King Javan's Year (Heirs of Saint Camber, Vol 2)

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.

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.

Javan held my imagination since I first saw his name on the Table of Gwynedd's Kings in the back of Katherine Kurtz' first Deryni novel. His year and his book do not disappoint. Kurtz does a tremendous job of letting the young King and his Court live. And breathe. And hope. I enjoyed this work more than any other of the Deryni line. Javan's hope surely found its way to Kelson's soul.

Katherine Kurtz takes her writing to a new level in this novel. Book two of the heirs of Saint Camber series, she gives the readers the feeling of hope for the characters. She definately takes a sad story and makes it beautiful by showing the true meaning of friendship, loyalty, and love. Again, this is a must read for anyone who is a fantasy fan, or even just someone who loves a friend.

In King Javan's Year, we see a flame of hope for the Deryni people of overcoming their oppression. Will it be snuffed out is the question, as King Javan faces enemies everywhere and allies few. The King is constantly in danger in this desperate struggle. The enemy is strong and ruthless, and the King cannot show any weakness. He must not make any mistakes either, but his luck and time are running short. What will happen? Read this spell bounding fanatsy triller and find out