Ratings: 4.5/5 StarsGenre: Paranormal
Release Date: 12/22/09
About the Book: Three years ago Grace's childhood crush and family friend Daniel disappeared and Grace's brother Jude showed up on the front porch covered in blood. No one has talked about that night. But now Daniel is back and as much as Grace tries to stay away, she can't help but wonder what happened between Daniel and Jude. The closer Grace gets to Daniel, the more danger she finds herself in.
GreenBeanTeenQueen Says: I've been feeling a little burnt out on paranormals, so I was wary of reading The Dark Divine. Luckily Bree Despain offers up a refreshing take and makes The Dark Divine an addicting read!
The story is based on the parable of The Prodigal Son and Grace is a pastor's daughter, so there's an interesting mix of religion and paranormal which I really enjoyed. I felt it made this one stand out. That's not to say this is Christian Fiction or a book with a religious message, but there are religious themes to the plot which to me made the storyline more unique. It wasn't just another paranormal young adult novel.
I also really liked that fact that Grace and Daniel were childhood friends. They had shared an attraction before and their romance wasn't a love at first sight sweeping romance, but a love built on friendship. I thought this made their relationship even hotter than some of those we met and we're madly in love romances that so often occur in this genre.
I was talking this one up to my teens this past week and they all wanted to check it out. I anticipate long hold lists for this one when it arrives at my library. I recommend curling up and reading this in one weekend-it's a book you won't want to be torn away from. And be sure to have the soundtrack playing-Bree has some great picks on the playlist and they fit the book perfectly. (And yes, she may have added many of my favorite songs, but I would love the soundtrack even if Death Cab for Cutie, Postal Service and Band of Horses weren't on it-honestly!)
Reviewed Source: ARC from publisher at ALA
You echo my thoughts so well! I really enjoyed The Dark Divine. I've been burnt out on paranormals for awhile but the cover just reached out and grabbed me and then the story wowed me.
ReplyDeleteI JUST now finished this and totally agree.
ReplyDeleteThis sounds really good, and I am even more intrigued now that you've described the complexity of the themes ... AND now that I know there's a soundtrack. :-)
ReplyDeleteOoh, that does look like a good soundtrack. I know what I'm going to be listening to the next time I sit down to write blog posts! :) Thanks for the review!
ReplyDelete