Review: The Dark Divine

Book: The Dark Divine
Author: Bree Despain
Pages: 372
Published: December 22nd 2009 by EgmontUSA
Source: Bought

A prodigal son

A dangerous love

A deadly secret . . .

I stood back and watched his movements. Daniel had that way about him that could shut me down in an instant. . . . I kicked the gravel a couple of times and worked up my courage again. “Tell me . . . I mean . . . why did you come back? Why now, after all this time?”

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 blood. But she has no idea what a truly monstrous secret that night really held. And when Daniel returns three years later, Grace can no longer deny her attraction to him, despite promising Jude she’ll stay away.

As Grace gets closer to Daniel, her actions stir the ancient evil Daniel unleashed that horrific night. Grace must discover the truth behind Jude and Daniel'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.

I was so completely excited to read The Dark Divine, and to be honest, I was completely terrified when I started. I didn't know how this would turn out, and I had ridiculously high hopes for this book. I was definitely anything but disappointed.

Daniel intrigued me from the start and I was completely on his side through everything, and I knew I was going to take his side instead of Jude's, even though Jude is supposed to be the good son and all. I loved how Grace wasn't written like some kind of perfect teenager just because her dad was a preacher; she was normal and her narrative was inviting and identifiable. Daniel and Grace's romance was intense and completely absorbing -- I so completely loved their scenes together and even though their romance is somewhat fast-paced, I thought it was so wonderfully written that it really doesn't seem fast-paced at the time at all -- it seemed so completely right, because they really loved each other and you could tell.

So the religious aspect of this novel really made me uncomfortable at first. I wasn't sure how much the whole religion thing would factor into the book, and I really do get really uncomfortable when people start talking and preaching about their religion. Luckily, that was completely not an issue. The book drew me in immediately and kept a hold over me without ever letting me go! I loved how the book was so edgy and kind somehow kind of innocent at the same time. I loved how Despain weaved in this idea of a family curse gone wrong, and also incorporated several elements of myths and legends into her book. One thing I really would have liked would be that the Markham Street Monster be elaborated on a little earlier in the book. It confused me at first and really bugged me that I wasn't so sure what the monster was, but luckily Despain explained that whole element really well later on.

Despain used some really interesting words to describe mundane actions, and I really liked how her writing was so unique. She definitely has a talent for storytelling -- some parts completely broke my heart and she was so good at eliciting emotions and reactions from me! There were a couple times I had to stop because I was so scared at what would happen next, and I would just take a deep breath and go OMGOMGOMGOMGin my head.

Bree Despain has definitely made a fan out of me! The Dark Divine wrapped up really nicely in the end and I don't know how she's going to write a sequel for it, but I'm seriously just so excited that she's writing one at all!

Overall: 5 out of 5 stars

Cover: I love this cover! It's so gorgeous, and I fell in love with this cover when I first saw it. I didn't really understand it when I began reading, but later on, nearer the climax I guess, I had an oh-moment, when I realized why the cover was the way it was, and that really made it more amazing, because it really does tie in to the story.

Review: Beautiful Creatures

Book: Beautiful Creatures
Author: Kami Garcia + Margaret Stohl
Pages: 563
Published: December 1st 2009 by Little, Brown

Lena Duchannes is unlike anyone the small Southern town of Gatlin has ever seen, and she’s struggling to conceal her power and a curse that has haunted her family for generations. But even within the overgrown gardens, murky swamps, and crumbling graveyards of the forgotten South, a secret cannot stay hidden forever.

Ethan Wate, who has been counting the months until he can escape from Gatlin, is haunted by dreams of a beautiful girl he has never met. When Lena moves into the town’s oldest and most infamous plantation, Ethan is inexplicably drawn to her and determined to uncover the connection between them.

In a town with no surprises, one secret could change everything.

I thought there was no way this book could live up to my expectations. Every review I've read about BC was rule of raving comments and adoration, and so I set immeasurably high standards for this book. I was completely shocked when BC surpassed all of them.

I loved how easily I could connect with every single one of BC's characters. I didn't even have to try, and how often does that happen, right? Ethan and Lena's relationship was beautiful and sad, wonderful and turbulent, all at the same time. They both seemed like such genuine and seriously cool characters, and I kind of wished they were real. It was effortless for me to feel everything they felt and imagine everything they saw and did, and I loved that element of the story.

I read all 562 pages of this book in a day. I devoured it, I seriously just couldn't turn the pages fast enough! I wanted moremoremore and I even read at the dinner table (which is something I never do, so a book is freaking amazing if it's invited to dinner)! Kami Garcia and Margaret Stohl detailed everything, and by that I do mean everything. They don't leave anything out. I will admit, at the beginning, adding in all that background and introductory stuff, I was starting to doubt the book a little, but later on the details provided in the beginning are so helpful and I wouldn't have understood a lot of things if those hadn't been there.

So…umm. If you haven't picked up/read/bought/borrowed from your library/borrowed from your friends/done everything you could to get your hands on this book, you're kinda dumb. Cos I loved. Loved. LOVED. This book. (Yeah, yeah, my grammar there is terrible, WHATEVER.)

Needless to say, Kami Garcia and Margaret Stohl have made a crazy swimfan out of me and I can't wait for Beautiful Darkness, the sequel!

Overall: 5 out of 5 stars

Cover: I have loved this cover insanely much since it was revealed. It is so gorgeous, and you don't even know how amazing it is until you see it in person. I love the lettering used and the trees in the background…absolutely gorgeous.