Rating: 
Summary: An interesting attempt, but an unsuccessful one
Review: I was pretty disappointed in this book. I enjoy Celtic-themed fantasy, and the world of Deverry is quite well-done, if a bit formulaic-- elves vs dwarves, etc. The story in and of itself is quite interesting, and Kerr has taken the time to devise a unique magical system with its own rules and logic. Overall, this book (and the successive ones) have good points, but it isn't enough to make up for the general tediousness of the series. Specific problems I had: few of the characters appear to be readily distinguishable from one another, and again and again Kerr doesn't listen to the most obvious rule in writing-- show, don't tell, so her characterisations suffer. At moments the writing is quite good, so this feels more like carelessness than lack of talent. However, almost without exception, the dialogue is bland and plodding, with consistently inane 'witty' comments. Furthermore, I found the repeated flashbacks not worth the time. The present-day story, that of Jill, is by far the most interesting, and in general the interspersed flashbacks merely detract from it. After hearing the original story of Galrion, Brangwen, Gerraent, and Blaen, we know it; we do not require a dozen retellings to get the idea. It is certainly impressive that Kerr manages to find different aspects to fit these reincarnations into each time. Some few of these flashbacks are interesting, but Kerr (and her editors) for some bizarre reason decided not to remove the useless chaff and keep the good parts. In deciding to buy this book, think about why you want it-- If you are looking for something to while away the hours with-- say, airplane or beach reading-- by all means, go for it, but don't go into this expecting a great work of fantasy, because unless your standards are pretty low, you won't find it. And be warned, because you'll end up getting another dozen or so books, none of which are any better than this (and some much worse)
Rating:
Summary: An interesting attempt, but an unsuccessful one
Review: I was pretty disappointed in this book. I enjoy Celtic-themed fantasy, and the world of Deverry is quite well-done, if a bit formulaic-- elves vs dwarves, etc. The story in and of itself is quite interesting, and Kerr has taken the time to devise a unique magical system with its own rules and logic. Overall, this book (and the successive ones) have good points, but it isn't enough to make up for the general tediousness of the series. Specific problems I had: few of the characters appear to be readily distinguishable from one another, and again and again Kerr doesn't listen to the most obvious rule in writing-- show, don't tell, so her characterisations suffer. At moments the writing is quite good, so this feels more like carelessness than lack of talent. However, almost without exception, the dialogue is bland and plodding, with consistently inane 'witty' comments. Furthermore, I found the repeated flashbacks not worth the time. The present-day story, that of Jill, is by far the most interesting, and in general the interspersed flashbacks merely detract from it. After hearing the original story of Galrion, Brangwen, Gerraent, and Blaen, we know it; we do not require a dozen retellings to get the idea. It is certainly impressive that Kerr manages to find different aspects to fit these reincarnations into each time. Some few of these flashbacks are interesting, but Kerr (and her editors) for some bizarre reason decided not to remove the useless chaff and keep the good parts. In deciding to buy this book, think about why you want it-- If you are looking for something to while away the hours with-- say, airplane or beach reading-- by all means, go for it, but don't go into this expecting a great work of fantasy, because unless your standards are pretty low, you won't find it. And be warned, because you'll end up getting another dozen or so books, none of which are any better than this (and some much worse)
Rating: 
Summary: my favorite books thus far
Review: I wasn't planning to write a review, but when I saw one that said the fourth book in this series was the end and it was a disappointing ending I just had to say something. There are now 11 books in the series and two more to come. The fourth book was NOT the end (not even close)and that could be why this person found it to be a disappointing ending to the story.
Also, it is my personal opinion that one must read these books in order (for them to make complete sense and to get full enjoyment out of them).
I have been reading fantasy books for years and these are absolutely my favorite ones so far. I have stayed up entirely too late many many nights with these!
Rating:
Summary: Brilliant tapestry of medieval fantasy
Review: It's quite hard in nowadays to write something fresh new in field of fantasy - but Kerr seems to pass all borders of imagination without notion of their existence. I try to start 'Daggerspell'... and next time I became aware of surrounding world about 4 days/5 books later. Not much, sleep at that time, as well. Everything is fresh and amazing in that series. Language is alternative form of Celtic (or Gaulish?) language what is so beautiful - you can read the books only for joy of such speech. There are no usual heroes - but small stories about incarnation of same souls fulfilling their Wyrd are joined in tapestry of all books. Unlimited numbers of small details of medieval life make books look painfully real. Well, it's simpler try to find what is similar to other fantasy books in that masterpiece, then to list all what is different.... Because Amazon doesn't have that obvious feature - here is titles of all series in order of reading: Daggerspell, Darkspell, The Bristling Wood, The Dragon Revenant, Time of Exile, Time of Omens, Days of Blood and Fire, Days of Air and Darkness, The Red Wyvern.
Rating:
Summary: My favorite high fantasy author!
