At the same time, the book is choppy and in some places cursory. Rawn remains a good stylist, and the three viewpoint characters are nicely distinct. The story purports to describe cultures with powerful females, but sees them through the eyes of three generations of men, who also seem to do pretty well for themselves. It’s placed in a faux Middle-Eastern setting that’s alternately nicely and awkwardly handled. The Diviner is a solo-author prequel to The Golden Key. Still, when I saw this book in a discount store, I picked it up, thinking “Hey, she hasn’t written the book I’m waiting for, but she’s still writing. I picked up her collaboration The Golden Key (with Kate Elliott and Jennifer Roberson), and didn’t think much of it. I picked up the first two books of the Exiles trilogy as soon as they came out, and have been waiting in frustration for The Captal’s Tower ever since (over 15 years now, in case you think I’m impatient).

I devoured that thick book, the rest of that trilogy, and the successor Dragon Star trilogy. The peace is not guaranteed though as the rivalry between Mage Guardians and the Lords of Malerris wages on.I encountered Melanie Rawn via her debut novel, Dragon Prince, and was thrilled to find her bringing fantasy romance to life as few but Mary Stewart and M.K. Generations later, the people are starting to recover but magic is only practiced under strict conditions. Things weren’t all good on the planet though as a war broke out between Mageborn factions that polluted all and unleashed the hideous Wraithenbeasts. Long ago, the Mageborns left to colonize the plant Lenfell and escape from prejudice. With trouble all around Prince Rohan, she’ll need to help if she wants to save him and stop a war that could take over the world.Įxiles is the first book in a series, also called Exiles. She has mastered magic and has been catching hints of trouble ahead. He has two goals in mind as he takes his post: to bring peace to his world and to save the last remaining dragons of the land as they may be the salvation of his people. His family has ruled this area ever sine the Long Sands spewed fire and now it is his time to take the mantle. The story begins as Rohan has just become the prince of the Desert and ruler of the kingdom. If You Like Melanie Rawn Books, You’ll Love…ĭragon Prince is the first book in the series of the same name.

Captal's Tower by Melanie Rawn