Thursday, October 06, 2011

REVIEW: The Dark Divine by Bree Despain (Paranormal Month)

I think the same reason that put me off reading this book for so long is the same reason that has put me off reviewing this book. So you'll have to hold my hand for a minute while I talk around what I thought of this book.

The Dark Divine by Bree Despain was a book that really grabbed my attention when it was first published, with its beautiful cover and the very purpleyness of it. I didn't know much about the book at all, I read very few reviews of it when it first came out but even so when another blogger offered to send me a copy of the book I said 'yes' because I thought I'd be missing out if I'd answered any differently.

And yet when the book arrived it languished on my shelf for more than a year. Holding the book in my hand and reading the blurb on the back of the book was probably the first time I'd read any kind of description of the book. It's a paranormal book! About a girl whose father is a pastor. And the religious aspects of how his job and the values that he stands for affect our main character, Grace, and her brother, Jude, is the main reason why I'd been slow to read the book and also slow to review it, even though I really did enjoy it.

I found The Dark Divine to be very different in tone and style than I was expecting before I started. I fell into the story very quickly and was immediately curious to have all of my questions answered. I wanted to know more about Grace's relationship with Daniel, this mysterious boy who enters her life again after years apart. I wanted to know more about this horrible event that everyone keeps alluding to which led to Daniel leaving. What really happened the night Daniel left? And why has he returned now and what does he want?

I really loved unravelling that particular mystery, even when I felt somewhat uncomfortable with the amount of religious imagery and references there are made. I really loved the characters that Bree Despain introduces us to, from Grace to her father and especially Daniel. The only character I didn't really connect with is Grace's brother Jude,with his 'perfect' label and his self-sacrificing ways. I think he just mostly irritated me with his goodness. And as the major conflict between Grace and Daniel seemed to be Jude's disapproval, Jude didn't really gain any favours in my book.

I was actually really surprised by this book. I found it really easy to get wrapped up in. I felt like it balanced the mythology of the paranormal well, together with the romance and especially the mystery surrounding all of these past actions of Daniel and Grace's family. I'm really looking forward to reading more in this series!

7 comments:

  1. Great review, this sounds like an interesting book.

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  2. I agree with Jenny, sounds interesting! Jude sounds like a pain :P

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  3. Jenni - It is interesting, I really enjoyed myself :) I have the sequel here waiting for me too.

    Cliona - It is, and Jude really IS a pain! :)

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  4. I've had this on my shelf for ages but maybe I should dig it out and give it a chance.

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  5. Ive had this one for ages too but for some reason other things keep getting in the way! I will read it soon though cos it sounds like you really enjoyed it!

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  6. Raimy - I really did! And I hope you do as well :)

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