The Dark Divine (Giveaway Points Post)

**And so the MegaBook Giveaway begins! Remember you can get 5 extra points when you comment on a post (like this one) between now and the end end of the contest. Be sure to ENTER HERE if you haven't already. Good Luck!

Let's start this MegaBook Giveaway with a review on a great new paranormal book by a debut author.

The Dark Divine by Bree Despain Pub: December 2009 384 pages

Synopsis: 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.


Oh, yeah! So much fun to read! I heard an editor from Egmont talking about this book at a conference months ago and I've been dying to read it! So happy it lived up to my expectations!

Grace is kind, caring, stubborn, and bossy. She's a people pleaser with a rebellious streak. It's very easy to connect with her. And Grace is put in a ton of weird, and complex situations that she handles well. I don't think I'd fare as well.

Daniel is dark, mysterious, sexy and vulnerable. What a great recipe for a male romantic love interest, right? He's an excellent artist with an extremely trouble past that at times made me flinch. It is amazing this guy has turned so well.

I found it troublesome that those around Grace label Daniel as a Bad Boy. There is the 'dark' mystery in his past, but his present actions only show him to be a kind, helpful, quiet, generous guy. His romance with Grace is sweet and innocent rather than hot.

The Dark Divine is jam packed with good characterization and a well paced plot. I mean, this book never slowed, it just kept you on a steady fast ride all the way through.

While we're dealing with Grace's family complications, her feelings for Daniel, her problems at school and her obligations to the parish, we're worried about all the people disappearing and the weird pet killings raging through the town.

One complaint would be that Grace's best friend, April, becomes one of those annoying BFF's that goes crazy for a guy, in this case, Grace's brother, Jude. It often seems like April is willing to choose trying for a chance with Jude over taking care of her friendship with Grace.

I would have also preferred if the paranormal element was introduced sooner. My love for paranormal is why I read this stuff so please give it to me sooner!

I sooo wish to talk about the paranormal element, but that's a fun reveal so...my lips are sealed -- more like my hands are tied.

I was a bit worried about Grace's dad being a pastor, but my fear was unwarranted. Selflessness and forgiveness are portrayed and talked about often but The Dark Divine didn't get preachy. This is a forbidden love kind of story, so every now and then, something winked "Twilight" to me, but Despain's story and characters are unique and I was quick to get over it.

Romance, mystery, suspense, the supernatural...if that's your cup of tea, then you should snap up The Dark Divine.

The Cover: I love it with one caveat. I think her legs look odd. They're weirdly shaped and so skinny! But I like the colors, nail polish and flowing material.

First Lines: "Grace! You have got to see the new guy." April bounded up to me in the junior hallway.
Doesn't really catch my interest. That there's going to be a hot guy in the story is no big surprise.

Author's Website: www.breedespain.com/

Have your own review of this book? Add the link here!