Customer Reviews

The Diviner (Golden Key Universe)

5 star:		(2)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

No bones about it - 'The Diviner' was a long time coming - 15 years and change for fans of 'The Golden Key' to wait to get more of the story. The good news for those fans is, it was worth the wait.

As a prequel, 'The Diviner' doesn't rely on the events of 'The Golden Key' much. It reads very much like a well-written history, even interspersed with excerpts of biographies of the main characters, slightly dry in places but with enough intrigue to keep it interesting all the way through. And the promise of magic, bound to ink and metalwork, is the foundation for it all.

The story spans generations, focusing first on Azzad, whose entire bloodline is wiped out at the whim of a jealous ruler. His promise of vengeance requires patience, persistence and risk. He is succeeded by Alessid, who sees Azzad as a fool and ruthlessly focuses his life on completing what Azzad started, sacrificing many to his cause. Finally there is Qamar, years distant from Azzad but similar in spirit, who sees the cycle of death and vengeance come around again and seeks to end it in a new way - by creating a new type of magic.

On the surface, 'The Diviner' is the story of wars and vendettas and the web of people caught up in their wake. But really, it's the story of the evolution of magic and the dedication to bring new life to old ways, the discovery of the union of science and craft and blood to create power.

For those who read 'The Golden Key,' the end of 'The Diviner' is where it really comes into its own, as we start to hear familiar names like Grijalva and Zario, and see the quickenings of the magic and art that form the backbone of 'The Golden Key.' For those who haven't read the older book, there may seem like there's a lot more story to be told here - and believe me, there is.

'The Diviner' can be read on its own, without having read 'The Golden Key' first, but it will likely leave you wanting more. If so, 'The Golden Key' is highly recommended to continue the story. For those of us who have read it already, 'The Diviner' fills in a lot of mysteries around the original, tells an epic story, and represents a satisfying return to form for a favorite writer of fantasy.

Fifteen years, and still worth the wait. Well done.

In that sense, The Diviner is really two books, with a rather abrupt change of both plot and pace about halfway through, as Azzad al-Ma'aliq gives way to his son, Alessid. The problem is that the son cannot hold a candle to his father, either in personality or deeds. Azzad is a wonderful character, a man who rises above his flaws to become more than just means of retribution. He develops as he matures, exposing hidden facets of his personality that make him more endearing as the story progresses. I loved him as a hero, as a father, as a husband, and as a warrior. He is, without a doubt, one of Melanie's strongest characters. It's just a shame the book couldn't remain focussed on him.

Alessid, by contrast, is entirely unlikable from the start, and what limited development he displays is, unfortunately, in the wrong direction. I was willing to give him the benefit of the doubt at first, understanding where he's come from and what kind of legacy he's inherited, but he was a disappointment. I neither liked nor respected him, and every time he disparaged his father's memory (which is far too often), he simply reminded me of the gulf between the two.

In all fairness, Azzad's half of the novel was the far more interesting story, briskly paced, and interspersed with a few moments of reflection. I cared about what was happening, and I found myself anxiously turning pages, desperate to know what would happen next. Alessid's half of the novel was far less interesting, sluggishly paced, and bogged down with far too many marriages, births, and alliances. Instead of being anxious to find out what happens next, I found myself desperately flipping through pages, hoping to pick up a thread of story that would pull me back in.

It's a shame Melanie couldn't maintain the magic of the first half, because there's a lot about the story to like. If she could have just given us more of the Sheyqa Nizzira, the truly chilling, scene-chewing villainess behind Azzad's flight into the desert, maybe there would have been no need to dwell on Alessid. Unfortunately, once we get beyond the bloodbath that begins the novel, she ceases to be anything other than a name, a title, a character who exists off-the-page as a focal point for vengeance. She had such promise - I would have really loved to explore her more.

