Customer Reviews

The Diviner

5 star:		(2)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(0)
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.

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 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.

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

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