Review: The Dark Devine

So that's 3 reviews in one day from me, pretty good. One more today and than I'm calling it quits. Sad thing is that I'm still not even going to be caught up until a couple more reviews though:(

The Dark Devine by Bree Despain
Published: by Egmont USA - 12/22/09
Pages: 375
Series or Standalone? 1st in a series. (I don't know how many books are planned but I know there is a sequel.)

Summary (from GoodReads):
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.

Awesome! Yes, that is how I'm going to start of this review because this book was awesome from start to finish! It has secured a place on my "favorite debuts" and "favorite books of all times" lists.

I'm seriously at a loss here on how to review this without just saying how awesome it is every other word or giving anything away.

One thing I will say though is that I was not aware going into this book that this this was a book with supernatural aspects, which I totally think made it ten times more awesome!

Let it be known though that once you start this book you will not be able to put it down until you have read every last word! I mean homework, cooking, cleaning? Forget about it- you're going to be too hooked!

In regards to characters, Bree Despain kicks some serious butt! They were all highly developed, dynamic, and well, awesome!

Grace. Such a wonderful protagonist/ heroine. She is the right mix of courageous and strong, and yet vulnerable to be a very "real"/believable character! And that is to be seriously admired by both Grace and Despain!

Daniel. Uhm, Best Bad Boy of '09 contender right here! He is also the right mix of things; bad boy and heart throb yet seriously hot because he can be sensitive too.

Jude. All I can say is that the evolution of him was quite a thing to see. (well, read.)

Also, I shall address the "religious" aspect of the book. While I personally don't have a problem with religion being mentioned in a book (as long as its not being preached at me), I know that some do. Yes, there is a religion mentioned and it is an aspect, but it is in no way preaching or advocating one religion over another. It is however adding depth (right word?) in that it really puts it in perspective the significance of some of the character's actions because of the religion.

Oh my word, I just seriously love this book! The story is so enthralling and captivating that time is almost at a standstill. I simply can't find a flaw in it.

Overall, The Dark Devine is a simply amazing debut that is now one of my all time favorite books. I highly recommend it to all- slightly leaning more towards girls- but I think all can find enjoyment in it.

When Hooked: Immediately.
Hookability: (10/10)
Writing: (10/10)
Characters: (10/10)
Plot: (10/10)
Originality: (10/10)
Romance: (10/10)
Ending: (9.5/10)
Remembarable: (10/10)
Recommendability: (10/10)
Enjoyability: (10/10)

Overall: (9.84/10)








(If you are a "letter person" 99.5/100 = A+)*

*This is a great example of how my scoring of the aspects doesn't necessarily correlate with the overall rating. Though they usually are close.
**Also: This cover is soooo cool! I absolutely adore the purple! Cover= (9.5/10)

Want More Bree Despain? The sequel to The Dark Devine (which doesn't have a determined title yet) is set to be released 2011, I think.

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You can find Bree Despain on:
her website (http://www.breedespain.com/)
her blog (http://www.breebiesingerdespain.blogspot.com/)
her twitter (@BreeDespain)
or on GoodReads (where she is a member)

You can find The Dark Devine at:
GoodReads / Borders / Barnes&Noble / Amazon / Indie

Waiting On Wednesday: Sept. 9th

(Waiting on Wednesday is originally hosted by Jill over at Breaking the Spine)


As this is my first Waiting on Wednesday, I thought I would display some top-priority reads of 2009 first...

Hush, Hush by Becca Fitzpatrick

Synopsis (from Goodreads):

For Nora Grey, romance was not part of the plan. She's never been particularly attracted to the boys at her school, no matter how much her best friend, Vee, pushes them at her. Not until Patch came along. With his easy smile and eyes that seem to see inside her, Nora is drawn to him against her better judgment.

But after a series of terrifying encounters, Nora's not sure who to trust. Patch seems to be everywhere she is, and to know more about her than her closest friends. She can't decide whether she should fall into his arms or run and hide. And when she tries to seek some answers, she finds herself near a truth that is way more unsettling than anything Patch makes her feel.

For Nora is right in the middle of an ancient battle between the immortal and those that have fallen - and, when it comes to choosing sides, the wrong choice will cost her life.

Why I want to read this: How can you read the synopsis and not want this? :) Patch and Nora are totally uncommon names, but totally awesome ones at that. Plus, I've heard nothing but absolute raves about this book. Hush, Hush is out October 13, 2009

The Dark Devine by Bree Despain

Synopsis (from Goodreads):

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.

Why I want to read this: Oooohh, creepy romance, preist's daughter, disappearances and reapperarances. Plus, I read the first chapter online and it was soooo good. :) The Dark Devine is out December 22, 2009

Beautiful Creatures by Kami Garcia & Margaret Stohl

Synopsis (from Goodreads):

There were no surprises in Gatlin County
We were pretty much the epicenter of the middle of nowhere.
At least, that’s what I thought.
Turns out, I couldn’t have been more wrong.

There was a curse.
There was a girl.
And in the end, there was a grave.

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.

Why I want to read this: Let me pick out a few kew words that lead you to believe it's awesomeness; surprise, epicenter, wrong, curse, grave, generations, secret, forever, Ethan, drawn. Got you wanting to read it? Me too, me too. Beautiful Creatures is out December 1, 2009