Review: The Dark Divine by Bree Despain

Number of Pages: 384

Release Date: Dec 22 2009

Publisher: EgmontUSA

Formats Available: Hardcover, audio

Purchasing Info: Amazon.com, author's website, Goodreads page

Book Blurb:

Grace Divine, daughter of the local pastor, always knew something terrible happened the night Daniel Kalbi disappeared--the night she found her brother Jude collapsed on the porch, covered in his own blood--but she has no idea what a truly monstrous secret that night held.

The memories her family has tried to bury resurface when Daniel returns, three years later, and enrolls in Grace and Jude's high school. Despite promising Jude she'll stay away, Grace cannot deny her attraction to Daniel's shocking artistic abilities, his way of getting her to look at the world from new angles, and the strange, hungry glint in his eyes.

The closer Grace gets to Daniel, the more she jeopardizes her life, as her actions stir resentment in Jude and drive him to embrace the ancient evil Daniel unleashed that horrific night. Grace must discover the truth behind the boy's dark secret...and the cure that can save the ones she loves. But she may have to lay down the ultimate sacrifice to do it--her soul.

My thoughts:

This is not just your typical "good girl falls for bad boy" story. Grace is not a weak character. Her major flaw is innocence but she makes up for it with being stubborn yet open-minded when necessary. You can't help but feel for Daniel and what he had to endure growing up. He is fighting to prove he's better than where he came from. Throughout the book, I really felt the characters' emotions & was deeply drawn into the amazing story Bree created. Although much is wrapped up plot-wise & there's a satisfying ending, you can't help but wonder what happens next and it's easy to see that Bree has so much more in store for these characters. I'm really hoping for a sequel, can you tell?!

I know it's early in the game, but I think it's safe to say this is going to end up being a top 10 read for 2010. Yay, Bree on writing such an awesome debut!

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