The Diviner

June 27, 2011
Rawn weaves a rich tapestry of war, magic, and relationships in this historical fantasy prequel to 1996's The Golden Key. The Sheyqa Nizzira, despotic ruler of a Middle Eastâflavored land in the year 611, has meticulously planned to wipe out a large family of her rivals, murdering them down to the smallest child. When young wastrel Azzad al-Ma'alique misses his date with doom and flees, he sets in motion a complex revenge plot that will change the future of many lands and generations of both families. Gripping events build to a mid-book climax, but tension drops sharply in the second half, with a less clear trajectory and a sometimes bewildering array of characters. Toward the end, both the pace and the clarity pick up, though the developments feel less organic and more calculated. Rawn at her best remains a mesmerizing writer, and there is some of her best here.

Starred review from August 1, 2011

As the only survivor of the massacre of his entire family by the ambitious Sheyqa Nizzira, Azzad Al-Ma'aliq flees into the desert, vowing vengeance. Finding favor and protection with a tribe of healers and talisman makers, Azzad defers his ambition in favor of a home and material wealth. When he finally strikes back, all seems accomplished--but the repercussions carry down to another generation, to his son Alessid. Rawn's prequel to 1996's The Golden Key marks her return to the high fantasy of her "Dragon Prince" (Dragon Prince; The Star Scroll; Sunrunner's Fire) and "Dragon Star" (Stronghold; The Dragon Token; Skybowl) series. VERDICT The desert setting and Arabian-Bedouin cultural trappings lend an exotic touch to a tale of loyalty, treachery, and love. The author's large readership as well as lovers of epic fantasy should enjoy this stand-alone prequel.

Copyright 2011 Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

July 1, 2011
Written in a style reminiscent of that of the messianic Dune, this superb tale tells of three almost mythical men, Il-Kadiri, Il-Nazzari, and Il-Ma'anzuri, who found a dynasty like no other. The book is written in three parts, one for each man. Each chapter begins with a quote by an historian about the veracity of the story told in that chapter. The entire outline of the book makes it seem as if this is a sacred book with some commentary added. The lavishly described setting draws heavily on images of the Middle East with its deserts, nomadic tribes, and constant bickering among clans. Each character evolves before the reader's eyes, their struggles and their triumphs shaping the person each becomes. This book is a prequel to The Golden Key (1996) yet stands on its own merits and will delight anyone who enjoys reading about chivalry, the Middle East, and a genetic mutation that allows some to harness magic in ways that are carefully guarded.(Reprinted with permission of Booklist, copyright 2011, American Library Association.)