Review THE DARK DIVINE by Bree Despain

THE DARK DIVINE
by Bree Despain
Published December 22nd 2009 by EgmontUSA
Hardcover, 372 pages
http://www.breedespain.com/

Placement in the Pile: Top of the Stack

Summary:
A prodigal son
A dangerous love
A deadly secret...

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. (GoodReads)

Review:
The Dark Divine is a very gripping read that combines the paranormal, religion, romance and redemption.

I really connected with Grace as a character. She lives life in a religious family as I did and it is what guides many of her actions. However when Daniel arrives, secrets also come flooding back into her life and she is forced to question her beliefs - in a very positive way.

Daniel is the perfect cad. Or so it would seem. Truly the prodigal son (except for the part about being a flesh and blood son of the Divine family) of the story, yet with a twist. Even he can't seem to hope to find redemption and forgiveness for his actions.

Thoroughly enjoyable, a tad predictable at times (but I think that just stems from me reading so much paranormal romance) and with the last 75 pages being completely enthralling, I had to give this book top marks. With the predictability there were moments that truly and utterly shocked me, pulled me into this dark story, and made me long for more. I cannot wait for the next installment.

If you at all like paranormal novels this one is for you. It is highly romantic, but not so openly nauseating as some, so if romance is not your thing, you will still love the story. Truly there is universal messages here that Despain intertwines beautifully.

I am VERY glad I own this one for my shelf!