The Dividing

Hunger Games meets Brandon Sanderson in this dystopian fantasy of epic proportions. Inspired by biblical theology, The Dividing will pull you into a world of magic, monsters, and mystery!

Adamic is the language of the Gods. When spoken, it has the power to create worlds, to raise the dead, to make man as God. Fortunately, no one has spoken it in thousands of years. The only remnants are the written spells. 

The people of Cavernum depend on these spells. They're etched into the city walls, fending off the feeders—deadly creatures with a thirst for human blood. Yet for the lower class, Cavernum isn't much safer. Children starve, and illness runs rampant. Only the elite have access to magic, and status must be earned. One's class is determined by a single competition: The Dividing. Those who excel join the guild of their choice. The rest are sent to the fields, condemned to a life of slave-labor. 

Princess Roselyn Malik has trained her entire life for The Dividing. She's guaranteed a spot in the royal orchestra, but equalist rebels threaten her throne. To secure her crown, Rose must acquire the power and prestige associated with the guard. Only guardsmen have access to the amulets—powerful weapons that grant dominion over the elements. 

Meanwhile, in Colorado, Matt will do anything to help his terminally-ill adoptive mother. For now, that means poaching to pay the bills. Until one day, Matt is attacked by a feeder and plunged into the world of Cavernum. There too, Matt is drawn to the guard, in search of a magic strong enough to save his mother. 

But danger lurks beyond the walls, and Cavernum won't be safe for long. 

Editorial Reviews:

"Downing has clearly put an immense amount of time working out the details of his fictional setting, and it shows on every page." -Kirkus Reviews

"Loved it! The Dividing is an intense urban fantasy reminiscent of early YA greats like Divergent or Throne of Glass." - Reedsy Discovery

"Hunger Games meets Throne of Glass. I would highly recommend it to all of my YA/NA lovers out there."  - D. Salazar

"There is something for everyone in this book: action, legends, magic, romance, a quest for knowledge, battles against injustice." - D. E. Bagenstose

Back Cover:

Through the Adamic language, God created the earth and everything on it. On the last day of creation, God created man and granted him dominion over all the earth.
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"Dominion isn't everything, Matt. Sure, we can walk on water and set the air ablaze. We can do incredible things. Sometimes, that makes us feel like Gods... but we're not. We're just people. We can't always decide who lives and who dies."