Throughout the whole novel, sexy Daniel temptation and all, Grace remained a true Christian main character…WITHOUT being preachy. She was brave enough to go out searching for whatever answers she didn’t have and if someone was in trouble, like on Thanksgiving…Grace never shied away.ĭ: And when someone promised her answers and didn’t deliver, she would be right there, tapping them on the shoulder, like “Um excuse me, but how about telling me now?” And I mean that “excuse me” in the least sarcastic way possible. I loved that she never sat back and let the story happen to her. You’re so dreamy.) What I love love loved about Grace was that she insisted upon answers for all the mysterious happenings.į: Grace was not passive at all. Technically, it took awhile to get into the thick of the action and the aforementioned “secret,” but the beginning really established the characters and their relationships, so by the time we got to the action, it MEANT something. Like sprite.ĭ: ANYWAY… I felt like the development of the plot was strong, too. So there was never any question about where we were, what time it was, if we were in the past or present. Rather than relying on a straightforward timeline to tell her story or more ho-hum transitions like “when winter came…” or “four days later…” Bree just spelled out the time for you at the start of the section. She had a very unique way of passing the time and jumping back with flashbacks. Let’s talk about Bree’s handling of time.
Grace narrates: "I wanted to kiss him with all the longing in my eleven-and-a-half-year-old heart, and I knew he knew it."į: Good quote choice, Donna, and nice flashback. What I also appreciated was when Daniel had some of his early antagonistic moments, there was more of a sense of his picking up where they left off as kids, rather than coming across as a beautiful jerk with no purpose.ĭ: A line that perfectly shows this – In a flashback, 12-year-old Daniel dares an 11-year-old Grace to kiss him. You could definitely feel the connection between them, strengthened by their past history. They were childhood best friends, along with Jude, so I bought the intensity of their romance immediately.į: Yes. And he genuinely cared for Grace-he had his secrets, but he didn’t play any games. Hot, strong, tortured, dealing with his inner demons, literally and figuratively…ĭ: I know! But no spoilers here. And Grace – oldest girl, artist, fearless, loyal…and falling head over heels for Daniel Kalbi.į: Ah, Mr. Jude – oldest brother, hottie saint in the making. Charity – younger sister…mostly just there. Divine – the perfectionist who must keep up appearances and cooks a lot. Roll call! Pastor Divine – the super-dedicated, weight-of-the-world-on-his-shoulders patriarch. This story was so refreshing and different from so many other YA paranormal romances I’d read this year.ĭ: I agree! Can we start with characters? I really loved the Divine family - they’re like the Camdens with a dark, realistic side. And we’re not the only ones who think so… But let’s talk about what’s inside the cover. Purple toenails…hawt! Also, the cover, beautiful. But it’s even better than fancy nail polish!įrankie: It is, although hang on one second here. WHAT’S THE SECRET? Does it have something to do with a floating girl with purple toenails? Answer: Nope.
The back of the book reads like the ultimate movie teaser – A Prodigal Son. But she may have to lay down the ultimate sacrifice to do it-her soul.ĭonna: When I started The Dark Divine, I had no idea what to expect. and the cure that can save the ones she loves. Grace must discover the truth behind Jude and Daniel's dark secret. And when Daniel returns three years later, Grace can no longer deny her attraction to him, despite promising Jude she’ll stay away.Īs Grace gets closer to Daniel, her actions stir the ancient evil Daniel unleashed that horrific night. But she has no idea what a truly monstrous secret that night really held.
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. Today's willing victim: The Dark Divine, brainchild of debut author Bree Despain Frankie and Donna present another spectacular co-review: We giggle! We mock each other! And somewhere in there, we gush over our favorite bits of a shiny new book!