Darkspell

by Katharine Kerr

Hardcover, 369 pages

English language

Published Nov. 11, 1987 by Doubleday.

ISBN:: 978-0-385-23109-1
OCLC Number:: 15489228

On the long roads of Deverry ride two mercenaries whose fates like hidden deep in that of their own land. But Lord Rhodry, exiled from the dragon court of Aberwyn, has yet to discover his true parentage, and his swordmaster-lover, Jill, has barely glimpsed her awesome powers. Meanwhile, the ancient sorcerer Nevyn, held back by his vows from boldly intervening in their lives, can only watch and wait as Rhodry and Jill move ever closer to danger. For as the two struggle to recover the Great Stone, the mystic jewel that guides the conscience of the kingship of Deverry, malevolent dark masters are weaving terrifying spells against them--and displacing messengers of death.Katharine Kerr has extensively rewritten Darkspell, incorporating major changes in the text, making this her definitive edition. Here the epic saga that began with the Daggerspell continues--a tale of might and magic, lust and glory, dark danger and poignant …

8 editions

AlaskanGriz reviewed Darkspell by Katharine Kerr (Deverry Cycle, #2)

None

4 stars

Another great read from Kerr. This one was a bit easier to follow. My only gripe is the beginning of the book talked about a lady who ended up being a Goddess, but it didn't have to do with the rest of the book. It could have been a story unto itself. So it's a puzzle, to say the least. Once that I now suspect, will reappear further on in the next few books of the series.

David Bremner reviewed Darkspell (Deverry Series, Book Two) by Katharine Kerr

Well crafted escapism, not for everyone

4 stars

Content warning sexual violence mention

The characterization is rather good, and plotting is above average. The world-building feels a bit too familiar to me. We have "humans", dwarves, and elves. The dwarves live under mountains and the elves live in the west. Elves are inherently noble and dwarves secretive and talented metal workers.

On the other hand, there is less "racial determinism" than in some of the fantasy genre. We have had at least half-elf characters ranging from insane villain to cheeky heroic secondary character. There is some depth of character to the antagonists (although there could be more without going full anti-hero). There is no equivalent of "orcs", where being of a certain "race" defines a character (if they can even be called characters) as a villain.

In this second book of the series, I felt like reincarnation was used in a more interesting way, where flashback stories involve previous incarnations of the same characters.

The antogonists (aka the Dark Dweomer) use "sex magick" in a ways that sometimes made me uncomfortable. There is (not too graphical) discussion of sexual violence, and whether by coincidence or not, one of the main antagonists is the only openly queer character, and also a rapist. I would not say it is gratuitous or homophobic in itself, but it does potentially reinforce some pretty vile homophobic stereotypes.

fiainros reviewed Darkspell by Katharine Kerr (Deverry Cycle, #2)

Review of 'Darkspell.' on 'Goodreads'

4 stars

I think it took a couple of weeks to read, just due to time constraints. I did enjoy it. When the past came up, I was a little irritated because I wanted to find out what would happen in the current. That story was entertaining on its own, and I see how it shapes Jill in the current. Although, it seemed like at the end of the past story, the author got tired of it as well, and it wrapped up in a warped way.

Interesting links are made between the previous book and this. I wonder, with Dannyn's child, did we see a direct line ancestor of Cullyn?