The Dark Divine Review

Author: Bree Despain

Release Date: December 22, 2009 (Tomorrow!)

Pages: 375 (Advance Readers Copy)

Publisher: EgmontUSA

Most Appropriate For Ages: 12

A prodigal son

A dangerous love

A deadly secret . . .

I stood back and watched his movements. Daniel had that way about him that could shut me down in an instant. . . . I kicked the gravel a couple of times and worked up my courage again. “Tell me . . . I mean . . . why did you come back? Why now, after all this time?”

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 blood. But she has no idea what a truly monstrous secret that night really held. And when Daniel returns three years later, Grace can no longer deny her attraction to him, despite promising Jude she’ll stay away.

As Grace gets closer to Daniel, her actions stir the ancient evil Daniel unleashed that horrific night. Grace must discover the truth behind Jude and Daniel'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.

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Wow. Talk about a book that will grab you, make you fall for it, and won't let you go. The Dark Divine was breathtakingly amazing. I absolutely loved it.

It's so hard to talk about the plot without giving anything away. It's fast-paced, darkly beautiful and romantic, and it constantly throws twists and turns at you. I could only put this down when forced to do so. Don't start this when you're busy. It's all you'll do, and all you'll think about.

The characters were so easy to love. Grace is the classic good girl, but never to the point where she annoyed me. (Well, Grace's decisions ocasionally did, but not her good-girl-ness.) Daniel isn't your typical bad-boy. He appears that way, but he desperately wants to change, which makes him all the more lovable. And of course I loved him too. And the romance between Daniel and Grace is fantastic.

The writing was dark, beautiful, and everything that the novel demanded. Bree Despain is sure to become a big name in YA paranormal. (Or at least she deserves to be.) I will definitely be getting more books by her when they're released.

The ending wrapped everything together perfectly. I loved it. (Except the death of a minor, yet still important character. I didn't love that.) I know that Bree Despain is working on a sequel, and I hope she is a fast writer because I'm not sure how long I can wait. I highly recommend The Dark Divine. As in, go buy it now recommend. Because if you don't like it, send it my way, because I need my own hardcover copy to add to my bookshelf.

(Thank you to EgmontUSA for providing me with a review copy.)