Characters and plotting aside, the Middle East flavouring is a nice change of pace from the typical European fantasy setting, and I loved exploring the origins of the magic that made The Golden Key so enthralling. There were some really nice stylistic touches here, and the quality of the writing itself is full of hints and promises of a return to form for Melanie. I'd like to think this was just a contractual obligation she forced herself through, to give her the freedom to do something new.

Time will tell, but here's hoping her new trilogy follows through on that promise of a return to form, and once again demonstrates the love for her material that seemed lacking here.

i am puzzled by the negative reviews here. the names in this story are not impossible to keep straight, unless you are only able to remember "typical american english names". these have more of a middle eastern feel, and i had no difficulty.

the story is complex, but that is what rawn is known for. this is essentially three stories in one. i had not read The Golden Key previously, and had no difficulty following the story. it is satisfiying in and of itself; no cliff hanger ending. it does seem to allude to The Golden Key, and i am now eager to read that, once it comes out on kindle.

there is humor, drama, tragedy, magic, love, sacrifice, and grand hubris. the characters are well developed, with flaws and strengths. the story is highly entertaining. i definitely recommend this!

I really wanted to like this book, and at times I did, but it was ultimately extremely flawed. To me, it seems like the author created an outline of everything she wanted to happen in this prequel story, and then wrote around the outline to fill it out. Throughout the book thousands of people are killed, including several main characters. However, not once did I feel any emotion at their deaths other than annoyance. The writing is relatively well done within the chapters, but when 20 years can pass between 1 chapter, it completely takes you out of the story. It reads almost like a history book, with certain important events described fully from the viewpoint of one of the important historical figures. The author loved introducing one young character from each new generation, letting you learn who he is and possibly liking him, then jumping multiple years (denoted by a 1 to 2 paragraph summary), seeing what happened to him, then killing him off. It was just so frustrating to read, and ultimately it took me a much longer time to read than a book usually does. The Diviner just left me frustrated and annoyed after reading it, the book was an interesting read, but it lacked the soul and good book needs.

I usually love Ms. Rawn's books, but this one was not what I have come to expect from her. I didn't even know until after finishing it (and reading another review) that it is supposed to be a prequel to The Golden Key. The story was very choppy in places, and I don't feel it was tied together well at the end, which left me unsatisfied. Not one of Ms. Rawn's best works.

A long awaited "anything" from Rawn.... has taken me over 2 weeks to read and I am EXHAUSTED by trying to remember the lengthy but similar names. I actually had to re-read parts twice and take notes to keep them straight! Is there a story line in here somewhere??? I will finish the book eventually, but you will not find me in line for a sequel. I will not be re-reading this one ever... and will re-sell it here rather than putting it on the shelf next to my VERY worn copies of the Dragon Prince/ Unfinished Mageborn series. If this is the best she can do after such a long hiatus, I am glad she never finished the Mageborn series.

In 611 in the city of Dayira Azreyq during a gala the Glorious Majesty Sheyqa Nizzira has her assassins kill the powerful al Ma'alique family. However, one clan member lives, the profligate Azzad al-Ma'alique who was late due to female issues. He considers his options and concludes fleeing was the best course for now, but vowing revenge when he returns.

He eludes the killers sent by Sheyqa as he reaches the desert. There he is fortunate that the enigmatic nomadic Shagara tribe of mages saves his life and provides him shelter. They protect him from the assassins as he begins his plan for avenging his family though he knows needs time to plan and deploy.

This is an exhilarating prequel fantasy (see The Golden Key) that takes off from the onset. However, the Diviner feels like two books as just passed the half way point of the book, the story line reaches a climatic conclusion. From there a second story line picks up albeit much slower paced though well written. Still readers will enjoy the cost of vengeance to the avenging angel and the innocent collateral damaged victims.

Harriet Klausner

Melanie Rawn is any excellent storyteller. I found myself reading until the wee hours of the morning, not wanting to put the book down. Her characters are unique while being well rounded. Her work flows smoothly from start to finish, leaving you completely satisfied and wanting more. Great Book, Great Style. I would read anything she wrote. Give me more, more, more. CID