The Dark Divine

Grace Divine, the daughter of a preacher, has always wondered what happened that fateful night. The night her friend Daniel disappeared and her brother ended up covered in blood.

The new spin on werewolves was very intriguing. Although, the reader will most likely discover most of the truths before our main character, Grace, it does not distract from the pleasant tale and the intricately woven novel. What does distract a little from the tale was the whole religion aspect. The main character’s father is a preacher and at first it seems to be overly done, but eventually his clear purpose of a character is revealed. The book did indeed need preacher as a father to tell the tale of The Prodigal Son, and to explain how werewolves are important to a church without causing riots from the people.

Bree Despain is a masterful writer! The Dark Divine is a book that plunks you down into a roller coaster car, tightens the harness and takes off without even giving you a chance to think twice. From the very first page I was hooked and there was no going back!

We meet Grace Divine, her sister Charity Divine and her brother Jude Divine. How much do you love their names? I know I did. They are the children of (fittingly enough) a pastor and have the "perfect family" vibe going on.

Enter Daniel Kalbi. A spectre from their past, and Grace's long time crush. After vanishing, he comes back unexpectedly and Grace finds herself falling for him all over again. Except this time, he's a different person and there is something mysterious about him.

Grace is a really fantastic main character. I have heard others say that she doesn't actually contribute a lot to the story, but I disagree. Following her through the story is intriguing, and seeing how her upbringing affects her decisions is intense. There are so many times in the story that Grace is stuck in a moral quandary and still makes a great decision.

Long story short? Really enjoyed this book!

I went into this with no expectations, and I fell in love. I really appreciated that Grace Divine comes from a pastor's home and both her home and her private school ring true to me. (I was raised in a conservative home and went to a private school.) I also loved that the supernatural mystery was based in historical documents. Ms. Despain has created a solid mythology that was both thorough and fascinating. Another strong point in the book's favor is the complexity of the relationships between Grace and her family members. (Several of whom are hiding really big secrets that directly affect Grace.)

But what really made this book sing for me was the complicated relationship between Daniel and Grace. Tension, betrayal, loyalty, and love that refuses to quit--it's a lovely, all-encompassing relationship that sucked me in right away!

And the ending! Oh, the ending ... Wow. I recommend this book to anyone!

Reader reviewed by Alex (Tales of a Teenage Book Lover)

With the mixed feedback I had been seeing on this book prior to my reading it, I tried to go into it without any expectations. I really thought I wasnt going to like it too much. Boy, was I wrong!

Though there isnt anything too special about her, Grace made a good protagonist and held the story together well. Though there were two guys fighting for her love, I felt that there was never any competition. But some of the characters made me furious! Her mother especially was such a bee with an itch that I wanted to throw my book at the wall whenever she decided to nag about something else. And Jude pd me off a few times.

The writing isnt anything spectacular, but The Dark Divine was written well, especially for a debut. Without too much description, you were able to easily settle into this world and were eventually sucked right in.

One thing this book has going for it is how addicting it is. There was more than one night where I stayed up into the AM to continue with this wildly entertaining story. The mythology and mystery in this book were so delicious that it had my attention until there were no more pages to turn. And the ending had me on the edge of my seat until I fell right off.

I just wish there had been more. But that is where The Lost Saint comes into play. Oh yes, there will be a sequel. And I cant wait for it! Because this wildly addicting debut novel with characters that fueled the story all the way through to the exciting ending made me wanting so much more.

Reader reviewed by Lindsay

OMG!! This book was amazing!! I loved it and is now making all my friends read it!! My one friend is reading it now and she is on page 12 and she already loves it. I think there should be another book because i think a lot of people would buy it!! I give this book 5 Stars and hope you write another one!!

                                      ~ Lindsay

Reader reviewed by Ruthie

Reader reviewed by Jen

I just finished reading The Dark Divine and it was fantastic!  With all the stories out right now about werewolves this one has the most unique spin on it.  Bree Despain tells a fantastic story where the main character is relatable. 

The Dark Divine focuses on the Divine family.  The father is a pastor, Jude the oldest is perfect and Grace is the artist and narrator of the story. Everything is normal in Grace's life until Daniel returns to Rose Crest. He had left years before after having a falling out with Jude.  Grace has to choose between her brother and the boy she loves all the while not knowing the real reason for the divide between them.  If all this isn't enough the Markham Street monster has returned and people are dying.

Overall this book is suitable for teens 14 and up because of violence.  This is great story   telling and the sequel holds a lot of promise!

Reader reviewed by Ari

This book was extremely complicated, but also completely heartwarming and tearjerking. While combining a love story with a mystery, Bree Despain has shown a incredible story. This book was so incredibly sad. There were horrifying moments were I was just in complete and utter awe. The whole book Grace is trying to convince herself of what Jude is telling her. Grace doesnt even notice how everything completely falls apart for her once normal life when her best friend April starts to date her brother. But that is also when she begins to become closer with Daniel. I frankly didnt like April. I felt like burying her alive because frankly I found her selfish and stupid. If she hadnt been so selfish nothing bad would have happened at the end. If she hadnt been so stupid a lot of things wouldnt have happened. Granted thats saying a lot of her selfishness and stupidy created some of the story. But still I have all rights to hate her. And then that Pete guy. Definiteley didnt like him. But then Don, he was such a sweetheart. Granted he was big and scary and what happens to him at the end is depressing but still I couldnt help but love him. And then of course Daniel. Daniel truly is a cocky guy that everyone would love. Grace is one of few heroines Ive read about in books like this that truly have a backbone. I have a little note for the characters of Twilight. Edward rip out your fangs because the vamps are going out of business and make way for Werewolves. Bella, move your pale butt to the other side of the earth because Grace is our new favorite heroine who can take care of herself. If this book becomes the next Twilight then finally people are getting things right. This book was incredible.