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Summary: The story continues
Review: It was simply indescribable to be immersed again in Kurtz' fabulous deryni series. I hadn't thought that she was intending to write another novel about Kelson, but I am overjoyed that she did. this book ties up many of the loose ends left from "The Quest for Saint Camber", though I won't spoil anything for you, and still makes an exellent story on its own. Full of romance, action and plenty of political intrigue, "King Kelson's Bride" is sure to satisfy your tastes no matter what they are. If you've read the other books in the series (if you havn't I HIGHLY recommend them) there is no way you can afford to pass it up.
Rating: 
Summary: OK, but not worth the wait
Review: I eagerly awaited King Kelson's Bride, and read it in one day as soon as I bought it. Unfortunately, it seemed a bit too "pat." Too many loose ends from previous Deryni books (all of which I loved) were tied up too neatly. Several royal/aristocratic marriages take place in the novel, and all are love matches! I found this very unbelievable. Also, I was disappointed by the character of Araxie Haldane, who becomes Kelson's queen. She was a bit of a cipher: nice, sweet, gentle, BORING! She's a "Melanie," not a "Scarlett," and I think Kelson deserves a queen with a little more fire. It's hard to believe that a strong character like Kelson is well-mated with such a nonentity.
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Summary: Long Overdue ...
Review: While perhaps not as sumptious as the last books in which we saw Kelson, Morgan, Duncan et al, this is further excellent writing from Ms. Kurtz. The only downside (for me) was that I could not shake the feeling it would have worked better as 2 books, with a third book yet to come to tie up loose ends concerning a new adversary.Clearly, few write *better* than Ms. Kurtz. I just which she could write *faster*!
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Summary: A 6. A brilliant finale worth the 2 decade wait!
Review: In Gwynedd, the State, Church, and citizens finally accept the Deryni, a race of people possessing powerful magical abilities, even thought they still fear them a little. King Kelson accomplished this amazing feat because he is the rightful Haldane ruler and a Deryni. Unable to have the woman he loves, Kelson knows he still must marry and produce an heir. He becomes betrothed to a distant relative, who also accepts her duty to her country. They formally announce their betrothal before His Highness sails to Torenth to return the rightful monarch to the throne. Torenth and Gwynedd have fought many wars so no one is shocked when someone tries to assassinate Kelson. However, what stuns everyone is that the betrayers also try andd kill Torenth's rightful king. The two kings defeat the traitors, but one turncoat escapes, leaving behind the fear that Kelson's future bride is now the intended target. Although Torenth and Gwynedd are imaginary lands, they are based on Europe and the Nation of Islam during Medieval times. Katherine Kurtz makes her universe feel colorful and fills it with incredible detail that leads the audience to feel they are visiting a strange and exciting world. In spite of the myriad of description that paints the Kurtz universe, the story line is bold, loaded with action, and fast-paced. For over two decades, King Kelson has been a legendary fan favorite and the endless wait for this tale will seem worth it as the legion of Derynites will relish this story for decades to come.
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Summary: King Kelson's Bride
Review: The long awaited book has arrived. Book is fairly well written, Ms Kurtz definitely hasn't lost her touch with her world even after 6 years. She nicely resolves several ongoing plot lines from her previous books and opens at least one or two for future stories. While I can't say the book was worth the wait- the book just doesn't seem as tightly written as her second Kelson series, it is an enjoyable read and most fans should be pleased. Hopefully we won't have to wait another 6 years before she returns to this wonderful land.
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Summary: Finally, Kelson Haldane Marries!
Review: After two previous matrimonial disasters, Kelson Haldane, King of Gwynedd, *finally* marries in 'King Kelson's Bride'. His first fiancee was murdered at the altar. His second fiancee, Rothana, ended up marrying someone else, his first cousin Conall, then being widowed almost immediately. Needless to say, the young king has been under immense pressure to marry someone, anyone suitable, and procreate, given the unstable political situation. Now, he does. Who is she? That I won't tell you. Let's just say, she's 'suitable' and surprising. Kelson's friends and family members are all here too, with some other surprises along the way, and the Camberian council is muddying the waters in their unique fashion, to add more complications to the plot.
Katherine Kurtz has done it again with a book that mixes realpolitik, magic and medieval Christianity. Her fans will be delighted. As I predicted, I stayed up all night to read this one. You will too.
Rating: 
Summary: Good but not great
Review: I've been reading Kurtz for years and like so many have been waiting for Kelson to find his bride. The story itself was fine, but what seemed missing was any real fleshing out of the character of his bride. She's only in about 5-10% of the book and never has any first person scenes. I would like to know more about her from her point of view, not from Kelson's vantage point. Otherwise the story was a good conclusion to Kelson's stories. It is a must read for fans of the series. Since it essentially seventh in Kelson's story, I wouldn't recommend to anyone who hasn't read the others.
