---
product_id: 88339175
title: "The Golden Key"
brand: "melanie rawn"
price: "$91"
currency: NZD
in_stock: true
reviews_count: 18
url: https://www.desertcart.nz/products/88339175-the-golden-key
store_origin: NZ
region: New Zealand
---

# The Golden Key

**Brand:** melanie rawn
**Price:** $91
**Availability:** ✅ In Stock

## Quick Answers

- **What is this?** The Golden Key by melanie rawn
- **How much does it cost?** $91 with free shipping
- **Is it available?** Yes, in stock and ready to ship
- **Where can I buy it?** [www.desertcart.nz](https://www.desertcart.nz/products/88339175-the-golden-key)

## Best For

- melanie rawn enthusiasts

## Why This Product

- Trusted melanie rawn brand quality
- Free international shipping included
- Worldwide delivery with tracking
- 15-day hassle-free returns

## Description

Full description not available

## Images

![The Golden Key - Image 1](https://images-na.ssl-images-amazon.com/images/I/51hF0a33uCL.jpg)
![The Golden Key - Image 2](https://images-na.ssl-images-amazon.com/images/I/41lUUnGIgyL.jpg)

## Customer Reviews

### ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ 







  
  
    The Golden Key
  

*by K***S on Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 10 December 2012*

The Golden Key - great book with intriguing plot and well written so that you were engaged by the characters.  Was surprised that it was co-written as it appeared seamless.

### ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ 







  
  
    Rich, unusual historical fantasy
  

*by N***E on Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 2 March 2005*

I was attracted to this book by Melanie Rawn's involvement, having enjoyed her Dragon Prince/Dragon Star trilogies a great deal for their dry wit, excellent characterisation and compelling plotting. I had only a vague idea of what it was about before I started reading - but once I did, I was completely entranced.The multi-generational novel is set in a world with a strong feel of Renaissance or early modern Spain. While never leaning too much on its real-world counterpart, the inspiration permeates all levels, immeasurably enriching the book. It is glimpsed most obviously in the characters' names, fashions and the oaths that pepper their speech. More subtly, it infuses the religious practices, behaviour (there is a strong emphasis on family honour and female modesty), and recent history - the novel opens a little after a long war with a religiously-inclined nomadic people, an obvious but not overstated parallel with the Moors.The central conceit of the novel lies in the social and administrative role of portraiture in the state of Tira Verte, where it is used to record everything from marriage contracts to wills to treaties between nations. Those whose paintings are most highly valued enjoy considerable political and personal influence, and their style becomes something to imitate by those who follow them. A few, in secret, are able to wield more than mere influence with their brushes.The story follows the fortunes of two noble families, and the consequences of one rashly destructive act (try to ignore the synopsis on the back of the book, which gives this act away), through several generations. Throughout, not only the story but also the world progress naturally and fascinatingly, as artistic fashions change and the society develops and diversifies. It is told in three parts, with each author taking one generation of characters - respectively: Roberson, Rawn, and Elliot. Melanie Rawn's section is the stand-out, but all three are highly accomplished pieces of writing, gripping and fluent as they tackle themes as varied as the relationship between art and artist, the moral responsibility of power, and the position of women in a highly-regulated society.Highly recommended.

### ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ 







  
  
    Rich and varied, utterly intriguing
  

*by K***R on Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 14 May 2004*

In most cases, books written by more than one author are rarely my favourites, seeming to result in a dilution of everyone's style and skill, rather than a concentration. Having read Kate Elliott's recent Crown of Stars series, this may actually be the case here too. However, it does not make this book any less enjoyable, and the writing is seemless - only being familiar with one of the authors, I was unable to tell who had written what, which was a pleasant surprise.The story is set in an Italian-esque world, where formal legal documentation has been replaced by formal paintings which use symbolism to represent the legalese normally taken up by miles of paper. However, one family of painters has the secret of magic and uses it to bring their family to the front of power in the Court.The story centres around Sario Grijalva, a member of this family of painters, whose belief in his own gift is so strong that it leads him to discover additional magics to those already known to his family, and to use them to further his own position, extend his life, and wreak revenge on those who oppose him. The story spans several centuries, and includes many different characters. However, in one way or another, it always comes back to Sario's relationship with Saavedra, a fellow Grijalva who was his friend, but fell foul of him when she became fearful of his power, and was trapped within a painting. It encompases magic, tragedy, romance and murder - a heady combination!This book is beautifully written, stands well on its own, and is based on a concept I've not come across before in fantasy fiction (although the idea of people extending their lives at the expense of others is certainly not new, it does tend to occur more in science fiction) You are left with a real feeling for all the main characters, and it's a real page turner. Highly recommended.

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*Product available on Desertcart New Zealand*
*Store origin: NZ*
*Last updated: 2026-03-12*