Dragons of Starlight: Diviner

The fourth book in Davis's Dragons of Starlight series begins with the human slave Koren going on a special mission for her dragon master, Taushin. As she seeks to do his bidding, her human friend, Jason Masters, who is from another world, continues to fight to free all humans in both worlds from bondage. Alternating between Koren's journey and Jason's battles, Davis's novel is steeped in the mythology he has constructed in the three previous novels. In Davis's worlds, stars are magical vehicles that not only transport but become one with Starlighters, who themselves are specially gifted prophetesses. Bits of these stars, called stardrops, have properties that can either severely injure or magically heal humans and dragons alike. This densely constructed universe is chock full of characters, perhaps too many, and is also persistently allegorical. The Starlighters' prophecies, like scripture, are beneficial only when listeners receive them with a humble heart. For those already immersed in Davis's fictional worlds, this latest installment is sure to please, as well as to answer burning questions and raise some new ones. (Sept.)