Review: Katharine Kerr is one of the best high fantasy writers this world has ever known. She's gifted with the ability to use fine detail and clever plot twists to keep her audience begging for more.
Rating: 
Summary: Rich world-building and a fascinating female protagonist
Review: Katherine Kerr has drawn a spectacularly rich world with history, mythology, varied races and languages far outstripping most other fantasy writers. She has also produced a fascinating heroine in the character of Jill. While this rather plain anglo-saxon name continues to bug me as I read the series, Jill is a great example of a woman in a man's world--a woman attempting to overcome the conventions demanding that she put on a skirt and have babies. Another good character is the wizard Nevyn, doomed to live until he repairs the damage he has caused multiple souls. While he's a bit too all-powerful at times, Nevyn's striving to put things right pushes the series forward. I heartily recommend the books to anyone tired of Valdemar's italics or Midkemia's flatness.
Rating:
Summary: Original, capable karmic fantasy
Review: Kerr does several things very well. She does a particularly good job of working the big story around the little ones - something that brings a lot of epic fantasists to grief: you want to have compelling episodes, but not at the expense of something larger making the whole thing cohere and have a sense of movement. By book 3 George R.R. Martin's Ice and Fire series has virtually bloated to soap opera and lost much of the majesty of the frame; in contrast, Eddings' Belgariad was largely just going through the motions for the last few books with the inevitable conclusion ponderously played out. I suppose I should be careful here - a lot of series start well (A Game of Thrones was fantastic) before losing direction, and Kerr may slip over time - but that being said this individual volume has a really pleasing mix of internal resolution and enticing future scope.
Much of the cohesion works around her whole reincarnation thing - she can tell several different stories along the way, but we all know they're the same characters experiencing and creating karma. Kudos to her for not only having the originality to apply this notion to fantasy, but the skills to realise it successfully.
Moreover the general mythos of the Deverry world is intriguing and consistent, and not the usual vaguely Tolkienesque facade. She doesn't just throw the magic out there utterly randomly, but tries to build something in her etheric planes and give at least some explanation of dweomer and tie it into the history and action of her world.
With the exception of us being supposed to wryly smile at `honourable' Rhodry's sewing of his wild oats (just his elven blood at work) - as if in a time before contraception he wasn't being any less than callously irresponsible - there is a refreshing goodness to much of the morality running behind the book. Not nearly as much of your Hollywood virtue equals being able to WIN: cleverly dispatching your enemy may here be presented as culpable vice. Nevyn actually comes across as a pretty wise and compassionate sage by what he says, does, and even learns - rather than us just having to assume he's got some insight because he's a sorcerer. We actually feel sword master Cullyn's greatest victory has nothing to do with his skills, but is his final mature triumph over his fearsome incestuous potential. This unusually non-violent event is something of a climax, as it's also where Nevyn manages to love and respect a previously great foe. As I say, it's a nice change from the standard black and white pap you get, without simply becoming postmodern and confused.
Much of the action is in a Shakespearian context. We've got court plottings, fatal tragic personality flaws, inter-royal family revenge, banishment, star-crossed lovers - though thankfully no fools jumping about. I suppose if I had to go for some weaknesses I'd say the dialogue rarely soars - there's no great wit or incisive interplay. The words follow along with the characters and action but are not a feature of their own.
Still, a very pleasing page turner and, thank goodness, something (a bit) innovative in the fantasy genre.
Rating:
Summary: THE BOOK IS GLOURIOUS, BUY IT NOW!!!
Review: Like many people, I'd never read celtic fantasy, but this book captured me in a web of perfect lore. The book is filled with devouring lust, amazingly real characters, and beautifully realized death and rebirth. Childhood, past life, lovemaking, sorcery, battle, death, this book has it all and more!!
Rating:
Summary: Daggerspell is fantastic, it has a little bit of everything.
Review: Medieval times have always intrigued me. This book was an incredible illustrator of how the times were. Some parts were very graphic and they make you believe that the book may of actually taken place, once long, long ago. Daggerspell has a little bit of everything. Katherine Kerr left out no detail ever so small about gore, romance, the beautiful scenery and any other thing. But a word to the wise: this book did take place around the middle-English period, and some of it can be hard to read, but it is easy to figure out if you think about it for a second or two. But if you cannot understand most of it I would strongly recommend not reading it at all. I say this because at the end of the book I could not stand to not read the second book in the series. Yes it was that good.
Rating:
Summary: A Very Fine Series
Review: My husband and I discovered Daggerspell awhile back, and then purchased the whole series. What brings us back to reread it (many times) is the incredible detail between books. While some reviewers have noted that the characters are not fully developed in the first book, I find that viewing the entire series as a larger canvas takes care of this problem. We are amazed by a little detail in book #4 that sheds more light on something from book #2. We are waiting on pins and needles for whatever comes after The Red Wyvern.
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