
Title: Re: Suggested Reading Order
Post by: revanne on August 30, 2017, 04:40:46 PM
Amazon used copies were a godsend for me as sadly few of KK's works are readily available in the UK. Even with shipping costs across the pond they were quite reasonable although my codex ( not first edition) had to be a birthday prezent to myself.
Title: Re: Suggested Reading Order
Post by: Evie on August 30, 2017, 07:59:23 PM
 Welcome to the Castle! I am in the process of reading some of the series also when time permits. (I've read the Kelson-era books many times, but lost my Camber and post-Camber books along the way and have only recently managed to replace them.) They are also available in ebook format now, as well as the newer Childe Morgan trilogy. And we have lots of Deryni fan fiction on the forum as well.
Title: Re: Suggested Reading Order
Post by: Laurna on August 31, 2017, 02:02:33 AM
I have them all in hardback, I have the first series in soft back ( these are the ones I bought in college from a used bookstore), and now I have them all again in e-book. What I love about the e-book, is that in my research of people, I can put in to my Kindle a search for a character name and review half recalled facts to make them accurate. As for my Codex second edition? It is getting so much abuse, I will soon need a second copy of it.
Now, if the codex would just go on E-book style, then my research would be perfect.  ;D
Title: Re: Suggested Reading Order
Post by: Lioness08332 on August 31, 2017, 10:28:06 AM
My hubby & I are going bookstore hopping on Friday... both used & new. We'll see what I can find. Then I'll order what's left over from Amazon.  I started re-reading DR yesterday afternoon. WOW, how much I had forgotten! It really has been too many years!

I have had a great time exploring just this section of the castle! Now on to the other wings!

Lioness
Title: Re: Suggested Reading Order
Post by: Evie on August 31, 2017, 11:25:10 AM
Quote from: Laurna on August 31, 2017, 02:02:33 AM

Now, if the codex would just go on E-book style, then my research would be perfect.  ;D

There were plans for this, although they have been at least postponed due to Rob Reginald's death and KK not having all his files yet.  (At least not at that time; this might have changed.)
Title: Re: Suggested Reading Order
Post by: Marko on October 03, 2017, 08:08:17 PM
Back in 1983 I was looking for a new series of books to read after spending 8 months at sea on what was then the Navy's newest Aircraft Carrier.  I found Camber of Culdi at a B. Dalton bookstore in Hayward, CA.  The synopsis on the inside cover sounded interesting, so I bought it. The following week I went back and bought the other 5 then available books.  I read the rest of the Camber books and then the original Deryni series.  When the Bishop's Heir came out in paperback, I re-read the books in the order that I had purchased them.  When I've needed to do a refresher since then, I read them in chronological order.  Not sure if I would recommend that order for someone new to the series, since the Heirs of Saint Camber can be a bit heavy and rather dark.
Title: Re: Suggested Reading Order
Post by: DesertRose on October 03, 2017, 08:59:25 PM
Quote from: Marko on October 03, 2017, 08:08:17 PM
Back in 1983 I was looking for a new series of books to read after spending 8 months at sea on what was then the Navy's newest Aircraft Carrier.  I found Camber of Culdi at a B. Dalton bookstore in Hayward, CA.  The synopsis on the inside cover sounded interesting, so I bought it. The following week I went back and bought the other 5 then available books.  I read the rest of the Camber books and then the original Deryni series.  When the Bishop's Heir came out in paperback, I re-read the books in the order that I had purchased them.  When I've needed to do a refresher since then, I read them in chronological order.  Not sure if I would recommend that order for someone new to the series, since the Heirs of Saint Camber can be a bit heavy and rather dark.

I actually have point-blank asked people who expressed an interest in the KK section on my bookshelf how well they like reading heavy/dark subject material and then I make the decision on where I think they ought to start reading the Deryni series (which often involves loaning them my copy, which is why I get to be Book Goddess on that ;) ).

People who don't mind (or even actively like) stories in which the fecal matter is striking the air oscillator big time for the characters get started with Camber of Culdi; people who prefer lighter stories will get Deryni Rising (although it certainly has its share of perilous/dark moments too).

My mother is a special case.  I'm trying to pull her into KK fandom a bit sideways; now that she's on a WWII history kick again, I've loaned her my copy of Lammas Night (for the second time; she didn't get around to reading it the first time, but that might also have been before she retired from the paid workforce), in hopes of dragging her in the Castle gates.  :P
Title: Re: Suggested Reading Order
Post by: macsorcery on May 24, 2023, 04:58:06 PM
This is the way I recommend people read the novels:

Let's introduce the way things are:

Deryni Rising
Deryni Checkmate
High Deryni

Lets go back in time and see why things are the way they are.

Camber of Culdi
Saint Camber
Camber the Heretic
The Harrowing of Gwynedd
King Javan's Year
Bastard Prince

Wow I feel horrible now. Lets go back forward to where things are not as bad.

Bishops Heir
Kings Justice
Quest for Saint Camber
King Kelsons Bride

I feel better now, let me complete the circle to arrive back to where I started.

Childe Morgan
In the Kings Service
The King's Deryni