Book review: The Diviner by Melanie Rawn

[rynncameron]

The Diviner is a prequel to "The Golden Key" from a few years back. This book follows a family across generations, to the founding of the Tza'ab Rih empire. I adored the first third of the book. Our hero is a scapegrace with humor and caring and wit. He survives his family's massacre because he was late due to being in the bed of one of his many lovers. He escapes and ends up in the desert, meeting a mysterious tribe of healers and charm makers. (Reminiscent of Dune, but with horses rather than spice worms.) Eventually the story goes to his son, who has no sense of humor (understandable, but not as much fun for me to read) but massive ambition.

I loved the world-building. The women lead, choosing their husband for his abilities, and the men leave the tribe but the women stay. There's magic and trading empires and (horses) and (horses!) and a long feud with the emperor who killed the original boy's family.

The first part was great, the rest was okay, but then I read for character more than plot and I just couldn't like the other heroes in the book. It did, however, make me want to dig out my copy of Golden Key (http://www.chapters.indigo.ca/books/The-Golden-Key-Rawn-Roberson-Elliot/9780756406714-item.html?ikwid=golden+key&ikwsec=Books) and reread it.



http://www.chapters.indigo.ca/books/Diviner-Melanie-Rawn/9780886777654-item.html?ikwid=the+diviner&ikwsec=Home