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Summary: King Kelson's Bride
Review: A page turner, I thought that this book was not as good as the original three. (true classics) It also lacks the byzantine convulutions of last three Kelson books, however, and was a very enjoyable read. As per normal, the subplots make the book. This books also does not try to rewrite the previous books, so characters from previous books show up with little or no background. I personally find this pleasant, as I hate reading summaries of prior books in a new book, but it makes this less of a stand alone book. Dave
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Summary: A wonderful treat for fans old and new
Review: After a hiatus of six years Katherine Kurtz returns to her most well-known and popular Deryni series in King Kelson's Bride. The action in the book revolves around two simple themes, the selection of a bride for Kelson, and the return of young Liam to the Kingdom of Torenth where he will be crowned king after several years of fosterage in King Kelson's court. But in the Eleven Kingdoms, nothing is ever that simple. For Kelson, in addition to being a young king, is also a member of the race of quasi-magical humans known as the Deryni who have been honored, respected, feared, reviled, and persecuted at various periods in the history of his kingdom of Gwynedd. Having two previous unsuccessful, and in fact tragic, failures in finding a bride, Kelson is motivated more by a sense of duty to his realm than of any real desire for marriage. But the machinations of various individuals putting forth candidates, and the ensuing deceptions and maneuverings, are one of the pleasures of book. Everyone in the Eleven Kingdoms seem to have an interest in his choice - some benign and some malevolent. While all this is going on, Kelson and members of his court are traveling to the Kingdom of Torenth where his young friend, Liam, will be invested with the crown as king. But the Torenthi royal family are also Deryni with a vast array of abilities at their disposal, and with a ruthlessness uncommon in the Kingdom of Gwynedd. The young king's uncles, whose brother was slain by Kelson in a magical duel, are not sure that they want their nephew, brought up in the court of Gwennyd, to be king. Some may even fancy that role for themselves. Treachery abounds! The author has often been praised for her attention to historical detail which adds to the richness of her work. But Ms. Kurtz also excels in her characterization and scene writing. Scenes of confrontation and crisis are always well-done, and this book is no exception. She obviously enjoyed writing the book, and seems to hope that her readers will enjoy it as well. While an obvious treat for her many long-time fans who will pick up on every nuance and discern future plot-lines , new readers will be able to pick up the book and read as a self-contained story. It is not planned as part of a trilogy and any previous history is brought out in the book itself. I recommend it most highly for Ms. Kurtz's current and future fans.
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Summary: King Kelson's Bride -- Worth the Wait!
Review: Yesterday, I finished my first complete reading of Katherine Kurtz's new Deryni novel, _King Kelson's Bride_, which I had been eagerly awaiting ever since I finished reading _The Quest for Saint Camber_ nearly fourteen years ago. Katherine Kurtz fans may rest assured that this book was worth the wait! The only way this book could possibly be improved in my view is if it had been LONGER. In King Kelson's Bride, the reader travels with Kelson and his close friends, the Dukes Alaric Morgan and Dhugal McArdry McLain to the Hort of Orsal's exotic summer palace on the Ile d'Orsal, and then onto the Torenthi capital, Beldour. Both have been mentioned in earlier Deryni novels, but readers have only rarely glimpsed Torenthi court life, and have never visited the Orsal's court before. Now that his vassal, King Liam-Lajos of Torenth has come of age, Kelson travels with him to oversee his safe installment on the throne of Torenth. As the author herself has observed, "Things are different in Torenth." Indeed they are, as the Deryni of Torenth have never been subjected to the same persecution Deryni in Gwynedd have experienced. Their magic is far more of an accepted part of Torenthi court life, even unto the installment of their Kings. Without giving away the plot, readers may be assured that there is plenty of danger, treachery and Deryni magic afoot on the day of Liam's royal ceremony. Regarding the Bride herself, in the beginning of the novel, we see Kelson is still in love with Rothana, but is fored to accept that they will never be able to marry. At Rothana's instigation, he proposes to his cousin, Princess Araxie Haldane on the night he visits the Ile d'Orsal. Araxie accepts him willingly if with some trepidation. But the love between them only has a chance to grow once Kelson returns to Rhemuth and gradually comes to appreciate Araxie for her intelligence and the sensitivity of her spirit. By their wedding day in the final chapter, Kelson has found a new love and far more compatible Queen than Rothana, his original choice. Many loose ends are tied up in this novel, including that of Kelson's mother Queen Jehana who experiences an epiphany regarding her Deryni heritage while Kelson is in Beldour. Also resolved are the fates of Kelson's cousin Prince Rory, and of Prince Nigel who is at last persuaded to accept his two grandchildren by the late Prince Conall. Readers new to the Deryni world should understand that this novel was written with Ms. Kurtz's already established fans in mind. Knowledge of the people and places of the Deryni universe is assumed on the part of the reader, and indeed is necessary to understand the events of the novel. But there is a happy solution to any confusion this newest book may bring to new Katherine Kurtz fans: Read the rest of the Deryni books!
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