Review: The Dark Divine

Title: The Dark Divine
Author: Bree Despain
Publisher: Egmont
Reading Level: Young Adult
Pages: 384
Rating: 4/5 stars

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.

Review:
I read this in one sitting. It's a slow start in the plot, but not in character development. We are busy learning about the character's in this story. In the middle is when the plot starts to pick up. 

This story has a lot of Christian undertone's in it, which I liked. Grace is the daughter of a Pastor. Her life is lead by the teachings she has learned from her father and the Bible. This is where Daniel comes in, the resident bad boy (who really isn't a bad boy to begin with). I could guess what kind of monster that goes bump in the night he was, there isn't much in the element of surprise, but that is OK. There is a different twist on this creature than I have read before. 


There is a small love story and true sacrifice in this story. I did enjoy it very much. There will also be a sequel later on this year!! Great debut novel. I would have never guessed this her first novel.
 Her writing style flows effortlessly!

Quote:
"I was about to ask about it when Daniel flopped down on the mattress. He pulled off his shoes and went for the zipper of his jumpsuit. A flash of panic went through my body. I turned my head and lowered my gaze.
"Don't worry prescious," Daniel said "I'm not going to violate your virgin eyes."