The Divining

by Barbara Wood

Overview

A riveting, historical tale set in first-century Rome, The Divining chronicles one young woman’s spiritual quest to discover her destiny through the powerful gift of second sight—and save entire future generations.

Ancient Rome: 54 C.E. Nineteen-year-old Ulrika is plagued with strange visions and dreams. In order to discover the truth behind her past and her unusual powers, Ulrika embarks on a dangerous journey to her father’s homeland, Germania. There, she discovers her calling, a rare gift known as the Divining.

Sent on a quest to find her destiny, she travels far and wide, from ancient Germania to the vast and exotic countries of Syria, Babylon, and Persia. Along the way she meets wise spiritual guides—men, women, and spirits alike—who teach her to harness her ability to heal and protect others. Ulrika’s journey also brings her close to the handsome trader Sebastianus Gallus, who must depart for his own quest to the Far East to gain riches for the powerful emperor Nero. But can Ulrika reunite with the man she loves, fulfill her profound destiny, and usher in a new era in Rome under the threatening rule of Nero?

A powerful, spiritual story of romance, betrayal, faith, and courage, The Divining stunningly brings to life one young woman’s daring role in shaping the entire ancient empire of Rome.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781620453780
Publisher:	Turner Publishing Company
Publication date:	10/28/2014
Edition description:	Reprint
Pages:	382
Product dimensions:	5.90(w) x 8.90(h) x 1.20(d)

About the Author

BARBARA WOOD is the international bestselling author of twenty-five acclaimed novels, including New York Times bestseller Domina. Her work has been translated into over 30 languages. Barbara lives in California.

Read an Excerpt

She continued on until, three quarters along the crowded lane, she came upon a person of humble appearance, sitting only on a frayed mat, with no shade or booth or tent. The seer sat cross-legged in a long white robe that had known better days, long bony hands resting on bony knees. The head was bowed, showing a crown of hair that was blacker than jet, parted in the middle and streaming over the shoulders and back. Ulrika did not know why she would choose so impoverished a soothsayer—perhaps on some level she felt this one might be more interested in truth than in money—but she came to a halt before the curious person, and waited. After a moment, the fortune-teller lifted her head, and Ulrika was startled by the unusual aspect of the face, which was long and narrow, all bone and yellow skin, framed by the streaming black hair. Mournful black eyes beneath highly arched brows looked up at Ulrika. The woman almost did not look human, and she was ageless. Was she twenty or eighty? A brown and black spotted cat lay curled asleep next to the fortune-teller. Ulrika recognized the breed as an Egyptian Mau, said to be the most ancient of cat breeds, possibly even the progenitor from which all cats had sprung. Ulrika brought her attention back to the fortune-teller’s swimming black eyes filled with sadness and wisdom. “You have a question,” the fortune-teller said in perfect Latin, eyes peering steadily from deep sockets. The sounds of the alley faded. Ulrika was captured by the black Egyptian eyes, while the brown cat snoozed obliviously. “You want to ask me about a wolf,” the Egyptian said in a voice that sounded older than the Nile. “It was in a dream, Wise One. Was it a sign?” “A sign of what? Tell me your question.” “I do not know where I belong, Wise One. My mother is Roman, my father German. I was born in Persia and have spent most of my life roaming with my mother, for she followed a quest. Everywhere we went, I felt like an outsider. I am worried, Wise One, that if I do not know where I belong, I will never know who I am. Was the wolf dream a sign that I belong in the Rhineland with my father’s people? Is it time for me to leave Rome?” “There are signs all about you, daughter. The gods guide us everywhere, every moment.” “You speak in riddles, Wise One. Can you at least tell me my future?” “There will be a man,” the fortune-teller said, “who will offer you a key. Take it.” “A key? To what?” “You will know when the time comes . . .”

Table of Contents

Book One: ROME, 54 C.E.
Book Two: GERMANIA
Book Three: ITALIA
Book Four: SYRIA
Book Five: BABYLON
Book Six: PERSIA
Book Seven: CHINA
Book Eight: BABYLON
Book Nine: ROME, 64 C.E.

Editorial Reviews

An accomplished storyteller.” —John Jakes, New York Times bestselling author
 
“Wood shows herself a wizard at juggling action and romance, maintaining the momentum and sparkle of both.” —Kirkus Reviews

“Wood makes her fiction come alive with authentic detailing and highly memorable characters.” —Booklist

“Barbara Wood is an entertainer.” —Washington Post Book World
 
“Wood crafts vivid sketches of women who triumph over destiny.” —Publishers Weekly
 
“Entertainment fiction at its best.” —Booklist
 
“Absolutely splendid.” —Cynthia Freeman, New York Times bestselling author

“Wood creates genuine, engaging characters whose stories are fascinating.” —Library Journal
 
“A master storyteller.” —Tulsa World
 
“[Wood] never fails to leave the reader enthralled.” —Elizabeth Forsythe Hailey, author of A Woman of Independent Means 

 

From the Publisher